Pt. 7 Going Home


"He's been in there a while. Should we check on him?" Mick asked looking at the door
Dwayne went into a few minutes earlier.

"Nah, he's all right, Mick. Let him be." Steve said confidently. Suddenly the phone
rang, startling both men. Steve answered it.

"Hello?.......yeah?" Steve looked over at Mick and mouthed 'Paul'. Mick nodded and
turned back to the TV. "Well, I think he's asleep right now....wait a minute..." The bedroom
door opened and Dwayne came walking out. Steve quickly pointed to the phone. "It's
Paul. You up to talking?"

"Sure." Dwayne sat down on the sofa.

"Okay, here he is." Steve handed Dwayne the phone.

"Hey, Paul. What's up?"

"Can you go somewhere private?"

"Sure?" Dwayne replied confused. He got up and went back to the bedroom. When he
left Mick looked at Steve.

"For a guy who just got the shit beat of him, you don't seem to be holding any
grudges." Mick said, a cocky smirk spread over his face and he got up and went in the kitchen.
Steve just watched him leave, trying to come up with a good comeback. He just shook his head.

~~~Bedroom~~~

Dwayne shut the door behind him and stood in the middle of the room. He tired to
figure out what was so important. "So what's going on, man?"

"Um, Dwayne, Dany called." Dwayne froze and fell silent. "She, uh, asked about you."

"She called you? Wh...what did you tell her?" Dwayne swallowed the lump in his throat.
His heart began racing.

"Well, uh, I told her that you were fine and...."

"What did she say?" Dwayne asked, slightly fearing the answer.

"Not much, man. She's still kinda upset with you. I didn't know what to say. I told her
she should try calling Steve's house. Then she just started crying and hung up."

"She was crying?"

"Yeah." It was a whisper. "Maybe you should call her? I think she wants to straighten
things out."

"I don't know if I can do that." He really didn't.

"Dwayne, you'll have to, man! She won't call you, you know that. She's willing to fix
things. Don't you want to see your kid?" Dwayne swallowed again at the mention of his
child. He closed his eyes.

"Yeah...."

"Then hang the phone up and call her!" Dwayne was silent. "Okay, I'll hang up first,
okay? Call her! See you later, man." He hung up. Dwayne clenched the receiver in his
hand and took a long, deep breath to slow his beating heart. He can't call her here. He'll
have to go somewhere a little more private. He grabbed his jacket up off the bed and
walked out the door. He tossed the phone to Mick, who unexpectedly caught it in his lap.
Dwayne opened the front door.

"Whoa, where you think your going?" Mick asked.

"Going for a little ride, *mom*." Rock sneered. "Lay off, I'll be back in a minute."

"What Paul want?" Steve asked. Dwayne shrugged, pretending the call meant nothing.

"Nothing much. Wished me luck." He realled didn't feel like explaining it all. He walked out the door quickly to avoid further questions. He got in Steve's truck and pulled out the drive.

He drove around the neighborhood a few times before he worked up enough courage
to call his wife. How would she react when she hears him? Angry? Spiteful? Or will she
just ignore him and hang up? Well, there is only one way to find out. Dwayne pulled into
the parking lot of a late night gas station and cut the engine. He pulled out his cell phone
and dialed home. It rang three times before someone picked up.

"Hello?" The quick answer startled him and he fell silent. "Hello?" The voice was
getting agitated. Dwayne took a deep breath to muster up some courage.

"Dany?" His voice was shaky as it came out in a rushed whisper. He heard a gasp on the
other end.

"Dwayne?" She was obviously surprised at who it was and her voice had yet show
anger. Dwayne smiled slightly and let out the breath he was holding.

"Yeah."

"Oh my God. Is everything all right? Are you okay?" This time her voice was filled with
concern.

"Yes, everything's fine."

"Then why did you call? Are you sure?"

"Paul called and said you asked about me and......" He trailed off, having no clue as to
what to say.

"Are you sure your okay?" He knew full well she was hinting to his addiction.

"Yeah, considering. I've been clean for a week now, Dany."

"Oh my God, baby!! That's great to hear! I'm so proud of you!" She was on the verge
of crying.

"It was hard and I could have used a little extra support." He immediately regretted the
words. He didn't mean to sound as harsh as it came out.

"Oh. I know, I know. I'm sorry, baby. But it was hard for me too. I didn't know what to
do. It was getting too much to handle."

"So, am I forgiven?"

"I know now that you were never really at fault." Dwayne laughed sadly yet he was
filled with joy. "Besides, I think your son wants to meet you." Dwayne's eyes got wide
and his heart skipped a beat.

"Son....I have as son?"

"Mmm hmm. And he misses his daddy. Why don't you come on home, daddy?"

"You have no idea how long I've waited to hear that." He said softly. He heard a soft laugh on the other end.

"I love you, you know?" She said after a brief pause.

Dwayne grinned and closed his eyes. "I love you too."



PLEASE review if you want another chapter!!!!!!!!!!!