Brian carefully placed the picture back in the bag and put the shoebox back the way he found it. He sat on the bed quietly trying to make sense of all the recent events. He knew he was wrong. He should have never left her so long without even calling...never calling. He never realized how much he loved her until he was gone. When he got his head together he thought it was too late. He had been so wrong. He has missed out on having a child and being in her life. There was so much that didn't add up about the picture. He knew that nobody knew what was going on but Patrice, Patrice and his mother. Brian bolted up and went to check on Patrice again. She was still sleeping soundly. He shut her bedroom door and picked up her telephone. He pounded in his mother's number suddenly furious.
"Hello" his father's voice answered, coated with sleep. "Dad it’s Brian, I need to speak to mom" Brian said his voice shaking; he realized he didn't know what he was going to say. There was a long pause and some rustling before his father said, "Brian, do you realize it is a quarter to five?". Brian swallowed hard, "Yes Dad, but this is very important." He said standing his ground. "Hold on" his father said. Brian could hear his mother's soft voice asking, "Who is it?". "Brian honey, are you okay?" His mother’s concerned voice asked sounding alert. "No Mom, I am not okay...not okay at all," Brian said trying to keep his voice low so he didn't wake Patrice. "What is it sweetie?" she asked sounding worried. "Mom, do you remember Patrice, I know you do." Brian said, his voice quivering slightly. "Well of course I do, but what does this have to do with you calling me at nearly 5 o'clock in the morning?" she asked, Brian thought he heard a strain in her voice. "Well, I found her tonight mom, and she is going home with me, and I also found out something else". There was silence on his mothers end before she said, "What is that honey, I am glad you found her, but there has got to be something else that has got you all upset." His mother said clearing her throat. "I found a picture Mother, a picture you wrote on, and do you want to guess what the picture was?" Brian asked, getting a smart-ass tone. He heard his mother taking a deep breath. It sounded as if she kept opening her mouth to say something but closing it before sounds came out. "Well Mom?" Brian asked. "Honey, she was too young, too young to ruin your life baby."
Brian breathed in deeply, feeling as if he had been punched in the stomach. "So she was pregnant, and you did know and you didn't tell me!" Brian said outraged but still trying to keep his voice low. "Brian honey, just listen to me_" his mother began. "What can you say mom? What can you say to make it okay?" Brian asked tears streaming down his face. "Listen Brian, You were almost 18, Patrice was barely 15, your career would have been ruined, and you would have ended up working in the steel mill. I didn't tell you because I did what was best for you." She said hoping he would buy into her excuse. "Would you doing the best for me explain why she is so bitter towards me?" Brian started, "Did you tell her I didn't want to talk to her, did you?" Brian asked the angry tears burning his throat. His mother was crying now and Brian couldn't have cared less. "No wonder she hates me!" Brian exclaimed into the phone. Brian waited for his mother's sobs to calm before he asked his last question. "Where is the baby mom?" he asked praying she would tell him. "She's gone Brian, and if you know what is best for you, leave her alone, she is hurt enough" his mother basically ordered. "She_" Brian whispered, tears blurring his vision. "I won't leave her alone Mother, but I will leave you alone, goodbye" Brian said coolly hanging up before she could respond.
Brian walked into Patrice's bathroom and washed his face with cold water. He would make it up to her, he promised himself. He was so exhausted he didn't know how he was going to make it up. He couldn't believe how quickly his life had changed in the last night, or early morning for that matter. He made his way into the living room where Patrice was still asleep. He kneeled beside her again. "Patrice" he whispered into her ear. She stirred. "Yes" she answered looking much more angelic without the stage make-up and racy outfits. "Let's go home." He whispered praying that would work. "I am home" she said tears flooding her eyes again. Brian closed his eyes and frowned slightly. Just as Patrice was about to turn her back towards him again he said, "I know Patrice, I know almost everything and I am so sorry, I never knew. If I did Patrice if I knew, things would be different". He pulled Patrice into his arms while she cried and let his own tears fall as she finally let him begin to work his way back into her heart. "Let's go" Brian said pulling her up. "My things" she began. "Forget them I will get you all new things, just get your jacket and we will take your car since I am lacking one right now." He felt like he was taking control and quickly changed his tone. "Everything is going to be okay now 'Tricie." He said as she turned out all the lights in her shabby apartment. She handed him her car keys as he opened the door for her, letting the chilly air inside. They walked quickly to Patrice's Honda Civic, looking over their shoulders the whole time. Brian held her door open as she got into the passenger side. Brian got into the driver's seat and started the car. He made a mental note to get gas as soon as they were out of this town. "Where are we going?" she asked. "I don't want to tour with you" she said thinking about the hectic life he must have. "We are going home, the tour is over." Brian said, so tired he questioned being able to drive all the way to Lexington. "Where is home?" she asked incredibly tired. "My house in Lexington" he said wondering if the guys had made their way to Kevin's house or if they were raiding his fridge at that exact moment. Patrice sighed; she hadn't been "home" in 5 years; she had a lot of demons to battle.
