Dana looked at her nervously, uneasy about seeing Alice. She didn’t
know what to expect, although Shane had assured her that the ‘old
Alice’ seemed to be back.

“Hey Al.” she waved cautiously.

Alice could see that Dana wasn’t comfortable and shrugged her
indifference. “Who’s thinking Jell-O shots?” she called to the kitchen,
making her exit.

“That went well,” Dana sighed to Shane. “I’m sorry. I’m trying.”

Shane hugged the tennis player again. “Dana. It’s fine. Al isn’t
stupid. I’m sure she expected it would take time and talking to relax
with each other again. Baby steps. Now come on, come say Hi to
everybody!” Dana couldn’t help but smile at Shane’s obvious pleasure in
seeing her.

WCRW RADIO -present day

Alice was laughing. Happily, so was her guest, Alexandra Winslow.
Alice was trying to convince Alexandra that her listeners were first
and foremost, major environmentalists, very active in eco preservation
and recycling efforts. While in sentiment and philosophy that may very
well be true, Alice knew, and Alex seemed to understand that ‘The
Chart’s’ audience, for the most part, tended to be insane.

It didn’t matter. An ardent ecologist, at least for the afternoon,
Alice had a wonderful time learning the advantages, both economic and
social, to building homes and businesses that worked with nature. Alex,
for her part, couldn’t remember anyone making a reverse osmosis water
treatment system sound so sexual.

After the show Alice walked Alex to her car. She thanked her again
for being such a good sport although Alex would have none of it. ‘Your
callers are great Alice, really quite astute and very funny and almost
as charming as you.” She smiled. “To be honest Alice, I was looking
forward to seeing you again, but I was somewhat dreading this show. I
was afraid my work would be too ‘technical’ for radio.’

‘You were afraid you’d be boring?’ Alice smiled.

‘Well, yes.” The architect admitted sheepishly, she didn’t care in
the least. She had been lost in Alice’s brown eyes and impish smile all
afternoon. That the show had been entertaining was gravy. “Do you have
plans for dinner?” she asked.

Alice frowned a little and then told Alex that she’d have to take a
rain check. “Alice. You don’t have plans,” she accused herself. “You’re
just going home to check on her.’

 ”I’d love a second chance,” she told the woman watching her.
She hoped she hadn’t discouraged her. Alex smiled easily, her eyes
conveying nothing but warmth. “I’ll call you,” she promised simply.