Holiday- An Instant Star Christmas Story
Chapter 2: Shock Therapy
A few weeks later, that same tour bus slowed, and then finally came to a stop in front of Jude's house.
"She's home!" Victoria Harrison screamed loudly, as she ran out the door to greet her returning daughter. Kat, Jamie and even Sadie followed eagerly at her heels.
Jude's eyes lit up at the sight of her loved ones.
"My stop!" she grinned happily at Tommy.
"Yeah. They really missed you."
"I missed them!" she replied.
"Yeah, I know." he said, giving her a quick kiss.
"Go on." he urged, knowing she wanted to.
"Sure you won't come in for a while?"
"I can't. You know that. I gotta get the bus back to G-Major. Check in with Georgia. But I'll call you later." Tommy promised.
"Ok." Jude replied, squeezing his hand before grabbing her bags and leaving.
A few more miles deposited all the Spiederman band members at their respective homes, then the bus turned in at the record company office. Inside, Tommy conferred with Georgia and EJ, who were delighted to hear about the success of the tour, and of the huge positive response Jude and Spiederman received. His report completed, Tommy walked back outside, jumped into his Viper and drove to his own home.
He quickly stepped up the path to the luxurious building and took the private elevator to his penthouse apartment. Inside, everything looked the same. The housekeeping service had done their job while he was away, leaving the place immaculate. Not a speck of dust marred the pristine surfaces, everything sparkled. He could even detect a faint scent of cleaning products in the air. It was cold inside, as chilly as the tour bus had been. This time the coolness bothered him; somehow highlighting the emptiness of his life. Tommy recalled how Jude's family and closest friends joyfully celebrated her homecoming; he had no one to acknowledge his so merrily. True, Georgia, Quest and EJ greeted him warmly at G-Major, but it didn't compare at all to the love that instantly surrounded his girlfriend from the instant she arrived home. But then again, she deserved that. He still wasn't sure what he himself merited.
A red light, winking on and off in the darkness of the room, caught his attention, as did a faint beeping sound. Tommy recognized the small glow from his answering machine; it surprised him. Everyone he dealt with knew he had gone away and contacted him on his cell phone. Who would leave a message for him here? He hit the play button.
"Tommy... " an awkward voice began. A voice that he never expected to hear again. He sat, completely stymied as it continued.
"It's your father... I was just wondering... how you are... I'd really like to talk sometime... give me a call if you want..."