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be at Rose’s house until around nine tonight playing Bridge with the ladies.”
    “Does she have a ride home?”  He asked.  “She can’t drive in the dark; she can’t see well enough at night anymore.”
    “I know.  I offered to drive her and pick her up, but she said Michael was going to do it.”  Michael was Rose’s son who was still living at home while he went to college.
    “Alright.  Do you want me to come up with you?”  He asked.  It was probably my imagination, but it sounded like he was hoping I’d say yes.
    “No, thanks.  I’ll only be a minute.” 
    When we arrived, I got out and headed up the steps beside the garage that led to my apartment.  When I went to unlock the door, I saw that it was already unlocked.  I must have forgotten to lock it that morning.  I had been in a hurry to get to the coffee shop to talk to the Davis’.  I went in and went straight to change into some sweats to work out in.
    I had four messages on the answering machine, so I decided to check them before I left, but as I hit the play button, my phone rang.
    “Hello?”  I answered, listening to the empty space on the message before it hung up and the next message started.
    “Hey Di, what are you doing?”  Doc asked, sounding like he was in a very good mood.
    The next message was the same as the first.
    “Hey Doc.  Did you happen to try to call me today?”  I asked as the third message turned out the same as the others.
    “Yeah, about half an hour ago.  I was trying to catch you before you headed to Mrs. Chambers’ house.”  Sure enough, his voice came on the last message telling me to call him before I did anything else.  “I have great news.”
    “Hold on, Doc, I think Mr. Starr is knocking at my door.”  I laid the phone down on the counter since it was a corded phone, and went to let Garret in.
    “I was wondering what was taking so long.”  He said as he stepped in.
    “I’m sorry, Garret.  I changed, but decided to check messages, and then my friend called, so I’m on the phone.”  I said as I headed back to finish talking with Doc.  “Anyway, I’ve only been in here for ten minutes.”
    He laughed.  “Sorry, I forget sometimes how long it can take a woman to change.”
    I shook my head at him as I picked the receiver back up.  “Okay Doc, so what’s the good news?”
    “Can you ask him to call you on my cell?  We need to go.”  Garret asked.
    I cut Doc off as he was beginning and asked.
    “Where are you going with your boss?”  Doc asked, not sounding too happy.  He had always been wary of anyone I had talked to.
    “He’s taking me to the gym where Stefan is going to show me some self-defense techniques and see if it is something I would like to pursue.”  I explained. 
    “Okay then, give me his number.”
    “I should ask you if it’s alright to talk about you.  I don’t want to say your name or do anything you don’t want me to.”  I asked quietly.  Garret was in the living area of the apartment, so I didn’t think he would hear me.  I knew he would ask questions later.
    “Diana, I will be around you when I move there, so I’m guessing they’ll meet me anyway.  I’m coming so we can finally be friends, out in the open, and I can help you to make a stand if or when the time comes.  I don’t want you to have to be running anymore.  You shouldn’t have to fear every move you make.”
    I was stunned.  That was the first time he’d really said anything like that to me.  It took me a second to gather myself, and I just figured that I would think on what he said later.  “Ok, so do you want to call me on Garret’s phone, or do you want me to call you back when I get home?”
    “You go hang out with your friends and try the self-defense.  I mean for you to really try, too.  I know you don’t like to fight, but this could save your life.  You can just call me when you get home.”
    I said my goodbye to him and then headed out the door