Alex never intended to stay in Pipers life. After Piper was released from prison, Alex decided that she would stop thinking about her. She wore a rubber band on her wrist, and every time she caught herself thinking of Piper, she would snap it. It didn't help. Finally, she decided to imagine what Piper was doing. She was probably sitting in her rich parents mansion, enjoying the company of the rich local men who were investment bankers or accountants. She probably spent her time playing tennis at the club. The images were so real and, to Alex, so likely and predictable, that they were easy to draw up that soon even Pipers name would have her blood boiling with rage.

Catch yourself thinking about that time in Paris in a coffee shop? Let's think about the car Pipers boyfriend or father will buy her because she's a special little snowflake. Have an explicit sexual dream with Piper as the main star? Think about what her wedding ring her fawning boyfriend will probably buy her.

Alex was stunned when she got a letter in the mail from Polly. The letter was written in loopy girly handwriting on actual stationary that had a faint scent. The note was short and to the point,

"Hi Alex,

I feel stupid for even thinking about writing you, but I'm not sure what to do. Piper is having a really rough time, and while I don't expect you to save her or even sympathize with her, I'm going to try to get her some psychiatric help. I'm supposed to answer some questions about her recent past, but I don't know the answers. I can ask Piper, but I'm afraid of Piper sensing a trap. If you could, please, help me, I would really appreciate it. I would ask you to do it for the memory of what Piper once meant to you, but she told me some stories about her time in prison, so if you answer, I'll send money to your commissary account, unless you would prefer a check when you get out.

Has the Piper sought any psychiatric help in the past year?

*I know she hasn't on the outside, but she's only been out for three months

2. What medications has the Piper been on in the past year?

*other than alcohol?

3. Would you say that Piper has an addictive personality?

*I can't decide, she has been drinking a lot, but I think it might just be out of boredom. I think you would know more than I would from her past

4. Was Piper depressed in prison?

*They need to know how long the depression has lasted and I can say three months, but is it longer?

5. Has any major life changes taken place in the past two years?

*getting out of prison, obviously. Breaking up with Larry, duh. Is there anything else? Did something happen in there that I'm missing?

6. Is there any potential suicide risk?

*I'm going to say no, but I would like your opinion

That's all the questions for now. The way to reach me is below. "

The letter saddened Alex. Her imagination was wrong. Without even considering whether she should answer the letter. She broke out a pen and legal pad and began writing.

"Hi Polly,

I'm really sorry that Piper is going through a rough time. Of course I will help by answering the questions. Instead of money, is there anyway that you can keep me updated on her condition? I don't want to be a creepy stalker, and I have no intention of staying in her life, but I would like to know that she's okay. The answers are below:

No. They offer some counseling in here, but she never went.

None. Except flu shots and some advil, neither of which would cause depression.

Interesting question, I can see why you would have trouble answering that. I would say that she's a bit of an adrenaline junkie, but I don't think she'll ever be an alcoholic.

It is hard to not be depressed in prison. We're all just trying to survive it all. I think she dealt with it as well as can be expected, but yeah, there was always an underlying sadness. I would say she was noticeably depressed the last three to six months she was in here.

Getting out of prison. The SHU is an incredibly traumatic experience. Piper had a gruesome fight with another inmate where Piper was almost stabbed. Piper fought back and then viciously attacked. She ended up in the SHU for about a week. Actually, that's probably when the depression started. She also ended things with Larry. We started and ended things. In the grand scheme of her life in the past year though, I would say that ending relationships with both me and Larry was the least of her trauma.

Pre-medidated suicide? Never. A strong impulse to end it all while driving 90 on a highway? Possibly. She doesn't have very good impulse control, and I honestly don't know what her impulses are telling her to do now.

Thanks for taking care of her."

Another letter arrived shortly after. Alex was shocked the mail arrived so quickly. When she opened it, the writing was definitively male and written on the back of a dirty printed menu.

"Alex, We've never met. I want to talk to you about Piper. Sorry about the dirt, its hard to keep everything clean in the middle of the woods. Cal"

Alex remembered Cal fondly. She only met him once, briefly, but when Piper would relate funny stories about her family, they always centered squarely on Cal. He seemed to be the free spirit of her family, which means that he was mostly ignored or pushed into a corner. Alex would not be surprised if Piper and Cal got along much better when Piper got out of prison. Considering that the note left absolutely no other details, Alex was just forced to wait until she had a visitor.

The onslaught of people telling her how sad Piper was, made Alex feel guilty. She wanted to be able to wrap her arms around Piper and tell her that everything was going to be okay. Alex could do that when she was running a branch of the cartel. She had the money and the stability to take care of Piper. Now, without a college degree, and no means of getting one, and without any job prospects, Alex couldn't promise anything. She would never be able to promise stability, but she thought she should be at least able to promise dinner.