PRT 341- “Sinking”
“Dad, I don’t know what to do.” I
sighed.
“Follow your heart RJ. I think you
do know what to do.” Dad said.
“Everything is just so crazy.”
“You don’t love her or this
wouldn’t be a problem.”
“I do love her.”
“You’re not ‘in love’ with her. If
you were you’d be ready to face any storm head on.”
“Ok, I don’t love her like a
husband should love his wife…but you should see how she looks at me Dad. The
look in her eyes is so intense. She loves me so much.”
“So you don’t believe she cheated
on you?”
“No, I don’t. At
all.”
“That horrible website just
released a security tape of supposed evidence.”
“Yeah, it showed some blonde woman
with a man wearing a baseball cap. It was grainy and you couldn’t see their
faces. It could have been anyone. And even if it was MJ with Eddie or some
other guy it was heavily edited. You can’t really tell what was going on. I
honestly don’t believe MJ cheated on me.”
“It would make it easier if you
did believe it wouldn’t it?”
I sighed, “Yeah, I guess so.”
“You want to believe it.”
“That isn’t fair.”
“It’s true isn’t it?”
I sighed again, “I guess. I mean,
it would justify an annulment. But MJ has just been through so much recently. I
can’t hurt her like that. Dad, no woman has ever loved me as deeply as she
does. How can I just walk away from that?”
“Is it fair to her if you don’t?
You don’t love her in return.”
“I do love her a lot. Just not the
way she loves me.”
“You don’t want to be married to
her.”
“Maybe not, but I’m not leaving
her.”
“I know son…I know.” Dad sighed as
there was a knock on the door.
Dad answered the door.
“You…” he grumbled.
“Nice to see you
too Mr. James. RJ, I’m glad I found
you.” Holly said as she pushed past my dad and came inside.
“Hi Holly. How did you find me?” I asked.
“Flit. I stopped by JKP and he told me where I could find you.”
She said.
“He truly is a pest.” Dad mumbled.
“Dad, be nice. Holly, what’s going
on?” I asked.
“I just left the set where
“Right, right. She wrote a song for his album and agreed to sing with him
since he sang on her album.” I said.
“Yeah, it’s his new single.
Anyway, they were filming the video today and…she looked great on screen. It’s gonna be an amazing video…but
that’s not the point here.”
“Ok so what is the point?”
“Michelle wasn’t herself. The
second the camera was off she looked like a zombie. I know she’s dealing with a
lot because of Aubrey and everything, but I’m worried that she’s just about to
crack. This media circus is getting beyond my control. I’m struggling to do my
job and I think she’s struggling to just stay a float. I’m not sure what to
do.” Holly said.
“Oh man. I guess it hasn’t helped
that I’ve been at JKP 24/7 since this mess started.”
“What? Why?”
“The press is hounding my business!
I’ve had to have Theo at the door making sure our customers are real customers
and not press…and even then a few still sneak in.”
“I think you need to let your
employees run JKP for a bit and go home to your wife. She needs your support
right now.”
I nodded, “Ok.”
“I’m sorry this is happening. I’m
doing what I can to do damage control. I even enlisted my sister to work on
some PR strategies.”
“Oh yeah, Val used to run a Public
Relations firm.” I said.
Holly nodded, “Yeah. And while she
loves her bakery I know she misses the rush of PR now and then. Giving her one
client to focus on will be good for her…and I seriously need the help.”
“You’re doing a great job Hol. I know MJ really likes you.”
“She’s a good person and she
doesn’t deserve everything that’s happening. I’m doing what I can to make this
circus die down.”
I nodded, “Thank you.”
~~~~
I had a month before my new album
was out but I also had a single to promote so Mina had booked me as a guest on
KTLA’s morning show. I went in the studio and got ready for the interview.
“You’re listening to Bob and Kandi in the morning on LA’s
hottest country, KTLA.” Bob said.
“And right now we’re lucky enough
to be joined by rising star Chad Holdenford.
“Thank you for having me. It’s a
pleasure to be here.” I said.
“So your first single from your
upcoming second album is doing pretty well on the charts. Not bad for a new
artist.” Bob said.
“Except you’re not really a new
artist are you? You’ve been at this awhile?” Kandi
asked.
“Oh yeah,
definitely. I started playing when I
was a young teenager. I played in a couple of rock bands…nothing that really
took off. When I was 18 I had a record deal that fell through and decided to
retire from music.” I explained.
“Obviously that didn’t stick. What
brought you back? And specifically what made you try country instead of rock?”
Bob asked.
“During my ‘retirement’ I ended up
at a temple to find myself. It was at that temple I met a wonderful girl named Raye Hino. You may have heard of her.” I laughed, “Raye completely changed my life.”
“What did Raye
do for you?”
