Rough Patch

25

Tyler Joseph 

Time was moving pretty slow. I just wanted the twins to be here already. I was so excited but so scared at the same time. I was afraid to bring more children into this messed up world but I had to remember that I could make their experiences better. 

I was sitting in the studio writing down a few more lyrics and making corrections and additions to my already written songs. I was also trying to plan out days to go do some interviews. I have my first one this afternoon and by saying I was nervous would be an understatement, I was terrified. I had never done an interview alone before. I have only ever done them with Josh right beside me but I knew I was strong enough to do this. 

My alarm on my phone goes off telling me that it's time to head over to the first interview. I chose to drive myself since it was close and I didn't feel like hiring security and a driver to take me a few blocks from my home. I grab my beanie off the couch in the studio and slip it on before going to say goodbye to Jenna and Ellie. Right when I walk up the stairs Jenna is on her feet, as fast as her pregnant body can handle, and over to me. She wraps me in a hug. 

"You're going to do great. I believe in you." She says before giving me a quick kiss. 

"Thank you. I love you." I reply. 

"I love you more. Now, go get this interview. It's going to be the best interview you've ever done. I can feel it." I smile at Jenna and walk over to Ellie who is sitting on the floor playing on an ipad. I crouch down next to her and she looks up at me and smiles. 

"Bye dad!" She says. I smile at her. 

"Bye sweet girl. I'll be back soon." 

"Okay! Bye!" She replied and went right back to her game. I kiss the top of her head and I stand up. I take a deep breath in and let it out. I look at Jenna and nod. I grab my keys off the counter and leave the house. This is it. This is the start of my next journey.

///---////

I arrive to the office building where the interview is taking place. It's a pretty big building and it looked very professional which made me intimidated. I walk in slowly and see an elderly lady sitting at a desk with a head set on and working on a computer. I walk up to her and looks up at me. 

"How can I help you?" She asks me in a monotone voice. 

"Um...I'm here for an interview with the radio station?" I say. She lifts her eyebrows as if she doesn't believe me. 

"What's your name?" 

"Tyler Joseph."  I answer. She types and clicks around on her computer for a few moments before looking back at me. 

"You're going to be upstairs, level 3. Room 360. It'll be on your right." 

"Thank you." I say with a small smile. I head to the elevator and take it up to level 3. I get out of the elevator and there are just rows and rows of doors. I look on my right side for 360 and when I find it, I open the door and it's like I just entered a whole other office building. There was another receptionist sitting at a desk but she was younger and looked a lot friendlier which made my nerves calm a bit.

I walk up to the receptionist and she glances up at me and gives me a large smile. 

"Tyler Joseph! How are you today?" She says. I smile at her greeting. 

"I'm doing alright. And yourself?" I reply.

"I'm doing just great. Are you all set for your interview?" 

"I sure hope so." 

"Well, Leo is ready for you in studio 4. It's just down your hall to your left." 

"Thanks so much." 

"It's not a problem." I take a breath and find studio 4. The door was already open so I just walked in. I saw some camera people and sound people out there and then I see a guy who seemed about my age sitting in front of a microphone and wearing a headset. He catches me looking at him and smiles and waves me over. 

"Take a seat right across from me, Tyler! I'm Leo, it's nice to meet you." He greets. He puts his hand out for me to shake it. 

"Nice to meet you too." I reply, shaking his hand. A crew member comes over and gives me a headset to put on and makes sure my microphone is working properly. There was some music playing but I could tell the song was towards the end. 

"Alright, so, once this song ends I'm going to introduce you. Just be yourself, chime in whenever and I'll ask you some questions and we'll just have fun!" Leo explains. 

"Sounds like a plan!" I reply. I sit back in my chair and wait for the song to finish. Once the song comes to a close, there were a lot of buttons pressed and Leo sat up in his chair straighter. 

"What a great song. If you wanna know about more new music that's also great you should listen to the new song by Mr. Tyler Joseph! That's right, Tyler from Twenty one pilots. And guess what? I've got him right here in front of me ready to catch up. How's it going Tyler?" Leo introduces.

"Oh, it's going Leo. I'm doing pretty good." I reply into the microphone. 

"Wonderful. Now, we have so much to catch up on. Where do I even start?" 

"Where ever you want, man. Just pick a spot and go for it." 

"Alright alright. So, we haven't heard from you for quite a few years and all of a sudden you pop back to the surface with no warning! What caused that sudden appearance from you?" 

"Wow. Just digging right in." 

"Hey, you said start wherever!" Leo chuckles. I laugh a little as well. 

"You got me there." I say and take a moment to pause and think. "Well, a lot of things influenced me to get back out there but it's hard to pin point just one. I guess if I had to choose one out of the many factors it would be my family. My wife and daughter. I wasn't being a good enough husband and father and going back to music really helped me get to where I wanted to be." 

/////----//////

I hit the end of the interview. One of the crew members gave the sign to wrap everything up and I was in the clear. I hadn't had one question that I couldn't answer or that was hard for me to talk about. But I celebrated too early. 

"So, I know we are almost out of time and hate to end this way but I need to ask as a friend and supporter. How have you been dealing this past few years without your late best friend and band mate Josh Dun?" Leo asked. My heart sunk and I couldn't get words to form. I closed my eyes for a brief second and I got the strength to speak. I imagined Josh being right next to me through this. I could do it. I cleared my throat. 

"It's clearly been tough. I got to a bad place in my life and I sat there for a pretty long time and then I realized that I needed to let go. Josh is always going to be a huge part of my life and he will always be my best friend but I knew he would want me to move on and focus on being a great husband and father and to continue the legacy of twenty one pilots. All of the music I create from now on is to keep Josh alive with all of our fans. It's to let people know that even though Josh may not be physically here, he is here within the music."