
by: Lucki
“Babybeeee!!” his drawn out whine came from the living room. I rolled my eyes as I stood in the kitchen fixing, what else, cereal; for, who else, the loser in the living room.
“What?!” I called back, mocking his whiny voice.
“Hurry up!! I’m hungry!” he called.
“Well, you could get your lazy ass in here and fix your own food…” I suggested jokingly. I didn’t mind fixing his food for him.
“But I’m tired, Baby. I was out late last night.” he complained.
“Yeah, and I wasn’t out late?” I countered. “I was the one driving your Michael Jackson wanna-be ass all over Vegas.” I said; knowing just how to bait him. His cereal was fixed by now…but since he was being so difficult ,why not mess with him?
“Oh I know you just didn’t,” came his mock-offended shout. I rolled my eyes again as I poured myself a cup of coffee.
“Oh I know I did,” I called back, taking my time. I knew he’d be in here soon; it was just a matter of how much baiting it took. I grinned.
“Well, if you wouldn’t spend all your time talking to people while we were out, we wouldn’t have been out so late!”
“If you wouldn’t have gotten so trashed I wouldn’t have had to talk your white ass outta trouble” I came back with.
“Oh go design a shirt!!” his voice came. I laughed quietly. I always one these little fights.
“Oh go do some pelvic thrusts!” I shot back. I heard him grunt and knew it was over. I turned to the entrance to the kitchen and leaned against the counter. He stormed into the kitchen.
“That was-” he stopped when he saw his cereal sitting on the counter. “Hey!” he cried out and pointed at the bowl.
“That would be cereal,” I spoke when I seemed that he had finished his outburst. He looked up at me and raised an eyebrow. “What?” I asked innocently.
“You’ve had this fixed the entire time haven’t you?” he asked. I grinned at him. “Loser.”
“Wanna-be,” I shrugged and took a sip of my coffee. “So? You think you’ve got ‘Thriller’ memorized enuf? Or do you think you should go practice being like Michael some more?” I asked deviously.
Justin simply spooned cereal into his mouth. He grabbed the bowl as he chewed and went to leave the kitchen.
“Oh…I don’t know if you’ve figured this out…but Wacko Jacko…he wears One glove- not two.” I added slyly. Justin turned around.
“oh that’s it,” he said, his mouth full of cereal. “No one calls him Wacko Jacko!” I quickly sat my coffee mug down and ran out the other entrance to the kitchen. I heard Justin set his bowl down; or more accurately throw his bowl down and take off after me.
“You better not have made a mess in my kitchen Timberlake!” I shouted behind me.
“it’s not your kitchen, Sparrow, this is MY house!” Justin called; not far behind me.
“I’m the only one that uses it.” I argued. I went to dart around the coffee table in the t.v. room but as I slowed down Justin grabbed me around my waist. I squealed as he lifted me in the arm and threw me down on the sofa and tackeled me. “This is considered domestic abuse!!” I cried out, giggling.
“Yeah, okay,” Justin rolled his eyes. We play-wrestled our way onto the floor, but after a few minutes we had to stop, we were laughing so hard we couldn’t breathe.
“You are such a dork,” I said breathlessly. Justin chuckled.
“Well, you’re a moron.” he said and kissed my nose. I rolled my eyes.
“That’s what I love about this relationship. The verbal abuse.” I joked. Justin laughed, his smile lighting up his face.
That’s what I loved most about him. His smile. He could light up a room with it. I get butterflies every time I see it. It was the first thing I noticed about him. Not the curls, not the eyes, not the body. His smile. Anyone can have curly hair, pretty eyes and a nice body. But no one can have his smile. When he smiles his entire face lights up; his eyes sparkle. He may portray this hard-ass hiphop sex-symbol; but when he smiles he turns back into the little boy he is at heart. He could cheer me up with just his smile; and no matter how mad I am at him; all he has to do is flash that boyish grin and my heart melts and the anger fades way. It’s one of the many reason why I love him more than life itself.
“You better not say that…people are gonna think I beat you or something,” he said and kissed my forehead. I rolled my eyes and pushed him off me.
“Yeah, that’s what they’ll get when I say VERBAL abuse….’Oh god, Justin Timberlake beats girlfriend’ She’s quoted saying she loves verbal abuse,” I said sarcastically.
