Walking in the front door I hear Tonya talking to someone upstairs.

No, really! She wont suspect a thingyeah, shes talking on the phone. No she fell before we even left Palm Springs.she wont.no, she trusts me.Ive got her so snowed. Is she talking about me? Snowed? Shes up to something. Okay, Ill see you tonight.no.Im telling you.she wont be with me.okay, bye.

I close the front door and drop my bag. My head is spinning. I turn and sit on the bottom step.

Dana, Sweetie! Is that you? I hear her callingher voice suddenly sounding so shrill. Come on Dana, you came out to your parentsyou can handle anything after that. Find out what shes up tothen you can teach her a lesson.

Yeah, yeah its me, I stand up and begin to ascend the stairs.

I have to go out tonight, she starts. Youll be on your own for dinner.

Where are you going? I can come with you, I say energetically. Can I catch her in a lie?

Oh, noyou wouldnt have any funand besides Ill be really busy with thingsI wont be able to concentrate on you. She sticks out her lower lip in a mock pout and cups my face in her hands. She leans in kissing memaking me suddenly feel ill.

I think youre right. Im suddenly not feeling so wellI think Ill go to bed early.

What? Why didnt you tell me you were sick? I hope you didnt pass it on to me. Anyway, I need to go get ready. She turns and walks up the stairs.

If Bette was right about Alice, maybe she knew something. Does that mean Alice only kissed me so I wouldnt marry Tonya? I cant believe I kissed her back. How am I going to face her again? She didnt even mention anything on Saturday. God! She acted like it never even happened. Dana, you are so dense sometimes.

Okay, Sweetie, she says, bounding down the stairs. Im leaving. Id give you a kiss, but I dont want to get sick. You understand. She continues down the other flight of stairs and rushes out the door.