Ghastly Familiar

By BeckyLynnetteCohen

Disclaimer: I own Anna Maria, Samantha, Jean Claude, Sydney, and Savannah. That is it.

Chapter 17: Breaking Up is Hard to Do.

Anna Maria slammed her car door and backed out of Nadir's driveway. She wasn't sure where she was going, but she had to get away from Erik before she lost it completely. She passed the house where she had met Erik and sighed. 'I gotta call Cags.' she thought, pulling out her cell phone. She punched in Chris' number and waited.

"Chris Cagle." said the deep voice on the other end.

"Hey, Cags, it's Annie." said Anna Maria.

"Hey girlie! Did you make it to France in time?" said Chris.

"Yeah... He's a bigger dick than you are." said Anna Maria.

"What happened?" said Chris.

"He got jealous because I sang that stupid Mariah Carey song."

"You idiot." said Chris.

"Yeah, I know.... wait what?"

"You sang a love song and dedicated it to me? Dumbass, think about it. Anyone would think that you are in love with the person you dedicated that stupid song to." said Chris.

".... I meant it in a brotherly sense and I told him that before I sang it!" said Anna Maria.

"Well, he's lame then." said Chris.

Anna Maria chuckled. "I still want you to meet him someday. He still means a lot to me, even if he is a dummy."

"You called him a dick earlier." said Chris.

"I know. I guess I'm calming down." said Anna Maria.

"Are you driving?" said Chris.

"Yes." said Anna Maria.

"Pull over dummy!" said Chris.

"Relax! I know a cop out here and there's nothing posted about the cell phone laws." said Anna Maria.

"Oh... Guess who's over?" said Chris.

"The pope?" said Anna Maria.

"NO! I think I'd die if he showed up!" said Chris. "Faye showed up this morning."

"Really? Tell her I said hi..." said Anna Maria.

"I will. Also, I'm thinking about flying out there." said Chris.

"Why?" said Anna Maria.

"Cuz I miss your ugly face." said Chris.

"Asshole." said Anna Maria.

"I'm bringing Faye."

"Best Friend." said Anna Maria. "Get here soon!"

"K, packing now. I'll call you with the details. Get everything worked out with your buddy up there..." said Chris.

"K. Text ya later!" said Anna Maria.

"K. Bye." said Chris.

Anna Maria hung up her phone and turned the car around. She pulled back in to Nadir's driveway and got out of the car, lugging her huge purse in with her this time. She walked up the stairs to Erik's room and knocked on the door.

"Anna?" said Erik.

"Yep, it's me." said Anna Maria.

Erik opened the door and he looked angry. "What do you want now?"

"To apologize."

"So, start talking." said Erik, leaning against the doorframe.

Anna Maria sighed. "I'm sorry for singing that song to Chris. I meant to convey the thought that he was like a brother to me and I loved him as such. I didn't think about it when I chose the song and for that I'm sorry."

"Forgiven." said Erik.

"Yet, you still don't like me very much right now do you?" said Anna Maria.

"Not really." said Erik.

"I knew that was coming..." said Anna Maria. "Alright, I guess I will leave then."

"I never said that you had to leave." said Erik.

"I know. I just think it would be better if I left you..."

"Don't. Don't leave me to my thoughts, cuz they aren't very good right now."

"I'm sorry." said Anna Maria.

Erik walked over to Anna Maria. He lifted her head and looked into her eyes. Anna Maria looked back into his eyes.

"Anna, I don't think I could break up with you even if I wanted to.... you know that?" said Erik.

"So you want to break up with me?" said Anna Maria.

"No.... not anymore." said Erik.

"Do.... do you still...."

"Yes, I still love you." said Erik.

"Ok, good." said Anna Maria, letting out a breath.

"Freaked you out huh?" said Erik.

"Just a bit." said Anna Maria.

"Freaked me out too." said Erik, hugging Anna Maria.

"I have to tell you something." said Anna Maria.

"What is it?" said Erik.

"Apparently Chris misses my 'ugly face' so he and his girlfriend Faye are coming in. I'm not sure when.. He's supposed to text or call me when he finds out info so yeah."

"You do not have an ugly face." said Erik.

"Thanks, Erik." said Anna Maria, "I have a feeling me and Faye are gonna have a blast.... Faye's a music ed. Major too."

"Fabulous." said Erik.

