Author's Note: As you may have read in the description, I've decided to redo the story a little. If you already read the chapters that were posted beforehand, he original ending of chapter 3 and all of chapter 4 never existed. (Dumuzid never returns, Toby doesn't start having the "nightmares") Thank you Alexander – Godslayer, your review reminded me of the story I was supposed to write.


Chapter 3

Erica had been acting very strange lately. Everyone was getting their order; matter of fact, a lot faster, but Erica was never in a good mood. She wasn't as social with the customers, including Vincent, Jonny, Orlando, and Boss. Toby however, she was on and off. Some days she would give him a wink every now and again or a kiss on the cheek. Other days she would be completely dismissive about him or the others sitting with him. It was becoming more and more frequent each day, and the guys had to find out how to help her.

"Okay seriously, I think something's wrong with Erica," Orlando finally spoke up after Erica passed them without a word. "I mean check it out: Yeah! So I was dating this girl even though I already have a girlfriend!" Orlando raised his voice. Erica didn't even take a backward glance. "You see? Nothing."

"Yeah, I mean seriously I'm getting worried. You think it's something we said?" Jonny asked.

"Nothing comes to mind," Vincent said.

"Not unless…nah," Jonny took a puff of his cigarette.

"What?"

"Well…maybe she heard Toby when he was spilling his sorrows to us."

"Oh…oh! You mean that: Well in that case, Toby, you need to talk to her."

"Yeah, I'll talk to her when you guys leave. By that time there will be less people and we can talk alone," Toby said sadly.

"You okay buddy?" Orlando asked.

"I've just never seen Erica like this before."

The crew did a collective 'oh', feeling for Toby. The rest of the day couldn't have been more depressing. Once it was near closing time, the rest of the gang was ready to go.

"Well good luck talking to Erica, Toby," Orlando said while tipping his hat.

"Yeah go easy on her," Jonny said. And with that, the three left, leaving Toby in the booth, thinking of way to approach this. He waved Erica over.

"Need a refill?" Erica asked plainly.

"No, I actually wanted to talk to you."

"About what?" she said dismissively.

"About us," he waved her over to sit down. She sat across from him.

"I've noticed how you have been acting weird lately"

"Weird how?" Again, she continued to act oblivious to the whole situation.

"You don't talk much. You don't even chat with us. You've just been so…not you lately. Is something wrong?" There was a long silence after that. Erica looked down at the table, trying to think of a way to avoid the question, but she knew that Toby wasn't going to let her go until she answered.

"I heard what you said," Erica whispered. "Why are you afraid of me?" she started to choke up.

Toby felt like an anvil fell on his heart after hearing that. Just hearing her on the edge of crying made him want to cry.

"No, no. I'm not afraid of you." He quickly got up and went to hug her. He wrapped his arms around her tight, but Erica didn't hug back, she just cried into his shoulder.

"I'm just afraid of this situation I'm in. I mean this is my first relationship, and…I wasn't expecting this. I'm still adjusting."

"Are you…are you breaking up with me?" Erica spurted out.

"What? No! I just need some time, to fix this. Erica I really care for you. Rest assured I'm not leaving you."

He had his whole life together. He wanted to have kids someday, have a nice house, be at the top of his job. He wanted to be like the rest of the guys. And now this, this was like a speed bump or rather a test to see if he was truly a man.

Erica looked into Toby's eyes and worked up a heartfelt smile. She slowly wrapped her arms around his neck and embraced him. She knew she would have to wait, but it will be worth in the end. They soon let go and stood up.

"Hey, can I walk you home?" Toby asked.

"…Yeah, I'd like that," she said while smiling. They held hands and went to the door. "You don't mind if I leave early, do you Boss?"

"No I'll close up for the night. You two have fun," Boss said while wiping a glass. Erica waved goodbye and the two walked out of the door.


Toby retrieved his key from his left pocket and opened the door to his apartment. It was bigger than Vincent's. There was a mini living room set, with a lounger and loveseat and a 32' inch television on a stand and small kitchen, with cutaway counters with a ledge and bar stools up against it. The bedroom had a double murphy bed with a small wall closet. The bathroom was decent; the shower, sink, and toilet were kept clean very often: It's not like Toby really had anything else to do. The apartment was given to him by his parents after he graduated high school, as a way of getting him ready for the real world. A "walk before you can run" type deal. The whole apartment had a color scheme of navy blue mixed with gray. Toby never realized it, but from the look of it, the apartment was able to fit a couple. Not a couple about to have kids, but a young couple that was getting started. A couple… Toby thought.

The walk with Erica was well needed. It gave him time to think, about his future, about Erica. He remembered how he had spilt his sorrows to his friends. How his mother wanted a blood born child: It wasn't just his mother that thought that. He always did want a kid with his eyes, his personality, like every other friend he knew that had kids. Maybe he should date someone that can have kids, but then that means leaving Erica, leaving all they had. He didn't know anymore, he just wanted to go bed and dream his worries away. He went into the bathroom and brushed his teeth then changed into his pajamas. He pulled out a pair of blue pajama pants and a white tee shirt; he keeps his hat on during his sleep. He pulled down his murphy bed and slumped onto the mattress. He slowly drifted off to sleep.


For those who may have already read the original chapter 4, you may remember the last 2 paragraphs, but that's it. I'm sorry for the confusion, but I couldn't go on writing a story that wasn't my true vision. Leave a review and thank you for understanding :) Chapter 4 will be coming soon.