NAYERT
Chapter Three-Robbery
I woke up feeling refreshed and happy then I've been in a while. I really started to like Joey now. D.J was making her bed. I was sleeping on an extra cot. I didn't mind though.
"Deej? Can I talk to you for a moment?" I asked.
"Sure, Emma," she said, brightly.
"Um, I really like Joey," I said, feeling myself blush. "What do I tell your father? I think he likes me too."
D.J smiled.
"Joey's a great guy. He's caring, kind and funny. My dad will understand. Let's not tell Stephanie or Michelle because your private life will be all over the house in a matter of seconds," D.J said.
"Tell Stephanie and Michelle what?" Stephanie's voice came from the doorway.
She and Michelle were standing there looking confused.
"That you're dweebs," D.J said.
I chuckled.
"Hey…I'm not a dweeb," Michelle said indignantly putting a hand on her hips.
"Dad's making breakfast. Let's go," D.J said.
"I'm just going to change out of my jamies," I replied.
"Sure," D.J said as she, Stephanie and Michelle began heading down stairs. I pulled a pair of jeans and a white peasant style blouse out of my duffel bag.
Once I was dressed, I too, headed downstairs.
Everyone was up eating.
"Morning, Emma," Jess said brightly.
"Morning everyone," I said, sitting down at the table between Stephanie and D.J. Across from me was Joey, Michelle, Jess and Becky. Danny was cooking breakfast.
"Would you like some homemade waffles?" Danny asked.
"I'd love some," I said, eagerly.
I was starving.
Danny placed three big waffles on my plate before sitting down to his own meal. We all hungrily dove in.
"Did you sleep okay?" Danny asked. "You're comfortable?"
"Absolutely," I replied, taking a sip of orange juice. "Is there an ATM around here?"
"Yeah. About ten minutes from here," Joey replied.
"Great. I need to get some cash out of the machine," I replied digging into the waffles again.
"We'll take you," Jessie offered as he gestured to himself and Joey. "I need to get something from the music store and Joey has to get something from the pet store for Comet."
"Comet?"
"Our dog," Stephanie replied. "He's a golden retriever."
"Where is he? I love dogs!" I gushed.
At that moment, a beautiful golden retriever galloped in from the living room. He came right over to me and began licking my hands and face. I laughed and rubbed his neck.
I felt Joey's eyes on me the entire time.
"He usually likes to sleep in the kitchen, but I don't know where he was last night," Danny mused.
"Maybe he was in the living room since that's where he came from?" Jess said, mockingly.
Danny gave Jessie a false smile.
"Man, they should give you an award,"
"Boys," Becky said in a stern, but teasing voice. "Stop the fighting. You're making it seem like you're showing off in front of Emma."
Feeling myself blush even more, I kept my eyes on Comet.
I returned to my breakfast.
I finished and Danny began loading the plate into the dishwasher.
"Ready?" Jessie asked.
"Yeah," I said.
Joey was dressed in jeans and a white shirt this morning.
"Ready," Joey replied.
"Let's go," Jessie said, as we stood up and headed out of the kitchen through the door that led into the backyard and driveway. Jessie had a beautiful red Mustang. It looked like a '75 model.
"What a gorgeous car!" I exclaimed.
"Thank you," Jessie said bowing. "Her name is Sally."
Jessie held the passenger side door open. Joey climbed into the backseat. The seat snapped back and I slid onto the passenger seat. Jessie closed my door for me and walked around the driver's side, pulled open the door and slid onto the seat. He closed his door. The top was down so the wind blew our hair back.
"Let's roll," Jessie said, putting sunglasses on and he started the car. He put it in drive and we pulled out of the driveway.
I closed my eyes, enjoying the wind in my face.
About 10 minutes later, we pulled up in front of an ATM. There were a lot of stores around too.
I pushed open my door and climbed out. I stood in front of the ATM and slid my card in. I punched in my code and waited for the money to come out.
