Chapter 29 - Farewell

Tommy: "I can't change your mind?"

Jude: "Nope, I'm going." and with that Jude walked out. This was sure to be an interesting weekend. Jude made her way home on the subway. Instead of thinking of the weekend she had ahead of her with Lance's family all she could think about was the kiss she had shared with her boyfriend's brother. "What were you thinking, Jude? If self inflicting pain wasn't against the law, I'd slap you right now. You know he'll never give his heart to you. But Tommy has always been there for me when I really needed him, I can't risk losing his friendship on a wish. A wish that will never come true in the first place. If I tell Tommy how I really feel I'll lose Lance, my sister and him too. Georgia will snap her finger and he'll be gone. All I have to do is keep my feelings bottled up until they disappear. Did I just say my feelings? What feelings would those be? I have no idea how I feel for Tommy. I like being around him. He understands me, I like kissing him. STOP! Lance, concentrate on him. I'm sort of excited to be spending the weekend with him. Not to mention Tommy will be there. Jude, STOP. There I go again thinking of Tommy. Get him out of your head. He is just a fantasy. Lance is reality. Oh snap this is my stop." She ran out the sliding doors and into the cold, fall breeze.

A few minutes later she came home, realized her Mom was still at work and made her way to Sadie's room. She knocked gently.

Sadie: "It's open." she heard her sister yell from the other side of the door. Jude reached for the knob and turned it. She entered and noticed all the clothes Sadie had laying on her bed, not to mention the two fully packed suit cases in the corner of her room.

Jude: "Going somewhere?"

Sadie: "As a matter of fact, yes."

Jude: "Where?"

Sadie sat down a shirt she was holding up and looked at her sister: "I got early acceptance to college. I leave tomorrow morning."

Jude: "What? That's great but when were you going to tell me you were leaving?"

Sadie: "Jude, it's no big deal. I would have left in a month anyways. Besides, you can come down to New York and visit me."

Jude: "What about Tommy?" she asked realizing he was still her sister's boyfriend. Why hadn't Tommy told her about this?"

Sadie: "Nothing. We haven't been working out anyways."

Jude: "You broke up?" she asked a part of her hoping it to be true. Cuz if it was true then she wouldn't have to feel so guilty for kissing him behind her sister's back. Sadie picked up another shirt and carefully folded it.

Sadie: "Not officially but I know when it's over."

Jude: "I'm sorry." she said. It was the best she could do. She knew her sister was hurting even though she tried to cover it.

Sadie: "Don't be. I'll get me a hot American boy. Hey, why are you home so early?"

Jude: "Oh, Lance invited me to Thanksgiving at his parent's house. We leave early tomorrow."

Sadie: "Wow, meeting the folks. You two are moving fast."

Jude: "Nah, Tommy is coming too."

Sadie: "Oh."

Jude: "Sorry, I didn't mean to bring him up again."

Sadie: "It Ok. He is your producer. Now get out, I have to finish packing." she said smiling. Jude saw a tear in the corner of Sadie's eye. She got up to leave but then turned around and hugged her big sister tender-heartedly.

Jude: "I love you." she whispered. Sadie closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around Jude.

Sadie: "I love you too." a moment later Jude walked out of Sadie's room and into her own.

All of a sudden the house felt so big and empty. It used to be four of them living there. Her Dad moved out and then it was just three. Now with Sadie leaving she'll be alone with her Mom. In the second she realized how hollow the place was becoming, she also realized how hollow her heart was already. She had a ton of love hidden in her heart but no one to share it with. She had spend the years growing up fighting with Sadie when she should have loved and appreciated her. Now that Sadie was leaving everything was changing. Shaking these depressing thoughts out of her head, Jude opened her closet and picked out a few clothes she threw in a duffle bag. She then packed up some hygiene products and headed for the shower. Once out, she collapsed on her bed and fell deeply asleep.

The phone rang next to her right ear. She threw her pillow off her head and reached for the receiver still half asleep.

Jude eyes closed: "Hello?"

Lance: "Hey, sleepyhead. We're downstairs."

Jude swung her eyes open and looked at the clock: "What? Why didn't you call sooner?"

Lance: "Don't worry, you got time. Tommy and Sadie are saying goodbye."

Jude just remembered Sadie was leaving in a few minutes. She hung up the phone, brushed her teeth in world record time, threw on some clothes, grabbed her duffle bag and ran down the stairs. She saw Lance sitting on the kitchen counter flipping through the paper while Sadie and Tommy were talking in the living room. Looking at them she felt her heart sink knowing that her sister was breaking apart but her own heart was anything but whole. Deciding they needed a few minutes she made her way towards Lance. Sadie and Tommy hadn't even noticed her at all.

Jude: "Hey."

Lance: "Morning beautiful." he said grinning and leaned up to kiss her lightly. Jude smiled seeing the tiny wrinkles form around his blue eyes as he smiled only at her.

Jude: "How long you been here?"

Lance: "About 20 minutes. They've been talking all the way through."

Jude glanced at them and caught Tommy's eye for the first time that morning. She noticed how he held Sadie's hand the same way he had held hers when they were locked up together. A sad expression appeared on her face when Tommy just turned his head to face Sadie again not even acknowledging her.

Tommy: "I'm sorry, Ok?"

Sadie: "I'm running out of times to forgive you."

Tommy: "I know I'm a screw-up, I know I don't deserve you but I deserve a chance."

Sadie: "You've had all the chanced in the world and every time you've run in the other direction."

Tommy: "I was scared. I've never done this before. Let me come out to New York and visit you once you're all settled in."

Sadie: "This is the last chance you've got, Tom."

Tommy: "I'll make it count, I promise." he said and wrapped his arms around her. While Sadie's hands flung around his neck all he was looking at was Jude. Even in her worst she still was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. Sadie released her hold and looked right at him. She then turned her head facing Jude and then back to him.

Sadie: "Promise me you'll take good care of her." she asked genuinely.

Tommy: "She needs anything but me telling her what to do."

Sadie: "Don't tell her what to do just guide her in the right direction."

Tommy: "I'll try." he said looking at Jude who was laughing about something with Lance.

Sadie: "She might not admit it but she looks up to you. You're her hero. She needs you in her life more than anyone." Tommy looked at her and smiled. Jude was stubborn but she always did try to make it work between them. She always defended him when others had nasty things to say and she'd always stand up for him even though he'd act like a total jackass towards her.

Tommy: "She's priority number one." he said out loud without even realizing it. He then noticed Jude walking over and standing right in between them.

Jude: "Sorry to disturb but where's my hug?" she asked smiling. Tommy stepped to the side. Sadie wrapped her arms around her sister and Jude did the same.

Sadie: "I love you."

Jude: "I love you too." she whispered.

Sadie: "Hey, you're gonna come and visit me with Tommy, right?" she asked. Jude looked at Tommy who nodded and Jude tried to smile.

Jude: "Yeah, with Tommy." Few minutes later the taxi arrived and Sadie made her way to the door.

Sadie: "Tell Mom, I'll call her as soon as I arrive. I told her this morning but remind her again." she said stepping through the door.

Jude: "I will." she said a single tear dropping down.

Sadie: "And have fun at the Quincy's." were her last words. She got inside the yellow cab and drove off. Jude stood there with Tommy at the steps. He threw an arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer. She hugged him tightly needing all the comfort she could get. A few minutes later Tommy was behind the wheel, Lance in the passenger's seat and Jude in the back. She rolled down her window knowing this would be a long ride and an even longer visit.

Everyone was quiet. Lance was busy playing with his phone. Jude thought he was text-ing someone. Tommy was busy driving and Jude was busy doing nothing. She caught Tommy's eyes in the rearview mirror. He would look at the road and than at her. She felt uncomfortable knowing Lance was right there. No one said a word. Jude adjusted herself more comfortably and in a few minutes was tight asleep. Tommy stopped the car at a gas station and got out to fill up the tank. Lance looked back at Jude who was still fast asleep. Tommy got back in the car and fastened his seat belt. He placed a bag of food that he had just gotten in the back, above Jude's head. A smile crept up when he looked at her. He turned to Lance.

Tommy: "You're going to hurt her." he said. Lance looked at him puzzled Tommy continued "Jess called looking for you."

Lance's face paled: "Jess is history. I'm not going to hurt Jude."

Tommy: "I know you're not cuz if you do………..only God can help you." he said as if it was every day that he threaten his brother.

Lance: "I know you really care about Jude but you need to worry about Sadie and let me take care of MY girlfriend."

Tommy: "Don't say you haven't been warned." he turned to the road and started the ignition. A few minutes later they were back on the freeway. Jude opened her eyes.

Jude: "Are we there yet?"

Lance: "Not yet. Sleep good?"

Jude: "Not really, I'm hungry."

Tommy: "Above your head."

Jude turned around to find a bag full of candy and pastries.

Jude: "How'd you-"

Tommy: "Know?" he chuckled "I read you like an open book, Harrison."

Lance looked from Jude to Tommy and back. He was jealous of the bond his brother shared with his girlfriend. Jude ate in silence picking on things. Lance turned on the CD player to find Jude's voice. Jude looked at Tommy who was already looking at her through the rearview mirror. They both recognized the song. "White Lines". Everyone remained quiet. It was awkward for Jude; she had told Tommy that the song was for him. Most of her songs were but this one was different. She had been away on tour. She had a chance to forget about him but she didn't. Instead she wrote songs for him, about him over and over again. Just as the song ended, Tommy pulled up in a drive way. The house was normal size: two floors, three garages. Nice little garden in the front.

Tommy parked: "Let the torture begin." he declared. The front door of the house opened.

Hey guys I was suppose to post yesterday but something came up and here I am. Since the weather sucks and its raining I couldn't go to Ceder Point but Prom (Friday night) was awesome. I had a blast. If you have a myspace you can check them out on my page.

Anyways off to me posting. So who saw the season Finale? I was a little disappointed in the way Tommy left but I just don't believe that that little girl is his. My gut is telling me otherwise. Anyways I'm sort of in a rush so I can't post comments for all of you just know that I really enjoy reading them.

Thanks for all the support you all always show me. Hope you like this update.

Minela