*Warning: creature in food. Do not eat while reading this part*
That next morning Micky woke up to the smell of food cooking on the stove. He sat up and looked into the kitchen and Elaine was there cooking breakfast.
"What time is it?" he asked.
"Believe it or not, it is 6a.m." Elaine replied.
"Six a.m? Yikes." he said.
"What would you like for breakfast, sir?" she asked smiling at him.
"What are you having?" he asked.
"I am having scrambled eggs with cheese, wheat toast, and a huge glass of orange juice so that I can take my vitamins and Iron pills with." she said.
"Why do you take Iron pills, Elaine?" he asked.
"I have anemia, Micky. And I need to take them or I get very weak and lethargic." she said.
"I will have what you are having without the Iron pills." he said smiling at her.
"Okey dokey," she said smiling at him and going back to fixing the breakfast.
Micky sat down at the table and just watched her. She was so cute in the way she was so organized and neat. Never would have known it with how her car looked. But Micky did not care about that. Her personality was what he loved best about her, not to mention she was a looker as well.
"Can you do me a huge favor?" she asked.
"Sure, what is it?" he replied.
"Wash your hands, and stir the scrambled eggs while I use the restroom." she replied.
"Okay sure," he said smiling at her. He walked up to the sink, washed his hands, and then stirred the scrambled eggs while she went to the bathroom. When she came back out, she said, "Thank you," and then went back to stirring the eggs.
"You're welcome. So what are your plans today?" he asked.
"Me? Oh well I'm going to spend most of it at the park creating a new project for the kids today." "And what about you?" she asked.
"I was kind of thinking of going for a run today at the park, but I don't know yet." he said. "You should, it's gorgeous outside. I stepped out for a brief moment to get a breath of fresh air and it was not hot out at all like yesterday." she replied.
"Really?" he asked.
"Yeah. That's why I'm going to go sit at the park and just relax." she said.
"Elaine?" he asked.
"Yeah," she replied.
"Can I ask you something personal?" he asked.
"Sure, go ahead." she replied.
"Um why were you crying the other day at the park?" he asked.
"Oh that. I had found out that one of my friends from high school had already passed on and they did not tell anyone until after the fact. My girlfriend, from Massachusetts, Samantha, called to tell me the news, and I guess I was just sad that day and did not want to talk to anyone. I'm sorry that I yelled at you." she said handing him his plate of eggs.
"Well I'm sorry to hear about your friend. But I'm glad to know I hadn't done anything wrong to you." Micky replied.
She dished up her plate of eggs and then sat down next to him and smiled saying, "I don't think you could ever do anything wrong to me, Micky. I am just so blessed to have finally found a nice friend to hang out with around here. One that does not threaten me by being around them. And you do not want to crawl all over me like many of these guys in this town have been. And I really thank you for that."
"I think you are such a wonderful person, Elaine, and I am truly honored and blessed to have met you." he said.
"Awww, thank you, Micky." she replied. "How are your eggs?"
"Mmmm, they are very good." he replied. "Thank you again."
"You're welcome!" she replied smiling at him. "How did you sleep on my couch?"
"Very good. I can't believe its only 6am." he replied.
"Well we were asleep by 8pm." she said.
"We were?" he asked.
"Yeah, we were." she replied. She took another bite of her eggs, then took her vitamins, and said, "Well I'm done eating now and I'm going to shower and get dressed. If you do decide to come to the park today, I might take another run with you, depending on how hot it is outside, of course."
"Let me wash the dishes while you're in the shower, Elaine. It's the least I could do for you." he said.
"Okay the soap is under the sink and the sink stopper is right next to the faucet." she replied. "Thanks, Micky. I'll be out soon."
Elaine walked up to Micky, gave him a hug, and said, "Thanks again for everything." Then she walked into her bedroom to get her clothes, went into the bathroom, and closed and locked the door.
That was the first time she was not in a panic and gave him a hug. He felt very special. He smiled as he put a towel on the counter until he could wash, dry, and figure out which cabinet the dishes went into.
During his time washing the dishes, he heard the shower running and he smiled. She trusted him enough to shower while he was over. That meant that she was getting better with him. He smiled again just knowing that his patience was actually paying off.
"Whew! I feel better now!" she said walking out of the bathroom wearing a pink sleeveless t-shirt with a pair of pink shorts. She sat down on the couch, brushed her hair, put on her socks and shoes, and then asked Micky, "Should I expect you today or not?"
"I'm going to go home, shower, dress, and then I will see how the weather is before I make my decision. So, let's just say if you see me, you will; if you don't, then you won't; ok?" he asked.
