Missing the tomorrow that we could have had.

"Aah! Ah. Wha-what?"

Next thing I knew, I was in front of the computer with the sun shining in.

"Fuck, did I fall asleep here?"

I rubbed my face, feeling the square indents on my ridiculously sore cheek.

I wiped the drool from my lips, and rebooted slowly.

I wiped my eyes until I could see the screen, the last word being 'beautiful.'

"Huh, cool. Thats the last thing I remember too. How did it not get fucked up?"

I looked over to my left, seeing an empty made bed.

"Yeah. Can't say I didn't see that coming."

The disappointment flowed in, but it filled in a familiar spot in my body I had saved for it.

I knew it was coming, I was used to it.

I went back over to the screen, trying to remind myself-

"Sup Dean."

"Gah Jesus!"

"Whoa whoa whoa, you good?"

"What the- Nikki?"

"Yeah?"

"You're…still here?"

"Yup."

"Oh that's…wow that's…"

"What, was I not supposed to?"

"No no no! I'm…glad. I'm really…happy you did. Really."

"Well that's good. Hope you don't mind, I raided your fridge and started some breakfast for us."

"Oh, cool. That must be what I'm smelling."

"Yeah, nothing crazy. Just some eggs and toast."

"Sweet, sounds good."

"Come on up, they're just about done."

"Cool, thanks."

"Here you go, and some for me."

"Wow, these smell great. What did you put in them?"

"Just salt and pepper you dork."

"Oh, cool."

"Go on, let me know how they are."

"Okay…"

"And?"

"Jesus…"

"Oh no, they suck?"

"No, these are the best eggs I've had in my entire life. My god."

"Okay Dean, now I know you're bullshitting me."

"…"

"Dude, slow down. You don't gotta-"

"…"

"Holy fuck, they really that good? You ain't lying?"

"Mmm, grot gat gall."

"Hey hey hey, no talking with your mouth full. There's a lady present."

"Grorry."

"I'll admit, it's pretty flattering. Here, let me take a bite."

"Seriously, this is great. Thank you so much Nikki."

"No problem."

"So…um…"

"What's up?"

"You're not…."

"Am I not what?"

"You know…mad?"

"Mad? Mad about what?"

"Uh…last night-"

"Shh. Can we talk about that later?"

"Um…I guess-"

"I'm still here, let's just….enjoy it. Okay?"

"Uh…yeah. Yeah, absolutely."

"Cool. So, you said a store is gonna have my battery ready?"

"Oh shit, yeah. They open at eight and it's…Jesus Christ nine thirty?"

"Really?"

"Fuck, how long was I sleeping on the desk?"

"I don't know. I woke up before you and you were sleeping like a drunk baby. Do you do that often?"

"No, not at all. I can't remember the last time I fell asleep like that, if I ever did at all."

"I find that hard to believe."

"And why's that?"

"Because if I fell asleep hunched over like that, my back would be absolutely killing me."

"Oh, yeah. Huh."

"Your back seriously isn't bothering you?"

"No, not at all. Wow, honestly I feel like I haven't slept that well in forever."

"Huh. You're an echidna, you know that?"

"A what?"

"Echidna. You know, like, you're weird or something."

"Do…do you mean enigma?"

"An enig-what?"

"Enigma. I think the actual definition is like, difficult to understand or something."

"Oh yeah, that. Definitely that. What did I say?"

"You said echidna. Like Knuckles from Sonic."

"Oh. Well, you're that too."

"I've been called worse things."

When we got to my car, she couldn't help but gush over my designated parking spot.

"You seriously got your own parking spot? That's sick."

"It comes with the apartment. But you only get one though."

"Bachelor's special."

Then she gushed even more as she saw the interior.

"Leather? That's a different color than tan?"

"Yup."

"Fuuuuck."

As we made our way out of the parking garage, we passed by her car.

"Sweet, no one stole my tires overnight."

And with that we were on our way.

She was busy playing with all the buttons on the door and on the dashboard.

But in the back of my mind, I was dying to ask her what the hell was going on.

I was beyond ecstatic she stayed. I was beyond relieved she didn't leave.

But why? it couldn't be something simple, there was no way.

I don't remember yelling at her, I don't remember freaking out.

I remember her on top, I remember the voice and headache.

And after that, all I remember was the pain in my cheek and her teary eyes.

If I did yell and cuss at her, why would she stay?

Why?

