I was playing Rockband 3, yesterday, and "Last Dance" by the Raveonettes came on. I immediately thought "HENRY BLANK!" and I started writing this morning. It probably isn't too accurate, but I wrote it quickly. Tell me if you notice anything off-putting, and I'll edit it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Next to Normal, The Raveonettes, or RENT (I wish)
I knew it was inevitable. When you have a drug intake like that, you're bound to overdose at some point. I immediately called the ambulance, and they picked Natalie and I up at the corner of my house—I didn't want them to know that I'd just saved her from some club and that she was underage.
We rushed to intensive care, and I sat by her side as they did everything they could until her dad got there. I called Mr. Goodman and told him to get there, and quickly. I put my earbuds in, and hoped that she would be okay. It was the Raveonettes' "Last Dance," which was incredibly coincidental.
Your lipstick
Smeared beside
I adore you
I always have
And every time you overdose
I rush to intensive care
Another set-eyed stare
Before you disappear
If this is the last dance,
If this is the last dance,
Then save it for me baby…
I held her hand tightly. Mr. Goodman ran in and thanked me.
"How is she?" He almost yelled at the nurse.
"We don't know. We think she'll be fine, but it takes a while. She's going to need rehab—,"
"Is she on something?" He asked. I knew I'd left a detail out.
"As far as we can tell, she's on prescription drugs and alcohol." She said, " I don't know where she would get Valium, but I assure you, you need it out of your house."
"You said something about rehab?"
"She definitely should go. Three months at a facility, and then she can come back. Since it's summer, I think you can do that." The nurse said, not even looking at me.
I was upset. "I'm going with her."
"Sorry, who are you?" Asked the nurse as I took my iPod out of my ears,
"Her boyfriend!" I yelled,
"Are you an addict? Why do you want to go with?"
"Um," I said, "I was."
"Well, it's expensive." She said condescendingly, passing me off like a five year old.
Your addiction
And you are in love
Not star-crossed
I wait my turn
And every time you overdose
I rush to Intensive Care
Another set-eyed stare
Before you disappear
"I need her!" I said, as serious as I could be, "I'm fucking in love with her!"
Mr. Goodman looked surprised, and put a hand on my shoulder.
"What were you addicted to?" He asked. I knew he wasn't going to be mad if I explained.
"Pot, but I…gave it up for your daughter." I said, "I love her…so much."
He nodded, and I looked down at Natalie. She looked as if she was waking up. I immediately ran to her side and held her hand.
"Natalie," I said, trying as hard as I could. She groaned, "I'm here."
Nothing yet—I tried again.
"Perfect for you," I remembered our first kiss, "I could be perfect for you, so you could go crazy, or I could go crazy, it's true. Sometimes life is insane, but, crazy, I know I can do, 'cause crazy is perfect, and fucked up is perfect, so I will be perfect…"
She mumbled the word, "Perfect," and I kissed her.
"Perfect for you," I said, praying for the first time in god-knows-when.
"H-Henry," She said, opening her eyes, "I love you."
"Thank God this moment's not the last," I said, wrapping my arms around her, kissing her over and over. I was incredibly grateful.
The radio came on in the hospital, and Natalie and I looked at each other. Just as I'd said what I had, it was Finale B from RENT. We were okay.
Life Goes On,
But I'm Gone,
'Cause I'd Die Without You.
I'd Die Without You.
No Day But Today.