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Fan Fiction

 Title: True love
Author: Trang
Genre: Romance/Drama/Humour
Started: 29. July 2001
Finished: 06. November 2001

CHAPTER 11 - I'm not perfect

Joey walked out and someone came up behind him and dragged him into the corner.
"Did Jimmy catch you?" Angelo asked.
"What?" Joey asked. "What do you mean?"
"With Jess. It's easy to tell she has a thing for you. What's going on?" Angelo asked.
Joey smiled and quickly filled in Angelo of what was going on.
"So you guys have a thing?" Angelo asked. 
"Yeah" Joey said. "But Jimmy is mad at me now, so I want to talk to him. When are we leaving?"
"I don't know" Angelo said. "They said try to be there at around midnight or something. So we should leave at like... I don't know, nine or something."
"Okay" Joey said. "Sounds good. It's only seven... I thought we had to leave now."
"Nope, we'll leave at nine" Angelo said. "Go talk to Jimmy... don't worry."
"Okay, thanks!" Joey said. He left the hallway, in search of Jimmy.

Marie sat miserably on the couch, with the TV on. She heard someone walk in behind her. She turned around hopefully, wishing it was Paddy.
"Oh, hey, Joey."
"Hey, Marie" he said. "Have you seen Jimmy?"
"Nope" she said.
"What are you watching?" Joey asked her.
"I don't know" she said.
"But aren't you staring at the TV?" Joey laughed.
"I'm not watching it" Marie said, looking at him.
"Oh, my God, have you been crying?" he asked.
"No" she said. "I have um, allergies."
"I don't think so" he said. "Here, let me help you." He sat beside her on the couch.
"Joey, you don't have to..." Marie said.
"Marie, shh. I want to" he smiled. "Tell me what's wrong."
He gently wiped the tissue across her cheeks and Marie told him the whole story.
"I bet you think I am some kind of slut now." she muttered.
"Not at all." he said.
"Why not?" she asked. "Paddy and Angelo seem to think so. I just want this all to stop."
"Marie, it's going to take time. To tell you the truth, I think you and Paddy will get back together. He just needs some time to get over it. Deep down, he really loves you." Joey said.
"Thanks, but you're just saying that." Marie said.
"No, I'm not." he said. "It's the truth."
"Well, thanks!" she said. "I mean, finally things are great with you and Jess, and I have to bring you down." she said.
"Things aren't that great" Joey admitted. "Jimmy walked in on us."
"Really?" Marie said. Joey told her what happened. "Oh, don't worry. Just talk to Jimmy. Jess will understand."
"She does" Joey said.
"Thanks" she said. "You're great."
"No problem" Joey said. "It's funny, because it's always been you, Angelo and Paddy... and sometimes Jimmy. Never me... I'm glad we're becoming closer Marie."
"Me, too" she smiled. "I mean, if I need someone to talk to, when Jess isn't around..."
"Call me" he said. "Angelo and Paddy just need time. Don't worry."
"Thanks, but I am" Marie said.

Paddy got up from the chair, and touched his cheeks underneath his eyes. 'They were raw and sore. And probably bright red' he thought. He looked at his watch. 'I think they said we were leaving around nine. That means I have an hour to talk with Marie. I better get it over with.' He walked inside.

"Joey, what time are you guys leaving?" asked Marie.
"Around nine" he said. "That's why I want to talk to Jimmy... before we get in the car."
"He might be in the kitchen with Angelo" Marie said. "I don't know though."
"Well, I'll go look" Joey said. "I hope you feel better."
"Thanks, and I hope things work out for you" Marie said.
Joey leaned in to hug her. Marie put her hands on his chest.
"Sorry, Joey, but if anyone walks in, I am sure I will hear the word slut."
"Okay" he said. "But you're not."
"I guess you're right" she said. "Here." She reached over and hugged him.
"Going for Joey now, Marie?" a sarcastic voice came from the doorway.
Joey turned around.
"Hey Paddy. We were just talking. Nothing more."
"Okay" Paddy said. "Can I talk to her?"
"Yeah, I have to talk to Jimmy anyway" Joey said, and he left the room.
Paddy sat down beside Marie on the couch. 
"You're sitting beside me?" She asked in surprise.
"Don't you want me to?" he asked.
"Well, yeah, but... don't you hate me?" she asked, her voice quivering.
"Of course not" Paddy said. "I don't hate you. I'm mad at you, but I don't hate you. "
"Well, I am glad you don't hate me... do you still love me?" Marie asked.
He hesitated.
"I... don't know" Paddy said finally.
"I still love you" Marie said.
"You've said that about thirty two times, Marie, but it is hard to believe that when you snuck around with my brother behind my back." Paddy said.
"I know, but do you understand why I did it?" Marie said.
"I don't know why you did it" Paddy said. "I mean, I thought I was your boyfriend… or even more…"
"You were" Marie said. "I don't know. I made a huge mistake. Will you ever forgive me?"
"Eventually, but right now, I am really mad" Paddy said.
"Please don't be mad at Angelo, it wasn't his fault." Marie said.
"It was as much his as yours" Paddy said. "I know I will eventually forgive you, but right now I am really mad. We are supposed to leave in a half an hour, but I want to leave now. Marie, I can't take you right now. I loved you, and I thought you loved me. Obviously I didn't mean much to you if you cheated on me. Think about it."
"I did" Marie said. "I'm sorry. Paddy, don't leave like this. Please." Tears welled up in her eyes.
Paddy looked at her with disgust.
"Don't act like everything is okay, Marie."
"Paddy! Please!" She cried.
"I have to go" he stood up. "See you."
"Paddy!" she said. He walked out of the room. 'And out of my life forever' she thought miserably.

