CHAPTER 4 – ONE NIGHT, FOUR LIVES

“So you think you’ll be okay? Kevin will be in and out all day, so you wont be completely alone” Kristen smiled as she finished telling Tara everything she could possibly think of
“I think we’ll be fine, don’t you?” Tara questioned smiling up at Sam who was cradled in her arms
“Yeah, can we watch cartoons?” he smiled jumping around excitedly
“I think that could defiantly be arranged” Tara winked plopping Sam back down onto the ground
“Where are you going today?” Kevin inquired from behind the morning paper
“To class, it’s been so long I want to make sure I can still dance” Kristen replied tightening her ponytail
Kevin looked back down, clearly annoyed that she was going back to dancing.
“Are you sure you should be leaving Sam?” Kevin inquired as Tara and Sam wandered out into the lounge
“He’ll be fine, he’s here with Tara”
“But she’s only been in the country for one day”
“Kevin we talked about this, anyway I’ll be back about 3 and you’ll be in and out all day”
“I still don’t think you should go back right now” “You don’t think I should ever go back” Kristen snapped storming out of the kitchen. She was right – he didn’t.

~ AT THE SAME TIME ~
“So now what?” Alicia questioned her head resting peacefully on Nick’s shoulder as they sat side by side
“I'm not sure” Nick replied “But I know I want to see you again” he added
“Tonight?”
“Today”
“I don’t understand”
“We could spend the day together, I mean I don’t really have allot to do, just a quick visit to the studio nothing big, we could just you know catch up”
“Sounds like fun”
“So that’s a yes”
“Yes”

~ 10 MINUTES LATER ~
Brian pilled the wrapped up glass into the trashcan and closed the door silently. He heard her storming down the stairs. He rushed over to the doorway to see her flinging the door open a suitcase in one hand.
“Where are you going?” Brian inquired already half knowing the answer
“I'm going to New York, don’t wait up” she announced the venom practically dripping from her teeth
They had bought – at her request – an apartment up in New York, in the early times of their marriage they used to frequent the place, now all it meant to Brian was the slow but sure disintegration of his marriage. He wasn’t completely thick, and even though he refused to believe it he knew exactly what went on up in New York when he wasn’t there.

“Can’t we talk about this?” Brian pleaded, still trying to grasp onto what was left
“I don’t want to talk to you. I’ll be back when I feel like it” she announced slamming the door in his face.

He watched with a heavy heart as her car sped down the driveway, out the gate and down the road.

~ AT THE SAME TIME ~
“I don’t know who you are, or what I’ve done to deserve you but thank you” Alicia whispered as she embraced Tara
“That’s what friends do” Tara replied simply “Sometimes you know in your head about things, but you just need someone to tell you”
“If ever you need anything or anyone, you know where you can reach me”
“I’ll keep that in mind” Tara smiled as Alicia and Nick left the house
“Well I should get going to, I really just want to get straight into it, I feel like a whale after 2 years” Kristen laughed as she jogged down the stairs.
Kevin hadn’t emerged from the kitchen as of yet.
“Mommy’s got to go out for a while, will you be okay?” she questioned leaning down to Sam’s level
“Me and Tara are gonna play games” Sam said delighted with his new friend
“Okay just make sure you don’t tier poor Tara out” she replied “Are you sure you’ll be okay, no jet lag?” she added
“It’s strange but no, no jet lag” Tara responded
“Okay we’ll Mommy will see you later” Kristen announced kissing Sam’s forehead “If you need to reach me the numbers are all on the fridge”
“Good bye Kev” she called into the kitchen
“Have fun” Kevin replied half heartedly s he strolled out into the foyer
They kissed briefly before Kristen darted out the door.

“I have to go to the studio for a while, nothing big, just put some finalizations on some songs, Kristen seems to think you’ll be alright”
“That’s because we will be, I can assure you that”
“A friend of mine AJ McLean may pop around just give him the black folder on the table, and I'm just going to ring a courier and get them to drop this around to Brian’s” Kevin announced holding up a home made CD.
“No need, he lives just around the corner, me and Sammy will go for a walk later on and hand deliver it” Tara smiled
“You don’t mind?”
“Not at all, there’s a park just around here isn’t there? I saw it this morning”
“Yeah there is”
“Great then I’ll take Sam to the park this afternoon”
“Thanks, that would be great”
“No problem”


