Chapter 14

I was surprised to see Rick sitting beside me on the bed. The room was dark. I looked at the clock, it said 11:30 pm. Had I slept that long? My head felt like it weighed a ton. My brain was all fuzzy, it felt like I had some kind of amnesia. "I thought you'd never wake up. "Rick said with a sheepish smile. "About last night, I'm really sorry Raven, I was so drunk. " "Never again! "

All I could remember was him coming home late very drunk and some kind of fight ensuing, about what, I had no idea. I tried hard to remember but couldn't. "Well, it's done now, let's forget about it, ok? " "Forgive me sweetheart? " "Yes, you know I'd forgive you just about anything, I came home early today after I called you from work and when you didn't answer I got worried.

"Well, give me a couple of days and I'll be good as new. "I said. He ran a nice bubble bath for me and helped me out of bed. I was so weak and my legs were shaking. I felt lightheaded, even after the soup and tea. He undressed me and helped me into the tub. He knelt on the side and washed me. The hot water felt good. Then he helped me out and dried me. I couldn't stand up for very long, the room was spinning. It all went blank, he picked me up and placed me on the bed.

I slept for almost 2 days straight after that, then felt well enough to get out of bed. I guess Rick had been taking care of things while I was out of commission. But I felt all better now. But things had somehow changed. Rick acted funny around me. I felt a distance between us, hard to put my finger on it, that wasn't there before. Justin was living with some chick he met at a bar and he'd stop by once and awhile to say hi. Rick would still be with him most of the time and they'd still go out some weekends and get drunk. That would leave me alone in the apartment with my music and movies. I was very lonely.

One saturday night while Rick was out, I felt particularly lonely. I was listening to my Chris Isaak cds. And I had a glass of wine and decided to finally have a hit of the joint Linda had given me one day. I hadn't smoked any in years but I felt I needed some mind altering substance tonight. I guess I was really down.

I lit my candles, put my music on, had my wine and lit up. The first puff was very strong. I started coughing. So I took 2 or 3 little hits after that and that was enough! It was strong stuff, not like the stuff that was out when I was a kid. I had enough so I put it out. I'd save the rest for another night when I needed it. Some of my favorite songs were playing now, "I want your love", "Move Along", "Go walking down", "Things go wrong. ", "There she goes"by Chris Isaak and "Loney with a broken heart. "

But instead of making me feel better like they used to, they were having the opposite effect. "That's it, I'm calling Curly! "I said. I needed someone to talk to, besides I missed him and liked him and Rick didn't seem to care about us lately. And I wanted to see how he was doing and how things were at the ranch.

I took the phone into the bedroom, dug out his number tucked away safely somewhere in my purse. "Here it is. "I decided to take the chance and reverse the charges as we didn't have any money for long distance calls. So I called collect. And dialed, my heart was beating so fast. "Calm down Raven. "I whispered to myself and took another sip of wine.

"Hello? "I heard his friendly voice answer. "Curly, it's Raven! " "My God, it is! How the hell are ya? "he said. It felt so good to hear his voice. "Oh, I'm fine, just wanted to hear your voice. "I said. "Why doesn't that ring true? What's the matter Raven? "he asked. "Oh nothing"I said"Just a little lonely, that's all. " "Well, let me get a cup of coffee and into a comfortable chair and we can talk as long as you want, how's that sound? "It sounded great. It was so good to hear his voice. "I'll be right back! "he said.

I put on some more music, got the bottle of wine and went back into the bedroom. While I was waiting, I slipped into my black caftan, it was a long gown to the floor of lightweight material, kinda sexy looking and very comfortable. I didn't have a bra on, it was a steamy warm night although I did have black lace bikini panties under it and little heeled black slip on sandals.

"I'm back"I heard the familiar voice on the other end say. "God, Curly, it's so good to talk to you. " "I've been kinda lonely lately. Rick's always gone. He's out tonight actually. I never would've called you if he was here. "How's he been treating ya? "he asked. "Well, as good as Rick knows how I guess. "He could sense my lonliness and despair in my voice.