FicWad

I slipped out of bed after taking one final look at my sleeping husband. Damn that man was pretty. It was hard to keep from giggling at the thought. Slowly I made my way into the kitchen and started the coffee I took from the package we’d received last night. Soon the aroma of Starbucks best was filling the apartment. My phone rang just as I was about to fill our two new mugs.
“Hey Laura, it’s me Jenny. I didn’t wake you did I?”
“No, I was just about to have some coffee. Actually the coffee you sent us. Thanks so much for the gift.”
“Glad you liked it. I ran into Alicia yesterday and she told me where your new apartment was so I just dropped off the gift.”
“Well, thanks again. So how have you been?”
“I’ve been staying busy but to tell you the truth I can’t wait for the tour to start up again. I miss being on the road.”
“Really?” I poured my cup of coffee and sat down in the living room, “I’m kinda enjoying being home. This apartment is really the first place that’s seemed like home in a long time.”
“Yeah, I bet it’s nice. So I was wondering if you’d have time to get together for lunch?”
I was surprised, “Today?” Actually I hadn’t given any thought to what Gee and I were going to do today.
“Oh, I understand, you’re probably busy.” Jenny said hurriedly.
Gee snuck up behind me. “Who you talkin’ to?”
I smiled, “Jenny, hold on a minute.” I lowered the phone. “Jenny wants me to have lunch with her today.”
“Hey, that’s a good idea. I really need to meet up with Mikey and Ray. They want to go over a new song.”
I wanted to have lunch with Jenny but I hated to be parted from him. He sensed my reluctance. “Go on. Have lunch with her. You and I are supposed to go to the movies with Mikey and Alicia tonight remember?” He leaned over the sofa and kissed my neck. “I’m sure you can stand to be parted from me for a few hours.” He teased.
I smiled, “Not really, but okay.” I lifted the phone. “Hey, Jenny I talked to Gee and he’s got some stuff to do today so I guess I am free for lunch.” We made plans to meet up in a few hours.

Gerard made breakfast for us. Okay so it was just cereal and toast but it was the thought that counted. Then we grabbed the paper and went back to bed to read it. It was so nice relaxing and discussing the articles we read. After about an hour I laid down the section of paper I’d been thumbing through and leaned back on the pillows.
‘What’s wrong?” He asked looking over at me.
“Just tired.” I closed my eyes. Actually the cereal had sort of upset my stomach.
He put down his one section of paper and moved closer to me on the bed. “I’m glad you’ve got that doctors appointment tomorrow. I think you’re run down.”
Truthfully I didn’t feel run down I felt like I’d been run over. “Still think it’s a waste of time. I’m fine.”
Gerard pulled me into this arms, “More that fine.” He kissed my lips gently. “If you want I can tell Mikey we can’t make it tonight.”
“No way. I wanna go to the movies. I’m thinking of all the things I can do to you in a dark theatre.”
He laughed, “Hey, that was what I was thinking.”
“So what are we gonna see?”
He shrugged, “Don’t know.”
“I hope it’s a horror movie. Then it will look like I’m snuggled up to you so close cause I’m scared.”
“Oh really. But it won’t be cause you’re scared?” He asked with laughter in his eyes.
“No actually I’ll be fondling you.” I said keeping a straight face.
He rolled me over on top of his body, “Oh tell me more about this fondling you’re gonna do.”
“Want me to tell you or show you?” I purred.
His answer was what I expected. I was almost late to meet Jenny.

I got to the restaurant right on time. Jenny had beat me there my mere minutes.
“Hey Laura.” She greeted me. “Good to see you.”
I slid into my chair across the table, “Good to see you. Hope you haven’t been waiting long.”
“Nope, just got here. Wow, you look happy. Married life is really agreeing with you.”
I had to agree, “Yeah, it’s pretty damn good. So still staying with your mom and dad?”
“Actually my dad and his wife.” She quickly corrected me. “Yeah, since we’ll be back on the road soon I just decided to stay with them. So tell me all about your apartment.”
I took a sip of water the waiter placed on our table. He handed us our menus then left. “It’s great. Maybe after lunch if you’re not busy I can show it to you.”
“I’d love that.” Jenny said opening her menu. “I’m starved.”
