I always remembered “Things in this mirror are closer than they appear” being something my dad said to me when he was teaching me how to drive. I never expected that something said to me as a young lad would come back to be the truth in my life as an adult.
The tour had brought us into Chicago where we had been numerous times before; I always liked this town. It had big city hustle, but the people were always really nice. One year I had been really sick, between my allergies, a cold, and the flu I was a pure mess. I was determined to have the show go on, I’d have two days to recoup after that night. The Hysteria tour was at its height of popularity, and I was not going to disappoint 25,000 fans that were about to pack the arena.
The sound check was cut short, because all of the meds I was on were knocking me out. I barely remember getting back to the hotel or in bed, but Malvin was shaking me. “Rick, you gotta get up man.” I was soaked with sweat, from my fever high. “If you’re not over this fever by tomorrow I’m taking your ass to the emergency room. You’re burning up!” I could hear the concern in his voice. “Nah” I struggled to get up “I’m fine, I just need a shower and a cup of tea” I told him as I swung my legs over the side of the bed. “I’ll have the tea waiting for you when you get out of the shower.” He told me as he was leaving the room.
I sat there for a few minutes and finally got up and made it to the bathroom. The shower felt incredibly good, the water worked on my tired muscles and gave me some much-needed energy. The steam from the shower helped to open up my sinuses, I felt so much better. After getting dressed I went out into the general living room where the guys sat just about ready to go. Malvin gave me my cup of tea and I drank it down slowly.
We left the hotel and made it to the arena without incident, and we were only five minutes out from the shows start. I was fitted with my now signature wireless headset mic and one of my favorite basses. I had never noticed how heavy my bass actually was until that night. “Damn 20 pounds never felt so heavy” Rick said as he slumped forward “Are you sure your okay mate?” Joe asked as he put a cool hand to Rick’s forehead. “Yeah, I’m fine I’d just prefer to play in nothing tonight, I’m sweating my ass off.” Rick said. Joe was chuckling “The ladies out there would like that too!”
The show started and Rick tried not to think about how crappy he felt. When the time came for the created break he went below the stage and got a cold drink of water. “Are you okay” a female voice asked “Yeah, just a cold and stuff.” He answered having a hard time focusing on her. She took a cloth and poured some cool water on it. She wiped down Rick’s forehead and face. “There that should make you feel somewhat better.” She looked at his face to see some relief even if it was brief. “Thanks, I’m sorry I didn’t get your name” Rick said. “I’m Grace” she smiled at him. “Thanks Grace, I need to go” he told her “Just let me know if you need anything” she offered as he headed back to the stage.
There was only an hour left to go on the show, which felt like an eternity to Rick. When it was finally over they all walked below the stage and Rick’s tech took his bass off him and the relief from the 20-pound weight was immense. Grace was walking his way to give him another bottle of water as he swayed in a circle. She smiled at him as he focused on her he smiled back and blackness took over him. He collapsed on Grace; “Oh Shit” she said trying to support his weight, but was brought to the ground and pinned below him.
Phil, Joe and Steve had to get a hold of Rick to pick him up off of Grace. Once they got him to his feet he started to come to. “Hey, what happened?” his voice was weak and cut in and out. “You passed out and fell on this poor girl” Joe explained as he and Phil sat him in a chair. Steve helped Grace off the floor, “Thanks” she said brushing off her pants. She got the same towel she had used before on. Grace wet it down and ran it over Rick’s fevered head. “Thanks, luv” his voice was getting less audible with every word he said. “Your welcome, please don’t talk, I’ll help take care of you” she whispered in his ear. He smiled as he laid his head back against the chair. “What did you say to him?” Malvin asked. “Just please don’t talk and I’d help take care of him.” She told them all. “My place isn’t far from here, your more than welcome to use it so you don’t have to bother with the fans at the hotel.” She knew how crazy it could get when fans catch a glimpse of their favorite band. “We’re going to have to do something. He’s not in a condition to walk out of here and if we carry him out the press with have a field day with it.” Malvin said, “How far is your place?” “About three blocks down.” “Okay, here’s the deal, y’all are going to leave in regular style, and I’m going to fall back with Rick and get him to her place until this all dies down.” “I’m sorry we don’t even know your name” Steve said, “I’m Grace” she smiled. “I’m Steve, this is Phil, Joe, Malvin and the other Rick” “She probably already knew that.” Phil remarked like a smart-ass. “Go, before you two start any shit that we all get in trouble for” Joe said “The Terror twins will STRIKE AGAIN!!!!!!” Phil was announcing like a superhero’s anthem to protect and serve. “Well let’s go little terror” Joe pushed him forward propelling him in Rick and tackling him to the floor. “Hey, I’ve only got one arm you can at least warn me so I can kick your ass in style” Rick laughed. Steve helped them up, “Bye Savage” Steve yelled over his shoulder. Rick waved back not even lifting his head up off the chair not speaking like Grace has asked him. Malvin stood next to Rick in the chair, “Okay buddy lets get you ready to go.”
