Once they got home they called the gang and invited them to meet them down town at a club at 8 that evening.

Sitting at a table Tina and Bette waited for their friends to show up. The atmosphere of the club seemed to be upscale. The music was a mix of dance music with some oldies thrown in occasionally. Tina ordered a drink as soon as they arrived however, Bette ordered a club soda.

Soon the gang started showing up and the evening got into full swing. They were laughing, dancing, and drinking just like old times. Alice noticed that Bette had not even had as much as a beer all night.

“Porter what are you tonight Tina’s babysitter. I know you have not had a drink all night. And here I wanted to propose a toast to old friends. You know it’s not a proper toast without booze.”

Bette eyes looked up to find Tina’s. She was not sure she wanted to share her reasons for not drinking with all of them tonight. Tina came to her rescue. “Alice, as a matter of fact Bette, is my babysitter tonight. The last time we went out in Denver I was the babysitter, so now it’s Bette’s turn.”

“Oh come on Tina…Porter can hold her booze better than anyone I know. One beer or shot is not going to make Porter incapable of doing her job.”

“Actually, Alice I don’t drink anymore Bette said in a low voice.”

“Don’t drink anymore! What the hell is that…did pigs learn to fly because that’s what will happen when the Porter I know gives up the spirits.”

Bette sat her glass of club soda back down on the table and said, “I’m going to the ladies room be right back.”

Tina’s eyes followed Bette as she left the table then immediately cut in Alice’s direction.

“Alice I told you before to stop making assumptions about Bette. Thank you for making her feel like shit tonight…it’s just what she needed. If you really want to know why Bette’s not drinking tonight…she can’t anymore Alice. It became an addiction for her. Tonight was huge for her in that she came out to a club knowing it would be here and all you guys would be here drinking too. Alice it was so bad she had to have treatment. You remember how Kit use to be, well Bette put Kit to shame. So lay off her tonight Alice or you will answer to me. Got it! Now I am going to the bathroom to check on her.”