After a morning out for Church, Sunday School, and breakfast, Micky asked Elaine, "Since I saw your apartment yesterday, how would you like to come over and see mine?"
"Aww, Micky, that's sweet, but I do need to get my laundry done for the week today." she replied.
"It's only noon now. If you come over for one or two hours, you can still have plenty of time to do your laundry and go to bed early. Please, Elaine?"
She looked at him, smiled, and then said, "Okay, but no funny business."
"I promise you, I am not like that, Elaine." Micky replied smiling at her.
"Okay, I hold you to that promise." Elaine replied getting into her car and following him back to his place.
Inside the apartment they walked around. Elaine looked at it and said, "It's kind of nice."
"Thanks, Elaine. I really liked yours too," he said. "Are you an artist?"
"Me? An artist? Nah. Why would you say that?" she asked.
"Your pictures on the walls in your apartment. Did you draw those?" he asked.
"Oh, those pictures. Yes, I do a little freehand drawing at times. Nothing spectacular and some of them are pictures that the children made for me in Sunday School."
"I see," he replied. "So you've only been here six months, huh?" he asked pointing for her to sit down and make herself comfortable.
"Yes, I moved out here with my job. They gave me this huge promotion and said, "Move to California all company expenses paid. I am like, okay, thank you. And here I am."
"So, is your apartment free then, Elaine?" he asked.
"No, not totally. I pay the rent and they pay for all my utilities, my computer, my TV, cable, phone."
"Wow, that's awesome," Micky replied.
"Yeah I guess so. However, I miss home. I have three girlfriends there that I had to leave and that saddened me quite a bit." she replied.
"What are their names if I might ask?" he asked.
"Um, one thing at a time, okay Micky?" she replied. "Remember, I do want to keep a private life here."
"Yes, I'm sorry. I was just making conversation." he replied.
"It's okay," she replied.
"So where are your drums?" she asked.
"In my bedroom," he replied. "Why, would you want to see them?"
"Uh no, just kind of wondering that's all. I do not go into a stranger's bedroom." Elaine replied.
"If it would make you feel more comfortable, I can bring them out here instead." he said.
"Really?" she asked.
"Yes, really," He replied.
"Um okay, if it's not any trouble." she replied.
"You want a Coca-Cola?" he asked.
"Sure, if you've got one handy. I love Coca-Cola." she replied.
"Yeah me too." Micky replied. "I don't drink alcohol and I prefer Coca-Cola over Pepsi."
"Oh me too," she said smiling as he handed her a Coke. "Thank you."
Micky went into his room, disassembled the drums, brought them out one at a time, and re-assembled them.
"Do your neighbors mind that you play?" she asked.
"Nope, we're on the first floor and there are no neighbors above me or next to me." he replied.
"Well, that's good," she replied.
"Okay they're set up now. You want to try to play?" he asked.
"Really?" she asked. "You mean me?"
"Yes you, Elaine. I don't see anyone else in here, do you?" he asked.
"I guess not," Elaine replied.
Elaine stood up from the couch, walked over to the drums, carefully positioned her so her skirt was not showing anything, and she sat down. He handed her the drumsticks and said, "This is the bass drum and this one is the snare drum." Elaine took the sticks and pounded on them lightly (not wanting to make a disturbance in his building) and then said, "Pretty cool, thanks." She stood up, walked back over to the couch, and sat down.
"You're very shy, aren't you?" He asked.
"Yes, why?" she replied.
"Just wondering, that's all. I won't hurt you, I promise." he said.
"I know you won't, I just am very cautious around strangers, that's all. And I've only known you two weeks." she replied.
"You want to see some videos of the band I used to play in, Elaine?" he asked in a soft voice.
"Um only for a little while and then I must get back to my apartment and start my laundry. I need to be in bed by 8pm tonight." she replied.
Micky put in one of the VHS tapes from the series he starred in called, "The Monkees." Elaine just watched the screen. She saw the opening credits and then his picture and asked, "Is that really you?"
"Yes, why?" He asked.
"Oh no reason," she replied smirking at the screen. He showed her the episode where he played, "Alias Micky Dolenz." She watched in contentment drinking sips of her Coke now and then. "Was it hard playing two roles?" she asked.
"Not really," he replied. "They did a split screen with me and we would do one character's scenes throughout and then add the other characters scenes and then they blended them all together in editing."
"Really?" she asked.
"Yes, I believe so," he replied.
"Hmmm, that's neat." she replied.
When she heard them sing she asked, "Were those some of your friends that came yesterday?"