"You guys are all set. Just bring the old one back and you'll get the core charge."

"Got it, thank you sir."

"Thanks!"

I brought the battery out to my car and put it in the trunk.

I hopped inside, and I could see Nikki digging through her purse.

"Here, all I got is like forty on me right now. But I can get you the rest later."

"Nah, don't worry about it."

"No. Dean, no. Take the fucking money, you aren't doing this for free."

"The battery was super cheap, please. Save your money in case the car needs something else."

"No, come on. A hundred bucks isn't cheap."

"For a battery it is."

"No."

"Yes."

"No!"

"Yes."

"Fine, I'm shoving the cash in your pocket then-"

"Whoa, whoa, ha, ha, s-stop stop."

"Oh, what's this? You ticklish?"

"Not while I'm driving, please!"

"You're only ticklish when you're driving?"

"What? No, I meant- F-fuck- stop! Come on!"

"Just take the money, come on!"

"Okay okay okay!"

"There you go. Good boy."

"Dude, that wasn't smart."

"Pssh. You're fine, we're fine."

"So far."

"Whatever. Like I said, I'll get you the rest later."

"Alright, alright."

"So, this spaceship have a good sound system?"

"Huh?"

"Does it have good speakers?"

"Oh, hell yeah."

"Well come on, put some tunes on."

"Uhh…."

"Alright, fine. I'll do it."

She commandeered the aux cord and hooked her phone up.

"This place was too close, I thought we'd have more time to try it out."

She scrolled through, trying to find the perfect one.

"Oh, here we go. Perfect."

And with just a couple guitar chords, I know which song she picked.

Lola Montez by Volbeat.

"This is fitting, right?"

"Oh yeah."

Feel the fire where she walks.

Lola Montez, so beautiful.

She started yelling along to the lyrics.

Shady and a tempered dame.

Blinding your eyes with her spider dance.

The guitar and instruments took over, giving her a moment to try and yell at me over the music.

"How come you ain't singing?!"

"What!?"

"How come you ain't singing!?"

"I don't sing!"

"Come on you loser!"

"Not happening!"

"Singing is good for you!"

"Bullshit!"

The lyrics kicked back in.

Her performance utterly, erotic subversive to all ideas.

And for public morality. And cool as she was, she didn't care.

See the miner throw his gold. Lifting her skirt, howling loud like a wolf.

Hell raising and full of sin. When Lola was dancing and showing her skin.

I really couldn't tell if Nikki was giving it her all with her singing voice, or if she was just yelling as loud as she could.

But nonetheless, her eyes were squinted shut by her smile. Losing herself completely in the song.

Wherever she walks, she will be captivating all the men.

Don't look in her eyes. You might fall and find the love of your life.

Heavenly, but she'll catch you in her web.

The love of your life, yeah!

More guitars kicked in, giving her time to slap at my arms.

"You're such a bum, sing with me!"

"Nope!"

"Come on, at least do the next chorus!"

"What?!"

"The next-!"

But then the lyrics appeared again, stopping her in her tracks.

Feel the fire where she walks. Lola Montez, so beautiful.

Shady and a tempered dame, blinding your eyes with her spider dance.

'Well, notorious I have been. But never for fame.' That's what she said.

'Dear Henry, taste my whip. Never to see any words you print.'

While the drums and guitars slammed together, I can see her shake and glide her hips along with them as much as the car seat would allow.

"Sing this part with me!"

"What!?"

"Sing this-!"

Wherever she walks, she will be captivating all the men.

Don't look in her eyes. You might fall and find the love of your life.

Heavenly, but she'll catch you in her web.

The love of your life, yeah!

A quick rapid combination of drums and the guitar built up what's coming next, while she was banging her head along low and quickly.

The guitar solo broke out, bringing her feet and knees up past the dashboard kicking and rocking out with her air guitar.

In that moment, I knew she wasn't looking at or listening to me.

It was easier to start bopping my head along, my lips loosening up a little as well.

It was under my breath, and so low I couldn't even hear myself.

But I did start singing along.

Oh Lola, I'm sure that the love would have been the key to all your pain. The key to all your pain.

No words will later come, did the spider bite your tongue?

We will surely not forget. We will surely not forget.

A couple more strums on her air guitar, and a sudden grip on my arm.

I looked away from the road for a second, so I can see her blue eyes begging me.

And in her eyes, I didn't see the things I have given her, but instead the things I denied her.

