| 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. |