"Yes, this one and this one did." he replied. "They are Mike and Peter."
"Where's the short one?" she asked.
"Oh, that's Davy. And none of us really talks to him since he moved back to England. That is okay though; at least the three of us are still very close. Mike and Peter actually live in an apartment together." he said.
"Really?" she asked.
"Yep, really." he replied.
Elaine asked, "May I put my feet on your couch and stretch out?"
"Yes, you may. My home is your home. Make yourself comfortable." he replied.
"Thank you, Micky. For everything." she replied.
"You're welcome, Elaine. I'm very happy that I have met you and we are becoming friends." he said.
"Me too, Micky. Me too." she replied.
She covered herself up with a blanket on the back of the couch and then rolled over onto her tummy and watched the rest of the show. He could tell she was getting sleepy, but he did not say anything to her. If she wanted to rest at his place, he had no objections to that.
When the show was over, Micky looked over at Elaine and she was asleep on his couch. He could hear her snoring ever so lightly. He set his alarm for four o'clock to wake her up so she could go back to her house and do laundry. That would give her two hours of straight sleep time. He reclined back in his chair and closed his eyes. He was very happy that she was asleep on his couch. Just having someone with him in the apartment was a good feeling, especially since she was so standoffish with him at first.
He knew in his heart that she was warming up to him. He was so proud of her for teaching Sunday School class too. He knew that the kids loved her very, very much. He was also honored that she had let him sit in on a class as well. Pretty soon, he, too, fell asleep.
________________________________________________________________
When Micky woke up the following morning, he noticed that he had slept through his entire alarm. He found a note sitting on his coffee table, and it read:
"Dear Micky, Thanks for letting me bless you with breakfast Micky and thank you for helping me with the children's Sunday School Class. I heard your alarm go off so I left to go back to my place to get my laundry done for the week. I hope you have a very blessed week. Take care. Love Elaine."
He read it over and over again. It was only 6am. He went out onto his patio and sat there watching the morning sunrise. He stretched out his arms and legs. He then looked over to where Elaine lived and saw her light on in her apartment. He remembered where exactly it was from when he took her into it that night.
He watched her window wondering what she was doing. He could not see anything, he just watched the light. When it went off, it got his attention. He kept an eye on the street that the two share. Then about five minutes after that, he saw her car drive by. She did not see him, but he saw her. She was so beautiful.
He went back into his apartment, showered, dressed, and went to his job that he had. He worked at a music store teaching drum lessons and he had one at 9am, 10am, 1pm, 3pm, and 5pm that day, so his day was extremely busy.
When he returned home that night, he checked his machine and there was not a message. He double-checked his cell phone as well and no message. He got into the shower again because it was almost 100 degrees out that day and he was already sweating again. Although, just as he was about to get into the shower, his phone rang. He let it go to the answering machine, although he listened to what it said anyway.
"Hey Micky, it's Elaine. I know you are probably busy tonight, but I have some exciting news and I just wanted to share it with you.
I went to work today and my boss told me that because I have been working so hard at my job that as a token of his appreciation, he would like to send me and a friend to his cabin in the Colorado Mountains next week. Give me a call when you get this message.
I know we have not been friends for that long; however, if you can get away next week, I would be honored if you would be my guest. I feel very non-threatened by you and I would feel comfortable spending time with you. Maybe you can even bring your drums and give me a private lesson again or something. Give me a call, like I said. Cannot wait to talk to you bud. Your friend, Elaine."
Micky jumped in the shower, got dressed, sat in the living room, took another listen at the message, and then called her back. The phone rang and rang about six times before someone picked up; "Hello" the voice said gasping.
"Elaine, this is Micky." he said.
"Hey Micky, hang on just one sec please, I just stepped out of the shower and ran to the phone." she said putting down the phone and running back to her room. She threw on clothes and then walked back to the phone, cleared her throat, sat down, and said, "Sorry about that."
"Hey, no problem. I got your message. Wow that is exciting news, huh?" he said.
"Yeah, I actually fainted when he told me about it. They had to send the Company Nurse in to revive me." Elaine said and then giggled. "I was so embarrassed after that, believe me."
"So when would you leave and what about your Sunday School class?" he asked.
"Um well I was thinking we could go up there Sunday night and come back on Saturday. That way I would not miss any classes. The kids think horrible thoughts if I'm not there to teach them and I don't want to add any more stress to their little lives as it is." she replied.
"And you are sure you won't have a problem with me going with since we have only met? I mean I know you like your privacy and all, Elaine. I do not want to disrespect you or your privacy." he said.
