Falling in Love with The Fox

Saying goodbye to Peter

It was May 18, 1980. My name is Jessica and I grew up being close friends with famous Paul Stanley. I was at my Brooklyn apartment when the phone rang. I hopped up quickly to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Hey Jess, its Paul." I heard Paul say through the phone.

"Oh hey, what's up?" I asked curiously.

"I've got some bad news, well good and bad." Paul said.

"What is it?" I asked worriedly.

"Its Peter, we fired him." Paul said.

"Oh. I guess that is bad and good news. How are you going to find someone before the next tour?" I asked.

"That's the bad part, I don't know. I guess we just need to get it out everywhere that we're having auditions for a new drummer." Paul said in a stressed voice.

"Yeah, that's all you can really do." I said.

"Well can you come over, we're gonna need all the help and ideas we can get." Paul said.

"Yeah I'll be over there soon." I said. We said our goodbyes and I hung up the phone. Wow, they actually fired Peter. I knew they had talked about it, but I didn't know if they would or not. By they I meant Paul and Gene. I wasn't a big fan of Peter, I mean he was a nice guy, but he drank and did drugs a lot. And I knew that was something Paul and Gene were against, well the drug part at least. They had drinks every once in a while.

I was still in my pajamas so I went upstairs and changed into a jean skirt and a KISS crop top. I threw on some heels and a little makeup. Then I wet my hair making my hair curly from my perm. I grabbed my purse and was out the door. I got in my car that Paul had gotten me. Actually Paul had gotten me a lot of stuff. He even paid the rent of my apartment. But he didn't do it without a little work on my part, I was kind of like a secretary or intern. I always got the guys drinks or coffee, helped with makeup if we were running late for a show, helped them plan shows and the songs they wanted to play. I just helped wherever I could and in turn Paul gave me all the money I needed. So I guess you could say it was my job.

I stopped at the coffee shop and got Paul, Gene, Ace, and Peter's favorite coffees and then I made my way to Paul's literal mansion. Everyone's cars were parked out front as I pulled in. I got out carefully trying not to spill the coffee's and went inside. I heard voices from the living room so I headed that way. I found the band and a few managers sitting there talking. Peter looked pissed and probably didn't want to be here.

"Ah Jessica, you're here thank God." Paul said.

"Oh, and she brought us coffee too, what a sweetheart!" Gene said with a smile.

"I just figured you'd guys want some caffeine." I said with a laugh.

"Yeah, it's much needed right now." Ace said. I handed out the coffees and sat down next to Paul.

"Look Peter, we don't really want to do this." Paul said.

"Then why are you doing it?!" Peter questioned with a raised voice.

"Because we have to!" Gene said.

"Why?!?" Peter demanded.

"Because, you're not the person you once were. You're into drugs and alcohol and it just seems like you're drunk half the time and aren't here for the band and music, but for the drugs and fame." Paul said.

"I don't need this, and I don't need any of you either!" Peter yelled as he stood up and headed for the door. I immediately got up and followed him.

"Peter, Peter!!!" I shouted.

"What?!" He snapped.

"Come here." I said. He walked over and about fell into me, I hugged him tightly as he sobbed on my shoulder.

"I messed it up. I really fucked up this time didn't I? You know, I put a lot of time and effort into this band, and now all the people I thought were my best friends are now stabbing me in the back." Peter sobbed.

"I know it hurts, but hey look at the bright side, Paul and Gene and this whole band aren't controlling your life anymore, you can do whatever you want. Start your own band, go achieve your dreams." I said with a smile.

"I guess you're right." He said wiping his eyes.

"Of course I am!" I said with a laugh, which made him laugh too.

"Well I better get going, keep in touch." He said as he opened the door to his car. He got in and started it up. I leaned in one last time and gave him a hug.

"Oh, one last thing!" He said as he reached over into the passenger seat. He grabbed a pair of his old drumsticks and handed them to me.

"What?! You can't give me these!" I said in shock.

"Look they were my first pair of drumsticks that I played with at our first concert, and I want you to have them. Just make me a promise, don't ever get rid of them." Peter said.

"I promise." I said.

And with a smile Peter drove off into his new life without KISS. I gripped the drumsticks tight in my hand. I would never get rid of them, for I'd never forget Peter Criss.