Mayzie LaBird lingered for a second outside the run down club; the Seuss. So this is where they're playing now, she thought, and it hurt her that she hadn't known. Three years ago, she'd thought that she'd be here with Horton, her cute rocker boyfriend. Three years ago, when she hadn't know how things were going to end, when it was still fine between them. Before The big Mistake. Before Kirt. Before Ellie came along as ruined everything. Ellie. Mayzie looked down at the ten-month-old baby in her arms, amber eyes screwed tight, blond curls covered by a cap. She still like the comforting weight in her in her arms, like the baby was saying "I am here. I love you." She smiled in spite of herself. Ellie was sweet. But being part of Horton's life again would be sweeter. So why was she doing this? What on earth was she thinking? She knew Horton might still love her – she knew she loved him – but this was crazy. Ellie was her daughter, she couldn't leave her with an absent minded guitarist, never mind how cute he was. But she needed to get away, and Ellie's father would never take care of the baby – Christ, she didn't even know where he was now. And even though she hadn't seen Horton in almost three years, he might make it ok, just like he always used to, before she'd left him for Kirt. At first, she'd thought having a baby could be kinda fun – you know, someone who loved you, needed you, was there no matter what. She'd been wrong. It had been her choice, and she'd screwed it up, totally. And now she was gonna have to tae the rap for it – or not, not if Horton could. She could leave Ellie with Horton for a few months, go and sing with the Monkeys, who'd offered her a deal. No problem, no questions. She'd get some money, get her plans sorted out, then come back and get her daughter. Only, the problem was that she didn't know that Horton would say. She hadn't seen him for almost eighteen months. She'd gone back to Nool after a huge argument – he hadn't even known she was pregnant when she left, did he know now? She hadn't seen or spoke to him since then. Well, there was no point turning back now, not after she'd come all this way. She smoothed down her orange halter top, running her hands over the flat stomach that hadn't been there a month ago. She took a breath, and opened the door.

The plain girl behind the bar looked up when Mayzie entered. Mayzie thought she looked kinda familiar, but couldn't quite place her.

"Horton?"

"He's in back, you can go in."

"Thanks…Gertrude?"

"mayzie?"

"Yeah. Haven't seen you in a while." That was who she was. Gertrude, Horton's weird next door neighbor. Kinda strange she was working here. That girl was like a stalker.

Horton looked up when she entered. She saw his face blanch as he recognized her, then saw the baby in her arms. He looked shocked He was still adorable, sitting on an overturned milk crate by the window, his guitar in his lap.

"Mayzie…" he swallowed, and stood up.

"Yeah," she whispered, her throat suddenly gone dry.

"Who…who is that?"

"That's my daughter. That's Ellie."

"Mayzie, I…"

"Horton?" He moved towards her, then stopped, and smiled. "What is it?"

"Its just….i could never picture you with a baby."

" Neither could i. But it happened."

"Yeah."

"Her name is Ellie, she's real sweet."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

"I never should have let you leave with that Kirk jerk."

"Kirt. It wasn't his fault. I wanted the baby. at first."

"He was a jerk."

" I guess so. I met him Fort Worth, he was a singer."

"You really have a thing for singers."

"I know. I can't help it. I thought i was so lucky, that such a star as Kirt was dating me. I thought we were happy. I guess we were. But then he left for San Juan, after he learned i was pregnant. Again, i thought i was luck, so lucky, to have been love by him, to be bearing his child. That's all i ever told myself, that i was lucky. but i'm not Horton, i'm not." she had tears on her face, wet and cold as the darkness outside. He put a hand on her shoulder, and she leaned into him, crying and shaking.

"Mayzie, I'm so sorry." She sniffed and wiped her face, shaking her head.

"It was my mistake, not yours. But oh Horton…..I can't be a mother, i can't. Its so hard, It makes me so frustrated. Its day after day after day of all the same, i just can't take it anymore."

"Mayzie….."

She leaned into him, and she was beautiful and crying and she smelled like orange blossoms.

" Horton…take care of Ellie for me?"

"What? Mayzie, what do you mean?"

"Take her. Take care of her."

" I can't do that1 I'm not even her father. I'm busy here."

"Not forever, just for a month or so. I need to get out. I've had an opportunity, i need to take it. I'll come back for her soon, Horton, i swear it. I'll send you money. Just for a while, so i can get back together. You will, won't you?"

" Well, i guess so. Mayzie. Your daughter, really? What do i do?"

" Better then i do, i bet."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"You'll come get her soon, i can't…"

"I know. Soon."

"I have to write my song. You know that?"

"Yes."

"I'll see you soon…hey, stick around, come to the show."

"I can't."

"Well then….Goodbye."

"You to, Horton."

"Mayzie, wait!" but it was to late. She was gone. Horton stared at the child in his arms. She stirred, her amber eyes opened, looking just like her mothers.

"I'll take care of you, Ellie. I just wish your mother had given me more to go on."