"You ok?" said Anna Maria.

"Yeah... I just don't feel very good right now." said Erik.

"What's goin' on, Erik?"

"I'm just really weak." said Erik, sitting on the bed.

"Sweetie, lay down and get some rest. Do you want some food? I'm getting kinda hungry." said Anna Maria.

"Food sounds great about now." said Erik.

"Ok. What do you want? I can make a few things....." said Anna Maria.

"You and a stove scare me." said Erik.

"Ha ha ha. I'm actually an ok cook.... or so Faye tells me..." said Anna Maria.

"Well I don't know Faye." said Erik.

"You want me to order in don't you?" said Anna Maria.

"Bingo." said Erik.

"You don't think I can cook?"

"I didn't say that!" said Erik.

"I'm just fuckin' with you." said Anna Maria.

"Ha ha ha." said Erik.

Anna Maria chuckled. "I don't know what I want foodwise and my french....kinda sucks..."

Erik laughed. "I'll order something.... Pizza sound good to you?"

"Sounds great." said Anna Maria, pulling out her phone.

"Um... the hell kinda phone is that?" said Erik, staring at the tiny ass phone.

"It's the samsung juke. I hate this piece of shit." said Anna Maria.

"Then why do you still have it?" said Erik.

"Cuz I'm cheap.... and broke....and a teacher." said Anna Maria.

"You're also crazy." said Erik, grabbing the house phone.

Erik ordered a pizza in French as Anna Maria stared at him. She had never seen him use the French language and she loved hearing it come from his mouth.

"Ok, pizza's ordered... More singing?" said Erik.

"I thought you were weak..." said Anna Maria, eyeing him.

"I am... and I'm sitting now." said Erik.

"It's your turn." said Anna Maria.

"Found one." said Erik, after only a moment of going through Anna Maria's CDs.

"I'm afraid." said Anna Maria.

"You should be." said Erik.

It's been so long
Since I've known right from wrong
Got no job, sometimes I just sit down and sob
Wondering if anything will go right
Or will you dance with me tonight
When the sun departs
I feel a hole down in my heart
Put on some shoes
Come down here and listen to the blues
Wondering if anything will go right
Or will you dance with me tonight
I'm looking at you
You're looking at me
We're the only two off the dance floor
Do you see what I see
Two broken lives working in harmony
Might make for a decent time
So get up and dance with me
I know that it seems that the grass will grow
Better on the other side of the barb wire fence
But that other side is not in sight
So I'm fine with what I have now
If you'll dance with me tonight
What's the point of life
If risk is just a board game
You roll the dice
But you're just hoping that the rules change
What's the point if you can't bring yourself to say
Things you wanna say like
Dance with me tonight

"I would dance with you if I could dance...." said Anna Maria.

"If and when I get better, I am teaching you how to dance." said Erik.

Anna Maria's phone went off playing the theme from Dark Shadows.

"Oh yay..... Chris just texted me...." said Anna Maria.

"Do I want to know?" said Erik.

"No...." said Anna Maria, opening her phone and reading the text to herself.

"So what did he say?" said Erik.

"He and Faye just got to the airport and they should be here in 13 and a half hours." said Anna Maria.

"13 and a half hours? That's like..... 6 am." said Erik.

"Yeah, and guess who gets to be their chauffeur?" said Anna Maria, rolling her eyes.

"Sorry, hon." said Erik.

"It's fine. Faye deserves it.... Chris on the other hand...." said Anna Maria.

Erik chuckled. "Ok, back to singing.... why? Cuz I like it!"

"You are a dork, Erik!" said Anna Maria.

"Yes, I realize that..." said Erik, smiling.

"My turn... hmmmm... found one.... for my biological father...."

"Biological father? I thought Sydney was your father." said Erik.

"Um... I never told you did I? I was adopted. Sydney and Savannah adopted me when I was 13."

"Oh... I was wondering why you guys looked nothing alike." said Erik.

"Yeah... the only thing I remember about my real dad is that he was a severe drunk and mom gave me to the orphanage when I was 9 to protect me. My two older brothers, Harry, who was 21 at the time, and Johnny, who was 15, had already moved out."

"Wow... um.... wow..." said Erik.

"Yeah anyway here's the song."