"Okay, that's fine. I am going to get going now then. I need to run a few errands before actually going to the park. I used up all my suntan lotion and I do not need to be burnt on my day off." she said. "If I see you, great; if not, have a good day Micky. Last night was fun, even despite my outburst with the video place." She laughed.
"Yeah, it was fun, Elaine. Take care. Bye," he said leaving her apartment and walking back over to his.
She put the dishes in the cabinets since he had left them on the towel, which she did not mind at all. Then she grabbed her purse, keys, and phone and walked out to her car humming a song. She was in such a good mood.
She climbed in her car, rolled open the sunroof, turned on her Christian music, started to sing her heart out, and drove off out of the parking lot. She was so happy.
An hour after her errands were run, she parked in the parking lot at the park and got her notebook, pen, and phone, locked her purse in the trunk, and she walked over to her usual tree and sat down.
"Whew! What a gorgeous day out," she said to herself. She sat there trying to think of what the kids could do for their class. She wrote down leaves for two weeks ago, video last week. She wrote down have them do a coloring project in the Christian Coloring Books she had bought for class. She had everything set and that would take them the entire hour besides for a snack and drink time. She put little hearts next to her plan because she loved the kids so much.
After her plan was all written down, she looked at the sky and it was a gorgeous pale blue in color. Hardly any clouds, just beautiful. She took her pen and paper and started to write on her story she had been working on. Not everyone knew that Elaine wrote stories in her very few and far between spare time.
Story as follows:
Natasha was walking near the shoreline with her friend Luke when Luke gently took her hand and said, "Run away with me Natasha."
"Run away where?" Natasha asked puzzled.
"I don't know, anywhere my darling, anywhere." he replied.
"And why would we do this?" she asked puzzled.
"For spontaneity." Luke replied.
"I hate spontaneous, Luke, and you know that. I like to be very, very quiet." Natasha replied.
"But why not, Natasha? We are young lovers at sea trapped in a dead-end town." Luke replied.
"First off, we are not young and second off, we are not lovers. You are my guy friend and nothing else." Natasha spat at him.
"Thanks a lot, Natasha!" Luke spat. "Talk about winging it and playing along with my idea."
"Sorry, I don't `wing' anything, Luke. You `ought' to know me better than that." Natasha spat back at him.
"Forget it, you ungrateful person, you." Luke said looking at her and then busting out laughing hysterically.
"You are crazy, Luke! Absolutely crazy!" Natasha said laughing at him.
They ran back to the park bench and sat there laughing with each other.
"Hey you!" Elaine heard looking up.
"Hey!" she said.
"What are you writing?" he asked.
"Oh, nothing important. Just silly things, that's all." she replied.
"May I read your silly things?" he asked.
"Personal and private, Micky. But thanks anyway." she replied.
"Did you finish your class assignment yet?" he asked.
"Yes, actually I did. I'm just sitting here enjoying the beautiful weather and daydreaming." she said.
"About what, if I might ask?" he replied.
"Oh just about whether or not I'm going to kick your butt at running again," she said looking at him.
"Oh! Is that so Missy?" he replied smirking at her.
"Yeah, it is. What of it?" she smarted back at him in a playful manner.
"Let's just put your foot where your mouth is now because I will leave you in the dust." he said.
Elaine jumped to her feet, walked back to her car, put her things away, keys in her pocket, and then said, "Prove it!" and ran to the starting marker.
There was no one on the bike path that day, so they did not have to worry about anything.
"One-two-three, GO!" she counted and then took off running as fast as she could. Micky gave her a little leeway and then ran after her. When he caught up to her he said, "What's the matter Nelson? Getting a little tired now, are we?"
"No," she said trying to hold in her pain. She kept running next to him.
"I can go ten miles, remember?" he gasped.
"So can I," she replied keeping his pace with him despite the fact that her ankle was killing her because she did not stretch out before running.
When she got farther behind him, he looked behind and saw her sitting on the ground. "Hey what's wrong?" he gasped walking back to her.
"Nothing's wrong. I shouldn't have been a smartie without stretching first." she replied.
"Did you hurt your ankle?" he asked sitting down beside her. "Let me see."
"What are you, some Doctor?" she mouthed.
"I'm a friend, remember Elaine? Just let me see for a minute." he said moving her sock down and feeling her ankle. "Does this hurt?" He asked gently squeezing it.
"Yes it does. Are you satisfied?" she asked.
