"You're still with your high school sweetheart?" he asked, surprised.
"Was. We split since, but I still love the song. It shows also men can feel real love."
"Thanks." He pondered. "I split with my high school girlfriend too."
She nodded, thoughtful. "I know, it hurts. I thought I'd come to this show with him, and I'm all alone."
He smiled weakly. "Until we find someone else."
They both pondered with melancholy. They talked and drank for a while – her name was Alice and she sounded very sweet – then Kyle checked his watch. "Well, it's getting late. It was good talking to you, Alice."
She grinned. "The pleasure was mine. Now I know you're human!"
They parted with a smile and a handshake.
The next day in the tour bus, Kyle cleared his throat before speaking to the rest of the band, including Joyce.
"I wanted to tell you I'll be available for the World Tour, if you still want me."
Mike nodded, knowingly, but the other four were stunned for a moment.
"I thought you'd had enough and wanted to stay at home," Joyce said, puzzled.
Kyle scoffed. "Yeah. Thing is – I don't have a home to go back to anymore."
Bonnie, Debby, Benny and Joyce were breathless for a second.
Debby stared at Mike's knowing face. "You knew, didn't you?"
"I can keep a secret when I'm asked to," Mike answered proudly.
"We felt something happened, but we figured you'd tell us when you were ready," Benny said.
Kyle nodded. "I just did." He felt Bonnie's eyes piercing him.
"So you're still with the band," Joyce said, relieved. "That's good news! Do you have any new song?"
"Not yet, unless you're interested in a song about hatred and revenge," he answered.
"Not really," Benny said. "We want our next album to be positive as usual."
"That's what I thought."
"Hey, if it rocks, I can change the lyrics!" Mike suggested.
Kyle smiled. "Yeah, you're the one who turned Benny's Sunday Hymns into pop songs, I know."
"Exactly."
"Forget it, pal, it's awful anyway. And I agree we must keep it positive, even if there was some down time during this tour."
"We had personal downs, but we're going back up, and I'm sure we can come up with something positive," Debby said.
"We have a lot more experience!" Benny added. "And with the band still complete, I'm sure our next album will be the greatest ever!"
Bonnie nodded violently, unable to speak.
"Thanks, guys." Kyle was grateful he had such good friends.
***
It was a private party for the band, the celebration of the end of the tour. They were huddled in a corner boot at the hotel bar with Joyce, who raised her glass to get the band's attention.
"The tour is almost over, the CD has gone platinum and you have a nomination at the MTV Music Awards," the manager announced.
"Way to go, Joyce! We have a lot to celebrate tonight!" Mike exclaimed cheerfully.
"Damn right! Raise your glasses, guys!" Benny said. "To the best band and the best of friends on the planet!"
They all cheered. The party went on with more drinks and jokes and laughter. Benny and Joyce left first, then Debby and Mike. A very exhilarated – and slightly drunk – Bonnie remained with Kyle, who was considering going to bed too.
"You know, Kyle, we're going to be all right!" she said, unusually talkative because of the extra drink. "And you know why? Because we have each other!"
"And we're the Pearls of Wisdom!" he smiled.
"Yeah, and we don't need any Betty or Ricky or anyone else, because we have each other!" she continued. "We have friendship and everything and I love you so much that I could die happy tonight!"
Kyle sobered up, stunned. "Are you kidding?"
"Nope, I love you, that's why I can't have a proper relationship with someone else, I can't stop thinking of you!" she said, oblivious of the effects her words were having on him.
"You're drunk," he said somberly.
"Yep, otherwise I'd never dare to do this!" She took his head in her hands, pulled him closer and kissed him. She sighed blissfully and fainted in his arms.
***
Bonnie woke up, hung over, and rushed to the bathroom to throw up. She moaned at the effects of the previous night's drinks. She shouldn't have. She had lost it – she had lost control. And she couldn't remember a darn thing.
"Are you OK?" Kyle's voice startled her.
He looked like he had slept in his clothes and had a worried expression on his face.
"I'm fine," she said quickly, going to the sink. "Guess I drank too much."
She washed her face and rinsed her mouth.
"Yeah, I guess you did." He smiled, relieved.
Bonnie took a deep breath and managed to turn and face him. "Was I that bad?"
"You mean you don't remember anything?" He sounded uncertain now.
"Nope," she had to admit.
"When you're done, give me a minute, then we can talk."
"O-OK."
She went back to the room, wondering what had happened. They were in a double room, with two beds, and the others were nowhere to be seen.
Kyle came out of the bathroom and joined her by the window. She looked at him, worried, but he smiled reassuringly.
"What did I do?" she asked, ready to panic.
"Do you remember when Benny and Joyce left?"
Bonnie thought about it. "Yes."
"How about Mike and Debby?" he insisted.
"Uhm... think so... we were left alone?"
"Yes." He looked mildly amused now.
"Damn!" Alone with him! What on earth did I do? "And what did I do?"
He pulled her closer. "You said you loved me."
