You are surprised when you finally hear from Randall after several weeks.

At first everything was very strange for you, what with all your friends and family consoling you on the loss of your best friend. You felt acting like he was dead while secretly knowing the truth. But as the weeks went by without any contact from Randall, his **** began to seem more and more real. His absence in your life left a big hole and you sank into depression.

Your girlfriend Allison kept trying to cheer you up but even she eventually got tired of your dark, morose moodiness. "Tim, I know Randall's **** has hit you hard but it's been weeks now. You can't shut yourself off from everyone!" she prodded. Finally she had enough, telling you that she couldn't be with you until you were willing to reach out, to try to move past your loss.

Of course that made you even more dour. You even began to question yourself - maybe you had dreamed up the whole encounter at the hospital as a way of avoiding admitting Randall was dead? You desperately wanted to try contacting him but didn't have any idea on how to track him down. You did find some mention on the internet of "reality star Tammy Barnes" moving to the area for some downtime while recovered from a head injury and considered her career - but there was no indication of where exactly she now lived, much less a phone number. You dug up an agent's contact info but he laughed you off when you called to ask for 'Ms. Barnes' number or address.

Just when you were about to write off the whole experience as a hallucination, you finally heard from Randall. You got a call late one night. You picked up the phone to hear a woman's voice you didn't recognize.

"Hey Tim!" she said.

"Uh, hey," you answered hesitantly. "Who is this?"

The woman gave a deep-throated laugh. "Forgot about me already? Your best friend?"

"Randall!?" you said in amazement and frustration. "I was starting to think I'd imagined the whole thing."

"Sorry dude! I swear I didn't mean to abandon you," she said. "You wouldn't believe what all I've had to do. Reporters and family hanging around - there was almost always someone around. And what free time I did have I had to use to learn about my new life - a real crash course!"

You were caught between anger at Randall for leaving you in the dark for so long, and a sense of joy and relief that your buddy was still alive. "Yeah, I get it," you finally grumbled in acceptance. "I'm just glad you really are alive."

"Me too, man, me too," she said, "despite the change in lifestyle, so to speak. Anyway, we can get into that later. I figured you would be pissed but I'm going to make it up to you. Promise, dude! You're going go for this..."