“Hey, don’t do that” yelled the beer belly dark haired college kid from behind the counter into the microphone causing Sandi to turn around, just in time to catch him jump over the counter.

“Excuse me” he says politely yelling, to several customers as he rushes by them. Jumping to get out of his way, Sandi fumbles with her steaming hot Cappuccino, able to prevent third degree burns, she does however lose her morning paper.

Bending down she picks it up and notices several people pumping gas turning towards the yelling clerk. Curious about all the yelling, an elderly man is unaware the window he is cleaning is down.

“John... Damn!" a older woman says as the squeegee wipes across her face. Still unaware that he is bathing his wife in Windex, she angrily snaps at him again, "Jonathan...!” as she slugs him in the shoulder.

As the clerk finally comes upon the gentlemen, it is unclear if the clerk is going to stop him or knock him out. Unaware that the pissed off clerk is standing right next him, the gentlemen carries on cursing and kicking the machine. Gripped to the scene- like a journalist- to man standing on a ledge, she didn’t even notice the black Liberty, entering from the street, until she practically walked into it.

Sandi is an attractive Latin American, with shoulder length jet-black hair, wearing jeans, black shoes and belt, and a red polo short sleeve shirt with name sewn in black below her right shoulder, stops just before slamming into Liberty. Juggling to hold her water bottle, her already torn up newspaper and a French Cappuccino, she drops the plastic bottle which rolls towards the Liberty. Keeping her eye on the bottle she quickly bends down, popping the lid off her coffee and spilling it on her forearm.

“Jesus Christ” she mumbles, looking up to the heavens as she quickly sets her coffee down and grabs the bottle before it disappears underneath the Jeep. As she stands up she backs into someone.

“I’m sorry - didn’t see you!“

A little taller than herself wearing khakis with a white shirt is an attractive woman with blonde hair tinted with soft brown highlights, who then steps forward to let a woman with a little girl pass behind her.

"That’s ok - me neither.” says the young woman.

Looking at her Jeep Sandi says “good choice, I love Jeeps, especially the Liberty.”

“Thanks. I just got it recently“ she says with a smile, “What do you drive?”

Pointing to her Jeep, now grinning uncontrollably having noticed her Aussie accent Sandi says, “That black 1991 Cherokee over there.”

The woman says quietly, “Well, I see you’ve got taste.”

Nervous and with a senseless smirk Sandi says, “I better go... Don’t want to be late for work, but I really do like your Jeep.”

She walks away backwards a few steps then turns around to see the other woman smile, shake her head, and head into the store.

“Shit. What the hell? Crap!” Sandi says to herself.

Digging in her pockets and then looking into the windows of the Jeep for her keys, she stops, looks back towards the store, and walks back towards it. She looks down around at the dark two shaded pavement for the keys as she is walking.

“Looking for these?” It was the attractive blonde she just nervously ran from, holding out the keys towards Sandi.

“Yeah, I was actually”, she replies anxiously.

“I saw them on the ground. I was going to turn them in when I saw you,” she pauses, searching for her next words.

Sandi, surprised by her choice of words asks, “Really?”

The other woman finishes her sentence saying, “...looking around for something.”

Suddenly Sandi reaching for the keys with a sharp tone she says, “Sandi!”

“What?" the young woman asks with curiosity.

Sandi slows her speech down, but fights with the keys, then says, “I’m Sandi Jayson, I meant - Thanks.“ Sandi moves backward towards her jeep while saying “Mmm, it was nice talking to you earlier. Bye.”

Then she rushes off nervously!

The other woman softly mutters - “Bye”.

As Sandi is entering the shopping center parking lot she is talking to herself.

“Gees, you handled that well. Fuck! Bad enough you rushed off once.”

Looking at herself in the rearview mirror, “did you really have to do it again? “

Running her right hand through her hair she says, “I’m definitely not graceful. Shit! “

Laughing at herself in the reflection, she grabs a cigarette and lights it. Pulls into a parking space, gets out, locks the door, looks at her watch, realizes she is late, and runs into the mall.

