"Frankie? Hon, are you ok? Please talk to me." Crystal was pleading with me.

"I… I don't know what to say. Crystal, I met her." I croaked out.

She looked at me questioning my response and then finally she understood what I meant.

"Her? You met her? The one from your dreams?" She asked as her eyebrows shot up towards her hairline.

I just nodded my head. It was all I could muster at this point. My heart was aching to see her again and I had only been away from her a few moments. Her scent was still trapped in my sinuses. God… why was this happening? That was the only thing that I needed to know.

"What happened Frankie? Can you try to tell me what happened? Where did you see her? Did she recognize you? What did she say to you? Did she say anything? Was her voice the same as in your dreams?"

My head was swimming from all of the questions she was throwing at me, but I knew she was just trying to help. I needed something to drink. My throat had become incredibly dry from my crying.

"Could you get me some water, please?" I managed to choke out.

"Sure babe, I'll be right back." She smiled and kissed the top of my head.

She'd done that for as long as I could remember. Whenever I would get sad or depressed, she would always kiss the top of my head. I never really knew the significance of it, I just knew that it always helped. Kinda like your favorite cookie whenever you needed a pick-me-up. Crystal had always been my favorite cookie… so to speak.

She came back into my room with a glass of water and some Kleenex. Both of which would help with my body fluids. My heart felt so heavy that I could hardly breathe. She handed me the glass, and I emptied its contents in a couple of gulps. She took the glass and then handed me the box of Kleenex. I took one of the tissues and looked up into her concerned brown eyes.

"Crystal, did this really happen? Or am I so incredibly lonely that I can't decipher between reality and fantasy anymore?" My bottom lip started to quiver and she immediately put her arms around me in comfort. I rested my head on her breast and listened to her heartbeat as I wiped my tears. I heard her take a deep breath and felt her voice vibrate through her chest.

"Do you believe that you were really there Frankie?" She asked quietly.

"Crys… I can't even fathom the idea that it wasn't real. It was so INCREDIBLY real. I can still smell her…" I said as my tears soaked into her shirt.

"I believe you sweetheart. I really do." She said as she continued to rock me like a small child.

"Why is this happening Crystal? Do you have any idea at all?" I asked.

"Well, Frankie, it's hard to say. I believe that our souls are very timeless and always active. I also believe that once the time that they live in the physical realm is over, they are still very much alive, and come back again in a different physical form."

I sighed heavily because I never really believed in the absurdity of reincarnation. I always looked at death as a finality to life, not a new beginning. She knew how hard it was for me to hear this stuff. Maybe I should have listened to her prattle before now.

"So what exactly is happening Crystal?" I didn't want to know the answer. I just wanted the hurting to stop.

"Well, why don't you tell me about your experience and I can try to give you a little insight."

"Ok, I'll try to recall as much as possible. God I hope you can figure some of this out. I don't know how much more of this I can take."

"I'll do what I can Frankie. Now let's get you comfy." She said as she leaned me against my headboard and piled my pillows behind my head and shoulders. She kicked off her shoes and climbed into my bed and waited for me to speak.

"OK, well, it started off with Joni Mitchell."

"Wait… the singer? She was in your dream?" She looked at me like I was gonna tell her I was joking.

"Well, in a way she was. Remember the other day when my alarm went off and she was singing?" She nodded. "Well the same song came on so I just thought the same deejay was working and really liked to play this song at the same time every day. Well, it wasn't my alarm; it was the record player in my family room. Except I wasn't playing records, my Pop was." Her eyes got big again but she urged me to continue.

"OK, I heard that "Help Me" song and I went to hit my alarm clock, and it wasn't there so I went out of my room to investigate where the music was coming from. I walked down the hallway until I heard voices. Crystal, I heard my Pop's voice. I couldn't fucking believe my ears. I hadn't heard his voice in years; it took me awhile to actually place where I'd heard the voice before.

"I braced myself against the wall initially because I swear my body was going into shock. I heard a woman's voice next. Crystal it was my Ma. Can you believe that? I don't remember much about her at all, but as soon as I saw her I knew who she was. I watched my Pop try to fix a radio or something at the kitchen table. She was messing around in the kitchen and that song kept playing over and over again. It was making my head spin. I was spying on these people, who hadn't even had me yet, from their own hallway!"

Crystal stayed silent waiting for my next segment. I gulped down the last of my water. My throat really was parched. I got up and took my empty water glass into the bathroom to fill it. I needed more water since I knew that this storytelling thing was gonna take a lot out of me.

I crawled back onto my bed and joined Crystal who was patiently waiting for my return.

"OK, ready for more?" I smiled.

"Sure, just take your time Hon, I got all day. It's Sunday, so you do too."

"God, I almost forgot. Thank God Mario doesn't mind working on Sunday. Have you met him yet?"

"I think I met him briefly last week. He seems like a nice person. Is he working out for you?"

"He is today, let's just say that." I smiled.

My newly hired employee Mario Antonelli was working his first solo Sunday shift. We're only open for a few hours on Sundays, so I didn't think he'd had any issues. I just knew that I needed another person with me, I started to get sick of working seven days a week. I may be committed to my lil store, but I'm not yet crazy enough to be committed. There is a fine line there somewhere that I'm just not ready to cross.

"OK Miss Avoidance, let's talk more about this." Crystal teased.

"Alright then. Let me get situated again." I said as I shifted myself back on top of my pillows. "Where was I again?"

"You were staring at your parents."

"Oh yeah… So, right, I was watching my parents who were back in the seventies all young again. It was wild. I never remembered my Pop having so much hair. I couldn't believe that I was looking at my Ma. I don't remember much about her, but the pictures that I have really didn't do her justice at all, she's really beautiful."

My thoughts were flooding my brain.

"Frankie? Hello? You were really out there babe. Wanna share?"

"Oh, sorry Crystal, I was just thinking about my Ma. I can't believe she didn't even show up for Pop's funeral. I would have bet that if anywhere, she would have shown up there."

"Yeah well, people's priorities are pretty friggin' whacked these days."

"You can say that again." I agreed. "So anyway, I watched them for a bit and went back into my room. Well it wasn't my room really anymore, because when I went back in, there was no evidence of my being there at all. I got really kinda freaked so I climbed out the window and down the fire escape."

"Ah just like old times. Remember when we used to sneak out like that? Your Pop never knew!" She said while laughing.

"Oh believe me, he knew. He was always waiting up for me. I knew his fake snoring versus his real snoring. I just never knew why I never got punished."

"He just wanted to make sure that you were all right Frankie. You were a good kid for the most part and he knew that. I'm sure he was just concerned about your safety."

