Sheet Music - A Rock 'n' Roll Love Story

Barbara nodded and pressed her face against his chest.

Annie watched the scene play out between them and wished she were closer in order to hear what they were discussing.  Whatever it was, it was intimate.  Too intimate, she thought, with touches that seemed all too familiar to them.  It was as if they were old lovers.  Jealousy began to simmer in Annie’s stomach.  Ashamed of herself for thinking the worst, she turned away.

In the car, Michael was quiet.  Annie wanted more than anything to question him about his conversation with Barbara, but she didn’t.  It would do nothing but cause an argument.  By the time they pulled into their driveway, he was sleeping beside her in the passenger seat.  She helped him into bed, and he slept for what seemed like days.  The only time he left the bedroom was for a doctors appointment, and that was after much protesting.

After two weeks, his routine had more to do with hiding from reality than with his recovery.  He had managed to shut everyone out of his life, including Annie, and even refused to see visitors.  No matter what she said or did, it seemed to cause an argument.

He had searing pains and tingling sensations that intermittently shot through his arm all hours of the night and day; which kept him from sleeping soundly.  Most often, he would sleep on the family room couch.  He refused the pain medication offered by the doctors, wanting to tough it out by himself.  But each day that passed, he sank into a deeper depression.

“Michael, lets go for a drive and take Sammi to the park or something,” Annie suggested, sliding the bedroom drapes open to illuminate the darkened room.  “It’s gorgeous outside and you could use some fresh air and sunshine.”

He rolled away from her in bed and barely acknowledged her presence.  “I don’t want to.  Go without me.”

Annie sat on the edge of the bed.  “And, I don’t want to go alone.”

“Then find someone else to go with you and let me sleep.”

Annie stood from the bed.  Tears burned in her eyes.  She carefully smoothed her summer sundress down over her hips and headed for the door.

“Shut the damn curtains on your way out, please,” he mumbled.

The tone of his voice caused rage to fill her body.  She stomped across the room to the wide expanse of windows, then deliberately opened the drapes further and pushed open the French doors, filling the room with sunlight and the scents of summer.

Michael propped himself up on his good arm.  “What the hell did you do that for?” he yelled.

Annie spun around and faced him.  “It’s been weeks, Michael.  It’s time you got out of bed and out of this house!  Now, get your ass dressed.  We’re going for a drive.”

She stormed from the room before he had time to reply and went down to the kitchen.  She paced nervously, wondering if he would come down at all.  Thirty minutes later, he finally appeared, wearing an old pair of sweat pants, bare-chested, and ungroomed.  His eyes met hers with an angry glare.  Annie felt her blood turn cold.

“You’re not dressed,” she said quietly, refusing to back down.

Without looking at her, he poured himself a cup of coffee.  “And I have no intention of getting dressed,” he answered.  He took the newspaper from the kitchen table and headed upstairs, and presumably back to bed.

Annie began to follow, but the ring of the telephone interrupted her plan.

“Hello.”

“Hi, Annie.  It’s Barbara.”

Hearing a familiar voice, Annie sighed heavily.  “Hi Barbara.  How are you doing?”

“Okay.  Every day is different.  I have my good days and then there are those days I’d like to forget.  How is Michael doing?”

Annie sat at the breakfast bar and ran her free hand through her hair.  “Not too good.  I mean, physically, he’s healing nicely.  He got a new cast put on which is much smaller and easier for him to cope with.  And his doctors are pleased and hopeful with the results of their surgery too.  But emotionally, he’s a mess.  He won’t leave the house, let alone the bedroom, and refuses to visit with anyone that should happen to stop by.  All he wants to do is sleep and argue.”

“I figured as much, since he hasn’t called me.  I suspect he’s in for a rough ride dealing with this.”

“I even suggested he get professional help to deal with his loss and that about started World War III.  All I’m trying to do is help and he keeps pushing me further away.”

“They were a lot like brothers, Annie.  There’s a big void there now; which I’m sure he’s finding out, as I am.”

“How are your kids doing?” Annie asked.

“Okay.  The youngest clearly doesn’t understand.  She wants to know when Daddy is coming home.  I think she believes he’s on tour or something.  The oldest…well, he too has been spending a lot of time in his room.  It’s gonna take time for all of us.”

“Well, I’m at my wit’s end.  I’ve run out of ideas to help him, and besides, he doesn’t seem to want any help.  The baby is already three months old and I’m not even sure he cares.”