And so, I wasn't gonna deny her this.

Together, with everything from our hearts and our lungs, we yelled

The Lola spider dance! Woah!

Don't look in her eyes. You might fall and find the love of your life.

Heavenly, but she'll catch you in her web.

The love of your life, yeah!

"Woo! There you go Dean! Man, you suck!"

"Thanks! You too!"

"Alrighty, start her up. She if she works."

And with no extra spins or whirs, her engine turned over and began purring.

"Yay!"

She hopped out of the car and skipped over to me.

Before saying a word, she jumped up and hugged me tightly.

"Thank you thank you thank you!"

"You're welcome, you're welcome."

"Sorry, sorry. I'm just so relieved right now, I'm so happy it was something so simple."

"I told you, these older cars live forever if you take care of them."

"I won't abuse her anymore, you have my word. I'll take her for an oil change everyday."

"Okay, no. No no. No no no."

"Alright, alright. Every other day."

"Come oooon."

She didn't let go, but she leaned back. She could see me, and I could see her.

"Seriously. Thank you."

"No problem Nikki."

I was waiting for her to say something, or let go first.

But instead, she stood still.

I can see her eyes look at every corner of my face.

Looking me all over, whatever our current position allowed.

And when her eyes went back to mine, she just smiled again.

She brought herself back up, hugging me even tighter than before.

And so I held her even tighter back.

"I gotta go Dean. I'm sorry."

She made sure she had everything, set up her gps, and was ready to take off.

"Dean, please don't be mad."

"Nikki, I'm telling you I'm not mad. I promise."

"No, I'm being a jerk. I'm just running off on you the second my car is running."

"Nikki, we're both adults. It's okay."

"You sure? It's just that I haven't streamed in a bit and if I don't keep up with it then-"

"It's okay."

"Then the bullshit algorithm doesn't help when-"

"Shh."

"Next thing you know I'm not even getting-"

"Shh."

"Not a single-"

"Shh shh shh."

"…okay."

"You have work Nikki, it's nothing to apologize for."

"…you sure?"

"Yes, yes."

"Okay…okay."

"Go on, call me later. Okay?"

"You got it. Thank you so much Dean. Seriously."

"It's no problem."

"Okay. Bye Dean."

"Take it easy."

She rolled up her window, and started rolling forward.

I started walking towards the building, before I could hear some tires squeal.

I turned around, and Nikki's car had barely gone anywhere.

She started reversing, going back to her original spot.

"What the fuck is she-"

She slammed on the brakes, I could hear the car park, and within seconds she was sprinting towards me.

"Nikki? What's wrong? Are you-"

With open arms, she lunged at me. Pouncing on me like a lion.

She caught me in just the right step to knock us both over onto the grass.

She landed on top of me harder than my back landed on the ground.

"Gah. Jesus…Nikki what the hell-"

Before she had said a word, before she even looked at me, before she moved an inch.

Lying there on top of me, she kissed my cheek.

"I read your story while you were asleep Dean. That's why I stayed.

I was gonna leave, I was ready to leave you a note and never talk to you again.

But I couldn't help myself once I peeked at the screen.

There were moments where I doubted you, and didn't believe the things you said and did.

I wasn't so sure you wouldn't become just another regret of mine.

But then I read it. And I couldn't believe it.

The fact that you didn't describe what my belly felt like, or what my body felt like on top of you.

But instead, what it made you feel like. What I must have been feeling like.

How safe you felt, and how I was a warm light.

How trusting I felt, exposing such a vulnerable area to you.

How I was a veil, blocking away the negatives from you.

It really stuck with me Dean. All of it.

I'm still not sure how you feel about me, or how I feel about you or this whole situation.

But I'm willing to stay, I'm willing to keep you.

And I'm hoping you're willing to keep me to.

I'd like to think that whatever I'm doing is helping you, because whatever is you're doing is helping me.

Maybe the next step is obvious, maybe it isn't.

But no matter what, I'm ready to take that step.

But only if you want to as well.

And believe me, there is no rush.

I'm happy where we are, and after reading your story I know it's really happiness.

But let's not force anything, okay?

So far, we've done what feels right. What's come naturally.

And I really hope we can stick with that.

I feel safe with you Dean, I feel I can actually be vulnerable again.

I hope you feel that way too, and that no matter what you can always come to me for anything.

Okay?

It didn't feel right not telling you this, so I did.