"Jimmy, wait!" Joey said, when he found Jimmy. 
"What?" Jimmy said. "I don't want to talk to you."
"Why?" Joey asked.
"Why?" Jimmy said. "Come on, man. You were making out with my ex... isn't that a rule?"
"I know, I'm sorry" Joey said. "But I am really attracted to her."
"Yeah, well so am I" Jimmy said, quietly.
"What did you just say?" Joey asked Jimmy.
"Nothing" Jimmy said. "I said nothing. Listen, it's great... I think that you guys should get together. Just warn me from now on so I don't have to walk in on you guys anymore. And please don't invite her on tour."
"I won't" Joey said. "But what did you say before?"
"I don't remember" Jimmy said. "It must not have been important."
"Must not have" Joey repeated uncertainly. "So are we okay?"
"Yeah" he said. "I mean, she is my ex... so it does hurt a little. But you are entitled to her. Who cares, right?"
"Are you sure? Because we can wait until you are ready..." Joey hesitated.
"I'm ready" Jimmy said. "It's not like we are together or anything."
"Thanks" Joey said with relief. "I really like her."
"Great" Jimmy said, forcing a smile.

"Hey guys!" Patricia yelled. "It's almost quarter to nine. Let's jet!" 
"Okay" Paddy said.
Angelo walked up towards the door. He looked at Paddy, but Paddy looked away. Jimmy and Joey walked up too.
"Ready." Jimmy said.
"Good" Patricia said. "Where are the girls?"
"I think Jess fell asleep" Joey said. "She was saying she was tired. I'll go get her."
"Just say bye up there" Maite said. "We'll see them soon... won't we?"
No one agreed, but Joey ran to Jess's to say bye.
"What about Marie?" Patricia asked. "Where is she?"
"Who cares?" Angelo said, bitterly. "I'm going to wait out in the car."
"I'm going to wait outside" Paddy said. "But not in the car."
"Marie, come say bye!" Patricia yelled. "We got on our shoes, we don't want to ruin your carpet!"
Marie walked into the room.
"Thanks for coming, guys."
"No, problem" Jimmy said. "What's going on with Paddy and Angelo?"
Marie sighed and told them the story.
"That's awful" Jimmy said, pulling Marie in for a hug. Patricia hugged her too.
"I feel bad for the boys" Jimmy said. "But for you, too. I know what it feels like to cheat and it not mean anything."
"Thanks, Jimmy" Marie said.
"Although I can't relate" Patricia said. "I am not taking sides."

"Jess?" Joey whispered. He heard steady breathing. He walked over to her and kneeled beside the bed.
"Joey?" her eyelids fluttered. "Oh, no, are you leaving? I can't believe I fell asleep."
"Don't move" he said. "I know you are tired. I was just going to say bye."
"Bye?" Jess said. "I hate saying bye."
"Jessica..." he smiled. "I'll see you soon. I talked to Jimmy."
Her eyes opened all the way.
"He said it was alright. I don't know, though. Maybe he was faking. But let's just stay together unless he says something else, okay?"
"Okay" she smiled. "You'd better go. You are going to be late."
"I know, but you are worth it" Joey said.
She smiled. "Bye Joey."
"Bye" he said, kissing her gently. "I'll call you."
"I'll be waiting" she said.

