Brrrring.brrrringbrrrring. It was 9:00 P.M when Danas house phone rang. She had been in her room organizing some of Tonyas stuff, knowing that she would have to come back to get it at some point. She raced to answer the phone, still holding one of Tonyas shirts in her hand.

“Hello?”

“Hey Dane, its me.” Alice chirped.

“Oh, hey Al, whats going on, hows Tina?” Dana asked.

“Shes ok. You know, as good as can be expected I guess. She still gets set of by the smallest stuff though, like before I was eating a slice of left over pizza, and she started crying, because I guess Bette likes bell peppers too.”

“See, I told you your eating habits would get you into trouble some day.” Dana teased.

“Haha, youre so funny. So anyway, whats goin on with you?”

“Actually, Im just getting Tonyas stuff together so its ready if she wants to come pick it up.”

Alice wasnt sure what she should say good for you? Im sorry? Can I come over and make a bonfire from all of her *****? She opted for silence.

“Dont worry Al, Im fine.” Dana finally said, sensing Alices hesitation. “Really, its good, now I have more room for all the clothes that I DONT have.” She tossed Tonyas shirt that she was holding into the pile she was forming in the middle of her bedroom floor.

“True, I really should take you shopping sometime, get you out of those Nike getups for a change.” Alice said.

“Hey, dont knock my style, I still manage to attract a lady from time to time.” Dana said in a sarcastic voice.

“Dana, Ive known you a long time, and trust me, it wasnt the spandex which attracted me to you, but nice try.” Alice retorted. Dana laughed. “So look, I was thinking, I know we want to play this cool, but how about dinner, next week, say, Monday? That should give us some time to make sure Bette and Tina are doing ok.”

“Ms. Pieszecki, are you asking me to escort you on a date?” Dana said in an exhaturated southern drawl.

“Why, Ms. Fairbanks, I do blieve I am.” Alice mimicked.

“Well, Id love to, but actually I cant on Monday, I have plans.” Dana responded.

“Ohok thats ok, its cool” Alices attempt to mask her disappointment was horribly unsuccessful.

“Haha, is someone jealous? No, its just I have to go to some press conference that day, and I dont know how long its gonna last. How about Tuesday? I heard theres a new sushi place down the street from The Planet.”

“Yea, ok, that sounds even better!” Alice said with renewed enthusiasm. “Ill call you later this week to settle details, k?”

“Sounds perfect, Ill talk to you later.”

“Yup, oh and Dana no spandex, ok?”

“Got it.” Dana laughed back before hanging up the phone. When she had replaced the phone back on its charger, she felt an overwhelming urge to jump on her bed, so she did. Dana hadnt been this excited for a date since she first went out with Lara. She sat down and hugged a pillow to her chest, laughing in spite of herself. Tonya was the farthest thing from her mind as she sighed blissfully into the pillow, this was gonna be a looooong week.

Alice also felt a sense of giddiness after hanging up with Dana. She couldnt wipe the smile from her face, even as she walked out of her bedroom and over to Tina who was sitting on the couch and staring aimlessly at the tv. Tina quickly noticed Alices new burst of energy.

“Whats up with you?” She asked.

“Ohhh nothing, I was just on the phone with someone.” She still wasnt ready to reveal all to Tina.

“Well you look like you won the lottery or something.” Tina couldnt help but crack a small smile at her friends cheery demeanor.

Alice just grinned and plopped down on the couch.

“What are we watching?” She asked.

“Huh? Oh, I dont even know.” Tina said, looking back at the television screen, as if she just realized that it was on.

“Cmere.” Alice said pulling Tina down next so that her head now rested in Alices lap. She flicked around with the channel changer until she found a cheesy movie, and began to gently stroke Tinas hair. Before long, she felt Tinas breath taper off and she knew that she was asleep. Carefully, she eased her up against her shoulder, and guided her over to the bedroom and into her bed. She tucked Tina under the covers and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

“Goodnight, Ill see you in the morning” she whispered as she tiptoed out of the room. Before long, Alice too was drifting off to sleep on the couch, and images of Dana began to dance through her head.

“Mmmmmm, spandex” she sighed, still smiling as she drifted off into sleep.