Mackenize and Emily had been at there new home for two days. They were still trying to adjust. Mackenize could barely sleep during the night. Every time she would fall asleep she would have nightmares. Sometimes of Gabe taking Emily. Sometimes of Gabe killing her and taking Emily. Tomorrow Emily was starting her first day at her new school. Mackenize went into Emily's room.
"Ok." "Time for bed."
"Alright." Emily got in bed. Mackenize sat on it.
"I know we've been over this a lot but where did we move here from?"
"Detroit, Michigan."
"What's your name?"
"Emily Burke."
"What's my name?"
"Desiree Burke."
"Good." "Are you nervous about tomorrow?"
"I don't wanna go to a new school." "I won't know anybody."
"I know how you feel."
"How?"
"You know how long I worked at the diner back home." "Now I have to start a new diner." "I'll have to get to know the customers and the people I work with." "It's gonna be a big change." "It'll be a little scary but maybe I'll make some new friends." "Just like I'm sure you'll make new friends, even though it'll be sort of scary."
"I guess."
"Go to sleep." She kissed her forehead. "I love you Emily."
"I love you to mom."
Mackenize was sleeping. She was talking in her sleep.
"No." "No." "Don't touch her leave her alone." "Gabe you can't take her." "No." "No." She shot up out of bed sweating and sobbing. She calmed herself down and went to check on Emily. Emily was sound asleep in her bed.
The next morning Mackenize walked Emily to the bus stop. Then walked to a bus stop herself to catch a bus for work. She got off the bus and walked a few blocks to the diner. She went into the diner and up to the counter. She saw a woman that was about her age.
"Hi." "I'm Desiree Burke." She said. "I'm supposed to start today."
"Hi I'm Megan." "Here's your name and apron."
"Thank you."
"You look a little nervous."
"I am."
"You'll like it here." "Today's not a very busy day, usually." "Just a few regulars."
When Mackenize's shift was over Megan drove her home so she didn't have to wait for the bus. She was picking her up in the morning to. It was a nice fall day. Emily was sitting in a tire swing in the front yard. Mackenize was sitting on the front steps. An elderly woman from next door came over holding something.
"Hello Miss." She said.
"Hi." Mackenize said.
"I'm Carol, your next door neighbor." "I baked you a pie to welcome you to the neighborhood."
"I'm Desiree." "That's my daughter Emily."
"She's beautiful."
"Thank you."
"Do you like it here so far?"
"Yeah."
"My husband and I have lived here ours whole lives." "We raised four boys in that home."
"Wow."
"Well if you need anything, I'll be right next door."
"Thank you."
Fifteen minutes later Mackenize saw a car pull in next door. A man got out of the car. Mackenize figured it was one of there sons. Ten minutes later that man came back out and over to Mackenize's yard.
"Hi." He said.
"Hi."
"It's nice to see people finally living here." "I'm John Cena."
"I'm Desiree Burke."
"It's nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you to." "Is that your mom and dad's house?"
"Yeah."
"Mom I'm hungry." Emily yelled.
"Ok." Mackenize said.
"I know a place that has great pizza." "John said. "I'm pretty hungry." "We could all get in my car and I could take you guys."
"Emily do you want pizza?" Mackenize asked.
"Yeah."
"This is John." "He's gonna come with us."
After Emily finished her pizza she was trying to win an animal out of a machine. Mackenize and John were talking.
"What do you do for a living?" John asked.
"I'm a waitress at Bell's Diner."
"I eat there all the time."
"I just started there."
"Are you from here?"
"No." "We're from Detroit." "We decided to move here to start over."
"How old is Emily?"
"Ten."
"You don't look old enough to have a ten year old."
"I had her when I was sixteen."
"If you don't mind me asking, was her father ever in the picture?"
"He left when she was five."
"Sorry." The check came. "I got it."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
John drove them back home. He walked them to the door.
"Emily go inside and get started on your homework." Mackenize said. "I'll be in in a minute to help you."
"Ok mom."
"It was nice meeting you Emily." John said.
"Nice meeting you to." She went inside. Mackenize stood in the doorway.
"Thanks for dinner John."
"My pleasure." "I had a nice time."
"Me to."
"Goodnight Desiree."
"Goodnight." She shut the door. "He's really cute." She thought. "What the hell did I just think that for?" "Stop it Mackenize a relationship's the last thing you need right now."
The next morning Mackenize was at work. She went up to a table.
"Hi John." She said.
"Hi."
"What can I get for you?"
"Eggs, bacon, toast and coffee."
"Ok." She went back to put the order in. After he ate his food she brought him his check. "How was everything?"
"Great." After he left she went to his table get the tip he left her. He left her fifty dollars.
A few nights later Emily was flipping through the channels on TV.
"Mom isn't that John, the guy that took us out for pizza?" Mackenize looked at the TV. Wrestling was on.
"Yeah it is." They saw him pick up the Big Show.
"Boy he's really strong."
"Yeah he is."
Back in Los Angeles Gabe was at Mackenize's mom.
"You have no idea why she left you." Her mom asked.
"No." "I'd like to talk to her." "I want her home." "I'm a mess without them."
"If she calls here I'll tell you."
"Thank you."