Waiting For You

Untitled Part 6

Gemma's POV

It's been about four months since Sid and I have been together, and I am so happy. The happiest I've ever been. I started cutting back on working at the bar, and Jo was so happy about this, and so was Sid. I work maybe two weekends a month.

Corey has been out of rehab for a few weeks now, and looks so much better. He's a different person actually. I still keep my distance from him. I don't really trust him, and doubt I ever will.

Sid was in California, doing a promotion for his upcoming solo album, and was gone this week. I have been so sad and lonely without him, but I know he will be back in about four days. We text and talk alot while he's been gone. I can't wait for him to get back. He's been worried about Corey showing up, so Alex and Jim have been stopping by to see me and hang out when Jo can't be there. Those guys are fucking great. They even help me in the store with stuff. I love it. I feel like I have a real family.

Alex and I had been sorting through records and Cds, when the bell went off. I looked up, stopping dead in my tracks. I dropped the record I was holding. Alex looked at me worried. "Who is that?" He whispered.

"My asshole father. Please, don't leave." I whispered.

"Don't worry, I won't. I'm right here." He said, giving my arm a quick squeeze. I moved towards the door, and up to my father. He looked sober, which was good.

"John. What are you doing here?" I don't call him dad, as he doesn't ever act like my dad. He never has.

"Hey Gem. How are you?" He asked, looking down.

"Great. What do you want? I don't have any money to give you, and I'm not in the mood for you to trash the place, like Carol did a few months ago." I said coldly.

"I don't want either of those Gemma. I came to talk to you about your mother." He said, looking sad.

"What about Carol?" I asked.

"Gemma. I don't know how to tell you this. Your mother passed away last night. She had an overdose. I'm sorry." He said. I didn't know what to say or how to feel. I just looked at him, making sure he didn't see any emotions I had. I learned to shut those off at very young age with both of them. I stopped crying because they would make fun of me, or tell me to stop. I learned how to keep a poker face by the time I was ten.

"Ok. When is the funeral?" I asked.

"Friday. I haven't been to see Mikey yet." He said.

"Don't. I'll tell Mikey. You aren't allowed there, remember?" I said in a snide tone. John nodded.

"I know and thanks. Here's the funeral information. I hope you will come." John said. I nodded, and he left.

I let out a deep breath, and leaned against the counter, sliding to the ground. "Gem? Need me to kick his ass?" Alex asked, sitting next to me.

"Thanks. No. Um, Alex, do...do you think you can watch the place for a half hour until Jo gets back? I have to go talk to my uncle. My mom is dead." I said blankly to him. Alex looked shocked.

"Shit, Gemma, are you ok? I am so sorry." He said, hugging me.

"Thanks. Not sure how I feel. She wasn't a good person or mother. Ever." I said, moving back.

"Want me to have Jim take you?" He asked.

"No. I'll be fine. I need to call Sid first." I said, walking to the back room.

I sat in the office, and called Sid. "Hey, baby! What's up?" Sid asked when he picked up. Hearing his voice made me break down and cry. "Gemma, what's going on?"

"Sid, John came in. My mom overdosed. She's dead." I sobbed. He was silent on the other end.

"I'm coming home now. I'll be there tonight." He said, I could already hear him moving around, throwing stuff in his bag.

"Sid-" He wasn't having it. "I will be there. This shit can wait here. Where's Jo?"

"He had an appointment. Should be back in a bit. Jim and Alex are here." I sniffled. "I have to go tell Mikey his sister is dead. John's not allowed at the bar."

"Have one of them take you. Please, Baby?" He asked.

"I don't want to bother them with this Sid." I sobbed.

"No, it's not a bother. Can I talk to Jim?" He asked. I stood up walking back to the front. I saw Jim and Alex, both looked at me sadly.

I handed the phone to Jim. "Its Sid." I told him. Jim took the phone.

"Hey. Yeah. No, I planned on it. What? She's not bothering me. She knows that." Jim grinned at me. "Nah man. Alex and I can stay with her until you get here if you need. Alright, see ya when you get back. Here's Gemma." He handed me the phone.

"Did you get all that? They will stay with you until I'm back, and Jim's gonna take ya. Want me to call Jo so he knows what's going on?" Sid asked.

"If you don't mind." I said, wiping my eyes.

"No, baby. I don't mind. Go talk to Mikey. I'll see you in a bit. I love you Gemma." Sid said.

"I love you too Sid. Thank you." I said, hanging up.

Jim and I drove to the bar in silence. We pulled up and I sighed. "I'll be here. Take your time. I don't mind Gemma." He patted me on the shoulder. I gave him a smile and got out, making my way inside.

I walked up to the bar, and Mikey knew something was seriously wrong. "Kitten, you hurt? What's wrong?" He asked, ready to fight. He gets overly paranoid about me.

"Mikey, John came by today." I said. He was already pissed. Mikey hates my dad. My dad was the one who started with a drug problem, and then got my mom hooked.

"What? What did he want?" He asked. I made him sit down.

"Its Carol, Mikey. She's gone. Last night of a drug overdose." I said. Mikey didn't say anything. He looked down and nodded. I have never seen Mikey sad or cry, but I have now. He looked up and had tears falling.

"Kitten, you ok?" He asked.

"No. She hasn't been a good person or my mom in so many years, Mikey. She came by a few months ago, and I had to have her arrested for trashing my store. That's the last time I saw her, getting hauled off to jail." I sobbed, feeling him hug me.

"Kitten, you know you had to. It's ok. It is. I'm sorry honey that she wasn't ever there for ya. I should of been too, and I'm sorry for that. I am. I'm here now, and you know that. When's Siddy coming home?" He asked.

"Tonight. He wouldn't stay there." I said sitting back to look at him.

