Thanks to everyone who has read or sent reviews- they were really encouraging.
6 Months later
Ray stood near the window leaning against it, staring outside, oblivious of anything going on around him inside. He looked outside as the rain started to fall more heavily along the England streets. The cobblestone roads becoming more and more shiny as the rain continued to fall. Outside people were walking slowly as if they were used to rain. The rain that reminded him so much of Chicago and everything he had left behind- his friends, County and Neela. The band had been successful and they had played a lot of places and there was the groupies. Ray had tried to go out with some of the girls there but eachtime he found he just missed Neela. He wondered what she was doing, and if she was happy with Gates. The band was doing great and they were rehearsing for their event that evening.
"Hey man you- coming?" Brett called out to Ray as he walked over to him.
Ray turned in the direction of Brett "Yeah- I'll be there soon"
"Come on man- we've got a few great girls with us. One of them asked about you- thought you were good looking"
"No man- I'm ok- you guys go" Ray said as he shook his head softly and then returned his gaze to outside the window
"Listen Ray" Brett said as he walked up to ray and put a hand on his arm "This is about Neela isn't it?" He asked
When he didn't get a response from Ray he continued "look, she made her choice."
"yeah" ray said softly without removing his gaze from the window
"For months now you haven't bothered with any girl"
"I know- listen- you guys just go- alright?" Ray pleaded with this voice
"alright- if you change your mind- you know where we'll be" Brett said
"yeah" Ray said softly "Thanks man" Ray said as he looked at Brett
Brett turned back to the guy "Lets go guys" he called out
Ray turned back to the window and continued to look out as the rain fell heavily along the window.
This was the moment that Ray was not looking forward to having. He didn't say anything to Brett but there was a reason he didn't want to go with them. Through the whole time they were touring this was the day he had wanted to avoid. It was the next place that had him concerned. Ray looked down at the sheet of paper in his hand that had the list for the tour schedule. His eyes scanned the sheet of paper and read over the one line he had read and reread over and over again. It was one simple line written across the page but it held so much to so many things:
Dec 5 - Chicago.