𝕯𝖊𝖆𝖉 𝕸𝖊𝖒𝖔𝖗𝖎𝖊𝖘

Chapter Eight

The SlipKnot tour had passed, and so did another successful and fruitful year for its musicians.

Joey and Janet grew even closer within their romantic relationship. But several moments hung heavy in Janet's thoughts.

Back when touring, Janet thought she'd switch up their little after-show routine and packed early. She made her way to his dressing room like she had done a couple times before. Mick passed Janet as he came from the stage, carrying the man she was on her way to see. Joey was in utter agony, gripping onto Mick's jumpsuit.

He never wanted her to see him that way, but the pain eventually grew too intense to bare, and got to the point where he had to be carried upon stage to perform.

Janet sat in the waiting room of the hospital, until they led her to his room.

It'd been a week since he had been hospitalized. She had to tell him something important, but she had been putting it off longer than she should have. Joey had already been fired from the band, yet despite making it even, worse she had to tell him.

"Hey." Janet held his hand gently

Joey sent her a groggy drunken smile from all the pain medication they put him under. It made it all the more worse.

Janet sighed, "I have to tell you something."

Joey still held his foolish grin, "Yeah?"

'I- I'm leaving.'

Her statement seemed to sober him, "What?!"

Janet looked away with tears in her eyes, "It's my parents. They're-"

It was too hard for her to continue, to hear it fall from her mouth. Joey hugged her close, as Janet started to cry.

"They're d-dying. I have to go back home for a bit to take care of everything."

Joey rubbed her back, "There's nothing wrong with that."

Janet pulled back to look him in the eyes, but she couldn't do it, "I- I'm sorry, Joey."

He placed a finger under her chin to pull her face back to him, "What for?"

'Because I can't be with you any more.'

Joey gave a look of disbelief, "Who ever said that?"

"I don't think I can handle a relationship so far away." She finally said. It got under her skin and stressed her to the max.

Janet hid her face behind her hands partially in fear at how he might react.

"Look at me," He brought her gaze back to him once again, "I don't care how far away. You're my girl, and vise versa. All those dates and times spent holding each other weren't for nothing. I really do love you."

The two embraced in a desperate hug.

"Can you handle a year by yourself 'til I get back?"

Joey gave a soft comforting smile, "This little disease hasn't killed me. It won't be easy, but a I think I can handle it."

'You're such a fuckin' unit!'

🥁🥁🥁

Janet had flew back home for a year. She was glad she could take off such a long period due to the band. They too were taking a break of sorts to look for a new drummer.

Both her parents had grown very ill during their old age. Eventually to the point of being taken back and forth from hospital to rest home many times for their ailments.

Janet's father was the first to pass. He had developed a serious infection in his lungs, along side double pneumonia and emphysema.

And not even a month later, her mother passed away from brain complications and a broken heart.

In some sick way, it made her think of Joey and herself. Janet had left him back in Iowa to take care of her parents in Florida. She wondered if he was just as heart-broken, like her mother had been over her father.

They spoke through phonecalls and texted each other regularly, even a video chat every once in a while.

Oh, how she missed her favourite heavy metal drummer.

At the same time however, his absence helped Janet realise just how much she loved and appreciated Joey for who he was and how much good he brought into her life.

Though Joey got used to it after a few months with their distant relationship, it only grew more difficult for Janet each and every day. Yet she managed to get by.

After taking care of funerals and years-old debts, her time in Florida flew by like a fast flying bird. But not fast enough for her to see her boyfriend.

She grew bored quickly throughout her time. Between writing new bass lines for future songs and taking care of family problems, she found herself wanting to go to a concert; craving the feel of music rattling her ribs. Better yet, Janet finally could go to a concert she'd been wanting to go to since she was little.

Joey had miraculously healed well, and he got his legs back through intensive therapy. But he still was fired from SlipKnot, and it still stung like a fresh wound.

He got over it eventually, and found work as best as he could with his other smaller band Murder Dolls.

All that was on his mind was his sweet Janet, waiting as best a man could for the year to be over.