Chapter 2: Kidding

It was morning.

DJ's cellphone vibrated on the head of the bed when it dropped on DJ's nose, knocking him awake.

"Ow! Fuck!" said DJ. "That's the worst mistake ever!"

He checked to see who it was, but it wasn't a text, it was a call.

"Hello?" asked DJ.

"Hey Lane!" said a girl's voice.

"Trina?" said DJ, confused. He'd not heard from Trina, or anyone else of her crew since the east-west coast war in New York of 1983 broke out. She had seven other friends: Hennder Winslow, Alex Jarvis, Freddey Gatton, Darcy Harlow, Wrax Arithius, Lindley Wahls and Kyle Garth. They were all whippet dogs. In fact, they were the West Side Whippets. But everyone fell in love with each other. Trina fell in love with Alex, Wrax fell in love with Darcy, Hennder fell in love with Freddey, and Kyle fell in love with Lindley. Darcy's father was also the creator of Harlow City, back in 1961.

"Yes, it's me." said Trina.

"Didn't you die?" asked DJ.

"No, me, Alex, Hennder and Freddey just faked our deaths so they wouldn't find us. So how's Daisy?" asked Trina.

"We're divorced now." said DJ. "I need to get the papers soon."

"I'm sorry." said Trina. "Why'd you get divorced?"

"Miller." said DJ.

"Miller did this? Miller's your brother... Why would he..." said Trina.

"It's okay now." said DJ. "Hatred between us will always be in its grave."

"DJ, may I tell you something?" asked Trina.

"I suppose so." said DJ.

"I'm in love with you." said Trina. "I've had time to think about it and..."

"Trina, I love you too, but I'm married again." said DJ.

"Oh." said Trina. "Well, when you're ever single again and if I am and it's ever the same time, can you let me know?"

"Yeah, Trina." said DJ. "I'll let you know."

DJ walked into the barn's kitchen where breakfast was being made. Careless Whisper by Seether played on the radio on the table.

"What are we having for breakfast?" asked DJ.

"Home fries." said Bessy.

"Those are fucking gross!" said DJ. "I'd prefer some damn cereal!"

"I'm glad I'm not cooking." said Bessy.

Rosey came in the kitchen and kissed DJ.

"Miller, do you remember Alex, Trina, Hennder and Freddey?" asked DJ.

"Vaguely." said Miller.

"They're coming here." said DJ.

"You're kidding me!" said Miller, happily. "I thought they were dead."

"As did I, but they faked it." said DJ.

"Well, what about the other four?" asked Miller.

"They didn't make it past the 1983 war." said DJ.

Miller began to cry in silence.

DJ began to have pains in his head and fell to the ground when Miller rushed over.

"Are you okay?" asked Miller.

"I think so." said DJ.