“Oh, come on, I know you do drugs, Char. Don’t preach at me.”
“I smoke pot, Michael. I never did this shit.”
“I just needed something to take the edge off. It’s not a big deal.” He hangs his head.
“Michael, please…don’t do this.”
“Fuck off, Charleigh, you don’t know what it’s like. The pressure of being famous...”
“No, I wouldn’t, would I?”
“Charleigh…”
Chapter Eight
I storm out of the house and march over to Asher’s. I bang on the door and he opens it. He leans against the doorway, looking sexy as hell.
“Yes?” He asks, condescendingly.
“How long?”
“How long what?”
“Don’t be an ass! How long has he been doing coke?”
“Shouldn’t you be asking him?”
“I’m asking you!”
“Is that Charleigh?” I hear a voice in the background.
“Hi, Mrs. Stewart.” I say to Ash’s mom.
Ash sweeps his arm out to let me in. I step into their home and I’m haunted by all of my memories. Ash’s mom comes towards me and wraps me in a hug.
“Honey, it’s been a long time and call me Tammy.”
“It’s good to see you, Tammy.” She looks amazing. She was married to Asher’s dad and was the ultimate rock star’s wife. She has always been absolutely gorgeous.
I feel bad that I never came to visit her when the boys left. She was always so nice to me, but there was a time right after her divorce that she would hardly look at me. I thought it was because she was heartbroken, but she also stopped talking to my mom. They used to be really good friends. It was also around the time that Asher started shutting me out.
“Well, come in! Let’s chat!” She says with a big welcoming smile. I let her lead me into the kitchen.
“I’m going to head up…” Asher says, but his mom gives him a look.
“Never mind, looks like I’ll be joining you.” He says with a fake smile.
Tammy laughs and pats his arm. He gives her an adoring look. Asher used to idolize his father, but not so much after the divorce. One thing is for sure, though, he is the ultimate Mama’s boy.
“So, Charleigh, how’s everything going?” Tammy asks.
“Good.” I hate lying, but there is no way I’m telling the truth. Asher gives me a once over. I ignore him.
Tammy hands me a cup of hot tea.
“I swear it’s been ages since I saw you. Gosh, you two used to be inseparable when you were younger. I always thought something might happen between you two…” She says with a wink. I blush thinking how close we got last night.
“Yeah, not happening Mom.” He says and I look down. She glances between us.
“Hmmm….”
“Mom…” Asher gives her a warning look. She laughs and changes the subject.
“Looks like there was a big shindig next door last night.” She says looking at Asher.
“Um yeah, I promise it will be picked up.” I say, embarrassed.
“Asher will help.” She states.
“Mom…”
“Honey, I know you were there. It’s only right.”
“Really, it’s fine.” I say.
“Nope, he is yours for the whole day.” She says and I laugh at how she bosses her son around.
“Mom, seriously!” Asher exclaims.
“It’s your punishment.”
“For what?”
“I saw the pictures, Asher. You better not be doing drugs.”
“Mom, I’m not Dad.”
“I know, but I worry about you. We both know how hard that lifestyle can be. I want you to be smart.”
“I don’t do drugs.”
“Okay, honey, but Michael…”
“Is Michael. He is not me.”
I’m starting to feel uncomfortable. Tammy must notice.
“I’m sorry, honey, I just worry about my baby. I worry about Michael too. Do you…do you think your mother needs to know?” She asks and I notice the way she hesitated with the question.
What happened between them? They used to be such great friends. In fact, my mom was a better person and mother when she was around Tammy.
“She won’t do anything about it.” I state. She gives me a sympathetic look. She pats my hand.
“Is everything okay with your mom?”
“Um…” Tears start to fill my eyes.
“I’ll be back, I’m going to check on something.” Asher says.
I give him an appreciative look. He nods at me and gives an encouraging look towards his mom. I know he wants me to confide in her.
“Honey, you can talk to me.” Tammy says, sincerely.
“She’s getting married. They are in Florida right now and she is going to marry him. He’s awful!” I say, tears flowing.
“Does she know how you feel?”
“Yes. She told me that she never wanted me, and she doesn’t love me.” I rush out. Anger and then sympathy crosses her face.
“She can’t possibly mean that.”
“Oh, she does.” I insist.
“Sometimes we say things in anger. She is your mother. I’m sure when she returns, you two will fix it.”
“I’m not so sure. She said a lot of awful things. Something bad……something really bad happened and she knows it, but she is acting like it didn’t happen. I’m sorry. I know that is confusing, but I don’t want to talk about it.”
“I understand, but I want you to know that I’m here if you need anything.”
“I appreciate that. I’m sorry about the party and Michael.” I say ashamed.
“Oh honey,” she laughs, “kids will be kids, especially when they are rock stars and someone’s parents are gone!” I laugh with her.
“I just want everyone to be safe.” She states.
“I don’t know what to do about Michael. I didn’t even know he was doing drugs.”
