The Middle We Found

1.1 August 31, 2005

My phone vibrated on my nightstand, waking me up. My eyes squinted; it was hard looking at the bright screen. I saw his face glowing back at me: my super un-perfect boyfriend. I loved the way he was so flawed, just like me. When we're together he makes me perfect. I have no idea why he's with me, honestly. I mean, I'm great and all, but he's just shy of perfection. "Vic, what's wrong?"

"They left." He said.

"What? Who did?" Sleep was apparent in my voice, and I didn't even bother sitting up. Clearly this was a crisis, but that meant nothing when compared to the selfishness of half-asleep me.

"Joe and Mitch, they're both gone now." I could hear the anger in his voice.

It was clear from the unattractive hour of his call that this was a big deal to him, but I just didn't see it. His high school band fell apart. Duh, that's what happens in college. Vic got a record label to sign him; that was farther than most people made it. Be happy. Or just go to bed. I was okay with the thought of him sleeping right now: it would mean that I could sleep. Now was not the right time to be less-than-supportive though, I knew that much. "They quit the band? I thought only Joe left."

"Yeah, until tonight. I guess it's just me and Mike." He sighed in a way that I found to be far too dramatic for the situation. It's okay to change band members now; it has been for nearly a decade.

"Sexy, it'll be alright." I cooed to him. I'm not good with emotions when I'm awake, I swear to God I'm worse when I'm asleep. I did manage to sit up though. I'm actually not trying to be insensitive. I think that this may be a good thing for Vic, even if he doesn't see it now. Music isn't a practical career choice.

"I'm fucking pissed. I gave everything to this, now these two jackasses get to take it away from me."

"But look at everything you've learned." I reminded him.

"I didn't learn shit."

"Yes you did, you learned how to get your name out there, and you learned the basics of touring. Vic, you got signed, and you know how to work with a manager now. Those are all things that you can use in life."

"Sure." He groaned, clearly not wanting to see my reasoning.

"Vic, you've got your Associate's, and you're halfway to your Bachelor's degree. You only have one year of school left, and your resume is so unique. You're a shoe-in at any design internship you want. This doesn't have to define you." I told him. I was honestly jealous of how well-rounded he was. He's a dream hire.

"I know."

He just wanted to be mad tonight, I could tell, but I still wanted to try and help. "It could be worse. Their unwillingness to tour kept your brother in school for enough of his senior year to pass. That's a benefit. If you had been touring the way you wanted there's no way Michael would have graduated."

I knew that Vic cared about Mike. I tolerated Michael at best, but the feeling was mutual. I think Mike is a loser. I know the only way he got his job is because of strings I pulled for him, but I'll never tell Vic that. Or Michael. I'm a bartender, working nights to put myself through school. Mike was now a bouncer at the club I worked at, because I put in a good word for him. There was a time that I enjoyed Mike and his company, but his facade slipped and I saw the loser he was under all of it.

"I love you too. I'm sorry this happened." I told him.

"I guess I need to call Equal Vision in the morning." He sighed.

I didn't really answer him. I listened to stuff about his music, and I understood a fair amount of it, but I never got why he was so hooked on it. I understand how alluring music can be, but it's not a real job. He's an amazing graphic designer and a great student, I thought he should focus more on school and leave his rock star fantasies as just that: Fantasies. I don't want to work in a rundown bar forever, and neither should he. It was time to get realistic about his future. He's 23 and needs to start living in the real world. This band splitting up may be the best thing for him.