Liberty set her bags on the floor by her feet and sank into the uncomfortable airport chair. She’d been at the airport for over an hour and still no sign of Tyler. It was nearly ten o’clock and she was getting worried. She’d tried his home phone a few times but only got the answering machine. She’d called four times, but only left one message. She despised answering machines and loathed her voice on them even more.

She was nearing tears when she suddenly had an idea. She pulled the crumpled piece of paper from her pocket and went towards the phone nearby. She dragged her bags with her because she had yet to be able to trust LA. Liberty wasn’t the most trusting person in the world, but that was to be expected.

She dialed the first number, praying Sean had his cell phone on. After seven rings, a voice mail message came on. Hearing Sean’s voice made Liberty want to let the burning tears fall from her eyes. She hated herself for being so weak, but what other option did she have? She hung up, cradled the phone on her shoulder and dialed the home phone. After six rings, his answering machine clicked on. She didn’t leave a message. She didn’t want to get him in trouble with his wife.

Feeling desperate, she checked her watch. 10:45; still no Tyler. She cursed under her breath and willed herself not to cry. This was normal Tyler behavior, but who wants to be stuck at an airport for over two hours. She could call a cab, but she didn’t have enough cash on her. And she didn’t trust the fact that Tyler might be there when she arrived, with a wad of cash in his hands.

Liberty psyched herself up and dialed the last number on the paper. The one with ‘Elijah’ next to it. While it rang she pondered the name Elijah. Liberty was attracted to that name for no apparent reason. She wasn‘t religious so she‘d never really heard it before, but she liked it. She fleetingly thought about naming her first born child that. At least if it were a boy. Or maybe she’d just get a hamster. While the phone continued to ring, a picture popped into her brain of a hamster named Elijah that looked like every other hamster she’d ever seen.

A click registered in her muddled mind and she snapped to the present. “Hello?” Said a very whimsical voice on the other end. Just a simple word, a simple infliction of a question, but the voice permanently sent chills down her spine.

“Hi…uh…Is this Elijah?”

“Uh-huh,” he replied hesitantly, sounding confused as to who it was.

“Hey, this is Liberty. I’m a friend of Sean’s. I can’t reach him and I’m stuck at the airport…um…I’m SO sorry to bother you but do you know where he is?”

“Oh, hi. Yeah, Sean told me about you. He’s right here. Are you okay?” Elijah sounded concerned and he didn’t even know her. Either he was really nice and asked basically anyone that question or he heard the fretfulness in her voice.

“I’m alright. Thanks. Could I talk to him? I really appreciate this. I mean…just, thanks.”

He chuckled a little. She liked his laugh. “It’s no problem. Really. Here’s Sean.”

“Liberty?” Sean’s voice immediately came on the line. “Where are you?”

“Still at the airport. I am SO sorry to call you, Sean---”

“Don’t be sorry,” he interrupted, “that’s crazy. I told you to call if you needed anything and you did. I’m glad. Do you want me to come wait with you? Because, we’re at McDonalds and it’ll only take twenty minutes from here to the airport. I’d be happy---”

“I really just needed to hear a friendly voice, actually. I just, I hate being alone in a strange city. Especially one as big and odd as LA.”

“Say no more,” Sean said swiftly. “I will be the knight in shining armor because I have always wanted to. I’ve got my car so I’ll drop Lijah off because I picked him up and I’ll be right there. About, thirty minutes. Okay?” She heard muffled voices before she had a chance to reply. “Oh hang on. Dom’s going to take Lijah home so I’ll be there in fifteen if traffic is good.”

Liberty protested, “Sean, you don’t have to.”

“I insist. I will be right there. Hang tight. Liberty? Don’t talk to anybody you don‘t know.” He sounded so much like an older brother who was worried about his kid sister might sound in this situation.

