James Hetfield, My New Neighbor

Chapter 23

Lately, I've been distant from people. I was even distant from James. He checks up on me everyday. I tell him "I'm fine." But I knew I wasn't ok. He must've known too. I just was so depressed about the loss of my grandma. I didn't feel like sleeping at times. Some of my grandma's Friends brought me food to eat, as much as for a few days. I couldn't turn it down even when I didn't want to eat. So I have been taking it for lunch at work, also for breakfast and dinner.

My grandma's will was read to me at home. I get to keep the house and all of my grandfather's old items we had in the attic. My grandma's jewelry was also given to me. I will be keeping that in a safe and secure place in my grandma's room.

I went back to work, on monday. I thought work could help me keep the mind off things and plus, I need to work to keep things going.

It was just about 12pm and I was on my way to go to my lunch break. As soon as I walked out from the pharmacy, I heard a car honk. I looked over and It was James. I seen him left up a bag to his head. He was showing me, he brought lunch for me. I thought that was sweet so, I smiled. I went inside his car. He parked in the parking lot.

"I thought to surprise you with hamburger and fries." He said. "Thank you." I said. We began eating, he had his own meal as well. I notice he was wearing a auto mechanic uniform looking shirt. "So, you came from work?" I asked. James still had food in his mouth, he covered his mouth with his hand, "Yeah, I told the guys I was taking my lunch." He said while chewing his food. I nodded and continue eating. I started to remember about one of his guys, Lars. So I really want to ask about him.

"You're friend, Lars? How long you guys been friends?" I asked, "Oh, he works with me and we been friends for a long time. He can be a asshole sometimes." He said, "oh...i was asking because he brought you a guitar the other day....did you use to be in a band?" I asked. James focused on eating but still answered "...it was a long time ago." He said. I felt like he tried to avoid it, and I was wanting to know about the girls he had, I kinda felt as if I could be like one of those girls. "Did you really had a lot of girls?" I finally asked, He stopped eating for a second and he try to explain "...i did...they weren't serious....not as serious as I feel for you..." He said smiling back at me. I trusted him but then I didn't want to be stupid. It has happened before when I was liking someone and that person actually never liked me back.

We finished up eating and cleaned up. I got out the car. "Bye, James. Thank you for lunch." I said smiling. Before I was closing the door, James stopped me, "Wait, Melanie. Come back inside. I need to tell you something." He said. "Ok." I said. I went back inside and closed the car door.

"...so...umm. I know you needed space apart because of what happen. I actually didn't know how to really help you. I mean I understand what you going through..." He said. It was like he wanted to tell me something serious. "....i used to have this friend of mine....back in the days....Lars knew him too. There was four of us.....we were all like brothers. Me, Lars, Kirk (he is a nice guys too) and there was our very best brother name 'Cliff'....we weren't blood related but we were all brothers by bond....and we were in a band together....one night our tour bus crashed....and ummm." James started to hesitate. I looked in his eyes and they were about to cry. He struggled to continue. ".....We.....we were all asleep but we were woken up by the crash....when the car stopped flipping.....we all got out safely....but we notice we couldn't find Cliff...." I noticed James let one tear coming down his face, before he wiped it off. "But then we found him...." James didn't continue and I knew what he mean by 'finding him'. "....I'm sorry." I said. "...its ok...." He said.

He then changed the subject because he didn't want to go any deeper than it already is. "So..i was also wanted to invite you this weekend to a bbq at my house. I'll be having my friends there. Do you want to go? I'm sure it will cheer you up." He said. "Yeah sure, I'll go." I said. "Oh and umm...i know we should be going slow about this. But I still want to do it right for our relationship....so do you....mind if....i call you....my girlfriend?" James ask me with a nervous tone. "Girlfriend?" I said "-you don't have to-" "-yes" I said cutting him off.

I was blushing red and I seen James was too. "Ok...i know you have to go back to work so. I'll pick you up after?" He said, "ok. I'll see you later....boyfriend." I said biting my lip a little, "ok, girlfriend....now I sound like chick...ok sweeheart." He said. We chuckled together. I got out the car and felt like I didn't want to leave him. James drove off with a big smile on his face. I went back inside the pharmacy. I was excited that now I have a boyfriend. Big age difference but I didn't care anymore about that.