You Shook Me (Sequel to Living Loving Maid)

+12+

"Won't somebody please
Help me with my miseries
Can't somebody see, yeah
What this world has done to me
And I know I know
And I say, oh, I say
That no matter where I go
I will always see your face"
-Always See Your Face by Love

*While Hailey struggles to cope with Jimmy's overdose, Robert keeps trying to help Hailey, but she ends up refusing help. Then, she gets an unexpected call from Rowan.*

Hailey couldn't believe it. It had been a full day, and Jimmy was gone. He wasn't dead, and Hailey hoped it would stay that way. She couldn't bear to lose him. That night, Hailey could barely sleep. Every so often, she would wake up and start crying, and then when she cried enough, she fell back asleep.

When she woke up and headed out of her room, she saw Robert, Jonesy, and Bonzo were still around.

"Why are you guys still here?" Hailey asked.

"We all know how terrible you're feeling right now." Robert answered. "We decided to stay to help make you feel better. You need someone to help you feel better, right?"

"Yeah, I guess."

Hailey went to sit on the couch, sighing. "This entire year has went horribly."

"What do you mean?" Robert asked, sitting next to her.

"My best friend got into a car accident, and now Jimmy overdosed."

Hailey felt tears forming in her eyes, and she started to cry again. She didn't feel like herself anymore. She felt broken. She was a different person without Jimmy. He was the only person she loved, and would ever love. Hailey couldn't believe what had happened, and she felt like she'd never manage to get over it.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Robert asked. "I don't want you getting sick."

"H...how long is Jimmy going to be in the hospital?" Hailey then asked, avoiding Robert's question.

"Probably a few days, like a week. It depends." Robert answered.

Not that long, but I still can't handle that.

"I don't think I can handle him being gone that long without worrying."

Robert sighed. "I understand. We're all going to try to keep you on your feet while Jimmy's in the hospital, though. I know he wouldn't want to see you all upset like this. Please tell me if you need anything."

"I just...need to be left alone." Hailey said, sighing. "There's really nothing that can be done for me at the moment. I still need time by myself."

"I'm just worried that you're going to make yourself sick by worrying and crying so much." Robert said. "You need to try and distract yourself so you end up feeling better."

"Jimmy just...he just means a lot to me. I don't know how I could live without him."

"He's going to be upset too, Hailey." Robert said. "You two are both going to be lost without each other. Jonesy, Bonzo, and I are all staying here while he's gone so that way we can try to help you not worry about Jimmy."

Jonesy nodded. "We'll try to do as much as we can, okay?"

Hailey slowly nodded and a small smile formed on her face. "Thanks." She said. "I appreciate it."

"So...can we do anything?" Robert asked. "Can I do anything? I understand if you just want to be by yourself for now."

"I just want to be by myself for now." Hailey replied. "I'll be okay, though."

In truth, Hailey doubted she'd be alright. She did appreciate Robert and the others being there for her, but she felt like there was really nothing they could do. It was as if she had a wound that could not be mended. Tears started forming in her eyes again, and she went back to her room, sitting on the edge of her bed.

Nothing feels right. Nothing feels normal anymore.

Rowan had gotten into a car accident, and now Jimmy was in the hospital due to a heroin overdose. Hailey felt like the entirety of 1976 so far just consisted of misfortune, and she felt like there was more waiting to happen.

Then, she heard the phone ring. Her heart leapt a little. Was it about Rowan?

Hailey picked up the phone, waiting for a response. A weak "hello" was what she heard. It sounded like Rowan.

"R-Rowan?"

"Yeah, it's me, Hailey. Are you okay? You sound sad."

Hailey's heart sank. "Yeah, I am a little sad. How are you doing?"

"My condition's improving." Rowan answered. "Slowly but surely. Anyways, why are you sad?"

"Jimmy's in the hospital because of a drug overdose."

"Oh my God, really? I'm so sorry, Hailey."

"It's okay. You don't need to feel sorry for me."

"It feels wrong not to feel bad. Anyways, I haven't talked to you in a while. What was happening while we haven't talked?"

"Started living with Jimmy, and I got engaged, to him, of course."

"Really? Hailey, that's amazing."

"Yeah, it is."

Hailey could hear some noise in the background, followed by the sound of a woman speaking.

"Sorry to cut the conversation short, but I have to go. Gotta eat."

"Talk to you later, Rowan."

Once Rowan hung up, Hailey put the phone back down, and she felt a tiny bit of relief, and felt thankful that Rowan was at least doing okay. That didn't really give her any hope back, though, and she still couldn't stop worrying about Jimmy, even though it was probably unhealthy for her to do so. All she could worry about was Jimmy dying, and she hoped that wouldn't happen.

Hailey then heard her door open, and she saw Robert.

"Just checking up on you." Robert said. "Do you want tea or something?"

"I guess I'll have some tea."

"Well, you're finally accepting my help. Do you have any preferences?"

Hailey shook her head. "I don't have any preferences, so you can surprise me."

Robert smiled. "Alright. I have the perfect idea."

Then, he closed the door, and was gone. That only distracted Hailey for a few moments, and once Robert was gone, Jimmy entered her mind again. She got up and went to look out the window, and saw that it was starting to get dark outside, and just started to realize how tired she was starting to become.

I guess tea will be a good beverage before sleep. Hailey thought. Then, she closed the curtains and went back to her bed, sitting down on it.

Whatever you do, Jimmy...please don't die.