Tales From Another Broken Home, chapter 5
Nineteen years later (2008)
Berkeley, California
"Oh, c'mon baby, please."
"No, that's it. I can't take much more. I never see you, you're always on tour. The boys don't even know you."
"That's a lie, they know me."
"No, they would, they would if you were home!" screamed Adrienne.
She was Billie's wife of fourteen years and right now they were in the middle of a huge fight. Billie just got home after touring for the last six months.
"You knew that when you married me, I would not always be home, that's part of my job."
"Well, maybe our marriage was a mistake."
"What? What are you saying?"
"I want a divorce, Billie. I just can't take this anymore. I'm leaving you."
Adrienne walked upstairs to their bedroom and started packing her stuff.
"Where are you gonna go?"
"A safe place, you don't need to know."
"What about the boys?"
"They are coming with me. I want split-custody."
"So, that's it, you're just gonna leave me?"
"I've been meaning to for a while now. It took me some time to make up my mind but, that's it. I'm leaving you tonight. Bye."
She walked down the stairs and the boys.
"Joey, Jake, we're leaving."
"Where are we going mom?" asked Joey.
"Why do we gotta go?" asked Jake.
"You'll see when we get there."
And with that the three walked out of the house and left him there in silence.
New Orleans, Louisiana
I looked out the window as I was doing the dishes. I always daydreamed, anything to get me out of this hell-hole. I have never been the same since we moved away from the East Bay. I lost a bit of myself back there. I got married to Rick. His real name is Richard Thibodeaux. He was kind and loving, at first. We would go for walks, he would hold my the door open for me, get my chair. About a year after we were wed it all changed, he became abusive, It started with yelling and verbal abuse, he would call me a slut or a bitch. Gradually it escalated, he slapped me one day, I just couldn't believe he would do such a thing. Now, I am used to it. I have to wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to cover up the marks. The only thing that makes me happy is staring out of my window, as I am right now, it is my escape. He will be home soon and I better have dinner ready, or else. We have no children. I was pregnant once, he threw me down the stairs and it was gone. I cry myself to sleep each night. He keeps me a prisoner in this house. All I do is cook and clean, no television, radio, newspaper, computer, phones. I have no idea what has gone on in the world since 1993.
"Hey, Adiana. I'm home."
Oh great, he is here. I want to leave him so bad. I guess it is just fear that keeps holding me back.
"Hello, how was your day?"
I gave him a fake smile. That is all I ever do, we have no relationship. It is just a figment of his imagination.
"Fine, I'm sick of hearing that band, Green... "
"What band, dear?"
"No... No. You don't need your mind filled with their nonsense. All you need is a good kitchen for cooking."
"Why? Why can't I just listen to the radio? I haven't heard music since we were married."
"What? Did you just question me?"
No, I angered him, now I am in for it.
"N... No, I just... "
"You just what? Think I'm not good enough? You wanna leave?"
"Yes! I fucking hate you! You are beneath me! I don't need to take your abuse anymore!"
Oh man, I did not have to say that. Now he will beat me for sure. All I felt was pain. My jaw cracked, I felt the heat on my cheek where he hit me and tears rolled down my face.
"You wana leave me, bitch? Fine. No one cares about you. You'll die on the streets. Pack your shit and get the fuck out!"
"I.... I will."
I cannot believe this is happening. I ran in my room an threw my clothes in a bag. I did not have much. I left the wedding band I had worn for the last fifteen years and I walked out the door, out of my prison. I am free! I walked out and breathed in the sweet air. Where will I go? I have no friends. I have enough money for a plane ticket, one-way, and a couple of bucks to spare me. I am going to the only place I have ever called home, I am going back to Oakland.
Billie's POV
How could she leave me? My life is gone in a matter of minutes. My kids, my wife, just gone. I know things were rough, but not this bad. I had to clear my head. Should I call mike? No, too late. I should just leave him out of it. I should just leave him out of it. I need something, coffee. I walked out of my house and walked for a few miles, I somehow ended up in Oakland, outside of a Starbucks in front of the airport. Damn, did I leave my wallet/ No, it is here. I order a coffee, black. I do not really need caffeine this late, it is not healthy, I will be up all night, hell, I would not be sleeping anyway. I was sitting and moping for what felt like hours and I did not notice her walk in.
