The Mistakes We Made

Harsh reality

5 days had passed and I remained staying at my mothers and driving my Dad's Skoda. My car had seen it's last day. The garage had called to say it would cost more than it was worth to fix. 5 days had also passed with no word from Bradley. Not even a text to check in with me. He had made no social media interactions, posts or new videos. His movement had been well documented though. After leaving my house, he went to his Mum's just like Seth had said but went back to his London home the same day. 12 hours after that he was reported boarding a flight to LA. However him and the band were meant to of done a gig last night but Brad had failed to show. Devin had put a statement on the bands social media saying that Brad had been struck down with an illness but I was yet to be convinced.

"Are you sure you don't want me to go with you?" My Mum asked as I strapped Chase into his car seat in the back of the Skoda. "No it will be fine. I don't want her to feel bombarded. It's a lot to take in." I said to which my mother nodded. " Okay love. see you later. take care." She said closing up the car door for me. I put my seatbelt on and mentally prepared myself to go and see Brad's mum.

I expect the poor bitch was beside herself with everything that was going on but I wasn't about to deprive the woman who had already lost so much in her life, the opportunity to get to know her Grandson. I hoped she would have some news about Brad, although she said she didn't when I spoke to her on the phone the other day. No one had. Not even Seth or the twins. I hoped he was just taking a bit of personal time to get his head together then he would be back to talk stuff through.

As luck would have it, Brad not being in the country meant that less fans hounded the modest three bed semi where he grew up. Brad had offered his mum countless times to buy her a new, more luxurious home, but Julia King liked the place she called home. I took a deep breath as I knocked on the door. Offering Chase a smile who was in one of his more delightful moods today as I held him in my arms.

"Bailey. Hi, come on in." Julia said as she opened the door up wide. For the first time I saw she had eyes similar to Brad and Chase. "Thank you." I said following her in. Walking with a slight limp, Julia led the way in to her conservatory that was newly built. It looked out on to her garden which was filled with an assortment of colourfull gnomes. "Take a seat... Can I get you a drink?" She asked. "No, honestly, I'm fine... Did you want to hold him. He is in a good mood today." I said wanting to get the ball rolling on this awkward situation. "That would be nice... Thank you." She said. Standing back up I handed Chase over to her. She placed him facing her and pulled some funny faces at him but I could see in her eyes she was emotional. "He looks so much like Brad, Do you think?" Julia said. "He really does... I honestly don't know how I missed it, you know." I replied honestly. "You really had no idea?" She asked. I shook my head. "None... Have you heard from Brad at all?" I asked. Enjoying the smile on her face as Chase babbled away to her. 

"He called me this morning... Only to talk about work and Ben though. Benny isn't doing so well at the moment. The doctors are trialling him on different meds to see what works and what doesn't. Maybe one day you could take Chase up to see him? I expect when he is older and into more things, Ben will love talking to him about pokemon and Disney... Thats the newest craze for Ben." She added with a small smile. I nodded. "But Brad didn't say anything about Chase or me?" I questioned finding this a bitter pill to swallow. "Well I said you were coming over with Chase. I thought he would of said something too but he just changed the subject and said he had to go. I thought that maybe he thought Chase wasn't his but looking at him now, he is Brads double." Julia added. "I just don't get it. Last I saw him, He was desperate to see him." I said.

Julia bounced Chase on her knee. I really couldn't of wished for him to be more well behaved and full of smiles for her. "I think he just wants to get this next hurdle over and done with then he will be back home and getting to know his son." Julia said with a smile. "What hurdle? He isn't due back for weeks yet." I asked. Julia looked at me. "Bailey, I shouldn't be telling you this but I know you are close with Brad and I can see you are worried... He is quitting Mistakes Were Made. He will be making a formal statement tomorrow but no one knows, not the band, not Devin, not even Seth." Julia said blowing my mind. "Quitting?" I repeated. Julia nodded. "So, he will be jumping back on a plane and coming home?" I asked. "I believe so... Brad was very upset on the phone, it's a rash decision on his part but... well I think it's the right one." She said looking at me. I nodded to agree. This was amazing. I mean sure it sucked in some respects but it meant we were getting Brad back.