“Dr. Albright? Can I speak to you for a second?” I reached him on one of the corridors as soon as I left Jimmy’s room. I didn’t want to meet with Brian and make it all awkward in front of Jimmy so I took this chance.

“Oh, mrs Clarke, I was heading to your husband’s room in a minute, I have his results.”

“Oh… no, he’s not…” I was about to tell him I had no degree of relationship with Jimmy but then he wouldn’t tell me anything else. I couldn’t risk that, I stopped myself at that moment. “Nevermind… You have his results?” I was eager to know more.

He nodded but not in a very positive way. It made me frown.

“Well, let me discuss it with you first, before he knows it. His body as a whole seems to be functioning better than expected for the state he was in. But I have to be honest with you – again. He has a previous cardiac condition, as you might know… and it is aggravated now.”

“What you mean?” I knew what he meant but somehow I needed to hear with different words.

“It means his heart is weak. He won’t be able to follow the same routine he was used to before… if you know what I mean.”

“I don’t, really. He’s a musician, doc. He’s a drummer. You’re telling me he won’t be able to… to play again?” my heart squeezed at the thought. He would be devastated if that was the case.

“Well, let’s not be radical here. I think he might be able to play again, maybe not on an overwhelming basis as it probably was back then. He’s gonna need a lot of physical therapy to handle it, but you know that already. I was referring to his drug use, actually. I have 20 years of clinical experience and you can surely believe me when I say this: If he ever try the amount of heroin and cocaine he was doing when he got here, his heart won’t take it this time.” He was very slow and clear on his words, scaring me a little bit. But I think that was his aim really.

I stood quiet for a while.

“Okay… alright.” my eyes dropped to the floor for a moment and then went back to his. It was a lot to digest. “Well… I’ll make sure he will stay clean. I won’t let him get near of those things again. It’s a commitment.”

Keeping him clean was more important than my own sobriety to myself and I’d do anything to make it work. Anything.

“Good, cause he’s gonna need your support and all he can get. His recovery process won’t be easy. Unfortunately, addiction is not only physical, it’s psychological too. So we have to keep our eyes on that part now.”

“Believe me, doc. I know what it’s like. I’ll take care of him. He couldn’t be more positive and happy than now, he’s a new man. But I’ll definitely keep an eye on him.”

“Alright, you probably know him better than me for that. But I needed to warn you and I’m gonna have this talk with him later too. Then we make a few more tests, some physiotherapy so he can start moving out of his bed and then he’s good to go. We just need a few more days.” He showed his hand with a small grin and I grabbed it.

“Thank you, doctor Albright, for being that thoughtful with us. We’re gonna make it right this time, that is a promise.” His smile got bigger and our hands grew apart. “His life won’t slip through our hands again.”

With that said, I headed back to Jimmy’s room almost forgetting about the fact that Brian could still be there. I waited a few more seconds to cross the corridor and then I saw Brian walking towards the elevator. Thankfully, he didn’t see me there and I could finally walk back to Jimmy and tell him the good news.

Just a few days and he was out of here.

---

2 weeks later

I’ve woken up with a very cold and empty bed around me and frowned at the same time. Since I was living with Zack, he never left the bed before we were both awake or… you know, before we were lost in each other’s arms and making amazing morning love. This one was the first and I would definitely have to check what’s going on.

I rolled out of his big bed, breathing his scent all over the room as I searched for my robe or maybe a note from him. Only his cologne wasn’t enough, I needed his presence. I needed the good morning kiss. Yeah, too attached, right?

As I walk out of the room, all I could hear was silence filling the space. That’s not right.

“Zack? Babe?” I called out before reaching for the stairs and not a reply was heard. Damn, was he trying to scare me? “Where are you?” I finally reached the hall and nothing, I was clearly left alone.

I paced slowly towards the living room still looking for signs of him but what I found there wasn’t exactly him. It was another he. Standing right there, in a perfect place close to his panoramic window that gives view to the beach. Its tail was huge and opened to show the golden chords. The black and white colors were shining by the sun light as I walked closer and my mouth was falling ajar by the second I reached the beautiful grand piano and found a vase with red roses on top of it.

“Like what you see?” his deep voice came out of the kitchen door and caught me unprepared while I was drinking the rose sweet perfume. Of course he was there.
I flashed an instant smile by his presence as he came closer.

