Chapter 3
A couple weeks had passed, and Velma was beginning to really miss the past. So desperately she wanted to be back up on stage. Billy understood, and he couldn't help but smile every time he imagined her up on stage singing her heart out with her honey-molasses voice, her scent of wild violets filling the room. After he would snap out of it, he would place his hand on hers, reassuring her.
They were having money trouble, with rent high, and food on an ultimate low. There were three of them, and Billy had to get Velma and Clyde out of the house, so that he could let Roxie and Buddy go without Velma knowing.
He took Velma's hand, took his son into his arms, and headed out into the streets. Roxie took one last look at Velma, and almost cried.
"Bye Velma. Don't forget about me. I know I won't ever forget you." She
sighed through tears.
"Roxie, What are you rambling on about?! I'm gonna be back in no more then an hour. See you soon." Velma smiled, laughing at Roxie amiably.
"See ya Buddy." Uttered Billy.
"Thank you, Billy. Nice doing business with you." Buddy smiled and they shook hands as Velma and her son waited down the hall.
"Good luck." he said before closing the door, which didn't give them time to reply. That was more than enough emotion for Billy for the time being.
It took him a minute. "You too." Buddy finally whispered. Roxie looked up at him, and they grabbed their things. The house looked bare before, even with the few things that they had. Now it was unrecognizable.
He took her hand, and kissed her cheek. "I love you. And I love you even more for what you just did." He whispered admiringly. He was proud of her. She smiled and kissed him back; and with that they were out the door and on their way.
Billy was afraid on the streets. He held Clyde close, and clutched Velma's hand fiercely. Suddenly a dirty young woman with two kids on either hand, approached the couple. Velma stood back a little as she came up to her, and Billy took a step forward to protect her if necessary.
"You're THE Velma Kelly!" the woman spoke. Velma was somewhat taken aback that such a poor young woman such as the one that stood before them, would be able to recognize her.
"Yes. Yes I am." It felt strange to admit. She had been Vel, not THE Velma Kelly, the last couple weeks.
"Oh I love you so much! I was there the day...the stock market crashed. I never got to applaud for you and Roxie. I guess no one did. But you did just wonderful! If Vaudeville ever comes back, I won't see anyone but you two!" The woman beamed, and that made Velma smile too. She hadn't seen many smiles lately...not very many at all.
"Thank you. Thank you very much. That means a lot to me." Said Velma sincerely, as she hugged the woman.
"Oh my God, Velma Kelly hugged me!" Cried the woman skipping off with her two children to the group she came from. Everyone listened as she spoke of how Velma had hugged her. Passionately they all looked over at Velma and waved. Velma now in higher spirits, waved back, then once again taking Billy's hand, she walked onward.
"Guess you still got it, huh?" Billy grinned.
"I still got it... but I don't think Vaudeville ever will again." She sighed. Billy looked down at the ground as he walked, knowing the grim words Velma spoke were tragically true.
"Let's go back home." Said Billy sullenly. He knew Roxie and Buddy would be gone by then.
As they began to make their way back home, Billy was starting to become nervous. Still, he tried to brace himself for Velma's sure-to-be rueful reaction to Roxie and Buddy's departure. He was upset himself, but he couldn't show it...not now.