WLchap7

Chapter Seven

Stacy’s POV
Dana and I walked silently into the house. It was dark, not at all what we were expecting. “I’ll check the garage, see if her car is still there.” I nodded and watched her go, knowing my mother’s Jeep would not be there. This isn’t the first time she done this, but hopefully it would be the last.
I sat down on the couch and when Dana came back in, I asked, “Wasn’t there?” She nodded and sat down next to me. “Didn’t think it would be.” I looked over at Dana and saw tears in her eyes. “Don’t worry. She’s fine and she’ll be back. If she were going to be gone for good, she would be here now, packing.” Dana nodded. “Dana, I know my mother. Trust me.”
“I trust you. I really do.”
I smiled and tried to think of something to cheer Dana up. “I wish I knew you had a crush on me because then we wouldn’t be going through this.” Dana laughed, LOUD. “I though that would make you laugh, especially since you are a little bit drunk.”
Dana shoved me. “I’m not drunk.”
“Wow, I was giving you an excuse for that most embarrassing laugh earlier.” Dana blushed and I shoved her back. “Want to watch a movie? My mother just bought Flashdance. She bugs Bette with it because she thinks the lead actress looks like her.”
“Sure. Why not? How about you put the movie in and I’ll steal from your mother’s secret stash of junk food, hopefully she has some popcorn in there.”
“It my mother. Of course she does.” Dana laughed and went into the kitchen. I walked to my mother’s bedroom and slowly opened the door, not wanting to possibly see it empty. It wasn’t. I breathed a sigh of relief and quickly found the DVD. As I turned I noticed something on the bed. It was a note with my name on it. I sat down and begun to read.
10 Minutes Later …
“Stacy? Did you find the movie?” I jumped and quickly hid the note underneath a pillow. Dana quietly came inside. “Did you find the movie?”
“Yeah. I’ll be right down. I’m gonna change into some pajamas.” Dana nodded and headed downstairs. I listened carefully until I heard the microwave start. I pulled the letter back out. “I hope you’re right Mom.” I went to change but as soon as I entered the hallway I ran downstairs. “Dana, I think the popcorn is done.” I walked into the kitchen.
“I think you’re right.” Dana dumped the popcorn into a bowl. It was all black. She looked up at me. “Ice cream?” I laughed and nodded. “Good. That I can do.” She dumped the popcorn into the trash and we started making sundaes.

After the movie …
I looked at the other end of the couch and saw Dana fast asleep, a slight snore coming from her. I chuckled as I stood up and stretched. It was late, or rather early depending on which way you were looking at it. I grabbed a blanket out of the closet and covered Dana. As I headed upstairs I stopped and looked back down at her. “If this doesn’t work Mom, you’re a complete idiot.” I turned the light off and headed to my room.

