He rose from the chair and walked over to the bedside table. He picked up a glass and poured water for her. The tinkling ice signaled it would be a chilled beverage. She took the glass with a murmur of gratitude and sucked on the straw until the cup was nearly drained.
“What time is it?”
Thad glanced at his watch. “Nearly three.”
“Oh my God, you must be exhausted. Did you miss the show?” Now wouldn’t that be a monumental fuck up? It was bad enough she’d passed out on her set, but to have ruined the whole show.
“No. We performed. Then I came over here to see about you.”
“And they let you stay?”
“Rocky.” And really, no more explanation was necessary. The woman was a force of nature. People simply did as she asked, including every member of the band. Nobody dared cross Rocky.
Easy tears came to Sioux’s eyes. “I’m so sorry.”
“For what?” he asked with his trademark irritation.
“I promised not to let you guys down.”
He raised his eyes heavenward for a brief moment as though hoping for divine intervention. “It’s not like you went out and scored. You got sick. It happens, especially on the road. Stress. Lack of sleep. Bad food. I know I don’t have to tell you what all that does to your immune system.”
Sioux sighed, and relaxed against the pillows. “So what’s wrong with me?”
“Doc said it started out as flu. Now you’ve got pneumonia in one lung. Dehydration, and, of course,” he paused with a rueful grin, “Exhaustion.”
Sioux groaned. “They told you this?”
“Nope. They told Rocky. She told us.”
So much for privacy regulations. “No one’s going to believe it. They’ll think I’m using again. That I OD’d again. Fuck.”
He placed a hand on her shoulder. “Baby, it’s okay--”
“No, it’s not okay. I know I brought this on myself.”
“For fuck’s sake. Stop kicking your own ass. There are whole blogs devoted to doing that for you. So you screwed up when you were a kid. You didn’t hurt anybody but yourself. You work harder than anyone I know, including me.”
Sioux sighed heavily. Too weary to even try to struggle through the issues at the moment. “How long will I be here? When can I go back to work?”
“Doctor said you could probably go home tomorrow. Rocky called your folks. They’ll be here first thing to take you home,” he said. “But no more singing for at least a month. I don’t think you could sing now if you tried.”
Of course he was right. Her throat felt as though she’d been drinking acid. She looked up at the bag of IV fluid that was slowly dripping into her vein. Despite the antibiotics it no doubt contained, breathing took a tremendous effort that barely supported talking. Singing was out of the question.
“But that’ll leave you guys without an opening act.”
“Rocky’s taking care of that. Probably with local talent.”
“So, I’m off the gig?”
“I told you, get some rest. If we’re still in North America when you’re well you’re still with us.”
“Is that you talking or is it the band?” she asked cautiously.
“You mean Bryan?”
“Of course. It’s not like he’s the president of my fan club. I just handed him an excuse to get rid of me on a silver platter.”
“He was there, remember. He knows you’re sick. Rest.”
“He knows I’m sick, but he also knows I’m an addict. Don’t tell me he didn’t assume the worst.”
“I don’t know or give a damn what Bryan thinks. You get some rest. When you’re ready to come back you can,” he said.
Sioux couldn’t resist the need to close her eyes again. Might as well take his advice; there was nothing else she could do at the moment.
The nurses came in every hour or so to check her vitals or to adjust her IV, and each time she awakened Thad was there. Fortunately the chair was a recliner, and he’d gotten a blanket from somewhere. Still, it couldn’t be comfortable for him. He always woke up when the nurses came in, holding her hand to comfort her. She was grateful for his presence. Being in the hospital all alone would’ve been unbearable for her otherwise. At least the constant interruptions prevented deep sleep so there were no crazy dreams to contend with and the reassuring touch of his big broad hand helped her make it through the long night.
***
“And who might you be, young man and what are you doing in my daughter’s room?”
Thad awakened and looked up at a man he immediately recognized as Sioux’s father. He wasn’t uncomfortable. Parents generally liked him, but something in the way Roland Dupree was looking at him made him come immediately to his feet. He glanced over at the bed where Sioux was still dozing, and he realized it was barely eight in the morning.
“I’m Thad, Thad Hollister,” he whispered because Sioux’s father had whispered.
“Oh, you’re with that band my daughter has attached herself to,” Roland said.
“Yes, and we’re friends.”
“Really?” Thad looked over at the owner of that famous whisper of a voice, Linda Dupree, Sioux’s mother.
“To be friends you haven’t done a good job of taking care of my daughter,” Roland said.
“I told her that running around with a rock band was not a good plan, and look what happened. She’s in the hospital,” Linda said. “If you’ve gotten my daughter using again…” The threat lingered in the frigid air of the room.
Thad knew his face was flaming red as he became defensive, but before he could respond, and really, what the hell was he supposed to say to that? Sioux began to cough with such a melodramatic flair she would have done credit to the cast of Les Miserables.
“Mama, Roland, can you guys stop picking on Thad, and maybe pay me some attention instead.” She broke off to hack some more.
