Ch. 7 Hungry Hermit
She woke up the next morning to Joel shaking her hand. “Hey, you should get up soon. I hope you don’t have work today.” He said as she sat up. Billy woke up too and ran his hands through his crazy hair, “Huh? What’s going on?” Julie laughed at Billy, forgetting about Benji, “no I don’t have work until late.” Joel smiled, “Good. Are you hungry? I made breakfast.” Billy smiled, “I'm hungry.” Joel shook his head and Julie got out of the bed. They made their way downstairs and Joel handed Julie a plate of food. She smiled and sat at the table. “What time is it? I gotta get my car fixed,” she said. Joel smiled, “I already took care of it. We’ll pick it up later.” Julie smiled, “Thanx Joelsy.” They all sat at the table and ate breakfast- Julie, Paul, and Billy.
Joel was standing up fixing two more plates. He set his on the table then went into the office. Julie saw him go in there with the plate and shut the door behind him. While in the office, he knelt by Benji. Benji was still sleeping all curled up. Joel looked upon his older twin. Benji was so thin now- he could fit in Joel’s clothes again, heck maybe even Billy’s. His eyes were puffy and shut tight with a troubled look on his face. Joel set the plate on the floor and picked up the notebook by Benji’s head. He read over the scribbled words. Benji had so much emotion built up inside. Joel wondered if he would ever be the same and shut the book placing it on the table. “Benj,” he said. Benji’s eyes shot open and he looked at his twin. Joel looked upon the pain in his eyes and the tears welling up once again. Joel held the plate up to Benji and Benji sat. He took the plate and pushed it back towards Joel, “I'm not hungry.” Joel shook his head, “No. You need to eat this.” Benji hung his head and picked up the fork- he shoved a bite into his mouth and lazily chewed. He looked back at Joel, “Is she still here?” Joel hesitated then nodded his head. Benji closed his eyes, “Is it over Joel?” Joel shook his head, “I don’t know, Benj.” Benji nodded and hung his head. Joel stood up and Benji’s eyes followed his. Joel nodded and put his fist over his heart- his and Benji’s sign since they were teens. Benji slowly did the same and Joel pointed, “Eat! All of it!” Benji nodded and picked up another bite.
Joel went back into the kitchen and sat at the table. He smiled and they ate their food and chatted. In less than five minutes they heard the office door slowly open. They all looked up and watched as a tattooed sleeve appeared around the corner of the wall and deposited a half eaten plate of food onto the counter. Benji never showed his face and they heard him go up the stairs and shut the bedroom door. Joel turned back around and mumbled rubbing his eyes, “Come on Benj eat?” Julie sighed and tried to clear her eyes. Joel shook his head and finished his breakfast, as did Paul and Billy. Julie cleared her throat, “What time can we pick up my car?” Joel smiled, “They said to come by around 12, and its…11:30 now.” Julie nodded and pushed her plate away. Joel smiled again, “Are you done?” Julie nodded and rubbed her forehead- a migraine beginning. Joel picked up her plate and put it in the sink. He came back and put his hands on the chair, “Wanna go?” She nodded, “I need my clothes though.” Joel laughed, “What you don’t like mine? I'm hurt!” Julie smiled and got up- the pants nearly falling off. He laughed the remembered Benji was in the bedroom, “Oh, umm lemme go get your clothes. He’s…” Julie nodded and he ran up the stairs.
CH. 8 Hero Joel and Rental Cars
He came back and gave them to her. She changed in the downstairs bathroom and fixed her hair a little. Billy and Paul volunteered to stay at the house as Joel took Julie to the car shop. When they got there she was told that her car needed some part that couldn’t be there until three days away. Julie said she didn’t want to deal with it so they left the car there to be fixed and Julie asked Joel to drive her to her house. He agreed and they got to her house. Joel asked her, “You can borrow my car.” Julie shook her head, “I’ll just get my parents to rent me a car. Oh fuck they’re in Vegas.” Joel bargained, “I’ll help you rent a car.” Julie sighed, “You have to be 25. Were only 23.” Joel nodded, “I’ll think of something.” Julie laughed and nodded. “Lemme go take a shower really quick and get some other clothes. Be right back.” “Take your time- its nice to get out of the house.” Julie nodded, “Make yourself at home. I think there are some sodas in the fridge- you know your way around. If the phone rings take a message.” Joel smiled and sat on the couch. Julie smiled, “Thanx Joel. I really owe you.” Joel shook his head and Julie went and changed.
While she was in the shower Joel called the band’s manager. “Steve, hey it’s Joel. Look I need you to do me a favor. A friend of ours is having some car problems and I was wondering if you could help us rent a car. Yeah? Okay well see you in like an hour.” He hung up the phone and waited for Julie to come out of the shower. She emerged fifteen minutes later and smiled as Joel smiled back. “Hey I got some good news!” Julie smiled, “Good I need some.” “I called our manager and he’s gonna rent you a car.” Julie smiled, “That’s great.” She hugged him, “Thank you Joelsy! Lemme go get dressed.”
She dressed and they went and Joel got her a red civic. She said goodbye and they agreed to go out tomorrow night. She went to work that night and tried to temporarily erase Benji from her thoughts.