“Who Would've Thought Getting Knocked Down Would End So Well?”, chapter 16

Billie Joe was sitting on my bed, flipping through an issue of Cosmopolitan magazine, "26 ways to please your man? I could use that kind of attention!"

I threw a pillow at him from across the room. It hit him over the head, right on target.

"Oh, bring it on!" Billie Joe positioned himself into a martial arts type stand, encouraging me to make my next move.

I walked slowly towards Billie Joe, then, without warning, ran at him with a pillow in each hand. I was not quick enough and he was hitting me back, almost immediately. We were standing on top of my bed, jumping towards and away from each other, trying to avoid breaking our necks at the same time. I had a squishy blue cushion filled with tiny foam beads that I used to whack Billie Joe over and over again. It suddenly burst open, covering us and my bed in small, white plastic bubbles.

I muttered sarcastically and rolled my eyes, "Oh shit. That's going to be fun to clean." Billie Joe just laughed and started using my bed as a trampoline.

"That's what you get for starting a pillow fight." He smiled at me smugly.

We continued to pummel each other with pillows, then fell on the bed, exhausted. Billie Joe lay next to me with his eyes closed while I made a few weak attempts to continue hitting him. It seemed to have no effect because he did not even flinch. I gave up and rolled onto my stomach.

* Later *

After Billie Joe had gone home, I walked outside to get the mail. Flipping through the envelopes I saw bills - phone, electricity, credit cards, my car, student loans, plus I had to pay my share of the rent. I sighed and opened the envelopes. I had received my last pay cheque from work a few days ago and it was barely enough to cover all of my bills. I sat on the couch with a sigh. I needed to find a new job, and soon. I'd been having so much fun with Billie Joe and the guys but I needed to be realistic. I decided that I would spend the next few days concentrating on finding a job. I would have to call Billie Joe to cancel our plans for the next few days, but to tell you the truth, it would be difficult. I could not remember many days spent without Billie Joe or the three of them together. I dialled Billie Joe's home phone number. I got his answering machine.

"Hey, it's me. And if you don't know who 'me' is, then why the fuck are you calling?" Beep.

"Hey Billie Joe, it's Amy. I'm going to have to take a raincheck on tomorrow's activities cause I need to start looking for a job. I know you're out with Joey and Jakob right now, so I didn't want to call your cell and bug you. Anyway, give me a call. Say hi to the boys for me! Talk to you later. Bye."

I hung up the phone and turned on my computer. I began scanning job search engines to find something that fit my experience and interest...I had no luck. If I found a job offer interesting, I did not meet the minimum requirement for experience or education. If I fit the criteria, I was not impressed with the job. Three hours later, I had applied to one job and I was not holding out much hope in getting it. I got up from the computer, stretched and padded towards the kitchen. I was surprised to see Drew, Sara, Mike and Tre sitting at the kitchen table with serious faces. They were playing poker, and from what I could see, most of them were struggling.

"Hey guys, when did you get here?"

Mike spoke up. "Two hours ago? Not too sure. Where were you?" he was barely able to form those sentences, he was too concentrated on the game.

"Applying for jobs, not too exciting. So who's winning?"

Everyone groaned but Sara, who smiled proudly. "I'm cleaning up here." And with that, she threw a four-of-a-kind hand down on the table.

The guys groaned and parted with their money. Mike took off his green plastic visor. "I need a drink."

Tre nodded in agreement and they headed to the fridge and pulled out a few beers. Tre handed one to me and I accepted the offer. I felt the cool, bubbly liquid slide down my throat and let out a satisfied sigh, which earned me a look from the group.

"Don't go all orgasmic with your beer over there," Mike chuckled to himself.

I was about to reply back to him when I heard familiar lyrics, "Dearly Beloved, are you listening? I cant remember" - It was my cell phone ringing. I ran to my room to answer it and was happy to hear Billie Joe on the other end. I was out of breath by the time I got to the phone.

"Are you getting hot and bothered over there all by yourself? Dirty girl!"

"When will that mind of yours ever come out of the gutter?" I smiled and plopped down on the bed.

"I'll let you know when it happens," he replied.

Billie Joe and I chatted for a while. He decided not to come over to play poker with the guys, he wanted a quiet night at home. But it also seemed like he did not want to distract me during my job hunt. I think he was able to hear the sense of urgency in my voice. I decided not to join the guys in their poker game and worked on my resume. It was especially hard when I heard a huge crash, then laughter, then Tre slurring his speech, assuring everyone that he was ok. As the night progressed, I could tell they were drinking. Mike was singing the theme song from "Sesame Street" and threatening to take a dump on our annoying neighbour's lawn. I could hear Tre running all over the house and crashing into everything. I laughed and shook my head. I pulled out my iPod and flipped through my music selection. I finally stopped on A Perfect Circle, and listened to my favourite song, Three Libras.

A few hours later the noise died down. I had given up on my job search for the night and just lay on my bed, listening to music. I heard a soft knock on the door. It was Mike.

"Hey, we're going to take off. Besides, Drew and Sara look like they want to take the party to the bedroom. And I don't think Tre and I are invited."

I smirked. "Oh, ok. See you guys later. Goodnight."

"Bye. Tre's already outside, rolling on the grass. I swear, I can't take that guy anywhere." I could not help but laugh.

Mike was walking out when he turned back towards my bedroom door. "Hey, if you ever need anything, let me know, ok?" I looked at him strangely; he held his hands in the air. "No strings attached, no hidden agenda. You just seem frustrated right now with not having a job so just let me know. I'm here to help if you want it or need it."

I got up to give Mike a hug. "Thanks Mike, I really appreciate it."

"That's what friends are for Amelia."

And then he walked outside to meet Tre. I was not sure what I did to deserve my friends but I could not have been happier with the ones I had.