Chapter Three
Baby, I know the story; I’ve seen the picture.
It’s written all over your face, tell me what’s the secret,
That you’ve been hiding, who’s gonna take my place?
I should’ve seen it coming; I should’ve read the signs.
Anyway... I guess it’s over.
–Westlife, Fool Again
“Hey Frick, happy 26th birthday, man,” Nick said, as he took Brian’s hand and shared their secret handshake which only the two of them knew.
“Yup, sorry your birthday fell on the wrong date, didn’t mean for it to be one of the concert dates. Oh yeah, when you return to Kentucky, give your parents my regards.” Kevin added, looking back at him from the front seat. Brian gave him a big grin. He was deadbeat. They had flown in from their last concert venue and they did not have time to celebrate his birthday.
“All right, I’ll tell them you said hi. Have a good night you guys,” he said as he climbed out of Kevin’s car. Smiling, he gave them a wave as they drove away and unlocked his door.
He knew that Sue would be asleep; it was already 3 am in the morning. Treading up the stairs, he smiled to himself. Sue did not know that he would be home tonight. Brian fingered the box inside his jacket pocket. He had bought her a bracelet which had her name engraved at one of their concert venues. Dropping his luggage softly at his feet, he turned the knob of his bedroom.
He was surprised to hear giggles and moans. Groping for the switch on the wall, he switched on the lights. He slowly stepped inside the bedroom, afraid that he was going to lose it, which was something he never did. He couldn’t believe his eyes.
* *23-year-old Catherine Patterson opened the door to her rented apartment, dragging in two bags of luggage. She pushed back a few tendrils of hair that had strayed onto her face. Shaking her head of auburn curls, she tied them back with a scrunchie. Her green eyes looked all over the room, finding it a little too small for two people, but it would have to do.
She couldn’t afford something more expensive. She already had a hard time moving to Orlando and money was tight. Catherine walked over to the window overlooking a road. A tear came to her eye. She had been through so much alone; she had to go on although she felt that the world was turning against her. She had to go on. For herself… and for Tommy.
Her hands ran up to her neck, and she smiled, feeling the familiar touch of the chain. She felt around the locket, feeling the letters that were engraved; ‘CB’. She turned back to the shadow standing cautiously at the door.
“Come on in, love. This is our new home,” she whispered, kneeling down and opening her arms wide for a hug. The blond child ran towards her and buried his head in her neck. “Do you like it, Tommy?” she asked, looking into his green eyes, seeing in his eyes what she felt deep inside, fear.
“Yes, I like it. As long as you’re with me, Mama,” he mumbled, hugging her even tighter.
* *Brian stood frozen in his bedroom, his eyes taking in the wild and tangled sheets and pillows in disbelief. He could hear the roar of a car and the screeching of the tires as it drove off. The cold reality finally dawned on him like a wild rushing wave. His heart felt so heavy, so heavy it was ready to break. He stared emptily at the white and blue bed sheets. Grief and betrayal rushed over him. He bent over, then collapsed hard on his knees.
A sorrowful moan escaped his pale thin lips that had so often sung of eternal love, of eternal happiness. Those songs now felt so empty and carried no meaning. He choked back a sob, but decided to let the tears fall. The pain of betrayal cut so deep, right into the core of his soul. His body slumped against the wall.
He had no idea why but right at that moment, he thought back of his childhood best friend, his friend who had left him without a reason. Cat. Slowly, he lay down on the floor and curled himself up, trying to rid himself of the images that floated in his head.
*The next night*
Brian stepped into the noisy club and immediately saw Nick waiting for him at the counter. He slowly walked through the dancing bodies towards him.
“Where have you been Frick? I’ve tried to reach you this morning, but no one seemed to be home. . Brian, are you ok?” Nick stared into Brian’s bloodshot eyes.
“Don’t worry, I’m very fine. I had a lot of things to do.” He yelled back, giving Nick a wry smile. He did not want Nick to worry. Nick looked confused for a while, but later gave Brian a knowing smile and wink.
“Had to catch up something with Sue?” Brian felt sorrow in his heart, but tried not to be obvious about it.
“Where’s AJ by the way?”
“AJ? In the middle of the dance floor, grooving with some babe I guess.” Brian made his way towards the dance floor and found AJ dancing away with a redhead.
“Hey Bri! At last you’re here! Kev and Howie’s not here, they went to buy you a pres-... Oops! Let the cat out again! Nick’s too shy to dance…and I’ve been...”
“Hey, hey, hold it back man. Do me a favor, Bone, you find a chick that can hang with me?” Brian yelled over the loud music, his eyes traveling over the bodies at the dance floor.
“Isn’t Sue he--?” He stopped, seeing the glare in Brian’s eyes. Brian’s eyes settled on a blond girl that was sitting alone. She was smiling at him, an invitation.
“Never mind, I found one.” With that, he made his way to the girl. AJ stopped dancing and found Nick.
“What’s with Bri? He acts like he’s not himself,” AJ mumbled.
“I can see that, AJ. I see that clearly,” Nick muttered, frowning, as he saw Brian and the girl leaving.
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