Listen To Your Heart ~ Book One.

Truth or Consequences

(Sighs) "I love her, Valerie."

"I know you do, David...I am sorry."

(The connection ends. I inhale a shaky breath. I look at Stephanie.)

"Notify the crew...pack up all our stuff. We're going home."

==========Meanwhile in Billie's hotel room. ==========

(Billie is crying in her ex-boyfriend's arms about everything that had happened, as he and her brother try to comfort her.)

"He...he told me he loved me. He told me he cared...and it was...all a lie!"

"You don't need him, baby. It's you and me, back together now."

"He's right, Billie. Forget about that loser!"

(To both of their surprise, Billie pushes herself away.)

"No... I'm sorry...but right now I need to clear my head, before getting involved with anyone else. I... I just want to be left alone."

"You shouldn't be alone right now, Billie." (Her brother says.)

"I'll go with her." (Her mother speaks up. Billie and her mother leave, as Finneas and Needle Dick exchange worried looks.)

"This isn't going as planned, bro."

"Don't worry about it. I approve of you. I'll talk her into it."

(Meanwhile Billie and her mother are walking away from the hotel, they come out in the garage area, and notice a tour bus being loaded up with stuff.)

"Wonder what's going on over there?" (Billie's mother asks.)

"Don't know, don't care Mom. Can we please not talk about anything right now?"

"You're upset. What kind of a mother would I be if I didn't offer to try to help my daughter?"

"David...isn't happy about Needle Dick showing up unexpected. He asked me to look him in the eyes and tell him that I loved him."

"And did you?"

"I... couldn't say it, Mom. Why the hell couldn't I say it?"

"Do you love him, Billie?"

"Why the fuck do I have to say it for, Mom? I kiss him, I invited him on tour. Why is it so damn important to him to hear me say three fuckin words?"

"Because it matters to him, Billie. He needs to know how you feel."

(Sighs)"It doesn't matter now anyway, Mom."

"Why doesn't it?"

"There's someone else. She's expecting his baby."

"What! Billie, are you sure?"

"I saw the paternity papers, Mom. He's been summoned to appear in court."

"Billie...that doesn't mean it's true. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. Did you ask him about it?"

"No...I... kicked him in his balls, Mom. I slapped his face."

"Billie."

"I know...I know. I was just so shocked and angry."

"Angry at him or yourself...Or both?"

"Why should I be angry at myself? If it's true, he deserved to have his balls kicked."

"But are you angry at yourself for not telling him how you feel?"

"I'm...confused right now, Mom. That's all."

"Billie...I can't make up your mind for you...only you know how your heart feels."

(I go walking past, with my guitar in hand. I walk over to the awaiting bus, and hand the crew guy my guitar. Billie and her mother watch from a distance. Her mother glances at Billie.)

"If you're going to say goodbye to him. I suggest you do it now, Billie."

"But...what if he's still angry at me for kicking him?"

"If he truly loves you, he'll try to understand. I'll come with you. I need to talk to him myself."

"Mom...I don't think that's a good idea. I mean...I... we..."