Chapter 5

Josh woke up next to Stacie. He looked around confused.
Who was this beautiful girl and what did he do last night.
He didn't have a headache or feel funny so he must not have
been drunk, but he bad this strange dream and wow!
Stacie turned to look at him "Don't worry nothing
happened. You fell asleep as soon as we got here. There was
no room upstairs so I put you to bed and then fell asleep
myself. Nothing happened."
"Why do you keep saying that?' he asked.
"Never mind."
Josh breathed a sigh of relief, and then paused because
he realized it was all true. He was in a strange world with
strange customs. His friends, how would he meet them?
Stacie seemed to sense his apprehension. "Don't worry*
about your friends. We'll find them soon enough."
It was that "soon enough" that worried Josh. "What time
is it?' he yawned, stretching.
“About 10 o'clock. A.M."
“That's earlier than I usually get up." he commented.
"I must have slept really well."
“Come on, let's get some breakfast," she said, jumping
up. "I've been waiting
"Oh, good, a morning person," he teased. "I love
morning people."
"I'm just excited. Excuse me,' she led him upstairs to a
big table filled with food. It wasn't the usual breakfast
fare but it was right up Josh's alley. Pizza, burritos.
grilled cheese sandwiches and a bunch of stuff he didn't
recognize. But no meat. "That's strange," thought Josh." Oh,
well. Free thinkers probably would be vegetarians."
She pulled him over to a table with a young mother
holding a baby on her lap. "Come on. Dig in!"
"Who's he?" the mother asked. "Your boyfriend?"
"No," Stacie blushed.
"Better not be. I don't think you want one of your
own.' she scolded as she indicated the boy on her lap.
"Heavy advice from someone who doesn't even know my
name." Stacie dared.
"Sorry. I had a rough, uh, year." she explained. "My
name is Amber."
"Stacie.'
"Josh."
"His father left me as soon as he found out I was
pregnant and it's been a lot harder than I expected.
Especially this morning, he's sick and I can't find a doctor
anywhere."
"Josh and I are going back to Atlantis this afternoon
to meet his friends. I know a great doctor there. We can take you with us.
“Sure. That would be great.”
Josh and Stacie finished eating their meal while Amber fed her son. Josh was a little uncomfortable about it, but Stacie and the other people in the room didn’t seem to notice. He decided not to say anything. After all babies had to eat too.
They all left together. Stacie let Amber and Josh back into town. Josh noticed there were fewer trees where they were going. “I thought you said you were taking us back to town,” Josh protested.
“Relax. This way is shorter. Yesterday we went the long way because we were going to play jump.” As she said this they could see the purplish walls of Club Nuevo.
“Come on I’ll introduce you to Dr. Lamont.”
Stacie led them to a small white house with a stone walled porch. She hopped up the steps and knocked on the door. A small stout little old woman with fading hair opened the door. “Hello Stacie, may I help you?”
“Is Dr. Lamont in?”
“No, but he’ll be back shortly. He got called to deliver a set of twins. You can sit here and wait a spell if you like. I’ve got some tea and cookies.”
They decided to stay and take her up on the offer of cookies. Josh and Stacie sat on the couch while Amber sat on one of Dr. and Mrs. Lamont’s overstuffed chairs and held her baby. Mrs. Lamont brought the cookies and tea in and sat with them.
“I love sugar cookies and hot tea,” Josh said. “It reminds me of my grandmother.
“Mine too, “ Stacie smiled knowingly at Mrs. Lamont.
“Are you passing through or are you planning to stay?” asked Mrs. Lamont.
“I don’t know,” said Josh. “I just got here.”“I’m looking for a place to stay with my baby,” said Amber. “I think I wouldn’t mind settling here. It seems nice, especially compared to the place I came from.”
Stacie didn’t say anything and just stared out the window.
“Stacie, what are your plans?” asked Mrs. Lamont.
“Yeah, what about you?” echoed Josh.
“This place will always be home for me,” she said. “But I’m going to keep traveling on. I’ll be back soon enough though. That’s for sure. Josh thought Mrs. Lamont seemed slightly upset at Stacie’s answer, but he couldn’t be sure.