Things Only Musician Understand

Part Twenty-Eight: Eliza

I received a phone call

at midnight

while I was still at the library

doing homework

finishing a paper

when I should have closed up

and left for the night.

I answered the phone

and

JJ

was on the other end

"Hello,

what's up?"

"Eliza,

Eliza,

I need help,

now,

nothing's wrong with the boys,

they're sleeping,

but it's me,

I need help,

I can't sleep,

I can't think,

I see people,

and I can't get my shit together.

I need help

and

please help me,

please."

and the phone clicked off.

I threw my things into my bag,

locked up

and drove home

in a mad frenzy

I burst into the door

and Jj

was nowhere to be found.

I checked the bedroom,

and the bathroom,

and the boy's room,

but he was nowhere to be found.

I sent Batoo

and Ghost off

to find him

as I searched some more.

I heard barking

as I got to the hampers.

Batoo was standing by the opening of the space

barking in

because it was barricaded

and Jj

was sitting

balled up

in the corner,

rocking back and forth

with his hands over his eyes,

not making a sound.

I removed the barricade

and stumbled to him.

I got down to my knees

looking at him.

I took my hands

and steadily removed his hands

that were covering his eyes.

Underneath