The Backbone

Chapter 17

Edna's POV

As the finals approach and I finally get time to relax for a minute I reflect back on the last couple of weeks. I can't believe dad has been gone for 2 weeks already. I have missed him so much and I know papa has to because I have spent nearly every night with papa. A few times Andy has joined us, and he asked if he could take me out on the weekend and papa said yes so, we are going somewhere on Saturday but where I don't know.

I am currently waiting for papa to finish so we can go back and with skype with dad. Papa has been so depressed at seeing dad not coping and he wants to fly out, but he can't until next Sunday night. He still needs to wait over 1 week, but I hope that goes fast too like the past 2 weeks have.

I am currently sitting outside papa's rehearsal room waiting for him so we can go back home. I look up as I hear the door open and I see his last contestant come out and it's the bitch that wouldn't let me see them when I wanted too when we first started in this place. She scowls at me and mutters "oh look if it isn't miss goody two shoes thinks she is better than everyone because her stepfather is Adam Lambert. The bitch can't even sing they only feel sorry for her because she is related to his dead-beat husband". I look down and don't say anything. What can I say really, she is right I can't sing but calling my father a dead beat is wrong? I know he isn't, but I know a few people that believe that. I was about to get up and walk away and go for a walk to be alone for a bit when I feel 2 hands on either shoulder. I look up and see Anthony on one side and Andy on the other. I tell them to leave me alone, but they won't.

They let me go on the condition that I don't run anywhere so I agree to that reluctantly. They let go and they lead me into papa's rehearsal room and papa was just getting ready to leave. He looks up and he says "hey guys what up? Why does Edna look like she is about to cry"? Anthony says to him "I was talking to Andy around the corner about 2 minutes ago when we heard that Donna bitch on your team say something about Edna and Tommy. She said that Edna can't sing, and people only feel sorry for her and that she only got in because her dead-beat father is married to you". I can't help but cry at what Anthony says even though I heard her say it. It seems worse coming from him even though he didn't and wouldn't say it. I feel Papa sit next to me and he pulls me into his arms, and I look up to see that he is so cranky his face is red, and his fists are clenched. He looks at me and he says "baby girl don't listen to her she is jealous that you can sing better than her and that we are related. Baby girl she likes me and can't get that I am gay and 100% happily married to your father. For weeks she has been dropping hints to me that she likes me, but I am ignoring them and that is part of the reason why I have been with you all the past 2 weeks. That and it helps me not miss my husband so much". I sit there is Papa's arms for a bit until Andy says, "I hate to break this up guys, but we need to get out of here before a producer comes around". I nod my head and stand up and snuggle into Andy.

We go out and have dinner before we go back so we can skype dad. When we get back home, we go straight onto skype. Dad answers straight away and says, "hey guys I miss you all so much can't wait to see you all again". I can't help the tears that come to my eyes again as dad says that. I break in papas' arms as I just can't deal with all of this. Dad looks at me and says, "baby girl what's the matter"? I can't reply so papa does for me, and he says "she is ok just stressed as she is in the final and she is missing you like crazy the same as me. Can't wait to have you back by my side and back in my arms again. We miss you so much babe". Dad replies with "I love you both so much and can't wait until I can see you both again. I can't wait to hug you both. But I don't know how long that will be". Papa says "its ok babe stay there as long as you need, we are alright here. Tim and Anthony are looking after us both and Andy is looking after our daughter as well". Dad nods his head and we just talk for a bit then dad says he has to go. Papa tells him that he had better eat and dad replies with "I will when I am hungry babe just not yet". Papa was just about to reply but dad hung up before he could. I laugh at the look on papa's face.