Waiting For You

Untitled Part 10

Sid's POV

It took me almost a month to go see Corey at rehab. I was so fucking pissed at him after he pushed Gemma as far as he had that night. I'm still not happy with him, but, I do need to be there for him and push this shit aside for now.

I got to the building where Corey was staying, and checked in. I sat waiting for a few minutes, and then finally saw him. I did a double take. Holy shit, he looked so much better! I couldn't believe it. It wasn't just physically, I could tell that mentally, he was different. Different in a good way, like he had a clear head again.

"Hey man. Didn't think I'd see you here. Thanks for coming though." He said. I could tell he felt awkward, and unsure of what to say. I grinned and nodded at him, as we walked to a lobby area and sat down.

"This is from Gemma." I said, handing him a new Misfits t-shirt that she special ordered for him. He looked surprised as I handed it to him. He took it, and I saw him smile as he looked at it.

"Shit. Tell her thank you. I mean that. She didn't have to do that, especially after how much of a dick I've been to her. And you." He said, looking at his hands.

"I'll tell her. And she knows she didn't have to. She wanted to. Even after all the shit you pulled. She's a good person Corey. Way better than I am. The fact that she did that is her peace offering. I'd accept it, because she doesn't throw them out too often." I said. He looked up at me, and nodded sadly.

"I will. And you're right. She's way better than both of us put together, that's for sure. I guess, I don't understand why she'd forgive me after all this shit." He said, confused.

"For whatever reason, she is hoping that you guys can at least be civil to each other. Ya don't have to be buddies, but at least decent. She's been like this since we were kids. You fuck it up this time and she'll cut you off at the knees. She hasn't said that, but that's how she works." Fuck yes she will. Then she will go straight for his fucking throat and make him wish he was dead.

"I know. Surprised she hasn't already. Same with you man. Look, I fucked shit up so bad. I did. I'm so damn sorry Sid. I really am. Jim and Shawn making me come here that night was the best thing to happen to me." He said.

I really looked at him. A lot of people can't tell if he's lying or not. I can, and there are times he's fooled all of us. But, I'm wiser now. I know the signs. He wasn't fidgeting, or avoiding eye contact. He was looking me dead in the eyes, and his eyes always give him away. They weren't lying for once, and I was glad, making me relax.

"I know man. We all knew that wasn't you. You knew that wasn't you. I'm glad you are getting better. I really am. But Corey, I'm gonna only tell you this one time. Do not ever fuck with Gemma again. I'm not asking you. I'm telling you. If you do, I'm done with you. Do you understand me?" I said quietly. I could see the pain and hurt in his eyes, by what I had said. But, I also saw him accept and understand it too.

"I love that girl, and she means fucking everything to me. You are so lucky Alex and I didn't let her loose on you that night." I told him. He grinned slightly and nodded.

"I figured she'd scratch my eyes out if she had gotten a hold of me." He grinned.

I laughed and shook my head. "Not even close. She doesn't fight that way. Mikey taught her to fight, man. I lost count of the fights I broke up. For real, she has Mikeys temper. That night you got that guy away from her at the bar? When he hit her, she got pissed. Were her hand shaking?" I grinned.

"Yeah. How'd you know?" He asked totally surprised.

"Because, man. I told you. I know her. She would of broke his fucking face. Ask her how Jenny Masters turned out. She'll know what your talking about. It's a good story." I laughed. He looked at me and chuckled.

"Surprised she hasn't killed your ass yet." He laughed.

"Right? The day I asked her to marry me, she wasn't lying when she said she slapped me." I smiled

"For real?! What the fuck Sid!" He laughed.

"I told you, she doesn't give a fuck. Surprised she held her shit together as long as she did on you." I grinned at him.

"How in the fuck did she get past Jim and Mick, man? You or I can't do that on a good day. That was fucking impressive." He smiled.