"I said... oh my God!" She gasped, shocked.
"And then you kissed me."
"I... what? How come I can't remember even that?" She could panic now. She had kissed him! And she couldn't even remember it!
"I don't know, but I swear you did. And then you fainted."
Bonnie felt her knees gave way, but his arms were around her so she didn't fall. "Oh, Kyle, I'm so sorry, I can't think of an excuse for my dreadful behavior..."
"Stop it," he said, staring at her with his dark eyes, serious. He was still holding her, even if it wasn't a real, passionate embrace. But she was in his arms, and still couldn't believe it. "I wasn't expecting it, but if what you said isn't only a drunk's rambling, we can discuss it."
She stared at him open-mouthed for a moment. There she was, in his arms, and she couldn't remember kissing him or telling him the truth. She realized how close they were and suddenly felt embarrassed.
"Kyle, I... I guess I never dared saying anything because of Betty, but..." Words failed her. He took her breath away with his proximity.
"Betty is history," he said.
"Yeah, thank God! Ops, sorry, I mean..."
"Bonnie! Quit fooling around! Are you drunk now?"
Bonnie sighed. "Unfortunately, no." This was turning into a nightmare.
"Do you want me to let go of you?" he asked.
"Absolutely not!" Her mouth spoke before she could think. "Oh, Kyle, I love you so much..."
"That's all I wanted to hear," he said as a smile blossomed on his face.
He kissed her and the nightmare became a dream come true.
7.
Bonnie and Kyle cuddled each other under the amused eyes of the other two couples.
Debby sighed. "I should have known it was him!"
"Yeah, but since when?" Mike wondered.
Bonnie heard them and turned. "Since he wrote that song and unblocked you guys."
"That was definitely a good timing to come up with a love song!" Benny said.
"Yeah, you should write more, Kyle," Debby added.
"I will, but I had no music left in me," he replied.
"Betty drained you of your talent?" Mik
e teased.
Kyle shrugged. "Maybe it just drained itself. But it's coming back."
Benny winked. "You might start someone else's talent as well!" He smiled at Bonnie who shrugged..
"Sorry, guys, I'm afraid I lack that talent!" she said.
But she'd stand up by her boyfriend, so she accepted to accompany him to his old apartment to pick up his stuff.
"You sure she's not in?" she asked as they got there.
"I called and got the answering machine," he answered, holding her hand and dragging her inside.
"So she's at work, fine," she muttered.
Kyle smiled. "Why, you don't want to meet her?"
Bonnie shook her head. "No, it's too weird."
"What's weird?"
"Dunno." She shrugged. "Get your stuff and let's get out of here."
In Kyle's bedroom they found Betty, in bed, knees up to hold a magazine. They stopped at the door, startled. Betty glanced at their entwined fingers, but didn't say anything.
Kyle's smile vanished. "So you're in. Why didn't you pick up the phone?"
"I needed to talk to you," she answered.
Bonnie tried to leave, embarrassed, but Kyle didn't let her go.
"I brought the key back," he said, showing it. "I'm packing my stuff."
Betty nodded. "Sure, go ahead."
He threw the keys on the bed in front of her and dragged Bonnie to the wardrobe where he started picking up his clothes and putting them in a suitcase.
"Are you sick?" he asked out of courtesy.
"Not really, just tired," Betty answered.
"How's Ricky?"
"You're asking about the wrong guy."
"Excuse me?" Kyle turned to glare at Betty.
"Maybe I'll wait in the car," Bonnie said.
"No, I'm almost done here, and not really interested in what she has to say anyway," he snapped.
"You've got to talk to her," Bonnie insisted.
"Why?"
"Because you used to love her."
Kyle sighed. "OK, wait in the car."
"Thanks." Bonnie almost ran away as he quickly finished packing.
"You ain't making things easy," he said, turning to face Betty.
"Why are you complaining?" she replied. "You already have a new girlfriend... so much for your endless love!"
"What did you expect me to do, kill myself?" he exploded. "I could have done it, if it weren't for the great band I'm in."
"Ricky's right about one thing," she said sourly. "You can't think of anything before them. He was very helpful when I had to make a choice."
"What choice?"
She stretched her legs and put down the magazine, showing her big belly. "Keep the baby and break up with you. It's not yours anyway."
"So there's someone else?" He couldn't believe his eyes and ears. "Since when?"
Betty pondered. "I think it all started during the past tour. But he was married at the time. I wasn't sure his divorce had come through when you left, so I was waiting for your comeback to tell you."
"And what about the baby? You knew about it or not?"
"Again, I wasn't sure when you left. That's why I said we should have a serious talk when you got back."
Kyle scoffed. "We had the talk. Are we through, now? Can I close this door forever?"
"Of course," she nodded. "I just wanted you to know it wasn't Ricky. He's a colleague, a friend of both myself and the father of my baby, and he had come to tell me I can get married as soon as the baby is here."
"Best wishes." Kyle stormed out trying to keep control of himself.
Bonnie was waiting by the car. Kyle joined her and put his stuff in the trunk.