“It’s hard living his life. It’s really hard to explain unless you know from experience. Asher is lucky or not so lucky, I guess, that he watched his father go through it. He saw how it affected the ones he loved. Michael just needs some guidance and love. Asher and you can help him. Of course, I’m here too.”
“My mother should be the one to help him, but she is so self-centered…” I trail off because Asher comes into the room.
He goes to the fridge. I can’t stop staring. He changed his clothes or more like took off some clothes. He doesn’t have a shirt on, just some joggers that lay low on his hips.
“Your mother is….” Tammy starts but doesn’t finish. She sounds angry. I tear my gaze from Asher’s body and look at her. Her eyes are distant and sad.
“What happened between you two?” I ask. Asher drops the gallon of milk on the ground.
“Asher!” Tammy exclaims.
“That’s it, get out.” He says to me, pissed. I have never seen him so angry.
“What?”
“I said get out. NOW!” He roars. I stumble off the chair and look at Tammy’s stricken face.
“Asher, stop!” She yells at him.
“She will not sit here and act like she doesn’t know! GET OUT!” He yells at me again.
You don’t have to tell me twice. I run through the house and out the front door. I’m in between our yards when I hear him slam his front door.
What just happened!
I walk into my house and the mess is still there. I run up the stairs and bang on Michael’s door. I open it and find him passed out on his bed.
“Hey, wake up!” I yell at him.
“What?” He mumbles, sleepily.
“What the hell happened between Mom and Tammy?” I ask.
“What?”
“Michael! What happened between Mom and Tammy?”
“Your mom’s home?” He ask confused.
“Jesus!” I leave his room, slamming the door.
The doorbell rings and I go back downs
tairs. I open the door and Tammy is there.
“I’m sorry.” I blurt out. She gives me a sad smile.
“Honey, you have nothing to be sorry for. My son on the other hand most certainly does. I tried to get him to come over, but he is as stubborn as his father. I apologize on his behalf. He is just really protective over me.”
“I didn’t mean anything…”
“I know, honey.”
“What happened?” I ask, hesitantly.
“It’s in the past. I prefer to leave it there.” She says gently. She steps up to me and hugs me.
“You did absolutely nothing wrong. Remember that.” She whispers.
“Now, whenever you need me, I’m here.” She says, stepping away.
“Asher will be over soon. He needs to cool down.” She says walking back towards her house.
I close the door still perplexed and even more curious as to what happened. For the next couple of hours, I pick up the trash around the house while Michael sleeps. Finally, I sit down in defeat. There is way too much and I’m hung over. I lean my head back and close my eyes. The doorbell rings. Asher?
I hurry over to the front door, but it’s not Asher standing there. It’s a group of women.
“Hello, we are here to clean the house.” The woman in the center says. I look beyond the group and see a van that promotes a cleaning service.
“Okay.” I let them in, and they immediately get to work.
I feel terrible just watching them, but every time I try to help them, they shoo me away. Finally, I head up to my room.
I pull out my songbook and jot down all the lyrics that Asher and I came up with at school. I try singing them again. I make a few changes and sing them out loud. I start from the beginning, trying to find the emotions I had before. I sing the whole song and drag out the last note.
“That sounds good.” A voice calls out. I get up and walk over to the window.
“You like? I’m not sure about the third verse.” I say.
“We can work on it some more, but overall, it’s sounds pretty good.” Asher says. He still doesn’t have a shirt on, and I try not to get distracted by his abs.
“I have some ideas that might fix the little problems.” He says, running a hand through his messy hair. I’m practically salivating. Get it together, Charleigh.
“Okay. Um, thanks for the cleaning service.”
“Well, there was no way in hell I was cleaning up that mess.” He says with a chuckle.
I’ve known Ash for a long time. This is his way of apologizing. He literally never says he is sorry. He just prefers to act like it didn’t happen.
“Okay, well, see you around.” I say and disappear into my room.
I leave the window open and when I look back, he is gone. I swear he is the most frustrating and hottest guy I have ever met.
When I return back downstairs the cleaning service is getting ready to leave.
“How much do I owe you?”
“Mr. Stewart paid for it.”
“Okay, thank you so much.”
“No problem.” I follow them out the door. When I turn around, the house is spotless. We owe Asher big time!
I run up the stairs and open Michael’s door. Michael looks at me with shock and disdain. He is sticking a needle into his arm.
“What are you doing?”
“Charleigh, stop. Just leave me alone.”
“I’m not going to leave you alone! What the hell are you doing?”
“It’s not a big deal!”
“It is a big deal! Your mother died of an overdose! What the fuck are you thinking?”
“I’m not like my mother. I can stop if I wanted too.”
“Oh Michael…. then stop.”
“I will, I promise.”
There isn’t much more I can say. I shut his door. I want to scream and cry, but only he can stop.
I go downstairs and start making dinner for us. I make chicken parmesan because it’s Michael’s favorite. I put a salad together and take the garlic bread out of the oven. I set the table. I want to know what a normal family feels like when they sit together and share a meal.
I run back upstairs and knock on the door.
“Michael?” I lean my head against the door. I don’t hear a sound.