I felt someone behind me and something probing my back.
"Give me your money," a harsh voice hissed.
Shaking, when the money came out of the machine, I took it and handed it over my shoulder.
"HEY!" I heard Jessie's voice bellow from the car.
The man brought something hard and solid down on the back of my head. I cried out and fell to my knees in a heap.
The next thing I knew, Joey had leaped out of the car. The man that robbed me took off running. Joey took off after him in a flat out run. Jessie leaped out of the car and came over to me.
"Are you okay?" Jessie asked, worried as he put his hands on my shoulder.
I rubbed the back of my head.
"My head," I moaned.
I knew Jessie could feel me shaking violently.
Jessie smoothed out my bangs. Eight minutes later, Joey came jogging back.
He was out of breath. He bent over and put his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath.
"I lost him," Joey gasped. "Is she alright?"
"I think so…just shaken," Jessie said. "Here. Stay with her. I'm calling the police."
Joey then crouched down beside me and put his hands on my shoulders while Jessie ran into a nearby store to call the police.
"You okay?" he asked, concerned.
I didn't reply. Instead, I just threw my arms around Joey's neck and hugged him. I rested my chin on top of his shoulder. I felt his arms slowly encircle me. I pressed my face into his shoulder and just cried.
He pulled me closer against him. I hugged him tighter. I sobbed uncontrollably…from the robbery and what Mike did to me.
A few minutes later, we heard Jessie's voice.
"Okay. The police are on their way. Joey? Did you get a good look at the guy?"
Joey and I quickly pulled back. I began wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. I saw a knowing grin on Jessie face which, quickly vanished.
"Yeah," Joey replied.
"Good. Em? How much money did you take out?" Jessie asked as he too crouched down in front of me.
"About 184 dollars. That was for my return trip back to New York. That was all I had left in my account. Now, I have no way of getting home," I said.
Jessie put a gentle hand on my shoulder.
"You can always stay with us," Jessie offered.
"There's nothing back in New York for me now," I muttered.
The police came. Joey gave the officers the description before we headed back to the house. We walked in the front door. Immediately, Becky jumped up from the seat on the couch.
"What happened?" she demanded.
"Emma was robbed," Joey replied.
"Good Lord! Are you alright?" Becky cried rushing over to me.
"I'm fine," I said, softly. "Just shaken."
Becky threw her arms around me and hugged me. I hugged her back. Joey angrily side stepped around me and kicked the swinging door that led into the kitchen.
Becky, Jessie, Stephanie and D.J. all exchanged looks.
"What's with him?" Jessie mused.
"I don't know…I'm going to find out," Becky said, softly as she headed after Joey. I sat down on the couch next to Stephanie and we began talking.
BECKY.
Joey was getting a drink of water.
"What's wrong Joey?" I asked softly.
"I just wish I could've caught that slimeball," he muttered taking a sip of the water.
"Joey…you're not Superman. I know Emma is grateful that you tried to get the jerk," I said, gently.
"He took all of her money though! She has no money to go back home," Joey replied.
My expression fell.
"Oh boy," I said, quietly.
Suddenly, Joey's face lit up.
"I've got an idea," he said.
He put down the glass and trotted upstairs. I didn't know what he was up to but I found out shortly when he came down with a wad of cash.
"Hey, where'd you get that money from? I hope it's not from Jessie's Emergency Hair care Fund?" I said.
Joey's lip twitched.
"No. It's my money. I was saving up to buy that rare "Superman" comic book,"
Realization began rolling over me.
"Joey…you have over 200 dollars saved! The comic book was 300 dollars!"
Joey shrugged. "Emma needs it more than I need a comic book,"
I realized something else too.
"You love Emma…don't you?" I said, softly as a smile formed on my face.
Joey began blushing.
"Joey…it's great! She deserves someone sweet and caring like you! Why don't you tell her how you feel?"
Just then, Emma entered the kitchen.
"Is everything okay?" Emma asked, concerned, looking from me to Joey.