~ LATER ON THAT AFTERNOON ~
Jasmine looked down at the card in her hand and back up at the building before her.
“Well it’s the right place” she muttered to herself as she opened the door into the plush reception office An older women looked up at her and smiled politely.
“Can I help you?” she questioned from behind the polished wooden desk
“I'm looking for a Mr. McLean, he gave me this card” Jasmine smiled flicking the card in her hands
“And your name is?”
“Jasmine Reid”
“He said you may call in, he’s actually not in the office right now, in fact he rarely is” she chuckled “He takes care of most of the work at home, you can leave a message for him here or I could give you his phone number”
“I prefer to see people face to face, that way I can tell if they’re bullshitting me, is that at all possible?”

~ AT THE SAME TIME ~
“So Sam how would you like to go for a walk to uncle Brian’s house?” Tara inquired standing up
“Can I ride my bike?” Sam questioned his blue eyes filled with question
“As long as you make sure I can keep up”
“Yeah! Let’s go”

~ 5 MINUTES LATER ~
The door slammed shut as Brian looked up from the couch.
“Guess where I’ve fucking been all morning” Leigh Anne announced storming into the lounge
“You think that’s funny, canceling the card? You stupid little ass” she screamed throwing the credit card at Brian
“What are you talking about?” Brian responded
“YOU! You cancelled the card”
“I did not”
“Then why did they tell me I couldn’t use it?”
“Maybe because it’s maxed out, the bank rung this morning after you’d left”
“Then give me your one” she screeched in annoyance
“No, I'm not about to let you just walk out like that, we need to talk”
“You need to get off my fucking back, no hand over the other card”
“No Leigh Anne not this time, you need help”
“I NEED that damn card”
“I think you should go to an AA meeting”
This brought a smiled to Leigh Anne’s face.
“Why because I enjoy a few drinks?”
“You start at 8 in the morning Leigh, don’t you think that means you have a problem”
“Maybe that problems you, YOU’VE made me who I am Brian” she screamed flinging the front door partially open.

~ AT THE SAME TIME ~
It didn’t take long for Sam & Tara to walk the distance, in fact it only took about 10 minutes. Tara walked up the stairs first, Sam close behind her. She held the package tightly in her hands as she approached the door.

“Look will you just calm down and listen to me” Brian announced from inside the house
“Why the fuck should I listen to you?” Leigh Anne screamed in response
“Because I'm trying to help you”
“I don’t want you fucking help, I want the god damn money are you too fucking thick to get that, you stupid shit!”Leigh Anne shouted heaving an object of some sort against the wall smashing whatever it was into thousands of pieces.

Tara backed away from the door, unsure of what she should do – but before she could think Sam had darted under her legs and into the door.
“Sam wait” Tara called running in after him

“I can’t deal with this” Brian muttered walking out into the entrance
“ASSHOLE” a high-pitched voice screamed
He looked at Tara and Sam, horror written all over his face.
“Don’t you fucking walk away form me” Leigh Anne hissed heaving an object from around the corner It flew through the air with unreadable speed – hurtling toward the three onlookers.

It hit Tara square on the head and into a crumpled heap she fell, as Sam began to cry his eyes out. Leigh Anne emerged fully from the lounge, to see what had occurred, she looked genuinely shocked as Tara lay seemingly lifeless on the ground.

“Look what you did” Brian announced kneeing down beside Tara
Leigh Anne looked around the room, and saw what she was looking for. She scooped the wallet into her hands and picked up her bag for the second time.
“Oh well you can screw her better Brian, fuck her god damn brains out for all I care” she announced as she walked out the front door.

~ AT THE SAME TIME ~
“That all really happened?” Nick inquired shock written all over his face as Alicia finished telling him about the past few years as they sat in his flash Tampa Bay home
“Yeah, I'm still kinda trying to deal with it now” Alicia whispered quietly, unsure whether she should have let so much about the last 2 years go like that, but she really needed to talk.
“I'm sorry, I ever left you”
“Don’t be, it wasn’t you fault all that stuff happened”
“But I could have been there, you wouldn’t have to have been alone, I guess I just got scared”
“We all get scared Nick, fear is what makes us who we are”
“Could you ever forgive me?”
“I really want to”
“But?”
“But I need to know you wont leave me again, because I don’t think I could handle that”
“Give me a chance, and I’ll give you the world”
Alicia looked up, her brown eyes calling for every ounce of love Nick would give.
“I don’t want the world, just you” she smiled
“Then you got it” Nick replied, remember the love he’d tried to burry away.
It was all coming back to them – the nights they used to lay in each other’s arms. The passion that they felt whenever they were near each other. Alicia had been to Nick – his first love – Nick had been to Alicia her first time – the two had grown a love so close and pure, so real, and now despite time – they both felt that same love, burning like it did before, deep in their hearts.

