How Not To Be A Groupie

Chapter Thirty Four: Stelle's New Photos

The hotel hallways were busy by the time we reached my room. Carts of housekeeping supplies and groups of friends paraded around the place and we dodged them this way and that. Malcolm's hair had dried in the sun and he wasn't dripping water everywhere anymore. Despite all that he had drank the night before he never once complained about a hangover. These men never failed to impress me with their durability. 

"This is your place, right?" he asked pointing at the number on the door. 

"This is it," I said. I was nervous about coming in. I didn't want to barge in like the unwelcome carry on that I was. I waited for Malcolm to head out and leave me to it but he stood there with his hands in his pockets. More stupid little tears threatened to spill. 

Why did Malcolm have to get sick? It wasn't fair. He didn't deserve to suffer the way he did and his family and friends didn't deserve to suffer watching it happen. Years and years of getting worse and worse....knowing good and well this is how it would end. His wife and kids by his bedside...knowing he would never get better and being helpless to do anything. 

And I was helpless to prevent it.

"I guess I'd better get goin'-"

And just like with Bon, I grabbed him for a hug. I couldn't help it. Also just like Bon he seemed a bit surprised at the sudden display of affection, taking a few seconds to register what was happening. 

He finally hugged me back, probably wondering what on earth got into me. What could I say? Bon and Malcolm needed hugs! Knowing I wouldn't ever see either one again it was the most logical thing to do. 

Unlike with Bon, there wasn't a woman throwing up to snap me out of it. I had to let him go myself. I did so and Malcolm put his hands back in his pockets. "Sorry," I mumbled, fighting back tears.

"Don't worry 'bout it," he said. We stood there for a minute looking at the carpet. 

"I uh....stole your toothpaste," I said. I almost forgot about him lending me the tube until just now. I wasn't sure if he wanted it back.

"Keep it," he said. "I've got more."

Another minute passed. Malcolm sighed. 

"See ya' both at the show then." I nodded.

"Bye." With one final pat on my shoulder Malcolm left me to knock on the door of Stelle's hotel room. It was only a second before it opened revealing Janis.

Or...Joyce? 

No, Joyce was visting their aunt, Janis was dating Stelle. Right? 

She opened the door looking like a whole team of professionals had gotten her ready. Her black hair was silky and done up, her olive skin glowed, and her dress looked straight out of a fancy boutique. She brightened when she saw me. "Hannah! Come on in, we were just talking." She let me in the room where I saw Stelle on the couch looking at a whole new row of freshly developed photos. 

"Hannah, come here, look at how these turned out!" Stelle called me over. I walked over to the couch and sat on the little coffee table, leaning forward to see the photos. There were several of the crowd last night and a few of the band talking backstage. Stelle was bouncing in her seat, thrilled at her new pictures. "They came out so good and so candid!" Janis sat next to her on the couch and wrapped her arm around her. "Janis helped me take a few of the audience...like this one." Stelle held up a photo of a group of women near the front wearing homemade t shirts declaring their love for Cliff. 

"They look great," I said. 

"Thank you! We just got them developed this morning and it didn't take long at all!" Stelle said.