Let Me Kiss You One More Time, chapter 12
The waitress poured some hot coffee into my mug while I waited for Tré to come. I looked at my watch. 2:09, probably coming fashionably late as usual. I sipped my coffee and scanned the area around me. Tree's mostly willows, a small park across the bar with a set of swings and benches. Then on the right of the park was nice little houses, blue ones white ones beige ones. Then on the left of the park was a gas station behind that was a small mall. Cute area, I'd live here in a flash if I was offered. I drummed a beat on the table with my fingers while waiting. I hummed along to the song that was playing in the bar; Basket Case. I softly laughed thinking to myself, 'Haven't heard that in awhile.'
I felt a soft tap on my shoulder, I jumped a bit in my seat, startled. I turned around and was met by a man with sunglasses and a hat to disguise him.
"This seat taken?" He asked. I shook my head grinning. He sat down in front of me also grinning. I pinched his cheeks annoyingly like a grandmother would do.
"You left me," I joked offended. I tried to look hurt and sad while crossing my arms in front of me.
"I'm sorry!" He cried, getting out from his seat and pulling me into a tight hug fake sobbing. I laughed patting his back.
"You better be, Ayleen misses you too," I said smiling. He took of his hat and fixed his fo-hawk. He's definitely changed from the Tre I used to know.
"Ayleen," He sighed, "I remember when she was just a toddler and we went shopping."
I smiled also remembering those days. All men hyper. When I first met Mike at Rudy's Can't Rail Cafe. I shook my head to myself, plastering a smile onto my face. Tré tilted his head and raised an eyebrow at my funny actions. I decided to order a beer, Tré also ordered one. I sat there drinking the liquid alcohol while Tré flirted with a waitress. Annoyed, I kicked him in the shins and continued to drink my beer. Tre whipped around glaring at me, pissed. I shrugged and smiled at him. We talked about our lives. It turns out Tré has two kids, Ramona, and Frankito, and lives with his ex-wife, Claudia. He's single. I'm just living with Ayleen in a nice two story house alone.
I suppose Tré had way too many drinks for him. He was on his sixth, and was drunk as hell. He rested his chin in his hands and batted his eyelashes at me.
"What Tré?" I asked in a snobby tone.
"You have the most beaaaautiful eyes," Tré admired grinning. I rolled my eyes and got out of my seat.
"Come on Tré, time to go," I said hoisting him out of the chair. He slung one arm around my shoulder while i kept him balanced placing my hands around his waist.
"Oo getting toucheh, 'eh?" Tré jumped while I put my hands around his waist.
"Shut up," I moaned quietly.
We walked to my car while I fiddled with the car keys. Tre kept whining about how he didn't want to go. Suck it up princess, I thought to myself. I took my hand and ran it down my face stressed out. Suddenly I felt someone put their hands on my shoulders and massage them, giving me kisses on the neck. I couldn't move, I was in shock and was terrified. I turned around to meet eye to eye with Tré.
"Get your hands off me," I mumbled in a mean tone. Tré backed off and got into the car. I got into the drivers side, started up the car and sped out of the bar.
I flicked on the radio angry, while Tre fell asleep on next to me in the car snoring lightly. Dane Cook had just come on talking about drowning.
"No one wants to drown, everyone has that feeling. Augh it's the worst feeling thinking that you're drowning. Like during the summer your like at a pool party or something, and your like, 'I'm gunna go to the deep end, watch me dive, watch me dive'. Right? And then you dive in, splash noise, and then the second you get to the bottom your like 'Get me out of here,'" the crowd roars with laughter, as I also laugh along cheering me up.
"Where's the surface?" Dane continued, "And you always come up under the kid in the raft, ahh, Jesus Christ, Timmy, do not float above me when I am dying in the abyss!"
The crowd continued to roar with laughter, as I too continued to laugh. "Your son almost killed me with his uh, daffy duck raft over here, John, he tried to murder me in the pool, Float away from me, float away."
By the time it was over I had tears streaming down my face from laughing too much. We reached my house and I had to drag Tre into the house plunking him down onto the couch. Ayleen came into the room noticing me with a tear stained face. She ran beside me hugging me.
"Err, Nice to see you too," I laughed hugging her back.
"What's wrong? Why were you crying? Was it Tré?" Ayleen asked glaring at Tre.
"No no, I was listening to the radio," I smiled reassuring.
"Oh," Ayleen simply said, nodding and heading back upstairs.
* * * *
Adrienne wrapped her arms around Billie's waist in bed resting her head on his chest. Billie wrapped his arms around her smiling and kissing her head.
"Morning sunshine," Billie said softly in her hair.
"Morning," Adrienne smiled getting out of the bed. Billie pouted, crossing his arms as she left the bed.