"Satisfied about what? That you got hurt? No I'm not," Micky replied. "Let me help you up."
"I can help myself up, Micky. Thank you very much." Elaine said getting up to her feet slowly and limping her way back to her car.
Micky walked back with her and said, "I'm sorry you got hurt."
"Yeah well I shouldn't have smarted off like I did when I knew I couldn't keep up for 10 miles." she replied.
"You did great, Elaine." Micky replied trying to take her hand.
"Don't touch me!" she said. "I don't need anyone touching me."
"I'm sorry," he said.
"Go and finish your run. I am going back to my apartment to ice my ankle. I need it to be better by tomorrow for work. Have a good rest of the week." she said.
"I'll stop over after my run to check on you." he said.
"I don't need a babysitter, Micky. I'm 35 years old and I can handle my life by myself." she spat.
"I'm sorry, I am just a concerned friend, that's all." he said.
"I know you mean well, but I will be fine. Goodnight and have a good week." she said getting into her car and driving off.
________________________________________________________________
Later that night at his apartment, he walked out onto the patio and saw her light was off in her apartment. He went to his phone and tried to call her, just to check up on her. "Hello," a very sleepy voice answered.
"Oh Elaine, I'm sorry are you sleeping?" he asked.
"Yes, I've taken four pain relievers and I'm sleeping with an icepack on my ankle all night. Goodnight and have a good week. Thank you for calling." she said and hung up the phone.
He felt so badly he had woken her up, but he knew she would go back to sleep by the way she sounded so out of it.
That following day at his job, Micky ended up having six lessons to give, plus he had to help his associate with a drum assembling project. By the time he got home from work that night, it was 10pm. He checked his messages and he had one. He listened to it and it was as follows:
"Hey, Micky, it's Elaine. Thanks heaps for yesterday and understanding when I was asleep while you called. My ankle healed miraculously overnight by the grace of God and by the ice on it all night long. Today, I wore my flat shoes to work just to be on the safe side and I did not have any pain at all. Praise God. Just thought I would call and thank you. Hope you had a good day if you had to work today. Just a reminder, let me know on Friday about next week, ok? I cannot wait to talk to you again. I am going to bed at 8pm tonight, so please do not call me back after that. Thanks and have a blessed day and day tomorrow. Love always, Elaine."
He went into his bedroom, got his clothes, then went into the bathroom and took a long, hot shower to just relax and mellow out before bed. He was so glad that she was feeling better. He uncovered his bed, crawled under the covers, and lay there thinking about the time he has been spending with her. He noticed it has been more frequently now, and he was really enjoying that so much.
~~~~~~~
At work that following day, Micky saw his manager, James, walking out to the calendar. "Hey James, gotta sec?" Micky asked.
"Sure, Micky, I was just putting up your schedule for next week." he replied. "Here you can look at it if you'd like."
"Um actually James, I was going to talk to you about that if you have a few moments." Micky replied.
"Sure, Micky, I've got all the time you need. Kevin, Micky is going be with me in the office for a bit. Take over."
"Yes, James," Kevin replied.
Micky walked into James' office and James asked, "So what's going on, Micky?"
"Um well, first off, I really love this job and I'm having so much fun here. But I have a question to ask you. And I completely and totally understand if you have to say 'no,' I just wanted to see what your thoughts would be on the matter, ok?" he asked.
"Sure, what is it?" James asked. "Well I have a 'new' friend in town and she has this wonderful opportunity to go to her boss' cabin in Colorado next week and she has graciously invited me to come with if I could get the time off of work." Micky said.
"She's a 'new' friend, Micky?" James asked.
"Yes, I met her three weeks ago and she's just the sweetest Christian woman you have ever met in your entire life. She goes to Church, teaches Sunday School, and tutors people on the side regarding Jesus. And she is someone I have never seen before in my entire life. She's so different from other women is what I mean and she's just an absolutely blessing to talk to." he replied. "And I can totally and completely understand with this being such short notice and everything if I cannot have the time off of work, but I told her I would ask at least."
"You really like this woman, don't you?" James asked.
"Sir, these have been the best three weeks of my entire life." Micky replied.
"I've only got you scheduled for six lessons next week. I can divide them up among Jeff and Kevin. Kevin will be thrilled actually, he's been wanting a tiny bit more in hours." James replied.
"Oh thank you so much James." Micky replied shaking his hand firmly.
"You've got a week's vacation already Micky. You will still get paid too. Go and enjoy being with your 'new' lady friend. She sounds like a really nice woman to get to know." James replied.
