Make Love Not War

One Part Story

"Shannon." The whisper escaped her lips, half awake, half asleep, reaching across the bed to find the warmth of his body.

Ali's fingers curled around empty sheets, finding cool linen and a dip in the mattress where her husband's body once lay.

She slowly sat up, stretched and padded to the bathroom, another morning waking up in an empty bed.

Ali sat down on the edge of the toilet, sinking her head into her hands. The cool tiles soon woke her senses and set her wondering where Shannon was.

They'd been married for almost a year now and it hadn't been easy. Shannon and Jared had been touring endlessly with 30 Seconds to Mars. On top of that, Shannon was working with Travis trying to promote Black Fuel.

This meant their time together was so precious. But recently Ali had noticed Shannon seemed a million miles away. She'd wake up, like this morning, to an empty bed, the night before just a distant memory.

She sighed and pulled herself together, dragging on her pyjama bottoms and Shannon's old biker T-shirt.

"Shannon!" This time it was definitely NOT a whisper. She could feel the anger rising from the pit of her stomach, angry that whatever he was doing was more important than waking up with his new wife.

Taking two steps at a time, Ali stumbled downstairs, desperate to know what he was up to. Sunshine filtered through the blinds, casting shadows across the kitchen. On the table there was an empty mug of coffee. Next to it, a scribbled note.

"Babe, sorry I had to leave early. Gone to see Jared. Speak later x"

Ali sat down, looking at the words; pissed and just a little bit jealous of the hold his brother had over him. The kettle boiled and Ali made herself a cup of green tea before grabbing her phone from her purse.

She scrolled down her list of contacts, searching for Belle. They'd been friends since school and she was always a shoulder to cry on at times like these.

One ring ... two rings ... three rings .... Ali was just about to hang up when the line connected.

"Ali! What's up my lovely? I was just thinking about you."

Ali sighed before answering. "Shan's gone again. He left me a note saying he's over Jared's."

There was silence from Belle. Then she said: "Ali, what's the problem. Before you married him, we talked about his relationship with Jared. You know how close they are babe."

Ali wrapped her free hand around the warm cup, knowing her friend was right – but also unable to control the anger rising inside at being abandoned so often.

"Fuck. I know Belle but it's not stopping me from feeling pissed off with him. I've spent months by myself while he's away touring. I gave up everything for him and now I feel shit and lousy and I just want ....."

"Want what Ali?" Belle was quiet, waiting for an answer.

Ali could feel hot tears filming over eyes, not wanting to admit what she wanted.

"I want Shannon here with me Belle. I want a family. You know how wonderful he is with children, you've seen the way he handles them. He'd be a brilliant dad ... but he's never here for me."

A sob escaped Ali's lips. She couldn't believe she'd voiced her most secret desire. "Belle don't tell anyone what I just said, please."

"Babe, you really need to speak to Shannon. Of course I won't tell anyone but please go and find him and get some serious shit out in the open."