Part 490
Sarah pulled the covers back over her head as Howie headed to take a shower. Dread enveloped her as she tried to figure out what she was going to say to Becca. Howie was the only one other than Russell who’d ever seen her throw a temper tantrum.
Howie had only been in the bathroom a couple minutes, long enough to lather his face with shaving cream, but he knew Sarah was still in bed. He also knew she was trying to figure out what to say to Becca.
Calling out, Howie said, "Angel, procrastinating isn’t going to make it any easier."
A few seconds later, Sarah appeared in the door. Leaning lazily against the frame watching him, she asked, "How do you do that?"
"Do what?" asked Howie looking at her in the mirror.
"Always know when I’m procrastinating."
Howie set his razor down and turned to her. Taking her hand, he pulled her to him saying, "Because my incredibly beautiful, talented, and sexy wife, I know YOU! Right now, you’re trying to figure out how to apologize. You’re scared because you’ve let someone see a side of you that you’ve fought so hard to control, that only I’ve seen. ‘Angel’, Becca’s NOT going to think less of you, I promise. Just go apologize."
"I guess after killing someone, being a junkie, and having sex with three men at the same time, throwing a temper tantrum and busting a TV is nothing," sighed Sarah as she leaned her head against his chest.
"Insecurity isn’t your style, Sarah. Leave your past where it belongs, deal with the present, and move on. You’ve done it before…now do it again."
"It’s not always easy, ‘D’," whined Sarah as she played with the hair on his chest.
Caressing her arms, he answered, "I know it isn’t, ‘Angel’, but you’ve always got me to lean on."
Sarah looked up at him and smiled, "One day, I’m gonna be the one who’s strong for you with all the right words to make you feel better."
"You already are, ‘Angel’."
Howie leaned in to kiss her but Sarah pulled back. "NO YOU DON’T, HOWARD DWAINE!"
"What?" he asked feigning innocence. "I just wanna kiss you."
"Uh huh…and get shaving cream all over me."
"But ‘Angel’," pouted Howie. "I just want to show you how much I love you."
"You’ve shown me PLENTY," quipped Sarah looking at her stomach.
Sarah tried to pull away but Howie held her long enough to give her a kiss getting shaving cream on her.
Laughing, Sarah pulled back. "You goof!"
Winking, "Go on, Angel. I’ll be out shortly."
Sarah gave Howie another quick kiss and he wiped the shaving cream off her face before she headed out to where Becca was. She felt better about what she was about to do thanks to her wonderful husband.
Becca looked up from her newspaper when she heard the door open. Seeing her best friend, Becca broke out into a fit of giggles.
"Geez, Bec….I SHOULD be offended that the first thing you do is LAUGH at me when you see me," said Sarah as she sat on the opposite end of the couch from Becca.
"I take it Howie was shaving before you came out here."
"Yeah, so?"
Pointing to her, "You didn’t get it all."
Sarah reached up to where Becca was pointing and wiped off the last little bit of shaving cream. "Howie was trying to be funny. He was shaving while we were talking."
"Sure, you two were JUST talking," teased Becca. "I know you two better than that and I’m SURE there was more than just talking going on."
Sarah didn’t laugh as she said, "I’m serious, Becca. Howie and I were having a serious talk and he was trying to make me feel better."
Realizing Sarah was beating herself up for the previous night, Becca slid over and took her hand. "Wanna tell me why you’re punishing yourself?"
Sighing deeply, Sarah looked at Becca. "Because I scared you last night with my little tirade and I apologize for that."
"There’s no need to apologize, Sarah. Lou said some pretty hateful things that upset you."
"But I busted a TV, Bec."
"Yeah, so? I’d hate to see what you’d have done to him if he’d actually been here."
"It wouldn’t have been pretty," smirked Sarah. Then getting serious again, she went on. "Bec, Howie’s the only one other than Russell who’s EVER seen me like that and I’m really ashamed that I lost control like that."
"Don’t be. You can’t be in control ALL the time…like you keep trying to tell Kevin."
"I can try," laughed Sarah. Leaning back into the cushions, "God! It’s been forever since I’ve unleashed like that."
"When was the last time? Not with Howie, was it?"
"Hell no! Not with Howie. It was Russell. It was ALWAYS Russell who set me off."
"Well, Russell and Lou have a lot in common…they’re both slimeballs. Russell got his kicks from torturing you and Lou gets off molesting little boys."
"REBECCA! I’m shocked!"
"No, you aren’t! Stop changing the subject."
"I didn’t. Russell brought out a side of me that I wish I could have thrown overboard with him."
"In a way, you did, Sarah. Sure, ghosts still appear…like David, your fear of drugs and needles, your temper tantrum…but for the most part, you aren’t that girl. You haven’t been since you met Howie. Tell me about the last time."
"Not to be mean but I’d rather not, Bec. All of that is in the past and that’s where I want to leave it."
"I can respect that." Looking up, Becca spotted Howie and grinned. "Looks like your future is ready."
Sarah looked over her shoulder as Howie came to stand behind her placing his
hands on her shoulders. She put her hand on his, "My very BRIGHT future.
‘D’, are you sure you don’t want to eat something?"
"I’m sure, ‘Angel’. You can’t eat so it’s not fair to make you watch me. Go get ready so we can head out."
"What are you two going to do today?" asked Becca.
"Doctor’s appointment, breakfast, shopping, and sightseeing. Howie wants me to get something for the concert for New York City."
"MAYBE sightseeing. I want to check out a couple clubs tonight but not
if you’re too tired, ‘Angel’. We’ll be back after lunch so Sarah can
rest. You and Nick gonna hang out here?"
"I don’t know. Probably. I don’t really want to take Garrett out in the
cold."
Sarah started to get up as the door to the suite opened and Billy walked in. She cringed seeing him and started to head to the bedroom.
"HOLD IT, YOUNG LADY," barked Billy.
Howie and Becca looked at each other trying not to laugh as Sarah turned slowly around.
"Yes, Billy," cooed Sarah sweetly.
"The NEXT time you throw something because Lou Pearlman is saying something to upset you, you’d DAMNED well better make sure it actually hits HIM and not a damn TV," grinned Billy. "If I’m gonna have to ‘clean’ up a mess because of that asshole, I’d prefer blood to be involved."
Sarah laughed, "I’ll try. Billy, I’m REALLY sorry I called you an over-grown gorilla last night."
"Why? I am and you know it. Now go get dressed. I’m tired of seeing you parade around here with just your damn nightshirt on….and get some socks and shoes on while you’re at it. I may not have gotten all the glass up."
"Yes, Daddy," smirked Sarah as she gave the large man a hug.
Howie shook his head and laughed at the expression on Billy’s face as he watched Sarah prance off to get ready. Billy tried to be big and bad but Sarah and Becca both had a way of getting to him like no one else could. Of course, they had a way of getting to all of them like no one else.
Ten minutes later, Sarah returned and she and Howie headed off for their day in Denver.