"Come back," Billie whined quietly reaching for her. Adrienne giggled lightly kissing him then heading downstairs with her robe on. Billie followed like a puppy wanting food. The two boys, Joey and Jakob, were still sound asleep. Billie had an idea to get them up with a banging shock. He grabbed some materials for the boys.
Quietly he tip-toed upstairs with his belongings while Adrienne watched from downstairs leaning backwards to watch. Luckily the boys rooms where right beside each other so the plan worked out perfectly. Taking the wooden spoon in one hand and the metal pot in the other, with ear plugs in ear he began to hit the pot as hard as he could with the wooden spoon over and over walking in front of the boy's room.
"Wakey Wakey!" Billie shouted as loud as he could over the sound of the metal bangs.
Joey and Jakob jolted out of bed, grumpy and tired. They stormed past their dad on their way going down stairs. Billie stifled a laugh following them downstairs and putting back the wooden spoon and pot. Joey and Jakob glared at their dad and ate their breakfast.
Adrienne nudged Billie in the side making in wince in laughter. Adrienne sighed annoyingly.
"Why did I ever marry you?" Adrienne said out loud in a whisper.
"Because you looove me," Billie said wrapping his arms around her waist and putting his head on her shoulder kissing her neck. Adrienne laughed nodding her head gently and continued washing the dishes.
* * * *
Tré woke up with a major headache on my couch, groaning with pain.
"Hi," Ayleen said shoving her face in his face. Tré shook his head and got up putting his head in his hand.
Ayleen shoved some Advil and water into his face. Tre gladly took it smiling and taking the medicine.
"What time is it?" Tré mumbled looking around in his surroundings.
"Err, 1 o'clock," Ayleen said looking at her watch. I came into the living room noticing he was up.
"Oh you're up," I said smiling holding some coffee. "Claudia phoned on your cell, she wants you home,"
Tre's eyes widened. He hopped off the couch hugging both of us and leaving.
"Weird," I said stunned as he left.
"Really weird," Ayleen said laughing.
* * * *
Tre came through the door of his and Claudia's house with Frank and Ramona clinging to him.
"Daddy you're home," They both chanted. Tré smiled patting their heads and heading to the kitchen.
"Hi Claudia," Tré said warmly.
"Hi," She said plainly reading the paper. "I called your cell."
"Mhmm," Tré said trying to avoid to subject.
"A woman answered," She said folding the paper.
"Oh really?" Tre asked grabbing an apple.
"Yea really, and she said that you were asleep on her couch," Claudia said hurt and sad.
Tre sighed sitting down.
"Okay, I went to go visit an old friend from when I was young, 18. Rachel, she was a very good friend with me, Billie, and Mike. She went out with Mike, and it turns out she still lives in Oakland. So I went to go catch up with her," Tre explained to Claudia clearing up the anger in the air.
"Oh," Claudia said a bit embarrassed. "Sorry."
Tré smiled pulling her into a hug. Even though they were divorced, they acted like best friends. Ramona doesn't live with her mom anymore; her mom gave her up to live with Tré. Tré and Lisea think it's for the best. Claudia doesn't have a problem with it. At least she has another girl in the house.
Frankito is 6, and Ramona was 11. They were both friends with Stella who was 7, Joey and Jakob, and Ayleen.
* * * *
Green Day had a big show coming up in their hometown, and all of us were invited to go up front. Although Mike doesn't know I'm coming. Ayleen and I both packed for the hotel and what to wear on the big night. Adrienne phoned, informing us were staying in the same hotel as them, and told us just to tag along behind the tour bus, since there was no room for us in it. No biggie. Ayleen and I were both packed up and ready to drive. Only, we were leaving tomorrow and it was about two hours away from us. I was both excited and nervous for the big show, while ayleen kept whining for her friends to come. I told her to go whine to Billie being sarcastic. Obviously she didn't take it as a joke and ran over to Billie's.
"Billie," Ayleen said storming into the house jumping around while Joey looked up laughing at Ayleen.
"Shut up Joseph," Ayleen said making him shut up. Billie emerged from upstairs annoyed.
"Whhaaat?" Billie moaned rubbing his neck.
"Can I bring a friend along? Please?" Ayleen begged. Billie rolled his eyes and waved her away as a 'yea sure, whatever," Ayleen squeeled running back home.
She ran through the door jumping around and cheering.
"Well?" I asked closing the book I was reading.
"He said...Yes!" Ayleen squealed running upstairs to dial her friend's number. I rolled my eyes and thought, "Great more racket in the car,"
Ayleen came running downstairs and running to me jumping up and down.
"Okay, okay, Kaytee's coming," Ayleen said smiling widely. I nodded my head and ushered her away.
Next Day.
