better friends - eddie roundtree x oc

Pittsburgh, 1997

I ended up living the life I'd secretly always wanted. I became a singer and, while I still recorded bass on my albums, I stayed away from the band life. One time was enough for me. Eventually I had made enough money to retire and plant some roots. My agent said I could always come back if I wanted, but I told her not to hold her breath. I was home again.

Graham met Jeannie in the early '80s and they got married a few years later, had a couple kids. My niece and nephew. I kept in touch with Karen and Warren. Daisy too, but not as much. She was always a bit of a hard girl to reach. And then, of course, there's Billy and Camila. It took me a long time to forgive Camila, but I finally decided that I was done being mad when I realized that the pain from missing my sister was worse than the pain she had caused me by doing what she did. Also, how could I stay away from my beautiful goddaughter? I didn't want to miss time with Julia because of a grudge I had against Camila.

Thankfully, I never went back down the hole I had been so afraid of. Graham lifted me up better than anyone else could have. That's why I bought the house next door to his. Well, that, and because he begged me not to. I had to have my fun one way or another. Jeannie's a doll, just what Graham needed. But part of me will always have a soft spot for Graham and Karen. There was just something there that made sense. But Karen had her own life she had wanted. She was off travelling the world, playing music for strangers. I mean, everyone ended up with what they needed. Like Warren, who married Lisa back in '82. I was the best man at the ceremony, thank you very much. The only person from the band I had no idea about was Eddie. I had heard something about him having his own band, then how he plays shows still, occasionally. But nothing else, really.

Life was good for a while, but then... When Camila died... I didn't know what to do with myself. I knew she'd tell me to keep going. To live happily without her. To not mourn for too long. But I couldn't help it. Camila is not the type of woman you can just go on without. Not after having her in your life for that long. She was the most amazing person I ever met. I was lost for a long time, but the good part, I suppose, was that I wasn't wandering aimlessly by myself. Billy, Graham, and I... we helped each other through it. That's not to say that it isn't hard anymore, because it is. It's so fucking hard thinking about her and not bawling my eyes out. But I knew that every day I'd get a little better. That someday I'd be able to remember her in a way that didn't just make me sad.

MAL: And then, you called me, Jules. Asked me to tell you the band's life story. I hope I gave you what you needed.

JULIA: You did, Aunt Mal. It was perfect. But, there's just... one more thing I'd like from you.

MAL: What's that, honey?

She turned off the camera and sat next to me. "I need you to meet me somewhere in an hour. Unrelated; there's just some cool place I wanna show you. I'll text you the address." I smiled and stroked her hair, then put my hand on her shoulder. She was so beautiful. Just like her mother. "Okay, love. See you then."

I got up and walked away a little confused, but I didn't think too much of it. I called Graham to confirm dinner plans for tonight. "Hey, neighbor." I said, enthused. "Hey, Mal. What's up?" I got in my car and locked the doors; just a habit. "Just checking to see if we're still on for tonight? I'll bring whatever you need." He cleared his throat. "Uh, yeah. Sounds good. Maybe just bring a bottle of wine or something? Just not sa-" I cut him off. "Graham if you're asking me to bring wine it's going to be sangria." He chortled a bit. "Okay, fine. Won't go with dinner at all, but at least you're bringing something. You know, how come you never host? You're the big hotshot singer/songwriter/bassist. Can't you afford one night of hostessing?" I clicked my tongue and grinned. "Nope; I mean, I know it sounds impossible, but I think I might be a worse cook than you." I joked, earning a sigh. "Okay, Mal, I'm hanging up now." he announced. "Wait! I have something else to tell you!" I yelled, frantically. He hummed. "Jules asked me to meet her somewhere in an hour. I mean, she said it wasn't related to the documentary, but it kinda feels like it is. Like, usually when me and Jules hang out it's at the mall or her house or me surprising her with a trip to Switzerland. Something feels off about it. Do you have any idea what could be going on?" He was silent for a bit, and then spoke up. "Uh, no, Mal. No, I don't. Look, I've gotta go. Jeannie needs me to help her get ready for dinner. Later." And then he hung up before I could say goodbye.