"Yeah, that's probably true. I never had a curfew. We had a good relationship and communication was never a problem." I could feel my eyes tearing up. "God, I miss him Crystal."

"I know sweetheart." She said as she lay her head on my shoulder and rubbed my arm.

We stayed like that until I could compose myself. I really felt like I was having a nervous breakdown. So much had happened, or had it? I didn't know whether or not to truly believe that my experience was an actual journey or whether it was just a dream. I'd never had a dream feel like that before.

I felt myself begin to relax and I decided to continue with my story.

"OK, I think I'm ready."

"All right Frankie, I'm listening." She said as she snuggled closer to me.

"Well after I shot down the fire escape, I just looked in awe at the neighborhood. I mean Crystal; your shop wasn't even a thought yet! It was so incredible. I was looking down the street and it was as if I was looking through someone else's eyes. I saw everything in the neighborhood as it was in 1974."

"1974?"

"Yeah. I walked down Sheridan Road and found a little coffee shop that I know isn't there anymore. It was the cutest little café. Then I sat down and waited to be helped. I took a seat at the bar-like counter and there she was Crystal. I noticed a newspaper and the date on it was April 22, 1974! I thought I was gonna throw up my anxiety was so high. Then I saw her up close and personal. I couldn't form a sentence I was so tongue-tied. She was so incredibly beautiful, more than I could have ever imagined. Then she spoke to me in that angelic voice that I had heard so often. It was almost too much for me to bear."

"What did she say?" Crystal asked.

"'Did you want to order something darlin'?' It was so adorable Crystal. I was slack-jawed just looking at her. My mind was tracing every line of her face and every curve of her body. I thought she was gonna have me arrested for the thoughts in my head. I would have… damn."

"So, ok you ate then I am assuming?" She was getting anxious I could tell.

"Yeah, I did eat and then we made plans for the rest of the day. It was so weird. I mean, I don't know that I could have made plans with someone that I had just met at my job. Anyway, I waited for her to finish up her shift and she told me her boyfriend would be coming to pick her up."

"Boyfriend?" Crystal gasped.

"Yeah… I know… boy he's a real charmer this one. I don't know Crystal; I am worried about her with him too. We talked about how abusive he gets, especially when he drinks. I am afraid that I might have to kill him if I see him hurt her."

"Is she strong enough to leave him do you think?" She asked.

"I think with enough encouragement, she would. She is afraid of what he will do to her if she even suggests that. This guy is a total loser Crystal. I wanted to skin him when I met him. He was foaming at the mouth in my direction until he knew that I was a friend of Annie's. I swear he cheats on her. He is just scum."

"Annie eh?" She nudged me with a smirk.

"Yeah, it's so perfect for her too. She is such an Annie. She is studying to be a writer at Loyola University. God, Crystal, how can something like this not be real? I don't understand it. I was there dammit. There is nothing anyone can say to me that will make me believe otherwise."

"I'm not saying it didn't happen Frankie. Things like this do happen. I think we should talk with Nonnie about this. I think she can help. She has been around longer and has seen more than I have."

"What do you think it was Crystal?" I was curious.

"I would say that you had a conscious out of the body experience."

"What is that?" I didn't like the sound of this one bit.

"There is an experience called an 'out-of-the-body' experience that happens usually during the sleep state where you might experience a sensation of flying or falling, but definitely traveling. The person is in an altered state of consciousness. There are those that have experienced 'conscious out of the body' which is more difficult, but it's like lucid dreaming. This is what I believe happened to you."

"So what now? I mean can this happen again do you think?"

"Well that is up to you and your friend Annie. It is quite obvious to me that she needs you for something. Maybe it's the situation between her boyfriend and herself. I don't know. We won't know unless it happens again. I think we should go see Nonnie, Frankie. She may be able to shed some light that I wasn't able to."

"Alright Crystal, but I'm warning you. I'm not drinking any funky ass tea or anything to help this process. I want answers more than anyone, but I won't participate in any sacrifices to help this cause." I seriously explained.

Crystal laughed at me like I knew she would.

We walked down to Nonnie's and found her taking a nap on the couch in their living room. I didn't want to wake her so we waited in the kitchen for a bit. Crystal was hungry so we decided to make some brunch. It was way past the breakfast hour, but not late enough to be called lunch. I think people decided on calling it brunch as an excuse to eat more.

We sat and ate until our bellies couldn't take much more. After drawing straws to see who was gonna wash and dry we began to clean. When we finished cleaning up the mess we had created in the kitchen, Nonnie had awoken from her nap. She came into the kitchen and wiped her sleepy eyes as she looked at us.

"Hey there girls. Whatcha doing in here on such a beautiful day?"

"Hi Nonnie, we just finished eating. How was your nap?" Crystal greeted.

"It was restful. You know a girl my age needs her beauty rest anytime she can get it." She smiled at us.

"Nonnie, we have to talk with you about something that happened to Frankie." Crystal said with seriousness.

"OK, let me get a cup of tea and we'll talk in the living room." Nonnie replied.

"Alright. We'll meet you out there," She said back to Nonnie.

Crystal took my hand and led me out into the living room. I was still very nervous about talking about this. I mean what if it was nothing more than a vivid dream? This was just ridiculous. It was a dream, and that's all, it had to have been. I had to think that, otherwise I was gonna go nuts trying to figure out a way to see Annie again.

"Ok, Frankie?" Crystal said. Oh shit, I missed something somewhere.

"Sorry?"

"You okay kiddo? Take a deep breath. This is gonna be fine I swear. Nonnie isn't gonna make fun of you." Crystal said as she took my hand and gently caressed the inside of my wrist. God she was always so calming.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just don't know what to believe anymore, you know?" I said honestly.

"I know honey. Let's just see what Nonnie says about your experience." She reassured.

Nonnie entered the living room with a piping hot mug of tea for herself. She looked at me and then at Crystal and decided that this was going to be a conversation that was gonna take awhile.

"OK, so who wants to start?" Nonnie said getting right down to business.

"Let me sum up what has happened to Frankie, and Frankie, if you want to chime in when I am forgetting something, go right ahead. OK?" Crystal finished.

"Sure, that sounds fine." I agreed.

"OK then I'll start." Crystal took a deep breath and began my tale. " I believe that Frankie had a conscious out of the body experience Nonnie." She explained.

"Well now, that is something. Go on." She urged.

Crystal told Nonnie everything that I had relayed to her a couple hours ago. Nonnie sat in her favorite chair and stayed extremely quiet throughout the whole explanation of my journey. The silence was making me mental.

