FicWad

Alicia and I found Jenny working on some paperwork. She looked up when we entered the bus and smiled slightly. “Hi guys.”
The bus was full of people and I really wanted to talk to her alone. “Hey, you have a few minutes to talk?” I asked.
She closed her notebook. “Sure, want to go somewhere else?”
I nodded, “Yeah, lets get some fresh air.”
The three of us head towards catering, which had set up tents outside. Once seated at a table I spoke. “We just want you to know how sorry we are about your dad. Gee wanted me to tell you he hopes your dad’s okay too."
Jenny gave me a surprised look, “Really?”
I have to admit her comment bothered me, “Well, yeah. Of course he’s concerned. Why wouldn’t he be?”
I could tell she was trying to choose her words carefully, “I thought he might be a bit annoyed I was leaving because he thought that might mean you have to deal with the Meet & Greets but I’ve already talked to Erica and she’s gonna take care of them until I get back.”
Well shit, she had heard his comments while I was on the phone. I didn’t want her to think that Gee had anything personally against her. His stress level was making him snap. “Jenny, Gee likes you. He’s just upset right now about other things.”
She smiled, “Laura, I understand that. To be honest I wish I didn’t have to leave. I know that makes me sound like a bad daughter. That I don’t care about my dad but it’s a bad situation for me.”
“You and your dad aren’t close?” Alicia guessed..
Jenny looked down at her hands, “Not really. We never have been. My dad is a difficult person to get along with. He’s an alcoholic.”
“I’m sorry.” I said reaching out to touch her hand. “I didn’t know.”
Jenny shook her head, “It’s okay. See it’s more than that. I not only have to deal with dad there is his wife. She hates me. Always has. So now I get to go home and deal with her too.”
“How bad is your dad? Alicia asked, “Is he in the hospital?”
Jenny nodded, “Yeah, they are running tests but he has paralysis on his left side. He’s also having trouble speaking.”
“Are you planning on staying home?” Alicia asked.
The question seemed to upset Jenny. “No, I’m only going home for a few days. I hope to catch back up with the tour in Arizona.”
I didn’t want her to think she needed to come back that quickly in fear of losing her job. We only had just a little less than two weeks until another break was scheduled so I told her my feelings. Instead of helping his seemed to upset her even more.
“I know you don’t understand but I hate that I have to go home at all. If it wasn’t for my little sister I don’t think I would. Yeah, that makes me sound like a bitch but there’s a lot of things you don’t understand.”
“I didn’t even know you had a little sister.” I said sadly.
Jenny looked down again. I could see how difficult this was for her. “She’s my half sister. When my dad remarried his wife wanted to have a child. He didn’t but her desire won out in the end and so I have a half sister.”
“You sound like you really hate your step mom.” Alicia said softly.
Jenny laughed mirthlessly, “Yeah, you could say that. But it’s mutual; the woman hates me just as much. I’m surprised she even told me about dad. If she hadn’t and I didn’t go home it would make me look really bad. I’m sure that would please her.”
Sitting with Jenny I began to feel angry with myself. I considered her a friend and yet I hadn’t taken the time to find out anything about her life. Obviously she had a lot of issues she was dealing with that I knew nothing about. I realized I hadn’t been much of a friend to her at all. “I’m really sorry.” I muttered.
Jenny looked over at me, “It’s not your fault my life is so fucked up. I don’t usually talk about it. It’s not your fault you didn’t know any of this.”
“But I didn’t even think to ask you. That really doesn’t make me a very good friend.”
Jenny smiled sadly, “Laura since I’ve met you things in your own life have been pretty rough.” She paused a minute, “Please don’t take this wrong but I’m not stupid. I know you and Gerard have had some problems. Shit, there is a stalker trying to hurt you. That is one of the biggest reasons I don’t want to go.” When she looked up she had tears in her eyes, “I’m worried about you. I know it’s stupid because you have Worm looking out for you but I have been trying to keep an eye on you too. Most concerts when you and Alicia sit on the side stage I’m back behind the stage watching you. I don’t want anything to happen to you. I’m scared of losing my friend.”
Oh shit, her words made me break into tears. “Jenny, I didn’t know. Thank you.” I said leaning over to hug her.
“It’s okay.” She whispered.
