Breaking in Pieces

Rehearsal

Ali puts her hand over Dec's phone screen and gently pushes it down, pulling it out of his hands. "Honey, don't. Please. You can't." "I have to." Dec was noticeably frustrated. "I'm sorry. Now, let me have my phone. Please." He sounded like an impatient teenager that just got scolded. "No." Ali refused to give in. She'll make such a good mum when Isla comes of 'begging age'. "I'll give it to you, but I want you to sleep on your decision. I know you're hurting right now, and that make you say irrational things. I also can't begin to process how you must feel. However, you are making the wrong decision. I promise you that there will be lots of people who have your back. You may have to look through the hate, which can be tough sometimes, but that love is there. Remember, if you don't have haters you're doing something wrong." She gets up, kisses him, lays his phone on the bed, and walks out.                                                                                                                     Dec sits there in silence, staring at the floor before turning around to see Ali closing the door. She smiles before closing it fully. Dec smiles back to nobody. He gets up and heads downstairs to an Ali that's prepping for lunch in the kitchen. He walks over to the counter and leans on it. "Ya know," he says, "you could be a psychologist!" He grins a cheeky grin that Ali can't help but return. "Keep that in mind when Isla becomes a stubborn teenager." She walks over to the counter top and begins slicing tomatoes. "Rehearsal today?" she asks. Dec responds with a solemn "yeah." "Don't worry," Ali encourages, "you'll do brilliant! Don't forget that you still have a sold-out audience. If you get overwhelmed, just take a deep breath and think of everyone there, supporting you." "I guess you're right." He says it half-heartedly. "Of course!" Ali chimes cheerfully. "I'm always right!" She gives a look that says 'duh' and they both laugh. "I'll go check on Isla." Dec says before heading up the stairs. Ali's words replayed in his head. Could it really be that easy? Just thinking of all the supporters instead of all the haters? Easy, right? Right?! But what if I get booed during the introduction? Oh, I really hope I don't get booed.                                           He walks over to see Isla still snoozing soundly. He breathes a sigh of relief. "Isla, I love you but I don't want to have to deal with you today." he says to her, still sleeping. He hears a little snore and cracks a smile. "Cutie." he mutters before going back downstairs. 

After lunch, Dec goes upstairs to freshen up while Ali stays to clean the kitchen. As he gets his clothes out of the wardrobe, he whispers to himself, "you can do it. 25 years of experience are on your side. Just do what you were born to do." If only he felt that confident. "Oh, who am I kidding?!" he finally says out loud. "I can't do this! I just need to get there and tell them I can't do it!" He gets dressed quickly, angrily before grabbing his car keys and muttering a frustrated "bye" at Ali. Ali watches him walk out the door, a worried look on her face.