Recollection

“You better run bitch!”

I could feel my legs burning and heart pumping like an oil well. Fear crept into every crease and crevice, I turned around to see Declan making gain on me quickly and then everything went blurry.

Declan had Hunter in his clutches and was holding onto him tightly on the edge of a deep ravine.

“Declan, give him to me. Please?” I begged.

I edged closer to the ravine.

“You want him? Come get him!” and Hunter was tossed over the side.

I screamed and jumped and fell into the blackness.

“Autumn? Autumn?” I was brought awake by voices.

I opened my eye to see Andy standing over me, worry filled his brow. I felt a cool hand on my other arm and I turned to see Jake, Andy’s band mate, on the other side of my bed.

“You okay?” he spoke.

“Where’s Punk?” I asked quickly.

“Niki has him.”

I half-smiled and began the feat of controlling my rapid breathing. I knew Niki would take care of Punk for me no matter what.

Niki came on board just as soon as we discovered I was pregnant. I knew how supportive she was of the band and I knew firsthand how well she cared for each member personally. It helped a slight bit that her boyfriend worked alongside the band each night. So it was decided that she'd take on the role of taking care of my son when I was off working for a living.

The three of us sat in silence and then once remembering something, I spoke.

“Has anyone called my boss to relay him the news?”

It had slipped my mind.

“You're not going back!”

My heart sunk, what was I going to do now? I admit I only worked at a local Costco but it brought income in and kept a roof over Hunter’s head or it did before Declan destroyed it.

“Don’t worry A! We have a spot lined up for you with the band.”

‘Andy, I can’t.”

“It’s just helping Jesse out with merchandise! It's not like you haven't done it before!"

"Just this time, you’ll be paid a hell of a lot better!” Jake chimed in.

I helped with merchandising for the band in the very early years. Ashley promptly elected me for the job as a sly excuse to keep me around!

Ashley and I used to be immense partiers. In the beginning, it was all fun and games with no strings attached until we both decided to take it a step further and attempt the dating scene.

Problems eventually developed and due to that, I decided to leave.

I had enjoyed the work tremendously. I was given the ability to work alongside some wonderful people and see places I never thought I ever would. I just wasn't sure I could all of that now with a five month old in tow and unfathomed feelings still in existence.

Notes