blurring_the_edges_9_elena_again birdmad You return Bryan's phonecall first, begging off an invite to put in a nice, intimidating appearance for a deal that Mike is trying to score with one of the people who used to be regular associates of Henry Ash. You are especially leery when he mentions that Tripod Billy may be around as well. "No, i'm good for now, man. Greg and Tony know i make it a point not to be where TB is going to be if there aren't more people around to make sure everyone stays polite." "Why's that?" he asks. "You mean the Jimmys didn't tell you?" "No." "Maybe later, Bry. Long story." "Alright," he sighs, "but hey, call me later, i just picked up some cool recording gear. 24-track and a good mixing board. I'm gonna talk to Dana and if she's interested, let's see if we can't put together a little trio of weirdness like we used to do." "Yeah, dude, that would kick ass." "Anyway, Alex, I've gotta go, later." As soon as he hangs up, you look at the bit of note-paper that your mom handed you when you came out of the bathroom and notice that it's a local number, Elena's aunt in Glendale to be more precise. She's been in San Jose with her mom since New Year's, deciding to take this semester off. The phone is answered by her cousin who sounds almost exactly like her but a bit younger and with a more decidedly "Mexican" accent. "Just a second, i'll get her." "Elena!" you hear her yell, in kind of a snappy tone. "What?" you hear in the distant background, sounding aggravated by the yelling. "Alguién llamando." [somebody calling] Sound of the phone being passed over from one person to another. You can tell that they have managed to get on each other's nerves again by the sound of the phone receiver being smacked into Elena's palm by her cousin. "Hello?" she says, like a question. "Elena, it's Alex, you called, right?" "Yeah, i wanted to know if you wanted to go out tomorrw night." "So, does this mean we're talking again?" you ask, still stinging slightly from her being bothered by you going back to your predatory habits when the last two two times the two of you planned to go out, you found out through one of Tina's friends who tolerates you that she backed out because her ex was visiting town again. "Yeah." she answers, not expanding on it. The two of you make a little small talk before hashing out the plans for the next nights activities. You are, in fact, surprised by how enthusiastic she sounds in speaking to you. You haven't told her you're in love with her yet, but you can guess that perhaps she knows. All the same, it makes you wonder why she was so critical of the things you do. You didn't throw the part of her bailing on you for Orlando in her face because you didn't feel it was your place to do so, not having admitted your own feelings for her, filling the empty nights you wish were spent with her with whatever company you can manage. You love Zoe, too, in fact you have been in love with her since you met her, but you've conceded the point that love is a door that Zoe won't open to you or apparently anyone else, so you find yourself between a friend who might not be so inclined and someone to whom you are generally little more than a party favor with a pulse who knows she can work you like a puppet on a string. Alex, what are we going to do with you? 030412 what's it to you? who go blather from