My stomach still was doing flips but I knew I needed to try to eat something. “Me too.” I lied. We chatted until the waiter returned and took our orders. After our orders were placed I excused myself to go to the restroom. I felt like I was going to be sick. After several minutes the feeling passed and after I splashed some water on my face. I felt a bit better. Returning to the table I saw Jenny nervously looking around.
“Hey are you okay? I was starting to worry.”
I sat back down and reached into my purse where I found my roll of antacids. My
stomach wouldn’t stop churning. “I’m fine”
“Laura, I did want to talk to you about something but I’m pretty sure it’s not a good subject.” Jenny said growing suddenly serious.
“That doesn’t sound happy.” I said, “What about?” Hell, my stomach was rolling again.
She looked around and lowered her voice, “Remember Troy, that merch guy who got fired?”
Oh boy. No, this wasn’t happy. “Yeah”
“He called me. I don’t know why he was fired and to be honest I really didn’t listen to all the rumors that went around when it happened.” She paused a moment then continued, “But I think Gerard had something to do with it, right?”
Okay how to handle this one. “Yes” I answered honestly, “Gee did.”
Jenny nodded, “Just for the record I never liked Troy. He was always such a smart ass but that’s not important. Why I’m bringing this up is because he called me yesterday. I don’t even know how he got my number. When I asked him he said he could get anyone’s number.”
“What did he want?” I asked feeling my stomach flip again.
“He wanted to know if I was in contact with you and Gerard. I could tell he was fishing for information.” Jenny said. Before I could respond she continued, “I told him it was none of his business.”
“Friday night we were at a party where Troy showed up. Let’s just say it didn’t go well. Troy is a fucking prick who needs to stay away from Gerard.” I said angrily.
Jenny blinked at my sudden anger, “Okay then I was right.”
“Yeah, you were right not to tell him anything, thank you.”
“Hey I’m your friend. I hope you know that.” Jenny said softly. “I just wanted you to know about him calling.”
“I’m glad you told me.” I took a sip of water and noticed my hand was shaking, “Pretty sure he’s gonna try to make trouble for Gerard.”
I could tell Jenny felt confused about the whole situation and I couldn’t blame her.
“Okay so let’s talk about something else.” She said offering a slight smile.
Yeah, I agreed totally. Just thinking about Troy was making my stomach feel worse than before.
We enjoyed a leisurely lunch just chatting about any topic that came to mind. After awhile my stomach calmed down and I was really having a good time. Our conversation came to a halt just as we were getting ready to leave. Jenny’s cell rang.
“Oh, I need to talk this, it’s my Dad.” She stood up, “Be right back.”
I nodded and sat back in my chair feeling pretty damn good. My thoughts went to Gerard and what he was doing. Pulling my cell phone from my pocket I gave him a call.
“Yes wife?” He answered.
“Hey, husband. Just wondering what you’re doing?”
“Well Mikey just called some strippers to come over and entertain us but other than that not much.”
I laughed, “Oh really?”
“Okay maybe not. We’ve just been going over a new song. I’ll sing it for you when I get home. You still with Jenny?”
I saw her coming back towards the table. “We just finished lunch and I think I’m going to show her our apartment if she has time.”
“Okay, I’ll be home in a couple of hours.” He lowered his voice, “I talked Mikey into going to a horror movie tonight.”
I laughed, “Oh so the fondling is a go?”
“Oh Honey, it’s a go.”
I disconnected just as Jenny returned to the table. She bent down and picked something up on the floor. “This yours?”
I took the piece of paper from her hand. It was a grocery list I’d started earlier and put in my purse, “Yeah, thanks.” I realized it must have come out of my purse when I had pulled out my antacids. I leaned down to grab my purse and felt a wave of nausea. Sitting back up I closed my eyes until it passed.
“Laura, what’s wrong?” I could hear the concern in her voice.
“I’m just feeling a little sick.” I whispered.
“You know there’s a lot of my friends who have the flu. Maybe you’re coming down with it.”
I opened my eyes and was glad to see the room had stopped spinning, “Yeah, maybe.” I agreed. “I just don’t want to be sick for the rest of the time we’re home, you know?” I said softly.
Jenny reached over and touched my arm, “Yeah, I understand. You and Gerard need this time at home to start your married life off right. Do you want to just sit here a bit longer?”
