Chapter Fifteen

"You just use this stuff when you shampoo and your hair'll be all smooth and shiny in no time." Roxy said, walking a customer to the door, preparing to lock up.

"Thanks, Roxy" the customer said, stepping out of the Hair Haven, passed Ron.

"Rox," Ron said. "This is Bobby Warren. Remember I told you he'd be fixing the roof?"

"Hi," Bobby said. He was a well built man, about Ron's size, brown hair.

"Well hello to you." Roxy swooned. "Ya didn't tell me he was such a looker, Ronnie."

Ron raised his eyebrows. "Don't mind Roxy." he said to Bobby. "She's always like this."

"Oh I don't know, I kinda like that flattery," Bobby laughed.

"Yeah you would," Ron teased. He looked at Roxy. "Bobby's gonna be rooming with me until the roof's patched."

"Oh... yeah" Roxy said. Ron shook his head beginning to lead Bobby up to the room. "Oh, Ronnie!" Roxy called. "Dr. Johnny's brother came by," she approached him with the pill bottle. "For that hand of yours."

"McBain?" Ron said, taking the bottle. "thanks."

"No problem" Roxy said. "You just do some healing, OK?"

"Yeah, Rox." he said

"I want ya back on your feet... back on your hand... on your..."

"I get it, Rox," Ron laughed. He grasped the pill bottle in his hand. "I'm gonna go get Bobby settled."

"You and your friend hurry back." Roxy winked at Bobby. Ron laughed and they walked upstairs.



Marcie walked into the diner taking a menu. Not even hungry, she ordered anyway, a large ice cream sundae, extra fudge, whipped cream, two cherries. She had just begun to indulge herself as Gabrielle approached her.

"Marcie" Gabrielle said.

"Miss Medina. Hi." She placed the spoon down. "Sit, please. Do you want coffee... ice cream?.."

Oh no... thank you. I ate a little while ago at Rodi's, with Dr. McBain."

"Michael?"

Gabrielle nodded, taking a seat. "He's a very nice young man."

"Michael McBain?" Marcie said. "Miss Medina... we are talking about the same Michael McBain."

Gabrielle nodded. "Very good company." she said.

"I don't know about that, honestly. I think he's a little obsessed. It's scary."

Gabrielle thought. "Michael is concerned about you."

Marcie laughed. "I hardly know him."

"He knew Al," Gabrielle said. "He and Al were... they were very close."

Marcie was silent. She knew that Gabrielle was suffering just as much, if not more than herself. Marcie tried to hold back her tears, not wanting to upset Gabrielle, but a few broke through. Marcie quickly wiped them away. "I'm sorry." she said. Gabrielle sighed, moving to sit beside her. "I'm sorry," Marcie said again.

"You miss him. I know, Marcie. You can cry. It's alright."

"That's all I seem to do lately," Marcie sniffled.

"I know" Gabrielle placed her hand over Marcie's squeezing gently. "It does help to talk. Al wouldn't want you to close yourself off."

Marcie simply looked at her, not wanting to say it, but thinking to herself. Withdrawing is exactly what Gabrielle had been doing, shutting herself off from the world/ But it seemed now as if something had changed. She was more open, like she had seen life in a new light.

"I'm not closing myself off." Marcie said softly.

"Marcie... all I am asking is that you try to talk to someone." she paused. "Michael shed a lot of light on things for me. He made this so much easier for me to deal. He is a nice person. He's a good listener... and he knows Al. He knows Al better than it seems any of us did." Gabrielle paused. "At least promise you won't dismiss this. That you'll think about it."

"I don't know." Marcie said. She was still in awe over the change in Gabrielle's attitude. "Michael McBain..." she sighed. "I just..."

"Just think about it. That's all I ask."

Marcie nodded, wiping her eyes once again. Michael had helped her brother, he couldn't possibly be all that bad. Not as bad as he had originally seemed. "I'll think about it."