Getting Rick into a car and up to the second floor to Grace's apartment was a chore. Malvin had to move him like he was a rag doll a very heavy rag doll. "It's not much but it's home" Grace said as she opened the door. After pointing Malvin in the direction of the bedroom, he brought Rick in a dropped him on the bed. Taking off Rick's boots he put a couple of blankets over him to keep him warm. Malvin closed the door to find Grace standing in the kitchen making a sandwich. "Want one?" she asked "No thanks, is it okay if I leave him here for a while?" "Sure, I'm not going anywhere. Here's my number you can call if anything changes." handing him a slip of paper. "Thanks, we really appreciate you doing this for him." Mal said "It's not a problem, I'd do it for anyone." she smile. Malvin excused himself and Grace locked the door behind him. She waited a minute or two before going in to check on Rick. He looked peaceful; she went in to cover him better when he opened his eyes to look her in hers. A chill ran through her as if he touched a piece of her soul. "What?" Rick croaked "Shhh, it's okay, I'm just covering you up a little more." she said. Rick closed his eyes again and passed out.
Grace found herself standing in the doorway watching him sleep. Why was she so drawn to him? She had been around plenty of rock stars and she didn't feel like this. There was something about Rick that made her feel almost complete. Shaken by the feeling she quietly left the room and closed the door leaving only a crack so she could hear him if he should happen to call.
About an hour had passed when she went to look back at him again. He was still in the same position Malvin dropped him in. Knowing his muscles would hurt worst if she left him like that, she uncovered him and started to straighten his legs. Rick started to stir a bit; Grace was moving his arms and shoulders when he did it again. He looked into her eyes and saw her soul. He lifted the hand closest to her to brush her cheek and give a crooked smile. Barely conscious he snaked his hand from her cheek to the back of her neck pulling her down to him, kissing her firmly. He released her and brought his arm back down the bed and passed out again. Grace sat there motionless not believing what had just happened. She covered Rick again and walked out of the room. She plopped down on the couch and did her best to rationalize what just happened.
The phone rang quickly snapping Grace out of her haze. "Hello?" she answered quickly not wanting the phone to disturb Rick. "Grace? This is Malvin" he started "Is it a problem for Rick to spend the night? The hotel just informed us that they have closed the roads." "No problem at all, he's out cold, when do you need him tomorrow?" she needed to know when to get him ready. "We're off for a few days, so when ever you’re sick of him." Malvin teased. "Okay" she laughed. Malvin gave Grace his number at the hotel and told her that if she need anything or had questions to call him. They rang off and Grace decided to get ready for bed.
Once she put on her nightgown she stopped to ask herself "Where am I going to sleep?" The couch was really a love seat and much too small to sleep on. The floor was definitely not an option, so the only thing left was to squeeze onto her full size bed with Rick. She turned off all the lights in the apartment and opened the bedroom door. Rick was dead center of the bed. The only space she could possibly slip into was on his left side. She looked at him watching his chest rise and fall. He was on his back with the blankets up to his chin, and she had to find a way not to disturb him. She slowly reached over Rick to pull the blankets back from the small space between him and the wall. Slowly and careful Grace stepped on to the bed next to Rick's leg holding on to the foot board of the bed. One foot over Rick she tried to stand up to step over him completely, she started to lose her balance and grabbed the wall almost falling on top of Rick. She stepped over him and laid down on her side facing Rick. She quickly pulled the covers over herself and tried her best to get comfortable. To adults on a full size bed is not the best of fits, especially when one is passed out in the center. Grace fell asleep huddled next to Rick's body, trying her best not to lay on him and had her ass plastered to the wall behind her. Once she got somewhat comfortable she fell asleep quickly.
The morning light came through the lace curtains making it hard to sleep. When Grace woke up she found herself cuddled up to Rick. Her head on his chest with his arm around her waist holding her close. She stayed there for a couple of minutes before she looked up at Rick to see him looking back at her. "Good Morning" he smiled "Good Morning" she said starting to pull away. "No, you don't have to move, your okay, I kind of like waking up like this." he told her. She could tell just from listening to him that he felt much better. "You're Grace for the arena right?" he asked "Yes" she replied realizing that he had no recollection of last nights events of getting him there. "You don't remember do you?" she asked "No, I can't say I do, I remember you wiping off my face, and going back to the stage and not much more than that." he explained. Grace told him everything that happened up to the point they were at right now. "Well thank you for taking care of me. I feel better today." he smiled.
