"Yeah, it's me again," Nicole said as she gracefully sank to her knees beside the small, grey tombstone which had, as of late, become a frequent getaway to the very heartbroken, soon-to-be former, Mrs. EJ DiMera. "I know what you must be thinking. 'What the hell happened to her? The Nicole I used to know was always the life of the party!' Oh god you have no idea. I mean, just when I thought I was getting my life back on track, here he comes again." She began to break down in sobs and retrieved from her metallic gold tote bag a large box of Kleenex. Already tired of resting on her knees and anticipating another lengthly visit with her dearly departed, she shifted herself into a sitting position facing the memorial, just one foot shy of the marble.
"I was stupid enough to take him back the second time, believe me there won't be a third," she said insistently as she threw yet another used up tissue into the small pile which had already begun to accumulate to her right. She slid her hand back into her bag and this time withdrew a small silver flask from which she took a few sips of rum. "Ah, see," she said, holding the flask up to show her other-worldly friend, "just like old times. Cheers!"
She took another few sips, staring sadly at the name of her friend carved in stone all the while. "Alright, well I guess you want to hear the whole story first, right? Well, OK so there was this guy who worked for Vivian Alamain and he like, completely flipped his lid. I know, I know what you're thinking...if he worked for Vivian Alamain it's to be expected, right." [Oh my god, thank god no one is looking. They'll think you're crazy, Nicole[/i]. What did she care? She needed to talk and she came to the only one who she knew would listen. She shook her head and shrugged her shoulders then continued. "Anyway, so this guy is going nuts because he knows the police are onto him, so what does he do? He grabs me. Me! What did I do? Nada, zilch, nothing! So now, of course who happens to be there but EJ and he's there watching this crazed lunatic drag me into another room with a knife to my throat. So, to make a long story short...too late, I know...they managed to get me away, and I end up fainting into his arms. Well now he won't leave me alone! I told you all about what he did with Taylor. Now supposedly this incident has made him see the error of his ways and he wants me back. Maybe he hasn't exactly said so just yet because I think he knows I will just laugh in his face but honestly, I dont' know what to do. My head says no way Jose but, this heart," she crossed her hands over the part of her which ached so badly she couldn't imagine anything that was capable of healing it. "This heart wants so badly for it to be true."
Silence. She could never get used to not hearing the sweet little voice of her former BFF who could always be counted on to cheer her up when she was feeling her lowest. "You know, I could really use your advice, You were the only one in my life who ever loved me unconditonally, and who never judged me, and who would just listen to what I have to say. You truly were my best friend." She desperately tried to fight back the fresh set of tears stinging her eyes but it was no use. The began to flow freely as she broke down over the loss of her loved one. "Oh Pookie, I miss you so much."
What was once a full box of tissue had been reduced to a quarter of that amount in under half an hour as she sobbed uncontrollably at the final resting place of her precious little long-haired Chihuahua. She imagined she might have been there for some time more if she hadn't been startled by the sound of a rustling newspaper from a bench just a few feet away. When she looked off to her right she found an attractive, young, dark-haired man reading a newspaper. She quickly collected herself and her belongings and got to her feet. She was fully prepared to just walk away as if nothing had happened but then, the young man spoke.
"I hope I didn't startle you miss."
Nicole paused, She'd considered to just keep walking and pretend like she hadn't even heard but the man's voice seemed too kind to be so discourteous.
"No, you didn't," Nicole replied poiltely. "I'm just sorry you had to see that. Hopefully, you didn't see all of it." She bit her lip nervously anticipating his reply.
"Nah, just most of it," he said with a wink, watching in amusement as her face turned a lovely shade of crimson. "Seriously though, I owe you an apology. I didn't mean to intrude on your private conversation. I came here to visit my Buddy and I thought you might be on your way out so I decided to wait."
"Oh, where's your buddy?" Nicole asked, glancing around at the nearby headstones. As it turned out, "Buddy" and Pookie were neighbors.
"Yep, that's my Buddy. He's been gone almost two years now and I still miss him like crazy. Don't be embarrassed, miss. I like to tease but I guarantee you, within 5 seconds of you leaving this place I'll be doing much of the same. But let's make that our little secret. If you won't tell, I won't tell."
Nicole grinned and smiled at the handsome stranger appreciatively. "It's a deal."
"Good 'cause I'd sure hate for that to get back to the guys at the office."
"What? I don't have a clue as to what you're talking about," she shrugged flashing him a knowing grin.
"Thanks. Well, it's been a pleasure Miss-"
"Walker. Nicole Walker," she said, courteously extending her hand to shake his. She was already beginning to feel better as a result of simply dropping the DiMera name all together. "And you are?"
"Pete."
"Well Pete, it's been lovely. Enjoy your visit with Buddy."
I will, and Nicole," he called after her as she had already begun to walk away. When she glanced back over her shoulder he offered her a few words of encouragement. "We often don't know what we've got until it's gone. If there is someone on your heart that you love, don't let another day go by without telling them."
She forced a polite smile and nodded before turning away for good. He watched her every step until she was no longer within his sight, then eagerly withdrew his cell phone from his jeans pocket andcalled the first number programmed into his speed dial. His contact answered almost immediately, "Talk to me."
"Yeah, it's me. I have an update."
"Wonderful," EJ DiMera's voice boomed from the other end. "So tell me, what is my lovely wife up to today?"