I woke up at 7 in the morning, to get ready and pick up Kaytee. I got dressed and left a note saying that I'm picking her up. I jumped into the car and droved to Kaytee's house.
Once I got there I looked at the house. Nice house. Blue house with a stone drive-way. Wooden steps leading to the door. Around the house is decorated with many flowers. I got out of the car making my way up the drive-way to main door. I rang to doorbell until a woman around about my age answered.
"Hello?" She said smiling.
"Uh, yea I'm here for Kaytee," I said smiling back.
"Oh yeah, she's going to that Green Day show?" She asked crossing her arms. I nodded still smiling. Her mother, I presume, called her down and hugged her good-bye.
"By the way, when about will you come back?" Kaytee's mom asks.
"At least a month," I said smiling and taking Kaytee's luggage to the car.
Kaytee's mother hugged and kissed her good-bye, as she ran down the driveway to my car hopping inside.
"Hello Mrs. Trench," Kaytee said politely.
"Call me Rachel," I laughed smiling at her.
Kaytee was short. But a nice size for her age. She had long brown hair with blue streaks here and there. Her most striking feature was her eyes. They were a hazel that rimmed a circle with green and some gold. She laid her hands on her lap, and smiled back at me then focusing on the road.
I started up the car and began to drive the way home.
"So you like Green Day?" I asked her starting up a conversation.
"Yeah. They are my favourite band," Kaytee said smiling and twiddling her thumb.
"You like any of the band members?" I asked again taking a right on Broadway st.
"Mmmhmm, Billie Joe. He influenced me on played the guitar," She said turning to me and was more confident in talking to me.
"Oh really? Cool," I said smiling and taking a left onto Tweedsmeer St.
"Do you like any of the band members?" She asked me this time interested.
"You could say that," I said grinning and parking into the drive-way.
"Ayleen should be inside," I said unbuckling and grabbing her luggage. Kaytee nodded running into the house.
* * * *
Kaytee and Ayleen were in the back whispering I guess about boys.
"You like Joey," Ayleen whispered to her giggling hysterically.
"Shut up," Kaytee hissed slapping her in the arm.
"Ow," Ayleen laughed grabbing her arms and caressing it.
I sighed shaking my head and laughing at their fight.
I trailed behind the big black tour bus, as Tré madly waved at me. I waved back with one hand and continued to drive.
* * * *
"Tré, what the hell are you doing?" Mike asked annoyed.
Tré skipped into the area that the group was and plunked down beside Jason.
"Jaaason," Tre cooed looking at him.
"Treeeeee," Jason cooed back. Mike looked at them oddly and shrugged wrapping his arm around Brittney.
"Okay, guys, were almost there," Adrienne announced giving her two boys some snacks to nibble on.
"Yaaay!" Tré squealed hugging Jason.
"Yeah. You too buddy," Jason said. getting squished.
Finally pulling free of Tre's grip, Jason settled back in his seat and watched as the huge stadium slowly came into view. It was huge. At least 30,000 people could easily fit it.
"Whoa, sweet." Joey breathed, eyes widening as Jakob grinned widely beside him.
They pulled into the parking lot and filed out of the bus.
"Boys, stay close to me, its easy to get lose here," Adrienne said, grabbing hold of both Joey and Jakob's hands.
"Aw, mom," they complained in unison.
* * *
Ayleen and Kaytee stopped whispering in the backseat and watched in awe as I pulled up to the stadium.
"Holy shit," Kaytee whispered to herself.
I found a parking spot close to the bus and pulled in.
My eyes settled on Mike, who was walking nonchalantly towards the stadium his hands jammed in his pockets. Beside him, was a gorgeous, perky blonde who was whispering into his ear. Jealously rushed throughout my body eyes still fixed on Mike and the girl. I shook it off and headed towards the stadium waving at Adrienne.
Ayleen and Kaytee ran ahead, and walked beside Joey, giggling and flirting. Weird.
Looking bored, Mike lightly pushed the girls face away from his ear and said something that I couldn't hear.
Ayleen and Kaytee joined me, as the band and the boys walked behind stage.
We quickly found our front-row seats and settled down. I rested my head on the seat waiting patiently for the crowd to fill in and the band to come out. Eventually the stadium started to grow more and more crowded.
It grew darker and soon some lights came onto stage as a Pink bunny jumped onto the stage with a beer in one hand. After that whole skit was done, Billie poked his head out of the curtain looking at me and ayleen and winking at us. Ayleen blushed beside me and waved at him. He secretly waved back and ran out onto the stage with his guitar.
The crowd roared with excitement and cheered. Tre came out going behind his drum kit and winking at everyone. The Mike came out with his famous wink and went into position with his bass. I stared at him while Billie started up the first few riffs for American Idiot. Mike jumped around playing and singing. My eyes were still fixed on him. When he went back to the mic to sing his eyes scanned the crowd.