Hey dad
I'm writing to you
not to tell you, that I still hate you
just to ask you
how you feel
and how we fell apart
how this fell apart
are you happy out there in this great wide world?
do you think about your sons?
do you miss your little girl?
when you lay your head down
how do you sleep at night?
do you even wonder if we're all right?
but we're all right
we're all right
it's been a long hard road without you by my side
why weren't you there all the nights that we cried
you broke my mother's heart
you broke your children for life
it's not ok,
but we're all right
I remember the days, you were a hero in my eyes
but those were just a long lost memory of mine
I spent so many years learning how to survive
Now, I'm writing just to let you know that I'm still alive
the days I spent so cold, so hungry
were full of hate
I was so angry
those scars run deep inside this tattooed body
there's things I'll take, to my grave
but I'm okay
I'm okay
it's been a long hard road without you by my side
why weren't you there all the nights that we cried
you broke my mother's heart
you broke your children for life
it's not ok,
but we're all right
I remember the days, you were a hero in my eyes
but those were just a long lost memory of mine
Now, I'm writing just to let you know that I'm still alive
yeah, I'm still alive

sometimes
I forgive
yeah and this time
I'll admit
that I miss you, said I miss you
it's been a long hard road without you by my side
why weren't you there all the nights that we cried
you broke my mother's heart
you broke your children for life
it's not ok,
but we're all right
I remember the days, you were a hero in my eyes
but those were just a long lost memory of mine
Now, I'm writing just to let you know that were still alive
and sometimes
I forgive
and this time
I'll admit, that I miss you, miss you
hey dad

"Damn." said Erik.

"Yeah... um... happy song please?" said Anna Maria.

"Yeah..... Ok, I have a song that reminds me of you."

"Scared now."

"Good. My job is done...."

You are so beautiful ... to me
You are so beautiful ... to me, can't you see?
You're everything I hope for
You're everything I need
You are so beautiful ... to me
You are so beautiful ... to me
You are so beautiful ... to me, ... can't you see?
You're everything I hope for
Everything I need...
You are so beautiful to meee..

"Oh, Erik." said Anna Maria, hugging him tightly.

"I love you, Anna." said Erik.

"I love you too, Erik."

"Your turn."

"Um... TOM CRUISE CRAZY!!!"

"I know better than to ask..."

Tom Cruise is so in love with Katie
At least all his people tell him so
And while he thinks that she's a very special lady
It's probably not the way he'd choose to go
But a lifetime of longing looks would cause too much distraction
Good thing that he's not gay anymore
Tom Cruise is Tom Cruise crazy
Just be glad it's him, not you
If you had Tom Cruise's troubles
You might be Tom Cruise crazy, too
You'd flash your big white shiny smile
And buy expensive shoes
But you'd be the only man on Earth who couldn't enjoy Tom Cruise, oh no
You couldn't enjoy Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise is always getting older
He knows he'll never be that young again
And when Tom Cruise looks back over his shoulder
He sees a thousand younger leading men
He knows someday he'll have to play
An old, retarded grandpa
While someone younger plays his sexy son
Tom Cruise is Tom Cruise crazy
Just be glad it's him, not you
If you had Tom Cruise's troubles
You might be Tom Cruise crazy, too
You'd flash your big white shiny smile
And buy expensive shoes
But you'd be the only man on Earth who couldn't enjoy Tom Cruise, oh no
You couldn't enjoy Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise hopes somewhere there's a place for him
Because he's not of this world anymore
Somewhere in some secluded castle
Poor Tom Cruise sits staring at the wall
And the outside world is always such a hassle
Sometimes he won't go out at all
There are millions who know his name
Everybody loves him
Why is it that he feels so alone?
Tom Cruise is Tom Cruise crazy
Just be glad it's him, not you
If you had Tom Cruise's troubles
You might be Tom Cruise crazy, too
You'd flash your big white shiny smile
And buy expensive shoes
But you'd be the only man on Earth who couldn't enjoy Tom Cruise, oh no
You couldn't enjoy Tom Cruise

"Um... ok..." said Erik.

"I think the pizza's here." said Anna Maria, grabbing some money out of her purse. "Be right back."

"Ok." said Erik.

Anna Maria answered the door and paid for the pizza. Erik slowly climbed down the stairs and after setting down the pizza Anna Maria helped Erik to the table.

"Thanks hon." said Erik. "Where do you plan on staying while your here anyway?"

"Um... I'm in a hotel about a mile and a half away."