And now that I did, I'm not sure what to do next.

So I'm gonna go, okay?

Thank you Dean, I mean it.

See ya later."

I must have lied there in the grass for at least ten minutes straight.

Playing what she did and said over and over again.

I didn't move a muscle. I just kept my eyes closed and smiled.

The grass was a little wet and chilly but the sun was beaming down on me warming me at the same time.

I kept trying to recreate what it felt like in my head countless times.

Trying to feel her on top of me, trying to feel her breath and voice in my ears.

Trying to get the same fluttering in my heart when she explained to me what she felt.

Lying there on the ground, with nothing but the sound of the wind, I started to think this is what true peace feels like.

Nothing else was on my mind.

No worries.

No thoughts or plans.

No disruptive emotions or insecurities.

Nothing. Except her.

And for the first time, I didn't feel guilty thinking about her.

Not one bit.

Thinking about her felt like the right thing to do.

Thinking about her felt like what I was supposed to do.

Thinking about her is what I did do.

…

Until my phone buzzed.

"Is that…oh. It's Becky."

Her text read

'hey dean. need a favor'

I texted back

'Sure thing, what's up?'

I stood up, the wet grass sticking my shirt to my back, the wind now giving me a chill up my spine.

I started walking my way back towards my truck and right as sat in it my phone went off again.

'can u print out and come bring me your script? im assuming you have some of it done'

I started my truck and started bringing it back into the garage.

Once I parked it, I answered back

'Sure, but how come? Can't I just email it you?'

I made my way to the elevator, and she responded

'wifi is down at my house. nuthing works and is hard to transfer shit over to what i need without it and over phone'

Once I got back out, I said

'Alright, will do. I have it pretty much finished up already, text me your address and I'll be over as soon as I can.'

Once I got back to my apartment, she responded again

'Kewl'

'Alright, I'm on my way. GPS says I'll be there in about half an hour.'

I left the garage, and was on my way.

Before I hit the first traffic light, she texted back

'Kewl. just park behind my car. it'll just be me and grandma here'

'Got'cha. I'll let you know when I'm near.'

And with that, I threw some more music on and was on my way to Becky's house.

As happy as I was to just blissfully daydream away, I'm thankful Becky reminded me I did have work to do.

She never did respond the last few days, but the fact that she seems to be back to normal now was making me feel a little relieved.

I was worried about after what happened and seeing how she reacted, our next interaction wouldn't be so pleasant.

Especially since it'd be an unpleasant I wasn't used to.

Times where she left angry and I left scared were plentiful.

But this was the first time it was the other way around.

I didn't know what a scared and guilty Becky would bring.

But since she came to me and texted me first, maybe a scared and guilty Becky isn't who I'd be seeing.

And with every moment that went by, the trip up there started feeling more and more exciting than it did nerve-wracking.

On top of expecting a back to normal Becky, this was actually the first time I'm ever seeing her house and where she lives.

Plus I had the chance of meeting her grandmother for the first time.

Believe it or not, Becky wasn't horrendously open about her personal life.

But all I was ever able to figure out was for what ever the circumstances may be, Becky has lived with and was basically raised by her grandmother.

So I started getting myself excited and intrigued about she was gonna be like.

Would she be exactly like Becky?

Brash and rude but in the most charming way possible?

Would she be tall and intimidating and actually counteract Becky's personality?

Would she be Mother Teresa and has no idea what Becky is like when she isn't there?

It was difficult to sing along to the songs I was playing because my own expectations started getting the better of me.

My gps told me to take a left, and with that left turn I went from just outside the city suburbs to a long-ass backroad to nowhere.

The sudden shift in scenery shifted my thoughts off the grandmother onto Becky herself.

I had my script printed out and rubber banded in the seat next to me.

How would she react to this?

Even if Nikki said it was amazing, so good to convince her to not ghost my ass, could Becky translate it into the panels?

Would I have to explain every inch and… never mind that was a poor choice of words.

But what if though?

The GPS said to take another left, and this left had me turning into a dark batch of woods.

"What the…she lives here?"

This wooded area was called the Blues.

Since the bluest of blue collar men and women occupied this area.

It was quiet, isolated, and often not looked upon or talked about positively.

It always pissed me off. You get a busy overpopulated city with people who can't even turn off the water to the toilet, and yet look down on the people that can as if they're inferior.

I love my job, and I love where I live, but I know it's not writers and producers that keep the city running.

