Platinum Rings, Picture Frames and Red Duvet Covers


Ch. 29 Without You

Billy pulled up in front of Julie’s apartment so she and Joel could get her stuff. He said he would be back in 20 minutes. He took Benji and Paul home and Benji began to write Julie a letter back. Joel helped her inside and she grabbed some clothes and all her necessities. She got her favorite fuzzy blanket and her pillow. When she had everything they sat down and waited for Billy to return- he was the only one besides Joel that could drive (but he was still shaken up from the accident).

“So Benj told me you talked to him,” Joel asked quietly as he sat down next to Julie. Julie smiled and nodded, “I’ll tell you what I told him- I never stopped loving him. I just can’t see my life without him. Benji means everything to me.” She smiled. Joel smiled and hugged her. “You two are something else. Meant to be together,” Joel laughed as he pulled away. He sat back and continued, “You have the same humor- he can say something and nobody else will get it but you do.” He laughed and Julie smiled. “He’s so alive when you’re around. I remember that time you had that cold- I don’t know if you remember but he brought you everything you wanted. He was so worried I don’t think he slept,” Joel smiled. Julie nodded, “I remember.” Joel looked down, “Then we were the ones taking care of him last week.” Julie sighed, “Yeah I was scared I almost lost him again yesterday.” Joel nodded, “I'm so sorry you got hurt.” Julie shook her head, “Hey I needed some time off work and school.” Billy pulled up and honked. They got in the car and went to the boys’ house.

Julie shakily stepped into the house and Benji was sitting on the couch- his leg up on a chair. He smiled and she smiled back. Joel asked, “Wanna sit on the couch?” Julie nodded and Joel placed her carefully on the couch across from Benji. Joel nodded to Benji and leaned down to Julie’s level, “If you need anything don’t be afraid to ask. But no moving around a lot- you need to rest.” Julie smiled, “Okay, dad.” Joel laughed and went to the kitchen where Billy was.

Julie looked over at Benji and smiled, “Hi.” Benji smiled back, “Hi.” He sat up and scooted closer to Julie. “So I wrote you a letter back. I was going to give it to you but I’d rather read it. So can I?” Julie smiled and nodded then winced, “Can I lay down first?” Benji nodded and stood up on his one leg. Julie carefully stretched her legs out and Benji sat back down by her hips on the large oversized couch. He half-smiled, “Comfy?” She nodded and he cleared his throat. “Okay so I sort of went by what you wrote,” he said and pulled out her note and his that he had folded together. Joel slipped into the room and awkwardly halted Benji, “Umm- Bill and I are going to the grocery store, Paul’s sleeping upstairs. Call the cell if you need anything.” Benji nodded as they left the house. He unfolded his note and began to read- looking at her and the note.

“Julie, I don’t even know where to begin. If I had one wish I would ask God to turn back time. I cannot believe how I could have ever cheated on you.

His tears began. And he paused rubbing his eyes and sniffing.

Everything that I am is because of you. I owe my life to you. I know I could not have made it through without you. There’s so many times that I’ve been down- whether it was on tour or just when I had a bad day and felt alone- all I had to do was see your smile or hear your laugh and I felt better. You know me so well. It never ceases to amaze me the way you can look at me and know what I'm feeling. We have shared so much. You’ve always been here for me- and I know I’ve let you down. Even when everything I do is wrong- you were always there to tell me it would work and you were just supportive. I can never repay you for the countless times I’ve screwed up and you helped me. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think of you. I don’t think I would be the person I am today without you. You’ve showed me so much about myself that I never could have known. You said that you wondered if you were good enough for me. You’re too good for me. I don’t deserve you. I hate the things I’ve done. All the stupid things I’ve ever done. I can never forgive myself for hurting you so much. I'm one lucky son of a bitch if you ever take me back. I don’t see how I could have been so stupid to scare you all the way I did. You are what kept me sensible and right now I'm insane. I don’t know what I was thinking- it just seemed the easy way out. But I know now that I could not have stayed in the place I was going if I had ending my life- because you wouldn’t be there.

He looked into her eyes as he read that sentence. She wiped her tears and he continued.

I hope that as long as I live I never hurt you again. I know what I did is bad and I don’t expect you to forgive or forget but I can’t live without you. I would wait forever to have you again.

He wasn’t reading the note anymore he was just looking in her eyes.

All I want you to know is that I love you. I love you, Julie.

