24
JASON
“We’re playing tonight, Jay, you know that, right? It’s Thursday and we always play on Thursdays. Please don’t forget about us.”
I told the guys I have things to do tonight and I have no intention of changing my mind. I want to stay with her, for as long as possible.
“Aaron, nothing’s going to happen for one night—”
“Jay,” he interrupts me, putting a hand on my shoulder. “I know you want to stay with her, I understand it. But you can’t just forget about your work and all of your commitments.”
“Oh, come on! What is this, Aaron? No one gives a shit if we play or not.”
“Well…it matters to us. We don’t have a manager now and that’s alright, but that doesn’t mean we have to give everything up. Music has always been our escape, Jay. Always.”
“Yeah, maybe it used to be like that, but things are different now.”
Aaron sighs with strained patience. “Friend, I know that Alex is the most important thing to you in this moment. I understand it and I stand by you. But you need to think about yourself too. What are you going to do if—”
“If she dies? Is that what you’re trying to say, Aaron?”
“You can have her come here, to us.”
“You don’t understand, Aaron. I need to spend time with her. To let her really know that I am here.”
“I know that, buddy. But I think she needs a bit of normality, don’t you? To be among people, with friends. She needs to live, Jay, not live just off of you.”
I huff and sit down on the stool. I rest my elbows on the counter and put my head in my hands. I need time to think, but I don’t understand how much time I have available.
Aaron’s logic makes sense. Alex does need to have a normal daily routine, to feel like she does have a life apart from me. I know I’m selfish because I’d like her all to myself. Seems like I never learn.
“It’s what she needs, trust me.”
I take my phone from my back pocket and send her a message. I know she’s working and I don’t want to disturb her so I write that I’ll come pick her up and bring her here and then we’ll go out after that, just me and her.
She replies after a few minutes and says her dad will drop her off as soon as he closes the coffee shop.
I get up and get to work, I have to keep my mind busy otherwise I’m not going to be able to face these days and instead I need to stay strong. I have to be a rock to be able to support her and help her understand everything is going to be alright.
Because everythingisgoing to be alright.
It has to be.
“Hey, Patrick! They’ve been waiting on those fucking beers for twenty minutes!” I yell at the man who is working hard behind the counter.
I’m worked up and can’t keep my eyes off the clock.
I have to see her, now.
I have to hold her and know that she’s okay.
I sit down to get my breath when a pair of cold hands cover my eyes. There’s no need for me to turn around, for I’d recognize her scent in the middle of a toxic cloud. I turn around slowly and her smile makes me bend in two.
Good Lord, please, let her always smile like this.
“Hello, Sunshine!” I greet her and despite her beautiful eyes, her color is nothing to be happy about, but I try not to let my worry show.
“I hope you don’t mind, but my father stopped by to say hello to you all,” she says, indicating a figure standing behind her.
