The day after Elaine helped out Chelsea and Jenna, and awoke from being wrapped in Micky's arms the entire night, Elaine felt a lot more comfortable with Micky. She knew that it would be a long way before she would be totally trusting of him, but she was glad that he was there with her, as she didn't have many friends there. She quietly and gently moved his arm so she could exit out her side of the bed and use the restroom. While she was in there, she felt an immediate need to phone her friends. She finished in the bathroom and walked to her cell phone and dialed back home.
"Hey, Sam, it's Laney. How are you?"
"We're still sleeping, Elaine. It's only 8 am and we're off work on weekends, so we sleep in, remember?"
"Yeah, I know. But I had an urgent feeling to call you and that's what I did." Elaine replied.
"We are all fine. Naomi went out last night and just got home a few hours ago. Louise is sound asleep in her room, and I'm asleep in my room." Samantha said.
"Where on earth did Naomi go till all hours of the night?" Elaine asked.
"She needs to tell you that, Elaine. I'm sorry but I can't tell you." Samantha said.
"Is everything alright, Sam? Please tell me." Elaine said starting to bite her fingernails from being so nervous.
"I will have her call you when she wakes up, Elaine. I'm sorry but I really can't tell you." Samantha said.
Micky opened his eyes and looked at Elaine who was brushing tears away from her eyes. "Sam, it's not like you to keep secrets from me." Elaine said.
"You don't need our worries on your shoulders, Elaine. You're busy out there with your new job, remember?"
"I know," Elaine cried out. "But you all are still my best friends too, remember?"
"I know," Samantha said. "I will have Naomi call you when she wakes up."
"Thanks," Elaine said. "I love you all so much, Sam."
"We love you too, Laney." Samantha said hanging up the phone.
Elaine collapsed in her bedroom chair and started to cry.
"Something wrong?" Micky asked.
"No," Elaine answered in return. "My personal business."
Elaine got up from the chair and walked into the livingroom to get a pop to help calm her nerves. She layed down on the couch and took some deep breaths. She prayed for Naomi to call her soon, so she didn't have to worry the entire day.
Micky walked out of the bedroom and looked at Elaine. "I'm glad you're okay from yesterday, Elaine."
"Thanks. Thanks for staying last night as well. It was very nice of you."
"You're welcome." Micky replied. "If you want me to leave, I will."
"No, you don't have to. I am just waiting for a phone call, that's all." Elaine replied.
"About your friends in Massachusetts?" Micky asked.
"Yes," Elaine said wiping her eyes again.
Micky sat on the couch next to her and took her feet in his lap. "You are so tense." he said to her.
"I know," Elaine replied. "Something has happened back home, I just know it. But no one will tell me what it is."
"I'm sorry," Micky replied.
"It's okay," Elaine said taking a breath. "I'm going to pray for a while."
"That's fine," Micky replied massaging her tensed up legs. He watched as she closed her eyes and started to pray in her private prayer language for a while. Micky sat there and just watched and tried to figure out what she was saying. But then he remembered something and remained very quiet himself praying quietly to himself.
Two hours later the phone rang and Elaine's eyes widened and she gasped. "Hello," she said quickly picking up the phone.
"Elaine, this is Naomi. Samantha told me to call you while I was awake to use the restroom."
"Yes, what is going on, Naomi?" Elaine asked anxiously.
"Everything is fine, Elaine. Please do not worry. My parents are both in the hospital, but they are absolutely fine."
"Oh dear heavens, Naomi, what on earth happened?" Elaine asked moving her legs on Micky's lap and his eyes widened. "Don't do that." Micky said moving her feet off of his lap.
"Sorry," Elaine said moving her legs down to the floor.
"Who are you talking to?" Naomi asked.
"A friend that I met here." Elaine replied. "What's wrong with your parents?"
"Well they were in a car wreck, however, they are both just fine, Elaine. Please don't go panicking and coming home. They are just fine. I promise you." Naomi replied.
"Oh dear heavens, Naomi. Why didn't anyone call me?"
"It was nothing and we didn't want to bother you out there." Naomi said.