Coming out of the back, still frustrated with herself, she focuses - or has much as the spin cycle thoughts will let her - on the work day ahead as she slips her store keys around her neck. Suited and ready for battle Sandi is stopped by a voice from behind. A gentleman in his mid-thirties, going through his own personal washing machine cycle, sees her and rushes up to her.

With a worn out expression filled with confusion he says “Excuse me?“

Turning around completely, Sandi smiles at a pasty faced man and responds, “Yes?”

The man continues, “Can you tell me where to look for a soundtrack?” I seem to be over looking that section entirely.” he adds, as he swings around surveying the room filled with rows and rows of Cd’s.

“Sure. What are you looking for?” she asks him.

”West Side Story“, the original movie version not Broadway?” he says still searching the room with his eyes.

Pointing towards the soundtrack area she says, “Yeah it’s over here. Our setup can be a little confusing at first glance.”

Walking towards the section, she enters the aisle and looks for it. Shuffling through the section marked “W”, she explains the layout to him.

Pulling the Cd out, looking it over to make sure it is the movie version, she then hands it to him, “Here you go. It’s one of my favorites. Is this for you?” she asks with interests.

“No, my wife. She loves this movie.” he responses.

“Does she own it?” She asks, not in a phony voice but truly interested.

“Nope.” he says.

With a smile on Sandi’s face, “Right now is good time to buy it!” she says with excitement, “All our movie musicals are 30% off when you buy the soundtrack, if you’re interested? “ she goes on, not waiting for a response, “I just brought both Grease and Xanadu for myself, right before clocking in.”

“Really?, that’s not a bad offer.” he asks, then adds, ”what musicals do you guys carry?”

Laughing she says, “Oh, we have a lot. They’re over here.” walking towards another section laid out with endless rows of DVD’s.

“They’re in alphabetical order, but if you can’t find something please let me know. I’m Sandi or ask anyone with one of these on ”pointing to her shirt, “we’ll look it up to even see if we have it in stock, so you don’t spend time searching for it, Okay?”

Reaches out his hand to shake Sandi he says, “Sounds good, thanks Sandi. You’ve been a huge help.”

Shaking his hand she smiles and says, “No problem.”

Walking around checking on other customers, Sandi hears a female voice come over the radio she is wearing, “Sandi, someone is asking for you at the front.“

Handing a Disney tape to small child who was inches from knocking the whole display over Sandi says into the radio, “Who? Customer or friend?”

Turning the radio down a little the voice says “It wasn’t clear. Asked if you were here yet? I told her - let me check? Are you?”

Talking lower, “Is she right in front of you? What’s she look like? “ correcting herself quickly, ”I mean can she hear you? Crap!”

Interrupting her, the voice over the radio starts laughing at Sandi’s nervousness and says, “No, I’m behind the counter far enough away. Blonde, great looking with an amazing smile, white shirt and khakis.”

Talking louder and almost yelling, “Really? Ok? I’ll be right there. Give me a second.” Sandi says.

“Hey, Sandi, you know you really don’t need the radio,“ the voice says playfully, and then adds, “I’ll let her know.”

Heading for the front of the store Sandi found herself getting nervous, so she slowly walks looking down at the floor every once in a while, without warning a sudden rush of anxiety shot through her body, causing her to become slightly dizzy. For fear of passing out right there, she leans on a display and peers around it hoping to do so without the caller noticing.

Smiling nervously she takes a deep breath- gathers herself as best she can- then she emerges from behind the now bent display and says, as her voice cracks, “Hi!”

The attractive blonde turns around and walks towards Sandi, who is gushing with amazement, as she says, “Hi! You bolted so fast earlier I didn’t get to tell you mine.”

Smiling with obvious interest Sandi says, “No - no you didn’t.”

“I hope I’m not bothering you by stopping by?” she asks.

“What?” she responds staring at her wearing a bewildered smile. Saving her from complete embarrassment, an small child, with curly brown locks, runs in between them, bring her back to reality.

“Hey, slow down there little guy.” Sandi gently says with kind smile.

“I’m glad to see you again, really.” Sandi nervously said.

“I wanted to tell you my name, It seemed only fair since you told me yours.” she chuckled, then adds, “I’m Ash. Ashlee Ryan,” with a smile.

