I can barely make out the words as they fall from her lips, and when I open my own mouth to reply I have no idea what to say. But, for the first time in months the universe is on my side and out of the corner of my eye I see Bette striding toward my table. The normally unwanted company is a good distraction, and even I can hear the slight amount of relief in my voice as I speak her name. Lara turns and looks up at Bette and smiles politely before asking Bette if she needs anything. Bette rattles off her order and Lara disappears. I doubt that she’ll bring the coffee over herself and, mercifully, I am saved for the moment. I watch as Bette situates herself and then looks at me expectantly. “Where have you been?” She asks and I am thankful that Bette is one of the people in my life that is astute enough to not open the conversation with a sympathetic look and a ‘how have you been’.

I shrug and Bette picks up my cup and takes a drink raising an eyebrow at the bitterness of the drink. “Maybe the same place you’ve been.” I reply. I haven’t seen much of any of them. They all cared for you too, Dana, but even I can sense that they are becoming bored with my unhappiness. I know that even though they are the closest people to me It is making them uncomfortable because they don’t know what to say to me. “How’s Angelica?” I ask, wanting to change a subject that hasn’t even begun.

Bette looks at me for a moment her dark eyes searching mine, but finally answers. “She’s fine.” Bette’s voice is sad and a swell of pain that I didn’t think was possible grips my heart for the state of my friends relationship. “I’m going to pick her up later tonight.” Bette smiles at me, “You should come and visit with us.”

“I don’t know. Maybe. Are you getting along with Tina?”

Darkness shrouds her face for a moment and then she shrugs it off quickly. “I think so.”

We sit together in a not so comfortable silence and I know that I have to broach the subject that Bette doesn’t know how to approach. She wants to know that I am okay, but she knows that I don’t want her to ask. “I saw Dana’s lawyer today.” I say after a few more moments of silence. She doesn’t say anything, only gives me time to continue, if I want to. “Dana’s parents are contesting the will.”