Part 577
The air in the dressing room was charged with tension and Howie knew he couldn’t push Sarah. As he undressed, he watched his wife as she sat on the couch. She played with her rings as she read one of the countless parenting magazines. No doubt an article about twins. Every once in a while, she’d rub her stomach and he knew the babies were moving. He also knew what was going through her mind because he knew her that well. Scared of flying and remorse for her behavior towards Bob were the chief emotions but he knew too that she was struggling to maintain control of it all.
Coming out of the shower, he found her in the same place still reading so he quickly finished getting ready. Grabbing his bag, he smiled when he saw what she had picked out for him. It was the jeans and shirt he wore on the first leg of the tour on the small stage. She had given it to him for Christmas before the tour started.
Dressed and ready, Howie sat beside her and peeked over her shoulder at the article she was reading, ‘Breastfeeding Twins’. He slipped his arm around her and she nestled into the ‘pocket’ he’d created for her. He played with her hair as he pressed his lips to her temple.
Sarah sighed and closed the magazine. Tossing it to the table, she held her hand out and he took it in his and began to finger her rings.
“Any helpful hints?”
“A few.”
“Know how much I love you?”
Tears threatened to fall and Sarah closed her eyes to stop them but she couldn’t stop one from escaping. Not bothering to wipe it away, she whispered, “As much as I love you.”
Putting his finger under her chin, he lifted her face to his. Kissing the moisture of the tear away first, he moved his lips to hers, kissing her gently.
That kiss, sweet, gentle, and full of love, said so much to Sarah. She knew in that kiss the depth of his love was always the same. She knew he understood what she was feeling and would be there for her without question, as always.
His fingers caressed her check, pushing her hair behind her ear. “Ready to go to the party?”
“I guess so,” she said dubiously.
“What?” responded Howie with mock surprise. “My wife isn’t up for dancing with me?”
Sarah laughed softly. “Sure I’m up for dancing with you but how many times am I gonna get cut in on by fans? There’s one in particular who’s DYING to salsa with you.”
“I promise, I’ll give her one dance
but all my salsas are reserved for my beautiful wife. We won’t be at the party
long though. With all the ‘extras’ in the show, we cut our time at the wrap
party.”
“Extras? Now who on earth would have pulled all those pranks?”
Howie laughed, “I wonder. Come on, ‘Angel’. I expect the others are waiting on us.”
Taking her hand, Howie helped Sarah up as a knock sounded at the door.
“Come on in,” called Howie.
Bob opened the door hesitantly and stepped in holding the bear Kryss had given Howie. “Mr. Dorough, I found the bear and it’s as good as when you handed it to me.”
“Thanks, Bob. We’re ready to head to the party. Are the others waiting?”
“Everyone except Mr. Carter and his wife headed on over. They said something about you two making them miss the plane.”
Howie laughed, “Okay.”
Bob waited silently at the door, his head tucked, as the couple gathered their things. As Sarah started out the door, he reached for her bag and said, “Mrs. Dorough…um, I, uh…I apologize for the way I spoke to you and to the fans. I was out of line.”
Sarah nodded, “Apology accepted. Look, I know how hard your job is and I really do appreciate what you do for us.”
“I was out of line. I promise, it won’t happen again.”
“I’m sure it won’t,” said Howie. Seeing Nick and Becca waiting, Howie put his hand on Sarah’s lower back and said, “Let’s go, ‘Angel’.”
Seeing the look in Sarah’s eyes, Becca took her hand and the two women headed on in front of the guys. She had plenty to talk to Sarah about to get her mind off the flight.
Nick looked after them having seen the look in Sarah’s eyes too. “Is Sarah gonna be okay?”
“She’ll be fine once we get on the plane and she sees that it’s perfectly safe,” answered Howie watching the women. Then more to himself but loud enough for Nick to hear, “It’s just getting her there and on the plane.”
Nick shook his head, “Why don’t you give her one of the sedatives the doctor gave her to sleep? It always seems to calm her down.”
Howie shook his head, “Drugs aren’t the answer, Nick. She’s got to face this sooner or later and I’d prefer it to be now than when we have to fly to Japan. She’s gotten through all the other stuff with our support, she’ll get through this too.”
“I hope you’re right, man,” said Nick doubtfully.
As Nick went to be with Becca as they went into the party, Howie mumbled, “Me too.”
Sarah was waiting for him and she gave him a kiss as he took her hand. Together, the couple joined the others for the remaining time they had in Las Vegas to celebrate the end of the ‘Black and Blue’ North American tour.