An alarm goes off and continues to ring. Sandi, sleeping, suddenly wakes up. Looking at the ceiling, she blinks her eyes, turns toward the alarm clock and just stares at it for a while. It had been a dream, all of it. She begins to run her hands through her hair and pulls at it. She cries deeply, uncontrollably, quietly sobbing as her whole body shakes. Her face turns from sad to angry as she turns over on her side. Pulling the covers over her head and reaches her hand out from underneath, knocking over a bottle of water in search of the alarm clock, she grabs it and throws it towards the wall.

As she gets herself up, she considers calling in sick today. If she hadn’t missed the last three days she would have done it one more day. Instead, she snatches her water bottle and heads for the shower, only to stub her toe against the laundry bin and then slips on some spilled water. After getting out of the shower 30 minutes later, she rushes to get dressed so she can stop to a get her French cappuccino at QuickTrip.

On Saturday her favorite convenience store is pretty quiet around 7:30 a.m. with just several of the regulars there. There aren’t sounds of the cars passing by or barely any people talking. Two teenagers whom seem to be playing “battle of the music” are trying to overpower each other’s audio systems with no success. Any bystander would call it a tie and move on.

As Sandi walks towards the store to buy her French Cappuccino, newspaper and bottled water when she notices a black Liberty entering the area. The sense of deja vu sweeps over her as she pushes her way through the cumbersome glass doors. Heading directly towards the cappuccino machine, she shakes her head, hoping to shake her awkwardness away. After another ‘successful’ coffee-getting experience, topped off by a round wet spot on her shirt, she pays for the items and gas. As she heads out the doors, she drops her plastic water bottle and watches it roll towards the Jeep Liberty parked right in front.

Keeping her eye on the bottle, she quickly bends down, squeezing the lid loose to her coffee, it slips burning her forearm. “Jesus Chirst” she says, glancing briefly to the sky as she set the coffee down. Rushing quickly she reaches out, grabs a hold of the bottle before it rolls underneath the Liberty which is displaying a license plate of Australia with each letter of ‘Australia’ in pride colors. When she stands up she steps backwards into someone.

“Excuse me. Sorry.“ she says as she turns around she see an attractive young woman, and then moves to get out of her away.

“It’s okay...“ the woman begins to say something, but Sandi jumps into her Jeep, backs up, begins to pull forward to leave, but then she suddenly stops, jumps out, runs back to the woman, and blurts out, “Is your name Ashlee?”

The woman smiles and nods her head and says, “How did you know that?“

“I’ve heard ‘Mmm... Nicole, the clerk tell you to have a nice day before.” Sandi says.

I’ve seen you around here before haven’t I?” Ashlee says.

Pointing to the complex across the street, “ Yeah I live in those apartments. I’m always here getting something,” Sandi says with a smile.

“Really?” Ashlee points to the ones directly behind the convenience store, “I live in the ones over there.”

“I know I have seen your Liberty come and go out of there several times before,” Sandi adds.

“I’ve seen you as well, everyone morning in the fitness room working out on the treadmill when I’m coming back from running with my dog,” she response.

Curious now Sandi says “Dog? I never noticed you with a dog before. Weird - I guess I wasn’t looking low enough to the ground.”

Then realizing what she just said, laughs, “What kind of dog?” She asked wanting to avoid the awkward silence that was just created.

Clearly amused Ashlee laughs also, “Well, I guess that is honest. He’s a black Labrador Retriever, puppy actually, so you‘d have to really look down,” she jokes and continues, ”to see him,” she underlines the last word knowingly.

Now blushing Sandi turns to go, “Better get to work, I don’t want to be late.“

“Me, too. I was late yesterday, puppy drama. They hate me being late especially when you are a manager, even worse when you’re opening up, and by yourself.” Ashlee adds with sarcasm.

“You too? Sometimes I feel like I live at my job even when I’m not there. Being a manager definitively can fucking suck” Sandi sympathizes.

“I understand that. I’ll catch myself sitting at home thinking about how to improve services or employee relations. It’s insane!” Ashlee agrees.