"I'm not dead or anything. I only am a phone call away." Elaine replied. "I want to be phoned of these things."
"It really wasn't an issue, so we didn't want to bother you."
"Dang it, Naomi, it's no bother at all!" Elaine said feeling her tension building in her face. Micky felt so helpless sitting on the couch and not being able to comfort his newfound friend.
"When did this happen, Naomi?" Elaine asked pulling out her calendar from her purse and looking.
Naomi bit her lip and said, "A week ago."
"A week ago and you didn't think to call to me tell? OMGosh and they are still in the hospital? That's not good. What is wrong with them?" Elaine asked nervously starting to bite her fingernails again.
"My mother broke her hip and my father broke his leg." Naomi replied.
"Your mother and father what?" Elaine asked even more irritated. "That is not nothing, Naomi. That is huge. I'm on the next flight out."
"No, Elaine, we don't need you here." Naomi said. "Sam and Louise have been excellent in helping me at the hospital and my aunts and uncles are helping as well."
"Oh so I'm not needed anymore, huh?" Elaine asked throwing her slipper across the room.
"Everyone has just forgot me, huh? No one cares to call me about something huge and just wants to leave me here all by myself."
"That did not come out right, Elaine. Yes, we all still love you and need you, however, not at this moment in time." Naomi said walking over to Sam and covering the phone. "She's hysterical."
"You knew she would be." Sam replied. "Let her come home if she wants."
"You talk to her for me please? I need to go back and rest before the hospital calls and needs me up there again." Naomi asked her friend.
"I see how it is, Naomi." Elaine said hanging up the phone.
Elaine looked at Micky and said, "You need to get out."
"Yes, I was just thinking that." Micky replied.
Elaine grabbed her purse, keys, and put on her tennis shoes, grabbed her phone and left the apartment after Micky.
"Where are you going?" Micky asked concerned for his friend.
"I need to be alone." Elaine replied jumping in her car and driving off to the park. Micky didn't like the tone she used and he walked back to his apartment and got into his car and followed behind her.
"Elaine, it's Sam. Naomi had to go back to sleep." Sam heard a dial tone. "Elaine?" Sam called into the phone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At the park, Elaine got out of her car and started running as fast as she could. Micky got out of his car and walked behind her. He didn't want to leave her alone with whatever news she had found out on the phone that made her so nervous and anxious.
Four miles down the bikepath, Micky found Elaine sitting near the waterfountain staring at the waves. "Here you are," he said slowly walking up to her.
"I want to be alone." Elaine replied.
"I understand. I just wanted to make sure you were okay." Micky said cautiously.
Elaine stared into the waterfountain and was very quiet. Micky walked back to another park bench and sat down. He stared at the beautiful skyline for the longest time. After about 20 minutes had gone by, Micky felt a hand on his.
"Her parents were in an automobile accident and are in the hospital," he heard Elaine cry out to him.
"I'm sorry, Elaine." Micky said wrapping his arms around her in a hug.
"They didn't even call to tell me." Elaine cried out putting her head on his shoulder and just crying hysterically.
Micky ran his hand up and down her back trying to calm her down. He felt so helpless and knew he just needed to be there to listen to her. After about half an hour, it went very quiet.
Micky quietly said, "Elaine?" There was no answer. Although, he did hear some gentle snoring coming from her after that. She had fallen asleep in his arms. He spent the day in the park just holding her in his arms letting her sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Although, much to Micky's surprise, his cell phone started to ring. He reached into his pocket with one hand and answered it, "Hello."
"Micky, this is James. Where on earth have you been? You've had four lessons today and ditched all four of them."
"I have?" Micky asked. "I didn't think I was on the schedule till next week."
"No, you were on for today and you're on for tomorrow as well. I expect you here tomorrow."
"Sorry about the confusion, James. Won't happen again." Micky said.
"It better not. Mrs. Parker was not too happy someone else had to give Joey his lesson when she pays extra to have you teach her son."
"Why does she pay extra, James? She should pay equal amounts to all of us." Micky said.
