Platinum Rings, Picture Frames and Red Duvet Covers


Ch. 5 Another Thing Gone Wrong

They watched the movie and talked a little and joked a little. Julie looked at the clock and it said eleven. She sighed, “I guess I should get going.” The boys pouted and she laughed. Joel stood, “Lemme go get your clothes- wear those home and I’ll get them another time.” He went up the stairs as Julie got her bag out of the kitchen and slid her shoes on. Joel came back and folded her wet clothes handing them to her. She leaned down and hugged Paul good night kissing him on the cheek. She did the same for Billy and they said good-bye as Joel walked her to her car. He put his arm around her, “Thanx for coming over- we missed you.” She smiled, this time it was getting easier. “And thanx for trying to talk to him.” She nodded and got in the car.

She put the key in the ignition and it started then made a weird buzzing noise- the engine dying. She looked up at Joel and Joel questioned, “Is that normal?” She shook her head, “Fuck! Another thing going wrong. It’s been making weird noises lately. Ugh!” She looked up at Joel. Joel took her hand, “You could stay here,” he blurted out then shook his head, “no that would… You could borrow my car.” Julie shook her head, “Let’s go call roadside assistance.” He nodded and waited for her to get her things. They walked back into the house and Paul was already in bed. Billy smiled, “Yeah, you’re back.” Julie smiled, “My car is dead.” She called the number and they told her that nobody could come until noon tomorrow. She hung up the phone and sighed, “Joelsy they cant come until noon.” Joel frowned and smiled, “Stay here. You can sleep in my bed, Benji wont even bother.” Julie thought about it. “I guess I could. Hahaha, I’m such a moocher.” Joel shook his head, “Nah, it’ll be fun- like old times.” Julie smiled and Joel said, “Wait a second.” He went to the office and opened the door. He looked at Benji asleep on the sofa. He was curled up tightly, tears staining the fabric under him. He closed the door and turned back to Julie, “Okay let’s go upstairs.” Julie nodded and followed Joel.

He shut the door and she sat on the bed. He smiled, “I have to take a shower but you stay here okay? Unless you wanna take one with me?” he laughed. Julie shook her head- she could tell he was trying to make her laugh. He smiled, “Yeah, just kidding. I’ll leave the door open- if you need anything just get me. Or if…just come on in if anything.” Julie nodded and Joel grabbed his clothes. She checked her voicemail and put her phone away. She walked into the bathroom, “Joelsy, I’m just washing my face.” Joel yelled over the shower, “Okay, Jules.” She finished then went and sat on the bed again.


Ch. 6 Platinum Rings, Picture Frames and Red Duvet Covers

For the first time since she walked into the room she glanced over to Benji’s side of the room. There were clothes strewn all over the floor. The red comforter was tousled into a heap on the foot of the bed and the memories were all coming back.

Memories of when they bought that red comforter.

Memories of long nights spent up watching movies on that red comforter.

Memories of them laughing to keep quiet as Joel tried to sleep in the next bed, in that red comforter.

Memories of them under that red comforter.

Memories of how that red comforter had been washed so many times.

Damn that red comforter.

She subconsciously twisted the ring around again- she never realized she did this. She never once thought of taking it off. It never came off- whenever she did anything. It was a part of her now. She didn’t even realize it was there.

Joel coming out of the bathroom and sneezing startled her back into reality. She looked up at him and smiled. He laughed back and threw his clothes into the hamper. He sat on the bed next to her and she looked back down and over at Benji’s bed. Joel saw and he placed his hand on hers. “What are you thinking about?” he asked. Julie shook her head and looked at her feet. Joel persisted, “You can tell me.” She smirked, “That bed!” Joel nodded and ran the towel through his hair. “Why did he have to do it Joel?” she asked. Joel shook his head. They sat there in silence. She was looking at the bed still and once again twisting the ring. Joel looked down at her hand, watching her twist the ring over and over again.

Something silver glinted in the light and she got up going over to it. Joel watched in silence, conflicting whether to stop her or not. She reached down to the nightstand and picked up the picture frame. It was a picture of her and Benji. The picture had been taken on the bus during the last tour just a short three months ago. Benji was sitting in Julie’s lap and they both had enormous smiles. Julie touched Benji’s face and slowly put the frame back down. “Maybe I should just go home,” she said. Joel stood and went to her, “If you really want to I’ll drive you.” She looked down and shrugged. “No, I really don’t want to be alone.” Joel nodded and she hugged him letting a few loose tears fall onto his bare shoulder. She pulled away, “God, why can’t I stop crying?” Joel shook his head, “It’s okay.” She shook her head, “I can’t sleep in here.” Joel understood, “Let’s go in Billy and Paul’s room then. I’ll sleep on the couch in there.” Joel grabbed a shirt, a blanket and a pillow. He took her hand in his free one and led her out the door and down the hall.

Joel quietly knocked on the door and Billy yelled, “Yo, it’s open.” Joel opened the door and saw Paul sound asleep and Billy sitting up against the headboard watching TV quietly. He smiled as he saw Julie and Joel explained, “Can we sleep in here?” Billy nodded and pulled the covers back. Julie sat in the bed next to him and settled down. Billy smiled and wiped a tear from Julie’s cheek. She looked up at him, “Thanx Billy.” He smiled and settled down in the bed turning the TV off. Paul muttered something in his sleep and they all laughed. Joel laughed, “Don’t rape Julie Lil Billy. I know it’s been a while but…” Billy laughed, “Nah, I wont.” Julie laughed and Billy kissed her temple. Julie was exhausted from crying so much and she quickly fell asleep.


Next- Ch. 7 and 8
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