"He was just upset that he couldn't catch that jerk that robbed you," I said, gently.
"Oh," Emma said, softly. "I appreciate that you took off after him. But it was just money. Money can be replaced."
Joey hesitated before he stepped over to Emma. He handed her the money.
"Here. I was saving this for a comic book, but you could use it more than me," he said, softly.
Emma was totally stunned.
"A-are you sure?" she asked, shocked.
Joey nodded.
Emma looked at me.
I nodded.
Emma looked back at Joey and smiled.
"I'm sorry…I can't take it," Emma said, shaking her head. She gently pushed Joey's hand back toward him.
"Please…take it," Joey insisted, handing her the money again.
"I can't," Emma said as she had tears in her eyes and stepped around Joey and headed up stairs.
Joey looked stunned.
"Hang on. I'll talk to her. I have a feeling I know what this is about," I said, putting a hand on Joey's arm before heading up after Emma.
EMMA.
I entered D.J's room and sat down on the cot. Then, Becky entered.
"Emma? What's wrong now? Are you sure you're okay?" Becky asked, concerned.
"I'm sorry! Joey must think I'm some kind of weirdo!" I sobbed.
"No! On the contrary, he likes you a lot!" Becky said, sitting beside me on the cot. "Em, he was saving that money up to buy a comic book. Instead, he gives it to you. He's not like Mike, Emma. He's the total opposite. He's unselfish, caring, funny…basically a big kid."
She smiled.
"He must think I'm ungrateful now," I sobbed. "That was the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me and I would feel guilty taking the money from him."
"No. Emma…listen to me. Joey is in love with you. I'm sure had he caught up with that moron he would've beaten the stuffing out of him. I know you're a little scared to get involved with someone again…but Joey isn't going to hurt you like Mike did. I know him. He's not that type of person. If he gets out of hand, we usually just take him in the backyard and turn the hose on him. He's housebroken and doesn't chew on the furniture," Becky grinned. "He wants to give you the money."
I laughed.
Just then, Joey appeared in the doorway.
"Talk with him, okay?" Becky said, as she got up and left.
Joey came in and sat down beside me.
"I really want you to have this money," Joey said, quietly.
"I'm not ungrateful," I said, keeping my eyes on the floor. "I am just a little nervous getting involved with someone again."
"I can totally understand," Joey said.
I looked up at Joey. But I couldn't help but fall for him too. I felt myself smiling.
"The reason I can't take the money is because I don't need it," I said.
Joey looked confused.
"I've decided to move here. There's nothing for me back in New York now. I'm sure I can get a job here in San Francisco," I grinned.
Joey broke into a grin.
"Well, gawsh…if that isn't good news then I don't know what is," he said in Popeye's voice.
I laughed.
I threw my arms around him and hugged him. He hugged me back. I rested my chin on top of his shoulder and closed my eyes, just enjoying the moment.
I realized Becky was right. Joey didn't seem to be the type to be like Mike was.
I opened my eyes. Becky was standing at the doorway, grinning.
I gasped. Joey pulled back immediately and followed my gaze.
"How long have you been standing there?" I scolded lightly.
"Long enough to hear your decision," Becky grinned. "And for crying out loud, Joey…kiss her already!"
Joey and I looked at each other and grinned. Then, Joey gently took my face in his hands and moved his face closer. He kissed me gently and softly. I returned the kisses the same way.
Becky came in and playfully punched Joey on the shoulder before giving me a hug when Joey and I pulled apart.
"Now, let's go tell everyone the good news!" Becky said.
"What? That I'm housebroken and that I don't chew on the furniture?" Joey asked, grinning.
Becky and I laughed.
"Yeah. It took us a long time to break you out of the habit of going on the carpet in the corner," Becky laughed.
Joey began whining like a dog and then he let out a bark.
I laughed harder.
"Come on Fido. Let's go boy!" Becky said as she led us out of the room and down stairs.