Glancing at her watch, she realizes the time, “It was nice to meet you.” Raising her French Vanilla Cappuccino, “Maybe we’ll have coffee together again some other morning,” Sandi says as she turns to leave.

“That’d be nice,” raising her Cappuccino in response to Sandi's coffee offer.

“See you later, Ashlee.” Sandi says.

“Good.” she says softly.

“Hey are you going be at work around one o’clock today? “ Ashlee throws in quickly.

“Yeah I don’t get off till three hours later. Why?” Sandi replies with fascination.

Ashlee casually adds “Just wondering. Well, till we meet again, tomorrow morning that is.”

Later at the music store, Ashlee walks up behind Sandi without her noticing and says “Were you flirting and checking me out, earlier then?”

Turning around dropping CD’s all over the floor, nervously saying “what!” as she turns and sees a familiar face.

“Me, um, I, yeah - I was.” Sandi says, as she bends down to her knees and picks up the Cd‘s.

“Mmm not very subtle,” Ashlee adds while grinning and bending down to help pick up the CD's.

“Well no more subtle then usual - I mean, nothing broke,“ Sandi says with a smile.

“Especially me” she adds nervously giggling.

“What does that mean?” Ashlee asks with interest while laughing.

“Well - I didn’t fall or run into something or have something crash down on me. So in that sense for me, yes, it was subtle.” Grinning she continues, “ I’m still here and not being rushed off to the hospital.”

Totally amused with Sandi she says “Well, that’s probably good I guess for both of us." Ashlee says.

Then adds, like Annie said 'Relationships that start out with great conflict and drama never work out.'

“Or something like that.” Ashlee looks at Sandi hoping she’ll pick up the movie reference and is beginning to think she didn’t as she just stands there.

“Oh, Speed, Yeah - good movie,” Sandi says, and asks, “You look surprised that I knew that, what you were talking about, I meant?”

“A little yeah.” Ashlee smiles.

Sandi steps back, turns to one side and picks up several DVDs in front of her and says “Well, I don’t get a chance to check out movies very often being here all the time.” As Sandi replaces them back on the rack she gives Ashlee a sarcastic grin.

“What is it that you like about me?” Ashlee blurts out.

Even before she could stop herself Sandi said, “Seriously?”

“No lie to me, I like it,” Ashlee says playfully. “Yes of course, seriously, I wanna know.”

Sandi takes a deep breath and says, “Well, right off it’s your - it’s, well it’s,” Sandi thinks to herself laying off the 'it’s' would be good.

“It’s” laughing to herself, ”just kind of your whole appearance you know. That’s pretty much it.”

Looking at her, Sandi realizes she really didn’t answer Ashlee‘s question.

With a grin on her face Ashlee steps back, then adds jokily, “Well... thanks for clearly that up.”

“No, problem.” Sandi grins.

“Your from Australia right?“ Sandi asks.

“Yeah... how did you...” Ashlee replies.

Interrupting Sandi says nervously, “I... I saw your license plate. That‘s really cool how Australia was... was outlined. ”

Pointing to Sandi’s name tag, that is designed like a backstage pass and has ‘Sandi’ spelled out with rainbow colored letters, Ashlee says, “Sandi, is short for something or that your first name?”

“It’s short for Sandra. When I was younger kids called me ‘Sandra Dee’ it drove me nuts. I really hated it. So I started asking everyone to call Sandi.” she replies somewhat shyly.

“Really, like from Grease?” Ashlee says with a smile. “Yeah, even... even though that is my all time favorite movie, I still don‘t like.” Sandy confesses.

“I love Australians!” Sandi blurts out.

“Interesting...,” Ashlee adds.

‘I mean artists. Everything from directors to actors, you know, singers to composers.” Sandi says shyly.

“Hey you okay, you look like you're gonna pass out?” Ashlee asks stepping forward, causing Sandi to step back.

“Yeah, I’m ok. Really? I’m cool.” she says although clearly on the edge of passing out.

In an extremely soft tone Ashlee says, “good” again.

That was twice that Ashlee has spoken to her in that tone, causing Sandi to just dive deeper into stuttering. “I got, I got to, I’m gonna go, gotta go, uh, back to work.” she add quickly.

