It's Got a Beat, Mr. Jones

Took One of My Guitars...

Bobby and Mary had gone home. It was nice to be back home and back working. John would call a lot. He seemed to want to talk to Mary all the time. John and Mary would have long conversations about how John was feeling and what was going on in his life. It seemed like at that time he was living with Eddie.
John sound happy for the most part. Every now and again, he would complain about a lady Eddie had brought home. This particular day, John was complaining about a blonde that Eddie had brought home.
"I can hear them through the wall," John said quietly. "They're always doin' it... It's driving me insane..."
"Why don't you come visit us for the weekend?" Mary asked.
"I don't want to disturb you two," John said.
"You wouldn't disturb us," Mary said.
Mary heard a door opened and shut. "Who are you talkin' to?" She heard quietly on the other line.
"Mary," John's voice said as a reply.
"Say hi to her for me," Eddie's voice said. It was muffled because he wasn't talking into the receiver.
John sighed. "You heard that right?"
"Mmmhmm."
"He's driving me insane... He was just banging her like five minutes ago. She probably fell asleep..." John said.
"You should come visit us," Mary said.
John was quiet for a little while. "Maybe I will," He said. "I don't have a car so you'd have to pick me up..."
"That's fine. I'll go tell Bobby," Mary said.
Mary sat the phone down and walked over to the living room. Bobby was sitting on the couch reading the newspaper.
"I'm having John spend the weekend at our house," Mary said. "I'm picking him up in a few hours."
Bobby scratched his head. "Why?" He asked.
"I think John needs a break from Eddie," She said.
Bobby nodded. He folded his newspaper. "Can you hand me my pipe and weed?" He asked.
Mary rolled her eyes and handed him a bag. "Don't do that in front of Odette," She said.
"Odette's sleeping in the other room," Bobby said.
Mary nodded and walked back to the kitchen and to the telephone. She picked it back up. "You still there, John?" She asked.
"Yeah," John said quietly.
"I'll pick you up in a couple hours," Mary said.
"Thank you," John said quietly.
Mary smiled. "It's no problem. I've wanted you to come over for awhile," She said.
If she could have seen John she would have known he was smiling a small, lost smile. A smile he had had trouble finding for awhile.
In about an hour Mary got into her car. She has some money in her pocket. Bobby was so stoned by this time that he didn't even notice her leave. Mary decided to take Odette with her because she didn't know what Bobby would do while he was high.
It took another hour to get to Eddie's house. It was huge. Mary walked up the steps and knocked on the door. She has Odette in her arms.
Eddie answered the door. He smiled at her. "Ah, it's nice to see you," He said.
"I'm here to get John. I'm letting him stay with me and Bobby for the weekend," Mary said.
"Yeah, he told me," Eddie said. "He's takin' a nap on the couch right now. I told him I'd wake him up when you got here. You wanna come in?"
Mary nodded and walked into Eddie's house. She noticed how nicely furnished it was. There was a leather couch positioned in front of the television. She walked over to the couch. John was sleeping on it. She had been planning on waking him up, but he looked so peaceful she couldn't bring herself to wake him up yet.
Eddie smiled at Mary. "Just leave him for now," He said. "Let's talk."
Mary nodded. Eddie walked to the kitchen. "Do you want some coffee or something?" He asked.
"Yes please," Mary said sitting down at his large wooden table.
Eddie put a kettle on the stove. He sat down across from her on the table.
"So what's been happening with you?" He asked. He cocked his head gently looking into her eyes.
"Nothing much," Mary said. "I've just been working."
"Where do you work?" Eddie asked.
"I work in retail. Just a little store where I live," Mary said. "I work for a few hours while Bobby's off."
"That's nice," Eddie said smiling.
"What about you?" Mary asked. "John told me you had a girl over earlier."
"Oh, Elizabeth, eh, yeah, she left a few hours ago," He said. "Took one of my guitars..."
"What?" Mary said shocked.
"No big deal," Eddie said shrugging. "It's happened before."
"She stole one of your guitars..." Mary said slowly. "And that's no big deal?"
"I have other guitars," Eddie said. "It was my fault. I shouldn't have asked a stranger over..."
Eddie looked a little sad, but he tried to hide it. Mary reached across the table and touched his hand. "Poor Eddie," She said.
Eddie smiled at her. "Why have you just always been so nice to me?" He asked.
Mary stared at him. "What do you mean?" She asked.
"After Johnny died, you were there for me at the funeral," Eddie said. "You're always here when I need someone. It's like you have magical powers or something."
Mary laughed. "I've only been here for two things."
Eddie tilted his head and smiled. "That's enough," He said.
Mary smiled at him. They sat in silence for awhile until the water boiled. Eddie stood up and poured the water over a mug with a coffee filter filled with coffee grounds. He did this slowly so that the coffee would come out dark. Mary was impressed by his skills.
"Do you want any cream or sugar in it?" Eddie asked.
"Oh, yeah, just some sugar," Mary said.
Eddie nodded. "How many spoonfuls?" He asked.
"Just two," Mary replied.
Eddie put two spoonfuls of sugar into the coffee and handed it to her. She smiled at him and took a sip. He took the seat beside her this time.
"How's Bobby been treating you?" Eddie asked.
"Well enough. He's been getting high more often," Mary said.
"Around your daughter?" Eddie asked surprised.
"Yeah," Mary said looking up at the roof.
Eddie shook his head. "What type of dad is he?" Eddie asked.
Mary shrugged. She took another sip of her coffee.
"I'd never do that," Eddie said.
Mary looked up at him. He was close. Extremely close... His arm was around her shoulders, and his hand was on her right shoulder. She turned her head to look at it. She felt another hand move her face to look at Eddie.
Eddie's hand was softly on her face. She watched him. She knew what he wanted, and, for some reason, she wanted it to.
Eddie's lips met hers gently. They weren't there for long. Suddenly Mary felt horrible. Mary stood up very quickly. She dropped the coffee mug on the floor. John sat up suddenly.
"What's going on?!" He exclaimed. He sounded half awake.
Odette began to cry.
"Oh, Mary," John said scratching his head. He looked over at Eddie. Eddie was already getting a rag to clean up the mess Mary had made.
"Um... Let's go John," She said. She was rocking Odette, but she was having trouble soothing the tearful child.
John picked up a bag he had leaning on the couch. Mary rushed out of Eddie's house. Guilt was gripping her gut.
"Bye Eddie," John called.
Mary passed John Odette before she drove. She looked at her watch.
It was broken...