Then She Walked Away, chapter 4
Terri hadn't remembered a moment in her life that she was so relieved, but at the same time, so pissed off. Sure she had beaten Chris... In fact, she beat him by an entire lap, but she was definitely paying for it now. She had changed into some dark blue jeans and a white t-shirt, along with her sneakers. Her hair, still wet, was tied up and after putting on some Chapstick, she took her bag and exited the staff room, still receiving support from her co-workers, telling her that at least now he'll leave her alone a bit to gather what pride he has left.
As she closed the door behind her, most of the people had already cleared out, but there was a group of people with her that were still there, talking and joking around. "Terri!"
The group of people turned and watched as Jacob, now all dry and changed into clothes rather than his bathing suit, ran towards Terri. And on instinct, Terri picked up the boy and again for the second time that night, regretted it. Her shoulder shot through with pain and she lowered Jacob almost immediately and raised her hand to her shoulder, massaging it again. "You alright?" Joey asked as they all neared her.
"I'm fine. Just a warm bath will do the trick when I get home."
"You're quite the swimmer, even with the handicap," Billie Joe spoke.
"Thanks."
"So you're coming right?" Adrienne asked.
"Sure," Terri answered.
"Oh, hold up. This is Mike," Adrienne said as she introduced Mike. Terri smiled softly and took his hand in her own and watched as Mike stared at her intently. "And this is Mike's daughter, Estelle."
Mike, reluctantly, let go of Terri's hand as he watched his daughter wave from where she was standing, behind his leg. Adrienne smiled and looked at Tre. "And this is my daughter," Tre said, coming forward. "Ramona."
Ramona reached up and shook Terri's hand. When that was done, they all exited and Terri told them that she remembered how to get to the Armstrong and would prefer to follow in case. So with Mike, Estelle, Tre and Ramona in one car and the Armstrongs in the other, Terri got in and followed.
* *
As Terri walked in, Mike, having got in seconds before her, turned around. "I'll take your bag," he said politely, removing the bag from her hands.
"Thanks."
"Don't mention it."
Terri watched the blue eyed bassist and nodded. "Terri, you want to see my room?" Jacob asked.
"Not now Jacob... Later though," Adrienne interfered.
With her youngest son pulling a face, Adrienne fixed a quick snack for the kids as they made their own 'party' in the living room. Terri followed Mike and Adrienne to what Terri could only describe as possibly, a second living room. Taking a seat in between Mike and Tre on the couch, Billie came into the room a little later with a beanie bag in his hand. He walked over to Terri and handed it to her.
"I didn't even know that we still had that," Adrienne told her husband as she watched him place the heated bag on Terri's shoulder.
"You've officially become my favorite person," Terri sighed as the heated muscle therapy bag rested on her shoulder. Shrugging, Billie smiled and sat down near Adrienne. Small talk was issued, mostly led by Tre and Billie Joe with their jokes and anecdotes of crazy antics. Then it was Adrienne that cleared her throat. "Hey, Terri, there is something that I want to ask you though."
"Well, not you, more me," Mike said, getting her attention.
Terri turned to Mike and given her confused look, Mike elaborated. "The doctor asked me to take up swimming and shit, for my back. And even though they said that they could always find me someone, Adrienne thought of you first and I wanted to know if you'd be able."
Terri looked towards Adrienne who remained silent and then turned back to Mike. Realizing how close she was to him, Terri nodded and averted her eyes from examining Mike. "I don't see a problem. How often?"
"Average of ten hours a week."
Terri thought for a moment, thinking if she had enough time. But then again, Mike was one third of the biggest band in the world; surely her schedule couldn't be worse than his. "Sure... That sounds fine with me."
"Well that was easy," Billie said with a smile.
Terri took a sip of her drink and then crossed her legs, Indian style on the couch. "Funny though, you ask me yet here I am with a tender shoulder," she noted.
"Is it always going to be like that?" Tre asked.
Terri shook her head. "It's been over six years that it's been like this, and it'll be like this for the rest of my life if I don't get an operation... Which I could. I just don't have the money."
"Really?" Adrienne asked, generally surprised. "You're one of the head accountants for Rolling Stone and a manager of a pool... I just assumed... "
Terri nodded. "You're right. If I kept all my money then I would have gotten the operation a long time ago."