I took a deep breath, “No, I’m fine now. Lets go. I think some fresh air will make me feel better.”

I had walked to the restaurant so Jenny said she’d leave her car for now. The fresh air did seem to make me feel better as we started walking towards the apartment. On the way we talked about the upcoming tour and I told Jenny I wanted to turn over more of the responsibilities for the Meet & Greets to her. She seemed very pleased. We arrived at the apartment and I fished my keys from my purse then opened the door. I proudly gave her a tour of the place.
“This is great.” She said as we returned to the living room. “I love the way you decorated. Gerard’s art work is amazing.” She had noticed some of this works in the bedroom and now moved over to the pieces displayed here.” Man, he’s talented.”
I smiled, “Thanks I agree.” I knew I sounded like a proud wife but hey, that’s what I am.
“So does he still draw? I mean does he have time?”
I took a seat on the sofa, “Yeah, actually he does. He says it relaxes him.”
She stood looking at the framed pieces. “I didn’t realize just how talented he is.” She turned to me, “I really like this one. It looks straight out of a horror movie.”
A horror movie? I was confused. Slowly I stood and walked over to stand by her.
Jenny turned to look at me, “Laura, are you okay?”
I didn’t answer. I just stood staring at the framed drawing that hadn’t been there when I left the apartment. It was a drawing of Gerard’s room done in heavy shadowing. I tried to make my brain form words. Instead it seemed all I could do was stare at the drawing of the room, the bed and the figure of the girl lying on the bed. Her hair was fanned out on the pillow, her eyes closed, a knife protruding from her chest.
“Laura?” I heard Jenny’s voice and forced myself to turn away from the drawing. “Are you okay? You look so pale.”
Act damn it I screamed in my head. “Sorry, I have a headache.” I turned back to the drawing, “Yeah, it does look like it’s out of a horror movie, doesn’t it? I’m not sure when he drew that one.”
Jenny smiled, “It’s really good and creepy. Well I gotta be going. I’ve got a ton of things to do today and Dad added a few more things to my list but I’m glad her got together for lunch.”
“Me too.” I said walking away from the drawing. “We gotta do it again soon.”
Jenny laughed, “Course we’ll be back out with the tour soon.”
I didn’t even want to think about that. A sudden clap of thunder made me jump. Shit, my nerves were to the breaking point. We both looked out the window and saw that it was beginning to rain. “Hey let me drive you back to your car.”
Jenny shook her head, “It’s just sprinkling, no big deal. I’ll just run back to the restaurant.”
“Are you sure?” I had to admit I hoped she wouldn’t take me up of my offer. I wanted to get the fucking drawing off the wall.
“I’m sure but could I borrow a hoodie? I should have brought one with me.”
“Of course.” I quickly grabbed one of mine out of the hall closet.
“Thanks” she said as she put it on and zipped it closed, “I promise to get this back to you soon. I know it’s on one your favorites. I’ve seen you wear it a lot.”
She was right it was one of my favorite hoodies. “Don’t worry about it.” I said. “I’ve got others.”
“Thanks” she paused at the door, “Laura, I really envy you. I hope someday I will find someone to share my life with.” She opened the door and exited before I could answer.
I stood still and closed my eyes. How the fuck did that drawing get on the wall? For that matter where did it come from, I’d never seen it before. I took a deep breath, opened my eyes and walked over to the drawing. Quickly I pulled it off the wall and looked at it closely. It looked like Gee’s artwork but I knew we hadn’t hung this picture. Suddenly tears fell from my eyes and onto the glass covering the drawing. What was going on? Had Gerard hung this while I was gone? No, I couldn’t believe he’d done that. He would never have hung this picture. So who, then? How could someone have gotten into our apartment? Suddenly I realized that he’d be home soon. I walked to the hall closet and found another one of his framed drawings to hang where this horrible picture had been. Quickly I scanned the framed pictures and saw that the one that he and I had hung was not here. I made the decision to bury the drawing of his room and the dead girl deep in the back of the closet. I needed time to try to decide how to handle this. Should I come straight out and ask him? Things were going so good for us right now. Why did this have to happen? Retuning to the sofa I sat down and tried to think. Finally I laid down and curled up just wishing this nightmare would end. I was so tired of all of this. Soon I felt myself drifting off to sleep with the image of the picture still in my head.