But nonetheless, pulling into the blues was still a little surprising.

Just because Becky could easily afford anything I could, we do make the same amount.

Even if she doesn't prefer the city life, at the very least something closer to the office.

"Well it definitely explains why she's late most of the time."

Further and further into the blues I went, the houses kept getting smaller and the yards kept getting bigger.

I could see more pickup trucks and old RV's than I did people walking around.

And for every person I did see, my car turned their heads.

Not in an 'ooh-ahh' sense but more like a 'dumb son of a bitch must be lost' sense.

Sooner than later, the GPS told me to make another right hand turn even deeper into the blues, so deep it was Indigo at this point.

'In one mile, your destination is on the left.'

I texted Becky 'One mile away!'

I looked up, and there wasn't a house or sign of civilization in sight.

It was the middle of the day, and yet I had to turn on my headlights to see in this neck of the woods.

The cracked pavement became gravel, my tires hissing along like pissed off snakes.

After a decent bump in the road, I could see something poking through the trees.

In between the dark greens and browns, some pale blue filled in the cracks.

"That must be it."

Just a couple more seconds, and with no other man made structure within view, this was the promised land.

There was more exposed wood than there was paint.

There was more plywood than there was windows.

There was more weeds than there was grass.

But yet, pulled into the rocky beige driveway was the Sticker-Rolla.

However, behind it was another vehicle.

A rundown pickup truck that was probably twice as old as me and was being held together by JB Weld and hopes and prayers.

"What the…I thought she said it was only her?"

The driveway wasn't very long, the two cars taking up the entire length.

I made an assumption I wouldn't be blocking anything important, so I pulled up along the curb instead.

I parked the car, and took a moment just to look around.

First I was excited.

Then I was curious.

Now…something feels off.

There was a rock in my stomach, sinking my body deeper into my seat.

I don't know why, but something was telling me I shouldn't get out of the car.

But there was another rock in my heart, telling me I needed too.

After what I've been through recently, it wasn't difficult to listen to my heart anymore.

I took my seatbelt off, grabbed my phone and the script, and turned off the car.

I opened the door, and got my first whiff of The Blues.

And it was a combination of a pine tree candle and gasoline.

I took a second to look around, but from inside the house I could hear what sounded like glass breaking.

And whatever it was, it wasn't a small amount of glass.

Suddenly the rocks in my stomach and my heart started rumbling.

I wanted to plant my feet, and at the same time run towards the front door.

I wanted to say nothing and get back in the car, but I also wanted to yell for Becky.

But I knew what my gut was telling me, and what my heart did as well.

I've found that your gut feeling sometimes isn't the right thing to do.

It might be the smart thing, and it might be the reasonable thing.

But it's not always the right thing.

I ignored my gut, and took a single step on to the brush.

My phone vibrated, so before I took another step I took it out.

I was hoping it was Becky replying to me.

I was hoping it something important.

But it wasn't. She hasn't responded. She hasn't even opened the text.

Instead, it was the final step. As if my heart itself was confirming it for me.

'You have reached your destination.'

I started walking towards the front door, passing by the cars as I did.

I couldn't help but peek into the pickup truck, the passenger seat littered with beer cans and cigarette boxes.

As I got closer, I could hear something from inside.

Loud heavy steps, or maybe something falling down the stairs.

There was a stillness, an eerie calm right afterward.

But I approached the front door slowly, never intending to turn around but still cautiously.

From where I was, I could see the outer screen door was barely hanging on by a single hinge.

I clutched the script in one hand, getting my other hand ready to brace and knock on the door.

With two more final steps, and a breeze pushing me in, I lifted my hand.

Knock.

Knock.

I took a step back.

I waited a couple seconds.

I looked back towards her car. And then at the mysterious pickup truck.

I turned back around, and couldn't hear anyone approaching the door.

I stepped up again.

Knock.

Knock.

I took a step back, and tried peeking in through the non boarded up windows.

Either all the lights were off or their home windows were tinted, because I could barely see a single thing.

Maybe the corner of a small piece of furniture.

And still, no footsteps.

I took my phone out again, hoping she responded by now.

But still nothing.

One more time.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

"Becky?"

I took a couple steps backwards, tilting my head trying to see through the upstairs windows.

But there was no movement or lights either.

A little louder, I yelled

"Becky? Hello?"

But then, I could hear a single step.