"You really thought he would?" He grinned, wiping his face. I smiled and shook my head. "He's a good kid, that Siddy. Just like you. You need anything? Money? I can get you whatever."

Since Mikey got out of prison five years ago, he's dedicated himself to making sure I have everything I need. He gives me money, alot of it, even when I don't ask for it. I find envelopes of cash shoved under my door at times, if I refuse it.

"Mikey, I'm ok. I am. Here's the information about the funeral if you want to go. I'm only going if you are. I can't deal with John on my own." I said, handing him the paper. He took it, and read it. He nodded, putting it in his pocket.

"I'll go if you do. I'll need you to keep me from killing John. Go home, honey. Don't even think of bringing your ass in here for the next month. Take some time to deal with this. You didn't with Cam. It's time to." He said, going behind the counter. He grabbed an envelope and handed it to me. I sighed and rolled my eyes, shaking my head.

"I told you Mikey, I'm ok." I said. He came around the counter, and shoved it in my bag.

"Just so I know you won't be in here for a month. Now, go home. I'll see you Friday." He said hugging me. I nodded and left, getting in Jim's car. Jim looked at me and hugged me.

"I'm sorry Gemma. I am. Sid called, said Jo doesn't want you in the store today, and Jo said he better not see your ass in there working for the next few weeks." Jim grinned at me. I pulled back and laughed, nodding. I wiped my eyes.

"Sid also said he's gonna be here by six. Alex and I are gonna hang out until he's back. Want to go to your place?" He asked. I nodded.

We got back to my place, and Jim and Alex hung out with me. I ordered them pizza. I didn't eat any of it. I heard a knock, and it was Jo. He looked so sad for me, and hugged me, not saying anything.

"How are you doing sweetie? Need me and Blake to get you anything?" He asked. I felt tears again, and just held on to him crying. "I brought you a joint. Don't tell Blake." He laughed. I looked up and giggled. Blake can't smoke anymore because of his job. I took it from him and hugged him some more.

"When's the funeral? Blake and I will be there." Jo told me. I told him when and where, and be sent a text to Blake. "Got it. Want me to hang out, or are you good for now?" He asked.

"I'm good. Go see Blake." I smiled. He gave me a peck on the lips and left. I turned and saw Alex and Jim staring at me awkwardly.

"Oh! Fuck, I can't believe this hasn't come up before. Blake is Jo's boyfriend of ten years. Sid has seen me kiss Jo on the mouth guys. We've had dinner with Jo and Blake." I laughed. I saw them instantly relax.

"Fuck, Gemma! Gotta tell us shit like that!" Alex laughed. "Blake could be a chicks name."

"Thank God girl. About gave me a heart attack. He's really gay? Man, I was so off on that!" Jim laughed.

"Sorry. I am. It's just habit. I keep forgetting that not everyone knows Jo is gay. He doesn't give off any vibe I guess." I grinned.

They laughed and I could tell they were so happy about Jo being gay and not having to tell Sid some awful story of me kissing a guy. I curled up on the couch, and spent the rest of the time crying, or laughing at Jim and Alex arguing over a video game.

I must of fallen asleep, because I woke up to my house being quiet, and Sid standing in front of me worried. "Hey, baby." He whispered. I moved over on the couch, and he laid down. I spent the rest of the night, sobbing and holding on to Sid, until I passed out exhausted.

It was the day of the funeral, and Sid and I were at the cemetery. All of the the guys showed up, along with John, Mikey, Blake and Jo. I turned to Sid. "Why is everyone here? This is going to be a shit show afterwards." I whispered.

"They wanted to be here for you." He whispered. I suffered through all of the things they say at someone's passing. I had my mind on how bad this was going to be with Mikey and John after. I didn't want anyone hearing this, and my uncle and John will argue wherever. They don't care.

Right as we were walking to our cars, Mikey and John were already at it, causing everyone to stop and stare. I felt my face go red. "You better stay the fuck away from Gemma. You've never done anything for her, you sack of shit!" Mikey yelled, getting in John's face. I couldn't even look at anyone but those two.

"I fucking tried Mikey. I did the best I could." I heard John yell. I felt something inside of me snap. I felt Sid squeeze my hand, and I let go, walking over to John.

"You never did shit for me John! You were too busy getting fucking high, and turning my mother to drugs too. Fuck you!" I yelled, moving closer to him. John looked at me.

"I always loved you and Cam. I did." John said, and I lost it.

"Fuck you! Don't you dare tell me you cared! I fucking took care of Cam until he got fucking killed! You never did! Stay the fuck away from me!" I yelled, moving closer to him. I felt an arm around my waist, pulling me back.

I was moved back a few feet, when I turned and saw Sid. "Baby, that's enough." He said, as I nodded. I couldn't stop the tears. Then I heard Mikey snap.

"You better get the fuck out of this state and never come back! You leave tonight. Got me? You never talk to Gem again. The only reason you are standing here is because there are witnesses." Mikey yelled. I turned and saw the look on everyone's face. It was shock and I could tell they all felt bad for me, making me feel worse.

"Fuck you Mikey!" John yelled, which caused a shoving match. I saw everyone, Sid included, trying to pull Mikey off of John. I shook my head and walked off. I can't listen to anymore of this, and I can't face any of them after this. Sid included. I hurried out of the cemetery, and cut through people's yards, so no one would see me. I walked and walked, until I got to Smoke. I went in and sat at the bar. The bartender, Trey, looked at me questionably.

"I need a shot of tequila. Keep them coming." I told him. He sighed, but fixed me a shot. I downed it, feeling it burn. I pointed to my glass. Trey filled again.

"How many you having tonight?" Trey asked.

"Until my life doesn't hurt as much." I told him, taking the next shot.