Love's Autograph (10 page)

“
Who you texting?” Ria asked.

“
Reinforcements,” Ellie said. “Okay here is the song. Keep paddling. It's a slow song so don't paddle to the music.”

“
Sing already!” Ria called back and Ellie sang.

Because you said

you with your blue eyes
and blue jeans
because you said

with your kind heart and laughter

because you said

if there are words to music and they are only for me

word
s to beautiful music tied to someone's heart.

Because you said

Here are the words and the music

and tied tightly to my heart

to you the kindest most amazing girl in my heart

Take my hand

Here are the words to tie around them

Take my heart

here is the music to beat one by one by one

Because you said
…

After Ellie finished singing, the only sound was the paddles hitting water. The knot in Ellie's chest had subsided. It was her own personal music therapy.

“
You have a wonderful voice. That was so brave,” Ria finally said.

Ellie said,
“Or crazy. There is a thin line between brave and crazy.”

“
You're brave. That wasn't crazy. If someone wrote me a song like that, I'd love them, well at least invite them into my bed,” Ria giggled.

“
Hey, I fell for that line once. I'm not falling for it again,” Ellie laughed.

“
What do you write about now?” Ria asked.

“
Great question,” Ellie said. “Let's see, love, lust, hate, anger, interactions or things that have happened to me, opinions on things, motivational things, taking chances, sex.”

“
Okay, that all sounds interesting. I need some songs by you,” Ria said. “Where do I get some?”

“
I’ll download them for you,” Ellie said.

“
I don't mind buying them,” Ria said.

“
Yeah, but I'll get them for you. Not a problem. That way I can pick the good ones for you.” Ellie's phone chimed. Kelly texted,
ETA 10 minutes.

“
So, where we going anyway?” Ria asked.

“
Keep paddling toward that bridge over there. In about ten minutes we're getting picked up,” Ellie said.

“
This is my exercise for a month. A lunch date with you turns interesting. What can be weirder than rushing out of a restaurant, onto a boat and rowing to the middle of nowhere?” Ria asked.

“
It’s technically a canoe and we're paddling,” Ellie corrected.

“
This is the most exciting lunch break I've had. Oh, wait second most exciting,” Ria giggled.

Ellie asked,
“What, did the other one actually have action music?”

“
It included sex,” Ria said as she smiled over her shoulder.

Ellie said,
“Oh, canoeing doesn't compare to sex? We could try that sometime and see.”

“
This fresh air is getting to your head,” Ria said.

They paddled under the bridge and Ellie navigated the boat ashore. Ria exited the canoe without getting wet. Ellie put down her paddle, grabbed Ria's purse
, and made her way down the canoe and onto dry land. Ellie pulled the canoe fully onto land. Ellie handed Ria her purse and unsnapped Ria’s life vest, then her own, and threw the vests into the canoe.

“
Phew, I'm exhausted,” Ria said.

“
All part of Ellie's lunch and work-out package,” Ellie said.

“
So you going to tell me why the great escape?” Ria asked.

“
Well...” Ellie started. “I don't know how to say this.” Ellie's phone beeped. Ria's phone beeped.

I'm
here,
Kelly
texted.

“
Our ride is here,” Ellie said.

“
Tell me another time?” Ria asked. “There is a problem with one of my post-ops. Can your friend drop me off at the hospital? Oh wait, I need my car. Nevermind, I'll get one of my interns to get my car later.”

They walked up to the road and Kelly was waiting in her car. The front passenger seat was covered with Kelly's things. Ria and Ellie climbed in the backseat.

“Kelly, Ria, Ria this is Kelly,” Ellie introduced them.

“
Hi Kelly, thanks for picking us up,” Ria said.

“
No problem. That's my job,” Kelly said.

“
What do you mean it's your job?” Ria asked.

“
She's being funny,” Ellie said. “Kelly is always helping me out.” Ellie laughed. “Can you drop Ria off at the hospital? It's right down this street a few miles.”

“
Sure,” Kelly said.

“
You guys look alike. You related?” Ria asked.

