Weeping Willows

Not Morning People

Chapter 46

The next morning Elizabeth and Lauren got themselves ready in relative silence. They sat at her kitchen table each nursing their own steaming cups of coffee while staring out the window. The plan had been for everyone to meet up at the diner by 8 o'clock for a last breakfast together before the others headed back home in the pimp bus. The thought of waving that thing goodbye while laughing at her friends stuck inside brought a smile to Elizabeth's face.

"What's so funny?" Lauren asked lazily making Elizabeth snort while trying to hold back her laughter.

"Just picturing you all banging at the windows of the pimp mobile as it drives far, far away from me." Lauren choked on her sip of coffee at the visual Elizabeth's words inspired her to conjure. Coughing the liquid up while trying to take deep breaths delayed her response.

"You have such a vivid imagination you know?" Elizabeth shrugged unrepentantly sipping at her own coffee.

"Ready to be rid of us all already?" Lauren asked cautiously curiously testing the waters before giving her the good news.

"It's not that, I love having you guys all here. I've missed you all more than I thought I had. What I won't miss is that monstrosity Courtney and Roy call transportation. Where did they rent that party bus anyway?"

"Who said they rented it? Maybe they own it."

"What?" Was the only thing Elizabeth could get out as she suffered her own coughing attack after breathing in her coffee during her startlement.

"That was payback for making me choke. I honestly don't know where they rented that thing, but I agree, I'll be happy to see it go."

"I'm just glad I'm not going to have to get back in that thing." Elizabeth teased wiggling in her seat in joy.

"Neither am I." Lauren teased back sticking her tongue out at her.

"How are you getting home then?"

"I'll probably have you drop me at the airport when I do leave."

"When?" Elizabeth stressed wondering what Lauren was talking about. Lauren sighed knowing it was time to fess up.

"I'm worried about you Lizzy. Honestly, we all are. Why do you think we rushed down here to see you right after we talked on the phone?"

"I assumed you guys had already had this planned out since you all showed up the next day." Elizabeth pointed out dubiously watching her friend over the rim of her mug as she took another drink.

"After what you told me I was scared for you, so I called up Nell and Courtney and within an hour we were on the road. I never want to ride anywhere with Roy ever again by the way. I dread if they ever do get pregnant, Courtney will end up giving birth on the road due to sheer fright."

"You don't think she could handle it?" Elizabeth's question was met with light laughter.

"He was going so fast on the way down here that even Courtney was turning green from all the motion." Elizabeth joined in with the laughter picturing a motion sick Courtney. Lauren cleared her throat and continued.

"I had already decided on the way down that I was going to stay for at least a week. I know you have quite the support system going on down here, and they're all amazing truly, but it's not the same thing as one of us being here. The three of us have been pouring so much effort into Nikki's recovery that we've left it up to your new friends until now. I just wouldn't feel right if I didn't at least make sure you were truly ok before I went back."