You Booze, You Lose
1363 Words
It was midnight and I was finishing up some paperwork for my attorney. Alexander's promo tour had finished yesterday and they had been due home at some point today. Honestly, I hadn't spoken to Alexander much since we had the talk.
I put the paperwork on my nightstand, picked up my iPad, checked my email and logged on to Twitter. I clicked on Alexander's name and noticed he was tagged in quite a few pictures - one in particular caught my eye; he was spotted at Planet Hollywood in town just a few hours ago.
I picked up my phone to call him, but heard our apartment door open and close. Things started crashing to the floor, so I jumped off my bed and ran to the front hall. He was leaning against the wall, his belongings scattered at his feet.
"There's my wife," he slurred loudly. "Well, soon to be ex...." He cracked himself up at that one.
"Alexander, you're being too loud - the boys are sleeping," I warned quietly. "Please go clean yourself up, then go to bed and I will get your stuff off the floor."
"You can't tell me what to do," he growled.
Wendy exited her room and tiptoed past us to check on the boys.
"You are drunk," I said. "I don't want the boys to see you like this."
He scowled then grumbled, "don't worry, I'm moving out soon."
"We can't discuss this while you're in this state," I whispered. "Get yourself together and we will talk tomorrow."
He kicked a bag of shoes across the floor toward the family room. I could see the hurt in his face, which really hurt me.
"You're leaving me for a pop star- a boy band singer," he hissed.
"Please keep your voice down," I begged, then added, "We are divorcing so you and I can be happy."
He rolled his eyes, stomped to his room and slammed the door. Wendy had gone to the kitchen so, after picking up Alexander's mess, I joined her.
She glanced at me and asked if we should take the boys somewhere for the night. I thought about it for a minute and nodded my head. She packed herself an overnight bag, I packed one for myself and then we packed one for the boys.
I left aspirin and a note for Alexander on the counter - asking him to call when he was sober and in a better state, I phoned Rodney and asked him to get us a cab. We woke the boys and left the apartment. I called The Manhattan from the taxi and booked a suite for us.
___________
The next morning I received a text.
Harry: Are you ok?
Me: Yes, took the boys and Wendy out for the night.
Harry: Call me later.
I put my phone away, then called room service from the hotel phone to order breakfast. The boys woke up around 9am - which was late for them. They begged me to let them take a bubble bath before breakfast, I filled the tub and put them in. I heard Wendy grab a water bottle so I called for her.
"Can you answer the door for room service when it gets here?" I asked.
"Sure," she said with a concerned look.
I smiled reassuringly and she left the room as there was a knock on the door. I got the boys out and dressed so we could enjoy a breakfast on the balcony.
My phone buzzed, so I answered without looking at the screen.
"Hello?"
"Sophie, why are you at the Manhattan?" It was Harry.
"I don't really want to get into it- but, wait, how did you find out?" I bit my bottom lip.
"It's all over TMZ," he replied as gently as possible.
"Oh," I said as I thought about who could've known. "I didn't see any cameras last night."
"Well, they know you are there - without your husband..." He stated. "His face is all over TMZ too though. Apparently, he celebrated the end of the tour at Planet Hollywood and had a bit too much to drink."
I sighed, but didn't respond.
"Do you need anything, Sophie?"
"No, the boys are ok - I'm taking them to the pool in a bit," I said flatly.
"I have to go to the studio, but I can send Charles over to help - and Carl can take you anywhere you need to go...." He offered.
"I really appreciate it, but you don't have to do that," I said holding back tears.
"Sophie, I'm a little worried."
"Everything will be ok," I assured him. "It was an isolated incident."
"Ok," he sounded unsure. "Call me if you need anything."
"I will."
________
Around 2 pm, I booked the room another night and gave Wendy some time off. She was hesitant but said she would stay with her boyfriend. I still hadn't heard from Alexander, so I took the boys for ice cream around the corner. We had to push through the crowd of paparazzi in front of the hotel; luckily, they didn't follow us into the parlor.
"I will have vanilla with hot fudge, please!" Lennon shouted to the worker.
"I want chocolate with m&m's," Bas whispered to me.
I ordered his ice cream and a smoothie for myself. The boys then chose a booth. They shared their cones and talked about their favorite show - Star Wars Rebels on Disney. Suddenly, a girl walked up and asked for a picture with us.
I asked the boys if it was ok with them. They agreed so we posed for a picture. The girl, Naomi, thanked us and walked over to rejoin her mom.
The bell above front door of the parlor rang as the door opened and Charles walked in. I stared at him nervously as he strolled over and stood next to our table.
"Who's he?" asked Lennon tilting his head up to get a good look at the large man.
"Um, well, this is Charles," I answered. "He's a friend of mine - he will help us walk through the crowds of people."
"Cool," he responded then extended his hand to Charles. "I'm Lennon."
Charles put his finger out for Lennon to shake and turned to Bas. "You must be Bas."
My 3 year old nodded his head and went back to eating his ice cream. Once we finished, I asked Charles if he wanted anything to go. He shook his head.
Carl was outside with the car when we left. I introduced the boys as we climbed in. The boys chatted to Carl and Charles until we were parked at the back of the hotel. We hopped out, Charles led us through the back door.
We got to our room and Charles pointed 2 doors down, "I will be there. If you need anything."
I smiled, thanked him and closed the door. The boys ran to turn on the TV, so I texted Harry.
Me: Above and beyond, but very much appreciated. xoxox
Harry: Wish I could do more. Will try to call later .x
I smiled and joined the boys.
_________
By dinner time, I still had not heard from Alexander and I was frustrated. The gossip columns were blowing up with stories of our "failing marriage" and "Alexander's alcohol problems". The boys asked for pasta and garlic bread and I ordered it from the local Italian place.
My phone buzzed as we sat down to eat.
Alexander: I'm sorry about last night. I don't know what got into me. Please bring the boys back tomorrow - I will spend the whole day with them and you can have a day to yourself.
Me: Sure. The boys will be very happy to see you.
I gave Lennon & Bas another bath after dinner and we played a game of Old Maid. I told them a bedtime story in bed and kissed their cheeks.
"We get to see daddy tomorrow!" I said excitedly.
"Yay!" Their eyes lit up.
I texted Harry before falling asleep.
Me: I'm going shopping tomorrow - have any free time?
Harry: I will make time.
- Writer