"I can't believe you guys made out that long!" Marie said excitedly.
"Oh, Marie, he is the best kisser" Jess smiled. "I like him so much!"
"That's great" Marie said to her. "I hope Paddy learns to forgive me... I love him so much, and he just... I don't know."
"Marie, don't worry about it" Jess said. 
"I hate this" Marie said. "I'll be right back." She walked into the kitchen to get a glass of juice. Her eyes caught the red and white bottle of Tylenol on the table. I could end this right now, she thought.
She picked up the Tylenol and twisted off the lid. Looking inside the bottle, there were only two left.
"What are you doing?" Jess asked, coming in the doorway.
"N-N-Nothing" Marie stammered. "I mean, I was... I have a headache."
"Liar" Jess said. "I'm your best friend. I know when you are lying." 
"I was getting myself some juice" Marie said.
"Then why are you holding the bottle?" Jess asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I-I..." Marie felt defeated.
"Come on, Marie" Jess said. "Why?"
Suddenly Marie burst into tears.
"Why do you think, Jess? Why do you think?" She threw the bottle on the ground.
"Marie, I..."
"No!" Marie yelled. "I can't take this anymore. No one understands. Angelo hates me. Paddy hates me. Patricia thinks I am a whore. You probably do too."
"I don't think you're a whore" Jess said, trying to stay calm. "Come here." She opened up her arms.
Marie fell into Jess's arms, crying.
"Jessa... what have I done? I've ruined everything."
"Shhh" Jess said, trying to calm her. "No you haven't. Things happen, and things will work out. Don't worry."
"I am worrying, Jess" she said. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry, it's okay." Jess comforted her friend. "It's okay to feel like this. Things will work out."
"Well, I can't wait until they do" Marie said.
"I promise" Jess said. "They will."

The phone rang.
"Hello?" Angelo answered.
"Hey Angelo" Jess said. "This is Angelo, right?"
"Yeah, is this Jess?" 
"Yeah, hey" she said. "Is Joey there?"
"Yes he is, hold on" he covered the phone with his hand. "Joey, can you talk to Jess?"
Jimmy frowned.
"We are sort of busy right now."
"Yeah, can you tell her about Patricia being ill and I'll call her later?"
"Sure" Angelo said. He spoke back in the phone. "Jess?"
"Yeah?" she said.
"Listen, Patricia is really sick, we don't know what's wrong with her" Angelo began.
"He's sick?" Jess said. "What's wrong?"
"I just said, we don't know what's wrong with her" Angelo said. "Joey is busy, deciding what to do, and helping Patricia. He said he would call you later."
"Okay" Jess said. "Tell him I miss him."
"Sure" Angelo said. "Bye."
"Bye" she answered.
"Joey?" Angelo said.
"Yeah" Joey walked over. "Do you want to come with me to the drug store to get Tylenol? She needs pain killers."
"Sure" Angelo said and they walked out of the bus. "Jess said she misses you. She told me to tell you."
Joey smiled.
"I really like her" he said.
"She's nice," Angelo said. "But listen, I got myself screwed with Paddy. Make sure that doesn't happen with you and Jimmy."
"Me and Jimmy? Nah..." Joey said. "He told me he doesn't like her anymore."
"Are you sure?" Angelo asked.
"Yeah" Joey said, uncertainly.
"Really?"
"No" Joey admitted. "I don't know. I am afraid that they'll get back together. I want to get my kicks while I can. I really care about her, but her and Jimmy had something more."
"I know" Angelo said. "I love Marie. I love her. I have never felt this way about anyone before. But the thing is Marie and Paddy will get back together. I know it. But as for me? Nothing is going to happen, ever again with me and her."
"How about Kira?"
"Kira… I don't think she would take me back… not after this! Do you think I should try to win her heart back? I'm not sure if I'm still in love with her… And Tanya??"
"Well… We had a big fight as you know… she threw me from our house and she told me to move on, so I do it."
"Are you still in love with her?"
"Now I like Jess!"
Joey picked up some Tylenol and they walked over to the counter and paid for it. On their way out, Joey change the subject.
"Angelo, I agree with you. I think that they will get back together too. I'm sorry."
"It's okay" Angelo said. "Because I know it's true." They walked back into the bus.

