Love Is What I Got- I Said Remember That

The Sequel to Platinum Rings, Picture Frames and Red Duvet Covers


Ch. 11 At The Rock Show

“Are you ready?” Ashley asked as she walked into Julie’s parents’ house. “Yeah, I just need to find my phone,” Julie found it and they were soon on their way. “Do I look alright?” she asked when they were halfway there. “Yes, you look wonderful. I have to warn you though Benji is looking pretty bad.” Julie looked down and nodded, “Yeah, I imagine it’s like last time.” They pulled into a parking space behind the venue backstage. “Joel told me to call before we went inside,” Ashley said calling. Joel came running out 5 minutes later. He smiled, “Hi Jules. I’m gonna take you to the dressing room.” He walked quickly to the dressing room. Julie smiled as she hugged Billy and Paul and met the other bands that were performing too. Joel didn’t know how to introduce her, “What do you want me to say?” Julie shrugged, “I really don’t know. Just say I'm a friend of yours. It won’t be lying.” Joel introduced them then said he had to go and he’d be back in 5 minutes. Julie chatted with the others for a while until Joel came back. Billy and Paul left with the other bands to go set up for the show that was starting soon. Ashley left and it was just Joel and Julie.

Joel pulled the tape recorder out of his bag and a pair of headphones. He handed it to Julie. She looked up at him confused. “You need to listen to this,” he said turning it on. When she put the headphones on he pushed play. Julie heard Benji’s voice start off, “I’m your father.” Julie pushed pause and looked up at Joel. He quickly explained, “This was a week after you left. He took the blood test and I took him to see Ben.” Julie started crying and Joel sat down next to her. “Please listen to it. All his heart is in this. Please?” Julie nodded and pushed play again. She listened to Benji pour his heart out to his unborn son as she cried. Joel was doing his vocal warm-ups and stopped when the tape got to the end. Julie looked up at Joel. He went to her side and she cried, “I don’t know what to do. I love him Joel but it’s gone too far. I don’t know how we can ever be together again. But at the same time I want him. He’s the only man I’ve ever loved. I just don’t know.” Joel nodded and let her cry a little. Ashley came back in. He took Julies arm, “Okay our show is starting. Stay with Ashley, she’s going to take you to the stage. Okay?” Julie nodded as she sniffed and tried to fix her makeup.

They heard the crowds roar, as GC got onstage. Julie stood beside an amp just out of the view of Benji. Joel’s voice carried through the building as they played a mixture of old and new songs. She was afraid to even look at Benji and halfway through she finally did. She saw his wedding band that he hadn’t taken off, he was thin again, and he played with a halfhearted smile on his face. He used to love to perform. Nothing could bring him down when he was playing. She looked away and watched the crowd. Her mind began to wander to all the times that she had shared with Benji. She remembered the good times and bad. From the time they met at that party to the words she had yelled at him when she left. His sobbing voice carried his words around in her head from the tape she had just listened to. She was so confused. She did love him but she didn’t know if they could ever be again. It had just gone too far. The good times had outnumbered the bad times but the bad times were incredibly hard. She was interrupted from her thoughts by the song ending. She watched as Joel went up to Benji and whispered. (She didn’t hear but this is what he said. “Are you ready to sing your song about her?”) Benji nodded, and rubbed his eyes.

“This next song is an unreleased song.” The crowd cheered and he continued. “This is Benji’s song.” More screams. “He’s never performed this one so- Here it is.” Joel looked over and Benji and nodded. Benji nodded and the drums started. Benji missed the start and signaled to start again. This time he got it. Julie’s eyes were glued to him as he played. And he was actually playing not just getting by.

yesterday i broke your heart in two
today i wanna waste my life with you
but it's over...over
i dont wanna touch anybody else
but kissing you's a drug bad for my health
and it's over...over
so over
it's killing me
gently, silently
im dying inside
gently, silently
im dying inside

Joel watched as Benji’s tears lightly crept down his face as he shakily sang. The crowd was just in awe of Benji singing.

i hear it in your voice on the telephone
you're so good at playing stable when you're all alone
and it's over...over
so over...
it's killing me
gently, silently
im dying inside
gently, silently
im dying inside
im down and out
im drowing out
im falling down
im upside down
this time now
i'm falling down
it's killing me
gently, silently
im dying inside
gently, silently
im dying inside
i'm dying inside
gently, silently
yesterday i broke your heart in two.

He finished the song barely before having to turn and erupting into tears on the side of the stage. Joel turned to Billy and Paul and nodded for them to take the crowd as Benji calmed down. Billy and Paul played a guitar piece as Joel tried to get Benji to come back and play. Julie was in tears. She couldn’t believe how much he missed her. They finished with two more songs.

And Benji disappeared into a dressing room as soon as they got off the stage. Ashley stayed with a still crying Julie as Joel left to go make sure Benji was okay. Julie sat down in another room and tried to stop crying. She shakily took off her necklace that held her wedding rings. She took the rings off the chain and put them back on her ring finger. She stared at them as her tears finally stopped. She mumbled to Ashley that she needed to go to the bathroom. Ashley went to go take her and she said she wanted to go by herself. Ashley told her where they were and Julie stepped out into the hallway. She walked with her head down around a corner and ran right into something. She looked up and froze.

(A/m: So think of the words and like the song is played sadder not so lively like sugarcult plays it.)


Next- Ch. 12 and 13
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