They left her alone, her brother and her mother. Betty didn't even come to Alice's door to call her for breakfast. When she finally descended, tentative despite last night's defiance, Betty was already in her office, working, on a Sunday no less, Evan long gone.
A quick bowl of cereal and two pieces of toast filled Alice up, chased with the tart tang of her orange juice. She scurried back up to her room when she heard her mother's voice rising in volume and just made it to the top of the landing before Betty emerged, empty coffee cup in one hand, on her way for a refill in the kitchen. Alice almost went back down. But her mother was nodding, and finally muttered something into the headset she wore.
On with a customer then. No use trying to talk to Betty now. Alice returned to her room an
