“She was but she found some old contacts and they were happy to hire her back” Alice explained with just as much care as Shane had expressed.  “She’s been living on her own for a couple of months” she concluded as a dumbfounded Bette stared plain tablecloth.

“We just had a house warming party for her you know” Tonya added then shrank as she felt the intensity of Dana’s glare.  She shrugged it off then looked back at Bette.

“Thank you Tonya” Dana rubbed her fiancés arm as a warning to shut up.

“When did she start working there?”  Bette couldn’t believe how so much had changed since that god awful night.

“It’s been about almost three months” Shane added.

“Where is she living now?” Bette looked at Shane but Alice answered.

 “About a block away from the center, it’s cool because she still writes grants for them and goes over there on her free time still” Alice added with admiration for her friend.

 “I’ve been trying to call her on her cell but she’s not picking up” Bette shook her head.

 “She’s so pressed for time these days because of work and grant writing we hardly see her at breakfast.”  Dana told her as she looked at the others who nodded their confirmation.

“Does she ask about me?”  Bette had to know.

“About as often as you’ve called her in the last 4 months” Alice glared at Bette.

“Alice” Shane gave her a scolding glare.

“What?  I’m just saying” Alice failed to see her wrong.

“Take it easy” Shane turned to Bette who had stood up from her chair.

“No, its okay I deserve it.  I gotta go I’ll see – ah – see you guys later.” Bette slung her purse over her shoulder then walked out of the café.

     Tina said goodbye to her colleagues at the center and turned in the direction of her new home.  Sure it wasn’t the best place to live, and if she was honest with herself it was a serious downgrade from Bette’s house.  “You are now ghettofied TK!” Alice joked during her house warming party.  The fact is the girls wanted to throw for Tina as an excuse to get things like furniture and kitchen items that she needed.  Tina knew this and couldn’t love her family any more.