It was closer to twenty - five minutes before Alan opened his office door and invited Tara and Denny inside. It could have been hours, neither one was budging until they heard from Alan. Adrienne was sitting in one of the client chairs, but had turned it around to face both the desk and the sofa. She regarded them coolly as they entered and sat, Tara on the sofa and Denny in the chair opposite her. Alan had leaned against his desk with his arms crossed and looked at his shoes.

Denny looked Adrienne over; she was a light-skinned Black woman, about five foot six or seven, with a very well-toned body. Extremely well-toned, he thought. Pleasant features, minimal makeup, if any, and her hair was parted down the middle and braided. It was just past her shoulders. Denny smiled at her despite his shock.

Alan straightened up, smoothed the front of his suit jacket and said, "Well, I should start by formally introducing everyone. Denny Crane, Tara Wilson, this is Adrienne Peyton. She and I grew up together and she is my childhood best friend."

Tara muttered, "Among other things," which drew a furtive, slightly unfriendly glance from Adrienne.

Alan continued, "Maybe you could tell from the words Catherine and she exchanged. If not, I can tell you that Catherine is not one of Adrienne's favorite people and the feeling is mutual, so I'm sure that Catherine has already told you that I got Adrienne pregnant. "

Denny sat up in the chair and said, "What Catherine said is that you share a child. Alan! How come you never told me you have a child?"

Alan looked back down at his shoes. "Technically, I don't have a child."

Tara's face softened, "Did the child die?"

Alan looked at Adrienne. She looked back and nodded her head. "Alan, if these two mean as much to you as you've told me, go ahead and tell them. Everything. I'll jump in when you get to the parts I'm better at explaining."

Alan pushed the intercom button and told Catherine he didn't want any interruptions; he was in a lunchtime meeting and could not be disturbed. He moved toward the sofa and sat down next to Tara close to Denny's chair.

And told the story of Adrienne, Alan and Triple A.