Headed back into the townhouse I get a sinking feeling. This is not going to go over well. "Hey Tammy? Michelle?"

Tammy calls from the living room, "hey in here. Michelle went home."

Entering the living room she looks content watching her shows, until I speak, "I went and talked to Arlene. Wanted to make sure she was okay. I'm just going to give her a ride home. Did you want to come with us? I just have to clean off the one seat to make room for you, if you do."

"You're what?" The smile disappears like given life threatening news. Thoughts of us conspiring against her do cross the mind. Along with the knowledge of how everyone feels about each other. "I don't think that's a good idea mister. She can't be trusted."

"What? It's a ride home. We all use to be friends. You can come too. She is a friend to you right?"

"Use to be." Too mad to say what's on the mind Tammy utters, "just go then, I don't want to be a burden seeing as you have to make room for me too."

Feeling it'll be too much of a fight to get her to go along came to a realization. If you want any chance of sex tonight better get moving now to get the later argument over sooner. "There's nothing going on here Tammy, but a ride home. She even insisted I stop at a Tim's - so if you want something I can bring it back for you."

Now Tammy hears I'm stopping at Tim Horton's for someone else. "So you'll stop there for her. Maybe you shouldn't come back tonight, Robert."

"Oh man, come-on Tammy. I drove many miles today an hour an a half of them were to spend time with you."

"Then what are you doing now?"

Seeing this going nowhere fast. "You're right for being upset that I didn't include you on this decision but she was a friend of ours. I'll be back within an hour. We can talk further then."

"Don't bother coming back Robert. She's not to be trusted. Nor are any of you guys."

Shrugging I figure nothing is really going to happen I'll be back in forty-five minutes to spend a couple hours making up for doing a nice thing. "Tammy please don't be like that."

Never seeing her tears I exit the back door tying not to let her worries get to me while I merely drive someone home.

Having seen it first hand Arlene can tell it didn't go smoothly. "Well, how mad was she?"

Getting seated in the van sigh, "she told me not to come back tonight."

The time waiting seemed long to Arlene with many thoughts mulled over. "Sorry about that. Knew I shouldn't have accepted the ride."

"Did or didn't - too late now. I'll deal with my decision later, like I normally do to myself. Get you a home first."

"Tim's first please," just a gentle reminder while she sits back to think of old inner thoughts from youth on feeling nervous and yet secure around me. "I am sorry for getting you in fight though."

Driving out of the complex a smile of reassurance is given, "What ever will be will be."

Headed for the closest Tim Horton's I thought about Tammy being justified for her concerns. The way she left it I wouldn't have to come back. If Arlene's going though a rough relationship I may not want any part of that either. A simple ride home can go horribly wrong when emotions are involved. Best just to stick to the ride and decide what to do next.

After getting her and Tammy a hot beverage ask before driving away, "is your drink the way you want it? I know they mess things up if you leave too fast."

Not quite ready Arlene agrees and takes a quick smell and sip. "Yup all good. Why what would you do if it wasn't correct?"

"Back up to the window, annoying other customers so they could correct your order or go around again. Find another Tim's if we were further down the road." Driving onward leave the plaza lot.

Impressed she queries. "Really? Even a different Tim's?"

"Yeah. We're gonna pass half a dozen of them on the way."

Her past 'exs' would most likely just laugh at her and say that's what you get. "That is true. Did you ever get married?" Asking mainly to see if someone may have conditioned me.

"No, never married," not thinking much of the question, "been pretty much single. Still get so awkward talking to women I end up sounding like a fool and scare them away."

Looking me over sees someone who could either settle down or forever play the field. "No long term relationships?"

"Ah not really, never longer then a year. And only a few women have I really gotten involved with."

"So you got lonely and came looking for something familiar, Tammy?"

Pretty much nailed it there but I couldn't admit to it. "Had this dream just thought I'd call her see how she was doing. That's where it started." Guess we both sought Tammy.