“Sandi, I was wondering... would you like to do something with me later tonight?” Ashlee asks.

“Can I ask you something?“ Sandi wonders.

“Sure, feel free to ask me anything, really.” Ashlee says looking into Sandi eyes with warmth and sincerity.

“How is it that you got to be so brave when it comes to this? Talking with other women, I mean.“ Sandi was wondering what lesson she learned in her life made her so confident.

“I have always been outspoken, and when I discovered that I liked women, I just continued that way of being when I deal with my sexuality. I do get nervous and have been hurt; my assertive way of thinking isn’t without some heartache” Ashlee concluded.

“I just find that incredible inspiring and extremely attractive,” Sandi spoke now eagerly, “I want to be more like that, that is all.” expressing feelings she thought she might have been better off keeping to herself.

Freaking Ashlee out at this stage is something she didn’t want to do, but then Ashlee asked, “Well, Sandi, would you like to do something with me later tonight?”

Unable to speak, completely thrown off by the fact that Ashlee asked again, Sandi just smiles, reaches into her pocket for something to write her phone number on, scribbles it quickly, and hands it to Ashlee, who glances at the paper, smiles at Sandi and leaves.

Sandi softly mutters - “Bye”.

Staring at the clock on the wall, Sandi is waiting patiently for four o’clock to arrive. The last customer she dealt with was completely deranged, and also ever since Ashlee left the store, she has been useless.

“I really wish I had handled that better” she tells her fellow female co-worker.

“I mean she came all the way over here to see me and I reacted to her like I was instantly intoxicated,” she says, then adds, “Jamie, do you think I handle that well?”

Looking at her best friend, who is preoccupied with twisting and stretching her gum from her mouth to and around her finger.

Jamie, with her dark brown hair sprouted out on both sides in ponytails, looks to be on all accounts 16, but is actually 21. It was her easy going personality, child like energy that attracted Sandi to her three years ago, when they both happened to be the only two adults watching Chicken Run without a child occupying them.

“I’m glad I wasn’t the only adult in here without a kid.” Jamie said to Sandi.

“Me too. But to tell you the truth this is third time I have seen this movie. It just cracks me up.” she says giggling.

“I know what you mean. It’s a trip.” she says, then adds, “I’m Jamie Synder”.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Sandi Jayson” Sandi says shaking Jamie’s hand.

Over the last three years, Jamie and Sandi have dated twice, which surprised them both, even more so that they remained friends. Being bisexual, Jamie, has always been able to understand Sandi’s emotions and feelings when it came to her love life. Despite her carefree attitude, and being four years younger than Sandi, she is referred to as the quiet and mature one.

“Sandi, of course you freaked a little, she just showed up, she caught you off guard. It happens,” she said as she wrapped up a transaction with a customer.

“Thanks for coming by The Entertainment Shack; please come back. Have a great afternoon,” she says to him.

Sandi, leans back against the counter, pretending to work, clearly bothered by the whole situation earlier.

Placing her hand on Sandi’s shoulder Jamie says,” Look, if you’re that worried about it, screen your calls. Get her number and call her back when you’re ready.”

“That’s insane, I couldn’t do that, I really do want to go out with her I just felt like I embarrassed myself, that is all.” Sandi responses with concern.

“Sandi, your being stupid, I don’t think she would of asked you out if she thought or felt anything awkward towards you,” Jamie said gently, seeing that Sandi was truly bothered by this.

“You do like her; you just said that yourself, and sometimes it’s about taking a chance.” Jamie said.

"I know I guess I’m just scared; you know I haven’t been out with anyone since Rebecca, and I am seriously afraid of liking Ashlee.” Sandi conveys.

“I think it is a little late for that, I know you like her, it was obvious, and she picked up on it, too.” Jamie said walking towards the ringing wall phone.

“Hello, The Entertainment Shack, I’m Jamie how can help you today?” she says into the phone.

Sandi starts to walk away, when Jamie snaps her finger to get her attention.

“What’s up? If they want to talk to a manager you take care of it. You’re an assistant trainee I trust you; I’m going to take a smoke break.” Sandi says unemotionally.

