Holly Lindsey rolled over and looked at the clock on her night stand. "7:30, who in the world…" Her comment on the time and question as to who was banging on her front door fell to the wayside as she climbed out of bed, grabbing her robe from the back of the bedroom door. "Shit" She swore when she stubbed her toe on the edge of a chair. "Just a moment!" She called out when the unexpected visitor knocked even more intently. It was daylight but Holly still flipped the light switch on the lamp that graced the table nearest the window heading towards her living room. Nervously she pulled back the blind. Quickly she turned the deadbolt and pulled the door open.

"Michelle?"

"Can I come in Holly?"

Michelle was the youngest child of Holly's former husband, Ed Bauer.

"Of course, what's wrong?" Holly asked looking beyond the porch. No sign of Ed's car, nor how Michelle wound up 20 minutes from her home and at Holly's.

Immediately Michelle wrapped her arms around Holly's waist lying her head on her just under Holly's chest. Holly swallowed her, as she hugged the little girl back. "Michelle, honey, are you hurt? How did you get here? Does your dad know where you are?" Holly sprayed the questions like a machine gun.

"I'm not hurt, no." Michelle answered. Holly let her go, but Michelle didn't. Holly gently pushed her away, but held on to her hand as she guided her to the couch.

"Sit with me" Michelle asked of her host. Holly complied, and Michelle laid her head in Holly's lap.

"Michelle, you need to tell me what is going on. Does your father know you're here?"

"He can go to hell" Michelle yelled.

Holly laid a hand on her head. "Michelle" she said softly.

"It's Mother's Day and he forgot" She cried. "Mom's only been gone for three months and he forgot. I wanted to take flowers to the cemetery. We talked about it weeks ago, but when I woke up this morning he was already at the hospital. He left me a note." She produced it from her pocket and handed it to Holly.

In Ed's hand he wrote "Michelle, I'm so sorry pumpkin but I got called into the hospital. Eve is in the apartment upstairs if you need anything she will be home all morning. I will be home by lunch. Speaking of, let's go have lunch together and then maybe a movie? Love you sweetie. Dad"

Holly placed the note on the coffee table in front of the couch. "Honey, your dad is a busy doctor. I bet he didn't forget. Why I bet after you two have lunch that he was going to take you, but he didn't want to make you sad." Holly offered.

Michelle sat up and wiped her eyes. "No, he won't Holly. You don't understand. He doesn't even talk about Mom anymore. The other day he was cleaning out her closets. He gave away all of her clothes to charity and got mad at me when I asked if I could keep her perfume."

Holly tucked her lips in on one another and closed her eyes. While she had never buried a husband, she had divorced three and there was a certain amount of mourning that went along with that. She couldn't imagine what it was like to be Ed at the moment. She did however understand what Michelle was going through as her own daughter, Blake had gone through the divorces with her, so she had dealt with the rebellion and anger.

"I understand more than you know honey. Your father loved your mother and it's hard for him to talk about her. As for her clothes. I can't imagine that was an easy task either." She laid a hand on the girl's cheek. "What did he do with her perfume?"

"Nothing. He just left it on her dressing table. It's right beside her hair brush and lipstick."

Holly nodded. "Ok, honey, let me get dressed so I can take you home."

"No!" Michelle protested. "I don't want to go home. Can't I stay here with you?"

Holly had no plans. Blake likely didn't even realize it was Mother's Day, but even if she did Holly wouldn't be receiving a visit much less a call. "Your Dad wanted to have lunch and go to a movie with you. You don't want to disappoint him, do you?"

"Please Holly, please let me stay with you. Just for today, please" Michelle begged.

Holly wagged a finger at her "Under one condition."

Michelle's face lit up "What is it? Do you need me to help you clean the house? Maybe work in the garden? Name it Holly and I will do it."

Holly lightly shook her head. "You need to call your dad and tell him where you are."

Her face fell, she crossed her little arms over her chest. "He's busy at the hospital. He doesn't care where I am." Her tone was defiant.

"Then I'm getting dressed and will drive you home."

Michelle sighed deeply. "Fine. Can I use your phone?"

Holly pointed to it. She tucked her knees into her chest as she waited. Michelle paced back and forth for the duration. Holly only caught snippets of the conversation. "Hang on" Her tone was even more defiant. "Dad wants to talk to you"

Holly took the phone from Michelle. "Hello…"

"Holly, I am so sorry. I had no idea that she'd be this upset."

"I'm not sure what to say about that" Holly said cryptically, never taking her eyes of a visibly nervous Michelle.

"I didn't even realize it was Sunday much less Mother's Day when my pager went off Holly, cut me a break. I'm a doctor you know."

