Darren and Richard

The last show was pretty emotional. He was a wreck all day, and he broke down sobbing in the dressing room. All I could do was hold him and help him pull it together. It just tears me up to see him cry. He made it through the show, but he teared up a few times. I’m going to make sure he relaxes, especially on the cruise. He can get a massage every day if he wants. Eat junk food. Sleep in. Be a slug. It’s going to be so nice to just enjoy life and live in the moment. If I learned anything from losing my parents, it’s that you have to stop and smell the roses while you still can.
He gave his all tonight. By the last note, he had nothing left, emotionally. I practically jumped over people to be in his dressing room when he got there. I don’t think I’ve ever held him so tight. Let him cry if he needs to. I’ll be here for him.

“Baby? Do you want to shower and change first?”
“No Rich, let’s just go.”

Steve, Justin, and Tracey knock on the door.

“I’ll get it.”
“We just wanted to make sure Darren’s alright.”
“Let them in, Rich.”

There’s a big group hug. Everyone’s squishing Darren. I stand back. He needs this moment with his band-mates.

“I love you guys sooo much!”
“Aw Mate, we love you too!”

They promise to call each other soon. Tracey is officially off-duty. She’ll be back at work next week. Darren gives her a kiss and sees her off. The club manager enters the room.

“Mr. Hayes, your driver is outside.”

I help Darren collect his things, and we bolt for the car. He waves good-bye to his screaming fans, and the car pulls off. This tour is officially in the books. The CD is still going strong. The “Casey” single is on fire. The Patch. Downloads. The DVD’s. We are officially on holiday until further notice.

“Are you okay, Darren?,” I ask, as I stroke his tear-stained face.

He just closes his eyes as more tears stream down his face.

“C’mere.”

I put my arm around him and pull him to me.

“Just hold onto me, Luv. We’ll be home in just a bit.”
“I love you, Richard,” he whispers.
“I love you too, Darren. That was by far the best show you’ve ever given since I’ve known you.”
“You think?”
“I know. And I’ll bet your fans thought so too. But you can check your websites tomorrow. I want you to take it easy tonight, Luv.”

He nods as we turn the corner and pull up in the drive.

“Go on in, Darren. I’ll get your things.”

I see the driver off, grab the bags, and follow Darren into the house. He’s on the couch, hugging Wally, who’s trying to squirm out of his grip so he can smother him with sloppy dog-kisses. Through his tears, Darren laughs.

“No Wally, stop. Daddy’s got stage makeup on his face.”
“Alright Waldo, off the couch. Move it!”

I sit next to Darren.

“I must look a mess.”
“Do you think I care? You know I’ll always find you beautiful.”

I kiss him and look into his sad blue eyes. Maybe not sad. More like exhausted. But we’ll soon fix that.

“Can I get you anything, Sweetheart? Cuppa tea? Coffee? Me, naked on a bearskin rug?”

He smiles.

“Would you hold me tonight, Rich? I really need that.”
“Absolutely.”
“I just remembered. There’s a bottle of wine in the fridge I was saving up for tonight. Have a glass with me?”
“Sure. I’ll get it.”

I first have to tear the kitchen apart looking for the damned corkscrew.

“In the drawer nearest the dog’s bowls.”
“Thank you, Luv.”

I return to the couch with two glasses.

“A toast, Darren. To an incredible tour, an even more incredible album, your awesome fans, and the fantastic time we’re gong to have on holiday. And the damn good-looking god of a singer at the bloody center of it all!”
“Cheers!”

He reaches for my hand.


“And...to the fucking genius of a man who stood by me through it all. Thank you so much, Babe. For everything.”
“You got it, Luv! Why don’t you go upstairs, get undressed, have a hot bath, or a shower? I can give you a backrub if you’d like. With warming lotion.”

I wink at him.

“Sounds delicious. You do know you give great ones, don’t you?”

I laugh.

“Comes from years in the theatre. Off you go then.”

We really don’t drink often, so the wine should help him relax. When I get upstairs, he’s in the shower. I get undressed myself and change into lounge pants. I take my glasses off. Nothing is going to keep us from sleeping in tomorrow.
(yawn) If he tries to get me out of bed before 11, it had bloody well better be because the house is on fire! Oh, this bed is so comfortable! Getting the Tempur-pedic was Darren’s idea. How long’s he been in that shower?

“D? You alright in there, Luv?”

He turns off the water.

“Be right out.”
“Take your time.”

He comes out wearing plaid boxers. Cute.

“Are those new? I’ve not seen them before.”
“Yeah. Bought ‘em last week.”

He plops onto the bed beside me.

“Feel better?”

He smiles.

“Yes, thank you.”

We wrap our arms around each other and crawl under the covers.

“You’re tired too, aren’t you?”, he asks, as I yawn.
I nod.

“Still want me to rub your back?”
“Would you?”
“Sure.”

I sit up, and spend about 20 minutes on him. I want him to fall asleep.

“Thank you Darling. That was lovely.”

I turn off the light and snuggle up to him.

“I love you, Baby. Sleep well.”
“Love you too, Rich.”