“You’re crazy. You know that, right?”

“That might sound as cliché as possible, but yes, I am, crazy for you.” He grabbed my waist and robbed me the sweetest morning kiss he owed me. Now my heart was soothed. “Seriously, did you like it? I’m not an expert on grand pianos and their sounds but… I had my research.”

“Oh my god, Zack, of course I liked it. But… do you have any idea how much a huge thing like that coasts?”

“No, not really, I just gave the guy my credit card and told him to deliver here.” We both laughed at his remark and I went for his plump lips again. “I know my arms are irresistible for you to get out now but… don’t you wanna try it?”

I felt my grin running away from my lips and my gaze falling to his chest.

“I’m rusty, babe…” I shook my head. “Maybe later.” I ran off his arms and walked away but he held my arm.

“What’s wrong, Jay? You can say if you didn’t like it.”

“No, it’s beautiful, it’s perfect. But I don’t feel good enough for him yet, I’m not ready, Zack.” If I stared at his eyes I would cry so I just walked back towards the stairs and started climbing it up again. I hoped he could understand my reasons.

Suddenly, a question came out in my mind and I stopped in the middle of the stairs.

“How did you… bring it inside, by the way? That front door is too tiny.” He showed me a half smirk before answering.

“There’s always the window…” he replied mysteriously and my eyes widened.

How could I still be asleep while all of this was happening downstairs?

“Wow…” I smiled one last time before disappearing from his view upstairs. “And I didn’t even wake up…”

He was good… definitely good.

---

“When you said it was just a few more days I thought I was leaving that weekend…” he grumbled as I helped him get out of his bed and sit on the wheelchair.

That chair thing was just a formality, he was walking already with the little physiotherapy he had on the hospital. Slowly but walking.

“Remember, Jim, all the time in the world now. That’s what you have.” I smiled at him and kissed his forehead, receiving a grin back from his now colored lips.

He was ready to leave that place after more than two months. And later tonight, a party was already waiting for him on Zack and Jess’s account. I didn’t believe that day could get any better than it was.

“Let's go?”

“I thought you’d never ask!”

I grabbed his bag, my guitar and my stuff and we walked out of that room to never come back again. We took the elevator, got the discharge papers on the desk and said goodbye to Pauline.

I could tell she was looking kinda sad lately and I bet it had something to do with Brian. I asked once if he had called her again and she answered a sad and shy not yet. Poor girl, I really thought she deserved a shot with him, but it takes two to make it work, right?

We walked out and the first thing I saw Jimmy doing was breathing very heavily and profoundly. Now I could tell he was definitely alive.

“Did you see that tribute your fans made for you?” I pointed at the corner of the hospital entrance and he raised his brows in surprise at all the drum sticks, pictures and letters spread in the ground.

“Wow… I have the most dedicated fans out there, huh? It’s like a family. Well, I really think we should dedicate a song for them in our next album, what you think?”

“That’s a great idea.”

“It should be called… ‘Welcome to the Family.’” His eyes shone with the sun when he said it.

“Wow, already back to the business, huh? You don’t waste time.” I helped him stand up and the nurse took the wheelchair away when we saw Zack’s car parking a few meters away.

We started to walk towards his car, my arm entangled on his, when Jimmy stopped and pulled my arm back.

“Hey, wait! They left me a bottle of Jack, I can’t leave that behind!” he was about to go back when I pulled him back with a smile.

“Don’t even think about it!”

He laughed as we got to Zack and Jess waiting for us outside the car. But before we could go inside, another car parked behind us. And two people stepped out of it. I didn’t remember them so clearly but just by the face Jimmy had and his rolling eyes, I got it.

“Mom, dad… I told you you didn’t need to come pick me up.” As soon as I heard their ‘names’, I stepped out of their way. I didn’t want to cause trouble or make them think I had something to do with Jimmy’s decisions there.

“But dear, we insist, we want to take you home with us. You can’t live in that huge house of yours all alone. You need someone to take care of you.”

“Look… I’m okay now, mom. It’s not like I’m 5 again, I know how to take care of myself. Besides, you know I wanna go home, my home. You can always visit me there, you know that.” He held his mom’s hands, trying to make her understand.

“You can’t be alone in there.”