Thad looked at Linda and knew from her hooded expression that she saw through her daughter’s manipulation, but Roland immediately rushed over to Sioux’s bedside. Thank God. So much for his awesome track record with parents. Thad stretched out the knots a night in a chair had left in his back and shoulders then crept out of the room on a coffee quest to end all coffee quests.
“I just don’t understand how this could have happened,” Roland said. “I trusted Rocky to take care of you. Obviously I overestimated her abilities.”
“Rocky did take good care of me. But anybody can catch the flu, especially when they’re on the road. I’ll be fine.”
“Well you’re not going back on the road with these people. I just don’t understand why you’d want to do something so crazy,” her mother said.
Sioux wanted to roll her eyes, but figured it would hurt too much. And since she was off the tour anyway, there really was no point in arguing with her mother about it. “That’s okay, Mama. I got in some great shows. I think this will help me launch my solo career.”
Roland pursed his lips and tilted his head to the side. “And that’s another thing. I’m not sure you’re ready…”
“Daddy, it’s been two years. If I’m not ready now, I never will be. You don’t think I have the chops to hack it?” she asked, purposefully adding just the slightest tremor to her voice. The manipulation was so blatant Sioux was almost embarrassed, but she’d learned long ago to fight fire with fire. Her very survival depended on it.
“Of course not. Your talent is a given. But you’ve been through a lot,” he said.
“Being an addict you mean,” Sioux said. Her parents used the word only when forced and having spent her life in denial she refused to let them gloss over the facts anymore.
Almost on cue her mother interjected. “I really wish you would stop using that word.”
“Why Mama? It’s what I am.”
“It’s what you were. That’s over with now.”
“You know that’s not true. It will never be over.”
Predictably her father seized the opportunity. “An
d that’s why you don’t need to be going on this tour. It’s not like you need the money.”
“It’s not about money. I’m twenty-five years old, Daddy. What else am I going to do with my life? I’m a singer. That’s what I do.” She began coughing again and this time it wasn’t a ploy. Her chest burned like fire and each cough only made it worse.
Her mother helped her sit up and gave her the glass of water to sip from when the paroxysm had passed. Apparently they had decided to table the discussion because they began talking about travel arrangements while Sioux rested against the pillows wondering where Thad had escaped to. She didn’t blame him for wanting to get the hell out of Dodge. Her parents had that effect on people--including her, but she hoped she’d see him before she left town.
***
While in the surprisingly restaurant-like hospital cafeteria picking up coffee and a breakfast sandwich, Thad put in a call to Twist. If Sioux would be leaving today, he probably needed to get back to the hotel. He had no idea what the travel arrangements were for their return to L.A., but he was pretty sure Rocky had told him they’d be leaving today. Luckily Twist was already en-route to the hospital, so Thad headed back to Sioux’s room to say goodbye. He knew her parents would still be in the room, but they were both on their phones, too absorbed in making arrangements to take her home to grill him any further. Sioux greeted him like a long-lost friend; so enthusiastic he couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.
“Sorry about that,” she said taking both his hands in hers.
“Hey, they’re your parents. That’s pretty much how they all act. I think it’s the law or something.”
“Yeah, but they were acting like this was your fault,” she said with a very attractive pout. Thad immediately tore his gaze away from her mouth. Even half dead from pneumonia, the woman still managed to send his libido into orbit.
He shrugged again. “Are you going home today?”
“Yeah, apparently so,” she said, gesturing toward her parents who had each taken a corner on opposite sides of the room as they worked their phones. “Is Storm Crow coming down too?”
“We’re heading out late this afternoon. We’ll hang out in L.A for a couple of weeks before heading down to Perth. B.T. said something about a special club show, but I don’t have the details. I’ll call you, okay?”
She smiled. “I’ll hold you to that.”
He returned her smile and slipped out of the room. Twist met him in the lobby and they walked out the doors of the hospital where they were greeted by a phalanx of paparazzi. Thad cursed, he’d forgotten all about them, but Twitter had gone insane with the news of what had happened at the concert last night. Of course the vultures were here. He and Twist took off at a near run, but the photographers managed to keep up.
“Hey Thad. Did your girl OD? How do you feel about fucking a junkie?” asked one who was so close on his heels Thad could feel his hot breath.
“Too bad about Sioux. They say those coke whores give good head though. Care to comment?” asked another. Thad wondered how the man managed to keep up as his belly protruded more than a few inches over his belt.
“Hey Twist, is that what old Sioux is doing? Giving it to all of you?” said a third.
That was enough. “Shut up. Just shut the hell up,” Thad growled at them. Twist gave him a sharp look then grabbed his arm started pulling him toward the car.
“Come on Thad. You knew she was a junkie, right? I’ve heard she’s a hot piece of ass.” That was Hot Breath again. Before he even processed the thought, Thad lunged at the photographer. Despite Twist’s best effort Thad managed to land a blow to the paparazzo’s nose. The blood spray was impressive though Thad didn’t find it gratifying in the least and he continued to swing at the man. Determined to take him apart inch by disgusting inch.
“Bro!” Twist screamed in his ear. “Chill the fuck out. He’s not worth it. Stop, damn it man! Stop!”
The photographer was holding his nose as it spewed blood. The other photographers were shooting as rapidly as their shutters would let them.
