“I missed you. I am glad you are ok.” Eric smoothed Tina’s hair, sitting down beside her.

Tina was glad to see Eric, someone familiar but also slightly irritated about the interruption. What interruption? She mentally chastised herself…There was nothing to interrupt. Right?

Alice entered the room just then and Bette was glad for the distraction that she hoped would encourage the over-affectionate, lovey-dovey couple to keep their hands to themselves.

“Aww, my dear wife Alice, you really didn’t have to burden yourself by coming here. Really now, you have done so much for me…My shoulders are heavy from the weight of the favors you keep doing for me.” Bette mockingly bowed down, pretending to carry a heavy weight on her back, “Really, you shouldn’t have!”

Alice rolled her eyes. Bette was too much. “Please Bette…I have a really bad headache. Can we go?” she pleaded.

“Yes, of course. Wait…where are our manners, let me check my pocket?” Bette patted down her pockets and looked around the room, as if she was really searching for their manners.

“Oh yes, hi there, I am Bette, the rude one is my partner Alice,” she said extending her hand to Eric and pointing to Alice, who rolled her eyes and put her hand out to Tina.

Eric seemed amused. He got up, “Eric, and I have already met Alice. It’s nice to meet you…Bette,” shaking her hand, thinking ‘not really.’

“Yes, yes, the pleasure is all mine, even under the unusual circumstances. We should all get together and have one big party.” It was unclear whether the tranquilizer was wearing off or just kicking in…

Tina felt sorry for Alice, “Hi Alice, I apologize for the entire misunderstanding. It was my fault,” she conceded.

“Yes!” Bette fisted the air triumphantly while Tina ignored her. No wait, everyone seemed to be ignoring her.

Alice took an instant liking to Tina. “It’s alright Tina. I am sure Bette was as much to blame for it,” she said, winking at Tina knowingly. Tina laughed.

“Alright that’s enough telling strangers how much you love your wife!” Bette said mockingly and turned to Alice.

“You said something about going?” She walked out as Alice followed closely behind.

“Goodbye, sayonara…uh-oh…” Bette spun around, almost colliding into Alice.

“Wait, wait…I know I know…No goodbye,” Bette said, sealing her lips with her hand, “No, never say goodbye. Someone once told me it was inauspicious. So we say cya later,” Bette said looking pointedly at Tina, “or till we meet again…” she added softly.

Tina was at a loss of words. She looked on as Alice dragged an unstable and dazed Bette out.

Eric turned to Tina with a puzzled expression on his face. “Was she on drugs?”