“She helped me find myself, she
helped me find love, and most of all she helped me realize that being from a
small town didn’t mean I couldn’t do big things. I was actually raised on
country but I was trying to hard to escape that small town that I shunned
anything that reminded me of it. When I finally embraced my country roots I was
much happier with my music and obviously it helped me find success I’d never
had.”
“And you’ve recently become Raye’s label mate by signing a deal with Starlight
Records.”
“Yeah, I did. It’s a great
environment to work in because everyone at Starlight is part of the same group
really. We’re a family and there’s this total trust. I’m really happy to be
part of the label.”
“Recently one of the label’s CEO’s
and singer/actress in her own right, Michelle Morris, has been in the press.
You mentioned you are all a family. How has this media coverage affected that?”
I tried not to sigh. This wasn’t
fair and I’d hoped the interview wouldn’t go there, but I guess I did know
better, “Well, we certainly are a family and as a family we support her without
question.”
“Did she cheat on RJ?”
“I haven’t asked her. I don’t feel
the need to. Honestly, none of us really care. She’s a friend and whatever
happened is between her and RJ. They will determine the truth between them and
how they wanna handle it. It’s not any of our
business. Frankly, I wish the media would back off of her. She doesn’t need all
of this. She doesn’t deserve it.”
“Fair enough. Any truth to the rumors about you and Raye getting married?” Kandi
asked.
“No. Not right now. I love Raye very much and I know she loves me but right now we
like what we have. We’re in love but we also both have high stress careers. The
stress of a marriage would be a bit much at this point in our lives.” I said.
“Do you ever worry about Raye cheating on you?”
“No. I trust her completely.”
“It seems like you’ve come through
a lot but that you’re in a good place.”
“I totally am. I was this immature
surfer dude rocker wannabe with no direction and I completely turned my life
around. Mostly thanks to Raye and her support. I’m in
a great place right now and I’m so thankful.”
“And we’re thankful you joined us
today. Thank you so much
“Thank you for having me.”
“And now let’s take a listen to
After the interview I headed back
to the apartment Raye and I shared. She was in the
kitchen making food.
“Nice interview.” She said.
“Thanks.” I said as I went in the
kitchen and kissed her.
“You handled the Michelle
questions VERY well. I can’t believe they brought that up.”
“I know. I kinda
expected it…but still.”
“I know. So, what’s your schedule
the rest of the day?” she asked.
“Actually, I’m off the rest of the
day. That was it.”
“I’m off too. Mina is setting up a
press tour but it’s still in the works.”
“Wow, we’re both off…we should so
take advantage of this.” I said as I pulled Raye
backwards towards me and kissed her neck.
Raye giggled, “I like the way you think Mr. Holdenford.”
I turned Raye
so she was facing me then I picked her up. She wrapped her legs around my
waist.
“I love you.” I whispered.
“I love you too.” She said as I
headed for the bedroom.
Just then her cell rang.
“I should get that.” She said.
“Ignore it.” I said as I held on
to her.
“No, I have to get it. It could be
important.” She said as she wiggled away from me and ran to grab her phone.
“Hello?......On my way.” She hung up. “Sorry
“What? Where are you going?”
“Something I forgot to do. Sorry.”
She said as she ran out the door.
I sighed. She did this from time
to time. She’d just vanish without explanation. Sometimes it made me wonder if
there was someone else…
Raye
~~~~
Ok, so I know it wasn’t right to
leave
“Mars Spirit
Power!” I cried as I got close to the
battle. I saw Nemesis attacking Sailor Moon. “I don’t think so Nemesis. Mars
Fire Ignite!” I cried as I sent a fireball at Nemesis. She dodged.
“You all are so pathetic.” Nemesis
hissed.
“Where’s
the Outers?” I asked.
“Uranus and Neptune are on their
way. Pluto is occupied and we can’t reach Saturn.” Venus said.
“What do you mean we can’t reach
Saturn?” I asked.
“World Shaking!” Uranus yelled as she joined the battle, “She means Saturn
isn’t answering the call. We tried too.”
“Perfect.”
“You’re out numbered Nemesis. Give
it up.” Jupiter said.
“I have a way to even the odds.
Mistress 9, appear!” Nemesis commanded.
“You rang?” Mistress 9 said as she
appeared.
“Just what we
needed.” I mumbled.
“I’m over this. Supreme
Thunder!” Jupiter cried.
“I hear that. Venus Love Chain
Encircle!” Venus echoed.
Nemesis dodged.
“You losers couldn’t hit a bull’s
eye on an elephant.” Nemesis mocked.
“Try this one. Mars
Celestial Fire Surround!” I called.
My fire hit Nemesis hard and she
flew back.
“You’ll pay for that.” Mistress 9
said.
“Shine Aqua Illusion!” Mercury
called. Her attack got Mistress 9.
“We will be back.” Nemesis said as
she and Mistress 9 retreated.
We all gathered around.
“What’s Pluto doing?” I asked.
“There was a disturbance at the
Gates of Time. She needed to check it out.”