The Next Morning
Shane’s POV
Alive and I climbed out of the mini and headed up to Dana’s door. I geld a box full of Krispy Kreme Donuts and Alice had four coffees. We knew Alex was back because she had called and left a message last night, explaining her way of thinking. I looked at Alice, took a deep breath, and ran the doorbell. We waited a couple minutes and right as I was about to ring again, a very sleepy Dana opened the door and headed back into the living room. Alice and I looked at each other and walked in.
“Morning to you too Dane.” Dana held her hand out and Alice put a coffee in it. She took a big gulp.
“Thanks.” Dana finally opened her eyes and looked at the two of us. “What are you guys doing here so early?”
“We just thought we’d come check on you and Stacy.” I sat down next to Dana. “How are you?”
“Right now, I’m alright. All her things are still here so, I’m keeping my fingers crossed.” I nodded and offered her a donut. “No thanks. Stacy and I had huge sundaes last night and it mess my stomach up, so, no donuts for me.” Just then Stacy walked downstairs.
“Morning Stace.”
Stacy grumbled, her face scrunching up. “Why are you talking so loud?” Stacy plopped on the couch between Dana and I. “I feel like I was very drunk last night and am having a horrible hangover.” Stacy looked at me. “Do I smell coffee?”
“You sure do kiddo.” I handed her a coup. “Now how would you know what a horrible hangover feels like?” Stacy glared at me. “Right. Alex is your mother.” Stacy rolled her eyes and took a big gulp of her coffee. “Better now?”
“Very much. What are you guys doing here so early?”
“Geesh you guys ask us that like we’re never up before noon,” Alice said, setting down her coffee.
Stacy laughed as Dana just looked at the two of us. “Alice, its Saturday and neither of you have to work. Therefore, because of past weekends, we just figured you two would be spending the morning inside.” I chuckled and winked at Dana as Alice blushed. Stacy was laughing so hard she fell off the couch, causing Alice to finally get over her embarrassment and laugh.
“Stacy are you alright?” Alice asked as we all stood up and leaned over her. She was still laughing so all she could do was nod and hiccup, trying to compose herself. “Its not that funny Stacy.”
Stacy finally stopped laughing and sat up. “Actually it is. You didn’t see Shane wink at Dana.” Alice turned and glared at me.
“Oh thanks Stace. Why didn’t you just build the doghouse yourself?” Stacy chuckled and moved back to her place on the couch, this time putting her feet in Dana’s lap as she sat down as well. I looked at Alice. “We should really get going. I actually do have to work today. A celebrity is coming in and today was the only day she could. See ya guys at the Planet tonight?”
“Sure. Why?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. When we stopped to pick up the coffees Marina asked us to come tonight, all of us.” Dana nodded so Alice and I waved as we walked out the door.

The CAC
Bette’s POV

I stared at the phone as it started ringing. I got drunker than I though last night. I put my headset on and answered the phone. “Hello. Bette Porter speaking.” I opened a drawer and pulled out some Tylenol. “Alex, where the hell are you?” As I listened to her answer I took two pills and gulped down some water.
James quietly entered just then. “Bette, you’re 3:00 got pushed back to 4:00.” I nodded and smiled at him. “Oh and you’re 2:00 cancelled. He quickly left.
I started pacing as I listen to Alex’s ranting. I couldn’t understand a word she was saying at this point. “Alex, calm down and speak slower.” I nodded as I realized what she was talking about doing. “Wow. You really going to go through with that?” I sat at my desk and turned on my computer to keep myself busy. “Yeah I’ll try but I think Alice and Shane will have better luck. Yeah, I’ll talk to Tina. You’ve already talked to everyone else?”
James poked his head back in. “Bette, you have a visitor.”
“Thanks James. Send them in.” I turned my back to the door. “So, you’ll come in tomorrow to help design the set-up?” I chuckled at Alex’s response. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’ll see you in the morning Alex. Bye.” I pulled off my headset and turned around when I heard my visitor clear their throat. “Dana. Um, how long have you been there?”
“Where’s Alex?” Well that answered my question. “Did she tell you where she was?” I shook my head as she sat down. “I’m driving myself crazy over this. Why did she call you?”
“We have to start setting up the display for her show.” Dana nodded and leaned back in her chair. “Don’t take this the wrong way but why are you here?”
Dana blushed and grinned sheepishly. “I thought today was the day you were going to talk about the set-up and I knew should would show up for that.” I chuckled. “Well, since I’m here, want to get a late lunch? I still can’t believe you’re working on a Saturday and you’re going to be working tomorrow.”
“Well, its just this one weekend because of the show. Lets go get something. I haven’t eaten anything all day therefore I am starving.” Dana stood up as I turned the computer back off. I grabbed my jacket and we were out the door. “Where do you want to go?”

That Night at the Planet …
Marina’s POV
One by one we all sat at our usual table, everyone but Alex was there. I sighed as I noticed how down Dana was. I really hope Alex’s plan works.
“Marina, why are the curtains closed around the stage?” I looked at Dana and then everyone else. I had no idea what to say. Luckily Shane saved me from having to think of something.
“It’s a surprise. She won’t tell any of us anything except that its why we’re all here.” I smiled and nodded. When Dana wasn’t looking at me, I caught Shane’s eye and mouthed ‘thank you’. She nodded and turned her attention back to Alice and Dana’s conversation, as did I. Suddenly the lights went out.