Point Of View 2 [*Do not read until you've read the same chapter of ATW]

Chapter 109 & 110 Nine Days/ Too Close

*Trisha*

It's been nine days. Nine full days Nate has been in the presidential suite of the hospital due to pneumonia. As much as I hate hospitals, I have been by Nate's side most of the week. When I'm not, Evan is with me so I can run the errands. Richard is still on my back about filling up Nate's schedule, but I have been avoiding him at all costs.

"Have you ever met James's mom?" I ask Nate while helping him take a shower. He is getting stronger but still needs to hold on to the handicap bar and gets winded easily, so I make sure to help him wash up as quick as possible so he can lay back down. I don't bother getting undressed or any funny business knowing if Nate passes out, he could really get hurt in the shower.

"Yes, briefly, here in the hospital when he was in a coma" Nate whispers.

"It's so sad. She came over the other day to see James. She had been asking and asking to see him and can never remember why he doesn't stop by to visit. When she got to the Avalon, I guess she thought the apartment was her home. She was so confused."

Nate nods, having heard similar stories from James and Jonah.

"She was afraid to go home because she thought her abusive husband would be there. James had to lie and tell her he was coming to the Avalon, so she'd cooperate with Gwen and leave. It tore James up to pieces." I feel a lump form in my throat thinking of my friend. "After Carol and Gwen left he broke down."

"God, that's awful. I can't imagine." Nate shakes his head. "Then again, I can't imagine having a mother at all."

I frown hearing this. Nate's family has been a broken one for a while and he will NEVER forgive his mother for what she's done to Cara. I wouldn't either.

"You still care about him. James." He whispers.

"Of course I do. We were friends before anything. Just because it didn't work out doesn't mean we're upset with each other."

"How does he do it?"

"Huh?" I ask with confusion.

"He's friends with ALL his exes." Nate rinses his hair, and I help him step out of the shower.

"You just can't stay mad at James."

*******

*James*

Lindsay is back from her work trip to Colorado so decided to come visit me at the Avalon. She's great and everyone loves her. She doesn't ask questions about Mike who is detoxing but I sit outside with her and tell her a little bit about it. I refrain from mentioning anything about Cara Hollan. I know Lindsay. She can't keep a secret for the life of her and is a huge Nate Hollan fan. She almost passed out when she caught on Julia was engaged to him before it was publicly announced. With Nate being in the public eye I refrain from talking about anything personal that involves him or any of his family.

"So Julia is helping her friend detox after he relapsed?" She asks while throwing the ball for Maggie. She catches me checking out her ass but can you blame me? She's wearing this skintight white yoga pants and spilling out of her black workout tank top. I'm only human. 

"I'm up here, Mr. Gallo." She teases.

"Hey, what can I say. You look good. I'd do ya." I joke right back at her.

"I'm off limits."  She throws the ball again.

"Oh God, who now?" I like that we are still friends and can talk about this, but I worry about Linds. She is never going to settle down and goes through boyfriends like my sister Jennie does. Every other month it's a new guy and every other month she breaks up with him. She gets bored easily. That's kind of what happened to us. Aside from the fact she travels a ton for work, and I had the overnight shift at the Marriott. We NEVER got to see each other. That played a huge part in our falling out.