He had tears streaming down his face and hers matched. She sat up carefully and slid her arms around his chest. They embraced both crying. Benji whispered, “I love you.” Julie pulled away and looked in his eyes, “I love you, Benji.” He placed his hands on her cheeks and lightly rubbed away her tears with his thumbs. She closed her eyes and let her tears fall into his palms. She opened her eyes again and he was looking right in her eyes. She reached up and wiped his cheek with the back of her hand and then placed her hands on his neck. He leaned forward and ever so lightly pressed his lips to her forehead. She choked and laughed at the same time. He laughed too and placed their foreheads together. Benji whispered, “I'm so sorry.” Julie nodded her head, “I know you are.” They continued to whisper and hold each other.


Ch. 30 Back In Working Order

Joel quietly opened the front door. He peeked inside and saw Julie and Benji sitting on the couch whispering to each other. He turned around and smiled at Billy, “They’re in there. It looks good but let’s not interrupt them.” He shut the door and they went through the back yard and into the kitchen to put away the groceries.

Just as their tears stopped the doorbell rang. Benji didn’t know that Billy and Joel had gotten back so he got up and began to teeter over to answer the door. Billy hesitated then ran out of the kitchen, “No Benj, let me get it.” Benji sat back down where he had been sitting and Billy opened the door. He smiled as he saw Ashley. “Hi, I came to give Julie her notes from classes is she feeling okay?” Billy smiled and let her in. She walked over to Julie and lightly hugged her, “Here’s your notes.” She leaned in closer so that Billy couldn’t hear but Benji was close so he could hear her whisper, “I really wanted to see Billy again.” Benji smiled and Ashley stood up again, “I just need to make one more copy that I forgot to make.” Billy stepped beside her, “We have a copier!” he said a little too enthusiastically. Ashley smiled at him, “Well come help me make a copy.” Billy took Ashley's hand and the retreated to the office. Benji turned back to Julie, “That’s cute.” Joel stepped in the living room again, “I'm going to go take a shower. Holler if you need anything.” Joel went up the stairs and they were alone again.

Benji smiled at Julie and took her hand, “Are you feeling alright? Do you hurt a lot still?” Julie nodded but sighed, “Yeah, but I feel so dirty. I wish I could wash my hair.” Benji smiled sweetly, “I could help you- if you want to.” Julie thought about it. Hmmm, being dirty? Not being dirty? She agreed, “But how? I can’t get my cast wet and neither can you.” Benji thought, “Well, just hold your arm up and I’ll wash your hair for you. Remember I used to be a shampoo boy. I have the magical touch.” Julie laughed, “Okay- I brought my swimsuit. I’ll wear that.” Benji helped Julie up and they hobbled into the downstairs bathroom. Benji turned around as she changed and she laughed, “It’s not like you haven’t seen me before.” Benji blushed, “Well- I guess things are just different now.” Julie nodded, “Yeah, I guess it is. Okay I'm done- you’ll have to tie me. I only have one arm.” Benji turned and smiled. He lightly tied her string- careful not to tie it too tight. She still had bruises from the seatbelt and airbags. He helped her sit down in the bathtub and turned on the water getting it the right temperature. He washed her hair and she let herself relax. The warm water felt so good on her aching back.

When he was done he helped her out and helped her get dressed into her favorite bright blue pajama pants with giraffes on them. He laughed when he saw them, “How do you sleep in those? Don’t they keep you awake?” Julie laughed and shook her head. Her back was beginning to hurt again. They went back into the living room and Julie sat down. Her painkiller must have worn off because now she was really hurting. Joel came down the stairs and looked between the two, “What have you been doing?” Benji smiled, “I took a path down memory lane and washed her hair.” Joel laughed, “Okay- well it’s time for you two to take your painkillers.” He handed them both water and pills. Benji laughed, “I think I like this being hurt thing- Joel waiting on us hand and foot. Hey your hand and my foot,” he trailed off. Joel looked confused and Julie just laughed. “No, I’m only helping you because- well you’re my brother- never mind. I can’t be mean to someone with a fractured leg,” Joel said. He turned to go back upstairs when Billy and Ashley tumbled giggling out of the office. Joel shot a questioning look at them. Ashley blushed and went over to Julie, “Call me later. Bye Julie- get better soon. Bye Benji.” She smiled back at Joel and waved at Billy. Billy blushed and flopped down in the recliner as she shut the door behind her. Joel smirked, “What were you doing in the office? Lil Billy do we need to disinfect it?” Billy grinned ear to ear, “Well I had to make sure everything still worked.” Joel shook his head and went to go up the stairs he turned in the middle and smiled, “Hey Lil Billy, did everything work?” If it was humanly possible, Billy’s grin got even bigger. “Why, yes Joel. Everything worked FINE!” he giggled.


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