"She is. Oh, thank you so very much James. Thank you, thank you, and thank you." Micky replied so ecstatic.
"When will you leave and be back, Micky?" he asked.
"Um, we're leaving Sunday night and then coming back Saturday night. She does not want to miss teaching her Sunday School classes." Micky replied watching his boss, James, write it down on the calendar.
"Okay, you're set. Have fun next week." James replied.
"Thanks, I hope it will be a really nice time." he replied.
"If you've got God on your side, Micky, every day is a really nice time." James replied.
"Yes sir, it really is." Micky replied leaving the office in smiles.
James walked up to Kevin and said, "Kevin, you are working Micky's Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday's lessons; and Jeff, you are working Micky's Monday and Friday's lessons, OK? He's taking the week off to go on vacation."
"Ooh have fun, Micky!" Kevin replied.
"Thanks Kevin," Micky replied.
"You're welcome," he replied.
When 9pm came that night and Micky had just finished his final lesson. He cleaned up the store, said goodnight to everyone, and left. When he arrived back at his apartment and checked his messages, he had three messages.
They were as follows:
"Hey Micky, it's Mom. Just calling to check in with you to see how you are doing. We are all doing good here. Coco got a singing job at a nightclub in town and we are so thrilled for her. Everyone else is doing really good. Call me whenever you get a spare moment. I miss my baby boy. Love you, momma."
"Hey Micky, it's Mike. Peter and I wanted to know if you wanted to go club hopping with us on Saturday night. To all the non-alcoholic clubs that is. Plus, we were kind of hoping you would bring your new friend, Elaine, along too so we could actually meet her on good terms. Thanks, give us a call. Bye shotgun!"
"Hey Micky, it's me Elaine. Give me a call when you get in. I do not care how late it is. Thanks. Elaine."
Since it was kind of late to call his mother, Micky called Elaine since her message sounded urgent. He sat in his chair while he waited for her to answer.
"Hello," a voice said.
"Hey, this is Micky. I just got home from work and heard your message."
"Did you find out about next week?" she asked.
"Yes, and I can go with you." he replied.
"Thank you. That's what I was needing to know before I called my girlfriends tonight." she replied.
"You okay?" He asked.
"Oh, I'm just peachy keen there Micky. What makes you think otherwise?" she asked.
"Your tone of voice on your message sounded really down and out." he replied.
"Well you're a smart detective then, aren't you?" she spat at him.
"Something is wrong. What is it? You did tell me to call you any time no matter how late it was, remember?" he said.
"Yes, I remember," Elaine said. "I am not feeling well tonight, Micky and I'm contemplating on going to the hospital."
"Why? What's wrong?" he asked.
"Um well you're not eating, are you?" she asked.
"No, not at all. What's wrong?" he asked.
"Well I went to this new Chinese place after work that a coworker recommended to me and I brought take-out home. Well after I had ate more than half of what I ordered, I noticed a huge worm in my meal. I've been vomiting ever since." she replied.
"Oh dear goodness, Elaine. Did you call and report it to management?" he asked.
"Yes and they didn't understand what I was saying." she replied. "So, I drove down there and took it to them and they laughed at me saying I put that in my own food as a joke."
"Do you still have the food at your house, now?" Micky asked.
"Yes, I have it wrapped up in a baggie in the freezer." Elaine replied.
"Get dressed and I'll be right over. I will take you down there and tell them this is not acceptable. See you in five. Bye."
Elaine crawled off the couch and took the baggie out of the freezer and cringed at the thought of it. She was already in her pajamas, and she did not care what she looked like braless or whatever. She put on a jacket to cover herself up with and then just waited. She kept making faces at the food just thinking of it.
When Micky arrived at her door, he knocked quietly since it was getting late. She came to the door and he said, "Hand me that bag."
She handed him the bag and then he picked it up with rubber gloves on and put it into a huge paper bag so they would not have to look at it.
"Come on sweetie, I am so sorry this happened to you tonight." he said holding onto her arm and guiding her out of her apartment. She had already put her keys in her purse.
He helped her into his car and then said, "Tell me how to get there."
"It's that Minns China Palace of on Leaf River Drive." she said.
"I know right where that is at," Micky said. "This is unacceptable. Did they give you your money back?"
"No, they didn't. They just laughed at me." Elaine replied.
Micky veered off the road for a minute. "Let me call Mike. He is a good actor. He can help us."
Micky called Mike and Mike said, "I'll meet you both there. I'll bring Peter for a double effect."
"Thanks Mike," Micky said hanging up the phone.
