Ethel often tended to have that light touch of smoke on her. The distinct smell of cigarette lingering around like a perfume. Alice tended to keep a reasonable distance from Ethel when she smoked. Not so much for the smell but because of the dangers of second-hand smoke. Alice never complained though because she knew some people needed it. And whenever Ethel was ready to let go, she would. Granted, had it been Wendy with the cigarette, Alice would've snatched it out of her hand and demanded whatever the teenager was hoarding.
Alice gave Ethel's question a thought or two. She was a relatively honest person and Ethel never made her feel like she had to keep things to herself. To be honest, it was kind of nice to talk to someone who had made a point to see how she was doing. Alice often spent her time in the background of someone else's story, so it was nice to not just be noticed, but to be remembered.
"I'm okay," she answered truthfully, "This month is going by a little too fast for my taste." It was her way of expressing her concern for December and January. She couldn't say much more than that as well. Not to mention December meant Christmas and she still wasn't sure what she could get Wendy that didn't come off juvenile. She was growing up way too fast.
Alice tucked some loose hairs from her ponytail behind ear ears, "Wendy's been sneaking out. I caught her the other night. I think it's a boy."
OOC: I AM SO SORRY! IT'S BEEN A UNEXPECTED WEEK OF CRAZY!! D: