| Meg slammed the phone down and buried her head in her hands. My own mother just denied me...I'm officially nothing to her. I can't believe she's so fed up with me having a successful career...she didn't call me Eve before that, she called me Meg, like I meant something to her. Like I was really her daughter. I have to talk to someone...anyone. She immediately dialed Chad's number. When he didn't answer, she left him the angry voice mail: "Dang it, Chad, where are you? I need to talk to you again and I don't know why I'm getting the silent treatment. Please call me. I need to hear from you or I'm going to go crazy in this hospital room." What's his problem? Meg found herself fed up and wanting to scream...or sing, or anything else besides sit in that room a minute longer. She decided to forgo the last three options and called Paul. "Hello?" "Everything you say to me Sends me one step closer to the edge And I'm about to break! I need a little room to breathe Cause I'm one step closer to the edge And I'm about to break!" It was their tradition to sing to each other instead of greeting each other traditionally on the phone, usually according their mood. "Meg! I can't believe it's you!" "It's me, alright. You got time to talk?" "For you, of course I do!" She drew in a breath. "My mom just called and basically announced that I was no longer her child. She could care less that I'm in the hospital. All she cares about is the money." "Meg, I'm so sorry!" "It's not your fault, Paul, I just..." she stopped, choking on her tears, "I just need someone here for me now," she sobbed. "Chad--I don't know where he is. I probably don't wanna know." He didn't say anything for a while. "He's just really worried about you, Meg, and I guess he's taking it differently." "Well next time you see him, tell him that ignoring me isn't helping either of us." "Have you heard anything from Dr. Timmons?" I knew he'd ask. "Nothing significant." "Really? Are you still in pain?" Emotionally, yes. "Aw, Paul, you know me, getting drunk on IV fluids. Never been better." He laughed. "That's good to know." She smiled, her tears subsiding. "I miss you, Paul." "Do you know how boring this bus is without you?" She laughed, "Well, Gabe is still there, so I can't imagine things being boring." "You'd be surprised. The energy in the bus has gone way down. We need you, Meggie!" She laughed, "I'll ignore that horrible nickname and just say I'll be seeing you tomorrow." "So we have to wait a day to be graced with your presence?" "Absence makes the heart grow fonder, my dear." "That is so clich�, as my good friend Meg would say." "Hey that rhymes!" He laughed. "I'm glad to hear you're coherent now!" "Aren't I always this witty?" "Always," he scoffed. "Look, Paulie, I don't need your lip," she cautioned. "I might just open up a can on your booty." He laughed. "I'll consider myself warned." "Good. Thanks for being there, Paul." "No problem. Feel better?" "Of course I do. Talking to you always does." "Well thank ya." "Thank you." Lily walked into her room and waited for Meg's attention. "Listen, Paul, I'll talk to you later, okay?" "Okay. I'll see you tomorrow, then." "Alright. Bye." "Bye." Meg replaced the phone and beckoned to the nurse, "Yes?" "Dr. Harless has asked us to start you on a different pain medication to prepare you for surgery next week." She injected a liquid into her IV. "You may begin to feel a bit groggy." "I always feel groggy, Lily, don't worry about it." "You'll get used to it." That's what they always tell me. "Yeah." As Lily leaned scribbled something on her chart and said, "Well I hope you enjoy your company tomorrow. Family?" "Ha! Like they care! It's my band and my manager." "Oh. Well, that's good." She left the room. Meg rolled her eyes. She knew what Lily thought of her. The jaded superstar, the poor little rich girl. Whatever. She leaned back on her pillow, willing tomorrow to come faster, and soon fell into a deep sleep. |