Liv opened the door for Kate,
"Hey," she said
"Hey," Kate responded. She didn't look too worse for wear. She'd calmed a little during the ride over. Liv stepped out of the way but Kate seemed to hesitate. Liv sensed its root and consoled her,
"Really, it's okay that you're here. Please, come inside." She said. Kate exhaled a breath and stepped inside, an embarrassed smile on her face.
"I'm really fine, really. I just didn't want to be alone." Liv nodded and took her coat, it was a little damp.
"Is it raining out?"
"Yeah, a little." She let out a little laugh as Liv lead her to the couch, "least I didn't get soaked on my way here. Would've shown up at your door drenched, on top of everything else. Even more pathetic."
"Kate, it's not pathetic." Liv said, taking Kate's hand, "you were attacked, it's only natural you're a little hesitant."
"Hesitant? I ordered take-out, because I was afraid to go out. And then when the guy showed up, I couldn't bring myself to go get it. It was all I could do to make myself go down there and give the man his money."
"But see honey, you did it. You confronted your fear and you made yourself face him."
"It wasn't him."
"But it was a man. Could you have done that a week ago?"
"No." Kate admitted to herself. Then she smiled a little. "Thanks, I needed that." And she and Liv shared a hug,
"You're welcome." She said. Kate's tummy rumbled, "Have you eaten anything since then?"
"No, and I hardly ate anything then either."
"Oh well, in that case," Liv smiled and turned to face the kitchen, "Alex?" she called out.
Alex was about to answer when there was a strange gurgling noise in the living room. She stepped out and watched as Liv tried to calm Kate down.
"You're a woman!" Kate said.
"Yes, I am." Alex smiled at her, more than a little amused at the statement, but she hid it well.
"I can't tell you how relieved I am to know that." Kate started to fan her face, other hand over her heart, "whoa, the rush I got when you called out 'Alex', Liv. Just the idea that there was a man in the apartment…"
"I'm so sorry, Kate. I only realized what you would think after I yelled. I'm really sorry."
"It's okay, I'm okay…guess I've still got a ways to go." Then she smiled a little at the other two women, "but I'm getting there." Her tummy rumbled again.
"Come on," Alex gestured them all into the kitchen, "the pancakes are ready."
next part: actually eating the pancakes.
