It was early 2004 and a moderate to balmy evening, Kelly had plans to go out with her friends Lara and Tom; plans were for Kelly to introduce Lara and Tom to one another as sort of a blind date without either one acknowledging so and also so Tom could lift them so the girls could drink and have fun without the worry of driving.
Lara and Kelly had been friends since the first few days of high school; when a few girls made up a group of friends which stuck throughout high school and some long after.
Kelly and Tom had become friends recently and had met at the bar where Kelly was temping; between jobs; he had dated one of the regulars and family friend of hers.
Kelly was at an all-time low in her life after a brake up with Nick; for the man of her dreams Jake; which had also recently turned sour. Jake and Kelly had only matched in the bedroom and quite well personality wise -- well so Kelly thought but Jakes opinion was they were only matched in the bedroom and Jake wasn't ready to be a one woman man; his Portuguese blood running true to stereotype.
Kelly, Lara and Tom were on their way to a pub in Overport when Kelly received a call that her mother had been admitted into the government hospital in the area.
Tom immediately diverted to the hospital.
Kelly learned that her mom was admitted for a stroke and that she was hopefully only temporarily paralysed on the left side and left unable to talk.
After nothing more could be done and they were asked to leave and only return during visiting hours Kelly turned to Lara and Tom and said please just take me to get drunk -- she wanted to stop feeling even if just for the moment as all was just too much.
Everything was going wrong in her life all her dreams and aspirations had been taking a back seat and she had to restart her life over and now she was in very imminent danger of losing her mother to!
(Kelly)
Things were such a blur all I can remember was that I had asked my friends to get me horribly drunk so that the feelings and the now could disappear. Somehow I phoned Jake or Jake phoned me I still am not sure, he happened to be at a pub around the corner and we headed there.
Upon arrival I sort comfort in Jakes arms using the usual hug and kiss on the cheek greeting as an excuse, but Jake loitered in the hug so I just rested my head on his strong chest and broke.
I detailed what had happened with my mother at which point Jake realising my need to forget the pain and get lost in the now decided that we should sit at an outside table where I could smoke and have some drinks.
He and Tom decided to go and get drinks.