Sandi thought to herself that ever since her four year relationship with Rebecca fell apart a year ago, she has been very afraid of meeting anyone. Except when they decided twice during the relationship to see another people, Sandi, hasn’t really been single, before Rebecca there was Clayton. That union destroyed all ability in her to trust others when it came to future relationships. The fact that she even met Rebecca shocked a lot of people including herself. Her success in love has been anything but that.

“Maybe I just shouldn’t get involved with anyone if I’m having all these feelings and apprehension, and I haven’t gone out with her yet?” she says to herself.

“Maybe this is exactly what you need, Sandi.” Jamie says stepping around the corner.

“Hey, who’s watching the store?” she wondered out loud.

“Doug and Mark, they just got here; I told them about your last customer, and that I wanted to check on you,” she said sitting down next to her.

“Do you have extra one of those?” pointing to her cigarette.

“Sure” handing her the crunched-up pack “take one or two if you want.”

Lighting her cigarette and taking a drag then as smoke comes from her mouth she talks, “I’m going to say this once and that is it.”

Sounding so annoyed caused Sandi to look directly at Jamie concerned she may have upset her.

“You’re always telling me too not live in the past, move forward. The advice you give me is direct, right on and never sheltering. What you told me about Karen and Robert was right on and I’m going to say it right back to you.” Jamie confesses.

“Jamie, this is different,” Sandi laughs, “You were dating both of them, and you weren’t deciding whether to take a chance with one of them; it was simply to pick one.”

“I swear talking to you sometimes is so frustrating. Why do you feel that everyone else deserves to be happy and not you - just slays me? I don’t get it. How is it that you are so concerned with others, yet forget yourself? Shit, don’t answer that.” Jamie says.

“What I wanted to say was this, you told me that if I never listen to my fears I won’t know that I am scared, but if I let them lead me through life then I’m not only scared but living scared.” Jamie revealed.

Placing her hand on Sandi’s knee, she looks at her and says, “This applies to you, too; so take a chance will you?” Jamie pushes.

“Okay, you’re right, I know your right. Thanks for talking with me. I know I can be a little hardheaded at times but...“ Jamie interrupts her.

“Are you kidding, just at times you say... Sandi you’re always this way.” Jamie said reaching her arm over Sandi’s shoulders.

“Seriously, the main problem we had, if you remember, was that you wouldn’t risk yourself. It was like the minute we started dating you- shutdown, when we broke up, you were free with yourself- again. Both times we tried being together.” Jamie said

“Ladies, if you two are just going to chat anyway, go home; we can handle this, get out of here,” Doug says over the radio.

Looking up they see both the guys standing at the window smiling and shaking their heads.

“You gals are as bad as old ladies are,” Mark adds while laughing.

“But seriously, it’s kind of dead for a Friday afternoon, and Karen comes in at 5.” Doug adds.

“Really? Okay, we’re out of here then; thanks guys,” Jamie says looking at Sandi.

“I thought she wasn’t working tonight?“ Sandi asks over the radio.

“Who? Karen?“ Doug replies.

“Yeah, I told her she doesn’t have to come in tonight,“ Sandi insists.

“What does it matter, Sandi?” Jamie asks.

“Jamie, I have to allot hours and she initially wasn’t going to work. I told her we didn’t need her.”

Noticing the women’s body language through the window, Mark speaks quickly, “Sandi, she coming in for Trevor; he wanted to go to a football game so they switched.”

”Which manager approved this? I didn’t get any note on the board about it.” she asks.

“Hold on, I’ll check” Mark says as he takes off towards the office.

“Sandi?” comes over the radio, “Yes?” she responded.

“It was okayed and signed by Jamie three days ago.” Mark says.

Jamie looks at Sandi and shrugs her shoulders, “and also it was signed and approved by you this afternoon,“ he finishes.

“Clearly it’s time for us to go, have a good evening guys. Well be in, in just a second to get our stuff and clock out; thanks again guys,” Sandi says and then clicks off the radio.

“Hey, Sandi go home shower and relax. When she does call just go with it,” Jamie says as she opens her car door.