Later that day, Joey picked up the phone and called Jess. It rang about seven times, and he was about to hang up when someone picked up.
"Hello?" said the voice, out of breath.
"Um, hey" he said. "Marie?"
"Yeah, who's this?" she asked.
"Joey" he said.
"Hey, Joey" she said. "Sorry I took so long to get to the phone, but I was outside washing my car."
"That's okay" he said. "How are you doing?"
"Good" she said. "I'm trying not to think about anything."
"Okay" he said. "Then I won't talk about it."
"Thanks" she said. "Are you looking for Jess?"
"Yeah" he said. "She called me earlier, but Patricia is really sick, and Angelo and I went to the store to get her some Tylenol."
"Is Patricia okay?" Marie asked.
"I don't think so" Joey said.
"Really? Oh, no... is it serious?" Marie asked, concerned.
"I hope not" Joey said. "But we don't know. The other day, when we left your house, she had this awful headache."
"I remember, because I gave her Tylenol" Marie said.
"Yeah, and she was driving" Joey said. "We almost got in an accident. I think it was a migraine. But it's gone now, she says. But she said that she is hurting, that it hurts to move. And she is really tired."
"Joey, if I were you, I would make her go to the doctor" Marie said.
"I was thinking of that" Joey said. "If she is still this bad tomorrow, maybe we should go."
"Maybe" Marie said. "I think that would be good."
"Yeah" Joey said. "Anyway, is Jess there?"
"Well, she went to work for one o'clock this afternoon, and she is working until nine" Marie said. "It's eight thirty, so she can call you back when she gets home."
"I guess" Joey said. "That would be good. Well, I will let you go finish washing the car."
Marie laughed.
"Oh, I forgot. The soap is going to be all dry."
"Sorry" Joey said. 
"That's okay, it's not your fault" Marie said. "Okay, I'll tell her you called."
"Great!" he said. "Bye, Marie."
"See you, Joey" Marie said, hanging up the phone. She picked up a towel and wiped the soap she left on the phone, then went back outside.

"Hey Jess" Marie said, when Jess's car pulled up.
"Hey" she said, getting out of the car.
"Oooh, what did you buy?" Marie said, referring to the black bag Jess was holding.
"I saw these, and I thought 'totally Marie'," Jessa said. "So I bought them for you."
"Great! How much do I owe you?" Marie said.
"Nothing" Jess said. 
"Come on, how much were they?" Marie said.
"I took off the tags and I ditched the bill" Jess said. "You will never know."
"Come on!" Marie said. 
"Fine" Jess said.
"Seventy eight marks" Jess answered. "But they came cheap. Don't worry."
"Let me pay you" Marie said.
"No" Jess said again. "Stop it."
Marie sighed.
"Fine." She opened the bag and pulled them out. "I love them!"
Jess smiled. She knew Marie would love the medium gray tight stretchy flares.
"You really like them?"
"I love them" Marie said. "Thanks so much."
"No problem" Jess said. "What did you do all day?"
"I cleaned the house, because it was dusty, I vacuumed, I washed my car and I talked to Joey" Marie said. "He wants you to call him back."
"Okay!" she said. "Thanks. Do you mind if I call him now?"
"Nope" Marie said. "I was going to go to rent a movie. Anything you want?"
"Just get something funny" Jess said. "Okay?"
"Sure" Marie said, and left in her car.
Jess walked in the house carrying the bag with Marie's pants. Sitting down on the couch, she grabbed the phone and dialed the bus phone. 
"Hello?" someone whispered.
"Hey, it's Jess. Who is this?" Jess said.
"This is Paddy" Paddy replied. "I'm right beside Patricia and she is sleeping. Do you want to talk to Joey?"
"Please" she said. She heard some muffled talking and then Joey got on.
"Hey, Jess" he said, quietly. "Can I call you back in two seconds on my cell phone? I don't want to wake up Patricia."
"Sure" she said. They hung up.
A few seconds later, the phone rang back.
"Hello?" Jess answered.
"Hey" Joey said. "Sorry about that. I'm outside now, on a lawn chair, covered in a blanket."
"Covered? Why?" Jess asked.
"It's freezing here, Jess, you wouldn't believe" Joey said.
"I guess I wouldn't" Jess said. "How's Trish?"
"Worse" Joey said. "She said that she is so tired that she feels like she can't move. I feel so bad for her, but we can't do anything."
"He sounds really bad" Jess said. "Are you going to bring her to the doctor?"
"Yeah, not tomorrow though" Joey said. "She says she can't move, and we don't want to move her."
"Well, you have to get him checked, Joey" Jess said. "If she's in pain..."
"I know" Joey said. "We don't know what to do." He paused. "Hold on." There was some muffled talking. "Jimmy told me I have to go. He said we should be keeping an eye on Patricia."
"You're going to listen to Jimmy? Okay!" she said. "See you."
"Are you mad?" Joey asked.
"No" Jess said. "I have to go anyway, Marie just came home, we are going to watch a movie."
"Okay" he said. "I'll call you tomorrow."
"If Jimmy lets you" Jess said. "Bye."
"Jess!" Joey said.
"Bye" she answered, hanging up the phone.