"I know that Micky. I would not have called and invited you if I did not feel comfortable with you." Elaine replied.
"Ouch!" she said into the phone.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Oh, I've got tangles in my hair and I'm brushing it right now. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to shout in your ear." she said.
"When do you need a decision by?" he asked.
"Well, I know this is extremely short notice, so if you can let me know by this coming Friday that would be great. If you can't go, then I will see if one of my girlfriends from Massachusetts can fly out on a whim, but I doubt that because they are extremely busy at work this time of year." she replied.
"Um well I do work a job during the week. I don't know if I mentioned that to you or not, Elaine." Micky replied.
"No, you didn't. But that is okay if you cannot go. I completely understand." she replied. "No pressure or anything."
"However, I will have to look at next week's schedule and see how many lessons I have and I'll get back to you by Friday, ok?" he asked.
"Sure, that's fine, Micky. Believe me; I am as shocked about this as you are. And everything is paid for. Our air fare, food, rental car, everything. I couldn't believe it." she replied.
"Wow, you have a nice boss, Elaine." Micky replied.
"Yeah, I know he's a good guy." Elaine replied.
"What are you doing tonight?" Micky asked.
"Oh, just relaxing by the TV. I rented a good movie tonight after work and I was going to watch it. Its about these kids that are all learning about how to handle the pressures at their schools like bullies and things. And it shows them how Jesus would handle the different situations and it tells them that is how he would expect us to handle them.
It is very informative. I might tell our high school Sunday School teacher to get it for the older kids. I feel it could be very beneficial. A girl at work told me about it, who is also a Christian woman." she replied.
"Really?" he asked. "Never heard of a movie like that before."
"Hey what are you doing tonight, Micky?" she asked. "You want to come over for dinner and watch it with me?"
"Tonight?" he asked.
"Yes, tonight. I realize it's a work night and everything; however, it's only an hour long movie, so it would be done early enough and then you can go back to your apartment and get a good night's sleep." she replied.
"I don't want to intrude on your privacy, Elaine. I know you told me before that your weeknights are wanting to be spent very quiet and alone." he replied.
"Okay Micky, I just thought I would offer it to you since you've never heard of it. That is fine. But I have to go now, my pizza just arrived. Have a good week and I will expect to hear back from you on Friday. Bye." she said and hung up the phone.
"Um, you didn't give me a chance to answer, Elaine" he said feeling kind of down about it. He sat on his patio and set the phone down on the table out there. He stared at her apartment light again. His phone rang and he picked it up and walked back inside the apartment, "Hello," he said.
"Sorry about that, the man was yelling at me through the door. It is Elaine again. So, did you want to come over, eat pizza with me, and then watch the movie?" she asked.
"Um sure, if you don't mind, that is." Micky replied.
"Get over here. I told you I wouldn't invite you if you weren't welcome in my home." she said hanging up the phone.
He quickly grabbed his keys and phone and walked over to her apartment now that he knew it was not too far away. He went inside and knocked on her door.
She opened it and said, "Hey, come on in."
"Thanks for the offer, Elaine." he replied.
"You're welcome." she replied. "Grab some pizza and the plates are on the table. The Coke is in the fridge. Help yourself, please. As you told me, my home is your home."
She took her plate of pizza and walked over to her couch, sat down, put her feet up on the table, and looked at the TV screen.
"Sorry I'm not dressed formally for visitors, Micky. I just kind of relax when I'm at home." she said.
"It's okay, I know how it is. What did you think of the heat today?" he asked.
"Oh wow, I tried to drive with the sunroof open coming home and I had to turn the air on. I hated to do it, but I had to. It was horrible." she said.
He got his pizza, Coke, and sat in the chair next to the couch. He felt somewhat awkward sharing his weeknight with her after she had been so adamant about privacy issues. But yet he felt honored too because she did call to talk to him.
"What are you watching right now?" he asked looking at the TV screen.
"Oh," she said blushing five shades of red. "I love Precious Moments cartoons."
"I see," he replied. "Nothing wrong in that. I still watch the Transformers."
"You do?" she asked. "I love that show too."
"Really?" he asked smiling. "I didn't know any girl that liked Transformers."
"Oh yeah," she said. "I love how they change the shapes and things. That is way cool."
"And you're 35?" he asked.
"Yeah, what of it?" she asked hurt.
"Oh nothing bad. I mean that is cool that a chick of 35 likes shows like that. I mean it is totally groovy and everything. I like a chick that is not afraid to show her child side at times." he said.