Adi's POV
The ride was about five hours long, it felt like five years. On the way their I pondered. Where will I go? I am all alone. I cannot believe it. The plane landed and I walked outside. Starbucks, I wonder if I have enough money? Fifty bucks, I will just get something cheap. I walked in and sat down, this place is huge. Times have changed, it is like I have been lost in time for the last fifteen years. I sat down at the bar next to this guy, he looked upset.
"Hello, ma'am. What can I get you tonight?"
"Wow, choices, choices. Can I get a coffee, black?"
"Sure, you're total will be five dollars and fifteen cents."
"Damn, that's a lot. Uumm here."
The guy stopped sipping his coffee and he looked up at me. He had those gorgeous eyes. My soul mate's gorgeous green eyes.
"Oh my God. Billie?"
"Fuck! Adi?"
"Yes, oh man, how are you?"
He gave me a huge hug.
"I missed you so much, Adi. I never thought I'd see you again."
"Oh Billie, I've thought about you everyday since I moved. I'm so sorry."
"What are you sorry for? Your mother had a job transfer, nothing could be done."
He is just like I remembered, caring and understanding. He looks so good. I just cannot believe I am in his presence again.
"So, how are you? What are you doing now? You got a job or something?"
"Huh? You don't know?"
"Know what?"
"Uuumm, never mind. What's with you? You married?"
"Uuumm, I don't know."
"What do you mean, you don't know?"
"Well, we got into a fight, I told him I hated him and he beat me and threw me out."
"What?"
His eyes turned that emerald green. I could tell he was pissed.
"He, well, he abused me for the fifteen years we were married. He basically locked me away. No tv, radio, newspaper, anything. He controlled me."
"If I ever see him he's fuckin' dead. I will never let anyone harm you, ever again."
"Oh, Billie. You still care?"
"Of course I do, I love you Adi."
"I love you too."
"So, are you married?"
"I was, we got into a fight tonight. She wants a divorce."
"I'm sorry."
"No, it's okay. Do you wanna keep talking at my house, or yours?"
"I don't live here. I lived in New Orleans. I flew here tonight. It's the only place that's home."
"Oh, you can stay with me, if you need a place to crash."
We walked back to Billie's house. He lives far away, all the way in Berkeley. We enter this private subdivision of enormous mansions. He cannot live here, can he? He walks up to this elaborate house and walks to the front door and opens it.
"Oh my God Billie! You live here?"
"Yeah, I kinda need to tell you something. It's about what I do."
"As long as it's not illegal."
"Oh, it isn't. Do you remember Green Day?"
"Of course, Mike and Tre'. Why?"
"Yeah, in 1994 we got signed to a major label, Reprise records, we kinda became a huge band. We are actually world famous."
"What? No way."
"Yeah, I can't believe it myself sometimes. Do you want to sit down, something to drink?"
"Sure."
He showed me in the living room, it is even bigger then I thought. I sat down on this huge sofa. It had to cost a lot of money. Billie came back from the kitchen with two glasses.
"I thought, me and you need a drink."
"Yeah, thanks. You haven't aged one bit Billie."
"You look great, Adi. You look really good."
"You do too."
Billie placed his glass on the coffee table and kissed me.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to, you just look so... "
"Shut up."
We started kissing harder and his kisses moved down to my neck. His hands started to lift up my shirt and he threw it across the room. I pulled off his shirt. He has been working out, and... USE YOUR IMAGINATION
Billie's POV
Last night was amazing. I cannot believe I found her. I have thought about Adi non-stop since she left. I cannot believe she is back. I looked down, her head was on my chest. I had almost forgotten how peaceful she looked when she slept. I lightly got up and put on my clothes. I decided to leave her sleeping and went out to get breakfast. Maybe this was supposed to happen. Maybe we really are meant to be.
