Part 447
With dinner over, Sarah quickly gathered their stuff and cleared it away. It left both men stunned but they didn’t have a chance to say anything because Nick and Becca came bounding onto the bus.
"Yo dudes! Where’s my son?" demanded Nick as he held Becca around the waist.
"Sleeping, Blondie," answered AJ.
"How was dinner?" asked Howie as Nick pulled Becca into his lap. The two took Sarah’s seat on the couch without thinking.
"It was wonderful," sighed Becca. "Thank you SO much for keeping Garrett."
"No problem," smiled Howie.
Sarah returned and Howie realized there was no room for her beside him. He reached for her hand and started to pull her into his lap but she protested.
"I’ll sit on the floor, Howie," she said softly.
"Angel, don’t be ridiculous. I can hold you in my lap."
"No," said Sarah and she took a seat on the floor in front of him.
Becca spoke up, "Sarah, you should have something behind your back."
"I’ve got the couch."
Howie took her hair in his hand and she leaned back into his touch. "Are you sure?"
Sarah simply nodded her head but looked over her shoulder at him. It was a look of complete devotion.
Becca decided now was as good a time as any to ask Sarah about Baton Rouge. "Sarah, what did Howie and Kevin mean about you being jealous in Baton Rouge?"
Sarah looked to Howie silently asking how she found out.
"It’s my fault," apologized Howie. "I mentioned it just before we reached Seattle."
Sarah looked back at Becca. "It was all my fault, Becca. Howie was giving you a lot of attention and pushing me to get everything perfect. I lost it and blew up at him."
"Why didn’t you just say something then?"
Sarah hung her head and said, "I was embarrassed. I’ve never been jealous of ANY woman in Howie’s life and here I was getting upset because he was trying to make you feel better, my best friend."
Howie spoke up, "Bec, she was nervous about the show and tired because we’d been pushing so hard to get ready."
Sarah broke in, "No, I was wrong. There’s no excuse that can justify my actions or comments. I was rude and hateful to you, Becca, and I apologize."
"Sarah, you weren’t rude to me, you never said anything to me at ALL about any of this! In fact…" She looked at Sarah as she remembered that night. "You barely talked to me. Now I remember. Sarah, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to monopolize Howie and be such a pain." Becca DID remember some of the comments Sarah had made, but it seemed pointless to bring it all up now.
"Becca, I said…"
"Sarah, drop it. It’s over and done with now," said Howie cutting her off.
Everyone expected Sarah to continue knowing she had something on her mind but much to his or her surprise, Sarah DID stop. She leaned back against his legs quietly letting him play with her hair. She simply said, "I’m sorry, Bec."
All three looked from one to the other trying to figure out what was going on. Sarah never gave up that easily.
Becca decided that it was probably just her nerves and decided to change the subject. "Sarah, what are you gonna wear tonight?"
Looking up at Howie, she said, "Howie hasn’t picked it out yet."
"Angel, whatever you pick is fine with me." Howie was completely convinced something was wrong now. Sarah had her moments of insecurity but this wasn’t insecurity and it wasn’t his wife either.
Becca was worried too. Sarah was always so sure of herself and made her own decisions without caring what Howie thought. There was also the matter of Sarah backing down when Howie told her to drop the subject. Sarah NEVER backed down without an argument.
"Angel, you need to be getting ready," prompted Howie looking at his watch.
"Okay, ‘D’."
"Guys, can you clear out?" asked Howie.
They all agreed knowing something was up. Becca gathered Garrett, thanked Howie, and started to follow Nick but stopped. She looked back at her best friend who was holding onto Howie’s hand as he was leading her to the back.
"Howie?" called Becca.
He looked back then said, "Go on, ‘Angel’. I’ll be there in a minute."
Giving him a kiss, Sarah went into their room.
"What’s wrong, Bec?" asked Howie when he was sure Sarah wouldn’t hear.
"That’s what I was going to ask."
"I’m not exactly sure. She’s been like this since she got up."
"Could it be nerves?"
"It could be but I don’t think it is. I’m gonna talk to her."
"If there’s anything I can do, let me know."
"I will. Thanks, Bec."
Howie took a deep breath and headed to join Sarah. He was fully prepared to find her either throwing up her dinner or crying. What he found was an even bigger shock. Sarah was sitting on the bed peacefully waiting for him, no tears, no signs of having to throw up.