Fatigued and depleted of energy Tina agreed and headed towards the bedroom.

*

It was after ten when Tina noticed the time again. At first the tiredness that she felt in her body left her feeling numb and without memory, but within seconds her heart dropped to her stomach when she remembered the reason for her groggy state.

It was because of Bette.

Suddenly fear and panic consumed her and she felt a panic attack rise and restrict her breathing. She hadn’t had one of those in a very long while, since before the pregnancy, and found herself at a loss as to how to deal with it.

“Alice” she wheezed as she found herself gasping for air like a fish out of water.

“Alice!” she managed to get out this time causing Alice to run into the bedroom.

“What’s wrong T?” Alice didn’t wait for a response as she rushed back towards the kitchen in search of a paper bag and a glass of water.

“Is she here?” Tina asked in between breaths.

“No baby she’s notshhh.just breathe slowly okay?” Alice tried to calm her.

“Where can she be?” Tina’s breaths were slowing but she was beginning to tear up again and Alice didn’t know how much more of this she could take.

“I’m gonna call Kit okay? Stay here and I’ll be right back.” Alice moved swiftly to the living room to call Kit’s number in private.

“Hey mama” Kit responded to the caller id.

“Kit its Alice.” Alice identified herself quickly and then continued. “Has Bette called you yet?”

“Hey Alice, noshe hasn’t and I’m starting to get a little concerned now as she should have been here last night. It’s also not like Bette not to call and let people know what she’s up towell not these days anyway.” Kit finished.

“Yeah I know,” Alice agreed, “Tina’s a mess Kit” Alice continued sadly.

“I dunno what she was thinking, especially after agreeing to get married and all”

“Yeah but Kit, Tina says Bette didn’t give her a chance to explain,” Alice interjected.

“Well I guess if she didn’t disappear for several hours she wouldn’t have had to explain now would she?” Kit remarked acidly and then continued, “But if that sister of mine wasn’t so hot headed and would just listen before she acted well” she drifted off.

“Yep that’s Bette alright,” agreed Alice. “What are we gonna do Kit?”

“Let’s give it until lunch time and then I’ll call a police friend of mine and ask him what we should dotry to keep her calm okay?”

“Okay,” Alice said before ending the call. She placed the cordless phone back in it’s cradle, let out a little sigh and walked back into the bedroom to try to console her inconsolable friend.