Chapter 2

"Noah…Noah... Noah Puckerman get up" his mom yelled up to him.

He groaned and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

"Ma its summer vacation"

"Yes, its 9:30 and I have things to do. Now come down here so I don't have to keep yelling."

"Ok, ok I'll be down in a minute."

He hadn't had that much to drink, why did he feel like he got zero sleep? Then it all came flooding back to him…the dream.. the heart clenching feeling of fear and dread. Without thinking he grabbed his phone and hit her number.

"Oh Shit" he exclaimed out loud to himself. Why the hell had he called?

Before he could hang up he heard her answer the phone

"Hello, Noah? Hello?" he sighed in relief at the sound of her voice.

"Um hey Berry" he stammered

"Not to sound mean or anything Noah but why are you calling me, let alone at 9:30 Saturday Morning? You never get up before 11am"

"Um yeah sorry bout that. Ma woke me up and I must have fallen on my phone and butt dialed you. No Biggs." What a lame ass lie he thought to himself.

"That's ok. You know that I was up anyway." Sweet she bought it. "Well….have a good day."

"Hey B since I got you on the phone and all I was wonderin what you and Hudson were up to this weekend? Beccah and Ma are gonna be gone and I thought I'd have some people over."

"There's been nothing planned as of now. Thank you for the invitation Noah." She paused...something was not right. "Noah are you sure everything is ok with you? Did Lauren do something?"

What the hell it was like she was psychic or some shit. And ef it all if he hadn't even given Zizes a thought till she mentioned her.

"Yeah B I'm cool. Little too much fun at Mike's last night is all"

"I don't want to know details Puckerman." She laughed. "Text us with the details for this weekend."

"Kay B see ya."

He took a deep breath and exhaled it our slowly.

Thank Jew God that she was ok. At least if he invited them over he could keep an eye on her and not look like a perv or get his ass beat by his " Girlfriend".

Puck got up and shuffled downstairs to the kitchen where his mom and sister were busy getting their things ready.

"What's all the hurry? Hey squirt watch out!" His sister nearly ran into him. He caught her as she tripped and ruffled her hair as he helped her up.

"Duh! Summer Camp Noe! Gotta leave soon or I'll miss the bus!" She smiled up at him.

"Rebeccah Ariel we leave in 10 minutes. Go make sure you didn't forget anything." His mom pointed up the stairs towards her bedroom.

The little girl ran up the stairs as ordered.

"Now…You" she started, turning her gaze to Puck. "Here's the plan. I'm taking Beccah to camp. From there I'm off to the Jewish Women's League weekend retreat. I have a Seminar all next week in Grand Rapids. There's no sense in me coming home for an hour or two in between, so I'm just going to leave right from the retreat. I'll call to check in. I'll be back next Sunday evening."

She looked right into his eyes, making sure he was listening. "No cops please!"

"I know ma"

"Noah I mean it. It killed me when you were in...well I don't want to think about it. You are NOT going back there, so No cops…Or fire department. You can have some friends over, just …well like I said no cops."

"Jeez you make me sound like a convict." He cringed even as he said the words. "I mean like a serial killer and all. You think I want to go back there? Don't worry Ma s'cool I promise. Go have a good time."

She gave him one of those Mom looks and then gave him a kiss on the cheek.

His sister practically jumped down the stairs, gave him a big hug and then they were both headed out the door.

"Oh, and no grandbabies please" she yelled out before the door shut.

He smirked. His mom was crazy. Crazy but cool and really one of the best people he knew.

Crazy…hmmm a certain other person kinda reminded him of his mom at times.

His phone buzzed, jolting him out of his thoughts. Good thing too. He wasn't sure he liked where his thoughts were headed.

He looked down at the text

Hungry! Bring food! And Ice cream. If you are lucky I'll let you have another look.

Another text...My house …you have 20 minutes Puckerman

Only one person bosses him around like this….Lauren Zizes.

Why didn't he have a dream about her instead Rachel?

"Shit" he muttered to himself. Not wanting to incur her wrath, puck scrambled to get dress and get the woman her food STAT.