8
Jude
The hardest thingJude ever had to deal with was Zoey leaving him in Vegas. Being on the road was difficult enough, but seeing her for just a couple of days reminded him even more what he wasmissing.
Sure, there were all kinds of distractions around him, women, drugs, drinking, but he left that up to the other guys who seemed to enjoy living the wild life. For Jude, touring became the necessary evil inhislife.
Spending most of the time on the bus writing in his notebook, the guys would sometimes bust his chops about being a bookworm or too quiet. He didn’t care. Writing gave him clarity. It was how he made the time pass so he wasn’t thinking about Zoey allthetime.
“You need to have more fun,” Donna said as she satbesidehim.
Jude wasn’t sure what to think about Donna. He wanted to like her, she was Richard’s niece after all, but there was something in her eyes that made him not trust her. At the same time, everyone else seemed to think she was cool. Maybe it was just Jude. Everyone deserved achance.
“I can have fun when I’m home with Zoey,”hesaid.
“Geez, Zoey, Zoey, Zoey, that’s all we hear about from you. You know you’re going to push her away, right? No girl wants to get phone calls every day or a guy constantly telling her he loves her. Girls think that’spathetic.”
“Zoey’s different, she’s not likeeverygirl.”
“I don’t know, she seemed like every other girl to me when I met her. Maybe you need to give her a little space. Don’t call hersomuch.”
“But I miss her,” Jude said. “And I want her to know I’m thinkingabouther.”
“Well, if you want her to go running, then just keep that up. Remember, she was the one who didn't want to come on tour. She chose to stay home. They don’t say absence makes the heart grow fonder fornothing.”
Donna got up and walked over to Cade, where she sat down with her legs across his lap. Confused, Jude didn’t know what to do or what to think. Maybe she was right. Maybe if he didn’t talk to Zoey every day, he wouldn’t feel so empty and lostwithouther.
* * *
“Hey,you’re not looking so good, man,” Cade said as he turned around in his seat and looked back at Jude. “Youfeelingokay?”
“I don’t know,” Jude said. “I’m just tired. I want to go home. I just need to talktoZoey.”
“So then call her at the next stop. I thought you talkedeveryday.”
“I haven’t spoken to her in four days.Donnasaid—”
“I gave Jude a little advice on women,” Donna interrupted. “He’s not as suave as you, Cade. But Cade’s right, you’re not lookingsowell…”
“Probably just a cold,” Jude said. “I’llbefine.”
“Here, take these,” Donna said as she handed Jude a couple of small white pills from her bag. “They’ll help you feelbetter.”
Jude took the pills and swallowed them without hesitation. Soon he felt the muscles in his body unclench and relax. Everything seemed to slow down and a calmness overtook him. He nestled back against his seat, which felt softer and comforting. Then he closedhiseyes.
“What the hell did you give him?” Cadeasked.
“Just some Xanax. He needs to relax,” Donna said. “He was beginning to stress me out. Look, he’s fine. He’s evensmiling.”
Jude could hear them talking, but he didn't care. He felt too mellow to reply and his eyes were too heavy to open. Getting some sleep had been high on his wish list. Since leaving Zoey, he hadn’t been sleeping well. Maybe now he could getsomerest.
* * *
Donna had been sogood to him lately. Jude couldn’t complain about anything, he’d been feeling great for…he didn’t know how long, but he wanted it to continue. He still missed Zoey, but the hours and days passedeasiernow.
“Jude! Jude!” Cade said as the bus came to a stop. “Hey man, we’re at a big rest stop. Let’s go walk around and get some fresh air. It’s beautiful out there, Jude. We’re in Texas and the canyons and mountains out there are amazing. You gotta seethem.Jude?”
“Yeah, I’ll be right there,” Judemumbled.