"What do you think Nonnie?" I couldn't stand it any longer.

"Child, give me a minute to sort this out. Patience is something you need to acquire and soon." She jabbed at me. She knew I didn't have any patience.

"Sorry, I am just a little unnerved by all of this. I just want to know if this was real or not." I said as I hung my head.

"Oh, it was real alright. I just need to think for a minute." She got up and went back into the kitchen. She made some noise sounding like she was refilling her tea mug. I just stared at Crystal in disbelief.

"It's real huh? Great…" I put my head in my hands. "So I'm not crazy?"

"Hon, you were never crazy. I promise you, Nonnie and I will help you as much as we can with all of this. My guess is Nonnie trying to figure out why this Annie person has contacted you in the first place. She likes to know everything before she goes head first into something like this."

"She's not an "Annie person"… just Annie." I trailed off.

"Ooh, touchy subject eh?" I just stared at Crystal. "Frankie? You are falling in love with her aren't you?" She grinned at me with her know it all smile.

"I'm not in love with her… At least not yet." I admitted. "But if I was, there wouldn't be anyone else that I would rather be in love with."

"Wow Annie must be really something." She said as she rested her elbows on her knees and stared at me.

"She really is Crystal, and I would appreciate you not making fun of me at the moment." I pretended to pout and Crystal just put her hand on top of my head in a soothing gesture.

"You know I wouldn't do that. I'm just teasing, I can see that she means something to you. We'll do what we can, I promise." She reaffirmed to me.

Nonnie reentered at this moment. She looked deep in thought. She had indeed refilled her mug with hot tea and took her place back on her favorite plaid covered easy chair. She rocked back and forth for a bit and then looked at me for a long time without saying a word. I knew this time not to say anything. As much as it was bugging me, I just let her stare.

"OK Frankie. I believe that what you experienced was indeed a conscious out of body experience." I groaned internally. "I believe that there is a strong reason that she has come to find you. It could be that you knew each other at one time and your time together was cut short by something, maybe even death. At this time I don’t know. I will try to make contact with some people tonight and find out more. What I need for you to do is not to try too hard to return to this place. Let yourself be taken. You must be very relaxed almost in a meditative state of mind. Do you know how to meditate?"

"No…I…"

"Crystal will show you." I closed my gaping mouth and looked at Crystal who smiled and shook her head at me. "In the meantime, if she tries to make contact with you again be it through your dreams or whatnot, just let it take you. Do not try to control the situation, I know how you are." She said as she pointed at me. "Let it just happen. Open your mind, and I do mean open it. I have known you too long to know that you don't believe in a lot of the things that Crystal and I do, but you must trust us in what we do know of the other side."

"The other side?" I asked incredulously.

"Yes, the other side." She said again.

"What's on the other side Nonnie?" I asked softly.

"The answers that you need." She said as I watched her get up and go into her room.

"Frankie? Where are you babe?" Crystal asked breaking me away from my thoughts.

"I'm just thinking about my options at this point Crystal. Is Nonnie going to come out and tell me if she finds anything out?" I asked. Nonnie went to her room and hadn't come out in a long time.

"I promise you if she finds out anything, she'll either tell you directly, which is her style as you know, or she'll tell me and I'll relay the information." She explained.

"Alright. I guess I need to learn how to be patient, just like she said. I really hate being patient though." I said as I started to pace back and forth like a caged animal.

"Let's do something Frankie. It's the middle of the afternoon, what would you like to do?" She asked hopefully.

"Sleep." I answered truthfully.

"Now cut that out. My best friend is not going to become a part of her furniture. I won't let that happen. What would I tell people?" She smiled.

"You'll tell them to mind their own business just like you always have. That's what I love about you Crystal, I know that all of my secrets are completely safe with you."

"Right back atcha babe." She smiled. "You know they always will be safe with me."

"I don't doubt that Crys." I took her arm with my hand. "Let's go to the movies." I smiled knowing that she would love that idea.

"What? Really? Like in the theater? Frankie since you bought that home theater you never want to leave your house! You really want to go?" She got so excited it was like I was talking to a child.

"You pick the flick and that's what we'll see."

"The 400 is showing an oldie but a goodie."

"You don't want to see a new movie?"

"I love the classics. You know that. C'Mon, you know how much I love them."

I felt my resolve weakening with every plea coming from her mouth. I loved the classics even more than she did. "Fine, whatever you like my friend. I owe you big for your help with this… but especially for not making fun of me."

"Frankie, I would never make fun of you with something like this. I know how hard it was for you to even tell me about this. I have known you my whole life just about, and I know that you have never seen any of the things that I do to be real or truthful. I think it has been just nonsense for you."

"Crystal, I…" I started.

"No, it's ok." She held up her hands in defense. "I know that you are not the only one to think that supernatural stuff is hoaxy, I deal with that every time someone walks into my door with a non-believer. It's OK, you have many redeeming qualities in you that surpass your stubbornness."

"Gee, thanks. I think." She smiled at me.

We walked into the theater and Crystal started to order food from the concessions area. She ordered everything necessary for a good film: a large popcorn, a large soda, Raisinets, and of course cherry licorice ropes. After she made me pay, we found a good seat in the direct center of the theater. I never could understand how people could watch a movie from the front row. If your neck wasn't broken by the time the movie ended, it sure as hell felt like it was.

We sat down and noticed only a few other people in the theater. There were some couples but there were mostly women. I'd say it was a favorite for the female race.

As the movie started I watched the screen and felt myself begin to finally relax. I looked over to Crystal who was munching away on popcorn and sipping her soda without a care in the world. The look on her face brought a smile to mine. She was truly a wonderful friend. She still looked to the little things in life to make her happy. That was rare these days. She made me feel a lot younger than I truly was, and for that I will be forever grateful. I never want to feel as old as I am. I don't think I ever will.

Half way through the film Crystal and I were singing our hearts out. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed this film. The fellow theatergoers stared at us with smiles on their faces when they weren't singing along with us. Barbra herself, would have been proud of all of us funny girls. The poor guys that came with their girlfriends just sat back and endured. That in itself was a noble quality, I thought.

The movie ended two and a half hours later. Crystal and I walked out into the fresh air and breathed deeply. I loved the smell of popcorn, but after that long in a theater, enough is enough.

"So now what?" She asked.

"Umm… I really hadn't thought past the film. Is there something that you would like to do before nightfall?" I asked.

"Well, we could go window shopping. There is a great boutique just down the road a bit here. It's safe for us since it's not open. I can't remember the last time you and I were able to go shopping without spending a mint." She said and started to giggle.

"Isn't that the truth? The shopkeepers see us coming and they grease up their cash registers." I laughed.