“Hey, can I be a friend too.” Alicia asked when Jenny and I broke apart.
Jenny wiped her eyes, “You’re my friend too.” She smiled over at her, “Just not one who has a stalker trying to hurt her.”
Alicia nodded, “I’m fucking happy I don’t. But don’t worry about Laura. I’ll keep an eye on her extra hard while you’re gone.”
Jenny nodded, “That makes me feel a bit better. Make sure nothing happens to her. I’ll get back as soon as I can.”
I was so touched by her concern for me. “I know I’m not always so good at being a friend to someone. Hell, I’ve never really had many friends. Alicia is really the only close friend I’ve ever had.” I admitted.
“I’ve never had close friends before you two.” Jenny said with a sigh, “Because of my dad’s drinking I never wanted to have anyone over to the house.”
“What about when you moved out?” Alicia asked.
“I never did.” Jenny answered, “It’s really lame but I didn’t want to leave my sister. When she was little I wanted to be there to protect her. That is why I was so happy when I got this job. It allows me to get away. I still worry about Molly but I don’t think it’s really necessary. My step mom is a she wolf. She wouldn’t let anyone hurt Molly.”
“Molly is your sister?" Alicia guessed.
The smile on Jenny’s face was beautiful, “Yeah, Molly is my sister.”
I was about to ask her about Molly when Jenny noticed the time. “Oh, shit. I have to get over to the venue. The fans will be lining up.”
“Oh crap it is time for the Meet and Greet.” I said glancing at my watch. “Hey we’ll go with you.”
Alicia nodded, “Yeah.”
Jenny smiled at us both, “Thanks guys. Thanks for caring.”
As we stood up I answered, “Hey, you’re our friend. Remember that.”

That night as Alicia and I sat on the side stage waiting for the concert to begin I strained my eyes looking for Jenny. I knew she wasn’t flying home until tomorrow morning and I wondered if she was watching me from the back stage area.
“You’re looking for her too?” Alicia said leaning over and speaking in my ear.
I nodded.
“There she is.” Alicia said pointing. “I’ll go get her.”
A moment later the two women walked back over and sat down beside me. Jenny smiled, “I’m really not supposed to be in this area.”
“Uh, yeah you are. You’re our friend. Not just an employee.” I answered.
At that moment the lights dimmed and the crowd began to roar. No matter how many concerts I’d sat through this moment always made my heart rate speed up. Seeing Gee walk out on the stage was exciting but knowing he would be mine when he left the stage was beyond exciting.
Beside me I saw Jenny’s eyes scanning the crowd. Shit, why hadn’t I seen how much she cared about me? It made me sad to realize I had gotten so caught up in my own problems I had overlooked her intense friendship.
Half way through the concert Jenny leaned over and spoke into my ear to be heard over the music, “I have to go finish packing my things now. I’m staying in a hotel here tonight and catching a plane in the morning.”
I waned to speak to her before she left. I nodded but when she got up to leave I stood and followed her. Once we were backstage I spoke. “I’ll go with you to pack.”
“That’s not necessary. You’ll miss the rest of the concert.”
“It’s okay.”
Alicia suddenly appeared, “What’s up?”
I told her I was going with Jenny to pack her things and asked her to tell Gee I’d meet him on the bus after the concert.
Now Worm appeared. Hell I did have a group of bodyguards. I told Worm what was going on and he insisted on following us to the bus. Once we were there I made him go back to the concert. I was safe on a bus full of people. He nodded and left.
“So how are you getting to the hotel?” I asked as Jenny added a few more items to her bag.
“Tom is driving me there. The hotel has a shuttle to the airport I’ll use in the morning.”
“Jenny will you call me when you get home? Let me know how your dad is doing?”
She looked up and smiled, “Sure.”
Tom spoke, “Ready to go, Jenny?”
She turned to him and nodded, “Take care of yourself.” She said giving me a tight hug.
“I will, you too.” I answered.
I followed them off the bus and waited until they drove off before heading to the My Chem bus. The night air was cool and felt good on my face. I sighed wishing I could go for a walk but I knew it would be a bad idea. Not that I was really afraid but I knew how it would upset Gee. I was almost to the bus when a shadow caught my eye. I jumped when I heard my name called out