Chapter 14

On the dot of 0400, he placed his call to the station just as Luna signed off for the show. Zack took his call as usual and he was asked to hold on for just a minute. AJ agreed and very shortly Luna's voice came across the line. "Hello, Bert."

AJ felt guilty for the lie about his name, but how could he tell her the truth now without looking like a liar? When he'd hesitated before speaking, she started to speak again, actually they both started at the same time…

"Bert, I'm sorry for…"

"Luna, I shouldn't have…"

With a laugh on both ends of the line they began again…

"Sorry, you go…" she said.

"I didn't mean to interrupt…" he said.

Both laughed again and AJ settled the matter, "Luna, there's no reason for you to be sorry. I shouldn't have jumped you the way I did and I'm sorry."

"I was apologizing for avoiding your calls. That was very unprofessional of me."

"You don't have to be professional with me. I was hoping we could be friends instead."

"Well, it wasn't very friendly of me either. I should never have brought up that subject. It was a very dark time in my life and I still have demons to deal with about it."

"I'm glad you did. It sounds like the pain is still there and that you could use a friend that's willing to listen without jumping to conclusions. If you'd let me, I'd like to be there for you."

"Bert, you have enough on your plate right now without dealing with my problems."

"Oh come on now, you have to know that focusing on someone else's troubles helps get your mind off of your own. Please let me help, Luna. Maybe we could meet somewhere and have coffee and talk?"

"No!" she exclaimed more forcefully than she'd intended. "I'm sorry, Bert, meeting won't work, but I do enjoy talking to you and would like for you to call back. However I do have a doc…an appointment tomorrow…well later this morning, so I need to get home now and sleep fast."

He laughed, and asked, "Sleep fast?"

"Yes, you get more sleep in that way. Didn't you know?" she asked laughing as well.

Still chuckling, he said, "No I didn't. I'll have to try it some time."

"Yes you will. Good…morning, Bert."

"Good morning to you too, Luna. I'll talk to you soon."

"Good," she answered and ended the call with a smile. Getting up from her chair, she saw Zack giving her a knowing glance. "What?" she asked.

"I don't think I've ever seen that look in your eyes before, Luna."

"What look?"

"That 'interested in a man' look," he told her.

"That's crazy!" she retorted.

"What's so crazy about it? The two of you like each other. Meet him for a drink, fall in love, get married, or just have a wild and crazy fling with him!"

"That's not going to happen and you know it!" she snapped.

"Why ever not?"

"Because he'll get one look at me and take off running. You've gotten used to how I look over the years, but I remember your first reaction."

"Hey! I was a shallow kid then!" he protested.

"Nonetheless, I work this shift on the radio for a reason! Now, I'm going home," she sighed. "Maybe it's time to get a cat."

Another new routine was formed with AJ calling in on the average of three nights a week. He would always call just as her show was ending and they would talk anywhere from thirty minutes to one memorable morning when he realized that he would be late for work if he didn't hang up!

Mid April, 2003

It was now spring and everything was in bloom. AJ loved this time of the year and his yard showed it. Flowers were coming up all over and soon the house would be filled with the scents of lilacs. He'd planted bushes of them on each side of the house so no matter which way the wind blew, it would carry the heady aroma in.

Dammit also seemed to know it was spring and her thoughts had definitely turned to thoughts of love…or lust anyway. Doggie lust. AJ tried to keep her in the house as much as possible; he didn't want to deal with puppies. However, she was determined to get out at every chance she got and would howl when she was locked in. He shared the story with Luna and she couldn't stop laughing.

To be continued…