"One thing, don't ever call me a 'chick'. That is a huge disgrace to my intelligence." she said. "Woman, lady, girl, that's fine. But a 'chick', no way."
"I'm sorry," he said sitting down in his chair sulking.
"It's okay, just so you know I hate that word." she replied. "So did you prefer Transformers over Battle Bots?" she asked trying to defuse the hurt feelings.
"Definitely Transformers. They were more powerful and the graphics were much better." he replied.
"Awesome. Ooooh hey wait, there's my favorite character" she said staring at the screen watching the Precious Moments cartoon. Micky just looked at her in awe. A woman that liked Transformers. He could not believe it. She was a definite keeper as a friend in his eyes.
After the Precious Moments cartoon was over and they were stuffed from tummies full of pizza, Elaine walked up to the TV and put in the tape. She walked back to where he was sitting and asked, "Want me to throw away your plate and napkin?"
"Sure," he said. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. Thanks for coming over tonight." she replied.
She walked to the kitchen and screamed, "OMG!" "What is it?" he asked.
"Friday night they have a Precious Moments cartoon festival starting at 5pm until 6am Saturday morning. Wow! I have to tape it." she screamed and jumped up and down with joy. She was so happy.
"No inhibitions about childhood there," Micky thought to himself.
"Um Micky," she said shyly. "Yeah?" he replied.
"I know you're a guy and everything and probably hate Precious Moments. But if you were possibly interested in coming over, having pizza again, and watching it with me, I would really like it." she said sitting back down on the couch looking at him.
"Um Elaine, that is just possibly drawing the line for me. A whole night of Precious Moments cartoons?" he replied.
"I know, but we could still talk and everything," she said looking at him with bright green eyes.
"I don't know," Micky said. "Imagine my embarrassment telling my guy friends that I spent an entire night watching Precious Moments cartoons with my lady friend."
"You don't have to tell anyone, Micky. Only you, I, and God, would know the truth." she replied.
"I will have to think about it." he said.
"Oooh the movie's starting now." she said in joy.
The opening scene she looked at and her eyes bugged out. Um I don't think this would be appropriate for church." she said.
"It only just started, Elaine." he tried to reassure her it might not be as bad as it looked.
"Yeah, but I already don't like the content. It said talking about bullies on the cover not this stuff." she said. She tried to watch a few more scenes and she said, "Forgive me Lord, I did not know about this when I rented this movie." She immediately took her remote and shut it off. "I cannot watch this kind of stuff. What is the rating on this anyway?" she asked looking at the cover.
"This is PG-13?" she said in shock. "This cannot be PG-13! They must have their ratings mixed up or something." she said. "I will not bring such a video into my new Church. I just will not do it."
"Calm down Elaine. Those were just the opening sequences. You have no idea what the actual movie was like." he said.
"Fine you take it home and watch it and let me know. I cannot watch that kind of stuff." she replied angrily looking at him.
She turned back on her Precious Moments cartoons and sat on the couch holding her knees. "That absolutely disgusts me that they would rate such a movie of filth as PG-13. What is their phone number?" she asked grabbing the movie back looking at the cover. She grabbed her phone and called the video store. Micky sat in his chair and just turned the other way. He almost wanted to laugh at her, but he did not dare want to ruin a friendship.
"Yes, hello, this is Elaine Nelson. I was just in there this afternoon after work and rented a movie called, 'Bullies and Jesus' and when I went to play the movie it showed indecent pictures of people at a high school and I do not possibly see how it could be rated PG-13 with such filth on it."
"I'm sorry Miss, but you did check out the correct movie." the checker said.
"Well it's filth. I cannot even watch it. God would be ashamed of this movie." Elaine said. "And I will tell everyone about this movie and how you are going against God's wishes even renting this sort of thing out."
"I'm sorry Miss; I will let you talk to the manager. Just one moment." the checker said putting her on hold.
"Manager John. Another woman complaining about the movie, 'Bullies and Jesus'."
"Another one?" he asked.
"Yes and this one threatens to inform the community that we are going against God's wishes."
"Hello, this is Manager John. How may I help you?" he said.
"John who? I want a last name." Elaine said with a notebook and pen. "I'm taking the names of everyone I talk to you at your establishment. What is your last name please?"
"John Spencer and I am the manager here. How may I help you?" he said.
"Spencer is that standard spelling please?" Elaine asked making sure.
"Yes, it is. Again, how may I help you." he asked.
