St. Jimmy's Girlfriend, chapter 3

****Billie's Point of View****

Damn it. Jimmy's dead. I've been crying since I found out. I'm scaring my kids. Could this get any worse? He wanted me to plan his funeral. I guess it could.

How can I plan a funeral when there's nothing to bury? I'm sure that Kal- Kaley. Shit. I forgot she was here. What a great host I am. Her boyfriend is dead and I forgot she was here. Great.

I walked down the hall to see Adi and Kaley hugging outside of Joey's room. "Hey," I said, "Did you tell them?" They looked up at me. "We told Joey," Adrienne said through tears, "But... I couldnt' break it to Jakob. You know how much he loved Jimmy." "Yeah," I said, "I know."

Tre and Mike came up. "Is everyone alright?" Mike asked. It was the first time I'd heard him talk since I called and broke the news to him. It startled me. "Yeah," said Kaley, "They're okay." She smiled at him. I loved her smile. I guess I'd never really noticed it before. It startled me like Mike did.

****Kaley's Point of View****

I forced a smile at Mike. I didn't want to cry. I wanted to stop. I really did. I can't begin to explain how much I did.

We all walked back to the living room silentely. No one felt like talking. I couldn't blame them. Jimmy was dead. There was no spark in my life anymore. Or anyone else's. We all missed Jimmy. We all knew that.

Tre plopped on the couch and sniffed. He ran his fingers through his hair, straightening his brown faux-hawk. His eyes were redder than any of ours. He really missed Jimmy. Even though he was only gone for a few hours. It seemed like forever, though. The tears flowed out my eyes. I couldn't help it. I had to cry. Ah, jeez. I have to puke again!

I ran into the bathroom just in time and locked the door. It was disgusting. I couldn't help it. I was crying to much. My stomach couldn't take it. Neither could I.

Billie knocked on the door. "Kaley? Are you okay?" he asked. "I'm puking in your toilet," I said, "What do you think?" He sighed. I heard him lean against the doorhinge. I heaved again. Uh, gross. "Unlock the door," he said. "I'll heave on you," I said. "Just do it," he sighed. I didn't get up. I just reached over and turned the door knob to unlock it. "Alright," said, "It's okay." He walked in and knelt by me. "Here," he said, holding out his hand, "It'll help." I was shocked. "Billie..."I said, "I can't." "Take it," he said, "I swear, it'll help." I swore I'd never do it anymore. I had to. Just this one time. I dropped the two pills in my mouth and swallowed. Ritalin.

I barfed again. On Billie. I covered my mouth. "Shit," I said, "I'm sorry." "It's... it's okay," he said, getting up,"I just need to change my shirt." He walked out. I was so embarrased. He invites me into his home and I barf on him. Damn it...

I got up, Ritalin kicking in, and walked into the living room. "Where's Bill?" Adi asked. "Ummm," I said, "I kinda heaved on him. He went to change his shirt." They all let out a chuckle. Billie walked in with a Misfits T-shirt on. "I'm sorry, Billie," I said, feeling bad. "It's okay," he said, "Really, it is."

We all wound up talking until about two in the morning. "I'm gonna go home," Tre said, "It's late and I wanna think." "Alright," Billie said, "See you later, man." They hugged and Mike announced he had to get back to his daughter. "I totally forgot," he said,"I hope the babysitter didn't leave yet."

My eyes started to get heavy. It was the Ritalin. I guess Billie thought I was tired. "C'mon, Kae," he said, "I'll drive you home." I snapped back to reality. "No!" I said, "I don't want to go. I don't want to go back to that big, empty apartment. Max is probablly whining and stuff, but, I need to stay here." I couldn't believe what had just come out of my mouth. I was thinking it, but, I just blurted it out. "I'm sorry," I said, "You're right. I'll go." "No," Adi said, "I think you should stay, too. I mean, after all, it was your boyfriend that died." "Right," said Billie, "You need to stay." "Alright," I said, stretching," I know where the room is. I think I'll turn in." I got up and turned around. "Kaley," Adrienne said behind me, "I really am... sorry." "Thanks," I finally got out, "You guys really have helped. You really, really have." They smiled as I walked down the hallway.

I stopped outside Joey's room. I leaned my ear against the door. I could hear him crying. I knocked on the door. "Joey?" I said, "Is it okay if I come in?" "Yeah," he sniffed. I slowly opened the door and walked in, flipping on the lights. "What are you still doing here?" he asked. "I'm staying the night," I said.
"What about Max?"
"He'll be fine."
"Are you sure?"
"He's a smart dog, Joey. He can get his own beer."

He laughed. He loved Max, too. Almost as much as Jimmy.

"Kaley? Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Wh-why did Jimmy kill himself?"
"I don't know." I started to cry again.
"Why would he want to?"
"He was stupid."
"Don't say that."
"I'm sorry. I really don't know why, though. I mean, he was depressed and everything, but, I didn't know he would do something like this."

There was a pause as I cried.

"It was pretty dumb," Joey spoke up.
"Yeah, it really was."
"Are- are you going to be okay?"
"Yeah. Yeah, I will. You know, you're parents are good people, Joey."
"I know, Kaley."
"I mean, they really are. Don't ever do something like Jimmy did. No matter how mad you ever get at them. They just want what's best for you."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"I just want to make sure."
"Okay."
"Well, I'm gonna turn in. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."

I walked out the room and flipped the lights off again. I walked into the guest room, not even turning the lights on. I didn't want to. I was too tired. I lay on the bed without the covers on and cried myself into an uneasy sleep.