They landed on me suddenly. I felt like I had gotten zapped from medusa. I couldn't move. I was blushing like mad too. Instead of what I thought he was gunna do; stare at me and stop playing. He smiled wide at me and I choked up a small smile.
Ayleen and Kaytee had gone back stage to find Joey or Jakob. After a few minutes I heard a faint scream in beyond the crowd. It was hard to hear it, but I knew it. I rushed out of my seat and ran backstage. I heard the scream again and bolted to where the sound was coming.
I was out in the parking lot searching everywhere for Ayleen and Kaytee. I heard a faint muffled whimper behind a black van. I ran over there and saw Ayleen with her knees tucked under her chin and sobbing into her arms. Kaytee was behind her in shock with her jaw open.
"W...what happened?" I said but it came out more of a scream. Kaytee had tears running down her cheeks.
"Some guys came and," Kaytee cleared her throat and continued, "tried to steal out VIP backstage tickets. I gave them mine, b-but Ayleen wouldn't. The guys beat her up making me watch," Kaytee was now at the verge of sobbing. I studied Ayleen. Her lip was busted open; she had bruises on her arm, and cuts everywhere. I rushed over to her and pulled her into a hug. She sobbed onto my shoulder. Suddenly the door to the stadium flung opened.
My head whipped to the side. I stared in awe as Mike appeared coming out of the doors rushing over to me, looking worried as. I wanted to say something.
Anything. I kept kicking myself inside my head, but nothing would come out. He came over to me pulling me into a warm hug I've missed for so long. I sunk into the hug putting my arms around him tears streams down my face. He pulled me away and looked into my blue sad eyes.
"What happened?" he asked holding me by the shoulders studying me.
Still I wouldn't say anything. It's was like someone took a human remote and pushed mute. Instead I pointed to Ayleen who sat on the curb, crying on Kaytee's shoulder. Ayleen sniffed and looked up at mike with hurt, anger, and sadness in her eyes.
He reached down and picked her up like a baby, cradling her in his arms.
"It's so great to see you again, Ayleen," Mike whispered in Ayleen's hair softly. Ayleen nodded
I smiled at the sight still in mute mode of nothing to say.
"M...mom," Ayleen weezed.
"Yes, Hun?" I spoke gently.
Before Ayleen could say anything, her eyes closed and her body went limp. She slept peacefully in Mike's arm as we walked together while Mike was carrying Ayleen in his arms towards the stadium. Kaytee tagged along beside me.
The security guard nodded at Mike as we walked in.
Brittney looked up from waiting for Mike. She glared at me, standing up and walking towards Mike.
"Who's this?" Brittney said snapping rather nastily towards me.
"This is Rachel..." Mike said quietly smiling at me.
"You mean your dead dog?" Brittney sounded hurt and mad.
Mike sighed not believing he told a lie on Brittney.
"I don't believe this," the blonde said, spinning on her heels and marching off. I stood there thinking happily that she's gone, but feeling sorry and terrible about it.
Mike gently put Ayleen down who had woken up a bit. He walked over to Brittney trying to sort things out with her. She shook her head and slapped Mike in the face storming off.
I walked over to Ayleen and gently brushed her hair off her face.
Then, I walked into the bathroom, wet some paper towels and gently dabbed at her cuts. She winced as I dabbed them.
"Mom, where are we?" Ayleen croaked.
"The stadium," I said soothingly.
Ayleen nodded and yawned.
Mike kicked at the ground, angry and depressed. He jammed his hands deep in his pockets and watched me. From the distance.
"Who was that?" I asked, referring to the blonde.
"Brittney...my girlfriend." Mike said, slowly.
My heart felt like it was being torn from my chest, and all I could hear was a loud ringing. It was the girl who always answered the phone. The girl who referred me at the 'teenager'.
"Oh," I whispered.
I scooped Ayleen up, found some emergency blankets in First Aid kits and wrapped her in them.
Adrienne saw her and scurried over, dropping to her knees and soothing Ayleen gently. Adrienne gently hugged her and kept kissing her over and over on the head.
Taking this as my chance to talk to Mike, I walked over and took his hands out of his pockets and held them softly in mine for the first time in ages.
I had no idea what I was going to say, so I just stood there, staring into his eyes.
I looked away from him and saw Brittney leaning against the wall, glaring into the distance.
Mike stared at me smiling. I smiled back weakly and kept looking at Brittney from the corner of my eye. She looked hurt and angry. I sighed. I couldn't let this put a grudge on me my whole life. I gently and steadily kissed Mike quickly on the cheek and hurried over to Brittney. She looked confused at me coming over. I looked at her. Her face was tear stained. Guilt ran through me. It hurt me. I pulled her into a hug. I felt her stiffen and them wrap her arms around me.
