ALICE Ch 46

It’s a different hotel, but it’s the same trip down the hall. Alice scratches her head grumpily and yawns as she pads down toward Faye’s door. Ahead of her, the elevator opens to reveal Glynda, still wearing what she had on at the party.

Alice stops as she notices her. Glynda looks stony. She emerges from the elevator and comes straight to Alice.

“What are you doing?” she asks quietly.

“Mind your business.”

“You are my business,” Glynda says through gritted teeth, prodding Alice’s chest with a finger. It’s always obvious when she's pissed because that’s when she sounds extra Irish. “Why aren’t you in bed? Why are you always coming and going from my daughter’s room?”

Alice snorts. “You serious?” She looks down at herself in her T-Swift shirt. “Do I look like I’m on a booty call? Your daughter’s very cute, Glynda. But she’s not my type. I’m checking on her because she’s a mess.”

“What did you just say?” Glynda’s tone is dangerous, and she moves closer.

Alice doesn’t give an inch. Sometimes being tall is good. Glynda can’t loom over her like she can with everyone else, Faye included.

“Were you even there tonight? She’s really struggling. I know you have a lot on your plate, but like, look in her direction once in a while,” Alice says.

Glynda’s face had been darkening. Now it loses a shade or two. But she catches herself and her expression becomes calm.

“You are a driver.” She taps Alice’s chest again. “I am a mother. I will see to my own daughter.”

“No you won’t,” Alice says, batting Glynda’s hand aside. “That’s not what she needs.”

“And why not?” Glynda demands indignantly as Alice brushes past her.

“Because you’re her mom and her boss and…” Alice gestures at her, frustrated. “You’re fucking scary. I will handle this. Jesus.” Rolling her eyes, she goes to Faye’s door and knocks. When she looks down the hallway, Glynda’s gone.

The door opens to reveal a Faye who obviously has not been sleeping. She’s dressed for bed in a cute little nightgown. Very proper looking. A little weird on her frame, but Alice often has similar problems even though they have completely opposite physiques.

Alice walks in to find no mess or any sign of distress. There are no sex toys and she doesn’t see the sex toy bag anywhere. Alice turns on Faye.

“You want to tell me what’s going on?” She puts her hands on her hips.

“Can’t sleep.” Faye seems to be avoiding looking at her. It occurs to Alice that now she’s the one doing the looming. She perches on the edge of the bed and sighs.

“You looked like you were about to have a meltdown for that whole party. You can tell me what’s wrong or I can sit here and guess,” Alice says tiredly, rubbing her face.

“You saw my time. It was brutal.” She stares ahead miserably. “Two full seconds behind you. Your engine doesn’t work. What’s my excuse?”

Alice scowls. Faye isn’t making this easy.