"No shit it was. She's quick, and surprisingly strong. I dunno. Those two don't know either. I can't explain it. I even asked her, and she's not sure how she did either. Trust me man. We did you a favor that night keeping hold of her." I told him as he laughed and nodded.

"Well, thanks man. It sounds like you guys did. For real though Sid, I'm sorry. I've been working not only on being sober, but a lot of other shit in my life. I'm actually trying this time, and it feels good too. It's gonna take some time, but I think I can do it." He said. This is the most heartfelt conversation him and I have had in years. It's nice.

"That's great man. It really is. I forgive you. I do. Be careful when you apologize to Gemma." I grinned, making him laugh.

"Yeah. Not sure which I'm worried about more, Bones or her." He said as we both laughed. I noticed when he laughed, it was an actual heartfelt laugh. No snide undertone, or fakeness in it. I haven't heard him laugh like that in years, and it made me happy. Not happy just for me, but for him too.

I stayed and talked with him for a long time. We talked about the band, my solo album, things we saw on TV, just everything. It was a good time, even if he was in rehab. It was nice to actually have my friend back.

After we said goodbye, I headed to Gemma's shop. I didn't see her, just Jo and Bones. "Hey, man." I said to Jo.

"Hey, Sid!" Jo smiled. I think now is a good time to ask Jo some stuff I've been wondering about for a while now.

"Can we, like, talk for a minute?" I asked him. He looked slightly surprised, but sat down behind the counter.

"Sure. What's up?" He asked.

"Gemma told me about the day you found her. I just have always wondered why you and Blake took her in? She was a stranger." I said. He grinned and nodded at me.

"I know. I was going through some shit in my own life. Like just came out to my own family. They were accepting of it, and I was living with them. After I told them, they kicked me out. I moved in with Blake. I guess, I saw a lot of myself in her, and I could of easily been Gemma that day. Any of us could be Gemma that day. Sid, she was so broken when I found her. She just lost her friend, her job, house, and her brother was killed the day before. She'd had enough of life. I guess I knew she needed someone and I could offer her that. I don't know why, but I felt like I not only had to, but wanted to. I guess I put myself in her shoes and if I was her, I'd want someone to do the same for me." He told me. I sat there totally stunned. This guy may be Jesus in disguise. Him and Blake. Holy shit, I love this guy!

"I also knew if we let her go that day, she'd be dead. She just didn't care anymore. It took her about six months to fight through her depression. It was strange though. We had to make her eat, get out of bed, every day for six months straight. Then one day, it was like she flipped a switch inside herself, and she woke up on her own, got dressed, and found a job that day. It was crazy. To this day, I cannot tell you what made her change or why. She did it though. It made every day of hell worth while." He smiled at me.

"Goddamn man. Since the day I met you, I have been convinced that you and Blake are saints on earth. For real." I smiled, watching him laugh.

"Nah. We just wanted to see her make it. The only thing we ever asked her for in return, was if she saw someone who needed help, she'd help them." This explains why she wants to help Corey. I get it. I think she also doesn't want anyone else ending up like her mom either.

"That's why she wants to help Corey, huh?" I asked.

"I don't think it's that. I think it's her parents. She doesn't want that for him. But, it could be she knows he needs help. Blake and I taught her a lot about forgiveness over the years. Why do you think you are standing here now Sid?" He grinned at me.

"Shit. I didn't think she was going to. She was so pissed at me when we came here that day, and when I went to the bar that night. I wasn't sure she was gonna talk to me when I came to her house. She was crying because of my dickhead friend." I said smugly.

"She wanted you to work for it a little Sid. I couldn't blame her for that. You can't blame her for that. But, I knew she wasn't gonna last long once she saw ya. She wouldn't ever admit that she was in love with you over the years, but I knew. She went from being sad to hating you for a long time because it hurt less. It wasn't until last year when she finally let me order some Slipknot Cds to sell in the store. I knew she wasn't mad at you anymore." He laughed.

"For real? She wouldn't keep our music in the store?" I laughed. Jo was about dying laughing, as he nodded.

