Sid's POV continued

"Hey Sid, where have you been? Nathalie and I have been trying to call you all morning," Mario asked as I walked into his hospital room.
"It's a loooong story and you probably won't believe it when I tell you."
"Well my guess is that it has something to do with a certain cute little nurse that I met last night!"
"Who else?" I said almost positive the look of frustration and confusion was written all over my face.
"Well I guess it's a good thing we've got the drive home to talk about it," Mario said more than a little concerned.
"Oh my god, I am such an ass! Here I am about to dump this crap on you when you have way more important things on your mind! Are you ok? How are you feeling? Are you sure you're ready to go home?"
"I'm fine. The doc gave me some pills and told me to take it easy. I have to come back in a week for a check up. Now let's go, I believe I have a story to listen to."
"Mar, I really just need you to listen and not pull any of that over protective crap on me. I'd really like to hear your opinion or some advise but if you can't say anything helpful or positive, I'd rather you didn't say anything."
"Geez, what the hell happened Sid?"

I recounted every detail of what had happened in the 18 hours since Bekah and I had left his room the night before. Our conversation in the parking lot, going to her house to check on her and how adorable she had been when she was so exhausted, falling asleep holding her and finally everything that had transpired this morning. The horrific details she had told me about growing up, losing her grandmother and brother and the special bond they had shared about Mario himself.
"She came to Pittsburgh to fulfill her promise to them to see you play. She even wears your number on a chain around her neck!"
I told him how it was the last thing David had given her and the meaning behind it. I took a deep breath and told him to brace himself because it got worse. I retold every disgusting detail of her marriage to that animal and the final beating that had made her leave. The anger was beginning to take over in my voice. Before I knew it I was practically yelling and the tears once again rolled down my cheek. I looked at Mario and was surprised to see that he was having the same reaction. Then I told him about the 'just friends' conversation Bekah and I had and that she had basically left the ball in my court.
"I don't have the first clue about what I'm supposed to do here. I know there is sooo much more there than friendship for both of us. I understand why she's so scared to open up and let anyone in, I just wish I could make her see that not all men are like her ex. I know I have to have her in my life, I have to be with her. I just don't know how I'm supposed to act like I'm just her friend when I am quite possibly falling in love with her."
I looked over at Mario who had raised one eyebrow as soon as I said the 'l' word. He had that look of fatherly contempt on his face, the same one he got whenever Stephanie talked about the boys at school she had crushes on.
I inhaled deeply and braced myself for the inevitable barrage of reasons why I should just give up and forget about this girl who was obviously far more trouble than I need in my life. After a long pause, I was stunned at the response I got.
"Well," he said carefully, "if you think that you might love her, I don't see how you have any choice but to fight for her and if that means being her friend for now and not being too overbearing then that's what you'll have to do."