Well chilluns, I got pretty bored with Alter Ego so I thought I'd write a few more chapters of this. I know it's been a year but if anyone reads it I'd be mad impressed. While I still miss my aunt, I feel ok enough to finish this.I just hope a few people will read, review or even remember this story.

Thanks guys,

OrangeSocks&&PolkaDots

I stuffed the white over-sized hat I'd brought in with me over my head after retrieving it from the coat room. The way it flopped over my left eye was suddenly irritating. I exited the building, eager to escape. In the dark, I slipped into a small alley.

Leaning against the cool bricks, I sighed and took the blame for the incident. "Atta girl, throw a fit the first day you're here. That'll be sure to make the whole trip run smoothly." I thought sarcastically. "You screwed stuff up for everyone. Way to go." I vented, this time out-loud.

"Who ya talkin' to?" A voice to my right asked.

Recognizing it to be Skittery's, I blushed and tried to think of a reasonable answer. "Uhh... myself." Oh yes Elsie, very reasonable.

"Ya know, I read once talking to yourself is healthy." His presence was announced first by a lit cigarette.

"Yeah. I'm sure that's what the people in the looney bin are tellin' their doctors." I said letting my head rest on the wall behind me. The summer heat was sweltering and the the evening didn't provide much relief. The air itself seemed heavy and too warm. I slid the hat off my head and Skittery came to stand by me.

"You okay?"

I fought down the urge to cough and avoided inhaling the fumes from the cigarette as much as possible. I looked towards his face and found his eyes focused on me, seemingly ready to detect a lie. With a sigh, I nodded the negative.

"Can I do anything to help?" He asked. Honestly, I was starting to think this guy was a fake. Aren't people in cities supposed to be hardened and lacking basic human compassion anyways?

"Not really."

"Homesick?" He asked.

"No... Yes... I don't know. Just generally stressed."

With a grunt, he smiled down at me. He rested his hand on my upper arm comfortingly. "We've all been there before. 'This too shall pass.'"

Too bad this wasn't passing, at least not any time soon. "Yeah, I hope."

Stubbing out the cigarette (much to my relief) he told me he had to get back to work.

As he headed into the alley that housed the restaurant's back door, I called out, "Skittery?"

He turned back towards me. "Yeah?"

"Can you let my uncle know I walked home."

"Sure thing." He started walking again.

"Oh," He turned around again. "Remind him it's only a few blocks and tell him I promise I'll be fine."

"Alright."

He was almost out of sight when I called out again. "Wait!"

"Are you serious?" He said, with what I hoped to be fake exasperation.

Embarrassed, I clapped my hand over my mouth. "I'm sorry, nevermind."

"I'm just teasin' ya. What else can I do for you?"

"Just let him know I'm sorry."

"Under one condition." I quirked an eyebrow at this. "Next time, just write him a letter."

I smiled and agreed to his stipulations. "Will do, sir."

"There's a good girl."

"I'm not a dog." I said indignantly.

"Goodnight Elsie." He concluded with a chuckle.

"Goodnight Skittery." I matched his pleasant tone and started back my own way.

Walking home in New York was more intimidating than what I had originally imagined. I was convinced a thief, rapist or murderer was going to jump our from every dark corner and side street. I jumped at every noise and kept my distance from anyone on the street. Normally I would have wished I had Brutus with me, because really, who is would mess with the girl with the two hundred pound dog? However that night, all I could do was wish Skittery was there.

Finally reaching the apartment, I pulled out the key Uncle Bryan had given me. Greeted by an overexcited dog, I dragged myself to bed. Not even bothering to change, I layed down and sighed. "What happens now?" I wondered. "How am I supposed to apologize. I must have embarrassed Uncle Bryan terribly. Maybe I should just go home. Yeah, home would be nice..." My train of thought dissipatedly as I drifted into a restless sleep, fearful of how to handle myself the next day.