Ever heard the term eye of the storm? So violent and horrible on all sides but in the middle it’s peaceful, serene, quiet. None of the Love Dolls realized that’s where they were at the Grammy’s.
Oz was so happy that Silvia said yes. She was the girl he wanted more than anyone and now he had her, forever. He had never been a sentimental guy but he found himself enthralled in making wedding plans. It was so cool to be able to choose what you would get to keep forever as memoirs. Lizzy and Devon, god only knew what Lizzy and Devon were up to.
He was trying so hard. Oz and Lizzy wanted Devon to stay sober. Not that you could really tell with Oz right now. Everything seemed to tempt him. The craving for coke was gone but alcohol, that was another story. Alcohol would be a demon he faced on a daily basis. He had to pull through for the Love Dolls, this was important. He wasn’t about to end up another addicted, dead rock star, a statistic.
Lizzy discovered that she felt better about herself when she stopped sleeping with all those guys. She felt better than he had felt in months. She gave up on the boys and spent all her time with Suzie and Robby. She had grown so close to Robby. He took care of her like a big brother would. He did more for her than she knew about, the night of Johnny’s birthday Robby had gone and talked to him.
“Johnny, are you happy with Laurie?”
“Of course I am.”
“No, I mean really, truly happy. I mean in love with her not just loving her. Is the romance still there? How about the sexual attraction?”
“No man, I’m not happy. I’m not even sure if I love her anymore.”
“Then why are you doing this to yourself? Why are you doing this to Lizzy? You said yourself that you love Lizzy, why not go to Lizzy?”
“I do love Lizzy but you heard her, man. She doesn’t want me.”
“I heard her all right. She wants you as long as you aren’t married. Stop making yourself miserable. Fix this Johnny. Only you can.”
Robby never told Lizzy about the conversation they had that night. He didn’t want to hurt Lizzy more, if Johnny didn’t divorce Laurie.
Lizzy didn’t think Devon would fall off the wagon so fast. She had confidence in Devon, but she was wrong. Devon got incredibly lonely one night and decided to go clubbing. Before he knew it he was drinking again. He got really drunk and ended up in a fight. The police were called and he went to jail. He called their manager and the manager called Oz and Lizzy.
Oz told the manager that he didn’t care. “Let Devon deal with Devon’s problems. I’m tired of this shit.” When the manager called Lizzy, he told her what Oz had said. Lizzy went straight to Oz’s house to see where the hell that came from.
“I’m sick and tired of his shit.”
“Yeah, well we need him if we want this band to survive. He’s like family, Oz.”
“Maybe I don’t want the band to survive.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I’m tired of being in your band, taking the back seat to you. And I’m tired of Devon’s addictions causing problems.”
“It isn’t my band, it’s our band. It always has been, always will be. Don’t do this Oz. We’ll all regret it.”
“I can find a new band. I can find a new place. I don’t need you.”
“So this is why you’ve been so distant lately. You were thinking about quitting the band.”
“Yes. I just wasn’t sure until now.”
“So this is it. When I leave here, there will no longer be any Love Dolls.”
“No, you and Devon will be Love Dolls, if you want to put up with his shit.”
“Fine, Oz. Just fucking quit. Walk out on everything you’ve ever wanted. What the fuck do I care? Fine, you want out of the band, you’re out. That’s it. Goodbye. And Oz, I don’t doubt that you’ll find new work, you’re a prodigy after all but I doubt you’ll be happy with them.” She stormed out of the house, planning on never coming back.
She went home to find Suzie, but she wasn’t there. Devon was already back in rehab, so he would have to wait and find out. She called Robby, but he wasn’t home either. She crumpled to the floor, sobbing. She needed someone, she couldn’t handle this alone.
She put on her coat and went outside. Without even realizing it she ended up at Johnny’s door. She had already rung the bell and it was too late to leave. Johnny opened the door and just stared at her in stunned silence. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying and she was shaking. Johnny folded her up in his arms.
Lizzy woke up in his arms a few hours later. “Oh shit, what have I done?” she thought as she pulled her clothes on trying not to wake him up. She snuck out of the house and went home. Once Devon got out of rehab they would audition some new drummers. They could make this work. Touring would just have to wait.
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The L:ove Dolls