"Why don't you keep all your money?" Billie asked.
Terri set her drink on the table in front of her. "Since the car accident, where my father passed away, there was no one left to support my mother and sister. So I finished school, mostly on a scholarship considering that there was no way to really pay for it, and then I was lucky enough to get a job like the one I have at Rolling Stone. So I send them money every paycheck. And you know, there's also money that I put away for one day when I start a family of my own."
They were all relatively silent, even though Terri could feel both Tre and Mike watching her. The pair of blue eyes on either side made her shift a little consciously and then Adrienne drew a long breath. "Well, it could always be worse."
Terri nodded and let her hands fall in her lap.
"Can she come now?"
All the adults turned and saw that Jacob was poking his head in the doorway and looking at them with wide, hoping eyes. Terri smiled and stood up. "Sure. After, I guess I'll make my way home."
Adrienne and Billie nodded and Jacob scurried into the room, taking Terri by the hand and leading her up the stairs. "She's one of a kind," Adrienne noted as she sighed.
"Is she single?"
Everyone turned to Tre and looked at his with knowing eyes. "Down boy," Adrienne warned.
"Is that a yes?"
Adrienne rolled her eyes. "It's a yes, but Tre come on. You've only just met her."
Tre smiled, "So? I'll get to know her better, I just wanted to know what I'm up against."
Billie Joe smiled. "What if she's a lesbian?"
Tre's eyes widened. "Wait... Is she?"
Adrienne laughed and stood up. "She's not a lesbian Tre."
Tre grinned and turned to Mike. "Damn, that could have been exciting," he winked at his friend.
'With beauty and a laugh like hers, this will be quite exciting, ' Mike thought to himself as he watched Terri disappear completely from his line of view.
* *
When Terri came back downstairs, she was alone and walked back into the room where Adrienne, Mike, Tre and Billie Joe were. "Where's Jacob?" Adrienne asked.
"Asleep," Terri answered her.
Adrienne nodded and turned back to Billie Joe. "Well that's a sign then. Hey Terri, would you mind driving Estelle and myself home?" Mike asked.
Tre turned to watch Mike. 'What was he up to? ' he asked.
Terri nodded. "Sure."
Standing up, Mike rubbed his sides. "I'm apparently supposed to start as soon as I can, but I know you're busy and all as well."
Terri shook her head. "We'll think of something."
Within a few minutes, Mike had picked Estelle up in his arms and they walked out of the front door, towards Terri's black car. Tre, with Ramona holding onto his hand tiredly, went to their own and once Ramona was in, Tre quickly jogged over towards Terri. Terri opened the back door of her car and Mike was placing Estelle down carefully, as to not wake her, when Tre came over. "Terri," he called to her.
Terri turned and looked at Tre. He stopped just inches in front of her and smiled at the mere sight of her. "I just wanted to know if you'd like to have dinner with me sometime?"
Terri, feeling a small blush, obviously accepted. "Sure. Whenever you'd like. You know how to reach me."
Tre nodded and then quickly leaned forward, placing a kiss on her cheek. "Cool. So I'll see you around then."
Terri bit her bottom lip and Tre stood by, watching her get into the car as Mike got into the passenger seat. When they were both in, Tre finally turned around and went into his own car with a half-sleeping Ramona.
As Terri started to drive off, she looked over at Mike. "So what happened exactly to your back?"
Mike turned to her and then looked back out the window. "I'm not too sure. I mean, I was with Billie just playing around with some stuff from the new album before we go on tour and then when I moved, my back just gave out. Like, I could hear it crack and shit and the doctor mostly told me things like that can be brought on from not sleeping properly, or stress. Seems everything is stress related now-a-days."
Terri merely smiled when Mike finished with a subdued laugh. "So I guess I'll just start you off with toning more or less. The swimming part can come later. But what would be the preliminary steps would be to just work the back and muscles. Mostly stretching, but it might be sore the next day."
Mike smiled. "Well at least you warned me."
Terri turned her attention back to the road and was following Mike's instructions until they reached his home. Although the neighborhood was much more high-end than the one that Terri was living in, where Mike lived wasn't too far from where she lived.
"So here we are," Mike announced.
Terri leaned towards Mike to get a better look of the house. "It's pretty nice. Simple, yet still nice."