~ AN HOUR LATER ~
Jasmine pushed the intercom button and waited patiently for a response.
"Hello?” a male voice inquired “I'm looking for AJ McLean” Jasmine responded
“And you would be?”
“Jasmine Reid, he gave me his card last night at a club”
“Oh um right, come on through”
The gates opened as Jasmine hopped back into her car and drove up the shrub-lined house. It’s modern exterior was filled with large tinted glass windows. The square design boasting a rich cream color.
“Jasmine” AJ smiled opening the door for her
“Mr. McLean” Jasmine replied accepting his gesture to come inside
“Please call me AJ”
“Okay AJ, why the card?”
“I like your voice”
“And my body by chance?
” “That’s nice too”
“Oh I get it, you’re a pimp, sorry I anit interested”
“No, I can assure you I'm not” AJ laughed
“So then what’s the deal?”
“The deal? Look Jasmine, granted you’re an attractive girl, but that’s not what I was drawn to, you’re voice, it’s got something”
“And?”
“And I run a record label, if you’re interested we could run few some songs, do a demo tape, then who knows maybe you could be out there singing to thousands”
“You think so?”
“Definitely”


~ 2 HOURS LATER ~
Tara’s eyes slowly fluttered open, her head pounding with indescribable pain. She slowly sat upright, her hands coupling her head.
“Wakey Wakey” Brian smiled
“Oh Shit” Tara muttered touching her head
“You got a nasty bump there, and a few stitches, probably why it hurts”
“Stitches? When? And why don’t I remember?”
“You’ve been out of it for a while, you were slipping in and out all the way to the hospital, but they said you’d be okay, that’s why I took you back here” Brian smiled wiping some dry blood off her forehead
“Oh Fuck, it hurts. Where’s Sammy?”
“He’s in the next room”
“What time is it?”
“Nearly five”
“No way!” Tara screamed bounding from the bed “Kevin and Kristen are gonna kill me”
“It’s okay, I rung them, and anyway you cant go back home” Brian said softly touching her shoulder
“Why?”
“There’s a storm coming, Kevin recons you should stay here with Sam until it’s over, it’s pretty rough out there” Tara sulked over to the window and pulling back the curtain she was greeted with strong rain pelting against the window pain.
“It was sunny this morning” she muttered in disbelief
“Welcome to Florida weather” Brian chuckled “You should lie back down, you had a nasty hit there”
Tara didn’t object, her head hurt so much. She flopped down back onto the bed, her eyes all of a sudden feeling extremely heavy.
“Looks like that jet lag is catching up on you too” Brian smiled pulling the blanket over her small body
“If you need anything just call. And I'm really sorry this happened” he announced walking over to the door
“Brian, I know it’s not nay of my business, but I heard most of the argument and –“
“No Tara you’re right, it’s not your business” Brian interrupted before closing the door behind him

~ AT THE SAME TIME ~
“It’s really bucketing out there huh?” Alicia said as she starred out the large bay windows
“Looks like you’ll have to stay” Nick winked, wrapping his arms around her waist
“And do?”
“Reminisce”
His lips glided down her neck, sliding his tongue along behind. He led her slowly over to the couch. She didn’t object, sitting down on his command. His hands held onto her tightly, slowly venturing up her top, sliding across her back. They crossed over to the front of her body, his finger gently circling her nipple. Gently he lay her down, his lips barely touching hers. She reached up, removing the shirt he was wearing swiftly from his body. The sound of the clapping thunder merely heightened their passion as swiftly clothes were strewn about the room in careless disorientation. Her chest moved with heavy breaths as his mouth made it’s way down her body, suckling her skin, as in intrigued by it’s softness. She spoke his name softly, begging him for the loving she’d craved for so long now. His hand rubbed against her, slowly but surely reeling her into his amorous web. Unable to hold himself back any longer he pushed himself into her, causing hot air to escape from her mouth. She held him closer to her, as he pushed himself in deeper. His love was just as she remembered it, and as the clock swiftly showed the time, they melded together, in hot, passionate lust.

