"Hu-hello?" asked Monica.
"Hey Mon, it's....me," I said.
"Oh. Oh hey!! Heeeyyy..." Her voice sounded weak and she trailed off. Sobbing she said, "How...how are you?"
"I'm ok. Long time. I...I heard what happened. I am, so, so, sorry, Monica," I replied.
She exhaled, started to cry, and said, "Th-thanks...um..where are you nowadays.."
"About two hours south of you. How are the kids? Have you told them?" I asked.
Letting out a wounded laugh, "Yea..um...they were here when Mike had his heart attack. They saw the ambulance and everything...oh my god!!" Her words gave way to tears. Her composure kicked in and slowly started again. "They're at my mom's house for now. I can't...can't bear to have them see me like this. I'm going over in the morning to pick them up. I put them to bed...they look like little angels, ya'know," she said and trailed off again.
"You're alone?" I asked incredulously.
"Hmm-hmm," she replied. She was having trouble speaking.
"I'll be right there," I replied.
"Wha....wait wait. You're coming here. It's two hours though. No no no...the house is a mess and...." she said.
"Mon, you shouldn't be alone right now. Do you have anyone else who can come over to stay with you?" I asked.
"My sister'll be here in the morning from Phoenix to help with the kids. Mom wanted to come over but...we were never been close after her divorce," she replied.
"Ok. I'm on my way. Just relax. Do you need anything?" I asked.
"No. I'm ok. Maybe..maybe some tissues," she replied. Another desperate laugh escaped her mouth.
"Ok. Ok. I'll be there as soon as I can," I said and hung up the phone.
My mind raced. How would I get there, did I remember? Yep. I grabbed my bag and threw in some clothes. I jumped in my car and headed off. The trip would take about two hours, but more like one with the way I felt like driving. Mike and Monica had moved to a more secluded part of the state after they married. It was easier for me to think of her far, far away though she never was. Locked in a castle, out of reach.