"What time is it?" Jimmy asked nervously, the next evening.
"About seven, why?" Paddy asked.
"Because I just went into Patricia's area, and she's still asleep. She's been sleeping since last night. I'm getting worried" Jimmy said.
"Me, too" Paddy said. "What should we do?"
"What should we do about what?" Joey asked, walking into the room with Angelo.
"Patricia" Paddy said. "She's still sleeping."
"I think we should bring her to the doctor in the morning" Joey said.
"I don't know" Paddy said. "She can't move. How are we going to get her there?"
"Paddy! Our sister is sick, we have to help her" Jimmy said. "I don't care what you guys do, but I am bringing her to the doctor."
"I am, too" Joey said. "We can't let her suffer like this."
"Okay!" Angelo agreed. "Tomorrow morning, we'll bring her."

Later that night, Angelo, Maite and Joey went to the local grocery store to buy some ice packs for Patricia, Paddy said he needed time to think about Marie, Patricia was asleep and Jimmy was alone.
Jimmy turned on the TV, and flicked through the channels. He turned it off because nothing was on. He stared longingly at the phone. I wish this was a while ago. Then I could just pick it up and call her. 'I wish we were still…' his thoughts were broken when the phone rang.
"Hello?" he answered it.
"Hi, Jimmy" said the voice.
"Marie?" he asked.
"Yeah, hey" she said. "Listen, I was just calling to see how Patricia was."
"That's nice of you" he said. "We are bringing her to the doctor tomorrow morning."
"Where?" Marie asked.
"Here" he said. 
"Where are you now?" she asked.
"Still in Cologne. We stopped traveling. We need her to get better. The concert is cancelled."
"Really? Okay, if she has to stay in the hospital, let me know, okay Jimmy? I want to come visit" Marie said.
"Marie, we are about three and a half hours away from where you live" Jimmy said.
"And Patricia is my friend" she said. "Come on, Jimmy. You have to call if Patricia is in the hospital."
"Fine" Jimmy said. "I promise I will."
"Thanks!" she said. "Listen, I have to go, I just wanted to know how she was doing."
"Okay, well I'll tell him you were asking" Jimmy said.
"Thanks" she said.
"Um, and can you tell Jess I said hey?" Jimmy asked.
"Okay, you know what? I don't have to go after all..." Marie said.
"Why the sudden change?"
"Well, because now I have something interesting to talk about" Marie said. "I thought you wouldn't want to talk to me, that's why I was leaving."
"No, Marie, I really could use someone to talk to" Jimmy said.
"Don't you think I'm slutty? Like the others do?" Marie said.
"Of course not" Jimmy said. "In case you forget, I sort of did the exact same thing."
"Yeah, but I did it about seven times as long as you" Marie said.
"So what?" Jimmy said. "That's irrelevant. I want to talk to you."
"And I want to talk to you" Marie said. "About Jess."
Jimmy sighed.
"Marie..." he warned.
"What?" Marie asked.
"I don't want to talk about her" Jimmy said.
"Why not?" Marie asked. "You just asked me to tell her you said hey" she pointed out.
"Remember when I used to say things to Jess? And she never started it? It was always me?" Jimmy asked.
"Yeah" Marie said.
"Well, that was because I wanted to see if she would say something back, or if she would not say anything" Jimmy explained. "I guess it was sort of a test... you know, to see if she still cared."
"I know what you mean" she said. "Jess... I don't know... she's really... I can't think of the word."
"That's okay" Jimmy said. "I think I know what you mean."
"Jimmy... if I ask you something, will you promise me you will tell me the truth?" Marie asked.
Jimmy hesitated.
"Maybe" he said. "Depends."
"Okay, well, I have two questions" Marie said.
"What are they?" Jimmy asked. "I'll listen, and then I will decide whether to answer."
"Okay" Marie said. "Two questions..."
"Okay, Marie" Jimmy said. "I'll answer truthfully... but you can't tell anyone what I say. Deal?"
"Deal" Marie said. "Okay, question number one."
"Okay" Jimmy said nervously.
"Are you jealous of Joey and Jess?" Marie asked.

Patricia opened her eyes slightly and saw a black figure looking down on him.
"Patricia? Are you awake?" the person asked.
Patricia tried to open her eye's wider, but couldn't. "Who are you?"
"Oh, no, do you have amnesia?" the person asked.
"Paddy?" Patricia asked.
"Yeah, what's wrong?" he asked.
"It's hard to open my eyes" Patricia said. 
"We are bringing you to the doctor tomorrow" Paddy said.
"That's good" Patricia said. "I need you to. I feel so crappy."
"Well, we will figure out what is wrong" Paddy said.
"I have no idea" Patricia said. "I am really exhausted, and I can't seem to keep my eyes open."
"You've slept all day" Paddy said.
"What time is it?"
"Late, like ten or something" Paddy said. "Anyway, I'll let you sleep... I'll see you in the morning. I hope you feel better."
"Thanks" Patricia said, closing her eyes.

