About a week later, Tommy had just closed his mother's bedroom door for the night when Jude's voice met his unexpecting ears. His foggy, half asleep mind didn't register that the TV was still on, but had his body rushing for the living room, looking for the source of the beautiful voice. His incredulous eyes swept the room for Jude, when he saw her, though, his body slumped with disappointment. Jude's smiling face greeted him from the TV, it was a clip from an interview she did over a year ago; the music behind it was something unfamiliar, but very, very good.
"...Jude Harrison is off again! Her third and rumored best album to date is set to release in just a few weeks. With all the hustle and bustle Jude seems to be keeping a low profile, stating in an exclusive interview with Talk National that she'd like to remain "Off the radar" until her album drops, also saying that those who inspire her songs "Will know who they are." Could her latest hit be about the longing for her ex boyfriend and hip hop superstar, Shay? I guess we'll never know-"
Tommy turned off the TV and tossed the remote aside, aiming for the couch, but it glanced off the coffee table and clattered loudly to the ground. He grumbled under his breath, leaving the remote forgotten on the floor, and headed for his room. Plopping against the pillows, Tommy held his phone up and dialed Jude's number. As always, he was met with her voicemail; the sound of her voice soothed him, it sounded happy. He was curious as to why her phone had been off for the last several days, but not curious enough to inquire Sadie or Kwest about it.
Lately he'd been watching her life through pictures and TV appearances. Darius must think highly of the album for him to be putting so much publicity in to it. Tommy constantly tried to remind himself that this is what he wanted, but all he wanted now was to be with her. The maddening quiet has been on his case for quite some time now, and it was truly getting to him. He wanted to hear her voice, her laugh, to see her smile and watch her sleep...he wanted her here, and he didn't care how selfish that made him.
If that wasn't bad enough, he's also been dealing with his loss - their loss. The loss of his one and only child was really bringing him to a bad place. It was driving him crazy, and the pain hadn't even begun to dull yet. He couldn't heal without Jude, and deep down, he knew that whatever he was feeling, Jude was feeling times ten. If it wasn't for this house, and his damn psychopath mother, he'd be there by now to comfort her.
A shrill, incessant beep ripped Tommy from his thoughts. Recognizing the sound, he shot up and out of the room, tripping over his own feet on the way to the kitchen, "HOLY SHIT!" He screamed at the sight of the stove completely engulfed in flames. He staggered frantically, first looking for a way to put the fire out, then looking for his mom, finding her sitting at the kitchen table, watching the scene with blank eyes.
Unthinkingly, Tommy grabbed the source of the fire - a lidded pot - by the handles, successfully burning his hands and dropping it to floor, "FUCK!" His fists clenched around his burning palms, watching with horror as the flames coming from the pot caught on the cupboards under the sink. The aged wood burned quickly and worsened the fire substantially. In a panic, Tommy got his mother outside and called the fire department.
As he waited for the firemen, he watched the kitchen burn through the front windows, his eyes vacent of any emotion. Lots of his demons resided in the shadows and corners of that house, he always thought the only way to rid them would be to burn it down, but he never though he'd live to see it happen. The fire gradually crept closer to the window, taking down the kitchen table and chairs with it, as the fire burning on the stove took out the cupboards hovering above it; a loud crash sounded when the dishes feel from their burning shelves.
Lights of Blue and Red colored the scene around him a few minutes later. Upon request of an officer, Tommy and his mom retreated to the street where a bunch of othe people were gathering. "What Happened?" Sally demanded in a panic, as she adjusted the robe hanging from her shoulders. Tommy shrugged, watching as the a team of firemen turned a hose to the flames, his voice a low, emotionless murmur, "She finally burned the damn place down."
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The days weren't so bad. There were distractions and people to talk to, people to fake smiles for. It's the nights that Jude going crazy. And they always started the same, Jude would be relieved to finally be home from a long day of work, take a hot shower, crawl under the warm blankets of her bed and...nothing. She'd hit the sheets with droopy eyes and an exhausted body, but she didn't sleep. She'd lay there for hours in the dark but she couldn't get to the only escape from reality she's been desperate for.
Eventually, she'd make her way to the couch and watch late night movies and infomercials until it was time to start her day. Sadie seemed to notice her lack of sleep and appetite, but she never said anything, not that Jude would answer if she had. Other than a few interviews and performances, Jude has been making a conscious effort not to speak to anyone. The last time she had a full conversation with Sadie, Kwest was moving out and Jude was consoling her. Sadie was tight lipped about why her and Kwest broke up. This made Jude feel better about not spilling any details about Tommy. If Sadie could keep secrets so could she.
Jude descended the staircase after successfully covering up the dark circles under her eyes and found a rather large stack of pancakes on the stove waiting for her. Next to it was a slip of paper with only the word 'Please' written on it. At first Jude figured Sadie was sucking up for something, but after some thought, it seemed more like a request; Sadie's own way of trying to help. The gesture brought a tiny smile to Jude's lips. It's sweet of her to care Jude took a single fork full before dumping the rest into the trash But I'm fine.
A set of automatic doors slid to a loud close behind Tommy as he headed toward the only car in the parking lot. After a bit of begging and convincing - and a harmless little bribe - Tommy got the nursing home to take his mother at this late hour; apparently there was a whole ordeal to admitting someone. Just as Tommy shut himself in Jude's rental car, his phone sounded in his pocket. It was ridiculous, but he rushed to answer it, hoping it was Jude. "Hello?"
"Hey Tom."
Tommy cringed; wrong sister. "Hey Sades. What's up?" His tone was already edging toward ending the call
Sadie sighed "Are you really coming back?"
Tommy nodded even though Sadie couldn't see "Any day now."
"I wasn't sure if Jude was just saying that." Sadie stopped, feeling like she'd said something she shouldn't have and quickly continued, "Um, what's going on with you guys?"
"How much has she told you?"
Sadie hesitated, glancing over her shoulder to make sure Jude hadn't come in and spoke in a hushed tone, "She hasn't said anything. I'm worried about her, Tommy. She won't eat, she hasn't been sleeping and she won't talk to anyone - not even me."
Tommy shrugged a little at the last one; Jude and Sadie hadn't been extremely close to begin with. He took a deep breath "We're...over, I guess."
"You guess?" Sadie demanded, her tone harsh, "What the hell did you do?"
Tommy cocked an eyebrow, that's a loaded question. "It's complicated."
"It's complicated" Sadie scoffed "I should've seen that coming." She sighed with a light shake of her head, "Jude's a complete mess. I hope you're happy."
Tommy tongued his cheek, quickly becoming aggravated with Sadie and bit back in a cold, sarcastic voice, "Yeah, I'm thrilled. It is, after all, my mission in life to destroy Jude's."
"Tasteful." Sadie spat
Tommy shoved the keys in the ignition and turned on the heater, "I'm sorry Jude's upset." He said, his tone resigned "Please tell her that I'll be home soon - I need to talk to her."
"Why don't you call her yourself?"
"This isn't something that can be done over the phone. Just please, tell her I'll be home soon." Tommy hesitated like he was going to say something else, but ended the call with a quick "Bye Sadie." He sat still for a long while, not really thinking or seeing anything. All he could focus on was how much his heart ached at the thought of Jude's pain. Why hadn't she told anyone what happened? It's hard to believe she hasn't confided in anyone. Why make herself suffer by keeping it all hidden? Tommy twisted his grip on the wheel, fearing that Jude may have ended up scarred after all.