“
No,” Ellie said. “You think Kelly is that good looking?”

“
I’m the better-looking cousin,” Kelly laughed.

“
So Kelly, what was the reason that Ellie told you that she needed to be picked-up?” Ria asked.

“
Well, Ellie…” Kelly started. “Didn't give me a reason.” Ellie breathed a sigh of relief.

“
Oh, okay. I get it. It's top pirate secret. So, how long have you guys known each other?” Ria asked.

“
Four years?” Ellie said.

“
Five,” Kelly said.

“
What a day. I've met two of Ellie's friends. I had lunch on the balcony and I went canoeing. Wait, what about the canoe, and my license?” Ria asked. Ria pulled out her phone and was texting.

“
I'll take care of it. Don't worry,” Ellie said.

“
Pull up to the emergency bay, please. My interns are meeting me there,” Ria said to Kelly as they pulled into the hospital parking lot. “Nice to meet you, Kelly.”

“
Nice to meet you too,” Kelly said. “You a doctor?”

“
That's what she tells me,” Ellie laughed.

Ria said,
“Yes, I’m a doctor. Thanks again for the ride.”

“
Bye, Ellie. Thanks for lunch,” Ria said as she gave Ellie a hug. Ria gave her a warm kiss on the cheek. Ellie watched as Ria walked toward the automatic doors of the hospital. A group of four interns was standing there with tablets in their hands. They were talking to Ria and showing her things on the tablets. The interns appeared frantic and worried. They had baby faces, looked loaded with energy and stared at Ria as if she was handing out free candy.

“
Where to?” Kelly asked.

“
Wait just a few seconds please,” Ellie asked.

Ellie watched as Ria studied the information on the tablet. She pointed to each intern and after each of them
was pointed to, they ran back into the hospital. Ria grabbed one intern’s arm and placed keys in her hand. Ellie surmised that this was the unlucky intern going to fetch Ria’s car. Ria turned and looked back at Ellie who was still staring at Ria. Ria smiled, waved and walked into the hospital.

“
Okay, so Kelly, I need you to get someone to bring the canoe back to the rental place and get Ria her license,” Ellie said.

“
On it already. While you were drooling over Ria, I texted some people to get it done,” Kelly said.

“
You're great. I should never doubt you,” Ellie said.

“
So is she your new love interest?” Kelly asked.

“
What if she is?” Ellie answered.

“
I know I’m straight, but even I'd say she's pretty hot,” Kelly said.

“
Yes and she's amazing,” Ellie said.

Ria text,
Best lunch ever (even without the sex).

Ellie text back,
I had fun too. Next time I’ll bring the action theme music.

“So how's school?” Ellie asked Maggie as she handed her a dish to put away.

“
School is annoying,” Maggie answered.

“
What do you mean?” Ellie asked.

“
Teachers make us do annoying things,” Maggie said.

“
Like?”

“
Like next week we have to bring a parent or a grown-up to school to talk about a career,” Maggie said. “That is annoying.”

“
Well, that's not unusual. A lot of schools do that. I did that when I was in school,” Ellie said.

“
So you think it is cool and not annoying?” Maggie asked.

“
I think it's something different and could be fun,” Ellie said.

“
Perfect,” Maggie went to her backpack and pulled out a flyer. “It is next Friday. You can come from nine to eleven or from one to three. You get to speak for about twenty minutes.”

“
Oh, I'd love to see your mom do a talk on this,” Ellie said. Ellie opened her phone. “But I have a gig out of town that day.”

“
I don't want you to watch my mom talk about her career. I want you to come and talk about being a rocker,” Maggie said.

“
Why aren't you going to ask your mom?” Ellie asked.

“
She is probably busy,” Maggie said as she put the flyer back in her folder and then into her backpack. “It is okay. I do not have to have someone.”

“
Have you asked your mom?” Ellie asked.

“
No,” Maggie said.

“
You should ask. Not many kids can say that their mom is a world-famous surgeon,” Ellie said.

“
You think that's cooler than a musician?” Maggie asked.

