But now I sleep alone

Chapter 7

I freeze. I'm sure I can hear Tony. He's meant to be in the studio. Why is he in here? I asked James to tell them I wouldn't be long.
I had a horrendous nights sleep last night, getting up several times to my mam who was worrying about not being able to find dad anywhere. She doesn't understand he's been gone over 5 years. She may never understand. She rarely has a good day, as I call them, anymore. She calls me Julie more often than Charlie and has started hurting herself. Her balance has gone and she's constantly falling. I probably should have a live in carer but I don't know whether she would get even more confused about that. I take the last sip of my coffee and slowly get to my feet. The pain is worse than ever today and the painkillers I took are not touching it. I stumble and a hand shoots out to catch me. A tattooed hand. His touch is like electricity shooting through me. My head jolts up and I am lost for words. He's still as beautiful as he was back then. He also has lots more tattoos. His tattoos always drove me crazy.
"Charlie, are you ok?" he whispers. I nod, trying not to cry. I take a deep breath.
"Hi Tony" I whisper. He sees I'm a bit fragile and gently pulls me into his arms. I feel the stress rush out of me at his touch and I hug him back.
"I missed you so damn much" he says, his voice thick as if he's about to cry himself. I can't speak. If I do, my voice will betray every emotion I have. I just nod.
Tony takes my hand in his and leads me to the door, steadying me in more ways than one. He sees I'm struggling with my mobility and slows down.
"ME. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" I mumble. There are a lot of people who don't believe it's a real condition and that the sufferers are making it up. Very much not so. They should try doing what I do on a daily basis and tell me they wouldn't be tired. Exhausted.
Tony looks shocked when I say that. 5 years ago I had unlimited energy and now I can barely walk some days. I hate my body and what it's doing to me but I won't let it win.
Tony opens the door for me and we head back across the road, him carrying his coffee and holding my hand.
Mike spots me first as we enter the studio and after staring for what seems like forever, runs over, picks me up and swings me around before putting me down and hugging me properly.
"Charlie" he shouts, getting the attention of Jaime who then practically knocks me down in his excitement. He gives me a huge hug. There's a guy with longer dark hair there too. He walks over and introduces himself as Vic, Mike's older brother. I shake his hand and tell him I'm pleased to meet him before sitting down. I wince as my body makes contact with the chair but soon the pains in my legs ease up a little.