He continued on driving to Minns China Palace and pulled into the parking lot. "I know they're open at least until midnight. You will get your money back sweetie." he said. They waited in the car until Mike and Peter arrived. When Micky saw their car pull up, he told Elaine, "It's showtime sweetie."
"I'm going to vomit again." Elaine said opening up the door and heaving all over the parking lot. Micky, Peter, and Mike all cringed when they saw it there.
"We're ready, Micky. How horrible that these people get away with these types of things." Mike said.
Micky helped Elaine stand up and carried her purse in with him.
Micky and the guys with Elaine walked up to the counter and the checkout guy looked at Elaine and said something in Chinese.
Micky said, "Yes, this woman was in here earlier about this wretched food item of yours. And I have brought two County Health Inspectors with me who are going to fine your business and close you down if you do not refund her money immediately and pay her the damages for what she had incurred tonight, which has been at least $50.00 worth of medical bills due to profuse vomiting."
Mike and Peter held up their phony computer made health inspector certificates and then lowered them quickly. All of the counter guys gathered together and one of them walked up and said, "Yes, she was here earlier; however, we thought she was only joking."
"I highly doubt this is joking, sir." Micky said lifting the box out and dumping the worm on their counter. A lady worker screamed "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH" in horror while all the guys tried to grab the worm to throw it out.
The man got into the cash register and paid her $100.00 in cash and said, "Please do not close us down. We are sorry for what happened. We need our business."
Mike and Peter held up their certificates again and their notebooks and jotted scribbles down on the page.
Micky said, "Well we documented your establishment and if we get any other complaints from our community regarding your establishment you will be shut down, do I make myself clear?"
"Yes sir, you do. Sorry Miss for the trouble. Hope you feel better soon." he said and walked back to the group of guys trying to console the frightened worker.
Micky helped Elaine back to the car avoiding the vomit in the parking lot near the passenger door.
"Thanks Mike and Peter, that means so much to us." Micky said.
"Did you get my message tonight, Micky. You and Elaine want to go club hopping Saturday night with us?" Mike asked.
"Um well I'm going to wait and see how she feels first. Then we'll make a determination, ok?" Micky replied.
"Okay that's cool Mick. Elaine, we hope you feel better soon." Mike and Peter replied.
"Thank you," she said in a soft voice climbing into the passenger seat.
"Talk to you soon Micky," Mike said.
"Yeah, thanks again guys. Have a good night." Micky replied back as he got into the driver's seat. Elaine was sitting there counting out $50.00 and handed it to Micky.
"What's this for?" he asked.
"Your half of the money. I could not have done this without you and your friends. Thank you," she said smiling at him.
"You're welcome, but thanks are not necessary. They should be closed down. I want to take you to the hospital to be checked out for food poisoning." he said.
"Nah, I'll just sleep it off hopefully," She replied.
"Well then if you won't go to the hospital, you have to let me sleep over at your apartment so I can be there if you need anything, ok?" he said.
"Okay," she replied. "Thank you for coming over tonight and helping me. I am sorry to keep bothering you all the time.
"Hey! You understand something right now, Elaine. You are not bothering me. You can call me day or night like I said in the beginning. I do not mind helping my friends, ok?" he said.
"If you are sure Micky," she replied.
"Yes, I'm absolutely 150% sure, Elaine." Micky replied.
When they arrived back at her apartment, Micky helped Elaine inside to the couch, asked her if she needed anything, brought her a Coke from the fridge so she could sip on it, and then laid down on the floor nearby her so he could watch her during her sleep and make sure she was okay.
"You do not have to sleep on the floor, Micky. The couch in the back would be fine." she said.
"I understand that, Elaine, but I need to be able to see you to know if you need anything," he replied. "I've slept on many floors before, Elaine."
"Um well wait a minute then if you want to sleep on the floor. I would really rather have you sleep in a bed. Just a moment please." she said as she walked into her spare room and brought out an airbed that was already made up. "This is the guest bed." Elaine said. "You can sleep on this, ok?"
"Yes, that's fine, Elaine. Thank you."
"You're welcome." she replied. "Goodnight and sweet dreams."
"Thanks, and you too." he replied.
Elaine set her alarm for 6am, just in case she was feeling better. Then she took some deep breaths, and fell asleep almost instantaneously.
Micky curled up under the pink floral sheets and went to sleep. He had to remember he was visiting a lady friend and those were the only kind of sheets she had. His masculinity was not being harmed by sleeping in a bed with floral sheets.
Chapter 3
Chapter 5
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