AJ and I are both pretty shaken up after the quake.  This was the first one I've ever been in. We have a hard time getting back to sleep. When I finally do, I have nightmares and wake up; thinking there is another quake. Now, we are just laying in the bed. AJ is gently stroking my hair, murmuring things to me, and the dog is laying right between us.

Brian and Sarah have fallen asleep on the couch. Brian has to sit up with her and talk to her, reassuring her over and over everything is fine. Finally, she falls asleep, and he, not long after. His arms are wrapped around her and her face buried in his shoulder. He is hoping everything would be better after this.

"This place is such a mess," Kevin says, walking around the house picking up things that have fallen.

"Tell me about it," Howie replies

"Gosh, that was scary," Tiffany says, sitting on the couch.

"Well, it's all over now," Howie tells her.

"Thank God."  She says.  Just then there is a knock on the front door. Kevin gets it and is greeted by Shena throwing her arms around him and burying her face in his neck.

"Well, it's nice to see you too," Kevin chuckles "Are you OK?"

"Yeah, I guess. Still a little shaken up from last night, though," Shena tells him.

"I think we all are," Libby says from behind Shena.

"Has anyone heard from Suzy and AJ, or Brian and Sarah?" Tiffany asks.

"Nope, not me," Howie says.

"No," Kevin says.  Shena shakes her head.

"I hope they're OK..." Tiffany says. "Let's call them."  Howie grabs the phone and starts to dail when he realizes that the phone is dead.

"Crap!  The phone is dead."  Howie says slamming the phone down on the jack.

"Oh man, I hope they're OK."  Shena says.

"Maybe we should go get them."  Kevin says.

"I wouldn't try that.  It took us an hour just to get here.  And they live the other way; where the traffic is worse."  Shena says.

"It's worse?  Oh crap, I hope they're OK."  Howie says.

"I'm sure they are."  Libby says.

"Well, it's just that Sarah and Suzy have never been in an earthquake before.  I'm not sure how they would react."  Howie says.

"Look, I can assure you that Brian and AJ are taking care of their girls."  Shena says.

"I guess you're right."  Howie says sitting on the couch with a worried look on his face.  Tiffany walks over and sits next to him.

She whispers, "I'm worried about them too."

"It's just; AJ's my best friend.  And Suzy, Sarah, and Brian mean a lot to me too."  Howie says.

"I know how you feel.  Suzy is my best friend.  I seem calm outside, but inside I'm scared to death."  Tiffany says looking at the ground.  Howie realize's how scared Tiffany is.  He puts his arm around her and gives her a hug.  She hugs him back as he holds her tight.  Kevin and Shena look at them, then at each other and smile.  They don't see the upset look Libby has on her face.