Patience

Twenty-four

GUNS N ROSES CANCELS TOUR

Axl Rose announced the day after the Detroit show that Guns N Roses would be cancelling the rest of their tour due to a "family emergency." Rose announced that the band would go on to play the next few shows, but then their hiatus would begin. Rose did not specify whose family, or what happened, only that the tour would not go on. Rose did announce that dates would be rescheduled for a later time.

I plopped down on the couch and opened up the newspaper. I read the paper as Megan sat on the floor, making gurgling noises and saying, "mama" over and over. It made me feel bad, considering I'm not her mother. Only her aunt.

I sighed and set the paper down on the coffee table. I went to pick Megan up. I sat down on the couch, Megan in my lap, watching as she chewed on a teething toy.

"What are we gonna do, Megan?" I asked, knowing I'd get no logical response. I bounced her on my leg. Of course, the only response I received was giggling and gurgling. Then, she went back to her teething toy.

"Maybe we should go for a nice walk? How does that sound?" I asked Megan.

Again, I received the same response. I smiled. "Great. That's what I thought."

I strapped Megan in her stroller, and wheeled her out of the apartment. We walked along the sidewalk that lined the beach for a little while. I stopped occasionally to look out at the ocean. After a bit, we made our way back to civilization, walking along the street of the apartment.

"Is walking you dangerous? Your mommy didn't really give me instructions, so unless I'm told differently, I say walking is fine," I said to Megan in that voice that you only use to talk babies and dogs with.

I looked over to my left and stopped when I saw a magazine in a store window with Axl on the front cover. He had talked excitedly about that shoot, and we had been waiting for the photos to come out. I smiled and looked down at Megan.

"Look at that! How about we get it for Axl as a surprise for when he gets back?" I asked Megan. Once again, I was met with some giggling.

I walked into the store and picked up the magazine. I purchased it, and I couldn't help but frown at the expensive price. Oh well, it's worth it.

"Money doesn't matter. It's for Axl," I said to Megan as we walked out of the store.

I decided to head back to the apartment and call Amy, just to see how things were going.

"Are you tired, Megan? Ready for a nappy?" I asked her, taking her out of the stroller.

"No," She said and giggled.

I frowned. "Another word, huh? Mama and no. Interesting," I muttered to myself.

I carried her into her room and put her down. "Well, that's too bad. You'll have to take one, anyway," I said, kissing her on the forehead.

I shut the lights off and left the room. I went to the phone and called Amy.

"Hello?"

"Amy! It's Lucy! How is everything? How's Axl?" I asked.

"Um, Lucy, I was just about to call you about that," Amy began.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"He's been having some terrible mood swings since the other night. He's been stopping in the middle of songs to yell at people, and last night he just ended the show completely," Amy said.

"In the middle of the show?" I asked, holding the phone between my shoulder and ear so I could reach over and grab the magazine I bought. That doesn't sound like Axl, I thought. I wonder what's gotten into him.

"I don't know if he's just stressed or what, but I think it's a good thing we'll be home tomorrow," Amy said.

"Tomorrow? Already? Okay. Well, thanks for telling me," I said. Time really went by quickly.

"It's nothing. I'll keep an eye on him for you," Amy said.

"Thanks, Amy. I'll see you later, then?"

"Yeah. See you, Lucy." Amy hung up.

I read through the magazine, and winced when I read about Axl's meltdowns on stage. I shook my head and bit my lip. Axl is going to be pissed if he finds out that I bought this.

I then began ripping it apart before tossing it in the trash can. I sat down on a stool at the island in the kitchen, and put my head in my hands.

What was I supposed to do? I've got a child that's not mine, a sister worried she's going to die, and a bad-tempered boyfriend.

"Life fucking sucks right now," I muttered.