Chapter 6 3 weeks later “Welcome home baby!”  Joey smiled as he directed Angela’s wheelchair in the door.  “Feels so good to be back,” Angela smiled as she took control of the wheelchair and went into the living room.  “Everything smells the same.”  She noticed bouquets of white lilies all over the house.  “What’s with the flowers?” “What do you mean, they’re your favorite,” Joey put his keys on the coffee table. “Um… yeah they are,” Angela forced a smile, remembering her last encounter with lilies. “You want something to eat?  I got your favorite warming in the oven: chicken cordon bleu.” “You cooked?  OK, where’s the mess?” Angela laughed but slightly winced at the pain from her ribs. “No mess, I promise, but there might be a couple of pots I need to throw away,” Joey remarked.  He knelt down to her level.  “I’m so glad you’re home, I missed you so much,” he caressed her cheek. “Me too,” Angela said as her mind raced.  “Um… why don’t we eat?” ~*~ Angela settled into bed, as Joey propped her broken leg up with a pillow.  “All set?” Joey putting the finishing touches. “Yup,” she pulled the covers around her.  Joey climbed carefully into bed and leaned on his side.  “I missed not having you in bed.”  He leaned in for a kiss. “Uh… yeah, those hospital beds are not nearly as comfortable,” she spoke as Joey began kissing her neck.  “Joe…” “I know we can’t do… but we can still do other things,” he continued searching her neck with his mouth. “Joey, I’m… really tired,” Angela spoke up as Joey stopped. “Long day huh?” Angela nodded.  “Too much excitement I guess.” “OK,” Joey planted a soft kiss on her lips.  “Good night.” “Good night.”  Angela turned away from him. “Oh, and Angela?  I love you… Angela?”  Joey looked, as Angela was asleep. Angela closed her eyes, pretending to fall asleep as Joey turned away and turned off the lights.  Her tears began to flow. ~*~ 3 weeks later Angela was in the hospital, having her casts removed.  The saw finally cut through the last inch of her arm cast.  “All done!”  Dr. Hanlon said as he put the saw down. “Finally, now I can bathe!” Angela laughed as Dr. Hanlon put ace bandages on her arm and leg. “Yeah, but you have extensive physical therapy before you can even think of using your arm and leg again.  The muscles need to be reworked since you haven’t used them.” “I know, but the thought of not having those heavy things on my body is thanks enough.” “I understand, well, you’re all set.  You see the physical therapist on Monday, and your lacerations are almost healed.” “Thanks,” she grabbed her crutches.  “Um, Doc, Joey wanted you to have this.  It’s an autograph picture for your daughters.”  She handed him the envelope.  “Joey also said that you’re on the permanent VIP list so anytime your family wants to come to a show, you’re in.” “Tell Joey I appreciate it,” Dr. Hanlon said with a hug.  “I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.  You want me to call a cab?” “Nope, my friend Sarah is waiting for me.  Thanks again.”  She hobbled out of the room. ~*~ Angela hobbled into the living room and settled herself on the couch.  She tried flipping the channels on the TV, but couldn’t find anything good to watch.  Joey was at a recording session, so she had the house to herself.  That same feeling settled in that she had for the past 6 weeks.  No sign of AJ was heard: no phone calls, anything.  Angela had to make excuses for him to Joey.  She wanted to pick up the phone and call him so many times, but that feeling of guilt settled in and dropped the phone.  Her thoughts traveled to the night she had her accident, what was said, what was done, and what was felt.    She remembered the time she met AJ, when she first moved to Florida.  He tried to put the moves on her at a club and she calmly threw a drink in his face.  He laughed and bought her another drink. “To make up for the one that was wasted,” he replied. “Boy do you have balls,” Angela retorted. “As big as church bells, if you wanna see,” AJ winked. Angela laughed.  “No thanks, but you can have a seat and join me.” AJ was the first real friend she had made in Florida, and one of the only ones she truly treasured.  Angela had a tough skin, the kind that didn’t let people in.  She never knew her father, and her mother died when she was a small child.  She was moved from foster home to foster home, so she never really stayed in one place long enough to get close to people.  When she turned 18, the state let her go and she was on her own.  She worked 3 jobs to go to community college and got an Associates’ Degree.  She decided to move to Florida to leave all the pain of Philadelphia behind.  It was always hard to let people get to her, and AJ was one of the rare ones.  After that, she met Joey, and she had her first real relationship.  They moved in together after going out for 6 months.  Joey was more like a father figure to her, trying to shape her into the woman he wanted her to be.  AJ, on the other hand, let her be herself.  “Maybe that’s why…” Angela started.  She grabbed her wallet and looked at the picture of AJ.  “I can’t do this anymore!”  She grabbed the phone and dialed a number. “Hello?” “AJ?” Chapter 7 Contents Chapter 5