"Are you two happy together?"

"For the most part. I still get that feeling I did when we dated before. She can be kind of distant not very affectionate, makes me wonder if she's really happy with me. Or is the truth we both just want something comfortable instead of being alone."

Stopped at a light, near the collage, a younger couple can be seen yelling at each other. He's storming off and she wants him to come back. Furthering on-going thoughts Arlene asks how would I handle that situation.

"Which one am I? Hah ha," seeing only a smile in return. "If she's just being crazy, I'd keep walking. If there's a real issue at hand I'd hope to be dealing with it rationally and preferably at home or somewhere there's less ears."

Liking the answer, she does wonder about one thing. If I could say sorry when it's really needed. "Can you say you're sorry?"

"All the time." Trying to keep things light inquire, "why do I need to apologize to you for something I did while young."

Arlene lightly laughs at the real truth, "think you are one of the few who doesn't owe me a thing." Patting my leg as light as the laugh, "that's a good thing in my books. Except those pictures you took of me way back, you didn't make copies did you?"

"No, didn't make copies. Pretty innocent stuff though. No nudes or suggestive pictures. Just moments in the hood. And you took the ones you really had a problem with."

"Good." She smiles again but still wants to test character, "have you ever taken such pictures? You had that camera all the time."

"No." Shaking my head hoping she wasn't thinking too poorly of me, "no, not that kind of person. anything else you want me to answer on that?"

Trying to have some half fun with me she prays I don't answer yes. "Haven't picked up any hitch hikers, that haven't been heard from - have you?"

"No. But do recall picking up four people one night in my mom's car. The two males were black guys from Detroit. They were worried I was going to do something to them. I laughed told them I stopped just because the one girlfriend stuck her thumb out for a ride. Good thing for them too, they still had several kilometers to go - in the cold."

She's surprised on a couple levels, one, I'd give a ride to males alone. Maybe this guy she once knew developed some kind of morals she could appreciate. "Does this mean your earlier offer was genuinely friendly in nature?"

It takes a second before occurring to me the query is not about the ride but lodging offered, "definitely, especially if you're in some sort of peril - Are you? Arlene?"

With a big sigh, she replies, "maybe from myself." She does find it amusing I keep trying to be her protector.

"Yeah I hear you there, danger to my own self."

Nearing Clarkside road the silence between us seems long as our minds whir with what ifs. "We're going right? Right?"

"Right." Kilometers from the house Arlene begins to dread the return. Knowing for one she'll likely be alone for the night, again. The other is temptations she's finally ready to give'em-up but they're calling to her mind. "You ever lived with someone?"

"Kinda." Wondering if she's about to open up about her problems quickly name them. "Brian for about a year on his couch. Roomed with a couple ladies." Pointing out Sheena. "One's jealous boyfriend moved her and them out leaving Sheena behind."

"Rob you still seem like the guy I knew, pretty easy going. Would you seriously consider letting me rent out that extra room of yours until I can get my life back on some sort of track?"

Not thinking the offer would actually be accepted I hesitated the reply, "yeah, sure. You thinking, get things worked out here, arrange for a moving truck. Come down at the end of the month?"

That would be ideal in an ideal life, Arlene knows if she doesn't become mobile now she may never. "Actually tonight. I mean if you really could. I would completely understand if you couldn't."

Wanting to do the right thing manage to get out, "well it's possible. I've done a couple midnight moves. Just with all the crap I have in the van already we could only take so much."

At this point in life there's little that truly matters to her; furniture can be replaced. "Just grab my clothes and a couples boxes of shit and we can be out of there."

"Really?" Nearing Dundas street the house is getting closer, and it sounds like she's ready to move on, right now, with or without my help. Knowing in the end I will stick to my word for her and be at peace with it. "You must need a change something fierce. Where I live right now, town's an hour walk away. So if you think you can deal with the quiet of the day. Oh and no bed for you, since its been just me I've got a single only. You of course can use. Tomorrow go into town get you your own. Oh and clean out the extra room too."

