Second Chances

Chapter 20

"I want to thank all our guests tonight! They were so great! Give it up for the Roots over there!" Jimmy pointed over to Quest and the guys. "Stay Tuned for Late Night with Seth Meyers. Hope to see you tomorrow, bye bye!"

Jimmy waved at the camera before starting his run up the steps to give high gives to the audience just as my phone started playing the opening guitar riff to AC/DC’s Back in Black, Liam’s ringtone as I sat in Jimmy’s dressing room watching the show.

"Hey Lee," I answered.

"Hey Mads, how you doing today? I just wanted to call and see how you were holding up." Today was the one year anniversary of Grams’ death. I was so focused on Jimmy I’d almost forgotten for a few hours, but as soon as I heard my brother’s voice the pain and sadness I’d felt all day came back full force.

"I’m…. I’m hanging in there." I replied with a sigh. "Trying to keep myself busy. Watching Jimmy finish the show right now. It’s a pretty great show tonight. Watch it if you get a chance. It will help if you laugh. How are you, guys doing?"

"I’m hanging in there too, so is Bridget. But mom… she’s having a tough time today. Dad is doing what he can, but…" He trailed off.

"I know… I get it. I’m more like mom than I would like to admit," I’m pretty sure Liam mumbled ‘no shit’ under his breath, but I chose to ignore it. "But… maybe try to get her out of the house. Take her to do something she loves to do. I know that getting away for even 5 minutes would help me. It has helped me. It’s gotta be the hardest on her. I mean.. imagine if Mom died… or Daddy.. we’d be inconsolable for a while. Time isn’t going to heal everything, especially since its the first anniversary."

"Yeah, Stace and I are heading over with the kids in a little while. One of my buddies from work has box seats at Fenway that he gave me so we’re all going to the Sox game, she has no idea." He told me.

"Perfect. Grams loved the Sox and so does Mom. I couldn’t think of a better way to honor her memory myself, Lee. Get Mom out in the sunshine for a while. Make sure she enjoys herself. It’s what Grams would want." I replied.

"Hell yeah, Fenway franks and beer. I’ll have one for you too, Mads." He agreed with a laugh.

"You better. I think I’m gonna be stuck with the catering service for a while. I think Jimmy has to tape something else for the show, I'm not sure. Maybe we can sneak out for dinner tonight though. I wouldn’t mind spending time with just Jimmy. It sounds crazy, but being around him helps more than I ever imagined it could."

"I don’t doubt that. He’s a good choice for you, Mads." Liam said. "And I’m always a phone call away if you need me."

"Thanks, Lee, I know you are." I told him as Jimmy walked in laughing. "Jimmy’s here so I’ll talk to you later. Send everyone my love. Especially mom."

"Ok, love you sis."

"Love you too, Lee." I told him and hung up, slipping my phone into my pocket.

"Hey babe! Did you like the show?" Jimmy asked with a smile.

"Yeah, it was amazing. As usual." I gave Jimmy a forced smile, I wasn’t in a happy mood right now.

"Who was that?" Jimmy asked as he tossed his jacket on the couch and loosened his tie and slipped it out of his collar.

"Oh on the phone? Liam, he was just checking to see how I was doing today."

"Did you tell him fantastic and that Orlando was amazing and he’s a sucker for being stuck up north? Cause you should have." Jimmy grinned and leaned down to kiss me, but I turned so his lips met my cheek instead because I wasn’t feeling very affectionate at the moment. "Not kissing today? Someone is in a great mood."