Through Pain We Survive

Chapter 9

Nate looked at his phone and sighed. Becca hadn't talked to him since the week before when he saved her from that jerk. He did send her a follow up text the next day making sure she was okay. Her response of "Yeah, thanks," was all he received.

He wanted to call her and talk about what happened. He knows they both know something almost happened.

"You okay?" AJ had come downstairs and saw Nate sitting in the living room staring off.

Nate cleared his throat. "Yeah. I just haven't heard from Becca since last week."

AJ furrowed his brows. "You're concerned about her?"

"Honestly— yes. We need to talk about what happened. Plus, I want to make sure that creep didn't do anything else."

"Well, you could always try calling her."

"I have. Multiple times. She either lets it go to voicemail or tells me she can't talk and hangs up real quick."

"Hmm. Bad luck man. I'm sure Becca will come around when she's ready."

"So, how did editing go last night?" Nate was keen to change the subject.

"It was alright. Gwen kept me company for some of it."

"She did? I thought she had gone to bed."

"Evidently she read a murder-mystery and that triggered a nightmare. I had to go in and wake her up. She sounded so scared. I had heard her thrashing and calling out, so I went to check on her," AJ explained.

"Wow. She had a nightmare from a book? She normally doesn't do that."

"This one must have gotten to her. She seemed okay when we went to bed together. No more nightmares after that."

"That's good. Hopefully it was a one-off thing."

"That's what I'm hoping too."

AJ got up and made himself a hot cocoa.

Nate looked down at his phone again. Deciding to let the matter go with Becca, he sent a text to Sara to see what she was up to.

AJ thought for a moment. "You know, we could use Becca for the next musical. She'd be great for it. Do you want to ask her?"

"Yeah, I'll do that. I'll call her though. I don't want to text her about that."

Nate called Becca, hoping she'd at least answer the phone.

"Hello?" Becca sounded distracted.

"Hey Bex."

"Oh. Umm, Nate, I have to—"

"Becca, please. This isn't about that."

Becca stayed silent, listening.

"We could use your talent for our next musical. Would you be interested?"

"Okay. When do you need me there?"

"Can you be here on Monday? We should have everything ready by then."

"Alright. I guess I'll see you Monday then."

"Bye Bex."

"Bye Nate."

Nate hung up and sighed. Things were definitely tense between them. How would he be able to fix that before Monday? He took a deep breath. "Everything will work out fine." Nate went upstairs to his room to finish the last bits of editing for the musical that would premiere that week.

Gwen came downstairs a little bit later and made herself some hot cocoa. AJ came into the kitchen and greeted her by coming up behind her, wrapping his arms around her, and giving her a kiss on the cheek. "Hey beautiful. Did you sleep better?"

She leaned back into him, enjoying him holding her. "Once you were there, I did sleep better. I should know better than to read murder-mysteries before bedtime." She chuckled.

AJ had a look of concern etched on his face. "Are you sure that's all it is?"

Gwen turned in his arms and kissed him. "Of course. What else would it be?"

"I don't know. I just want to make sure you're okay."

"Yes, Baby. I'm fine." She smiled at him. "So, 'what's on the agenda today?'"

He smiled, recognizing that quote from their musical. "Well, we're going to have Becca in the musical with you next week. So we'll need you to make her costume."

"Oh, okay. I'll text her and ask her measurements."

AJ kissed her forehead. "Thank you. I have to run and get some supplies and props. Anything you need for me to pick up?"

"I think we're low on Mountain Dew, if you want to pick some up."

"Okay." He gives her a kiss. "Love you. I'll be back." He grabs the keys and leaves through the garage.

Gwen messaged Becca to get the info she needs, then continues to finish up her costume.

She tried it on and marks where she needs to make some adjustments. Changing those few spots, she tried it on again. Satisfied with how her costume turned out, she starts on Becca's.

AJ comes back from the store after about an hour. "Hey, I was thinking, we will have to go back out and get the food closer to Monday if we want it fresh."

Gwen is still at her sewing machine. "Okay. I'll make a note of it."

"This is looking great."

"Mine is done if you want to check it out. I'm working on Becca's now."

AJ picks up the costume. "It's fantastic. You'll look great in it."

Gwen smiled. "Thanks. Oh, are we all packed for the con?"

"I have RE giveaway things packed, but nothing for myself."

"I still have to pack too." Gwen gets to a stopping point in the costume. "I think I'm done for now. Why don't we get something to eat then we can pack up?"

"Good idea." AJ reached his hand out to Gwen. She grabs it, stands up, and they exit the den hand in hand.