Gwen, and her Mother.

Marie first phoned her mother, expecting an immediate “I’ll be right over!” like other times she’d needed some help after she’d moved in.

“Hello? Marie?” Her mother said, the sounds of a soft bumping in the background.

“Hey mom! I locked myself out of my house. Any chance you can give me a ride to Gwen’s for the spare?”

“Huh? Oh, sorry I can’t. Your father and I are out of town.” Her mother responded sympathetically.

Marie suddenly became worried. “What do you mean? Where are you?” She questioned hastily. Her father was quick to cheerfully respond. “We’re on a train!” He said, more gleefully than Marie had heard him proclaim in years. She suddenly remembered that this week was the week her parents had saved up to go to Canada for a tour by train. Her parents had dreamed of it for years, and it had finally paid off.

“We’re really sorry! Maybe try calling Gwen?” Her mother said, provoking Marie’s train of thought.

“Thanks, I will. Have fun anyway. I’ll be fine. Bye.” Marie said disappointedly.

“Bye honey, be safe!” Her mom said, before hanging up the phone.

Marie began dialing up Marie’s number next, and let loose a silent prayer that she’d answer despite it being time for her notorious pre-night shift nap.

###

Gwen was lulled from her sleep by the sounds of a phone ringing. She rolled around in her bed, and stretched. Without bothering to open her eyes, she began clawing around her bed in a slow, lazy search for her phone. She threw the covers off of herself in frustration after the 4th ring, her body uncovered by the sheet. Her white, bare breasts contrasted heavily to the pitch blackness of her room. Gwen rolled onto her stomach, showing her naked rear to the air.

She opened her eyes, and ran a hand through her messy, black hair. Gwen’s eyes fell on her phone beside her pillow, and she slowly answered it just as it began ringing for the 6th and final time.

“...Who is it?” Gwen answered sleepily as she put the phone to her ear.

“Hey! It’s me, Marie! Say, is there-“ Marie began, only to be promptly interrupted by Gwen. “Do you have any idea what time it is? I’m trying to sleep.” She rubbed her eyes, and looked at the clock. Gwen noticed it was already time to start getting ready for work, and sat up.

“Look, you know I wouldn’t call unless there’s an emergency when you’re trying to sleep!” Marie stated feverishly over the phone.

Gwen maneuvered to the side of the bed, and stood up on top of a small pile of clothes. She reached over to her nightstand and put her small, rimmed glasses on. “I’d like to believe that yes. I’ve got to get ready for work, what’s the problem?”

Marie quickly began to explain. “I got locked out of my house.” She said, a slight wavering in her voice.

Gwen chuckled, as she walked over towards her dresser drawer. She flipped on her lights, and was stunned by the sudden brightness for a few moments. “That’s not a real emergency. Just run over here, and I’ll give you your key.” Gwen said, as she reached to hang up.

“I can’t! I’m... not dressed...” Marie quickly explained, then seemed to regret saying.

Gwen suddenly raised an eyebrow at Marie’s revelation. She walked up to her closet door, and swung it open. “Now you’ve got my attention. What happened?”

“I was just going to grab the paper, when a yellow jacket came up and tried to sting me. The robe I was wearing got caught in the door, so I tried to use my spare key. It’s inside the house. You have the last one.”

Gwen laughed aloud as she reached for the hanger containing her work outfit. She held it up to her chest, and looked down. “That’s a good one. So you’re locked outside of your house naked? Did you even find something to cover yourself with?”

“No... this isn’t even my phone. It’s the neighbors’ daughter’s. So some help would be appreciated.”

Gwen looked to the clock on the wall and noticed it was 5:50. She began hurriedly dressing herself and put the phone on speaker, placing it on the dresser. “Listen I’d love to help, but I’ve got a really tough shift tonight. I won’t be out until three in the morning.”

Marie couldn’t believe her ears. “What? Can’t you drop by before work?”

Gwen pulled her uniform over her head, and tied her hair in a bun on the back of her head. “I’ve got ten minutes to get to work, there’s no way I’ll make it if I stop by your place.”

Marie suddenly felt a knot in her stomach. “What am I supposed to do then? You can’t expect me to stay like this until you get off work!”

“I’ll do the best I can do. Try asking the neighbors for help! I gotta go, anyways bye!” Gwen quickly hung up, and raced out of her room.

###

Marie handed the phone back through the small gap in the gateway, her hand shaking with the realization that the only two numbers she knew off the top of her head hadn’t guaranteed her safety. Her stomach growled in anger at the smell of steaks next door.