“well, ya know what?” Justin pointed at me. He opened his mouth, then stopped. “Yeah…just…ok, I quit. I’m done,” he huffed.
“We’ve been through this sweetie, you can’t beat me.” I said sweetly. He smiled and helped me to my feet.
“That’s why I love you, cuz you continuously remind me what a moron I really am.” he joked and pulled me to him and kissed me gently.
“I really do love you,” I whispered against his lips when he pulled back.
“ I love you too, Tweetie,” he whispered back, his laughter ringing out when I shoved him.
“You know I hate that nickname!” I cried out.
“But, it’s my special name for you,” Justin pouted.
“Yeah, okay. It’s lame.” I said.
“Nuh-uh.” Justin shook his head. He winked and I laughed. My name is Tiffany Sparrow. Hence his stupid nickname ‘Tweetie’. Cuz Tweetie is a bird. Ha Ha Ha “ I like it. Besides you call me Twiggy,” Justin pointed out.
“Yeah, but that’s different.” I shrugged, giggling. I called him ’Twiggy’ to get him back for calling me Tweetie. Cuz he’s Timberlake. “Besides, you know you like it.” I winked at him.
“Yeah, I know I do.” Justin grinned and kissed me again. “Makes me feel all special inside.”
I giggled and we kissed again. “You know you have to pick JC and Joey up at the airport right?” I asked as we headed back to the kitchen to finish out breakfast.
“Ah shit!” Justin cried out. I laughed as I poured out my coffee. No way I was drinking cold coffee. Justin grabbed his bowl and jumped up on the counter. “I totally forgot,” he said as he crammed more cereal into his mouth.
“Get off my counters!” I snapped my fingers at him. “Now.”
Justin rolled his eyes and slid off the counter. “Kitchen Nazi…and it’s not your kitchen.”
“I am not a Kitchen Nazi,” I said. “You have to pick them up at 12.” I returned to the topic.
“Baby, sweetie, woman that I love,” Justin began in a sweet voice. I folded my arms across my chest and cocked my head to the side. “Please? I’ll love you forever?” he pleaded.
“You’ll already love me forever.” I rolled my eyes. Justin pouted. “Why can’t you do it? They’re your friends.”
“They’re your friends too.” Justin pointed out.
“They were your friends first.” I shot back. Justin tried not to laugh.
“Please Tweetie?”
“Yeah, sure, Honey. Call me that and I’ll hop right to it,” I said sarcastically.
“Tiff, you know I love your sarcasm…but please, please, please just go get them.” Justin begged.
“And what are you going to do while I drive to the airport?” I asked.
“watch TV?” Justin said meekly.
“Ugh! You are such a loser!” I huffed. Justin grinned.
“You love me.” he said matter-of-factly.
“I know, and that’s the only reason I’m doing this.” I said. Justin set down his cereal bowl and picked me up and spun me around.
“I love you, I love you, I love you!” he said happily. He set me down and kissed me passionately.
“well,” I said when he pulled back. “I love you too.”
** ** **
“okay, I’ll be back in a couple hours.” I said as I grabbed the keys to my charcoal gray escalade and my cell phone.
“That long?” Justin’s voice came out as a whine.
“You know? I don’t think people would like you so much if they know how much you whined.” I joked. Justin flashed his smile and I felt butterflies.
“I only whine when it comes to having to be without you.” Justin said sweetly and hugged me.
“I hate it when you do that.” I said softly. “You go get all mushy on me.”
“its only cuz I love you,” he said and kissed my temple. “you have to hurry back so I don’t miss you,” he whispered in my ear, holding me in his arms. I smiled and kissed his nose.
“It’ll only be a couple hours. I think you can manage.” I said. Justin smiled and gently pressed his lips to mine in a sweet, lingering kiss. The butterflies started up in my stomach again. He did that to me every time our lips touched. I felt myself fall in love with him all over again. A common occurrence really. The man was so amazing I couldn’t help but fall in love with him all over again, all the time. “I’ll be thinking about you.” I said.
“I’ll be thinking about you.” he replied. “I love you lots.”
“I love you more.” I argued and kissed him again.
“I don’t think that’s possible Tweetie. No one can love anyone as much as I love you.” Justin said.