"I'm a pretty simple guy."
Terri looked at Mike and sat back up straight. Mike watched her and couldn't help but take in that tropical scent of hers... It was exotic. Quite like her. And that was probably the most attractive trait that Terri had. She was just... Different.
"So, I'll give you a call about everything tomorrow. You can just come over here, I don't see a problem."
Terri nodded and then reached over to unlock the door for Mike. "Well, take care. Hey, do you want me to carry Estelle inside? If your back... "
Mike turned to her and wore a grin on his face. "Now what kind of man would I be if I let you do that? I may be getting older, but doesn't mean I'm planning on losing my dignity soon," he teased.
Terri raised her hands in defeat. "It was just an offer."
Mike chuckled and got out of the car and opened the back door. Terri watched as he scooped Estelle into his arms and could tell that he's done this a great many times before. "Take care of yourself," he told her as he closed the door gently, not wanting to wake up his daughter.
Terri waved at him and then saw that he left his wallet in her car. Grabbing it and leaping out of the car after him, Terri jogged towards him as Mike managed to open the front door. When Mike turned around, initially planning to wave Terri off, he was taken aback when he turned to be quite close to Terri. Backing up into the porch a bit in surprise, Terri smiled innocently. "You left your wallet in the car," she said, holding up his wallet.
Mike placed his hand on his back pocket. "Huh... I guess it must have fallen out. Thanks Terri," he said quietly.
And for some reason, as Terri stood before him with nothing more than the moonlight on her and her beautiful eyes looking up at him, Mike Dirnt almost felt compelled to lean down and take her lips against his own and invite her in for the night. Instead, he watched as Terri just put his wallet in his front pocket, secretly enjoying the fact that she had placed one hand on his left side and one hand in his pocket. Backing away as soon as he could from her, Mike smiled gratefully as she didn't seem to notice something else in his pants. "Thanks again," he muttered softly.
Terri shrugged and then turned on her heel and made her way back to her car, waving once more and then driving off. As Mike closed the door behind him and locked it, he started to think about taking a cold shower. It's been a while since he broke up with Brittany and he hasn't seen anyone since, let alone has gotten... Er... Anything since.
Was it just the contact with a beautiful young woman that made him lose it, or the fact that maybe it was the girl in question that made him lose it. Either way, as Mike Dirnt got into bed after a cold shower, he definitely had mixed feelings about his upcoming 'sessions'.
As she closed the door behind her, most of the people had already cleared out, but there was a group of people with her that were still there, talking and joking around. "Terri!"
The group of people turned and watched as Jacob, now all dry and changed into clothes rather than his bathing suit, ran towards Terri. And on instinct, Terri picked up the boy and again for the second time that night, regretted it. Her shoulder shot through with pain and she lowered Jacob almost immediately and raised her hand to her shoulder, massaging it again. "You alright?" Joey asked as they all neared her.
"I'm fine. Just a warm bath will do the trick when I get home."
"You're quite the swimmer, even with the handicap," Billie Joe spoke.
"Thanks."
"So you're coming right?" Adrienne asked.
"Sure," Terri answered.
"Oh, hold up. This is Mike," Adrienne said as she introduced Mike. Terri smiled softly and took his hand in her own and watched as Mike stared at her intently. "And this is Mike's daughter, Estelle."
Mike, reluctantly, let go of Terri's hand as he watched his daughter wave from where she was standing, behind his leg. Adrienne smiled and looked at Tre. "And this is my daughter," Tre said, coming forward. "Ramona."
Ramona reached up and shook Terri's hand. When that was done, they all exited and Terri told them that she remembered how to get to the Armstrong and would prefer to follow in case. So with Mike, Estelle, Tre and Ramona in one car and the Armstrongs in the other, Terri got in and followed.
* *
As Terri walked in, Mike, having got in seconds before her, turned around. "I'll take your bag," he said politely, removing the bag from her hands.
"Thanks."
"Don't mention it."
Terri watched the blue eyed bassist and nodded. "Terri, you want to see my room?" Jacob asked.
"Not now Jacob... Later though," Adrienne interfered.
With her youngest son pulling a face, Adrienne fixed a quick snack for the kids as they made their own 'party' in the living room. Terri followed Mike and Adrienne to what Terri could only describe as possibly, a second living room. Taking a seat in between Mike and Tre on the couch, Billie came into the room a little later with a beanie bag in his hand. He walked over to Terri and handed it to her.