"Anna, stay here... Nadir won't mind."

"Erik, Nadir's not here to speak for himself."

"True... but we could always call him."

"Erik, I'll stay at the hotel. It's not like you'll never see me again...."

"True." said Erik.

Anna Maria and Erik ate the remainder of the time in silence. Once they were both finished, Anna Maria helped Erik back up the stairs and set him down on the bed.

"Ok... whose turn was it....?" said Anna Maria.

"Mine, I think."

"Ok. Then choose."

"Um.... aha! Found one.... you get to be surprised."

"Ummm... ok?"

I'm Gonna Make A Change,
For Once In My Life
It's Gonna Feel Real Good,
Gonna Make A Difference
Gonna Make It Right . . .
As I, Turn Up The Collar On My
Favourite Winter Coat
This Wind Is Blowin' My Mind
I See The Kids In The Street,
With Not Enough To Eat
Who Am I, To Be Blind?
Pretending Not To See
Their Needs
A Summer's Disregard,
A Broken Bottle Top
And A One Man's Soul
They Follow Each Other On
The Wind Ya' Know
'Cause They Got Nowhere
To Go
That's Why I Want You To
Know
I'm Starting With The Man In
The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change
His Ways
And No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The
World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself, And
Then Make A Change
(Take A Look At Yourself, And
Then Make A Change)
(Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na,
Na Nah)
I've Been A Victim Of A Selfish
Kind Of Love
It's Time That I Realize
That There Are Some With No
Home, Not A Nickel To Loan
Could It Be Really Me,
Pretending That They're Not
Alone?
A Willow Deeply Scarred,
Somebody's Broken Heart
And A Washed-Out Dream
(Washed-Out Dream)
They Follow The Pattern Of
The Wind, Ya' See
Cause They Got No Place
To Be
That's Why I'm Starting With
Me
(Starting With Me!)
I'm Starting With The Man In
The Mirror
(Ooh!)
I'm Asking Him To Change
His Ways
(Ooh!)
And No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The
World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make A Change
(Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make A Change)
I'm Starting With The Man In
The Mirror
(Ooh!)
I'm Asking Him To Change His
Ways
(Change His Ways-Ooh!)
And No Message Could've
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The
World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make That . . .
(Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make That . . .)
Change!
I'm Starting With The Man In
The Mirror,
(Man In The Mirror-Oh
Yeah!)
I'm Asking Him To Change
His Ways
(Better Change!)
No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
(If You Wanna Make The
World A Better Place)
(Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make The Change)
(You Gotta Get It Right, While
You Got The Time)
('Cause When You Close Your
Heart)
You Can't Close Your . . .Your
Mind!
(Then You Close Your . . .
Mind!)
That Man, That Man, That
Man, That Man
With That Man In The Mirror
(Man In The Mirror, Oh Yeah!)
That Man, That Man, That Man
I'm Asking Him To Change
His Ways
(Better Change!)
You Know . . .That Man
No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The
World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make A Change
(Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make A Change)
Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!
Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na,
Na Nah
(Oh Yeah!)
Gonna Feel Real Good Now!
Yeah Yeah! Yeah Yeah!
Yeah Yeah!
Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na,
Na Nah
(Ooooh . . .)
Oh No, No No . . .
I'm Gonna Make A Change
It's Gonna Feel Real Good!
Come On!
(Change . . .)
Just Lift Yourself
You Know
You've Got To Stop It.
Yourself!
(Yeah!-Make That Change!)
I've Got To Make That Change,
Today!
Hoo!
(Man In The Mirror)
You Got To
You Got To Not Let Yourself . . .
Brother . . .
Hoo!
(Yeah!-Make That Change!)
You Know-I've Got To Get
That Man, That Man . . .
(Man In The Mirror)
You've Got To
You've Got To Move! Come
On! Come On!
You Got To . . .
Stand Up! Stand Up!
Stand Up!
(Yeah-Make That Change)
Stand Up And Lift
Yourself, Now!
(Man In The Mirror)
Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!
Aaow!
(Yeah-Make That Change)
Gonna Make That Change . . .
Come On!
(Man In The Mirror)
You Know It!
You Know It!
You Know It!
You Know . . .
(Change . . .)
Make That Change

"Erik can do Michael Jackson.... wow..."

"Not well but yes, I can."

"SHAMON!"

Erik laughed.