Nope, you are alone.

You startle awake. Breathing heavy and flailing. What in Charizard's tail was that! You scan the room, but there is no sign of her.

You won’t do that again. Where is she now though? You think about what you are doing. You sit up on the bed and wince. Looking down you see a red welt that streaks up your body where she licked you. It is tender. You poke it and wince again. Well, I guess she is real. That thought kind of rocks your reality a bit. You look around you again. She is still absent. You shake your head. Then your stomach growls.

When was the last time you ate. You are starving. You will figure all this out after you eat. You drop your towel and head towards your dresser. You pull out the usual band tee, denim shorts, boxers, and socks. You look at your bare nails, but another growl from your stomach makes you put off painting them black again for now. A quick fuss with your hair in the mirror, and you head downstairs to the fridge.

The empty fridge. You had been too busy to buy groceries while dealing with grandpa. You run back upstairs and grab your wallet before heading out the front door. You quickly walk down the street, to Mr. Amhursts corner shop. You are looking down and thinking that you need to go see the lawyer in Viridian City when you walk through the shop's door. That’s why you didn’t see Amber’s mom Madison leaving at the same time. You collide and she bounces off you and lands on her ample rump, the contents of her bag spilling everywhere.

You reach down, stumbling out an apology, intending to help her up when you are frozen by what you see fall out of her bag.

A massive roll of condoms.

Her eyes follow yours, then trail back up to your furiously blushing face. She smiles like a Snorlax at a buffet and grabs your outstretched hand. You pull her up by reflex and she brushes herself off. You stand there dumbfounded.

Once she is all straightened up, she says with a playful note, “Hello Dusty, are you going to help me clean up this mess?”

You shake your head coming back to reality. “Ya, absolutely. Sorry.” You start to pick up her spilled groceries. Leaving the condoms for her to manage.

You quietly clean up the mess together, once everything has been collected, she looks you in the eyes. “I was sorry to hear about your grandfather Dusty. He was a good man. He did a lot of charity around here.” You look down and scratch the back of your head idly. She continues, “I am so anxious myself, with Amber leaving tomorrow. My house will be empty too. She has been my life and now she is off to find her own adventure. That’s why I got the condoms, for her I mean. She wants to be a trainer and I just want her to be protected. What would an old lady like me need them for.” She laughs dryly. Then looking morose, “I am gonna be lost without her around, so I kinda know what you are going through." She pauses and looks off into space briefly. Then coming to, "Look at me prattle on.” She finally finishes cheering up.

“Yeah thanks, umm” You reply lamely.

She starts again “Oh, look at the time, I have to get home I am cooking her a special goodbye dinner.” She rushes out the door, but then stops. Turning back, she says “If you need somebody to talk to, or just want a cup of tea. My door is open Dusty. The ones that get left behind should stick together you know.” Then she is gone.

You stand there in the door, just taking in that whole event. Then your stomach growls again and you remember why you are here.

Bok choy, carrots, tauros loin, soy sauce, miso, bellsprout tendrils, noodles, and some fresh seaweed and you are back on your way home. Mr. Amhurst tries to offer you sympathies for your grandfather, but you are too distracted by hunger to engage with him much.