Free Love's Autograph by Michele M. Reynolds Page A

to the blank back, and frantically wrote: Ria, Everything went great. Saw Maggie onto the bus. I hope the surgery went well. Call or text when you can. Love, Ellie. P.S. You're right, your bed is “wicked comfortable.” I can't wait to get to sleep in it again.
    Jazzie picked up Ellie.
    “That food was great last night,” Jazzie said. “So?”
    Ellie was too tired to try to sidestep the question. “She stood me up. But I did get to share the food with her daughter Maggie. She liked the rice and some of the pasta.”
    “ Stood up? Who has the nerve to do that to you?”
    “ She doesn't know I'm EJ Way. I'm Ellie to her,” Ellie said.
    “ So what? She has to know you're great!”
    “ I know,” Ellie said. “She had this important, unique surgery and...”
    “ I hope you don't mind me saying, but you're hot and have a rocking body, and are so sweet.”
    “ Jazzie, believe me no offense taken. I need the ego boost.”
    “ Wait, she stood you up, but you're here this morning. You didn't...”
    “ Yes, I babysat and stayed over while she was at the hospital. I know, I'm a doormat, a chicken,” Ellie said and then changed the subject. “Hey, can you do me a favor?”
    “ I'm very aware that you changed the subject, but yes, what do you need?” Jazzie asked.
    “ Can you stop on the corner here? I'll only be a minute,” Ellie said. Jazzie pulled over and Ellie jumped out. She walked in and bought an ereader.

CHAPTER 9
    Later that day Ria texted Ellie. Ellie took a deep breath before she read the text.
    Ria said, Did you get that food from Hot Mama’s?
    Yes, was it good? Maggie liked some of it. How was surgery? Ellie asked.
    Ria said, Surgery was a success. But Hot Mama’s? How?
    Ellie said, I have connections. There are a lot of things you don't know about me. How was it?
    It was delicious. Secrets huh? Intriguing , Ria said.
    Ellie smiled at the hint of Ria's flirtation and answered, Finally, you're intrigued.
    Ellie beat Dina to the punch and texted her, Okay, I spent hundreds of dollars on a dinner for a woman that I'm madly in love with. To be left to watch her daughter as she left for work. I'm hopeless. Go ahead send me the insults.
    Dina texted, Sound like you need Dina and Davie to come to the rescue.

CHAPTER 10
     
    Ellie wrote a song.
     
    “ Towering Love”
    There must be a spell cast against us
    for you to miss the love I'm sending
    You're searching for the fairest princess Tucked in tightly with walls high, guards on alert
    I'm badly missing you
    You're missing me

Dodging arrows

Swimming the moat
    Sword fighting the strongest of your guards
    You spend your nights on your balcony
    throwing wishes at the dying stars
    Sighing wishing for somebody to hold your heart
    I'm down below free climbing the castle tower

and calling out

See my towering love
    There must be some spell cast against us
    For you to miss the love I'm sending
    I breathe the evening air and dream about you I hear your whisper and I'm yelling back You're missing me dodging arrows

swimming the moat

Sword fighting all who dare
    Must be a spell on this towering love…

CHAPTER 11
     
    Ellie was hanging out with Maggie again on a Saturday night while Ria decided to take another ride on the dating show. Ellie's talk with Dina and Davie, as well as the Hot Mama’s fiasco, all sat prominently on her mind. She hoped to talk to Ria tonight after Ria's date hopefully went wrong again.
    “ Who you going out with tonight?” Ellie asked.
    “ Oh, some doctor,” Ria walked to her laptop and pulled up the profile. She was a blue-eyed blonde knockout with a witty profile.
    She's gorgeous. I want to become a doctor to cut out this chick's heart.
    “ A few weeks ago I changed my profile and put that I'm a doctor and I got a bunch more hits.”
    “ Well, just make sure they want you for this,” Ellie pointed to Ria's body. “And not this.” Ellie rubbed her thumb against her middle and pointer fingers for the sign of money.
    “ Oh,