She could hardly get dressed fast enough. Her hair was a mess and she'd pulled on the rattiest pair of sweatpants and shirt that she owned. A glance at herself in the
mirror made her cringe, but for where she was going, it didn't really matter what she looked like. And then she realized what shirt she was wearing; A t-shirt from an
ancient Sonics playoff game against the Chicago Bulls. It was so worn out that she couldn't even read the date. But she was all too aware of where it had come from.
Bulldog had given it to her as a token of appreciation for finding him a rare issue of a Seattle-themed Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.
She cringed, remembering the humiliation she felt when she walked into the Rain City Rare books and magazine store at Pike Place Market, asking for a Sports
Illustrated Swimsuit issue, featuring Miss Washington. Bulldog was completely convinced that she'd go on to win the Miss America pageant. Unfortunately, that didn't
happen; evident by Bulldog's familiar outburst in the studio the next morning. But she accepted the shirt and when she'd gotten home, she shoved it way back in the
bottom of her dresser drawer where it never saw the light of day... Until now... She found herself wondering how she could have managed to find it after all this time.
Oh, who cares about the damn shirt anyway?
As if remembering that she was in a hurry, she grabbed her keys and purse and headed out the door.
Roz stepped off of the elevator, unable to ignore the lump in her throat. It had taken forever to get to the floor and even longer to get to where she was trying to go.
Her heart was pounding as she stood in front of the door, wondering how she was going to explain what she was doing here at 3:30 in the morning.
Please let someone be home...
She took a deep breath and knocked lightly on the door
Please let someone be home...
After several seconds there was no answer and she knocked again; louder this time. When her second attempt went unnoticed, she felt tears begin to rise to the
surface.
Please be home... please be home...
She knocked one last try as the tears began to slide down her cheeks. Miraculously she heard footsteps and then the unlocking of the door.
"Roz!"
"Hey, Niles." She said nervously.
"Dear God! Is-is something wrong?" He asked giving her a hug and ushering her inside.
Quickly she brushed away her tears. "I-I'm sorry to bother you like this... especially at this ungodly hour. But, is Daphne-."
"What's going on?" Daphne called from the stairway. "Roz!"
She ran down the stairs and rushed into her friend's waiting arms. "What's wrong?"
"Hey Daphne." Roz said, grateful for the sight of her friend.
"What happened?" Daphne asked, glancing worriedly at her husband, who could only shrug.
"What happened, Roz?" Daphne asked again.
When Roz didn't answer, Daphne grabbed Roz's hand and led her to the sofa.
"Oh Roz... Niles... I didn't... I didn't mean for this to happen!" Roz cried.
"Didn't mean for what to happen?" Niles asked.
Except for her sobs and the soft sound of Daphne rubbing her back, there was a long silence before Roz could continue...
"I'm in love with Bulldog!"