"Didn't we have this very discussion when we were married?" Holly asked sardonically.

"Holly, I am not in the mood for this." Ed looked at his watch, it was just turning to the top of the house. "I have a few more hours here. I have a patient in surgery and I'd like to stay until the family is updated. Damn it" He swore.

"You don't owe me an explanation. It's not me whom you've disappointed."

"Some things haven't changed, have they? You still don't understand how important my work is do you?"

Holly laid the phone on her chest. "Michelle, honey, could you do me a favor. Could you go out and see if the paper has come yet? Then could you check the fridge and see if I have anything for breakfast" Michelle happily bounced out the door.

"Ed, this isn't about me. It's about a 12-year-old little girl who lost her mother not very long ago. In case you have forgotten it's Mother's Day and she wanted to go to the cemetery to lay flowers on a stone that bears her name. So no, in this case I do not know how your work, regardless of how important it is could trump what your daughter needs."

"Got it!" Michelle announced coming back in the door. "I'll go see if you have some orange juice and eggs. If you do, I'll make breakfast for us" Holly watched as she practically bounced to the kitchen.

As Ed hadn't picked up his end of the conversation Holly did. "Look, she's safe here. I'm not quite sure how she got here, but we will figure that one out shortly. Just let her stay here until you're done with work, and then we can talk to her together."

Ed let out a pent-up breath. "If, you're sure?" He said.

"I am. Now go check on your patient. I will talk to you soon." Holly hung up the phone and went to the kitchen where Michelle was expertly cracking eggs into one of her copper bowls that rarely saw use.

"You have eggs, and cheese, and bread. I'm going to make cheesy eggs and toast." She paused and lifted her head "Unless Eve is coming. If she is then I'll just make it for you"

Holly smiled and reached above her to the cabinets, pulling out two plates. "Sorry kid but you're stuck with me until you Dad gets home"

Michelle broke into a wide smile as she beat the eggs and poured them into the hot skillet. Holly watched with mock amazement. "Tell me, where did you learn how to cook breakfast?" She already knew the answer, but wanted Michelle to be able to share.

"Well, when Mom went to work for Miss. Chamberlain there were some mornings when she just didn't have time to do this so she taught me."

"She was a very good cook. You know the first time I met your mom was a Christmas party. She had prepared all the food by herself! I couldn't get over it. Everything was perfect. Why she even made her own egg nog" Holly shared.

"My Mom didn't like you much, did she?"

Holly swallowed hard, and then coughed. "Well, I don't know about that. I think your mom and I just didn't have the same outlook on life." Holly offered cautiously. "You know Blake, my daughter, right? Well, I never taught her how to make eggs. Not because I can't but because it wasn't a priority for me. My career was always in the forefront of my mind. Your mom however had her priorities straight. She loved you, and your dad and knew that was what was important. I didn't, and I think that bothered your mom."

Michelle plated the food and delivered it to the table where Holly sat across from her. She cut into the egg and took a bite expecting to push the food around while pretending to eat it. Michelle watched her expectantly. Much to Holly's surprise it was actually good. When she smiled and took a second bite Michelle placed a napkin on her lap and began to eat hers. Once the meal was complete Holly reached out and laid a hand on top of her guests.

"It's time to acknowledge the elephant in the room" Holly said.

"What elephant?"

With a slight chuckle "It's a metaphor. You've learned about them in school, right? It means we need to address a topic that we've been avoiding, but both know isn't going to go away"

"What is it?"

"Well, firstly, how did you get here so early in the morning?" Holly's eye brows furrowed "and secondly what would you have done if I weren't home, or if I had company that would have embarrassed us both?" She realized she went too far with the second part of her question; she was only twelve after all.

"I called a taxi. Dad has an account with them. I just told them the address, and when they realized the address, they didn't ask for any money."

"Michelle, do you realize how dangerous that is?"

" Dad takes taxi's when he's too tired to drive home, and I knew your address and the driver knew how to get here." She protested.

Holly tilted her head "Honey, that isn't what I mean." She sighed. "You're a young girl sweet heart, and there are people out there who would try to take advantage of that."

"How?" She asked.

"I think that's a conversation you need to have with your dad, but just trust me and promise me that you will never do this again."

"I knew I shouldn't have come here. You don't want me either" Michelle yelled.

"That isn't it at all, Blake! Why are you always arguing with me?" Holly realized her mistake immediately. "I'm sorry, Michelle, you're not Blake, but you remind me of her right now. That child would argue with me if I told her, it was raining and she were holding an umbrella to stay dry."

Michelle started laughing. "It's alright, Holly, Mom called Ben; Rick once, and me Chelsea. I guess it happens when you get old"

Holly's eyes got wide. "Old! Just how old do you think I am?" She asked.

