“What’s the matter, babe? You’ve been awfully quiet since you got up? Thinking about the little girl and her family?” Evie questioned her friend.

“No, not really. Trying not to actually. I know Ashley will be ok, and so will her mother. Thank goodness she wasn’t orphaned last night. I just…”

After a few minutes of silence, “You just what? If it’s not the girl, what is it?” Evie was genuinely concerned for her friend. It seemed she was finally getting on with her life, and the nightmares were less frequent, and then she responded to that call last night.

“Well, its Nick.” Kristyne was hesitant to say more.

“What about him?” Evie tried so hard to hide her smile.

“Well, I feel bad. I mean, I really jumped on him last night for no reason. See, remember I told you about the walk on the beach I had right before I called you in April?” Evie nodded her head. “Well, remember I told you a kind stranger stopped and because of his kindness I was able to have a little hope again?” Again, Evie nodded sensing where this was going. “Well, Nick was that stranger. So, twice now he has helped me. The first time I just left, disappeared. And well, last night, I got mad at him all because he was concerned about me. I just feel terrible about it. Evie, I don’t know how to let anyone in anymore. And I’ll never get the chance to say thank you to him.”

Kristyne was looking down in her lap, but snapped her head up when she heard Evie laughing. “WHAT is so funny? I am being serious!”

In between laughs, “So am I, Kristyne. So am I. Look, I have a confession to make, but I need you to promise me something. You need to remember how terrible you feel right at this moment at the thought of not saying thank you to Nick. Promise me that, ok?”

“Ok, I promise, but what have you kept from me? Evie? What are you up to?”

“Kristyne, look where we are?”

Kristyne looked out the window and realized they were nearing a very private neighborhood right on the water. “Where are we? Evie, whose house are we going to?”

“Kristyne, in a few minutes you will not need to feel guilty anymore.” Evie had a huge grin on her face.

“Oh, no! Evie, No I am NOT going to his house. How? When? Why?” God, she hated being so confused.

“Look, he is genuinely concerned for you. You have made one hell of an impression on this guy. And by the judge of the neighborhood he lives in, girl this is the type of friend to have! Give him a chance ok. He asked me to bring you by today. He’s having a party.”

“A PARTY! That’s what this is all about isn’t it, Evie? Another party for you to attend. Do you even KNOW who HE is? No I didn’t think so. He is only the youngest member of the BIGGEST, most POPULAR Pop music BoyBand in the WORLD!! You know, The Backstreet Boys?”

“Oh, yeah; them. I’ve heard of them. But, Kris, you know I don’t listen to that type of music, much less pay attention to the band members. That’s not my scene. He just asked me last night while you were getting your stuff if I could convince you to come by. Besides, who cares what group he is in? He seems like a nice enough guy.”

“I know he is a nice guy. I just don’t understand why someone so busy would even bother worrying over my insignificant problems.”

“Ok, stop it! I mean it! You are not insignificant and neither are your problems. You are my best friend and one of the most caring people I have ever known! I bet he sees that in you. Hell, I see it in him that he is a caring person. And right now he is caring about you, so get over it and have some FUN. Girl, you deserve so much happiness and you keep fighting it. You deserve it. Take today for what it is. A day to party. To cut loose. Laugh. Make new friends and forget about all the shit that has happened this past year. Ok? Can you do that for me? Please?”

**Sigh** “Maybe you are right. Who knows, maybe I’ll even have some fun. At the very least, even if I don’t like the people, I can always chill on the beach and relax.”

<~Chapter 7 or Chapter 9~>

Karina 2003