Chapter Forty-Eight: Venus’ Depression:

Four weeks before I left for France, I got an unexpected visit from another face I hadn’t seen since last year. A pounding on the door at three in the morning dragged me out of bed on that Saturday.

“What?” I mumbled as I wandered to the door, “Can’t you see it’s three in the morning! Don’t you anywhere else to…” I lost all of my words when I peeked out the peep hole. Venus stood on the other side on the door, pacing around.

“Michael,” she whimpered, “It’s me. Can I come in?” The tone of her voice made my stomach drop. I opened the door to see her make-up smeared with tears. She looked up at me so desperate.

“Michael,” she whimpered as she collapsed into my arms. I slowly held her as she cried against my chest. I patted her on the head. Something told me that this would be a long night. Venus sat on my couch drinking and crying. I came in with another bottle of Jack Daniels

“Here,” I said as I handed over to her. Amy looked up at me with big eyes.

“Thank you,” she whimpered as she took the bottle. I sat down as I watched her open it and take a drink.

“Want to talk about it?” I asked. Amy looked up at me whimpering. I put up my hands in a shrug.

“Or not…” I mumbled. I looked down at the scratched black coffee table in front of me. Okay then, this really isn’t what I planned for today. Now what do I do?

“Michael,” I heard Venus whimpering. I jerked up my head to see her staring at me. She clutched the bottle in her hand.

“What’s wrong with me?” Venus whimpered. I didn’t know whether I should answer her seriously or not.

“Pardon?” I asked. She lowered her head and broke down into tears again.

“My life is in the shit hole!” Venus wailed. I nodded with my own drink in my hand.

“Okay…” I mumbled.

“What have I done with my life like this?” she asked, “What have I done to be proud of?”

“Well, you have your fans and your music,” I pointed out. Amy took another drink and I realized that this would be a long slum for her.

“I’m sorry to tell you this, but I’m not really a good shoulder to cry on,” I told her in a vain way to get her attention. When I got no response, I sat back on my dark brown wooden chair with my beer in my hand. She’s not going to come out of it even if I say anything to her. Then, Venus requested the strangest thing of me.

“Michael,” she wailed again, “Could you un-break my heart?” I looked up at her with big eyes.

“Huh?” I asked.

“Please,” she pleaded, “Just take away all of my pain.” I wanted to tell that I couldn’t, but I knew that would be pointless by now.

“Don’t leave me, Michael,” Venus begged. Oh man, it’s really bad to see her like this. I have to do something fast. Without even thinking, I got up from my chair and sat down next to her on the couch. She laid her head on my shoulder.

“Let me stay like this,” Amy whispered, “I don’t want to feel anything. I just want to rest now. Close my eyes… just sleep…” I nodded and set down my beer on the coffee table in front of us.

“Sure,” I said, “Take as long as you want.” I let sleep there until it was practically noon. I couldn’t help but wonder what was really bothering her that morning. I never would get to hear it from her. I didn’t know it at the time, but that was the last time we ever spent any time together alone.