I nodded.
“And Saturn. Where could she be?” Moon asked.
“Think about it. She might have
been surrounded and unable to transform.” Venus said.
“Oh wow. You’re right. I never
consider that. If she’s hounded she can’t become Sailor Saturn.” Uranus said.
“We did ok without her but it
would have been nice to have the help. What do we do?” Mercury asked.
“I’m not sure that we can do
anything. The vultures are relentless.” I said.
“This isn’t right.” Jupiter said.
“I need to get home. I kinda left
Venus nodded, “Yeah, of course.”
I headed back to the apartment and
“Hey babe. Sorry about that.” I said as I walked over to him, “Now
where were we?” I asked as I straddled his lap.
“Where were you?” he asked.
“Oh, Mina called. There was a
problem with some files and she couldn’t reach Michelle. I went and helped her
figure it out but it’s all taken care of.”
“You took off like that for
files?”
“It was important. But it’s done.
Now this is important.” I said as I kissed his neck.
“I’m not really in the mood. I
think I’m gonna take a nap.” He said as he picked me
up and set me on the sofa. He got up and went to the bedroom alone.
I sighed, “Maybe I did need to
tell him the truth…this sucked.”
RJ
~~
I went back to JKP to finish up a
couple of things then I went home. I found MJ laying
on the sofa watching ‘
“MJ?” I asked.
“Hey RJ.” She replied, monotone.
“Are you ok?”
“Yeah.”
“Where’s your security?”
“Checking the
perimeter of the apartments. Making
sure no stray media is lurking.”
“You phone is beeping.”
“I missed some calls.”
I picked up her phone and checked
her call log, “MJ, these calls are from the girls. Nemesis could have been
attacking.”
“Probably.”
“Why didn’t you answer?”
“Didn’t want
to.”
“You’re Sailor Saturn.”
“They have a big team without me.”
“MJ, what is going on with you?”
“Nothing.”
Holly was right, this was really
bad. I grabbed the remote and turned the TV off. MJ didn’t react. I grabbed her
hands and forced her into a sitting position. I noticed her make up was smeared
on her face. She obviously hadn’t taken a shower when she got home from her
video shoot.
“OK, enough of this. You need to
snap out of this.” I said as I picked her up.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“We’re going to take a shower and
you’re going to snap out of this.” I said as I carried her into the bathroom
and turned the shower on. I didn’t know what else to do. Turns out this idea
didn’t work either. We did take a shower together and even had sex, but she was
like a ragdoll. I’d never been with Michelle when she was so lifeless. It was
not her at all. I had to do something but I was at a loss. There was only one
person I could think of that never failed to light a fire under MJ…for better
or worse…but I really didn’t wanna call him. On the
other hand this was my wife’s well being and I was out of ideas.
I picked up the phone and dialed.
I so didn’t want to do this.
“Hello?” he answered.
“Hunter? It’s RJ. I need your
help.” I said.
“RJ? What’s going on?” Hunter asked.
“It’s MJ. I’m worried about her.”
“So you called me?”
“Believe me, you’re the last
person in the world I want near my wife after what you did, but I am completely
at a loss. You and MJ shared very intense passion. I’m hoping you can talk to
her and bring her out of this funk.”
Hunter didn’t say anything.
“Hunter?” I finally asked.
“I’m here.”
“Will you help?”
“I’m sorry. I can’t.”
“What? What do you mean you can’t?
You owe MJ after what you did!”
“I’ve done quite enough for ‘MJ’.
She’s better off without me in her life. Besides, I have Ronny to consider and
she doesn’t like it when I have anything to do with
“I should have known she couldn’t
count on you. You only loved her at your convenience anyway.”
“I hope she gets better RJ, I
really do.” Hunter said as he hung up.
I slammed the phone down. I wasn’t
one to ‘hate’ anyone…but I really, really disliked that man.
But now I was back where I
started. At a complete loss. I noticed MJ’s phone ringing so I answered it. I knew she wouldn’t
come get it.
“MJ’s phone.” I
answered.
“RJ, is that you?” Mina asked.
“Yeah, hey
Mina.”
“Where’s
“Bedroom.”
“Is she ok? We had a battle
earlier and she didn’t answer the call.”
I sighed, “She knows. She heard
the phone. She just chose not to answer it.”
“What? Why?”
“She’s not herself. She’s like a
zombie. She’s just sorta laying there like a ragdoll
and speaking in short monotone phrases. I’m worried about her and I don’t know
what to do.”
“Oh wow. This isn’t good. We have
to do something.”
“I know, but what? I already
called Hunter and he refuses to help her.”
“He refused?”
“Yeah, he refused.”
“Ass.” Mina sighed, “I’m not sure what to do either.”
“Mina, if we don’t do something
I’m going to lose my wife.”
“I know RJ…we’ll think of
something to bring her out of this. Somehow…”