"I'm sorry," I said through some tears.
"No, I'm sorry for acting like a bitch," She said in a faint laugh. I pulled away and smiled at her.
I felt a soft tap on my shoulder, I jumped a bit in my seat, startled. I turned around and was met by a man with sunglasses and a hat to disguise him.
"This seat taken?" He asked. I shook my head grinning. He sat down in front of me also grinning. I pinched his cheeks annoyingly like a grandmother would do.
"You left me," I joked offended. I tried to look hurt and sad while crossing my arms in front of me.
"I'm sorry!" He cried, getting out from his seat and pulling me into a tight hug fake sobbing. I laughed patting his back.
"You better be, Ayleen misses you too," I said smiling. He took of his hat and fixed his fo-hawk. He's definitely changed from the Tre I used to know.
"Ayleen," He sighed, "I remember when she was just a toddler and we went shopping."
I smiled also remembering those days. All men hyper. When I first met Mike at Rudy's Can't Rail Cafe. I shook my head to myself, plastering a smile onto my face. Tré tilted his head and raised an eyebrow at my funny actions. I decided to order a beer, Tré also ordered one. I sat there drinking the liquid alcohol while Tré flirted with a waitress. Annoyed, I kicked him in the shins and continued to drink my beer. Tre whipped around glaring at me, pissed. I shrugged and smiled at him. We talked about our lives. It turns out Tré has two kids, Ramona, and Frankito, and lives with his ex-wife, Claudia. He's single. I'm just living with Ayleen in a nice two story house alone.
I suppose Tré had way too many drinks for him. He was on his sixth, and was drunk as hell. He rested his chin in his hands and batted his eyelashes at me.
"What Tré?" I asked in a snobby tone.
"You have the most beaaaautiful eyes," Tré admired grinning. I rolled my eyes and got out of my seat.
"Come on Tré, time to go," I said hoisting him out of the chair. He slung one arm around my shoulder while i kept him balanced placing my hands around his waist.
"Oo getting toucheh, 'eh?" Tré jumped while I put my hands around his waist.
"Shut up," I moaned quietly.
We walked to my car while I fiddled with the car keys. Tre kept whining about how he didn't want to go. Suck it up princess, I thought to myself. I took my hand and ran it down my face stressed out. Suddenly I felt someone put their hands on my shoulders and massage them, giving me kisses on the neck. I couldn't move, I was in shock and was terrified. I turned around to meet eye to eye with Tré.
"Get your hands off me," I mumbled in a mean tone. Tré backed off and got into the car. I got into the drivers side, started up the car and sped out of the bar.
I flicked on the radio angry, while Tre fell asleep on next to me in the car snoring lightly. Dane Cook had just come on talking about drowning.
"No one wants to drown, everyone has that feeling. Augh it's the worst feeling thinking that you're drowning. Like during the summer your like at a pool party or something, and your like, 'I'm gunna go to the deep end, watch me dive, watch me dive'. Right? And then you dive in, splash noise, and then the second you get to the bottom your like 'Get me out of here,'" the crowd roars with laughter, as I also laugh along cheering me up.
"Where's the surface?" Dane continued, "And you always come up under the kid in the raft, ahh, Jesus Christ, Timmy, do not float above me when I am dying in the abyss!"
The crowd continued to roar with laughter, as I too continued to laugh. "Your son almost killed me with his uh, daffy duck raft over here, John, he tried to murder me in the pool, Float away from me, float away."
By the time it was over I had tears streaming down my face from laughing too much. We reached my house and I had to drag Tre into the house plunking him down onto the couch. Ayleen came into the room noticing me with a tear stained face. She ran beside me hugging me.
"Err, Nice to see you too," I laughed hugging her back.
"What's wrong? Why were you crying? Was it Tré?" Ayleen asked glaring at Tre.
"No no, I was listening to the radio," I smiled reassuring.
"Oh," Ayleen simply said, nodding and heading back upstairs.
* * * *
Adrienne wrapped her arms around Billie's waist in bed resting her head on his chest. Billie wrapped his arms around her smiling and kissing her head.
"Morning sunshine," Billie said softly in her hair.
"Morning," Adrienne smiled getting out of the bed. Billie pouted, crossing his arms as she left the bed.
"Come back," Billie whined quietly reaching for her. Adrienne giggled lightly kissing him then heading downstairs with her robe on. Billie followed like a puppy wanting food. The two boys, Joey and Jakob, were still sound asleep. Billie had an idea to get them up with a banging shock. He grabbed some materials for the boys.