"Especially that shop that carries those great China shoes. God I love that place!" She said as we started to walk home.

We walked and sang down Sheridan Road. It was turning into a beautiful spring night. The temperature was around sixty-five and there wasn't a cloud to be found. All I could think about was Annie. The diner that she worked in wasn't even a diner anymore, it looked to be a convenient store of some kind now.

"Hey Crys, can we walk down to the beach for a minute?" I just needed a little more of a reminder of Annie.

"The beach? You got a sudden urge to go swimming?" She joked.

"No, it's just so nice out and days like these are rarities. C'Mon, just for a minute?" I put on my best puppy eyes for her. There was no way she would deny me.

"Oh God! Not the eyes… fine. We'll go for a bit Frankie, but it's getting dark out and I don't want to end up walking home in darkness."

"Yay! Thanks Crys, we'll only stay a minute. I just want to see the water."

"Let's go." She said as she headed for Lake Michigan.

We jogged a bit to save on time and headed towards the lake. We finally arrived and my thoughts were flooded with Annie. God I missed her.

"She's got to be." I whispered out loud after fighting within myself.

"What?" Crystal asked as we stared into the changing sky.

"Hmm? Oh nothing. Sorry, just thinking out loud."

"God this is really beautiful. No one thinks that Chicago has more than just big buildings to offer someone. Take a look around us. This is just gorgeous." She marveled,

The sun began to make it's decent and I promised Crystal a cab ride home if she would stay and watch the sunset with me. She agreed only because she knew how much I wanted to stay. I felt a real connection to Annie here. There was something special about her and there was a reason that we were brought together the way we were. I just didn't know what that reason was yet.

We made it back home before the news came on. I was nervous. Bedtime was approaching and I wasn't sure if I was ready to go back there again, or if I was meant to go back at all. I looked around my apartment and remembered what I had seen just the night before. My Pop and Ma were here in my kitchen! This place looked so different back then. There was a whole different feel to it than what I remembered. Maybe Pop got rid of a lot of stuff when Ma left. He never told me anything like that so it's hard to say. We never really talked about Ma and what made her leave. Knowing my Pop, it couldn't have been his fault, he was too loving and kind.

As I started getting ready for bed, Crystal came into my bedroom and plopped onto my bed. She was teasing me by watching me as I dressed. She would scan my body with her eyes, but we both knew that she did it to make me blush. She had done this since I could remember, and I'll be damned if it didn't work everytime.

"You know, I hope you know one day I will get over that blushing thing." I said as I pulled my T-shirt over my body.

"You have been saying that for so many years Frankie, I'll believe it when I see it. Besides, I know it feeds your ego."

"Whatever, babe. I think you just are denying your true feelings for me and this is just a way for you to ogle."

"Ogle? I haven't heard that word in ages." She said as she started giggling. "Aren't those pants gonna make you hot when you sleep?" She asked as I was throwing on my blue jeans.

"If I go back there tonight, I want to wear clothes that will work for me as well as everyone else in 1974." I stated flatly. I took a wad of cash out of my wallet and stuffed the bills into my pocket. I didn't want to be without money this time around.

"Frankie, you can't necessarily bring anything with you to the other side. Remember what Nonnie said, 'Do not try to control the situation.' You may not even get back there again." She explained again.

"I know, but I have to do whatever I can to get back there Crystal. I felt such a strong connection with Annie that I can't just let it go. I have to get back there Crystal. Can you help me?"

"Help? What do you mean?" She asked.

"Can you do anything to help me get there?" I asked filled with hope.

"Honestly Frankie, I don't know. We can try hypnosis if you'd like. Sometimes I have had luck with my customers with this kind of thing. We might be able to help you get back there if you are completely calm and relaxed."

"I don't want to get hypnotized Crystal. I will take my chances when I go to sleep tonight." I said. There was NO way I was gonna do that.

"Suit yourself, but if it doesn't work, we can try that if you change your mind."

"Thanks." I said as I finished getting ready for bed.

I grabbed a large, thick blanket and opened my window. I stepped over my sill and landed on the fire escape. Crystal looked at me with concerned eyes.

"Frankie, what the hell are you doing?"

"What does it look like? I'm gonna sleep out here tonight."

"Why the hell are you going to do that?"

"Because if I get back there, I don't want to be inside the house again in case my Pop sees me. Duh!"

She gave me a great look after that. "Oh, silly stupid me. Why didn't I think of that? Frankie are you crazy? You could get attacked outside." She was trying to talk sense into me.

"There is no way that anyone can get up here. I brought up the ladder, so no one, unless they come from inside my home, can get to me." I stated. "Don't worry."

"I worry Frankie. I worry a lot. As much as I want you to be able to get back there, I don't want you to get hurt." She paused to look at me with her beautiful brown eyes.

"Crystal, I know you mean well. Just let me do this. If it doesn't work, then I'll stop because then I'll know that it was just a dream. Until the morning comes, I have to believe that what I experienced was real. It was so real for me that it couldn't have been just a dream."

"I believe you Frankie. I really do. I truly believe that Annie is real, and that she will call for you again. Just be careful. Promise me?"

"I promise. Thanks for your support Crystal."

"What kind of friend would I be if I didn't support you? Especially since you are experiencing things that are right up my alley." She said with a smile.

I leaned inside the apartment and grabbed hold of Crystal. I held onto her with everything I had. She was the greatest friend I would ever know.

"I love you Crystal. Thank you so much." I said as I kissed her cheek.

"You're welcome Frankie. You know there isn't anything I wouldn't do for you. It's the least I can do. I'll make sure that I pay extra attention to the sounds outside tonight. I don't want anything to happen to you."

"Thanks for your concern, but I'll be fine. You forget I can take care of myself." I said as I wiggled my eyebrows.

"I should have taken those classes with you."

"Then I would have no one to protect." I smiled. "Now go on, get some sleep. Hopefully I'll have a new story for you in the morning." I tousled her hair and she hugged me again.

"Good night Frankie. You want to leave this window open?" Crystal asked.

"Yeah, if I have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, I need to have easy access inside. My luck the lock would break and lock me out completely. That would be ugly."

"True. Are you sure you'll be warm enough out here? You want another blanket or a jacket or something?"

"No darlin, I'll be just fine. Now shoo. Off with you. I'll be fine. I even have a pen and paper here to write down anything specific." I said as I held up the items to her.

"Good. Alright. I'm going. See you in the morning. If I don't see you by nine, I'm coming up for you."

"Ok babe, I'll be here. Mario still has the keys to the shop, so if I don't open up, he'll be here. I'm covered so don't worry."