"I don't know, fifty?" She shrugged.

Holly laid her chin in her hands. She wasn't sure if she should laugh or cry. "Alright, enough of that. Promise me, the next time you want to come over that you will call me. If I'm not busy I can always come pick you up, or you could have asked Eve, she could have driven you over."

The smiled faded again. "I don't like Dr. Guthrie." She was matter of fact.

"Why not? She seemed nice enough when I met her."

"Well, I don't. She's fake."

Holly had to tuck her lips in between her teeth again to keep from laughing.

"She's one of those adults who is nice to me when Dad's around, but the second he leaves the room she just stares at me like I'm a bug." Michelle put her fingers to her cheeks and wiggled them. "I wish that she would just move out. She likes Nick McHenry. Maybe she could move in with him."

Holly stood and began to clear the breakfast dishes. "Well, I don't know about all of that, but the bottom line is, I do like you and I don't want anything to happen to you. Promise me that next time you will call first, and second that you will have an adult bring you over."

"Fine" she pouted.

"Fine." Holly echoed. "I'm going to go get dressed. After that, how about we got for a walk. It's a beautiful spring day."

"Can I ask you something first?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"What kind of company would you have had that would embarrass you?"

Holly threw her hands up in the air. "I'm going to get dressed now"

As promised, Ed arrived shortly after noon. He entered Holly's living room, cheeks pink, and hands folded into lose fists. "Michelle Bert Bauer, explain yourself" Ed demanded.

Holly quickly stood and placed her hands on his chest. "We've made progress here today, try not to ruin it"

"Ok" Ed whispered. He sat on one of the wing backed chairs and loosely crossed his legs. "Michelle, I understand why you ran away, but do you understand why you can't do that again?"

Michelle looked at the floor. "Yes, I do. Apparently, I could be taken advantage of if I get into a taxi"

Once again Holly buried her head in her hands. "I'm sorry" She mouthed to a curious Ed.

"Well, yes, that is true. You could be. It's always best to get a ride with an adult you know, but that isn't the point either, Michelle. If Holly wasn't home what was your plan?"

"I don't know. I guess I hoped she would have company so she'd be home."

"Alright, I don't know what's gone on here today, but Michelle, I am taking you home. Let's go" Ed shot out of the chair. He grabbed Holly by the arm and drug her to the kitchen. "Just what is she talking about? Was Roger here with you when she arrived?' Ed accused.

Holly pulled her arm out of Ed's hand. "Honestly, Ed, she didn't walk into a scandal" She shook her head. "You of all people know what a horrible mother I am. So, when I was trying to explain different scenarios that just slipped out. I wasn't explicit"

"Is there anything else you explained to my impressionable little girl?" Ed asked

"No, but Ed, she isn't so little any more. She knows more than you give her credit for."

His face reddened. "Don't tell me about my daughter. I know my daughter. Why don't you focus on yours before you start dictating to me about mine"

Holly's forehead furrowed. "Listen here Ed, I didn't ask for this. She showed up on my door step, not the other way around. I'm not complaining mind you; I can't begin to fathom the alternative here. You forget, I reported the news. I know what can happen to girls here age who think they are grown." She pulled back then. "Look, Ed, she misses Maureen and is feeling every bit of that today. Instead of being mad at her and me, talk to her. Listen to her, but most importantly love her."

Ed knew she was right. He closed his eyes. He reached out and took her shoulders into his hands. "I'm sorry. You're right." He kissed her forehead. "Thank you for keeping her safe."

Holly reached around and pulled him into a hug. "You're welcome. She can always seek refuge here."

Ed turned and faced his daughter. "Michelle, I'm sorry. I misunderstood what happened here. I've been doing that a lot lately. Tell you what, why don't we skip the movie I mentioned. Let's go and get flowers and take them to Mom. What do you say?" He reached a hand out to her.

"Let me get my shoes on."

Ed turned back around and pulled Holly tightly into him. "You're not as bad at this mom thing as you think. If Blake had been Maureen's daughter, I can't imagine the results would have been all that much different"

It was meant to be soothing, but it annoyed Holly. "I doubt it. Maureen was a saint among women and none of us can ever live up to her legacy. If Blake had her for a mother, Blake wouldn't have gone after Ross, and you'd have never known Roger's name. You better go." Holly pushed Ed away.

"I'm ready Daddy" Michelle announced when she reappeared in the room.

"Let's go." Ed said. "Oh wait, did you thank Holly?"

Michelle bounced over and wrapped her arms around Holly's waist again. "Thanks Holly. I'm glad I got to spend Mother's Day with you."

Holly bent over and kissed the top of her head. "Me too, thanks for the cooking lesson" She smiled.