October 17th 2018
"I really wish you wouldn't smoke in here." Kristina says, watching Julian. The city lights from the open window outline his silhouette in the late afternoon's darkness.
"It's a smoking room, it's okay."
"That's not what I meant." She comments, getting out of bed and walking over to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "You don't look so good. You went too hard last night."
"I went as hard as I always go. I have to go, I have a show to get ready for. I don't have fucking time for this." He growls, pulling away from her.
She looks at her reflection in the window. "Oh, Julie, you're gonna fall apart."
Later
Alexis touches Kristina's shoulder. "How's he doing?"
"Same as always, but he's getting worse. His nose is always bleeding, he hardly eats, doesn't sleep, drinks, smokes, does cocaine, and parties until he drops. And the shows aren't helping."
"Thanksgiving is the last show until March. He has a chance to rest then. If you think he can make it until then."
"At this rate, he can't."
"It's three more shows and a press conference. How are his hands."
"He could hardly open the toothpaste container this morning. He couldn't button his shirt by himself. I don't think he'll be able to do Bloodstains tonight."
"Shit." Alexis curses. "And the cold will only make things worse. Okay, I'll tell them we're saving Bloodstains for last and only do it if Julian can manage. Shit, what about C.F.S?"
"There's no way. His hands will lock up after Cut Deep, maybe Picture Frame if we're lucky. We should start with Ballad of a Doomed Man, that's the most guitar heavy song they're doing." Kristina says, looking over to where the band is sitting. "What are we gonna tell the others?"
"I'll do that. You worry about making sure Julian stays sober until after the show. Or at least until halftime. At least that way we can get all the guitar heavy songs out of the way before he's too high to hit the right notes. Let's hope he's in the screaming mood tonight." Alexis says.
"Let's hope."
Showtime
"You're gonna do amazing, babe." Kristina encourages, kissing Julian and shoving him towards the stage. She turns to Alexis. "He's high. I don't know when got high, but he is."
"He's not high, not like you're thinking. Leo just called and asked if he can facetime him during intermission. He's riding a natural high."
"For now." Kristina sighs. "He'll stay sober until Leo hangs up. Then he'll be take a mountain up his nose."
"Than keep an eye on him, or give him something else to do."
"There won't be enough for anything!"
"I'm not suggesting you blow him, I'm just saying give him something he can't refuse. Kiss him. Hug him. Take care of his hands. Tell him how much you're loving the show. Anything to keep him busy." Alexis says.
"I can do that."
Halftime
"Hey, buddy." Julian pants, smiling at his phone. "How'd you like the first half?"
"It was freaking awesome!" Leo exclaims. "Ballad of a Doomed Man is my favorite. What are you gonna sing next?"
"That doesn't matter, now does it? You know you can't watch. And it's past your bedtime already. You only got to stay up to watch part one. Now you have to go to sleep."
"Okay, Dad. I love you. I'll see you on Halloween, I can't wait to trick or treat with you again."
"Night, Bud, see you in two weeks." Julian hangs up and looks up at Kristina. "Hey, babe."
"How are your hands?"
"Tight. I need a painkiller."
"Promise me it'll be the only thing you take tonight." She puts her hand on her pocket.
"I promise. Now, give me my drugs so I can go finish this show."
She hands him the bottle. "Only one or two, none of this three or four bullshit."
He pours a couple in his hands and swallows. "It felt like four." He says, grabbing a bottle of beer from the box behind her. "Oh, by the way, we aren't going home after the show. The guys wanna hang out."
"Do I have to?"
"If you don't want to you don't have to. I can't promise I won't have sex Morgan or Curtis, or both."
"What you gonna do?"
"Drink, probably brainstorm new songs. Gossip like the old women we are." He says.
"I'll come, but I might leave early. Has Lucas showed up yet?"
"He's not coming. Wiley was throwing up and cause Brad is working Lucas doesn't want to dump a babysitter with a sicky kid."
"That's commendable. I'll see him on Halloween, it's not that big a deal. I gotta get back out there. I love you." He leans forward and kisses her, pulling off his shirt and tossing it to her as he runs back on.
"Child." She rolls her eyes.