Jimmy was silent.
"Okay, Jimmy... I asked you like five minutes ago" Marie said. "Are you going to answer?"
"Nope" Jimmy said.
Marie laughed. "Come on..."
"Fine, Marie. The answer is yes. I am very jealous of Jess and Joey. Extremely jealous" Jimmy said. "Satisfied?"
"Very" Marie said, surprised.
"What's your second question? Actually, I have a feeling what it is" Jimmy said.
"What do you think it is?" Marie said.
"If it is what I am thinking, then the answer is, yes" Jimmy said. 
"Oh, God, Jimmy, tell me the truth" Marie said. "What do you think my question was?"
"Marie, I am assuming that you were going to ask me if I still care for her" Jimmy said. "And I do."
"Care for her like a friend, or like a girlfriend?" Marie asked.
"Why do you want to know?" Jimmy asked.
"Whoa, Jimmy, I'm sorry, I never meant to…" Marie said.
"Sorry" Jimmy said, cutting her off. "Marie, if I had it my way, Joey and Jess wouldn't be together, and we would never have broken up."
Marie was silent. Finally she spoke. "Wow."
"I know" Jimmy said. "But no one knows this."
"I won't say anything" Marie promised. "I'm really surprised."
"I'm really surprised that I just told you" Jimmy said. "Not because it's you, just because I never told anyone."
"I swear, I won't say anything." Marie said.
"Thanks" Jimmy said. "I would be so mad and embarrassed if she found out."
"She won't" Marie said. She heard the door open. "Oh, shit, Jimmy she's home. I better go."
"Yeah" he said. "Great talking with you."
"Same" she said quickly. "Bye."
"Bye" Jimmy answered.
Marie hung up the phone.
Jess walked in the room.
"Hey" she said. "I got us some popcorn. Now we can watch the movie."
"Great" Marie said. "Thanks for running to the store."
"Why are you in such a good mood all of a sudden?" Jess asked.
"I don't know" she said, smiling.
"Come on" Jess said.
"No reason" she said.

"Who were you talking to?" Paddy asked, coming up behind Jimmy.
"Marie" Jimmy said. "She wanted to know how Patricia is."
"Did she say anything about me?" Paddy asked.
"No" Jimmy said. Paddy frowned. "Sorry."
"That's okay" Paddy said. "Do you talk to her a lot?"
"Not really" Jimmy said. "Why?"
"Because... forget it" Paddy said.
"Why?" Jimmy asked.
"I want to know what she thinks of me" Paddy said.
"Next time I talk to her, I'll find out" Jimmy said.
"You don't have to" Paddy said.
"I want to... if you want me to" Jimmy said.
Paddy smiled. "I do."
"Do you still like her?" Jimmy asked.

"How's Joey?" Marie asked Jess. She really wanted to say something about Jimmy, but she promised him, so she didn't say anything.
"Good, I guess" Jess said.
"That's all?" Marie said. "I guess?"
"Oh, sorry" Jess said, turning to Marie. "I was watching the movie..."
"That's okay" Marie said. Maybe she is thinking about Jimmy, she thought.

"No" Paddy said.
"You don't?" Jimmy said.
"No" Paddy repeated. "I don't still like her. I love her, Jimmy."
"Are you serious?" Jimmy said.
"But don't say anything" Paddy said. "Because I don't want to get back together. I still don't trust her, and I am still mad at her and Angelo."
"But you love her?"
"Always have" he said. "Stupid question." He smirked and walked away.