"It's my job as the best friend, I'm supposed to worry."

"Good night Crystal." I pretended to sound exasperated.

"Good night Frankie." She said as she slipped out of the window and back into the apartment. I watched until her shadow disappeared.

"OK, this is it. I just wish I was tired." I said to the clouding sky. "Don't get any ideas, it's not supposed to rain for another couple of days. Back me up Pop."

The night was quiet and my neighborhood never seemed more still. It had been awhile since I had slept out here. I used to do it all the time after Pop died. It would remind me of all the hot summer nights we would hang out here. I always loved those times with him. We would just sit out here and suck on Popsicle's and just watch the city lights go out one by one.

I couldn't help but shift as I felt the hardness of the fire escape dig into my back. When I opened my eyes I was looking into eyes I hadn't seen in years. It took every ounce of my control not to scream.

"You need a place to stay?" I heard him say.

"Wha…." I couldn't speak. I rubbed my eyes and cleared my throat and tried again.

"Excuse me?"

"I asked you if you needed a place to stay." He repeated.

"No… I um… "

"I thought this was my balcony. I guess it was late when I got home last night, and I went up the wrong ladder." I looked at my father and he still had the most warmth I had ever seen in anyone's eyes. "I'm sorry, just let me get off of here and I'll get out of your way."

"It's no problem. I just wanted to make sure that you were ok."

"Thanks P… " I stopped myself. "Mister. I appreciate the concern."

"You want some breakfast?" He was always so nice to people.

"Breakfast? Um… "

"Are you hungry? My wife and I were just sitting down to eat and I heard you out here. We have plenty if you want." He said just smiling his beautiful smile at me. How could I resist an opportunity to eat one more meal with my father and actually get to meet my mother.

"I would love to, thank you." The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them.

He held out his hand and helped me into my bedroom. I had the same clothes on that I was wearing the night before. I checked my pockets and felt the bulge of the money I had put in my pockets too.

I smiled to myself.

Pop led me into the apartment and through the hallway I knew so well. My Ma was in the kitchen and looked a little astonished to see me walking into her home with my Pop. I looked at her and smiled.

"I'm Frankie. Your husband was nice enough to invite me in for breakfast."

She outstretched her hand to me. I shook it and felt a great softness in her hands. Maybe that was where I got my baby soft skin.

"I'm Myrna, I see you've met Frank." She said as she looked over at my Pop. He gave her the look that said, "we'll talk about this later". God I knew that look all too well.

"Yes I have." I looked at him and smiled back.

"Well, please, make yourself at home."

Lady this is more my home then it will ever be to you.

"Do you like scrambled eggs?" She asked.

"Yes ma'am. Can I help out with anything." I didn't want to be completely useless.

"No dear, that's ok. I have everything ready. I'll just bring it in. Go on and take a seat at the table."

"So Frankie…" My Pop started. "You look really familiar to me. Do I know your father?"

"I don't think so. I actually live on the other side of the street. I must have been really tired when I crawled up the ladder last night."

"Mm… I see." He replied. That was his way of saying he didn't believe anything that I was saying.

"Thank you again for inviting me in. I am grateful you didn't have me arrested."

He laughed out loud, God I missed that sound. "Nonsense. If you had meant us any harm you wouldn't have stopped at the fire escape, you would have come right in. In fact I think we had someone in the house a couple weeks ago. By the time I got to the fire escape they had already disappeared though." My heartbeat sped up instantly.

"I'm harmless actually. Just a little misplaced." I said with a smirk, which made him smile.

"Are you sure we haven't met before?"

"Yes sir, I am sure of that."

Liar.

"Oh Frank, give the girl a break, if she had met you before she would say so." Ma came in with breakfast and came to my rescue.

I couldn't help but look at her with wondering eyes. I was an exact replica of the two of them. I had her eyes and his smile. I had his dark coloring, but her soft skin. I found myself feeling extremely lucky.

How many people actually have breakfast with their parents before they know you are their kid? My guess is none. I knew this couldn't be a dream.

"So Frankie, what do you do?" My Ma inquired.

"I don't have a job right now. I love the movies and am looking to get a job at the theater down on Sheridan."

"The 400?" My Pop asked.

"Yep, that's the one." I replied.

"I love the movies too. My shop downstairs has a bunch of keepsakes from the movies. I have costumes, pictures, and memorabilia of all kinds. You should come down after breakfast and take a look around." He said with pride in his voice. He always loved his shop.

"I have been in there before. Maybe that's where you have seen me." I suggested.

"Could be." He said while taking a mouthful of food.

"Thank you again for breakfast Ma'am."

"Please call me Myrna." She said.

"Thank you Myrna." I have to say she did cook a mean breakfast. I just didn't know what else to say to her.

"Do you have any children?" I couldn't help but ask.

"No we don't." She answered immediately.

"But we want them, don't we dear?" My Pop chimed in.

"I don't think we should discuss this now." She said with a hint of anger in her voice. I think we struck a nerve.

"I'm sorry. I didn’t mean to pry. Please forgive me."

"Don't worry about it Frankie." My Ma said as she stared at my Pop. "Frankie, that's an odd name for a girl."

"Well my real name is Frances. My friends have called me Frankie for as long as I can remember." I explained.

"I see." She said as she stuffed the rest of her breakfast into her mouth. She didn't seem very happy at the moment.

My Ma picked up her plate and walked into the kitchen and put the dish into the sink. Without saying a word to either of us, she began cleaning up the kitchen.

"I'm sorry Mr. Camarelli, I didn't mean to upset your wife." God that sounded weird coming out of my mouth.

He put his hand on mine and rubbed it. "Don't worry about it. It's just a subject we disagree on." He leaned in conspiratorially. "I want a daughter one day who I can spoil, but she doesn't want children at all. Hopefully someday we can agree to have a baby." I couldn't help the smile that formed on my mouth.

"I think you'd make someone a great father. Don't give up on that." I could feel my eyes welling up which meant it was time for me to go. How was I going to explain that? "I should let you get on with your day. I'm sorry again for sleeping on your fire escape, I'll pay closer attention next time I'm out late."

"Don't worry about it Frankie. It was nice to meet you. The next time you are in the shop, make sure you say hello."

"Thanks I will." I turned back to my silent mother. "Thank you again for breakfast Myrna, it was really delicious."

She turned from her task and smiled. "You are welcome. Take care of yourself Frankie."

"You too." I said and looked at her one last time. I really didn't know this woman at all. I didn't know if that was a bad thing or not.

"I'll walk you out. Let me get your jacket."

"Oh I didn't have one." I corrected.