******************************************************************
Grace and Rick decided to get up, Rick looked out the window to see the street below covered in a gleaming white sheet of snow. Grace had gone to start breakfast for the two of them. "What do you want to eat?" she asked from the kitchen. Rick walked out of the room and sat at her small table. "I'm not picky, I'll take what ever you got." he told her think how what he wanted was to have her pinned below him moaning his name in pleasure. "Okay" she turned back to the counter where she had put out everything she planned on cooking. She could feel his eyes on her back; she turned to see him just sitting at the table staring at her. "Do you want some coffee, or tea?" she asked "Or me" she thought to herself. What she wouldn't do to touch him, arouse him until her begged to be inside her. "Tea if you don't mind, I’m not much of a coffee drinker." he told her. "Me either" she told him as she reached up for a mug. "I can make tea, it's the least I can do for all you've done for Me." he told her getting up. "No, that's okay, you need to rest." Rick was only inches from her; she could feel his body heat rushing over her. He took the mug from her hand and his fingers rubbed hers. "I've had enough rest, I have some energy to burn." the sexual overture in his voice made chills run down her spine. He put the mug down and took her face in the palm of his hands. He leaned in and kissed her slowly, she didn't return the kiss at first. Grace started to kiss him back; his tongue ran across her lips begging her to open her mouth. She parted her lips and granted his tongue entrance. She was returning the passion she was receiving from Rick. He slowly started to move his hand down her neck to her shoulder. Before long he had moved his way to her breast cupping it and softly squeezing it. He ran his thumb over her nipple and felt it harden under his touch. She brought her hands up to feel his muscles under his shirt. God what would it feel like to be held by those muscles? Her mind was spiraling out of control. His hand moved from her face to the back of her neck where he gripped a handful of hair holding her right where he wanted her. The phone started ringing, and they ignored it until the machine started and they heard Malvin's voice "Grace" Rick growled in frustration at Malvin had interrupted them. "May I?" he asked pointing to the phone as Mal continued "It's Malvin" "Mal" Rick started as he picked up the phone "Hey your awake, you sound better. How do you feel?” he asked "Better, but I think I might need some more rest.” he said as he winked at Grace who was flushed from his touch. "Well as long as Grace doesn't mind I don't. The roads are still crappy, we're not going anywhere." he told him. "Hey Grace do you mind if I stay?" he asked "No not at all" she answered so Malvin could hear. "Okay then" Mal told him "Don't make a nuisance of yourself." They rang off and Rick turned back to Grace who was now leaning back against the counter. "Well I'm yours for the day, do with me what you will." he offered with open arms and a wicked smile.
Grace paused for a second as all the erotic and sensual pictures of them flashed through her mind. She smiled at him and slowly made her way over to Rick where she ran a finger down his chest to the waistband of his jeans. "First I need to get you out of these" she said seductively. He smiled at her as she started to work on the button and zipper of his jeans. She looked down to see his curls peaking out, "Mmmmm, going commando? Very naughty." she told him as she kissed him. He pushed against her so she could feel how hard he was for her. "Not yet" she said pulling away from him. She took his hand and lead him into the bathroom. She started to run the water in the tub and put Mr. Bubble in there. "Now, what should we do with these clothes of yours?" she asked playfully. She looked around "I know" she said and started to pull his shirt over his head. "And these pants" she said running her hand around the waistband of his jeans "they have to go" she said pushing them down over his hips until they made a pool at his ankles. "Now it's your turn" Rick told her with a grin. He started at her shoulder pushing one side of her nightgown down kissing the path the cloth had just taken. He did the same with the other side. He slowly moved it down her body with his hands running down her sides kissing a path between her breast down to her belly button until he reached her downy curls. The nightgown was now at her ankles and her hands were weaved into his hair. "Into the tub with you." he said pointing. She stepped out of the cloth pool at her feet and stepped into the tub with all the bubbles. Rick followed her lead and sat across from her. He took her foot in his hand and started to massage it slowly. "Mmmm, that feels so good." she told him. She sunk down in the water to her shoulders with her head leaning against the back of the tub. Rick released her foot and called her over to him with a beckoning finger. She rolled to her knees and floated over to him. He reached out and touched her face as she moved closer to him. Her nipples brushed up his chest as he pulled her in for a kiss. Grace could feel Rick's erection poking at her stomach. Slowly she moved a hand down to his leg, to his inner thigh lightly brushing his sac with her fingertips. She took hold of his hard shaft and slowly started to pump her hand up and down. The faster she moved the more intense the kiss became. Rick pulled away from her. He looked at her, he was breathing heavily "I need you" his voice husky, she smiled at him. "I need you Grace" he kissed her. She sat up more and his hand slide down her body until her came to her feminine folds. He slide a finger against her clit making her shudder in delight. "Your's so hot" he said placing kisses all over her neck. "Tell me what you want." he slowly rubbed her clit. "You Rick, I want you." she replied almost breathless. Rick slid forward from the back of the tub and pulled Grace's legs around until she was hovering over him. She placed her arms around his neck placing kisses down his neck to his shoulders. He guided her down onto his hard cock. "Oh God Rick" she said as he slide in her. He moved her up and down on his shaft. "You are so tight, so hot." he whispered into her neck. The warm soapy water lapped against their bodies as she slide up and down burying Rick deep inside her. She moaned his name as she kissed his neck. Her lips dragging seductively with every moan. Rick couldn't hold out much longer. "Grace" he whispered "I'm gonna cum baby" She moaned louder than before as her walls tightened around his cock. "You like it when I talk dirty baby?" he asked as his tongue traced her ear. "Mmmm yeah" her voice was becoming a whimper of need. "You like ride my cock don't you?" he asked forcefully. She shook her head "Tell me how good it feels?" He kissed down the front of her throat. "You feel incredible, so hard, so big." she was starting to tighten around him. He knew she couldn't hold out much longer. "Cum with me Grace” Rick’s hand moved from her side to her clit, she was getting so close. She started to squeeze Rick all the harder. Grace nuzzled his ear; she moaned his name quietly so he could hear it. "Ecstasy awaits luv." he told her and push deeper into her then ever before pushing her over the edge. She through her head back and spasmed around his cock as he released into her with a growl. When they were both spend they sat there holding each other in the quickly cooling water.