Joey walked over to Patricia's bunk.
"Patricia" he whispered. When she didn't move, he called him louder. "Patricia!"
Patricia stirred. Joey gently shook her. His eyes opened a little. "Hi" she said.
"Hey" Joey answered. "How are you feeling?"
"Worse" Patricia said. "Let's go to the doctor, I have to find out what is wrong."
"Okay, I am going to call the others, and we will help you to the car" Joey said.
"Can I lay down in the back?" Patricia asked.
"Sure" Joey said. He walked into the TV room where the rest of family were sitting. "Okay, guys. Patricia is ready to go. But she wants to lay down, so who is all going to come?"
"I want to go," Jimmy said. "Please."
"And I am definitely going" Joey said. "Is that okay?" he said to Paddy and Angelo.
"I guess. We'll be in the hotel, anyway." Paddy glanced at Angelo.
"Okay" Joey said.
The Kellys walked over and helped Patricia into the backseat of the car, and then Jimmy drove off to the hospital. Jimmy parked the car, and him and Joey got out and opened the back door.
"Patricia" Joey said. "Wake up." He shook her arm, and Patricia's eye's opened.
"Are we here?" she asked, sleepily.
"Yeah" Jimmy said. "Let's go."
They helped Patricia out of the car and into the hospital. They rode the elevator to the third floor, then Joey brought Patricia into the waiting room, and Jimmy went up to the desk.
"Hey, my sister is really sick, we called earlier" Jimmy said.
"What's her name?" the lady asked.
"Patricia Kelly" Jimmy answered.
The lady looked at the list in front of her.
"Okay, it should only be a few minutes. There is only one person in there, and then Mrs. Kelly is next."
"Thanks" Jimmy said, and walked back to Joey and Patricia. "Few minutes."
"Great" Joey said. "The sooner the better."
Jimmy picked up a magazine from the table and began to scan it.
"Hey, look" he said. He pointed to a picture of the group.
"What magazine is that?" Joey asked.
"Bravo" Jimmy answered. "The headline says, "The Hot Kelly Boy Are Getting Hotter"."
"That's good to hear. What does it say?" Joey laughed.
Jimmy scanned the magazine. 
"Just stuff about our tour and stuff about us. Nothing important. It's a crappy picture though."
"I agree" Joey said, looking at the picture.
"Patricia Kelly?" the nurse said coming into the room. 
Joey looked up.
"Patricia" he said, nudging her. Patricia opened her eyes. "It's your turn."
Jimmy and Joey helped Patricia get up, and they followed the nurse into the room. Patricia sat on the bed, and Jimmy and Joey sat on the chairs. A few minutes later, the doctor walked in.
"Which one of you is Patricia?" the doctor said. 
"I am" Patricia said, tiredly. 
"I'm Dr. Johnson" the doctor said. "What's been bothering you?"
"A few days ago, I had a killer headache, it was so bad" Patricia said. "Tylenol worked, but not for awhile. Then lately, since then, I have been really tired. My throat is a little scratchy too."
"Well" Dr. Johnson said, walking over. He checked Patricia's ears and throat and her breathing. "How's your head now?"
"It doesn't hurt" Patricia said.
"Well, the headache was probably just a headache" Dr. Johnson said. "Maybe a migraine. As for the tiredness, you could just be over tired... I don't know. What I am going to do, is take some blood, and we get it back in fifteen minutes, since this is the hospital. I'll let you know what's wrong, and how we are going to treat it."
"Thanks" Patricia said.
Jimmy turned pale.
"Are you taking blood right now?"
"Yes" Dr. Johnson replied, getting the needle ready.
"Joey, come get me when you are waiting for results" Jimmy said.
"Sure" Joey said. Jimmy left.
"Patricia, I have to take three of this size" Dr. Johnson said, holding up a small clear tube. "If it's not over tiredness, it's possible to be other things. One of three. Your throat is very red, and your glands are very swollen. I'll take your blood, and give it to the lab."
"Okay" Patricia said. 
Dr. Johnson filled the three tubes with Patricia's blood, and told them he would be back in fifteen minutes. Joey went out and got Jimmy, and the three waited impatiently for the results.

"Okay" Dr. Johnson came back in, holding a folder. "Patricia, we have some results for you. There is good news, bad news, and very bad news."
Patricia's eyes opened wide.
"Am I dying?" she asked.
The doctor laughed.
"No" he said.
"Okay" Patricia said. "Tell me the news."
"Well, the good news is that we found something wrong, so we know how to fix it" Dr. Johnson said.
"That's okay" Patricia said. "Next?"
"The bad news is, you have mono" Dr. Johnson said. "And the very bad news is, you have to take it easy for a minimum of three months. That means no vigorous activity. Just take it easy."
"What's mono?" Joey asked.
"Mono is a curable, temporary disease. The only thing that you will affect you, is that you'll be extremely tired, and your throat might hurt, but not for long... probably only a week maximum."
"Okay" Patricia said. "So that's why I have been so tired? Do I get medication?"
"This has to cure on it's own, and it's cured by resting" the doctor said. "That is why you have been so tired. The headache was just a normal headache, maybe a migraine."
"Rest? I can't rest" Patricia said. "And especially not for three months."
"You have to" Dr. Johnson said. "Or it could get worse."
"She'll rest" Joey said. "Don't worry."
"A lot of relaxation is good" the doctor said. "A vacation is great, too. But not right away... near the end of the three months. We want her here tonight, just to make sure it's not too severe."
"Okay" Jimmy said. "Will she need to come back for check ups?"
"No" the doctor said. "She'll know when she is better. You'll see improvement every day when she does start to improve."
"Okay" Jimmy said.
"You can stay here, tonight, with him" Dr. Johnson said.
"Thanks" Joey said. "We will."
"She'll be in this room" Dr. Johnson went on "And I will bring in two cots and some blankets. There is a phone over there, if you need calls."
"Thanks" Patricia said weakly. The doctor left. "Can you call the guys?"
"Sure" Jimmy said.
He picked up the phone, and dialed the hotel. He connected to their rooms, but there was no answer, so he left a message with the front desk. Then Joey made some calls to take all the concerts off. Jimmy called Marie and told her, and then went back to Patricia and Joey.