"I didn't even know that we still had that," Adrienne told her husband as she watched him place the heated bag on Terri's shoulder.
"You've officially become my favorite person," Terri sighed as the heated muscle therapy bag rested on her shoulder. Shrugging, Billie smiled and sat down near Adrienne. Small talk was issued, mostly led by Tre and Billie Joe with their jokes and anecdotes of crazy antics. Then it was Adrienne that cleared her throat. "Hey, Terri, there is something that I want to ask you though."
"Well, not you, more me," Mike said, getting her attention.
Terri turned to Mike and given her confused look, Mike elaborated. "The doctor asked me to take up swimming and shit, for my back. And even though they said that they could always find me someone, Adrienne thought of you first and I wanted to know if you'd be able."
Terri looked towards Adrienne who remained silent and then turned back to Mike. Realizing how close she was to him, Terri nodded and averted her eyes from examining Mike. "I don't see a problem. How often?"
"Average of ten hours a week."
Terri thought for a moment, thinking if she had enough time. But then again, Mike was one third of the biggest band in the world; surely her schedule couldn't be worse than his. "Sure... That sounds fine with me."
"Well that was easy," Billie said with a smile.
Terri took a sip of her drink and then crossed her legs, Indian style on the couch. "Funny though, you ask me yet here I am with a tender shoulder," she noted.
"Is it always going to be like that?" Tre asked.
Terri shook her head. "It's been over six years that it's been like this, and it'll be like this for the rest of my life if I don't get an operation... Which I could. I just don't have the money."
"Really?" Adrienne asked, generally surprised. "You're one of the head accountants for Rolling Stone and a manager of a pool... I just assumed... "
Terri nodded. "You're right. If I kept all my money then I would have gotten the operation a long time ago."
"Why don't you keep all your money?" Billie asked.
Terri set her drink on the table in front of her. "Since the car accident, where my father passed away, there was no one left to support my mother and sister. So I finished school, mostly on a scholarship considering that there was no way to really pay for it, and then I was lucky enough to get a job like the one I have at Rolling Stone. So I send them money every paycheck. And you know, there's also money that I put away for one day when I start a family of my own."
They were all relatively silent, even though Terri could feel both Tre and Mike watching her. The pair of blue eyes on either side made her shift a little consciously and then Adrienne drew a long breath. "Well, it could always be worse."
Terri nodded and let her hands fall in her lap.
"Can she come now?"
All the adults turned and saw that Jacob was poking his head in the doorway and looking at them with wide, hoping eyes. Terri smiled and stood up. "Sure. After, I guess I'll make my way home."
Adrienne and Billie nodded and Jacob scurried into the room, taking Terri by the hand and leading her up the stairs. "She's one of a kind," Adrienne noted as she sighed.
"Is she single?"
Everyone turned to Tre and looked at his with knowing eyes. "Down boy," Adrienne warned.
"Is that a yes?"
Adrienne rolled her eyes. "It's a yes, but Tre come on. You've only just met her."
Tre smiled, "So? I'll get to know her better, I just wanted to know what I'm up against."
Billie Joe smiled. "What if she's a lesbian?"
Tre's eyes widened. "Wait... Is she?"
Adrienne laughed and stood up. "She's not a lesbian Tre."
Tre grinned and turned to Mike. "Damn, that could have been exciting," he winked at his friend.
'With beauty and a laugh like hers, this will be quite exciting, ' Mike thought to himself as he watched Terri disappear completely from his line of view.
* *
When Terri came back downstairs, she was alone and walked back into the room where Adrienne, Mike, Tre and Billie Joe were. "Where's Jacob?" Adrienne asked.
"Asleep," Terri answered her.
Adrienne nodded and turned back to Billie Joe. "Well that's a sign then. Hey Terri, would you mind driving Estelle and myself home?" Mike asked.
Tre turned to watch Mike. 'What was he up to? ' he asked.
Terri nodded. "Sure."
Standing up, Mike rubbed his sides. "I'm apparently supposed to start as soon as I can, but I know you're busy and all as well."
Terri shook her head. "We'll think of something."