If he had been near her, she would have hugged him and kissed him. She felt so relieved that she didn’t know what to say. Her eyes were tearing up yet again, the stress of the last two hours slowly fading. “I can’t even begin to thank you. I mean, I’ve just met you and already you’re, like, the best friend I’ve had in a while.”

“Don’t get mushy,” he laughed. “I’ll be there in a few.”

“Thank you, Sean. And thank Elijah. I monopolized his cell phone time.” She rubbed under her eyes, clearing them of the stupid, salty tears she hated so much. They showed that weakness that she could live happily without. She knew she had weaknesses, she just didn’t want them shown to the public. Or private for that matter.

“He doesn’t care. He’s got big bucks. See you in fifteen.” He hung up.

She replaced the phone to the hook and sank into a bench nearby, feeling much happier suddenly. And relieved.

Fifteen minutes later, on the dot, Sean sprinted up to her in the lobby looking very happy to see her. He engulfed her in a hug immediately.

“Sean, thank you SO much,” she said when they pulled away. “I can’t even say how much I appreciate this.” Her eyes were glassy and it was obvious that some forceful tears had escaped.

He put on a fake mid-evil accent, “’Tis no problem at all, fair maiden.” He lifted her two large bags leaving her with just her carry-on. “This way.” She followed him out of the airport and to the darkened parking lot. LA was lit up all around them and it was really, very warm and muggy.

“So, the boyfriend forgot?” Sean asked timidly. “Are you okay?” They had just reached the car.

“I’m sure everything is fine. He’s got a horrible memory. He might have gotten caught up at work.”

“What does he do?”

“He’s a bartender,” Liberty answered.

“Oh,” said Sean, opening the door for her and stuffing her bags in the backseat. “Elijah says you’re welcome. I told him what you said. He said it was no problem. I told you he wouldn’t care.”

“Well, he seems very nice. I’ve never even met him and he asked me if I was okay.”

“That’s the kind of guy he is,” replied Sean, sliding into the driver’s seat. “I hope you know where your boyfriend lives.”

“Thankfully, yes,” she replied, letting out a relieved laugh.

Before turning on the ignition, Sean turned in his seat to face her. “Do you want to come stay at my place? My wife is there and she wouldn’t mind at all. I just---what kind of boyfriend forgets to pick up his girlfriend and makes her wait two hours in a strange, huge city?”

Liberty sighed, leaning her head against the cool leather of the car’s seats. “He’s just busy,” she said. Sean could tell her voice was choked, no matter how brave she was trying to sound.

“You’re rationalizing.”

Liberty looked at him, smiling. “How do you know me so well so soon?” She laughed and shrugged. “How the hell did you do that? Just pin me like that?”

“I have no clue,” he replied truthfully. “So. Come on.”

“Yeah,” she replied. “Just drop me off at his place.”

“Only if you promise me something.” He said, sticking the key in the ignition and turning it. Soft music blasted from the speakers, making Liberty’s fears sort of wash away. They flowed off her like water droplets falling off your nose when it‘s pouring rain. “That you’ll call if you need me. No matter what time of night.”

“Sean, he’s not abusive.” Liberty looked out the window, watching LA’s twinkling lights in the tall buildings.

“Just promise, Lib.”

She smiled at the use of her nickname, turning her head to look at him. “I promise.”

*

“Thanks so much for the ride, Sean.” She said, yawning. They were outside Tyler’s apartment building and it was nearing midnight now. There was no sign of Tyler’s red convertible and the lights on the second floor were all faded and wane. They suggested only night-lights in the apartments, not lights like someone was actually awake inside.

“Do you want me to go upstairs with you?”

Liberty chewed on her bottom lip, pondering this question. On the one hand, she didn’t want to be alone and waiting for Tyler to show up. On the other, she didn’t want Tyler to be up there and see her with Sean. He’s bound to jump to conclusions. When she finally spoke, her voice was carrying an afraid tone. “I don’t have a key. What if he isn’t up there?”

Sean stood up, having been leaning on the car. He stepped towards her. “I’ll go up with you and I’m not leaving until you’re safely inside. This isn’t the best neighborhood.”

