Memoirs

Reunion

Summer 1998

It was almost a year since the accident with Stuart, and I haven't seen him since he was placed in his coma. I felt tired and alone; I barely ate anything, and I began to look pale and thin. I started to go out and party just for temporary fun, and get into toxic relationships to fill in that empty space. Eventually, it became so out of control that my friends and family began to worry about me, asking if I was alright and all; I barely responded to anyone. I began to cut off contact with people that I was close to. My boss and coworkers began to notice my behavior and change of appearance, so I was offered to leave work until I felt well again. I honestly did not know whenever I'd feel the same, I just felt worse as time had passed by.

I took a shower, and washed my hair. It began to grow down my back since the accident, and I was thinking about cutting it to a pixie cut. I wrapped a towel around myself and went into my bedroom to contemplate. I have never felt this down and out for the longest time, and it had pained me. It had made me angry when they had made the man who struck him become Stuart's caretaker. Most likely, he would've probably abused him and all.

My telephone began to ring, and I woke from my thoughts. "Hello?" I answered weakly.

"Paula? Love, is that you?"

My heart dropped, and I felt my eyes widen. "Stuart?" I replied. "Hey! It's been a while luv'!" He said brightly. "Yeah..it really has.." I said thoughtfully. "You sound different, are you alright?" He worriedly asked. "Oh no! I'm fine." I smiled. "Oh okay! You just sound kinda down and all...Can we meet up right now, I really need to see you." He asked me. "Sure, where are you?"

"Uhmm..I'm in this bar in Essex yea? You still live in your flat at Sutton right?" Stuart asked again. "Yeah, I'll be there in about an hour alright?" I hung up the phone and eagerly put my clothes on. I grabbed my coat and went into my car.

An hour later, I was looking for the bar that Stuart said he was in. I was anxious, excited and worried while walking around the town. I spotted a bar and I had went inside eagerly. As soon as I entered the bar, I finally saw Stuart. His hair looked a bit longer, and his left eye was all black while the other was covered in a eyepatch. He was talking with a man with a oily looking fringe and a black turtleneck shirt decorated with a inverted cross on his neck. I walked up to them, and Stuart had noticed me.

"Love!" He shouted gleefully. He ran up to me and he embraced me in his arms tightly. I hugged back, and I felt my eyes tear up a bit.

"What's wrong luv'?" Stuart asked. "Are you okay? You look sad about sumthing." He wiped my tears with his hands, and held my puffy cheeks. 'I'm okay Stu, I just missed you a lot y'know?" I looked up at him and gave a tired smile. He kissed my forehead, and smiled back. "I missed you too Paula..".

The man in the black turtleneck rolled his eyes and muttered to himself "Oh wait!" Stuart piped up. "I forgot to introduce you to someone!" He lead me to the table where the strange man had sat and took a shot of vodka. "This is Murdoc". Stuart introduced me. "Well, hello there deary..'" Murdoc winked. I sneered sheepishly and gave him a hello. "You must be that Paul girl he was raving to me about the other day." The old man said bitterly.

"Yeah..I'm his girlfriend.." I replied. Murdoc took another shot of rum, and belched. "Well that's nice to hear..you both make a lovely couple yeah? Well, the reunion ain't gonna be long so hurry it up. I'll be off to smoke if you two need me" He staggered off.

God, he looked like hell, and he reminded me of a filthy pest. At the same time, something about Murdoc had somewhat fascinated me, something about him that I've liked.

"Um.. So yea." Stuart sat in Murdoc's seat timidly. "Murdoc and I were talking about starting a band together earlier, and I mentioned that you played guitar!" I nodded in approval. "How long have you known him Stu? He seems off..."

Stuart hesitated for a bit, and answered. "He's the one who rammed into the shop. He saved my life though, and I own him for that!" Stuart smiled. I furrowed my eyebrows and frowned at the response. I became more bitter, but I tried to cover it up.

"He's not a bad man Paula. If you get to know him well, he's decent!...Well, sort of." He scratched the back of his neck worriedly.

"Well..." I began. "Do you really want to do the band stuff and all? It's your choice if you really want to do it Stu." I held his hands, and he squeezed mine.

"If you join the band with me, then I'd do it. I want to do it cos' it seems like a good opportunity for you and I." Stuart smiled. It took me a while to think about it, and I finally agreed. "Okay, let's do it!" I smiled brightly. "Great!" He leaned over to kiss me. "I just have to ask Murdoc about it k?" Murdoc came back from outside, and walked to our table. "Murdoc! Paula says that she's joining the band!" Stuart told him excitedly. "Oh really? Good, are you able to come by tomorrow for an audition?" Murdoc asked nonchalantly. "Yeah, is 11 am okay for you?" I asked. "Sure, just bring your guitar by and play some tune or anything" He waved off. "I think it's time for me to head back home..Denthead, you comin orr wot?".

"No, I think I'm gonna head home with Paula. See you tomorrow Murdoc!" Stuart waved goodbye and we both left out together. We drove back to my flat, and we had made love. Everything was perfect, just in place; I longed for it very much. He fell asleep afterwards, and I watched him snore. We were both curled up in my fluffy comforter and I began to watch the sunset. I was overjoyed that he was awake and well again; I missed him so much. I was glad to have him back.