“I’m calling the cops. Your ass will be in jail tonight,” the man Thad had punched shouted, though the effect was muffled by his efforts to stem the flow of blood out of his nose.
“Fuck you! Fuck you!” Thad screamed. Twist finally got both his arms behind him and forcibly dragged him to the car. It was no easy effort and he had to kick a few paparazzo to move them out of his way before he could accomplish it. Thad was almost incandescent with rage. The fury compelled him to continue to struggle against his friend, even though it was fruitless. Twist had an almost freakishly strong upper body from years of playing drums. Still with the almost superhuman strength his rage gave him, Thad almost got away a couple of times. Finally fed up, Twist practically threw Thad into the car.
“For fuck’s sake man, get a grip,” Twist bellowed at him as Thad grappled to get out of the car. To get at the photographer who had said such foul things about Sioux. Fortunately the driver gunned the engine at just that moment and the paparazzi had to move out of the way or be run over. Several of them were already on their phones probably trying to sell their pictures. Thad smiled in satisfaction when he saw the one who was still holding his nose trying without much success to staunch the flow of blood.
Thad’s rage gradually subsided as they made their way back to the hotel.
“What the hell got into you man?” Twist asked giving him an exasperated look.
Thad couldn’t believe his ears and his anger roared back to life. “Didn’t you hear what they said?”
“Of course, but you’ve only made it worse. You know that’s what they want, pictures of a celebrity going off. They’ll make a fortune off those photos of you hitting that guy.”
Thad knew all this, of course, but at the moment he simply didn’t give a damn. “What if they said shit like that about Naysa?” They were nearly at the hotel and Thad wasn’t getting any calmer. And for Twist of all people to be trying check his behavior. It didn’t get any crazier than that.
“I’d rip their heads off, but Naysa is my wife. You claim you and Sioux aren’t…Never mind,” Twist said. Apparently for once he had enough sense to realize Thad had had enough. “You’re going to have to pay for that one. I think you broke his nose.”
“Wish it had been his neck. They’re the reason she went on stage last night when she had no business being out of bed. She was afraid of what they’d say. What they’d do. So she went on and now she’s got pneumonia. They did this to her and I’ll be damned if I’ll be sorry for making them pay for it.”
“You know it comes with the territory. We’re not used to it, but you remember all the craziness about Bryan and Callie. Sioux is one of the most famous women in the world. You know she knows the score.”
“That’s the point, she does know. But isn’t there a point where the price is too high? She’s trying so goddamned hard. Doesn’t she deserve a break?” When the other man didn’t respond, Thad rested his head against the back seat of the car and closed his eyes. Exhaustion settled into the very marrow of his bones. Staying up practically all night then dealing with those photographers left him tired and disgusted with life in general. Within moments he was sound asleep.
Chapter Seven
“I can’t believe your mama let you leave her house,” Kwai said following Sioux into the den of Sioux’s home.
“She didn’t let me do anything. I just left. Now come over here and help me finish taking down my hair. Mama started last night, but I couldn’t take her hovering for another second. Bev worked me in for tomorrow.”
“I was about to ask you what had gone wrong with your head,” Kwai said, examining the blunt ends where Sioux had cut off the extensions. “You know Bev will remove extensions for you?”
“Sure, I do. But have you seen what she charges?” Sioux asked as she sat down on the large over stuffed sofa. She’d placed a large beach towel over the plush white surface to keep it from getting covered with hair as
she removed her long overdue braid extensions.
Kwai smirked and shook her head. This was an old argument. “Do I need to point out that you’re rich as hell?”
“I won’t be for long if I start spending thousands of dollars on my hair,” Sioux said sucking her teeth.
“Cheap heffa.”
“Damn right.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t save your weave hair,” Kwai said glancing at the wastebasket filled with hair that sat in front of the sofa.
“This is synthetic. I save it when it’s human. That crap costs more than gold.”
Kwai shook her head, then took the rattail comb Sioux held out to her. She walked around to the back of the sofa and began unbraiding the hair while Sioux worked on another braid.
“You know your mama is going to give you hell for leaving. She never wanted you to go on this tour in the first place and now that you’re sick...”
“I know how to handle my mother.”
“I wish the hell I knew how to handle mine!”
Kwai sighed heavily, and Sioux glanced up noticing for the first time the dark circles that showed almost blue through the skin under her friend’s eyes. Kwai’s complexion, which was very light brown usually glowed with rich ochre undertones. Today though she looked wan and gray. Getting ready for a new show was obviously wearing on her, but maybe there was something more.
Sioux probed gently. “What do you mean? Your mama’s a doll.”
Kwai paused in her ministrations. “She and dad are getting back together!”
“What? They’ve been divorced for twenty years.”
“Yanno? They did that damned reunion show together and I think they’ve been sneaking around behind my back ever since.”
Sioux frowned. “Behind your back...”
“Yes. Apparently Pen knew all about it. For some reason it was perfectly okay to tell my brother, but nobody bothered to tell me. I had to find out the old-fashioned way.”
“The old...” Sioux began not really wanting to know the answer, but, of course, Kwai filled her in anyway.
Superstar Page 9