“God,” breathed Liberty. “I am so lucky we were seated together.”

Sean smiled as he picked up her two bags and they both crossed the street and entered the dingy apartment building. Liberty’s face automatically crinkled at the smell. Like cat pee and garbage mixed with the stale smell of marijuana. She felt her stomach lurch.

“Sean,” she said, her voice shaky.

He stepped back outside, holding to door open for her. “You’re coming to stay with me. I’m not---”

“I’ll be fine,” she insisted stubbornly. Liberty Crane, in case you didn’t notice, is extremely stubborn.

“Liberty, you can call him when we get there. Leave a message and tell him where you are. But I’m not letting you stay here. I don’t…I don’t like the looks of it.” Sean eyed the building as if it had leprosy. Which, really, it could have. Sean looked at her sternly, his expression telling her there was no way out of it. He crinkled his forehead in the false sternness of a father talking to his teenaged daughter.

“I had no idea he lived in a place like this,” she muttered, her eyes filling up with the stingy, salty liquid that she knew all too well when Tyler was concerned. She blinked them back quickly. “I mean. It looks like a crack house. Like the occupants have whores over on their sweat soaked beds every night. I can practically smell the seediness. I feel sick.”

Sean put his hand on her shoulder and said softly, “Come on.” He put her bags back in the car as soon as they’d crossed the street again.

“My family and friends were right. He is a…he’s a loser, Sean. Why didn‘t I---? Why am I so stupid?”

Sean shook his head, “You’re not stupid. Love in blinding.“ He shrugged, not wanting to add to her problems by voicing his honest opinion. Which was, of course, in agreement with her loser statement. He didn’t know Tyler, but he certainly knew he wasn’t good enough for Liberty. If only she believed it.

Sean’s compact little car pulled into a long, weaving driveway about thirty minutes later. The ride there had been pretty silent. Liberty was trying her hardest not to cry…or throw up. She wanted to do both equally as much. Her stomach was unsettled and her mind was a jumble of confusion…thoughts whirling around like race cars on a circular track. All her thoughts came back to one thing. Breaking up with Tyler. But why? The serious part of her brain wanted to know, wanted to have an answer. What has he done to make you want to break up with him? So he lives in a dump…so what? That is not normally cause for conviction or shunning.

To the real Liberty, though, that was a big deal. She could never see herself in that apartment building. Before Tyler had moved away he’d talked about them marrying and living together. Now, the thought that used to make her tingle with happiness, made her nauseous with fear.

That apartment building was for ten dollar hookers, not college students. For a brief moment, Liberty wondered what Tyler really did when he was at home…or not at home for that matter.

Her head was pounding when Sean placed a comforting hand on her arm. “We’re here.”

Liberty looked up at the huge house above them. It looked just like a cliched Hollywood house and she fell immediately in love with it. Any lodgings were better than the previous in any case. She produced the first genuine smile she’d had since Sean had picked her up at the airport.

“It’s beautiful,” she said. He nodded and got out of the car, his seat belt ricocheting off the car door and bouncing back into its place. She followed suit, securing her bag over her shoulder. Before he started walking up towards the house, she stopped him. “Sean. Thank you so much.” She shook her head, tears wanting so much to break from her eyes. One escaped, it made the short trek from her eye to her chin in a matter of seconds.

He dropped her bags on the ground and before she knew what was happening, she felt his strong arms around her, comforting her. In that simple hug, he told her everything would be alright. And she believed him. Because, really, what else should she believe? She needed him at that moment and she was thankful beyond words for meeting him. She could tell already that he’d be the best guy friend she’d ever had. Back home guys had befriended her for only one reason: to get into her pants. But with Sean it was different, and she knew it.

She pulled away from him, wiping her eyes on her sleeves. Then she sniffed and put on a brave face. He smiled at her and led her inside.