He went into his hall closet and pulled out a jacket. "Here you can wear this home. It's kinda chilly today. The sun is out, but you know how the Windy City is. It looks beautiful outside until you take that first step out the door." He said as he slipped the jacket over my shoulders. I had forgotten what a warm man he really was.

"Thanks Mr. Camarelli. I'll get this back to you." I said as I pushed my arms through the sleeves of the jacket.

"Take your time. I have a few others to wear. Just drop it off the next time you are in the neighborhood." We stood smiling at each other. It was as if he knew.

"Well, thank you again for breakfast. It was very kind of you." I didn't want to leave.

"You're welcome. Tell your folks that they are welcome over too."

"I will." Before I could stop myself, I leaned in and gave him a hug and kissed his cheek. He didn't even flinch at the contact. He just looked at me with his loving eyes and waved as I walked out the door.

"Bye, Frankie." He said as he closed the door.

"Bye, Pop." I said quietly to no one.

As soon as I knew it was safe I completely broke down and cried. I wasn't sure if I would ever be strong enough to see him again. It was so hard not to tell him who I was. I sat on the bench at the bus stop and composed myself. It took me a few minutes to pull myself together. As much as I loved seeing him, it made me miss him all over again.

I had a better picture of my Ma though. It was quite obvious she didn't want any kids. I guess my Pop talked her into it. She didn't seem like the nicest person in the world. Maybe I should be glad that I didn't have her in my life. I had Pop and he was the most loving person I could've ever asked for to be my father.

I walked past Technicolor Classics and peered in the window. The lights were off and the Closed sign was on the door. I guessed it was Sunday since the shop wasn't open. It wasn't until I bugged Pop about the business that he opened his doors on Sundays.

I walked down to Sheridan Road just smelling my Pop on his jacket. God I missed that Old Spice smell. Rain or shine he would wear that stuff. I never remembered liking it more than I did right at that moment. I don't know what I did to deserve a chance to see him again, but I was extremely grateful.

I walked down towards the diner that Annie worked in hoping to find her there.

I walked up to the diner and glanced inside to see if I could see her. I watched the activity at the bar to see if she was working, but there was no sign of her.

I entered the diner to ask if she was going to be at work at all today. I came upon a waitress with "Doris" on her nametag.

"Excuse me Doris, I am looking for Annie. I was supposed to meet her here, but I don't see her. Is she working today?" I asked while lying a little bit.

"No honey, Annie's been off the last couple of days. She's been sick. You may want to try her at the dorms." Doris suggested.

"Thanks. Is she at Mertz?"

"Yeah I do believe so. I think she is on the eighteenth floor."

"Umm… Doris this is gonna sound funny, but I can't remember her last name. We are in a writing class together and we were gonna go over some notes, but I can't remember it. Can you help me out?"

"Sure honey, it's Parker. You aren't some psycho are ya?"

"Well that would depend on who you asked that question to." Her eyes got huge and her skin blanched. "I'm kidding Doris, like I said, we are in class together. Don't worry, Annie's in no danger, I promise you." I gave her my best calming smile and she seemed to be more at ease.

"Well you are definitely a lot safer than that boyfriend of hers. I want to wring his neck for what he's done to her." I could feel my anger boil.

"What did he do to her Doris?" I said through clenched teeth.

"Well he didn't pick her up the other night and it was raining out, she nearly caught pneumonia from that storm. That's why she ain't been here in a few days." I felt my temper calm down.

"Nothing a little chicken soup and some TLC won't fix." I smiled knowing I could take care of both of those things.

"It's good to know she's got friends like you then."

"Yep, it sure is." I agreed. "Well, I'm gonna get going. Thanks for your help Doris."

"You're welcome honey. Tell Annie we miss her down here." She smiled.

"I will. See ya." I said as I left the diner.

I walked towards campus and right up to Mertz Hall. I went up the stairs and walked up to the little security desk. A guard with a bunch of sign in sheets sat there eating his lunch.

"I'd like to see Annie Parker please." I said to him. He didn't even look up at me.

"Sign in please." He said as she slid the clipboard over to me.

I filled out as much information as I could sans Annie's room number since I had NO clue what that was. I was just hoping to get in the elevator before this guy got a clue and tried to stop me.

I got in the elevator and pressed the eighteenth floor button. The doors closed and the elevator began it's ascent to the eighteenth floor. The door opened and closed letting on and off many students along the way. I finally reached my floor and stepped out hoping to catch a glimpse of her.

I walked slowly past rooms listening for that sweet voice I knew so well. I turned a corner to hear laughter from the corner room. I got a little closer and heard a familiar voice; it was Betsy from the volleyball game. I walked up to her door and knocked. I heard her hang up the phone. The door opened and Betsy stood there in nothing but a towel and a smile.

"Well, look what the cat dragged in. How the hell are ya Frankie? We thought you disappeared into thin air." She jokingly said.

"Hey Betsy, how have you been? I've been alright I guess no complaints anyway."

"Come in girl have a seat. I am in the middle of getting dressed I hope you don't mind." She said as she dropped her towel and stepped into some clothes.

I immediately looked away and felt my cheeks flush with a bit of embarrassment. It's not everyday you have a woman you barely know show you her naked body. It's not a bad thing mind you, it just doesn't happen all that much.

"Hey have you seen Annie? I don't know what room she is in and I need to talk to her about the other day." I said hoping I wasn't too off with my timing.

"I think you pissed her off with your disappearing act. That was over two weeks ago, Frankie. I don't know how great of a reception you are going to get. You can go over and see her though, it may help. She is just next door actually. I haven't seen her in a couple days though, I have had lots going on with class and all. You want me to come with you?" She asked.

"No I'm a big girl, I can take it."

"I bet that is true." She replied very flirtatiously. I needed to leave her room and fast. I liked Betsy and all, but I could tell she was looking for love in all the wrong places.

"Thanks for your direction Betsy, I appreciate it. Wish me luck." I said with a laugh.

"Just apologize Frankie, I'm sure whatever made you stay away so long was a good reason. She'll understand, really. Just don't lie to her, she hates that."

"OK, thanks again Betsy. Bye." I said as I walked out of her room and went to Annie's door.

I could hear feint sounds coming from her room. I felt like a child waiting to walk into the principal's office.

I calmed my thoughts and my breathing. I wiped my sweaty hands down the length of my pant leg and brought my hand up to knock on her door. I knocked on the door and heard footsteps approaching the door. This was not the time to vomit. My stomach was thinking otherwise.

Then the door opened and I saw her face for only a moment.