"You call those muscles?" Paddy said.
Angelo shook his head vigorously.
"Hold on" he said. He ran to the other room, and came back with a six pack of beer. They both quickly downed three of them.
"Angelo, I have come to a conclusion" Paddy said.
"And what would that be?" Angelo asked.
"It would be, that I don't want us to fight anymore" Paddy said. He got up on the couch, and pretended to act really dramatic. "Angelo, oh Angelo. I don't want to fight anymore. I know this is the alcohol in my system talking, but man, I can't live without you! You are my little brother."
"Here, here" Angelo said, pounding his fist on the table. He got up. "I love you, man." He hugged him.
"I love you, man" Paddy echoed. "Wow." He said, pushing back.
"What?" Angelo said.
"Tell me, Lino" Paddy said. "Do you still like Marie?"
"Like her? I love her" Angelo said. "What about you?"
"Love her" Paddy said. "She's pretty."
"Is that why you love her?" Angelo asked.
"Well, she does smell good" Paddy said. "Like roses."
"Mmm" Angelo said. "I'm hungry."
"Me, too" Paddy said. 
"I'm hungry for love" Angelo said. "From Marie."
"Give me some of that!" Paddy shouted.
"I have the best idea" Angelo said.
"What?" Paddy asked excitedly.
"Let's make a song!" Angelo said.
"Great" Paddy said.
"Okay, we'll make up lines, I do one, you do one, and they have to rhyme, and be about Marie" Angelo said.
"Oh this is so great!" Paddy said. "Who's first?"
"I'll go" Angelo said. He cleared his throat.
"Wait!" Paddy said.
"What?" asked Angelo.
"It has to have a tune" Paddy said.
"Okay" Angelo said. "But I think I am a little too tipsy to think up a tune. How about 'I can't help myself'? That's an easy one."
"Okay" Paddy agreed. "Let's go. You first."
Angelo cleared his throat, and began to sing, and Paddy joined in.

"Now what?" Paddy said, after they composed their song.
"Let's call Marie" Angelo suggested. "I love her."
"Me, too" Paddy said. He picked up the phone and dialed. It rang.
"Hello?" a female voice answer the phone.
"Marie?" Paddy asked.
"Yeah, who is this?" she asked.
"Paddy, baby" Paddy said.
"Paddy, hey" she asked. "What's wrong? You sound weird."
"He's drunk!" Angelo shouted, picking up an extension.
"So is Angelo" Paddy said.
"Guys" Marie said. "I think you should get off the phone."
"Why?" Paddy asked.
"Because you're drunk" Marie said. "Okay?"
"I love you " Paddy said.
"Paddy" Marie said. "Bye."
"I love you" Angelo said.
"Come on, guys" Marie said. "Stop it."
"I love you, I love you, I love you" Paddy said. Angelo joined in, and they chanted in unison.
"Bye" Marie said, hanging up the phone.
"She hung up" Paddy whispered, amazed.
"She doesn't love you" Angelo said. "She loves me!"
"She loves me!" Paddy shouted.
" She loves me!!" Angelo yelled, louder.
"Why would she love you not me?" Paddy yelled.
"Because..." Angelo stopped to think it over. "I am Angelo."
Paddy started laughing, and Angelo soon joined in.

Joey opened his eyes, and a stream of light shone into them. He moved out of the way, and saw that Patricia and Jimmy were still asleep. He got up, and walked down the hall, looking for Dr. Johnson.
"Joey?" came a voice behind him.
Joey turned around, and saw Dr. Johnson.
"Hi, Dr. Johnson. How is Patricia?"
"Well, we did further tests, and we found nothing except for the mono, which we found yesterday" Dr. Johnson explained. "She will be fine, the tests showed it isn't too serious, but it's mediocre. What does she do? I mean, what's her job?"
"Patricia, and me, and Jimmy, and our other siblings are a group" he said. "Called The Kelly Family..."
"Oh, my daughter loves you guys" Dr. Johnson smiled. "Well, Patricia should be able to start to sing, just as well as before in about three months. Don't let her exert herself, or she will get worse. Take a break."
"We are!" Joey said. "Thanks."
"Can I have your autograph? For my daughter?" Dr. Johnson asked.
"Sure" Joey said. 
"Thanks" he said. "Follow me. You, Patricia and Jimmy can leave whenever he feels ready."
"Great" Joey said. "Thanks."

Chapter 12 - Hard choices