When Liberty and Sean entered the foyer of the house, padded footsteps could be heard coming towards them in the dark. Sean flipped on the overhead light. The yellowish glow fell upon a woman about Sean’s age with her dark hair pulled into a messy bun. She was wearing a nightdress covered in a robe, with slippers on her feat.

“Hi,” she said, smiling at Liberty as she gave Sean a kiss. “Sean called me from the cell on his way to get you.”

Liberty glanced at Sean, “But how did you know I’d be coming----?”

“I had a feeling,” shrugged Sean, setting her bags on the floor at his feet. “I just, I had a gut feeling.”

“Sean is basically well-known for his gut feelings.” His wife explained, her lips still in a friendly smile. “I’m Christine, by the way. It’s lovely to meet you.”

“You too,” replied Liberty, smiling and shaking Christine’s hand. “I’m Liberty.”

Christine nodded and motioned for Sean to pick up the bags again. “I’ll show her to the guest room. Are you hungry?”

Liberty shook her head, “No thank you.”

“Alright then.” Christine waited while Liberty took the bags from Sean and then followed her up the winding marble staircase. Despite the fact that this house was Hollywood-huge, it still felt really homey. More homey, in fact than her own home. On the walls were paintings that conveyed such happiness that Liberty felt herself gawking at them. Christine, happy to have a guest it seemed, explained most of them. She told her little stories about their origins and basically just treated Liberty like she was an old family friend they hadn’t seen in years.

At the end of the second floor’s hallway, Christine pushed open a large white wooden door and motioned Liberty to enter ahead of her. “This is the guest room,” stated Christine. “You’ve got an adjoining bath, there.” She pointed to the right where an identical door stood, slightly ajar.

The room was huge; very spacious. It held a canopy bed covered in a lacy white comforter that Liberty was sure was filled with down feathers. Christine smiled at Liberty as she watched her admire the room. It also held a huge wooden dresser that reminded Liberty of the talking wardrobe in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. She smiled at it and then at Christine.

“I seriously cannot thank you enough for letting me stay here,” said Liberty, trying hard to hold in her irritatingly persistent tears.

Christine stepped forward, “It’s my pleasure. Sean was raving about you. I can’t wait to get to know you. You seem like a really great person.” Christine smiled, but didn’t pause long enough to allow Liberty to thank her again. “If you need anything, do not hesitate to ask. The hall closet holds towels and stuff, it’s just across the hall, there. But, just make yourself at home okay?”

Liberty nodded. “I think I’ll go to bed. The jet lag is catching up.”

Christine laughed, “I bet. I’m sure Sean is fast asleep (and snoring) as we speak. I’ll see you in the morning.” With that, she took her leave of the room, leaving Liberty to explore all the little knick knacks and the intricate paintings that reminded her of a summer day back home. They left her feeling very content in her life. Something she hadn’t felt since yesterday…something that she had been waiting for.

When Liberty crawled beneath the starched sheets, she sighed happily. The fears of earlier drained out of her, allowing her eyes to close peacefully. She fell into a deep slumber shortly after.

The following morning, she was awoken to sun filtering in on her face from the open curtains of the big window across from her bed. It was a lovely scene to wake up to. She hoped out of bed and bounced into her bathroom jovially. She couldn’t wait to explore LA…but then she remembered Tyler. He must be really worried about her. Petrified probably. And he’s most likely called her family and they were fretful too. She vowed to call Tyler as soon as she asked Sean if it was alright with him. She didn’t know how much phone calls cost across town.

Once she entered the kitchen (in her robe) with her hair wrapped up in a towel, turban-style, she saw that Sean and Christine had gone out to breakfast and would be back momentarily. They said to eat whatever she wanted and do whatever she wanted. Within reason, said the post script. ‘No parties,’ Sean had put. She smiled fondly and looked around the very liberal kitchen. It was fit for Emeril, she said to herself. With a butcher’s block in the middle of the black and white tiled floor and pans hanging above it. She loved this house more with every inch her eyes took in.

