Platinum Rings, Picture Frames and Red Duvet Covers


Ch. 17 Can’t Live

They quickly walked to Benji’s room and it was visiting hours now. Joel motioned to Julie, “Maybe we should see how he is first.” Julie agreed and sat in the chairs as Billy, Paul and Joel went in the room. Benji smiled as they entered the room. Billy and Paul hugged Benji and Benji was all smiles. They chatted a little and Benji asked if he could talk to Joel alone. Billy and Paul agreed and went back outside and sat with Julie.

Benji sat up and asked Joel, “Does Julie know about all this?”

Joel hesitated then nodded.

Benji asked, “She does?”

Joel nodded again, “She umm… She’s been here the whole time.”

Benji shook his head, “What does she think?”

Joel shook his head, “I don’t know Benj. Why don’t you ask her?”

Joel got up and went to the door. Benji just sat there with his mouth open. Julie stepped in the door and slowly walked over to the side of Benji’s bed. She stayed about three feet away and looked down, “Hi, Benji.” Benji nodded, “Hi.”

Benji looked at his hands, “I’m embarrassed.”

Julie nodded, “I guess you had reason to.”

Benji was silent for a minute, “Julie I can’t live without you.”

Julie sat in the chair at the side of his bed and looked down, “I don’t know Benji.”

“Please take me back.” He began crying. “I’ll do anything.”

Julie shook her head, “I don’t know Benji- you hurt me. I hate seeing you like this but…”

Benji sniffed, “I need you.”

“Just give me more time to think.” She said standing up and going towards the door. She passed Joel who had been standing at the door. Benji didn’t know it but she never left- she sank down the wall and sat on the floor with her head on her knees.

Benji cried, “Joel I can’t do it. Why should I live? What’s the use?” He started to thrash around in the bed and tug at the IV. The orderly in the room ran over to the bed and grabbed at Benji’s flailing arms. Joel ran up to the bed and smacked Benji hard across the face. Benji immediately stopped and sobbed at his brother.

Joel cried, “Benji, don’t do this!”

Benji cried, “Why? I can’t have her.”

Joel sat on the bed and yelled for Billy. Billy ran in the room and Joel yelled, “Go get that chick we met- Benji needs to hear her story.”

Benji tried to pull away from Joel, “No. I don’t want this anymore.”

The girl appeared at the door and Benji hung his head. Joel nodded, “Benji’s having a hard time. Can you tell him what you used for inspiration while you were here?”

She nodded and told Benji about her accident. Benji cried and Joel grabbed his face, “Benji, you have a good life. You have Good Charlotte. I cannot live without you. Think of all the people who will be disappointed if you…” Benji shook his head and cried harder. Billy took the girl out of the room and thanked her for trying.

Joel persisted, “Benji, you cannot leave me.” He broke in tears, “You are not going to leave me.”

Benji cried into Joel’s arms. Joel sat there and held him until he could not cry anymore. He stopped and collapsed on the bed.

“I just want her back. I was so happy when she was with me. I love her Joel. I love her.”


Ch. 18 Starting Over

Benji didn’t know it but Julie was in the room. She was crying also. She had seen everything. She stood up and walked to the bed again. Benji saw her and cried, “I love you. I’m so sorry I messed up. Please, I need you.”

Julie sat on the bed, “Benji, I can’t take seeing you like this. We need to start over. You have to earn my love and trust back. I am willing to try if you are.” She twisted the ring around on her finger.

Benji sobbed, “I just want you back.”

Joel still held onto Benji’s arms and Benji tried to pull away but Joel persisted. “If I let you go…do you promise not to try….” Joel stuttered. Benji nodded and Joel dropped his hands. Joel slid off the bed and onto his knees by the side of the bed. Benji watched as his brother sat on the floor and sobbed. He closed his eyes and looked up at Julie who was rubbing her head. She looked up and met his tear-filled eyes.

“Just please Benji. Don’t do this again. If not for me then for Joel,” she pleaded.

Benji closed his eyes tears slipping out and nodded, “I’m so stupid.”

“No Benji, you’re not stupid,” she said placing her hand on his with the IV. He looked at her hand then looked up. She wiped his face with the back of her hand and he sniffed. “We’re going to try but we’re going to go slow. Okay?” Benji nodded and sniffed again. It grew silent and the small noise of Joel crying was all that was heard- besides the machines in the room.


Next- Ch. 19 and 20
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