"For real. She'd get someone in here asking if she had any Slipknot stuff, and she'd let Bones up to greet them." He said. We were both laughing. Holy shit, she doesn't fuck around when she's pissed at someone.

"Damn man. She hated me. I'm so glad she let me in that night I came over. I wasn't sure. I didn't realize how in love with her I was until I saw her that day. Thanks man. For being there and taking care of her. I know I fucked up, and I will spend my life making it up to her. But seriously, you and Blake ever need anything, you let me know, and I'll do it. I mean that." I told him. He reached over the counter and slapped me on the shoulder and nodded.

"Thanks man. We just want her happy. That's all we want." He smiled.

"I'll make sure she is. I promise you that." I told him.

Gemma walked in about then, and kissed me, and hugged Jo. "How was Corey?" She asked.

"You know, he was really, really good. He's actually trying this time. He even said so. I haven't seen him look this good, like mentally and physically in years. We talked a long time, and it was a good talk. Cleared the air about everything. I told him if he ever fucks with you again, I was done with him. He understood. He wasn't lying. It was the real him, know what I mean?" I asked.

"I do. I really do." She smiled.

"I warned him about apologizing to you. He said he's not sure who he's more scared of, you or Bones." I said as her and Jo laughed. "He said thank you for the shirt. I told him it was a peace offering and to take it." I smiled.

"He better if he doesn't want his ass kicked." Jo laughed. Both Gemma and I nodded.

"So when are you two getting married?" Jo asked us.

"Whenever she wants me to, man. I don't care when or where. Just waiting on her to decide." I smiled at her.

"Alright. I'll pick a date by the end of the night." She said to us.

As we laid in bed that night, I turned to her. "Pick a date yet?" I asked.

"Sid, I don't know if I want a big wedding. I wear these bracelets to cover up my scars so no one asks about them and people don't judge me and stare. They have been a security blanket for years. How can I wear a dress and these?" She asked.

I hadn't even thought about that. Her scars are very noticable ten years later even. When she say she slit her wrists, well, she wanted to tie. She didn't do it side to side, as a cry for help. She went deep, and slit upwards, showing she wasn't fucking around. She has all differebt types of bracelets on, and never takes them off. Ever. I've never seen her take them off once, except if one breaks. She has a replacement almost in hand to wear in place of it.

I was trying to think of an option for her. Gloves would be a pain in the ass, and would make her hands sweat. A bracelet large enough would be hard to find. Then the idea hit me.

"What about a tattoo or some lacy like fingerless wedding gloves?" I asked. Her face lit up, and she smiled.

"Who could do a henna tattoo?" She asked me. I laughed, then gave her a smile that pretty much said it all.

"Really? Have you not looked at me? You think I don't know someone who could do that?" I asked as she giggled at me. "Let me worry about that. What color dress are you thinking?"

"Well, it's mainly white with a black floral design all over it. Kinda lacy." I eyed her up. "I already bought it." She laughed.

"What? When?" I laughed.

"Today. Want to see a picture?" She smiled. She grabbed her phone and pulled it up. Wow is all I can say! It's a strapless white gown, and has like this lacy white overlay that has all these what looks like black roses on the front and on the back train of the dress. Damn, she's gonna look hot as hell in this!

"I love it, babe. Gonna try it on?" I asked.

"No way! You have to wait. How does Saturday, June 1st sound?" She asked.

"Like it's six months away." I replied. She started laughing.

"We can always go to Vegas and have Elvis marry us instead, but I think some people might be a little upset they were there. Up to you though. I'm fine either way." She smiled. "I don't need a fancy wedding Sid. I'd be happy at the courthouse. You have way more friends than I do."

"Let me think on that one. I don't know if I want to wait that long, but I would like the guys and Blake and Jo there. I'll get back to you." I smiled. She giggled and nodded.

Damn! What do I do? Not sure I want to wait that long. But, it's not like either of us are going anywhere. I hate decisions like this.