Looking into the fridge, she saw a very red apple seemingly calling her name. She pulled it from the crisper and bit into it, savoring the juicy, sweet taste. Liberty decided to go get dressed before they returned so she flew up the stairs once again. She finished her apple while she decided what to wear.

As Liberty was pulling on some loose fitting khaki shorts, the shrill ring of the phone broke her from her reverie, scaring her so much that she fell to the ground in a heap of legs. Her own, and the shorts’. She wasn’t sure if she should answer it, but there was no one else to.

“Hello?” She asked cautiously.

“Hey there,” came Sean’s sunny voice on the other end. “I‘m just dropping Christine at work and then I‘ll be back. Do you need anything?”

“Um…” Liberty glanced around the bedroom as if searching for the answer amongst the bland white walls. “…No, I‘m all set.”

“Okay, then I should be back in about twenty minutes. If Elijah calls, just tell him I’ll be home in a while. I think we’re going to hang out today. Do you want to?”

Liberty was about to say ‘yes’ really quickly but then thought better of it. “I should probably talk to Tyler first.”

“I think you should break up with him,” replied Sean bluntly.

Liberty raised an eyebrow at the phone. “I’m thinking about it, actually.”

“Good,” he said, seemingly happy with that response. “So call him now and then let me know when I get there. I can take you wherever you need to go…so, you know, if you want to break up with him face to face.”

Liberty laughed a little, “You are quite possibly the sweetest guy who has ever walked the earth. Do you know that?”

Sean joined in her laughter, “I’ve been told that, yes. I’ll see you in a few.” She said goodbye, still laughing, and then hung up.

Once she’d finished getting dressed, she picked up the phone again and dialed the familiar number. On the second ring, Tyler picked up with a groggy, “Hello?”

“Hi, Tyler,” she said cautiously.

“Liberty, it’s fucking nine o’clock in the morning for Gods sake.”

“Tyler,” she said, her demeanor crumbling at his angry voice. Then she got angry, “What the hell?”

Tyler sighed heavily and she felt sheets rustle like he was sitting up. “What are you calling for so early?”

Liberty’s mouth fell open. He’d forgotten. Completely. Forgotten completely that she was coming. Some boyfriend. “I’m in LA. I was stranded at the airport last night.” She wasn’t going to offer anymore information because she seriously didn’t think he deserved it. She was getting pissed.

“Huh?” Tyler asked, obviously out of it as per usual for a morning. “What are you talking about?” Before she had a chance to answer, he said: “Oh God. Liberty.”

“Yeah,” she replied, her voice stony and spiteful. “You forgot me. I could be dead now, Tyler! Dead!”

“But you’re not. You’re okay. Where are you? I’ll come get you.” More sheets rustling as he probably got out of his bed. She felt sick picturing him in that horrible apartment with the lingering smell of cat pee and pot. So potent that you could probably get high from just the smell clinging to the walls. Just then, it dawned on her.

“Do you do drugs, Tyler?”

He seemed taken aback by this question. “Jesus Christ, Liberty! It’s nine o’clock--”

“Answer the question, Tyler,” she replied sternly. “I was at your apartment last night and it smelled like a crack house and looked like a whore house. So which is it?”

“Whores or crack?” He asked, sighing. She could practically see him running a hand through his greased hair. “I’m not answering that. Just tell me where you are and I’ll come get you. Or did you go home?”

“I’m not home. And I don’t want you coming to get me. This is it, Tyler. This is your third strike. You’re out. So go back to the dug-out.”

“Liberty---”

“NO,” she replied, her voice much more forceful than usual. “It’s over. We’re through.” With that she hung up the phone, feeling this overwhelming feeling of sadness and happiness at the same time. And maybe a little bit of relief too. She leaned back on the bed, her heart pounding loudly against her pink t-shirt. Trying to steady it was a lost cause, so she just lay there staring at the white ceiling.