"Hi Annie… " I said as the door slammed in my face. "Shit…"

I turned around and leaned my body into her door and rested my head on the wood.

I knocked again but nothing happened. So I knocked again this time louder.

"Annie, I know you are in there. Please just hear me out."

"Go away Frankie. I don't want to see you again." Annie said sternly to the door. I could tell her face was only inches away from it. I leaned my forehead against the door and spoke to her again.

"Please open the door Annie, I really need to talk to you."

"What could you possibly say to me that I have any interest in hearing?" She asked.

"I need for you to know what happened. I know you and I don't know each other that well, and there is nothing that I can say that can possibly make any sense to you about my leaving. But you have to know that I HAD to leave Annie. I didn't want to go. I didn't have a choice Annie, please believe me." I took a long breath to see if anything would change.

Nothing.

"Annie, please, you know me just enough to know that if you didn't mean anything to me, I wouldn't be here right now. You have to know that. Please Annie. Please open the door." I could feel my voice fade out as I asked her one last time to open the door. I really didn't know what else I could say. If she didn't want to see me, she wouldn't open the door and when I decided that it was time to wake up, I would return to my future life once again.

I heard small sighs on the other side of the door. I was hoping that maybe she had changed her mind and wanted to open the door. I felt my face being hit as she slammed something into the other side of the door, hitting me in the process. That would teach me to lean my face against a door.

"Ow! Damn, that was my nose!" I said while holding my nose.

I heard a gasp from her room as she swung the door open.

"Frankie! I'm so sorry! Did I hurt you?" She said as she fumbled to get a closer look at my face.

Looking at the smaller woman in front of me I noticed her bruised face. The wounds had started to yellow from healing, but it was still noticeable. I took her face gently in my hands and looked into her eyes for the first time. She immediately knew what I was doing and pulled back into her room. This time she left the door open. I took that as an invitation and walked in and closed the door behind me.

"Annie, what happened to you? Are you all right?" I asked her back facing me.

I didn't hear any response, just small sobs that started to leave her body. I walked behind her and lightly placed my hand on her shoulder. I could feel her body flinch at my touch so I pulled away.

"Please tell me what happened, Annie." I was almost pleading. I needed to know what had happened. It wasn't a mystery to me who had done this though; that bastard was going to pay for this.

"I'll be here for you, I promise… A Camarelli never breaks a promise." I heard my words coming back at me like daggers going in for the kill. She turned around and faced me with her bruised face and tears streaming down her black and blue cheeks.

"Annie… I…"

"Don't even say it Frankie. You lied to me. I trusted you and you lied to me." She said as she started to pace through her room. I watched her like I was watching a caged tiger at a circus. She needed to get this out, and dammit it WAS my fault.

This was MY fault.

"This was my fault Annie. I'm so sorry."

"DON'T! You come into my life acting like you can help me, change my life, be my closest friend, and most of all give me strength enough to leave my abusive piece of shit that I call my boyfriend. Then you disappear like the Holy Ghost." She said sarcastically with a smirk.

"Annie, I was forced to leave."

"I'm not finished yet." She walked up to me and got so close that I could smell the toothpaste she used. "You fell asleep in the truck on the way to the liquor store. I left you in there because I thought you needed the rest. I came back out with a fucking keg of beer so my drunken boyfriend could enjoy himself with his drunken ass friends, and you were no where to be found…" She paused to try and compose herself. I could tell she was no where near done.

"I thought maybe you had gone to the restroom or something and just didn't see me or know where I was in the store. I waited for you for an hour Frankie. A fucking hour! I took the damn beer back to the beach and Billy was fucking foaming at the mouth because I took so damn long to get back there!" She continued to cry as she told me her ordeal. I could feel my heart breaking at her pain and sorrow. "I tried to talk to him, but he was so angry, Frankie. God he was angry. He slapped me in the back of my head in front of everyone at the beach. I couldn't believe it. I never thought he would actually let anyone see him do that to me. I guess I was wrong again." She stopped and let the tears flow down her face. She took a deep cleansing breath and looked up into my eyes with her tear-filled ones.

"So… Frankie? Tell me what happened to you. I hope it was worth it. You know, I thought you were different. You seemed so different then all of these people that call me their friend. I truly believed that I finally could acquire the strength that I needed to leave Billy with you at my side. All it got me was this face." She pointed at her wounds to clearly demonstrate her failure.

"Annie, please stop. I am so sorry. You HAVE to believe me."

"Why, because you have been so honest with me since we met? Try again lady." She said very bitterly.

"Annie, I cannot possibly tell you the truth about what happened to me. You would never in a million years believe what I had to do. All I can tell you is this. What pulled me from you is something that holds me stronger than anything you can imagine. I had no choice but to leave. I swear on my father's soul that if I could have stayed with you, I would have. Please believe me Annie. I truly am so very sorry that he hurt you again." I said as I felt my throat start to constrict from the emotion that I was feeling.

She sat and listened to me and just stared. It made me feel a little uneasy at first, but I knew she was just looking to see if I was telling the truth. I could tell a part of her wanted to believe me, and all of me wanted that part to win.

"So you can't tell me why you left?" She was trying to understand. I could feel it.

"No I can't. Please know that if it were something that I could have controlled, I would have. I know your situation. I would NEVER have given you a promise and then bailed out on you." I looked into her eyes hoping that she believed me. "I'm not like that."

"Well, I have nothing good to compare that to at this point, I'm sorry to disappoint you. I don't know you very well, Frankie."

"I know you don't, Annie, but I want to change that. If you give me a chance to make this up to you, I swear to everything Sacred that I will. I promise you, Annie." I took her hand and looked into her wet, bloodshot eyes as I said my last plea.

"I swear to you Frankie, if you ever lie to me, don't EVEN look my way again. I hate when people lie to me. I won't allow it or tolerate that in my life. I have too much shit to deal with as it is." She squeezed my hand and let go as she walked towards the window of her room.

She placed her hands against the glass and just looked down. I walked so I was right beside her and shared her view. She had an incredible view of Sheridan Road from up there. Eighteen floors up will do wonders to a normally gray colored city. You could see a light trail from the street lamps all the way up the street.

"I bet this looks amazing at night." I said nonchalantly.

"It is quite a view. The lights go all the way North until you can't see the road anymore. On a clear day it seems like you can see for miles. It's really quite lovely." She said in a quiet, almost childlike voice.

We stayed like that for several moments and she turned to look at me.

"I really hope you are the person I think you are. I have always known that my life would be able to change with the right person in my corner. I hope you are that person, Frankie."

