After two weeks of no contact at all from Debbie, Tammy became concerned and went to her house.

After the third time she rang the doorbell she saw Debbie peek through the curtains and felt relieved.

"Hey"

Without a word Debbie opened the door to let her in. Tammy waited by the door waiting to see where Debbie would go. Debbie went to the living room and curls up on one end of the couch while Tammy joins her on the other end.

"How are you doing?"

Debbie just shakes her head and silently cries. "I don't know what is happening anymore. I've lost control of my life." Tammy scooches over and hugs her friend.

"Debbie, hey, it's ok. I'm here for you. Tell me what's wrong."

After Debbie has relayed the whole story to Tammy she sighs deeply and says, "we need tea."

About ten minutes later Tammy comes back in with two piping hot mugs. "Chamomile for you because it looks like you haven't slept in days."

"Thanks" Debbie accepts the tea and only after her first sip does she realize how cold she was.

They sit in silence for a few minutes and Tammy waits until she has an idea of what to even say.

"Debbie, you're my best friend and you know I love you like a sister and because I'm your friend I'm not going to mince words. Yes, sometimes it feels like we want to just disappear because life is awful and people are the worst, but, honey, your world is not ending. You got thrown a few curve balls and instead of hitting them outta the park you chose to duck."

Debbie didn't say anything.

"I realize that finding out about Claude's book right after being asked to seemingly fill Danny's shoes is a lot for one afternoon, but it's no reason to run away from Lou.

At this Debbie looked up at Tammy and began to cry again. "I fucked up, Tammy. I fucked up really bad this time and I don't know if it's something that can be fixed."

"Have you tried talking to her? Calling? Visiting?"

"She doesn't wanna see me, Tam."

"But have you tried?"

Debbie shook her head no.

"Debbie, listen to me. Even though ghosts from your past are coming back to haunt you, you will get through this. And you don't have to do it alone. You know you're part of our family. That asshole will get sued so fast if anything even remotely untrue about you is in that book. Tom will make sure of it. And as for Danny's old job… you can take it if you like, but if you do, make sure they realize they're hiring Debbie Ocean and not Danny Ocean 2.0. You are your own person."

Debbie hugs her friend tightly. "How did I get so lucky to have you as a best friend?"

Tammy offers Debbie a tissue. "I still think you should try seeing Lou. Get up, get showered, and go see her. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but you should definitely go."

Debbie nods. "I know."

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Tammy parks her car and looks ahead into the pet boutique. "They make birthday cakes for dogs?" She gets out, walks past the flower shop and into the repair shop. She'd never been there although it somehow felt like she had just by hearing Debbie talk about it.

Just as she's walking in Lou is coming from the workroom in the back.

"Hi, Lou."

"Hey, Tammy."

Tammy walks up to the counter and looks at her new friend. "How are you?"

"How do you think?" Lou is deeply hurt.

"Has Debbie told you anything about Claude?"

Lou shakes her head.

"It's not my place to tell you that story, but suffice it to say that she isn't freaking out for nothing."

"Is that her ex-husband?"

"Yes, and he's a real piece of fucking work." Tammy's tone dripping with anger still at the mention of Debbie's ex. "Have you tried talking to her?"

"She said she needed time to herself, Tammy. So that's what I'm giving her."

"I know. I'm just a little bit afraid for her that her time may run out?" Tammy looks at Lou and holds her breath.

Lou stood at a distance with her arms crossed. She finally looked up at Tammy and shook her head no.

"I'm glad to hear that." Tammy gives her a small smile. "Oh, before I forget. I'm head of PTA at my kids' school which means I'm in charge of organizing the Spring Formal and I would like to order all the flowers from your shop."

"You don't have to do that."

"I know I don't have to. I'm doing it because I want a florist I can trust to do a good job. And besides you're used to my mood swings by now."

Lou cracks a smile.

Tammy begins to leave, but stops at the door. "She misses you, Lou. She misses you so, so much."

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Debbie turned down the alley until she found somewhere to park her car. She made her way to the door with the light over it and pressed the buzzer.

"Hello?" Lou's voice sounded over the intercom.

"Hey, it's me. It's Debbie."

For a minute there was no response and Debbie was beginning to lose hope and get ready to leave when the buzzer sounded so she quickly opened the door. She climbed the stairs all the way to the door to Lou's apartment hoping there was still time to undo all the damage she'd done.