"Yes, I rented that movie 'Bullies and Jesus' and the opening sequences were very immoral and unethical. And I am so disgusted I cannot even watch the entire film. I believe the rating of PG-13 is wrong and it should be rated more like banned from the shelves." she replied into the phone.
"I'm sorry Miss. But I have personally watched that film and I know that after the opening scenes are shown, the movie does live up to its title. You need to watch the entire thing first before calling and complaining to my staff. Thank you and have a good day." he said hanging up on her.
"Well! I never!" Elaine said in disgust. "John Spencer, I am calling your boss. Better yet, I'll get online to find out who that is."
Micky turned around and wanted to laugh so hard seeing her with the notebook and pen, but he did not have the heart. "Well, what did he say?" Micky asked in a gentle, non-threatening tone.
"To watch the entire movie. The opening sequences were the worst." she replied.
"Please forgive me Lord for watching such a horrible movie." she said turning back on the movie, folding her legs up underneath her, and lying her head down on the pillow. Micky watched as she closed her eyes during the filthy pictures. Then the movie started and she lifted her head to get a better picture of it.
"I want your lunch money, now or you will be beat up," a kid said to another one. Then a character named Jesus walked out onto a backdrop scene and said, "Does this happen to your child at school? What can you do about such a scene? Does going to the school authorities not help you? Won't anyone listen to your complaints?" he said. "Give them to me and I will listen to them. You must bring them to me in order for me to help you."
Elaine sat back up all the way, moving her legs around to a more comfortable position, and took her notepad and pen. She started to write as she watched the show. Micky looked at her and then back at the screen. He smirked to himself because her alarmed behavior was settling down to a very interested behavior.
An hour later, the movie was finished and Elaine wrote a sorry note and put it back in the case. She would return the movie later that week and it would be there.
"Hmmm," she said out loud.
"What's wrong?" Micky asked.
"You know something. I guess I should have listened to you before making such a fuss about this movie. It really was good and informative." she said. "I took eight pages of notes." she said holding them up for him to view.
"Do you feel better now?" he asked.
"Yes, actually I do." Elaine replied curling back up on the couch. "I'm exhausted," she said.
"All that fighting takes your energy away, doesn't it?" he asked.
"Yes it does." she replied.
"That's how I felt when our band broke up. Everyone was fighting all the time." he said. "I got very sick from it for a while, but I'm better now."
"How did you get sick?" she asked.
"I have asthma believe it or not, and I was having really bad attacks during all the emotional stress." he replied. "And, after we broke up, and I started to run on the weekends to relieve my stress, my asthma has almost cleared up completely."
"Did you pray about it before you started to run?" she asked.
"Yes, I did. Very much so." he replied.
"God helped to heal you as well then," she said smiling at him.
"I know. And God has done something else for me as well." he replied.
"Really? And what was that?" she asked.
"I'm sorry Elaine. It's very personal and I cannot share that information with you." he replied.
"That's okay, as long as you are safe, happy, and healthy, that's all that matters." Elaine replied.
"Yes, it is." he replied.
"Micky?" she said.
"Yes?" he answered.
"Do you work tomorrow?" she asked.
"No, I have the day off. Why?" he asked.
"Well my boss gave me tomorrow off as well. And I was just kind of wondering if you wanted to sleep on my other couch tonight." she asked.
"Where's your other couch?" he asked.
"It's over there near the wall." she replied pointing.
Micky looked at the couch and it was all the way on the other side of the room. It was far away from her, but he did not mind.
"As long as you don't mind, Elaine." he said.
"No, I don't mind at all. I am going to sleep on this one tonight. I am too tired to get up and walk to my bedroom." she said.
"Elaine?" he asked. "Why is the couch so far away from the one you're on?"
"Because sometimes I tutor after work and I like to have a private tutoring space and a separate seating area." she replied.
"What do you tutor in?" he asked.
"Um don't laugh at me, ok?" she replied.
"Okay, I promise I won't." he said.
"I tutor young teenage moms about Jesus." she said. "They come to me when their agency feels that I might be able to help them."
"You are so remarkable. Do you know that?" he said.
"I try to help where I can, Micky." Elaine replied. "We are servants of God's light and love."
"And you radiate with that light and love, Elaine. I hope you do know that." Micky replied.
"Thank you," she replied. "Goodnight and sweet dreams. There's a blanket on the back of that couch and a pillow on the floor if you want one."
"Thank you, Elaine." Micky said as he walked back to the couch and sat down. He felt so special just knowing this beautiful woman. Pretty soon, they both fell asleep for the night.
Chapter 2
Chapter 4
Back to Cheri's Stories
Home