“
Way cooler than a musician,” Ellie said.

“
Even a famous musician?” Maggie asked.

A confused Ellie furrowed her brow and then answered,
“Your mom is better than anyone else you can bring.”

“
Mom probably is too busy,” Maggie said.

“
You'll never know until you ask her. My bet is that she'd drop everything to go to this. The sooner you ask her, the more flexibility she'll have in her schedule and the better chance she'll do it,” Ellie said.

“
Okay, what should I say?” Maggie asked.

“
Well, pretend I'm her,” Ellie said.

“
You're like Brittany,” Maggie said. “Always trying to get me to do stupid role plays.”

“
Brittany?”

“
My therapist,” Maggie said.

“
Well, it helps sometimes. So, I'm your mom. Go sit on the couch,” Maggie sluggishly went and sat on the couch. Ellie opened the door leading to the hallway and shut it. “Honey, I'm home. Wow, what a day at work. So many exciting things happened.”

“
You're corny,” Maggie said. Ellie shot her an encouraging glance. “Hi, Mom.”

“
How was school?” Ellie asked as she sat on the couch next to Maggie.

“
It was fine,” Maggie said.

“
Anything interesting happen?” Ellie asked.

“
Yes, we have to ask an adult to come and talk about a career. You're probably busy, so I won't bring anyone,” Maggie said.

“
What day is it? Let me look on my schedule,” Ellie said. “No, look I have it free.”

“
I didn't tell you the date,” Maggie said.

“
I'm so excited about this!” Ellie said as she leaned in and hugged Maggie.

“
Gross! That's eerily close to how mom will react. She gets over-excited,” Maggie said.

“
She probably will. So just duck and weave the hug,” Ellie laughed.

“
Easy for you to say,” Maggie said with a frown.

“
Okay, listen. You need a presenter, your mother will do great, and you'll make her happy,” Ellie said.

“
Are we done?” Maggie asked.

Ellie answered,
“Sure.”

“
You didn't give me any feedback,” Maggie said.

“
Oh you mean feedback on the role playing. Okay, well you should act more excited when you ask her. When you asked me it was clear you wanted me to say no,” Ellie said.

“
I wanted you to say yes and mom to say no,” Maggie said.

Ellie laughed,
“Look all kids think their parents are not that cool. That's normal, but your mom thinks the world of you. You should give her a break. Give her a chance.”

“
Okay,” Maggie said. “So, I should say something like ‘hey Mom, would you like to come to my class next week?’”

“
Sure that sounds better,” Ellie said.

“
Can I ask her not to tell any corny jokes?” Maggie asked.

“
In a nice way,” Ellie said. “Maybe you can ask her to do the presentation for you first?”

“
Oh, like an audition,” Maggie said.

“
No, like a practice. Don't make your mom audition,” Ellie said.

A few minutes later
, keys were heard in the door and Ria came walking into the apartment.

“
Hey, girls,” Ria said. “Hope your night was better than mine.”

“
She didn't say that so many exciting things happened,” Maggie said.

“
She isn't following the script,” Ellie whispered and Maggie giggled. “Hi Ria, how was your day?”

“
Tiring,” Ria said as she looked back and forth between Ellie and Maggie. “What were you guys up to?”

“
Not much,” Ellie said. “I'm going to finish putting the dishes away.” Ellie patted the couch for Ria to sit and winked at Maggie as she stood up.

“
Mom, I was wondering if you're free next Friday.” Maggie said.

“
Friday, I'm working but I can reschedule. What's up?” Ria asked.

“
There is this career day at my school, and I would like for you to come. You being a famous surgeon is so cool, and it would be nice if you could do it.” Ria had her hand over her mouth.

“
Mom? You aren't going to cry are you?” Maggie asked.

“
Sure I can do it. You tell me what time and I'll be there,” Ria said.

“
You can't tell any corny jokes,” Maggie said.

“
No corny jokes,” Ria said.

“
And maybe you can do a practice in front of me, so that I know what you will be saying,” Maggie said.

“
Sure, that would be great,” Ria said.

