Authors: J. B. Leigh
Bad For Me (19 page)
Part 4 - JJ
Chapter 33
There was a knock on the door—I'd told Julie not to come around, but I knew she would anyway. She'd been really upset when I told her my news yesterday.
“Megan?”
“Can I come in?”
“Err... Yes, sure. Come in. Did Julie send you?”
“She doesn't know I'm here. She told me you were leaving—she's really upset.”
“I know. Will you look after her for me?”
“I can't—sorry.”
“Why... ”
“I won't be here.”
“You're leaving again. What about your job?”
“I'll have to give it up.”
“Where will you go?”
“I don't know.”
“You can't just run away like you did before.”
“I don't know because you haven't told me where we're going.”
“We?”
“That's what I said.”
“You want to come with me?”
“If you'll have me.”
“Are you being serious? This isn't some kind of joke?”
She took a step forward and kissed me gently on the lips. What's the opposite of a nightmare? A really great dream? There should be a better word for it. I was terrified that this was a really great dream, and that I'd wake up at any moment.
“I'm deadly serious,” she said.
“What changed your mind?”
“Billy and Wendy. I saw them today—they're happy—they're in love. I thought they'd be bad for one another, but they're not. They're good for one another. Maybe we could be too. I'd like to try—if you would.”
“Yes. God yes. We'll be good for one another. I promise. Do you trust me?”
“Yes.”
Another knock on the door broke the spell.
“Don't go anywhere,” I said.
Megan smiled. I loved that smile.
“Janet?”
“This trip of yours isn't a good idea, JJ.” Her look of concern changed to one of anger when she spotted Megan. “What's she doing here?”
Megan's smile evaporated.
“Come in, Janet. Let's talk.”
“It doesn't look like there's anything to talk about. I might have known she was behind this.”
She stepped into the apartment, and slammed the door closed behind her. She was still staring at Megan, who seemed to have shrunk several inches.
“Hold on Janet. Don't say any more.”
“JJ, you can't go. Not with her.”
“Her name's Megan.”
“You'll be back on the drink within a week.”
“No he won't,” Megan yelled. “I won't let him.”
“Just like you didn't let your mother or brother.”
I stepped forward so I was standing between them.
“Megan had nothing to do with my decision to leave.”
“So why is she here?”
“Because I love him,” Megan said.
I turned to face Megan. Our eyes met, and for a long moment I forgot Janet was still in the room.
“I love you,” she said—much quieter this time.
I turned back to Janet.
“We'll be okay. I promise.”
“I can't bear the thought of you...” Janet was close to tears, and struggled to get the words out. “I can't bear the thought of you going back to that dark place.”
I stepped forward and pulled her head down onto my shoulder.
“I'll be okay—I promise,” I whispered. “We'll be okay. We'll look after one another.”
Ten minutes later, Janet had managed to compose herself.
“Is there anything I can say which is going to change your mind?” She said; her voice was still raw with emotion.
“No. But, I'm never going to drink again—I promise.”
Janet nodded, and walked over to Megan.
“Look after him.” She stared into Megan's eyes.
“I will. I promise.”
Janet moved back to me, and we embraced.
“Keep in touch. Call me every day.”
“I will.”
And then she was gone. It was just the two of us. Both of us nervous—scared even.
“You said you loved me,” I said in little more than a whisper.
“I do.” Megan smiled. “We're going to be okay, aren't we?”
“Of course we are. We have each other now. That's all that matters.”
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