Berkeley, California
"Oh, c'mon baby, please."
"No, that's it. I can't take much more. I never see you, you're always on tour. The boys don't even know you."
"That's a lie, they know me."
"No, they would, they would if you were home!" screamed Adrienne.
She was Billie's wife of fourteen years and right now they were in the middle of a huge fight. Billie just got home after touring for the last six months.
"You knew that when you married me, I would not always be home, that's part of my job."
"Well, maybe our marriage was a mistake."
"What? What are you saying?"
"I want a divorce, Billie. I just can't take this anymore. I'm leaving you."
Adrienne walked upstairs to their bedroom and started packing her stuff.
"Where are you gonna go?"
"A safe place, you don't need to know."
"What about the boys?"
"They are coming with me. I want split-custody."
"So, that's it, you're just gonna leave me?"
"I've been meaning to for a while now. It took me some time to make up my mind but, that's it. I'm leaving you tonight. Bye."
She walked down the stairs and the boys.
"Joey, Jake, we're leaving."
"Where are we going mom?" asked Joey.
"Why do we gotta go?" asked Jake.
"You'll see when we get there."
And with that the three walked out of the house and left him there in silence.
New Orleans, Louisiana
I looked out the window as I was doing the dishes. I always daydreamed, anything to get me out of this hell-hole. I have never been the same since we moved away from the East Bay. I lost a bit of myself back there. I got married to Rick. His real name is Richard Thibodeaux. He was kind and loving, at first. We would go for walks, he would hold my the door open for me, get my chair. About a year after we were wed it all changed, he became abusive, It started with yelling and verbal abuse, he would call me a slut or a bitch. Gradually it escalated, he slapped me one day, I just couldn't believe he would do such a thing. Now, I am used to it. I have to wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to cover up the marks. The only thing that makes me happy is staring out of my window, as I am right now, it is my escape. He will be home soon and I better have dinner ready, or else. We have no children. I was pregnant once, he threw me down the stairs and it was gone. I cry myself to sleep each night. He keeps me a prisoner in this house. All I do is cook and clean, no television, radio, newspaper, computer, phones. I have no idea what has gone on in the world since 1993.
"Hey, Adiana. I'm home."
Oh great, he is here. I want to leave him so bad. I guess it is just fear that keeps holding me back.
"Hello, how was your day?"
I gave him a fake smile. That is all I ever do, we have no relationship. It is just a figment of his imagination.
"Fine, I'm sick of hearing that band, Green... "
"What band, dear?"
"No... No. You don't need your mind filled with their nonsense. All you need is a good kitchen for cooking."
"Why? Why can't I just listen to the radio? I haven't heard music since we were married."
"What? Did you just question me?"
No, I angered him, now I am in for it.
"N... No, I just... "
"You just what? Think I'm not good enough? You wanna leave?"
"Yes! I fucking hate you! You are beneath me! I don't need to take your abuse anymore!"
Oh man, I did not have to say that. Now he will beat me for sure. All I felt was pain. My jaw cracked, I felt the heat on my cheek where he hit me and tears rolled down my face.
"You wana leave me, bitch? Fine. No one cares about you. You'll die on the streets. Pack your shit and get the fuck out!"
"I.... I will."
I cannot believe this is happening. I ran in my room an threw my clothes in a bag. I did not have much. I left the wedding band I had worn for the last fifteen years and I walked out the door, out of my prison. I am free! I walked out and breathed in the sweet air. Where will I go? I have no friends. I have enough money for a plane ticket, one-way, and a couple of bucks to spare me. I am going to the only place I have ever called home, I am going back to Oakland.
Billie's POV
How could she leave me? My life is gone in a matter of minutes. My kids, my wife, just gone. I know things were rough, but not this bad. I had to clear my head. Should I call mike? No, too late. I should just leave him out of it. I should just leave him out of it. I need something, coffee. I walked out of my house and walked for a few miles, I somehow ended up in Oakland, outside of a Starbucks in front of the airport. Damn, did I leave my wallet/ No, it is here. I order a coffee, black. I do not really need caffeine this late, it is not healthy, I will be up all night, hell, I would not be sleeping anyway. I was sitting and moping for what felt like hours and I did not notice her walk in.
