Richie sat across from Ami in the large eating room where the catering had been set up. It had been a little over a week since she'd started helping him out and still he knew next to nothing about her. Well he did know some things. He knew she was 16 and originally from Kansas. He knew that somehow she'd been left with only one family member in the whole world, her Uncle. But he didn't know how or why. She wouldn't say and when he saw the look on her face when he'd casually asked he had not pushed for an answer and steered the conversation to safer territory. He also knew that her Uncle seemed to give her a hard time. He couldn't imagine why. She was such a good girl really. So quiet, never complained. Hell she was a better employee at 16 than half the crew was at 30 something. Very smart, caught on to things so fast. And wasn't afraid of getting her hands dirty so to speak.She really impressed him.
He just wished she would open up more, she seemed so reserved. He thought at first it might have been because of who he was, but the more time he spent with her the more he knew that was unlikely, She didn't act like a starstruck fan at all, actually quite the opposite. She was very comfortable around him, never akward... unless her Uncle was around, and she listened.. she really listened. And on the few occassion he could coax her into actual conversations, she asked him qustions about him.... not about the band.. the music or the fame but about him... what are his parents like? his home? Did he miss his freinds... things others didn't really care to ask anymore and it warmed his heart a bit and he found himself telling her things, things he didn't normally tell, His thoughts, his dreams, his wishes..... and it felt good. so good.... the only thing that bothered him was how when he asked her these things, she just would shrug and mutter "I don't know" A girl her age should have dreams... wishes for the future..... he sighed to himself as he watched her pick nervously at her food. Knowing her nervousness was cause by her Uncle just one table over watching her like a hawk.
Ami wasn't paying attention to Richie right then so she was unaware of him taking time to watch her so closely and carefully, oblivious to his questioning thoughts. She was trying hard to ignore the fact that her Uncle was no more than 10 feet away and she knew he was watching, and listening, just waiting for her to make a wrong move or say the wrong thing so he would have a reason to go off on her later that night. Unlce Randy really disliked Richie, and Uncle Randy also disliked the fact that Richie had started to bring her up here for lunch... with him and asking her to stay closer up front during the shows. She tried to make it seem like she didn't enjoy helping Richie but it was hard. Actually Richie made it totally impossible NOT to enjoy heping him. Every day he had another story to tell, Wild times in tokyo..... Getting busted for something naughty back in high school....silly things he did as a kid that his mother wouldn't let him live down even to this day. She loved hearing him talk about his life. He was so lucky and had experienced so much she would lose herself in listening as she worked.
"Ami......."Richie said as he noticed her staring of into space wishing he knew where her mind really was "Ami??"
She hadn't heard him the first time but when he said her name louder the second time she snapped back to reality "Oh I'm sorry... what?" she turned her gaze to him.
He smiled and said "I have no idea where you were but for a minute I didn't think you were coming back girl!"
"Oh....." she just gave him a light smile and said.. "daydreaming... you know"
"mmm hmmm... I see...." he searched her face for a second sure she wasn't telling the total truth but not wanting to press her too much she was so private about most things. " well... you know... I have quite a bit free time between now and showtime and.. I was thinking of heading downtown to do a little shopping.... why don't you come along with me? It'll be fun" he flashed her a warm smile
"oh Richie.. I... shouldn't .. really..... I .. might be need here and...."
"ah come on Ami.... your my personal... assistant ya know... I might need you....besides.. I have not once seen you go anywhere since you've been here.. don't you think it would be fun to go get a new... I don't know outfit... earrings... um.. what do girls your age like to buy anyway??"
Ami shrugged..."I don't know...."
" you don't know what you like??" he chuckled a bit "Just like a woman....never can make up thier minds" he just grinned"... anyway look... I have errands to run and.. you always help me with those things around here so....just come with me ok?"
" well.... alright I guess....."
"Cool!!" he got up fast and motioned her to follow him "come on girl.....were gonna have some fun......" he waited til she rose from the table and followed him then reched down and grabbed her hand leading her out the door and into the waiting van.
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