About three minutes later, the phone rang again. She reluctantly sat up. She didn’t want to answer, but it might be Sean. He was the only person she even remotely wanted to talk to right now. Cringing, she picked up the shrieking phone and put it to her ear. “Hello?”

“Hi,” said the voice on the other end. “Is Sean there?” She was wrong, she wouldn’t mind talking to this person either with his lovely voice.

“No, he’s out,” she replied, not knowing what else to say. She didn’t know who it was. “He should be back in about fifteen minutes. Can I take a message?”

“No thanks.“ Pause. “Is this Liberty?”

“Um, yeah,” she admitted reluctantly.

“Oh hey. This is Elijah. Sean called me and told me you’d stayed there. How are you feeling?” Of course it was Elijah, who else had that voice that was both sexy and whimsical at the same time?

Liberty wondered quickly how much he knew. She decided to play it safe. She wasn’t one to just blurt out things to complete strangers. “I’m alright. Thanks. You?”

Elijah laughed, “I’m fine. Are you hanging out with us later?”

She felt herself smile, although she didn’t know why. This guy was unlike any other guy she’d ever (sort of) known. With the exception of Sean. But with Sean it was different. Sean was like an older brother, or cousin. Elijah was---she wasn’t sure what. But she found herself wanting to find out. His voice seemed to float over her like this big cloud of comfort. Something about the way he laughed made her smile like a fool. But she hardly knew him and her feelings scared her…they were really sudden and strong all at once.

“I think so, yeah,” she said finally.

“Awesome. I look forward to meeting you.” He’d suddenly taken on a false British accent which made her laugh.

“Ditto, governor,” she replied in her best Cockney accent.

He chuckled. “Cool. Tell Sean I’ll be by around eleven.”

Liberty found herself asking: “AM or PM?”

“Either way,” he replied ominously. Then he laughed. “AM. We’re going to lunch. Sean wants to take you to the best place ever, apparently. Tell him I’m picking up Dom, Billy and Orlando.”

“Check,” she replied, then wondered why the hell she’d said that. For some reason she felt herself being bold and playful with this Elijah fellow. Something that wasn’t a normal occurrence in her life. I guess ‘flirt’ would cover it also, but Liberty was far from a flirt…most of the time. They hung up and shortly after, Sean arrived home whistling some song she didn’t recognize.

Liberty was still grinning like a fool when she floated down the stairs to see him. He smiled when he saw her and laughed when he saw the grin.

“You must be seeing Tyler later. Did he propose?” Sean laughed and headed into the kitchen. Liberty followed.

“Nope. Well, I talked to him though. I broke it off. Completely. Can you believe that he actually forgot? He even asked why I was calling.” She shook her head, remembering her odd conversation earlier. “He was such a jerk. Everyone tried to tell me but I never saw it ‘til now. Until I met a guy who actually treats the woman…and friend in his life with the respect she deserves.”

“Are you speaking of me?” Sean asked, laughing. He stopped and became serious, “I’m glad you dumped him. You deserve better than him anyway.”

“Thank you,” she said happily plopping herself at a seat at the table. Sean took a seat beside her. “So…can I stay here for a few days? Until I can get up the courage to tell my family they were right.”

“You can stay for the two weeks, if you want.” Sean shrugged. “Christine was saying how nice she thinks you are. And of course I think you are…stay forever, if you want.” He laughed. “Seriously.” She smiled and was about to express her thanks before he interrupted her. “Stop saying thank you. I have a question, though.”

“Shoot,” she said, folding her arms on the table.

“Why are you so happy? I figured when you broke up you’d be a mess.”

Liberty shrugged, taking a deep breath. “For some reason Elijah made me feel better. He called, before, by the way.” She told Sean about their conversation.

Sean sat back in his seat, listening. When she was finished, he said: “You like him. And you’ve never even met him. Nor do you know what he looks like. This is really new. He’ll be ecstatic.”

Liberty laughed, “Oh shut up.” But she was blushing.