"I think we
need to get out of this water." she told him "I'm getting a little wrinkly
in here." he joked. They both stepped out of the tub and dried each other
off. "So how about that breakfast I was going to make you?" "I'm starved,
will you always help me work up a hunger?" he asked kissing her lips. "Only
if you like it" "Oh I like it, I really like it!" he said spanking her.
They left the bathroom and put on some clothes. Grace started breakfast
and started to ask questions. "So where are you off to next?" "Somewhere
in Wisconsin I think, I'm never really sure. I just make sure I don't miss
the bus." he told her
"Is it hard
traveling a leaving everyone behind?" she tried not to sound like she expected
more from him than what just happened. "Yeah, you get so a point where
you're starting to feel comfortable with someone, and then you’re on your
way to the next place." he told her. The phone rang as she was cooking,
"May I?" Rick asked standing next to her phone. "Sure why not" she never
left the counter where she was cooking. She didn't hear much of the conversation,
but she knew something was up. When he hung up he sat at the table and
watched her cook. She looked at him and he started to tell her about the
call he had just gotten. "Mal and the others will be here in 15 minutes,
to get me. They opened the roads and Malvin wants to go now." he explained
with his head down not meeting her eyes. "Oh, well if you have to go" she
didn't want him to go although she knew she had no choice. She turned back
to the counter her back to Sav; he came up and wrapped his arms around
her. "How can I thank you?" he whispered in her ear "I don't know." she
told him not wanting him to ever let go. He turned her around to
face him and looked into her eyes. "I don't want to go as much as you don't
want me to go" he kissed her gently. "I'm going to give you the Cellphone
number and I want your number." he told her as they heard the knock on
the door. They exchanged numbers and kissed one last time. She watched
him walk down the stairs and ran to the window to watch him get on the
bus. Before he did he looked up at her smiled, waved and blew a kiss to
her. The doors closed behind him and he was gone.
I had tried to call her several times, but kept getting the machine and never left a message. When I had some free time I flew to Chicago to see Grace, only to find she no long lived at that address and didn't leave a forwarding address. I returned to the tour with the others wondering where she was and if she was okay. This nagged at me until finally I had to face the fact that she didn't contact me so I shouldn't wait or search for her.
The thing that's weird about it the story doesn't even feel like mine. I can see myself as a person other than myself, but I know it was me. I know what it did to me. So now I'm back to where I started, I'm divorced, have a live in girlfriend and a son. The one thing I lack is Grace, if I saw her now, I'd grab her and not let go. She could be very good for me and for Tyler. I should feel guilty about the thoughts I'm having of pushing Paige aside, but I don't. Grace has held my heart since that day I woke up with her. You can hear my need, my true feelings for her in "To Be Alive" on the Euphoria CD. Regardless of what else I have contributed to that song the lines that describe my need for Grace and some of the things Paige has said to me from time to time confirming that it's true.
"Must be something that you can't let go, In words that you won't let me know" I was floored I hadn’t realizing Paige could see it so easily.
"I hold on to this moment and the time is right To Be Alive" I feel this way about Grace, I can still feel her touch on my skin. The curves of her body against mine.
"Must be somebody
holding your heart, something that tears us apart" The day Paige
said this to me I knew it was true, I couldn't give her all of me, because
I don't have all of me. Some of it is with her, with Grace where ever she
is.
So again I sit here with the memory of that day with her and the words of my father echoing through my head........
"Things in this mirror are closer than they appear........."
~ The End ~