Within a few minutes, Mike had picked Estelle up in his arms and they walked out of the front door, towards Terri's black car. Tre, with Ramona holding onto his hand tiredly, went to their own and once Ramona was in, Tre quickly jogged over towards Terri. Terri opened the back door of her car and Mike was placing Estelle down carefully, as to not wake her, when Tre came over. "Terri," he called to her.
Terri turned and looked at Tre. He stopped just inches in front of her and smiled at the mere sight of her. "I just wanted to know if you'd like to have dinner with me sometime?"
Terri, feeling a small blush, obviously accepted. "Sure. Whenever you'd like. You know how to reach me."
Tre nodded and then quickly leaned forward, placing a kiss on her cheek. "Cool. So I'll see you around then."
Terri bit her bottom lip and Tre stood by, watching her get into the car as Mike got into the passenger seat. When they were both in, Tre finally turned around and went into his own car with a half-sleeping Ramona.
As Terri started to drive off, she looked over at Mike. "So what happened exactly to your back?"
Mike turned to her and then looked back out the window. "I'm not too sure. I mean, I was with Billie just playing around with some stuff from the new album before we go on tour and then when I moved, my back just gave out. Like, I could hear it crack and shit and the doctor mostly told me things like that can be brought on from not sleeping properly, or stress. Seems everything is stress related now-a-days."
Terri merely smiled when Mike finished with a subdued laugh. "So I guess I'll just start you off with toning more or less. The swimming part can come later. But what would be the preliminary steps would be to just work the back and muscles. Mostly stretching, but it might be sore the next day."
Mike smiled. "Well at least you warned me."
Terri turned her attention back to the road and was following Mike's instructions until they reached his home. Although the neighborhood was much more high-end than the one that Terri was living in, where Mike lived wasn't too far from where she lived.
"So here we are," Mike announced.
Terri leaned towards Mike to get a better look of the house. "It's pretty nice. Simple, yet still nice."
"I'm a pretty simple guy."
Terri looked at Mike and sat back up straight. Mike watched her and couldn't help but take in that tropical scent of hers... It was exotic. Quite like her. And that was probably the most attractive trait that Terri had. She was just... Different.
"So, I'll give you a call about everything tomorrow. You can just come over here, I don't see a problem."
Terri nodded and then reached over to unlock the door for Mike. "Well, take care. Hey, do you want me to carry Estelle inside? If your back... "
Mike turned to her and wore a grin on his face. "Now what kind of man would I be if I let you do that? I may be getting older, but doesn't mean I'm planning on losing my dignity soon," he teased.
Terri raised her hands in defeat. "It was just an offer."
Mike chuckled and got out of the car and opened the back door. Terri watched as he scooped Estelle into his arms and could tell that he's done this a great many times before. "Take care of yourself," he told her as he closed the door gently, not wanting to wake up his daughter.
Terri waved at him and then saw that he left his wallet in her car. Grabbing it and leaping out of the car after him, Terri jogged towards him as Mike managed to open the front door. When Mike turned around, initially planning to wave Terri off, he was taken aback when he turned to be quite close to Terri. Backing up into the porch a bit in surprise, Terri smiled innocently. "You left your wallet in the car," she said, holding up his wallet.
Mike placed his hand on his back pocket. "Huh... I guess it must have fallen out. Thanks Terri," he said quietly.
And for some reason, as Terri stood before him with nothing more than the moonlight on her and her beautiful eyes looking up at him, Mike Dirnt almost felt compelled to lean down and take her lips against his own and invite her in for the night. Instead, he watched as Terri just put his wallet in his front pocket, secretly enjoying the fact that she had placed one hand on his left side and one hand in his pocket. Backing away as soon as he could from her, Mike smiled gratefully as she didn't seem to notice something else in his pants. "Thanks again," he muttered softly.
Terri shrugged and then turned on her heel and made her way back to her car, waving once more and then driving off. As Mike closed the door behind him and locked it, he started to think about taking a cold shower. It's been a while since he broke up with Brittany and he hasn't seen anyone since, let alone has gotten... Er... Anything since.
Was it just the contact with a beautiful young woman that made him lose it, or the fact that maybe it was the girl in question that made him lose it. Either way, as Mike Dirnt got into bed after a cold shower, he definitely had mixed feelings about his upcoming 'sessions'.