“Thanks again, Jamie. It really means a lot to me that you’re always here for me. Hey you work tomorrow, right?” Sandi asks.

“Yep, same time you do,” Jamie replies.

“Let‘s go out dancing or something tomorrow night after work, Okay?” Sandi suggests.

“That’s a plan, that way I hear all about your kiss-and-tell report,” she says smiling, closes her door, and drives away.

At home surrounded by her cats staring out a window, she thinks, Jamie was right when she told her to “just relax.” Sitting on her navy plush couch, still in her uniform drinking water out of a gallon bottle, Sandi is listening to a CD compilation of Australian and Sweden artists she burned, when she decides to change the music.

When she first got home she wasn’t in the place she is now, and that CD almost always pulls whatever a little bit of happiness she may have, out. The TV is on playing one of her DVDs as well. Watching a movie and listening to music at the same time is a horrible habit she has.

While getting up to change the music her phone rings, so turning around tripping over one of her cats, emptying the remaining of her water all over another one, she grabs it and says, “Hello?”

“Sandi, this is Ashlee; what are up to?” she asks.

“Oh, nothing really just putting one of my cats in a coma and giving a bath to another! You? she says laughing at herself.

“Well, I guess I won’t introduce you to my puppy, Maximus,” Ashlee laughs joining Sandi.

“Oh, he‘ll be fine, remember he defied an Emperor,” Sandi added.

“True, but he isn’t even a gladiator yet,” Ashlee giggled and continued, “Hey I was calling to ask you out.

Are you up for doing something tonight? Ashlee asks, then adds, "If you’re not too tired from work earlier?”

Remembering what Jamie said Sandi sits down on the couch and closes her eyes and says “No” and then immediately “Yes”.

“Okay what does that mean?” Ashlee wonder out loud.

“Shit, I meant ‘no’ I’m not tired and ‘yes’ I’m up for going out with you.” Sandi says clarifying herself.

“Good,” Ashlee purred.

“Hey, what is it with you and the word ‘good’?” Sandi asked.

“I just like saying it, and for some reason it always comes out a little more sexual than I intended,” Ashlee explains.

“Well, I think you do intend for it to sound just like it does. Plus, smiling right afterwards kind blows the theory of any innocence you may think you are showing,” Sandi says amusingly.

“Well, I guess there is tiger in you after all; damn, you haven’t even know me a day and your already calling me on my shit, good for you,” Ashlee replies. Sandi, says nothing, just sits wondering if she should have said that, then hears Jamie‘s “just relax” run through her head and breaks out laughing.

“Sandi, your last name is Jayson, right?” Ashlee asks.

“Yep” Sandi said.

“That doesn’t sound Indian to me.” Ashlee states.

“Well, I’m actually not Indian, not Native American, that is. I was born in Bogota’, Columbia.” Sandi admits.

“Really? How did you end up here?” she asks.

“I was adopted when I was two. In fact both of my siblings are adopted as well. My brother Andrew, was adopted the same time I was,” she says.

“Oh, really that’s neat. So you have other brother or sister, then?” Ashlee wonders.

“Sister, Carla, she was adopted when me and Andy were 7.” Sandi answered.

“So, your parents are white then?” Ashlee asked.

“Yep. Born and bred in the states,“ Sandi jokes.

"I moved out here to Los Angeles five years ago," Sandi said.

“That‘s really cool,“ Ashlee says.

“What about you, how did you end up in the states?” Sandi wondered.

“Actually, I was born here. San Franisco to be exact.” she says.

“No kidding,” Sandi said

“My father is a retired professor, he chose a job oversea after my mother died," she said.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Sandi replied.

"Thanks. So we moved to England when I was two since my father didn’t want to stay in America anymore. He was born in London, anyway, Hammersmith actually.” Ashlee said.

“What’s that near? I know a little about the UK,” Sandi says.

“Well, it’s here Wimbledon,” Ashlee adds.

“Okay, got it,” Sandi says.

“When I was around twelve, we moved to Sydney, Australia,” Ashlee said.

“You don’t have any brothers or sisters then?” Sandi wonders.