“I won’t be alone…” he looked at me and grinned. I could only frown. What is he thinking? Why is he looking at me? “Emily is staying at my place for now. To keep me company. Right, Ems?”

My jaw opened involuntarily, like I’d say something but nothing would come out. Everyone was staring at me, looking as astonished as I was. We’d never discussed this before. What am I supposed to say now? His mom was looking like she would fly in my neck if I’d agree.

“I… I… I am?” it was more like a question than a statement.

He knew I would love to leave the house I was living in. I hated the fact that my friend had almost lost her life in there. I hated to have to sleep in there, it was the hardest thing to do. But… that question popping out all of a sudden? Fuck, I wasn’t expecting.

“Yeah, I mean… if you want, of course.” He rephrased his proposal and his mom let go of his hand.

“You can’t possibly… want to live with this woman. She’s not good for you, James.”
There it goes. She finally said it, looking inside my eyes. But I didn’t show the anger I was holding for her. I tried to soften my gaze as much as I could. I needed to show her she could trust me this time.

“Mom… I won’t discuss this with you anymore. You need to start respecting my choices here. You need to start respecting me, my friends and especially Emily. If you don’t, you’re not welcome into my house or my life anymore. I’m sorry.” He spoke softly those brutal words and I saw his mom’s eyes watering for a moment.

“You shouldn’t talk to your mother like that!” his father finally intervened and we all reached the crucial point of that uncomfortable gathering.

“I’m sorry dad, that’s what I think.”

“Let’s go, Joe.” His mom turned his back, not before sending me a death glare, and got back inside their car.

His father followed her and they left.

Jimmy’s disappointed eyes fell on the ground as I got closer to him, encircled my arm on his waist and then made him look down at me.

“C’mon, let’s go, babe.”

Zack opened the back door for us and we all left to his house. Jimmy’s house. We had a lot to talk about now.

---

“What do you mean NO BOOZE? There’s no freaking party without booze, man!” Johnny exploded his indignation out to Jess and Zack, the party hosts, at the kitchen. He was already regretting to be one of the firsts to arrive.

“What do you suggest? We start taking shots all night long with Jimmy watching us? How cool must be for him! You heard the doc, he gotta stay clean, you moron.” Zack gave him a slap in the back of his head and poured some ice on the soda bottles.

“Oh, c’mon! Alcohol is not a drug.” Johnny insisted, receiving a deathly glare from Jess, who was preparing the table with snacks. “Is it?” another deathly glare, and this time from both Zack and Jess. “Alright, alright… it is. I’m gonna go buy my own six pack when I leave here…” he grumbled one last time before heading to the living room with his wife and daughter, and before he could take a seat beside them in the couch, the doorbell sounded through the house.

Johnny was about to walk towards the door when Jess came from the kitchen in a rush, passing through him quickly just to open the door before he could.

“I’ll get it!!!”

She was the hostess after all, not Johnny. He just rolled his eyes.

Behind the door was Matt, Valary, Michelle and… a man that has just gotten out of the hairdresser. Brian with as short as possible hair. Jess had to look twice, he was very different but still charming. And with the saddest expression she had ever seen him showing.

“Hey guys! It’s good to see you all! Come on in!” Jess put on her widest smile and step away from the door so they could get in.

Val and her sister greeted her with only a discreet nod. Yeah, okay, not as friendly as she thought they once were. Matt kissed her cheek and spread his cologne all over the air when he came inside. Brian was the last to get in and Jess couldn’t prevent her eyes from widening.

“Wow… new look?”



“Tired of the same old same.” He half smiled, winked and pecked her cheek quickly before getting inside.

When Jess was in a second away from closing the door, she heard two girls calling her loudly. It could only be Mei and Kim, her best friends. They obviously brought their baking along with their best grins.

And for last but not least, Emily and Jimmy arrived too. Their faces were shining to Jess. Emily couldn’t look prettier. Jimmy couldn’t look more alive. And he was greeted intensely by everyone in there, making a lot of fuss and noise in the house until Lacey remembered them Amanda was too little to have her ears abused like that. After her warning, everything got quieter and they could hear the door ringing again. More guests coming.

Jess and Zack traded quick glances for a second, smiled to each other and thought the same thing.

That should be the perfect night, indeed.

Notes

You think that will be the perfect night too? =p

Hit me with your thoughts.