“
Time for bed,” Maggie said as she leaned in and gave Ria a hug.

“
Thank you,” Ria said. “I love you. Good night.”

“
Oh, here,” Maggie reached into her backpack and grabbed a piece of paper. “You have to email my teacher and tell her what time you want to sign up for.”

“
Okay, I'll do it right away,” Ria said.

Maggie got up
and said, “Good night, Ellie. Are you sleeping over tonight?”

“
No, going home. Good job asking your mom,” Ellie whispered. Maggie went into the bathroom to get ready for bed. Ria wiped her eyes and turned around to Ellie. Ria walked into the kitchen.

“
You,” Ria said.

“
What?” Ellie asked as she finished putting away the last glass.

“
You had something to do with her asking me,” Ria said.

“
Maybe,” Ellie answered with a smirk.

“
Maybe? They have this every year at Maggie's school and she's never asked me,” Ria said. “Thank you.” Ria gave Ellie a hug. Ellie held tightly and quietly breathed in Ria's scent. The bathroom door opened and Maggie walked into the room as Ellie and Ria broke their embrace.

“
Mom?” Maggie asked.

Ria answered,
“Yeah?”

“
Do you think the world of me?” Maggie asked.

“
I do,” Ria said. “I totally do.”

“
You were right Ellie,” Maggie said. “Okay, maybe you can tell one corny joke.”

“
Good night you jokester,” Ellie said.

“
Good night, Maggie,” Ria said.

“
Good night,” Maggie said. “I hope I do not regret this.”

“
I should go,” Ellie said as she walked toward the door.

“
Ellie,” Ria said as she took a step toward Ellie.

Ellie spun around to Ria. Ria placed the flyer down on the counter and slowly sauntered toward Ellie. Ellie's heart quickened and she froze. Ria stopped a few inches from Ellie.

“Thanks for covering for Julie on such short notice,” Ria said. “I thought of calling Gwen, but she only met Maggie once.”

“
No problem,” Ellie said. “You and Gwen have been spending a lot of time together. Is it serious?”

“
Yeah, I think it is,” Ria answered.

“
Yet, she doesn't have a relationship with Maggie,” Ellie said.

“
I just… you know,” Ria started to say.

“
I'm sorry. It's none of my business. Good night.”

“
Ellie,” Ria said as she grabbed Ellie's hand.

“
What?” Ellie managed to answer as she looked down at Ria's hand on her own.

“
You get it,” Ria said.

“
Get what?” Ellie asked.

“
You get how important Maggie is to me, how she means the world to me, and what's important to me,” Ria said. She pulled Ellie roughly into her arms again and held her tightly. Ellie wrapped her arms around Ria and held her tightly in return. “This is one of the sweetest things anyone has done for me. It's so wonderful to have you in my life,” Ria whispered.

“
You deserve the world,” Ellie said. She nuzzled her lips close to Ria's neck. Ellie felt energy surge in her stomach. She pulled away, and stepped a few feet back from Ria. She kept her eyes on the floor. “I should go, and you should go practice your presentation. Good night.”

“
Wait,” Ria said. Ellie reluctantly turned around. “Here’s your meal. It's the best homemade macaroni and cheese you'll ever have.”

“
Thanks,” Ellie said. “Good night.”

“
Good night,” Ria said.

Ria walked into the elevator and texted Jazzie for a ride. Jazzie was only ten minutes out. Ellie sat in the lobby for a few minutes and then made her way out to the street. Her phone vibrated.

Ria texted,
Is everything alright?

Ellie answered
,
Yeah, why?

Why did you leave so quickly?

Ellie said,
I'm not sure. I guess uncomfortable with the amount of gratitude. Not used to people appreciating me.

Okay. I was afraid my emoti
ons and big hug scared you away,
Ria said.

Ellie thought about the feel and smell or Ria and then said
,
Well I was afraid you were trying to get me into your bed.
;)
Much too tired for that maybe tomorrow.

Ellie answered,
Look forward to it. Rest up you will need it.

Ria texted,
LOL.