“Yeah…Who’d have thought Steve would be shot dead?” Alice said. The news had had a huge effect on their lives. Gone were the days of being careful of what they said and watching their backs. The man that had turned their lives upside down was now gone and they were now able to live in the manner that they once did, they had regained their freedom. Now, if only they could regain those missing pieces of their family… Alice thought as she fixed some stuff on her desk.

    “Yeah…Have they caught the guy who did it already?” Bette asked.

    “Nope. Not yet. But I hope he gets away with it.” Alice said and Bette, several miles away, silently nodded in agreement.

    Shane stepped out of her salon and joined the throng of people walking down the street. It was a busy day and it was just getting started. There were people waiting for her to work her magic on their hair and yet here she was heading for the nearest Starbucks. It wasn’t Planet coffee and it would never match up, but it would have to do. The coffee would help her stay at the top of her game and the walk would help ease the tension that she was feeling. She passed by several stores selling tons of cigarettes. She missed them but she shook her head at the thought of ever lighting up again. She had kicked the habit to the curb when she had Isabelle. She had managed to do a ton of things no one ever thought she’d do…all for her daughter. God…The things she managed to do for the two people she loved the most, Shane thought. She placed her hand on her nape and slowly traced the lines of a tattoo that signified promises left unspoken.

    She was standing in line when someone softly bumped into her. She already knew who it was before the person even spoke. They both got their coffee here since it was located between each of their salons. It had become a common place for them to meet. Like what she did with her friends in L.A., only it was at the Planet.