"That was fast," she said, worried.
"She's pregnant," he said through clenched teeth. "Someone else's."
"Do we know him?" Bonnie asked, shocked.
"Don't think so," he grumbled. "She's been having an affair for two and a half years, and never said a word about it until now."
"Bitch!"
"Apparently he was married. Now he's divorced and they'll get married soon."
"Oh, Kyle, I'm so sorry..."
"I don't love her anymore," he assured. "I'm just wondering why I loved her."
"Don't wonder," she put her arms around his neck, serious. "She's history. You said so yourself."
He smiled relieved, and kissed her.
***
"Best of friends" performed by Benny.
I'm never alone
never on my own
I have a good time
with those friends of mine
we sing and we play
we laugh and we stay
all night on the phone
I'm never on my own
I enjoy the company
and all our liberty.
CHORUS
We're always together
for ever and ever
because they're the best of friends
yeah, right, the best of friends
I believe in the best of friends
and the song might never end.
We meet early on
we talk on and on
we cook and we sing
we write and we swing
I love them so much
we're always in touch
some met in high school
I think it's so cool
they're good and they're true
but I also love you
We're always together
for ever and ever
because they're the best of friends
yeah, right, the best of friends
I believe in the best of friends
and the song might never end.
***
After they moved into the new house, Kyle found Bonnie writing fast in a notebook.
"What are you doing?" he asked, amused.
"Writing. Does this look like a song to you?" She handed him the notebook, hopeful.
He started reading.
"It's supposed to be a duet, you know, like Billy suggested," she said.
"Yeah, yeah..." he said absentmindedly, still reading.
"You can change the male part, if you like," she said nervously.
"No... No, I think this is good. It has some rhythm."
"Well, I'm a drummer, right? Still I have no idea what melody could go with it."
"I could take care of that... you need me anyway for your first song, don't you?"
Bonnie grinned. "Definitely. I'd have never written it if it weren't for you."
Kyle chuckled. "Yeah, the story sounds familiar indeed! But you're cheating, you're giving half of the job to someone else!"
"Sorry... I don't even know if I'll be able to sing it live!"
"You know you'll have to!"
"Don't remind me!"
"You know, this is also a good album title, by the way? 'Eternity'... sounds perfect! You have skills, baby!"
"No way, you're not being objective!"
"OK, let's go ask the others."
"No, wait!"
***
Eternity by Bonnie (duet with Kyle)
Bonnie
I've been searching for so long
I was afraid I might be wrong
then I saw you, but you weren't free
still you seemed to be perfect for me.
Kyle
I was content with an old love
though we had reached the stars above
then she told me she wanted more
I was afraid like never before.
Bonnie&Kyle
We spent so much time together
we never thought it could be forever
we thought we were only friends
now we know this will never end
we're headed towards infinity
we'll love each other to eternity.
Bonnie
I waited alone for so many years
sometimes wondering about my fears
I was afraid of loving you
fearing you couldn't love me too.
Kyle
I thought I had found love long ago
maybe I was dreaming it was so
until you came along for me
and I knew I was finally free.
Bonnie&Kyle
We spent so much time together
we never thought it could be forever
we thought we were only friends
now we know this will never end
we're headed towards infinity
we'll love each other to eternity.
Bonnie
I thought I'd never be able to tell
I thought I'd never come out of my shell
It took a few drinks and you were told
I never thought I could be so bold.
Kyle
It was a surprise to feel you so deeply
I never thought I could love so madly
I'm glad you showed me a new way
I wasn't happy before anyway.
Bonnie&Kyle
We spent so much time together
we never thought it could be forever
we thought we were only friends
now we know this will never end
we're headed towards infinity
we'll love each other to eternity.
***
That tour was really memorable - we almost split, then we came out of it with even stronger bonds between us. We had success, friendship, love – everything we could hope for. We are one and our music will live forever.
THE END
Six months
1.
I was almost forty when I realized I had lost all hope. I have been told so many lies, about love and about men... I noticed around thirty that Prince Charming doesn't exist. Ten years later, I decided it's not worth it. Struggling to find the soul mate is a waste of time.
I'm not made for living with someone else. Too antisocial, too used to doing everything myself. Fuck society that wants me married and with kids, I'd rather follow my heart and my dreams.
I guess I haven't grown up in that department. I'm still under the illusion – that one day the world will notice me. Which, of course, terrifies and exalts me. Love and hate, like for everything else in my life. Desire and fear. Sometimes I really feel split in two. I so hate Duality!
So, I wasted forty years looking for unrealistic utopias – husband, family, real friends. Or maybe that's the time I needed to learn to listen to my real self and what I really want. And do something for it.
Maybe I really slept for forty years, but now I've started a new life and whoever wishes me to fail will be disappointed. I now stop, take time to think, look inside myself trying to understand what I really want, explore my (few but unmistakable) talents, and act accordingly. I'll try to leave behind those forty years as an alien(ated) and move on at my own pace.
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