Quietly he tip-toed upstairs with his belongings while Adrienne watched from downstairs leaning backwards to watch. Luckily the boys rooms where right beside each other so the plan worked out perfectly. Taking the wooden spoon in one hand and the metal pot in the other, with ear plugs in ear he began to hit the pot as hard as he could with the wooden spoon over and over walking in front of the boy's room.
"Wakey Wakey!" Billie shouted as loud as he could over the sound of the metal bangs.
Joey and Jakob jolted out of bed, grumpy and tired. They stormed past their dad on their way going down stairs. Billie stifled a laugh following them downstairs and putting back the wooden spoon and pot. Joey and Jakob glared at their dad and ate their breakfast.
Adrienne nudged Billie in the side making in wince in laughter. Adrienne sighed annoyingly.
"Why did I ever marry you?" Adrienne said out loud in a whisper.
"Because you looove me," Billie said wrapping his arms around her waist and putting his head on her shoulder kissing her neck. Adrienne laughed nodding her head gently and continued washing the dishes.
* * * *
Tré woke up with a major headache on my couch, groaning with pain.
"Hi," Ayleen said shoving her face in his face. Tré shook his head and got up putting his head in his hand.
Ayleen shoved some Advil and water into his face. Tre gladly took it smiling and taking the medicine.
"What time is it?" Tré mumbled looking around in his surroundings.
"Err, 1 o'clock," Ayleen said looking at her watch. I came into the living room noticing he was up.
"Oh you're up," I said smiling holding some coffee. "Claudia phoned on your cell, she wants you home,"
Tre's eyes widened. He hopped off the couch hugging both of us and leaving.
"Weird," I said stunned as he left.
"Really weird," Ayleen said laughing.
* * * *
Tre came through the door of his and Claudia's house with Frank and Ramona clinging to him.
"Daddy you're home," They both chanted. Tré smiled patting their heads and heading to the kitchen.
"Hi Claudia," Tré said warmly.
"Hi," She said plainly reading the paper. "I called your cell."
"Mhmm," Tré said trying to avoid to subject.
"A woman answered," She said folding the paper.
"Oh really?" Tre asked grabbing an apple.
"Yea really, and she said that you were asleep on her couch," Claudia said hurt and sad.
Tre sighed sitting down.
"Okay, I went to go visit an old friend from when I was young, 18. Rachel, she was a very good friend with me, Billie, and Mike. She went out with Mike, and it turns out she still lives in Oakland. So I went to go catch up with her," Tre explained to Claudia clearing up the anger in the air.
"Oh," Claudia said a bit embarrassed. "Sorry."
Tré smiled pulling her into a hug. Even though they were divorced, they acted like best friends. Ramona doesn't live with her mom anymore; her mom gave her up to live with Tré. Tré and Lisea think it's for the best. Claudia doesn't have a problem with it. At least she has another girl in the house.
Frankito is 6, and Ramona was 11. They were both friends with Stella who was 7, Joey and Jakob, and Ayleen.
* * * *
Green Day had a big show coming up in their hometown, and all of us were invited to go up front. Although Mike doesn't know I'm coming. Ayleen and I both packed for the hotel and what to wear on the big night. Adrienne phoned, informing us were staying in the same hotel as them, and told us just to tag along behind the tour bus, since there was no room for us in it. No biggie. Ayleen and I were both packed up and ready to drive. Only, we were leaving tomorrow and it was about two hours away from us. I was both excited and nervous for the big show, while ayleen kept whining for her friends to come. I told her to go whine to Billie being sarcastic. Obviously she didn't take it as a joke and ran over to Billie's.
"Billie," Ayleen said storming into the house jumping around while Joey looked up laughing at Ayleen.
"Shut up Joseph," Ayleen said making him shut up. Billie emerged from upstairs annoyed.
"Whhaaat?" Billie moaned rubbing his neck.
"Can I bring a friend along? Please?" Ayleen begged. Billie rolled his eyes and waved her away as a 'yea sure, whatever," Ayleen squeeled running back home.
She ran through the door jumping around and cheering.
"Well?" I asked closing the book I was reading.
"He said...Yes!" Ayleen squealed running upstairs to dial her friend's number. I rolled my eyes and thought, "Great more racket in the car,"
Ayleen came running downstairs and running to me jumping up and down.
"Okay, okay, Kaytee's coming," Ayleen said smiling widely. I nodded my head and ushered her away.
Next Day.
I woke up at 7 in the morning, to get ready and pick up Kaytee. I got dressed and left a note saying that I'm picking her up. I jumped into the car and droved to Kaytee's house.
Once I got there I looked at the house. Nice house. Blue house with a stone drive-way. Wooden steps leading to the door. Around the house is decorated with many flowers. I got out of the car making my way up the drive-way to main door. I rang to doorbell until a woman around about my age answered.
