Some Things Never Change

“Before I go ahead and explain can you keep what I say private?”

“Of course Lou, I’ll keep this conversation between the two of us, you don’t have to doubt that, I wouldn’t divulge information to Wayne or to anyone else unless you ask me to.”

“Sorry.” She said. “It’s just so hard for me to trust people these days, I have to be so careful.”

“I understand. Just take your time. After talking and letting out all your frustrations, you’ll feel much better after. I promise you.”

Encouraged she went on. “It concerns Wayne, when I was getting ready for work this morning, his friends brought him over to my place. He was badly beaten, delirious with pain and asking for me. He didn’t want to go to a hospital and I couldn’t turn him away even though I warned him this would happen.”

“Calm down, did you call the police?” Michael asked.

“No, I haven’t. Should I? I don’t want him to go to jail. His friends vouched for him saying he’s a lover not a fighter but I feel so confused.”

“Don’t call the police Lou. I know Wayne, surely there is an explanation for all this. Is he still there with you?

“Yes. He is.”

“How bad are his injuries does he need to go to the hospital?”

“He was just beaten badly, nothing is broken and he is bleeding. He had another person’s blood on him this morning.  He’s just tired and has been sleeping all day, he looks frail and can barely talk much less walk out of my house at this moment.”

“Good. I’ll come over and talk to him. I grew up in the streets and I know what it’s like to feel down on your luck. Just give me a chance to talk with him. I’ll let him know that if he wants to continue to do the show he will have to give up the drug dealing lifestyle once and for all. It won’t be easy but I know Wayne is smart and he’ll come around and make the right decision. My friend runs a weekly therapy program and I’ll spare no expense to get Wayne involved and on the road to recovery.”

“Thanks so much Michael you’ve put my mind at ease.” She knew he was right. Both director and friend, Michael never got flustered under stress and was always practical.

“Not a problem. I should be by your neighborhood within an hour’s time. I’ve got some other things I have to wrap up. I’ll give you guys two weeks off, you’ll both need some time to get over the craziness of this morning.  I’ll bring extra medication for him as well, wouldn’t want him to miss too much work now.”

Wayne felt riled that Lou was talking about him like he wasn’t there once he calmed himself, he could see Lou was overwhelmed and only trying to help. He had pretended to be asleep when she called the director in tears to tell him all that had transpired. Wayne was flabbergasted, he had never had anyone worry or care about him so much before. He didn’t know how to react. Lou’s feelings weren’t something he could ignore in hopes that it would go away. He didn’t want that to happen, he wanted to bask in the afterglow of her love. He hadn’t shared with her what happened that fateful night so as far as she was concerned he was still dealing drugs. He hadn’t bothered to correct her impression either. He was a drug dealer, she needed to accept that for the most part and not be deluded that he was an angel. 

She heard when Michael pulled up on the drive way, her cell rang not too long after. She went to open the door and let him in. Michael came up to her and pulled her into a brotherly bear hug. When they met they had liked each other immediately Michael had that warm and friendly personality that made people gravitate towards him. He vaguely reminded her of the Pillsbury dough boy he was short, pudgy around the middle yet full of vigor and vitality.

“Michael I’m so glad to see you.”

“Same here. Is he awake?”

“Yes he is. He wasn’t amused when I told him you were coming. I think he doesn’t want you to be disappointed with him. I know he respects you.”

Michael followed Lou into the bedroom. Wayne was sitting up in bed. He had on one of Lou’s robes and was tucked in snugly between the sheets. Michael got straight to the matter at heart.

“Listen up guys, you are both consenting adults I can’t tell you how to run your personal lives but if you want to keep your jobs you both need to put you differences aside because personal feelings like anger and regret can really impact your acting in a negative way.”

He was greeted with silence at his declaration. “Lou, can you excuse us for few minutes please?”

“Oh okay, I’ll just go down to the supermarket and get some groceries.”

“Take the car Lou, my keys should be in my pants pocket. That’s where Fat Boy said he left them.”

“He did. I took them out when I did the laundry. Thanks Wayne. I’ll be right back guys.”

“We’ll try not to tear the place down while you’re gone.” Said Michael.

 Wayne chuckled beside him. Lou’s heart melted at the sight, then she remembered what he did and got angry again. She closed the door behind her before either man could see her reaction. Lou didn’t bother to take the car, a walk was just what she needed to clear her head.

When she came back, it was to an empty apartment. Taped on her mirror was a note from Wayne, he felt that he was being a burden to her and took up Michael’s offer for rehabilitation. He didn’t want them to end on a bitter note or deprive her from going to work if she had to take care of him. She need not worry about him and in two weeks’ time she would see him back at work. It was signed with Wayne’s flurry signature. Lou just held the note and cried, she deeply regretted her earlier outburst and wished things hadn’t ended the way it had.