Scotch...lol
Anyway, in the midst of all this spamming, I think I have come up with the next chapter. I agree that Joe seems to be handling his um, change, very well. So I decided to remedy this. Please tell me what you think...
Chapter 8:
I watched as the guys got set up for their sound check. It had been a while since I’d been to a concert…let’s see…A composer by the name of William Byrd, in the presence of Queen Elizabeth I, I believe.
“You ready?” Joe asked his brothers. Kevin counted off and they started playing. I immediately had to put my hands over my ears. Not that it was bad, it was just LOUD. And having super-sensitive ears was NOT a benefit at this moment. I knew it had the same effect on Joe, when he dropped the tambourine from his hand and ran off the stage.
“What the…” Nick and Kevin and everyone else stopped playing and I lowered my hands. “What just happened here?”
“Nisha, you wanna go see what his problem is? We gotta get this sound check taken care of.” I nodded, and took off after Joe. I knew what his problem was. His ears.
“Joe?” I watched as the door to his dressing room swung closed behind him. I went to the door and knocked. “Joe?”
“Leave me alone, Nisha.” I opened the door and poked my head inside.
“Can we talk?”
“No, Nisha. We can’t. The last time I had problems, you got pissed at me and I ended up having to apologize to you. I am NOT going to feel bad for having issues with what has happened to me. So you can just leave me the hell alone.” I stared at him in shock. I’d never heard a swear word come out of his mouth.
“Joe…” Finally, he turned to face me. Man, if looks could kill…
“Not this time, Nisha. Get out.”
“Joe, you can’t just…”
“Don’t tell me what I can and cannot do. I don’t need your help. I don’t want your help. I WANT YOU TO LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!!” He bellowed at me. This was more than just his ears.
“I’m sorry Joe. I’m sorry about making you feel bad before. I’m sorry your ears are bothering you. I wish there was a way I could fix this and make you happy, but…”
“Nisha,” he cut me off. “The only way you could make me happy is if I never see you again. Looking at you is just a constant reminder of what I’ve become, what I don’t want to be. Unless you can give me my human life back, there is nothing you can do to help me.” I was at a loss for words. He wasn’t yelling, he didn’t sound angry. He sounded defeated. And final. It was all I could do to nod and walk out of the room.