Adi's POV
The ride was about five hours long, it felt like five years. On the way their I pondered. Where will I go? I am all alone. I cannot believe it. The plane landed and I walked outside. Starbucks, I wonder if I have enough money? Fifty bucks, I will just get something cheap. I walked in and sat down, this place is huge. Times have changed, it is like I have been lost in time for the last fifteen years. I sat down at the bar next to this guy, he looked upset.
"Hello, ma'am. What can I get you tonight?"
"Wow, choices, choices. Can I get a coffee, black?"
"Sure, you're total will be five dollars and fifteen cents."
"Damn, that's a lot. Uumm here."
The guy stopped sipping his coffee and he looked up at me. He had those gorgeous eyes. My soul mate's gorgeous green eyes.
"Oh my God. Billie?"
"Fuck! Adi?"
"Yes, oh man, how are you?"
He gave me a huge hug.
"I missed you so much, Adi. I never thought I'd see you again."
"Oh Billie, I've thought about you everyday since I moved. I'm so sorry."
"What are you sorry for? Your mother had a job transfer, nothing could be done."
He is just like I remembered, caring and understanding. He looks so good. I just cannot believe I am in his presence again.
"So, how are you? What are you doing now? You got a job or something?"
"Huh? You don't know?"
"Know what?"
"Uuumm, never mind. What's with you? You married?"
"Uuumm, I don't know."
"What do you mean, you don't know?"
"Well, we got into a fight, I told him I hated him and he beat me and threw me out."
"What?"
His eyes turned that emerald green. I could tell he was pissed.
"He, well, he abused me for the fifteen years we were married. He basically locked me away. No tv, radio, newspaper, anything. He controlled me."
"If I ever see him he's fuckin' dead. I will never let anyone harm you, ever again."
"Oh, Billie. You still care?"
"Of course I do, I love you Adi."
"I love you too."
"So, are you married?"
"I was, we got into a fight tonight. She wants a divorce."
"I'm sorry."
"No, it's okay. Do you wanna keep talking at my house, or yours?"
"I don't live here. I lived in New Orleans. I flew here tonight. It's the only place that's home."
"Oh, you can stay with me, if you need a place to crash."
We walked back to Billie's house. He lives far away, all the way in Berkeley. We enter this private subdivision of enormous mansions. He cannot live here, can he? He walks up to this elaborate house and walks to the front door and opens it.
"Oh my God Billie! You live here?"
"Yeah, I kinda need to tell you something. It's about what I do."
"As long as it's not illegal."
"Oh, it isn't. Do you remember Green Day?"
"Of course, Mike and Tre'. Why?"
"Yeah, in 1994 we got signed to a major label, Reprise records, we kinda became a huge band. We are actually world famous."
"What? No way."
"Yeah, I can't believe it myself sometimes. Do you want to sit down, something to drink?"
"Sure."
He showed me in the living room, it is even bigger then I thought. I sat down on this huge sofa. It had to cost a lot of money. Billie came back from the kitchen with two glasses.
"I thought, me and you need a drink."
"Yeah, thanks. You haven't aged one bit Billie."
"You look great, Adi. You look really good."
"You do too."
Billie placed his glass on the coffee table and kissed me.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to, you just look so... "
"Shut up."
We started kissing harder and his kisses moved down to my neck. His hands started to lift up my shirt and he threw it across the room. I pulled off his shirt. He has been working out, and... USE YOUR IMAGINATION
Billie's POV
Last night was amazing. I cannot believe I found her. I have thought about Adi non-stop since she left. I cannot believe she is back. I looked down, her head was on my chest. I had almost forgotten how peaceful she looked when she slept. I lightly got up and put on my clothes. I decided to leave her sleeping and went out to get breakfast. Maybe this was supposed to happen. Maybe we really are meant to be.