"I can be whatever you need, Annie. I will do everything I possibly can to help you with Billy. I'll help you, I promise." I whispered as I pulled her into an uneasy embrace. She pulled away and turned away from my questioning stare.

"I'm sorry Frankie. I just don't feel comfortable when people hug me. I'm sorry. It's just something I need to get over. Please don't be offended by it." She turned to face me as she finished her apology.

"First of all Annie, you don't have to apologize. I'm a touchy Italian, I can't help myself. I should be apologizing to you. From now on I will not touch you at all without your permission. But um, if you ever want a hug, all you have to do is ask, and I'll give you one without question. Deal?" I asked her with a hope-filled look.

"Deal. Thank you, Frankie." She smiled that beautiful smile at me and I could feel my heart begin to melt once again.

"So you wanna go for a walk?" I asked her.

"No. I really don't want anyone to see me like this." She explained sadly.

"Annie? What happened to your face?" I asked tentatively.

She paused and walked from the window to sit on the edge of her bed. She sat there with her hands folded in her lap trying to gather her emotions. I could tell that she wanted to tell someone, and I was hoping that she would feel better once she got it out in the open.

"After the slapping incident, I told Billy I didn't want to see him anymore." She said quietly. I walked over to where she was and sat next to her on the bed. "He got really pissed. He called me so many nasty names I stopped counting after awhile. I left the beach party and told Betsy I was going to my room because I wasn't feeling well. I was so emotionally confused about Billy, and I was worried sick about you." She said as she looked sadly into my eyes. If a look could make your heart break, then mine definitely needed to go in for repair.

"I walked upstairs and could hear him calling after me. Luckily I had a good lead on him and I told the security guard not to let him in. As the elevator door closed I could hear him screaming obscenities at the guard. The last thing I heard before his voice faded was his warning to me that he would get me for this. I found out later that campus security had to remove him from the building." She stopped as her voice quivered a bit. She took a deep breath and continued. "I went into my room and was afraid to leave it for a few days. After several days I started to go to class and Billy was nowhere to be found. I hoped that he was over the whole thing, but unfortunately he wasn't." I leaned closer and began to rub her back. She didn't ask me to stop so I didn't. I wasn't sure if I should say anything at this time so I just let her finish.

"A few days ago I was on my way back from my writing class. I was completely oblivious to everything around me because it was such a beautiful day outside. Before I knew it I was in the elevator on my way up to my room. I got out of the elevator and felt someone grab my arm roughly. I didn't need an introduction, I knew who it was. Billy's alcohol filled breath was all I needed to know who it was. I felt my body start to shut down like it did when my dad used to beat me." She got up and went over to her little refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of juice and proceeded to drink its contents. She emptied the bottle and came back to sit on the bed.

"I felt Billy dragging me towards my room by my hair. I don't really remember a whole lot of it. It was almost like I was watching it from someone else's eyes. He grabbed my hand that had my keys and he squeezed it tearing the skin off of my palm. I remember crying out from the pain in my hand and dropping my keys. He picked them up and quickly opened my dorm room door. He threw me inside and I landed on my bed. He slammed the door shut and slowly approached me like I was some kind of prey for the taking. His eyes were so glossed over; he was definitely high on something. Probably pot, he liked to breathe that in more than fresh air.

"He said he was gonna make me see that no other man would be good enough for me. If I didn't see it his way, he'd make sure that I wouldn't be good enough for anyone ever again. I got scared, really scared. I had seen Billy angry before, but this time he was out of control. I guess me telling him that I wasn't going to see him anymore got him just a little pissed."

I just sat there with my eyes bearing into her as she relived her tale. She looked like she had nothing left in her as she retold her story. Her energy was just sucked out of her throughout this ordeal. She just sat there and told the story with no emotion, no feeling, no… life.

"He pulled me up by my shirt and punched me square in the face. All I remember was seeing stars and landing back on the bed. The blood that started to pool from my mouth started to drip down my throat and I began to choke. I spit out a lot of blood and it got all over my sheets, Billy, and me. I started to cry and plead with him to just let it go and to move on with his life. He wouldn't have any of that at all. He slapped my face again and mounted himself on top of me. There was no question in my mind of what he wanted to accomplish with this visit. I started to get really queasy and I threw up all over him. This only made him angrier and he punched my face again. I passed out after that and when I woke up he was gone. My clothes were still on so I guess he didn't have sex with me, thank God. As bad as the beatings were I never was raped and I am truly thankful for that. I mean I'd had sex with him, I just never wanted him or anyone to take me that way. That is one thing my dad never did either. I don't think I could have come back to a regular life had he done that. I don't know how people can survive when things like that happen. It just makes me feel better about my own circumstances. My life was never filled with roses, but it wasn't as bad as some people have it, you know?"

I guess when she needed to talk about something, she really meant it. It didn't matter to me, as long as she wanted to share some of her life with me, I would be here to listen.

I could feel my own body start to shake at the pictures of abuse that she was painting of her childhood. She started to tell me stories of her father's abuse. My eyes were wide with shock of the abuse that she endured a good majority of her life. I could tell she wanted me to know the whole picture, and I was trying to be as supportive as possible. I found myself very angry at the idea of someone harming her on such a regular basis. I bet she never knew what a real childhood was supposed to be like: loving parents, friends to play kickball with, a place to call home without fearing it. It certainly wasn't the life that she led. I don't know how long I could have handled a life like that without leaving or at least killing my father. I knew one thing for certain, I was gonna do everything I could to make sure no one harmed her again. If that meant becoming a bodyguard for this beautiful woman, well, then I couldn't have asked for a better job.

"So now that you have the whole sordid tale, you still want to be my friend?" She asked bitterly.

"Oh, Annie, there is nothing that I want more in this world, except for your happiness and safety." I replied. "Please let me help you find both."

She turned to look at me and I know that my hidden tears were well beyond staying inside. I took one look at her trusting face and knew that this was someone that shared a deep part of my soul. I let the tears fall. She reached up and wiped them away with her fingertips.

"I will let you. Just promise me one thing." She smiled.

"Anything, anything at all." I said quickly.

"Don't break your promises, it would kill me." It scared me to think how true those words could be. Especially with a psycho like Billy in her life.

"I give you my word as your friend and protector, I will never break these promises to you. I'll figure out a way to keep Billy from ever touching you again."

"Thank you, Frankie." She smiled and leaned into my shoulder with her head.

"You are very welcome, Annie." I continued to stroke her back with my fingers and leaned in to kiss the top of her head.

We sat like that for a good long time. It felt so natural for me to touch her, to comfort her. There wasn't anything in this world that would keep me from loving her too. Except of course if she didn't want it, but that would be a discussion for another time.