One step, another step, and then what sounded like a stomp.

"Oh there she is. Thank god."

I took a couple steps towards the door, but then the stomping was erratic.

Getting louder and louder as it approached the front door.

I halted my steps, anticipating the one and a half doors to come flying out towards me.

The stomps stopped, and the doorknob began to rattle.

I could see it wobble, the knob itself was loose.

But it kept wobbling, instead of turning.

Surely she could have opened her own door by now.

…right?

Then in a single motion, the knob gave way and the inner door swung inside.

The outer screen door shooting off to the outside, slamming into the house and collapsing to the ground.

The rock in my heart shooting up and bouncing around inside the walls.

I focused on the screen door, watching it tumble into the weeds.

Once it stopped folding in on itself, I looked back towards the door.

And instead of Becky or possibly a bear, it was somebody else.

Whoever it was, was leaning up against the doorframe.

Their head hung low and hiding their face, their clothes filthy, and something dripping from their forehead.

Splashing on the concrete step, leaving behind a bright red splatter.

…they were bleeding.

The head lifted up, revealing two empty eyes that stared straight through me.

It was an older man.

Skin and cheeks as filthy as his clothes.

His jaw hanging low, heavy breathes accompanied by heavy groans.

And a streak of blood, coming from his hairline.

The rock in my heart bounced and bounced, vibrating my chest and stunting my breaths.

The rock in my stomach felt like it was melting, making me sick.

After a couple coarse breaths, the man finally blinked.

And with a hollow voice, his mouth barely moving, he groaned at me

"Who the fuck are you?"

I struggled realizing he was talking to me.

I wished and hoped so much that he wouldn't have seen me or acknowledge me.

But there was no else but me and whoever this man was.

I couldn't hide in a corner and hide my face, or try to pass him on to somebody else.

It was only me.

"Uh…uh…I'm…Dean."

His posture didn't change, his breathing didn't change, nothing about him changed.

"Who?"

The blood kept spilling out, onto his eyes and into his open mouth.

"I'm…Dean. I…work with Becky?"

Once I mentioned her name, I could see his focus shift to the script in my other hand.

His eyes squinting, he stared at the stack of papers for a few seconds.

Once his eyes relaxed, he looked back at me.

And over my shoulder, he could see my car.

He took a couple seconds to stare at my car, before going back and forth to me and the script again.

For the first time, his jaw changed.

It swung like a chime to the left, as he began to grin on that one side of his face.

He slowly stood up straight, dragging himself up on the door frame.

He lifted his head up, and chuckled.

"Yeah, right."

He stumbled down the front steps, barely keeping his footing as he did.

I could see him grinning and chuckling as he walked along the driveway away from me.

His feet shuffling across the dirt, using the cars to guide himself.

He made his way to the truck, and pulled himself inside.

The truck whirred and whined, but eventually it started.

The truck slowly reversed out of the driveway, almost swerving into the woods on the other side of the road.

A couple of vicious clunks and grinds later, he found first gear and the truck seemingly dragged itself as well across the dirt down the road and out of sight.

When I couldn't see, smell, or hear the truck anymore, I looked back towards the front door.

From where I stood, I couldn't see much.

But I couldn't hear much either.

"B…Becky?"

I took one very small hesitant step.

"Becky? Uh…hello?"

I shuffled my feet barely any closer.

"Um…Becky? It's…Dean. I'm…here."

I couldn't feel my legs and feet anymore.

All the blood in my body got stopped in my heart, beating like an engine.

I tried moving forward, I tried acting against my instincts.

But my instincts didn't give me a choice. Taking over my body and numbing any motion.

I had to try one more time.

I had to.

As loud as my lungs would allow, I yelled

"Becky?"

And within a split second, I could hear a stomp.

This stomp echoed throughout the house, barreling out towards me through the open front door.

Another stomp, and another.

Each getting louder, each growing strong and stronger and almost barreling me over.

I clutched the script in both hands, not sure if I was trying to protect it or hoping it would protect me.

Once I could sense where the stomps were coming from, quickly approaching, a voice roared out the front door.

The voice was on fire, blazing as it flew outside.

I've never heard this voice before.

I've never felt or experienced this voice before.

And yet, I knew exactly who it was coming from.

"You fucking cock sucker, I told you to get your fucking ass out of my fucking- oh….Dean."

It was Becky.

And behind her loose bangs, I could see a bloody lip and a black eye.