Sounding like hesitation on the deal Arlene takes it in stride. "Like I said it'll be okay if you say no now. Later not, on a whim, not so much."

"No, no, we can do this." I wonder if this is a really bad idea and certainly don't want any drama with her boyfriend. "Just tell me what your after I'll give you a hand. Won't take us long, maybe get us settled before midnight."

Knowing and sharing the same concern for less drama she suggests, "you wait outside. I'll throw you three or four garbage bags of clothes. While you load those I know there's a couple boxes I can go room-to-room with. Be out in no time."

Figuring she's got it figured out well, I can only agree, "o.k. Are you sure?" Trafalgar is coming up just a couple kilometers to the house.

Not fully but it's a fuck-it-all kind of mood, and better than the present choices. "You know what, I am. You promise I can be my own person. You won't leave me stranded just because we don't agree."

"Sure. I wouldn't leave you stranded. Besides if you really need out of there I have a bicycle. Should take twenty minutes to ride to town."

"Then yeah let's do this. Just past Gore there's a little auto dealer ship. I think your old friend Brian works behind the place."

Knowing the place figured my shack might not be pretty but the scenery is much better. "Yeah I know the place. Can't believe Brian hasn't said anything to me about you being there. Complains about your man though." He also does about her but keep that to myself.

"Oh I thought he might've, Len knows too. I think I've seen you there."

"Maybe, checking in on Brian while in London - in that area. Don't see much of Len these days he's got his family thing, when he's there. He might not tell me either, so I don't come around hitting on you."

"Really? You think Len would be like that."

"Len would want to do the hitting-on." Pulling into the raggedy little used car lot felt odd, instead of driving around back. The brown brick bungalow is completely dark.

Merely smiling in reply Arlene opens the door before the vehicle fully stops, "wait right here I'll be right back."

"Oh okay," breaking harder not to injure her any. "Don't hurt yourself in the process though, by the looks of it we do have time."

"Okay," Arlene dashes to the house.

Outside time slows still worried of possible drama. More than with poor Tammy sitting back at home. Mad at me for leaving and will most certainly be mad for me not returning. Even though told not to, the effort would be appreciated by her.

The small darkened house lights up one room at a time as Arlene makes her way through it. A couple familiar songs play on the radio while I wait; both about someone cheating. And both seem to play longer then remembered.

Arlene sets out five garbage bags of clothing and blankets, "here, just be a few more minutes, okay."

"Alright." I Wave a slight peace fingered hand while getting out. Each passer by felt like they were watching. I was concerned one might be someone who knows us and says something.

Giving her some time and space I get Sheena out for a quick tour of the property. Looking at Nationwide oil spray, Brian's place of work, I wondered if he did know this was Arlene here? Why wouldn't he say something?

Perfectly timed Sheena finishes her task as Arlene exits the house with a bulky purse, backpack and two beer boxes full of toiletries and last of any cherished keepsakes.

"Alright." Both my ladies ready to go, opening the sliding door for Arlene, the dog jumps in first, "Sheena? What the Hell?" Taking one of the boxes shove it tightly between the back and front seats," there you go let me get these for you."

"Thanks." She hands the last box to squeeze in with the other.

"Your welcome. Anything else? TV, microwave radio?"

"All crap lets just go." Arlene's almost disappointed no one has showed up, just so she can say fuck you all.

"Alright." I give the dog a quick pat before closing the door, "guess we're going back home girl." Happy to be included is all I need to see before returning to the driver's seat. Rounding the van feel like a teenager about to do something mischievous.

Now feeling a bit overwhelmed Arlene gets quiet realizing a real change is about to happen. Bad thoughts can out weigh the good ones.

Turning right we head for a quiet road home, Old Victoria road followed by a few rights and lefts to Talbotville.