~ AT THE SAME TIME ~
The loud sound of the thunder outside, prevented Tara from gaining any more sleep. Her head ached and she was furious with herself for getting into this, after only been in the country for almost 2 days. She slipped out form under the covers, her body still clad in the jeans and T-Shirt she had picked out and put on earlier in the morning. Her thin body shock with the sound of the poring rain just outside, the thought of it making her cold. She opened the door to the room and looked down the passage, there was no one in sight. Quietly she made her way down the stairs her head still pounding with pain. She reached the lounge where she heard voices,
“Now draw a fish” Sammy instructed chuckling happily “And a tree” he added
“A fish and a tree? Together?” Brian laughed
“A Fish in the tree”
“In the tree?”
“Yeah”
Tara walked into the lounge, where the fireplace was alive with enchanted flames, that danced around the wood.
“Are you okay?” Brian inquired looking up from his position on the ground, Sam snugly sitting on his lap
“Yeah I'm, fine, but um, some Disprin would be good” Tara responded feeling the warmth of the first push against her cold arms
“Some what?” Brian questioned
“Disprin, oh right you probably wouldn’t know what that is, um pain killers” Tara laughed
“Oh right”
Brian removed Sam from his lap, as he happily scribbled on a piece of paper. Tara followed Brian out of the lounge, down the hall, into the kitchen.

“I'm sorry I never should have put my nose in” Tara said quietly as she sat down at the breakfast bar
“It’s okay, behind us now right?”
“Yeah, I guess”

~ 2 HOURS LATER ~
Sam was now sound asleep in the spare room, even the loud rain and thunder didn’t scare him. Tara and Brian sat mindlessly watching the TV in the lounge. All of a sudden everything went black, the TV switched off, the lights went and the only thing left was the blazing fire.
“Great” Brian mumbled stumbling around in the almost blackness
“Um got some candles?” Tara questioned
It took Brian a while to fumble around though the draws but finally his hand emerged with some candles and matches. They set about lighting them and placing them on anything they could find that would double as a candleholder, and placing the freestanding thick ones, on the table, on top of a layer of old newspaper.
“There we can see” Tara smiled her eyes adjusting to the dim lights “Now what do we do?” she added shivering a little
“You look cold” Brian interrupted
“A little” Tara replied
“Here use this” Brian said taking one of the throw rugs on the seats and flinging it around Tara’s shoulders
“So um, how old are you?” Brian inquired trying to strike up a conversation
“I'm 19, as of a couple of weeks ago”
“Oh well, um happy birthday” he chuckled
“You?” she questioned
“28” he said, almost sadly
“Really? You don’t look it”
“Thanks I think. Oh you have a little spot of blood there,” Brian said wiping his finger just above her eye
Tara couldn’t help but notice how beautiful his eyes were with the reflection of the flickering candles in them, yet he still looked sad.
“Brian, I’ve always been a person that believe in saying what they see. Are you happy?”
“What kind of a question is that?”
“One that I think we both know the answer to. You look sad, I can see it in your eyes”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about” Brian responded brushing her off
“Don’t you? I know that it’s not my business Brian, but no person should live with what you do,” Tara said softly
“You don’t know me, how do you possibly know what I live with?” Brian snapped turning his head away
“Someone once told me, your eyes are the window to your heart, the give away so much, they say things you mouth never could, and if you look deep enough into your own eyes Brian, you’ll see what I see, that sadness. I'm just telling you like it is”
“She’s my wife, this is my problem” Brian muttered dropping his tired head into his hands
“You deserve better, and I don’t need to know you to see that”
“Why is it that everybody tells me that?”
“Because it’s the truth”
“I can’t leave herm she’s my wife”
“So? You think that ring on hers or anyone else’s finger gives them the right to hurt anyone, especially the person the once professed to love”
“You think I should leave her too?”
“I think you should do what’s best”
“That’s what I'm trying to do” Brian huffed standing up and pacing around the room
How could a stranger be so right?
“Is it? Best for whom? Tell me, do you ever want kids?”
“Sure, I love children”
“Would you ever bring one into this home, knowing what happens, would you do that to a child?”
Silence came over the room – they both knew the answer.

Chapter Five

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