“Michael?” I say a little louder. I don’t want to barge in on him again. Why won’t he answer me?
“Michael?” I practically yell and bang on the door. Nothing.
I open the door. Michael is laying on his bed. I walk over to the side. He doesn’t look so good. His eyes are closed, and his lips are blue…
“MICHAEL!” I scream. No response.
I start shaking him. The needle falls out of his arm. OH GOD NO!
I lay my head on his chest. His breathing is shallow. I check his pulse and it’s weak. I grab his cellphone and call 9-11.
“What’s your emergency?”
“My cousin is not responding! I think it’s an overdose!” I tell the operator.
I tell them the address and beg them to hurry. I click on his recent calls and see Asher’s number.
“What’s up, bro.” Asher answers.
“Asher!” I cry out.
“What’s wrong?” He asks, alarmed.
“He is not responding! I called an ambulance. Help me!” I cry out.
He hangs up the phone. I swear it’s like two seconds and he is by my side. I’m gripping Michael’s hand and crying.
“Michael, come on, don’t leave me. Michael, please!”
“Charleigh, move.” Ash demands. Tammy comes in behind him.
“Come here, darling.” She says and I collapse in her arms.
“He can’t die! Please, don’t let him die!” I sob in her arms.
Tammy pulls away from me and runs down the stairs. I guess the doorbell rang. I lean against the wall, sobbing as I watch Ash turning Michael onto his side.
The paramedics rush in and take over. Asher steps away.
“Let’s move. 1-2-3.” They say and they lift Michael onto a stretcher.
They get him down the stairs and put him on a stretcher trolley. They wheel him out with an oxygen mask. I follow them and watch as they put him in the ambulance. They shut the doors and the sirens blare into the night, taking him away.
I collapse on the street and watch as the lights disappear around a corner. Tears are running down my face. Please God, let him be okay!
Arms pull me up and I turn into them. I cling to Asher, wrapping my arms around his bare back. He holds me tight.
“We have to go, Charleigh. I’ll drive us there.” I nod, pulling away.
Tammy comes out of her house and hands Asher some shoes and a shirt. He pulls on the shirt and pulls on his shoes while I hug Tammy.
“Here you go honey, I just grabbed these by the door.” She hands me a pair of pink sandals that belong to my mom.
“These are fine, thanks.” I slip them on.
“You did the right thing. Asher, I’ll wait here. Call me as soon as you know something or if you need anything.”
“Okay.” He says, curtly. I follow him to his car, and we head to the hospital.
“Call Liz and put her on speaker.” I do as he says.
“Asher?” Liz answers.
“We have a problem.” Asher goes on to tell her about Michael while I hold the phone. He is speeding and I pray we don’t crash or get pulled over.
“Damn! Let’s hope no one talks at the hospital. I will arrange for him to get in a rehab facility as soon as he is released. It will be private and secure. This is all I can do. I warned him….”
“I know, Liz, we both did.” Asher glances at me.
I stare at him. How long has Michael been doing this?
“I’ll keep you posted.” He gestures for me to hang up.
“How long?” I ask, quietly.
“This isn’t his first overdose.” He says, sadly.
“Why didn’t he tell me?”
“He didn’t want you to w
orry.”
“What are we going to do?”
“We pray, Charleigh.”
Chapter Nine
We sit in the waiting room and I alternate between pacing and praying. I don’t know what I will do without him. I’m wringing my hands together and Asher watches me silently.
The doors open and a doctor comes through.
“Michael Black’s family?” He asks. We stand up.
“He is going to be okay. He is stabilized.”
“Oh god,” I sob, “thank you.”
“I don’t think I need to tell you that it would be wise if he seeks professional help.”
“It’s already arranged.” Asher says. The doctor nods and tells us we can see him soon.
Without thinking about it, I grab Asher in a hug. He hesitantly puts his arms around me.
“I’m so glad he is okay!” I exclaim.
“He has a long road ahead of him.”
“I know.” I say sad for him.
His phone rings and I let go of him. He glances down and starts to walk away from me.
“Liz.” He answers.
A nurse comes out and lets me know that they moved Michael to a private room. Asher is still on the phone, so I mouth to him the room number. He nods and continues his intense conversation. He waves for me to go ahead without him.
I take an elevator up to the second floor and stop in front of room 214. Do not yell at him. No matter how mad you are, you have to keep calm, I tell myself. I knock softly before entering. Michael is laying there with his eyes closed. He looks so young. My heart aches.
“Michael?”
He opens his eyes and I can see the shame. I walk over to him and grab his hand.
“You scared me.” I state. Silent tears roll down his cheeks.
“I’m so sorry, Charleigh.” He says.
“I know, but Michael, I need you to get better. I can’t live without you. I need you. Do you understand?”
He nods and looks me in the eyes.
“I failed you.”
“No, you didn’t. We are going to get through this like we always have, together.”
“I thought I had it under control.” He says, shaking his head, mad at himself.
“Michael, I don’t have anyone in this world that loves me, but you.” He starts to deny it, but I interrupt him.
Lucky Me Page 8