Elaine's cell phone started to ring and Micky said, "I'll be there tomorrow James, gotta go." Micky grabbed Elaine's cell phone and said, "Hello."
"Who on earth are you? I'm looking for Elaine."
"I'm her friend. She's asleep right now. Can I give her a message."
"Yes, tell her to be on the next flight back to Massachusetts immediately. This is Naomi Patterson calling."
"Naomi Patterson," Micky said writing it down while he held the pencap in his mouth. "Got it. Is everything okay?"
"No, tell her to leave immediately." Naomi replied.
"I will. Thanks for calling." Micky said hanging up the phone and putting his phone back in his pocket. He gently woke Elaine. "Elaine, sweetie, your phone just rang. Naomi would like you to come home immediately."
Elaine looked at him and he could tell she was still very much asleep. "You need to fly back to Massachusetts immediately, Elaine. It's bad news I'm afraid."
Elaine threw her arms around him and started crying hysterically. "Her parents died." she gasped.
"I don't know. She did not say." Micky said. "But you better go now to make arrangements for the flight."
"I don't want to go alone. Come with me, Micky." Elaine said lifting her head up to meet his brown eyes.
"I would if I could. But I forgot about my lessons today and my boss absolutely demanded I be there tomorrow."
"Oh," Elaine said standing up to her feet and stretching out her arms and legs.
"I'm sorry," Micky said standing to his feet.
"It's okay," Elaine replied. "I better get going though. Take care, Micky."
"You too, Elaine. Call me if you need anything." Micky said giving her a hug.
"I will." Elaine replied wiping the tears from her eyes and kissing Micky's cheek before running back to her car.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That night, hours later, in Massachusetts, Elaine arrived home with her suitcase and ran up to the house. Everyone was gathered around in the living room. "What happened?" Elaine gasped walking in the front door.
"Nothing happened, Elaine. You said you wanted to come home, so here you are." Naomi said.
"But, Micky said something had happened." Elaine asked confused.
"Yes, we decided if you wanted to be here for my parents, then you should be here." Naomi replied. "They're doing just fine."
Elaine sat in the chair and tried to relax her pounding heart. "I thought the worst." Elaine said to her friends.
"I told you they were fine. They're in my bedroom if you want to check on them. They just got released this afternoon." Naomi replied.
Elaine walked into Naomi's room and saw her parents lying in the bed. "Hi Mr. and Mrs. Patterson, it's me, Elaine."
"Hi Elaine! So nice of you to come and check on us. How are you?" Mrs. Patterson asked.
"I'm fine, thanks." Elaine replied walking in to see them more. She gave them a hug. "I'm so glad you're both okay."
"Yes, we are too, Elaine." Mrs. Patterson replied.
Elaine asked if they could get them anything. Mr. Patterson smarted off, "Just get out of the bedroom Missy."
"Ignore him, Elaine. He's grumpier than ever having to stay here with our daughter." Mrs. Patterson replied.
"Living with a bunch of women! I'm outnumbered." Mr. Patterson yelled back.
Elaine held in her laughter and said, "If you need anything, we'll be in the livingroom."
"Okay dear," Mrs. Patterson replied smiling at her.
Elaine breathed a sigh of relief and walked out to the livingroom and sat down. "I told you they were fine."
"Well your call to my friend made it sound urgent telling me to be on the next flight out." Elaine said in a soft voice.
"I know, I wanted you to see them before they went to sleep for the night," Naomi replied. "Who was that guy anyway?"
"He's my one and only friend," Elaine replied. "He lives in the apartment building next door to me."
"Why do you only have one friend, Elaine?" Samantha asked.
"Because I'm very shy around these new people and I don't trust them yet. I'm still in the trusting phase with this Micky."
"Is this the same one you told me about in Colorado?" Sam asked.
"Yes, that's him." Elaine replied. "Things are so much better between us."
"Well, that's good." Sam said taking a sip of her pop.
"Look at your hair." Louise said standing up and walking over to Elaine. "It's more of a defined brownish red color."
"You like it? I got it at Walgreenies on sale for $4.00 a box." Elaine said smiling at them. "I have to buy two boxes now because it's so long, but it worked out just fine."