“I have two step sisters, from my father first marriage. She still lived in Australia, that is why we moved there. After we got there he started dating his first wife again.” Ashlee quietly said. "Oh. Damn." Sandi blurted out.

“It bothered me a lot when I was younger, that he went back to his first wife. But after about a year living with them, I realized that it was a good idea for both of them. Actually, my younger sister, Ali, was born after they got married the second time.” Ashlee revealed.

“What’s your older sister name and how old is she” Sandi asked.

“Amanda, she three years older, than me.” Ashlee says.

“Ashlee, I just realized... I don't know how old you are." Sandi admitted.

“23 and you?” Ashlee asked.

“I’m 26, same as Amanda.” Sandi said, then adds, "How old is Ali?"

"16, she got her driver's license and new car Mustang last month. She pretty excited about that," Ashlee said.

"Do they live in L.A. too?" Sandi asked.

"Malibu, actually." Ashlee said.

“Well, I got so wrapped up in talking with you, I lost track of time, even though I really enjoyed learning more about you. Your a phone person, which is cool," Ashlee says.

“I'm glad we talked, I think it actually helped me. I mean, I probably couldn't of being so relaxed had we had this conversation face to face," Sandi says.

"It’s 5:40 now, can you be ready by 7 o’clock or do you need more time to get ready?" Ashlee asked.

"Oh, me, shoot, I’m a wash and go kind of girl, doesn’t take much to get me going, Ashlee,” Sandi playfully said.

“Really? Good,” She takes the pregnant pause, then “thing to know,” tacked on at the end, teasing her. “Ok, what’s your apartment number?”

”It’s 6980 Mulholland Drive”; the TV blares suddenly after being on pause.

“What? Oh, great that’s reassuring,” Ashlee chuckles.

“You don’t like my movie reference I guess - assuming by that reaction,” whispers Sandi, then cracks up.

“You could say that,“ Ashlee says, then Sandi threatens with, “Oh, well I guess I’ll try again later.”

Sandi then laughingly admits, “Actually it’s building number 1172 unit 67: It is the second one on the right, past the sign that has the building number on it. You can see my movie and music posters, and memorabilia through the window.”

“Okay I’ll see you at 7 then,” Ashlee promises.

“Good,” Sandi responses - slyly.

Taking a shower not only opened up her sinuses, but it cleared away all of her anxieties as well. When there is a knock on the door, Sandi can feel her heart race. Is she really ready for this she wonders?

Opening the door, Ashlee stands before her wearing Tommy Hilfiger blues jeans and a blue shirt, which is a little awkward, since Sandi has on Gap blue jeans with a blue shirt.

“It might have been wises to check with one another on what we were wearing, Ashlee says smiling.

“Maybe your right, come on in,” Sandi admits as she steps to the side to let her in.

“Holy shit! Good grief that a lot entertainment stuff,“ Ashlee blurts out, “wow, you really do like movies, music and cats!”

“Damn! You’d think you’d have enough of both?!” Ashlee says staring at a wall covered in movie posters with three racks full of DVDs and VHS tapes adjacent to it, and then another wall covered in music posters with six racks of CDs below that alongside another.

Sandi’s three, more often than not, hyper cats are stretched out sleeping on the floor.

“Yeah, I’m a little fanatical when it comes to entertainment,” she confesses.

“And the cats?” Ashlee asks.

“I’m just a little loopy in general I guess, there really isn’t a good explanation for them,” she admits wryly.

“Well, are you ready to go?” Ashlee asks.

“Yep, let’s go,” Sandi says as she opens the door and then notices that it has began to rain.

“Oh, shit, it’s raining,” Ashlee says.

“Something wrong?” Sandi asks.

“I had planned on taking you to play miniature golf. But I guess we can’t cause of the rain,” she says with disappointment.

“Oh, screw it’s just rain. We can still do it, I don't mind getting wet if you don’t?” Sandi exclaims.

“Nope, sure don’t” Ashlee agrees stepping outside as Sandi locks her door.

“Well, cool then let’s risk it. Let’s take a chance.” Sandi says, putting her keys in her pocket, smiling at Ashlee, “Okay - Sandi your right, let’s take a chance.”