"Hello?" She said smiling.
"Uh, yea I'm here for Kaytee," I said smiling back.
"Oh yeah, she's going to that Green Day show?" She asked crossing her arms. I nodded still smiling. Her mother, I presume, called her down and hugged her good-bye.
"By the way, when about will you come back?" Kaytee's mom asks.
"At least a month," I said smiling and taking Kaytee's luggage to the car.
Kaytee's mother hugged and kissed her good-bye, as she ran down the driveway to my car hopping inside.
"Hello Mrs. Trench," Kaytee said politely.
"Call me Rachel," I laughed smiling at her.
Kaytee was short. But a nice size for her age. She had long brown hair with blue streaks here and there. Her most striking feature was her eyes. They were a hazel that rimmed a circle with green and some gold. She laid her hands on her lap, and smiled back at me then focusing on the road.
I started up the car and began to drive the way home.
"So you like Green Day?" I asked her starting up a conversation.
"Yeah. They are my favourite band," Kaytee said smiling and twiddling her thumb.
"You like any of the band members?" I asked again taking a right on Broadway st.
"Mmmhmm, Billie Joe. He influenced me on played the guitar," She said turning to me and was more confident in talking to me.
"Oh really? Cool," I said smiling and taking a left onto Tweedsmeer St.
"Do you like any of the band members?" She asked me this time interested.
"You could say that," I said grinning and parking into the drive-way.
"Ayleen should be inside," I said unbuckling and grabbing her luggage. Kaytee nodded running into the house.
* * * *
Kaytee and Ayleen were in the back whispering I guess about boys.
"You like Joey," Ayleen whispered to her giggling hysterically.
"Shut up," Kaytee hissed slapping her in the arm.
"Ow," Ayleen laughed grabbing her arms and caressing it.
I sighed shaking my head and laughing at their fight.
I trailed behind the big black tour bus, as Tré madly waved at me. I waved back with one hand and continued to drive.
* * * *
"Tré, what the hell are you doing?" Mike asked annoyed.
Tré skipped into the area that the group was and plunked down beside Jason.
"Jaaason," Tre cooed looking at him.
"Treeeeee," Jason cooed back. Mike looked at them oddly and shrugged wrapping his arm around Brittney.
"Okay, guys, were almost there," Adrienne announced giving her two boys some snacks to nibble on.
"Yaaay!" Tré squealed hugging Jason.
"Yeah. You too buddy," Jason said. getting squished.
Finally pulling free of Tre's grip, Jason settled back in his seat and watched as the huge stadium slowly came into view. It was huge. At least 30,000 people could easily fit it.
"Whoa, sweet." Joey breathed, eyes widening as Jakob grinned widely beside him.
They pulled into the parking lot and filed out of the bus.
"Boys, stay close to me, its easy to get lose here," Adrienne said, grabbing hold of both Joey and Jakob's hands.
"Aw, mom," they complained in unison.
* * *
Ayleen and Kaytee stopped whispering in the backseat and watched in awe as I pulled up to the stadium.
"Holy shit," Kaytee whispered to herself.
I found a parking spot close to the bus and pulled in.
My eyes settled on Mike, who was walking nonchalantly towards the stadium his hands jammed in his pockets. Beside him, was a gorgeous, perky blonde who was whispering into his ear. Jealously rushed throughout my body eyes still fixed on Mike and the girl. I shook it off and headed towards the stadium waving at Adrienne.
Ayleen and Kaytee ran ahead, and walked beside Joey, giggling and flirting. Weird.
Looking bored, Mike lightly pushed the girls face away from his ear and said something that I couldn't hear.
Ayleen and Kaytee joined me, as the band and the boys walked behind stage.
We quickly found our front-row seats and settled down. I rested my head on the seat waiting patiently for the crowd to fill in and the band to come out. Eventually the stadium started to grow more and more crowded.
It grew darker and soon some lights came onto stage as a Pink bunny jumped onto the stage with a beer in one hand. After that whole skit was done, Billie poked his head out of the curtain looking at me and ayleen and winking at us. Ayleen blushed beside me and waved at him. He secretly waved back and ran out onto the stage with his guitar.
The crowd roared with excitement and cheered. Tre came out going behind his drum kit and winking at everyone. The Mike came out with his famous wink and went into position with his bass. I stared at him while Billie started up the first few riffs for American Idiot. Mike jumped around playing and singing. My eyes were still fixed on him. When he went back to the mic to sing his eyes scanned the crowd.
They landed on me suddenly. I felt like I had gotten zapped from medusa. I couldn't move. I was blushing like mad too. Instead of what I thought he was gunna do; stare at me and stop playing. He smiled wide at me and I choked up a small smile.
