Will you stay with me? She sounds like a scared child who just woke up from a nightmare.

Sure, I say, walking back to the bed. I climb in behind her and wrap her in my arms. I lay there smelling her scent mixing with the odor of Tequila still on her breath. I place my forehead against her back, between her shoulder blades. I fall asleep shortly after her breathing slows to a steady slumbering pace.

I wake up the next morning to the sun shining through my window. Smelling the lingering scent of Tequila, I remember whos in my arms before I actually feel her. I open my eyes and gaze at her back. I want so much to pull her closer to me. I could bury my face in her back and just stay like this forever. No, Alice. Shell have one ***** of a hangover and shell need something to make her feel better. I slide out of bed, careful not to rouse her and walk out of the room. I go to the kitchen and start the coffee. She wont be hungry but Ill have something before she gets up.

Just as I finish a bowl of cereal and my first cup of coffee, the phone rings.

Hello, I say into the receiver.

Alice, its Tina, Tinas voice rings in my ear. She must have had a good time since she didnt come home last night.

Well, well, well, I tease her, the prodigal child calls. How did things go with you two last night? Good I assumesince youre still there.

Look Al, its a long story and I dont have time right now. She doesnt sound happy. Can you just come pick me up? Ill tell you all about it later. Please, just come get me.

Okay, Ill be right there. Tina, just sit tight.Tina? Hellooooo. She must have hung up. I hang up the phone and grab my keys. Unsure of what to say to Dana or if shes even up yet, I walk out to go get Tina.

Just as I pull onto Sunset I hear a loud pop and realize I just got a flat tire. Oh, thats just great! I pull into the first parking lot and get out to survey the damage. *****! I yell and kick the wheel, stubbing my toe in the process.

You look like you could use a little help, I look up to see a tall, rather well-built man, standing in front of me.

Uh, yeah, I stammer, I guess I could. He gives me a half smile before asking where my jack is. My what?

He laughs, your jack. You know, to lift the car up.

Ooohhhh, my jack!

You still dont know what Im talking about, do you?

No, Im sorry, I say with a sheepish grin.

Thats okay, just open the trunkIll find what I need.

Thank you so much!

As the gentleman changes my tire, I stand aside talking. He makes me laugh a couple of times, brightening my already dim day. When hes done, he puts everything back in my trunk and tells me to get the tire fixed as soon as possible. Thankful, I try to offer him some money. He turns me down saying, thats not necessary.

What? Nobody in LA is that nice.

Im not from LA. You have a nice day. He turns and walks away, before I realize I didnt even get his name. Wow, there really are people who care.

I snap myself back to reality and hurry into my car to go pick up Tina. I pull into the driveway behind Bettes car to find Tina on the front steps. Her head is in her knees and she appears to be crying. I put the car in park and without turning off the engine, I go to Tina.

Tina? Are you okay? Obviously not, but I dont know what else to say.

To be Continued