"How's the new job going?" Naomi asked kicking her feet up on the table.
"Eh, it's a job. I mean I like the work, but this not knowing anyone is hard. I got lost on a country road and Micky came to get me because I called him crying."
"Well, that was nice of him." Sam replied.
"Yes, and I met two of his friends that were very nice as well. They also helped me out at a Chinese restaurant when I found a worm in my food." Elaine replied.
"A what?" Naomi asked cringing at the thought.
"A worm. They put it in my food as a joke." Elaine said. "Micky and his friends pretended to be health inspectors and threatened to close down the place if they didn't refund my money."
"LOL!" Louise laughed out loud and said, "Way to go Micky and his friends."
"You've really had adventures these past six months, huh?" Naomi asked.
"Yes, it's been a trying time." Elaine said. "Speaking of which, I better call Micky to let him know everything is okay. He was very worried about me going alone, but he had to work at his job tomorrow and couldn't come." Elaine dialed Micky's number and smiled when she heard, "Hello?"
"Hi, it's me, Elaine." Elaine said twirling her hair. Sam, Naomi, and Louise all looked at each other and smiled.
[Phone conversation between California and Massachusetts]
"Hey, you made it safely?" Micky said.
"Yes, and her parents are just fine. They came home from the hospital today and are staying with my friends. She wanted me home to see them."
"That's good, Elaine. I have been praying since you left that they were okay." Micky said.
"Thanks for your prayers, Micky. They are so greatly appreciated." Elaine replied. "I don't want to keep you awake since I know you have to work tomorrow."
"It's okay, I'm already showered and in my pajamas. I'm curled up in the bed already and just waiting for your phone call." Micky replied.
"Thanks for everything, Micky." Elaine said smiling.
"You're welcome. Have a good visit and call me when you return home to here." Micky said.
"I will. Goodnight and sweet dreams." Elaine said.
"Thanks, and you too." Micky replied hanging up the phone and falling asleep peacefully.
[House in Massachusetts]
Sam asked Elaine, "Are you smitting for him?"
"Am I what?" Elaine asked.
"Do you like him for more than a friend?" Sam asked.
"Absolutely not." Elaine replied defensively. "I am still in the trusting stage with him."
"If you say so, Elaine." Samantha replied giggling.
"It's the truth, Samantha Green," Elaine replied. "If you don't believe me, that's your own fault, but it is the truth."
"Okay," Sam replied. "Don't get all defensive."
"Naomi, glad your parents are home. I'm going to rest in my room, as it was a long and turbulent flight. I had to use the oxygen mask a few times from panic." Elaine said.
"Okay, Elaine. Thanks for coming back tonight. I know my parents were happy to see you. Just ignore my father. He's upset cause he's surrounded by women folk."
"Yeah, learned that one already. Goodnight everyone." Elaine replied walking to her old room and opening the door. It was just the way she left it six months ago. Naomi had been cleaning it every month for Elaine.
Elaine curled up in her bed under the covers, pulled open her suitcase, and got out her green teddybear holding it in her arms. She quietly said her prayers and kept her eyes closed.
"Elaine, you asleep yet?" she heard someone at the door.
"Not yet, Naomi. What is it?" Elaine asked.
"Um I kind of need to share your room since mine is being occupied. You don't mind, do you?" Naomi asked.
"Not at all." Elaine said uncovering the other side of the bed and Naomi crawled inside. "I'm so glad you're home. I've missed you so much." Naomi said giving her friend a hug and kiss on the cheek.
"I've missed everyone too, Naomi. Goodnight." Elaine said quietly.
"Night, Laney." Naomi replied closing her eyes.
Sam checked on Naomi's parents and they were both asleep. She told Louise, "I'm going to leave Elaine's door halfway open so Naomi can hear her parents if they need her. Then I'm going to sleep."
"Yeah, me too." Louise replied. "I'm tired."
"Goodnight, Louise." Sam said.
"Night, Samantha." Louise replied. The other two friends walked into their own individual rooms and crawled in their beds, soon falling asleep after that.
Chapter 2
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