“I love you Twiggy. I’ll be back soon.” I said. Justin kissed me once more and I left.
** ** **
“Hey!” I waved my arms in the hair and jumped up and down when I saw JC and Joey walk out of the corridor coming off the plane. “Guys!!” I called loudly.
JC caught my antics and laughed. He tapped joey on the shoulder and the pair walked over to me.
“if you’d grow a few inches you wouldn’t have to jump so much,” Joey joked. I rolled my eyes.
“ Five foot three is NOT short.” I huffed. “You guys ready?” I asked.
“yeah, why didn’t Jay come?” JC asked.
“ he wanted to watch TV.” I rolled my eyes, smiling.
“You’re so whipped!” Joey laughed.
“Yeah, and tell me Kelly doesn’t have you wrapped around her little finger?” I shot back. Joey fell silent. “That’s what I thought.” I chuckled.
“But seriously, guys, lets get outta here. I wanna get back before he breaks something.” I joked. JC and Joey laughed and we went and got their luggage.
** ** **
We pulled into the driveway and into the garage. I noticed one of Justin’s motorcycles gone.
“That’s just like him.” I rolled my eyes.
“What?” Joey asked from the back seat.
“To leave while I’m gone.” I chuckled. JC laughed.
“You’re right. Sounds just like Justin.”
“That means we can eat all his food and trash his place while he’s gone.” Joey said excitedly.
“No we can’t,” I shook my head. “That means we can go inside and not mess anything up.”
“You’re no fun.” Joey pouted.
“Well…I’ll let you go into his bedroom and his closet.” I relented, grinning. I could just see Justin’s reaction. Joey cheered and jumped out of the backseat.
I was unlocking the door when my cell phone rang.
“JC, grab that will you,” I said, motioning to the phone where it sat on the hood of the Escalade. JC nodded and grabbed it as I fought with the keys to get it.
I opened the door and turned to JC. His back was facing me and Joey and he was talking quietly. Must be Chris or Lance. I figured. I walked in, followed by Joey. I walked into the kitchen and set down my purse. Joey was on his way to Justin’s room when JC walked in.
“guys,” he spoke, his voice shaky. I looked up and Joey stopped in his tracks and turned around.
“what’s up JC,” Joey asked.
“uh..Justin was in an accident.” he said, his face pale.
“Oh God,” I murmured. “is-is he okay?” I placed a hand on my chest, my heart was racing.
“…no…no he’s not. They life-flighted him to the hospital. Some truck pulled out in front of him and he couldn’t stop…” JC relayed shakily. I felt tears burn the back of my eyes.
“Oh God,” Joey whispered.
“We’ve got to get to the hospital.” I said, my voice weak. JC nodded. He grabbed the keys from me and we darted back out of the house.
** ** **
JC, Joey, and I rushed into the emergency room of the hospital and Joey walked up to the front desk to ask about Justin. JC held me close to him. I was numb with worry. My Justin was hurt. My heart was racing and it was like I was in a dream. Everything was so surreal.
“He’s in a private room up in ICU. He’s really bad. He just got out of surgery. He’s pretty banged up,” Joey reported when he walked back to us.
“But is he okay? Will he be okay?” I asked.
“They don’t know.” Joey sighed, his color all flushed from his face. “He had a lot of brain damage is what they said. The truck really tore him up. His bike’s destroyed.” Joey said weakly. I felt tears overrun my eyes and fall down my face.
A million emotions were flooding through my mind as we waited for Justin to regain consciousness. Finally, after several hours; the doctors reported he’d woken up. I was the first to go in and see him.
I walked into the room and my breathe stopped. A gasp lodged itself in my throat. Justin looked so small lying in the hospital bed. There were tubes and machines everywhere. His skin was white, bruises and cuts covering his arms and face, bandages covering his short curls. One arm was in a cast, one leg as well. I felt my heart fall through the floor. I slowly walked over to him and pulled up a chair.
“Justin?” I spoke, my voice failing. “Justin?” I tried again.
“Tiffany?” Justin’s voice came out hoarse and barely a whisper. I felt tears sting my eyes again.
“What happened, Baby? Why’d you leave?” I asked, trying not to let him see me cry.