Ayleen and Kaytee had gone back stage to find Joey or Jakob. After a few minutes I heard a faint scream in beyond the crowd. It was hard to hear it, but I knew it. I rushed out of my seat and ran backstage. I heard the scream again and bolted to where the sound was coming.
I was out in the parking lot searching everywhere for Ayleen and Kaytee. I heard a faint muffled whimper behind a black van. I ran over there and saw Ayleen with her knees tucked under her chin and sobbing into her arms. Kaytee was behind her in shock with her jaw open.
"W...what happened?" I said but it came out more of a scream. Kaytee had tears running down her cheeks.
"Some guys came and," Kaytee cleared her throat and continued, "tried to steal out VIP backstage tickets. I gave them mine, b-but Ayleen wouldn't. The guys beat her up making me watch," Kaytee was now at the verge of sobbing. I studied Ayleen. Her lip was busted open; she had bruises on her arm, and cuts everywhere. I rushed over to her and pulled her into a hug. She sobbed onto my shoulder. Suddenly the door to the stadium flung opened.
My head whipped to the side. I stared in awe as Mike appeared coming out of the doors rushing over to me, looking worried as. I wanted to say something.
Anything. I kept kicking myself inside my head, but nothing would come out. He came over to me pulling me into a warm hug I've missed for so long. I sunk into the hug putting my arms around him tears streams down my face. He pulled me away and looked into my blue sad eyes.
"What happened?" he asked holding me by the shoulders studying me.
Still I wouldn't say anything. It's was like someone took a human remote and pushed mute. Instead I pointed to Ayleen who sat on the curb, crying on Kaytee's shoulder. Ayleen sniffed and looked up at mike with hurt, anger, and sadness in her eyes.
He reached down and picked her up like a baby, cradling her in his arms.
"It's so great to see you again, Ayleen," Mike whispered in Ayleen's hair softly. Ayleen nodded
I smiled at the sight still in mute mode of nothing to say.
"M...mom," Ayleen weezed.
"Yes, Hun?" I spoke gently.
Before Ayleen could say anything, her eyes closed and her body went limp. She slept peacefully in Mike's arm as we walked together while Mike was carrying Ayleen in his arms towards the stadium. Kaytee tagged along beside me.
The security guard nodded at Mike as we walked in.
Brittney looked up from waiting for Mike. She glared at me, standing up and walking towards Mike.
"Who's this?" Brittney said snapping rather nastily towards me.
"This is Rachel..." Mike said quietly smiling at me.
"You mean your dead dog?" Brittney sounded hurt and mad.
Mike sighed not believing he told a lie on Brittney.
"I don't believe this," the blonde said, spinning on her heels and marching off. I stood there thinking happily that she's gone, but feeling sorry and terrible about it.
Mike gently put Ayleen down who had woken up a bit. He walked over to Brittney trying to sort things out with her. She shook her head and slapped Mike in the face storming off.
I walked over to Ayleen and gently brushed her hair off her face.
Then, I walked into the bathroom, wet some paper towels and gently dabbed at her cuts. She winced as I dabbed them.
"Mom, where are we?" Ayleen croaked.
"The stadium," I said soothingly.
Ayleen nodded and yawned.
Mike kicked at the ground, angry and depressed. He jammed his hands deep in his pockets and watched me. From the distance.
"Who was that?" I asked, referring to the blonde.
"Brittney...my girlfriend." Mike said, slowly.
My heart felt like it was being torn from my chest, and all I could hear was a loud ringing. It was the girl who always answered the phone. The girl who referred me at the 'teenager'.
"Oh," I whispered.
I scooped Ayleen up, found some emergency blankets in First Aid kits and wrapped her in them.
Adrienne saw her and scurried over, dropping to her knees and soothing Ayleen gently. Adrienne gently hugged her and kept kissing her over and over on the head.
Taking this as my chance to talk to Mike, I walked over and took his hands out of his pockets and held them softly in mine for the first time in ages.
I had no idea what I was going to say, so I just stood there, staring into his eyes.
I looked away from him and saw Brittney leaning against the wall, glaring into the distance.
Mike stared at me smiling. I smiled back weakly and kept looking at Brittney from the corner of my eye. She looked hurt and angry. I sighed. I couldn't let this put a grudge on me my whole life. I gently and steadily kissed Mike quickly on the cheek and hurried over to Brittney. She looked confused at me coming over. I looked at her. Her face was tear stained. Guilt ran through me. It hurt me. I pulled her into a hug. I felt her stiffen and them wrap her arms around me.
"I'm sorry," I said through some tears.
"No, I'm sorry for acting like a bitch," She said in a faint laugh. I pulled away and smiled at her.
