Patience

Four

"Molly, you've really done me a favor, I don't think you understand." I was sitting in her dining room, and Molly had just handed me a cup of tea. She kept looking down, refusing to make eye contact with me.

"I know, Lucy, it's not the first time," she took a sip of her tea, "and it won't be the last," she muttered under her breath.

I decided to ignore that comment, because she was probably right. "Right. So, when is Eric going to be home?" I asked, referring to Molly's husband, and attempting to change the subject.

Molly bit her lip, and her leg started bouncing. "How long has it been since we've talked, again?" Molly asked me, tilting her head and looking past me.

"Why?"

"Because," She began, her face darkening, "Eric left Megan and I three months ago."

"Oh. I'm.. so sorry." I really wasn't sure of what to say. I never really liked Eric, but Molly was happier than me, so I kept that opinion to myself. It wasn't my place to say anything.

Molly just shook her head. "It's fine, Lucy. You see, it's all I expect from men since that's exactly what dad did to us when you you were a baby too, just like Megan," She said with a shrug. She sipped her tea.

Molly was seven years older than me, so she remembered when my father left. I was only a few months old, same as my niece, Megan is. You could say that we seek out the worst relationships because of our daddy issues. Somehow we're magnets to that kind of thing.

Molly's eyes and face looked so tired. It looked as though she had seen and been through it all.

"So, how are you and Megan?" I asked, trying to spark a conversation.

Molly scoffed and shook her head. She looked as though I had just told her a joke. "Doesn't matter, Lucy. We're better off than you right now. Plus, you're broke, so you can't help us."

"I'm here until I can find a job and get my own place. If you want, I can pitch in a little money to help you once I get a job," I said, trying to stay calm. That comment made me a little angry, but I needed to be grateful for what Molly was doing for me. She deserves better than me.

Molly shifted in her seat. "You might as well stay here forever, then. You basically threw your life away when you dropped out of school, and started working as a waitress, or something. Making minimum wage is going to take you forever to save up money, so no. Just no. Worry about yourself," She said.

Molly was a practical person, and everything she was saying was right. I get myself into these messes, and she's always around to help me clean them up. "Are you sure? I really want to help."

"Positive. Now, why don't you go unpack in the guest room. I got it ready for you on your way over here," She said.

I nodded and set my tea down. "Thanks, Molly. I really owe you one," I said, getting up from my seat.

"You do, but unless you marry rich and marry rich fast you won't be able to."

I said nothing.

I took my suitcase upstairs to the guest room, and on my way there I passed Megan's room. I stopped and backtracked a little. I peeked inside to see a baby asleep in a crib. She looked so peaceful. I smiled to myself and continued to the guest room.

That's how I spent the rest of my day. Unpacking, cleaning up, and catching up with Molly. I even got to hold and play with Megan for a bit so Molly could take a shower and have some time to herself. I never was the huge on the idea of children, but Megan and I just seem to click well. Or, maybe she's just an easy baby.

It was almost sundown at that point, and that's when I remembered Axl mentioning he had a show tonight. I knew Molly wasn't going anywhere, so I decided to ask if I could borrow her car. Risky request, I know.

"You want to borrow my car for what?" She asked.

"There's this local band performing tonight that one of my friends told me about. I've been going through it so much, so I just thought I'd go out and try to have a good time," I said, trying to justify my reasoning.

"No wonder you're broke, Lucy. Yeah, sure, go ahead. Just don't wreck it," Molly told me.

"Thanks, sis."

"Be careful, by the way!" Molly called as I walked out the door. She acted hateful, but deep down I know she cares. Part of me can't help but feel bad for Megan though, knowing that her mom is full of tough love.

I jogged over to her car and got in. I had no idea where this concert was or when, but it was about 6:30pm, and that should give me enough time to find a flyer somewhere.

I drove into the city and was stuck in some traffic. The timing of the traffic lights were off, causing some build up right in the heart of Los Angeles. I was beginning to grow impatient, worrying that I wouldn't make it. That's when I looked out the window, and my face lit up. I saw a flyer for Guns N Roses tonight in a nearby venue at 7. I checked the time. 6:54pm. If I wanted to catch their show, I had to hurry. Once traffic started moving again, I parked the car near the venue it said it was at, and I quickly made my way to the door.

Admission for the concert was only a few dollars, which I luckily had. I bought my ticket and made my way inside, I wondered why I was even going to the concert. Axl probably hates me anyway, considering I rejected him and left him alone in his apartment. We did just meet, but I left on a bit of a sour note. Axl was kind enough to offer me hospitality, and I acted the way I did. I felt a little guilty, but I'm hoping I can find him after the show and make it up to him in some way.

I didn't know why, but for some reason I just really wanted to talk to Axl again. Maybe it was because I left him without him knowing where I was going or what I was getting into. Maybe he's just an interesting guy to talk to. Maybe it was because I just wanted him to know I was going to be okay and I didn't need his help after all. That's what it was. I didn't need his help after all.

I pushed my way through the crowd to get close to the front. I wasn't in the very front, there were people in front of me, but I was close enough to the stage that Axl might see me if he looks, or he might not. If he doesn't, that's okay. We barely know each other. It was at least a good view, anyway.

The house lights of the venue went completely dark, and the crowd started cheering. Soon, the music started, and I knew it was a mistake not wearing earplugs or something, because after the first few songs I felt my ears ringing and everyone around me sounded muffled.

I remembered back to the night before, on the bridge, Axl's singing as he was making up a little song. I knew he had some sort of talent, but I was still surprised to hear the sound of Axl's unique voice, and even how good the band was, really. Axl could sing beautifully, and he could scream like nothing I've ever heard before.

The guitarist with the crazy, black curly hair was a wicked guitar player, too. I've seen a few bands live and they've all been pretty messy concerts with things not going right. I could tell this band practiced like crazy, and they sounded professional. They stood out. They were different from the typical small, local Los Angeles band.

It made me feel kind of proud of Axl, even though we really don't know each other. When he said he had a band I wasn't expecting anything like this. This, this was the best concert I have ever attended. I had to let him know.