"Whoa. Is this an ambush interview? Aren’t you supposed to be hiding out in the bushes to jump in front of me as I jog by. Then as I frantically try to outrun you , you’d scream your questions to my ass?" Dana’s eyes danced as she imagined the scenario. "Then I’d suddenly notice that you were really cute and I’d turn around and jog back to you and…"

Alice sighed. "Nooo… It’s a serious question Dane. I really want to know."

Dana quirked an eyebrow and sat down at the edge of the bed. She put a finger to her chin as she contemplated Alice’s question.

"Jesus Dana, while it’s morning! I’m not asking you how to achieve world peace, you know." Alice said impatiently.

"Fine. Well, I figure if 176 is as high I could go, I would still push for 175." Dana grinned. "But if I have to retire before I get into the top 50′s, I guess I’ll be fine with that." She shrugged and smiled up at Alice.

"But… but… Isn’t it your dream to, I don’t know, win a grand slam or something?"

"Not really. I just like to play."

"Don’t you want to at least see Doha or," Alice tried to remember the invitations that Dana had received in the past, "Japan or Berlin?"

"Oh no. Those places are too far away. I’m fine just playing the States."

"Too far away?"

"Yeah." Dana looked down, suddenly shy. "From you."

Aha. Alice crowed. She persisted in her questions. After all, that just answered one.

"Okay. That’s so sweet! Anyway, another question. How can you be happy when you’re just average? Mediocre? Not even, now with all these younger players coming up. Pretty soon you’d be lucky to be seeded at tournaments at all!"

"Wow Alice, you really don’t need to pull your punches." Dana rubbed at her upper arm, thinking. "Hmm."

"Well?"

"I guess I am happy… or at least satisfied… I’m not very ambitious at all, am I?"

"No. Not at all."

"Is that bad?"

"I don’t know. Is it?" Alice was truly confused.

Dana shrugged elaborately. "I’m not really one of those big dreamers, Alice. I’m fine with staying home with you. And Mr. Piddles before you."