“I was going to surprise you.” Justin croaked out. “I know you liked that movie where the guy…with the roses,” Justin stopped.
“You mean on Sweet Home-” I started and Justin nodded. A tear escaped and traced down my cheek. “Baby…” I whispered and brushed the tear away quickly.
“I love you, Tweetie,” Justin spoke strongly, a tear tracing down his face. I reached over and gently wiped it away.
“you know I hate that nickname,” I said quietly. Justin smiled and more tears fell down my face.
“Don’t cry.” Justin said sadly. “I don’t like it when you cry,” he said and another tear fell from his eye.
“Don’t you cry either,” I said through my tears.
“I’m sorry it turned out like this.” Justin whispered.
“Don’t worry, you’ll be out of here in no time.” I shook my head. “You’re strong, you can get through this.”
“I’ll get through this my love for you is strong.” Justin corrected me. “You’re my Sparrow.” he whispered.
“Don’t go all mushy on me Twiggy,” I murmured through my tears. He smiled weakly.
“I’m tired,” he murmured after a moment.
“You need your rest.” I said gently. “but, Baby, try and hang on for a few minutes. Joey and JC want to see you.” I reached out and took his hand. He squeezed it gently.
“k,” he breathed. I leaned over and kissed his forehead.
“I’ll be right back.” I whispered and walked out to get JC and Joey.
** ** **
After a couple hours, the hospital staff told us we had to leave. It was getting late and visiting hours were over. Justin would be monitored through the night to make sure he was stable. Reluctantly we all made our rounds to say ‘g’nite’ to Justin. I was the last one in.
“So, they’re making…you leave,” Justin struggling with the question. I felt my heart contract. I gave pained smile.
“Yeah, but I’ll be back first thing tomorrow one to visit you.” I said and took his hand in mine.
“I love you, Tiffany,” Justin spoke. I smiled.
“I love you too, Justin. I always will.” I said and leaned over and kissed his forehead again.
“Forever, Tweetie,” Justin said and squeezed my hand. I smiled again.
“Forever, Twiggy.” I nodded. Justin gave me his best smile. I leaned down and pressed my lips gently to his. “G’nite. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Dream about me,” Justin spoke.
“You’re just full of mushiness aren’t you?” I asked playfully and he smiled again. “I always do, Justin. G’nite.” I said and walked out. JC, Joey, and I drove back to my place. The other two then returned to their houses, each giving me and hug and a kiss and promising Justin would be in their prayers. With that, I headed to the bedroom and fell asleep, Justin the only thing on my mind.
** ** **
2 a.m.
I woke up to the phone ringing. It took me awhile to become fully awake enough to actually realize I needed to answer the annoying ring.
“hello?” I answered groggily.
“Ms. Sparrow?” an unfamiliar voice asked awkwardly.
“yes, this is she,” I answered, pushing my hair out of my face. “who’s calling?”
“Are you aware that a Mr. Justin Timberlake was brought into our hospital earlier last night due to a motorcycle accident?” she asked. With that I jerked awake. My whole body tense.
“Yes, I’m aware. What’s wrong is he ok?” I asked. There was silence and I felt my heart shatter.
“Ma’am I’m sorry to be the phone to pass this to you…but Mr. Timberlake passed away a short while ago.” she said haltingly. “He went into shock and there was nothing the doctor’s could do. I’m so sorry.”
I sat there in my bed and looked over at the clock. 2:03 a.m. My world crashed down. I had just lost the one man I had wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I felt tears burn my eyes.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
A Year Later
It’d been a year since my Justin died. It’s still hard to talk about it. But, of course, everyone wants to. Now I’m doing an interview with his friends. Lance, JC, Joey, and Chris. We got roped into doing this special on his life. I’ve cried more in the past few days then I have in several months.
“Tiffany?” the interviewer spoke my name. I focused my tear-filled eyes on her. “What’s the one thing you’ll miss most about Justin?”
“I’ll miss everything about him,” I spoke, willing my voice to stay strong. “I miss the way he made me laugh, the way he made me feel like I was the only person in the world. I miss his jokes, his voice, the way he sang. But those are things that other people can possess. There will be funny people, talented people…but there’s one thing that I’ll miss forever and that no one can replace.” I said and a tear fell. “I’ll miss his smile.”