Chapter 2 Joey woke up to the same hums and beeps of the machines as he lifted his head from his chair.  He grimaced from the pain in his neck staying in the cramped position, and lifted it.  With a glimmer of hope, he looked at Angela, seeing if she had woken up.  Angela was in the same position, eyes closed, the machine doing the breathing for her.  Joey hung his head in despair, massaging the back of his neck as Dr. Hanlon walked in the room. “Good morning Joey,” Dr. Hanlon went to the other side of Angela’s bed. “Morning doctor,” Joey looked as Dr. Hanlon checked Angela’s vital signs.  “Any change?” Dr. Hanlon made some notations in Angela’s chart.  “Still the same progress Joey.  Her body is in a great deal of shock.  It’s been 3 days, but I’m sure things will change.” Joey nodded as Dr. Hanlon put his hand on Joey’s shoulder.  “Just give her time, and keep talking to her.” Dr. Hanlon left as Joey continued to lightly stroke Angela’s hand.  He remembered the time he met her.  ~*~ 1 year ago His cousin, Sarah, had a small get-together at her house and invited Joey to come along.  He didn’t really want to go, afraid that people would fawn all over him, but Sarah was too good to him to ditch her party.  He went to the party, where people did fawn all over him.  He wound up walking on Sarah’s patio, where he got scared when something grazed his leg. “Holy shit!” Joey jumped as he saw the figure sitting in the patio chair. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare ya or anything,” the figure said in the darkness. Then she came into view.  Joey almost stood there with his mouth open.  She had long chocolate brown hair went halfway down her back.  She had olive skin, the type that you could stand in the sun for 5 minutes and walk inside golden brown.  Her eyes matched her hair with long eyelashes.  She was wearing a white tank top with black pants, her legs crossed, smoking a cigarette. “Uh… it’s OK,” Joey stammered. “Couldn’t take the crowds huh?” “Sarah sometimes likes to show me off like a trophy.” “Yeah, well,” she took a drag of her cigarette and exhaled it quickly.  “Sarah doesn’t like smoking in her apartment, so I came out here.  Plus, her friends can be a pain in the ass.  I hate coming to these things.” “Me too,” Joey laughed.  “Mind if I take a seat?” “It’s a free country,” the girl said as he pulled up a chair. “Name’s Joey,” he said as he sat down and offered his hand. “Angela,” she lightly shook his hand.  “So you’re the infamous cousin.” “Jesus, does she talk about me to everyone?” Joey groaned. “Hey if I had a relative who made girls faint, I would be doing the same thing,” Angela took another drag off her cigarette and stubbed it out.  She grabbed her pack and offered one to Joey.  “Want one?” “Jeez, what are you, a chimney?” “Do you see a No Smoking sign anywhere out here?” “No.” “Good, then don’t lecture me.” “Sorry.”  He watched as Angela lit her cigarette.  “So, how do you know Sarah?” “I work with her at the real estate office.” “A broker?” “In training.  Getting my license in a few months, so I’m working in reception right now.  I just moved out here from Philadelphia.” “Great city.” “Not really.” “You’re not much of a conversationalist are you?” “I wasn’t expecting one.” Joey started to get annoyed with her shortcomings.  “Guess that’s my cue.”  He started to get up. “Wait,” Angela took a drag of her cigarette.  “I didn’t mean to come off all bitchy.  Just that I don’t really know what to say to people.  Sarah even thought I was a bitch when I first met her.  I just don’t like these social gatherings.  I guess I’m a loner, have a trust issue.” “It’s alright, me too,” Joey smiled.  “Hey, you wanna ditch this place?” “Are you asking me to go with you after a 5 minute conversation?” “You don’t wanna be impulsive?” “Impulsive is my middle name,” she stubbed her cigarette out and smirked.  “OK, you got a deal.” A few hours later Joey walked Angela to her door, laughing.  “Now that’s a dirty joke.” “You should hear my limericks sometime,” Angela laughed.  “I actually had a good time.” “Me too,” Joey coughed.  “Maybe we can do it again, so you can tell me those limericks.” “Anytime,” Angela smiled.  They calmed down from the laughter and stood there facing each other.  Joey leaned into Angela and gave her a soft kiss. “What was that for?” Angela whispered. “From one loner to another,” Joey responded.  He gave her another kiss, more intensely, as he grabbed her waist and pulled her into his arms.  He finally let go of her.  “Good night.” “Good night,” Angela looked on as Joey walked to his car.  “Hey!” Joey turned around.  “Yeah?” “I’m starting to like these social gatherings.” Joey winked and smiled.  “Me too.”  He got into his car and drove off. ~*~ Joey had tears in his eyes as he looked at Angela’s swollen and bruised face.  “You don’t have to be a loner anymore babe.  I’m always here for ya.” ~*~ He paced the floor, his mind being torn in half.  He smoked two packs of cigarettes, his car keys in hand for the past 2 hours. “Damnit, what do I do!” he screamed in his hallway.  Finally, with a sudden rush of confidence, he ran out of his house. 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