Marriage

Nick sat there backstage at a concert, staring at a pic of him and his wife, Hayley. They had a big fight and he walked out. He left for a tour with his band mates, AJ, Howie, and Brian. He hasn’t talked to his wife and from what Brian said, his wife was still at the house. He told Brian to tell Leighanne to tell Hayley that she can stay there and that he needed time away and he didn’t want a divorce. He saw Kevin come in with Kristin. Kevin came over and sat down beside him. Nick looked at Kevin.

“Um, these are for you,” Kevin said. He handed Nick an envelope. Nick opened it and pulled out divorce papers. He also saw Hayley’s rings. He sat there staring at the papers. Brian came over.

“Nicky,” Brian said. Nick felt tears run down his face. He didn’t like to cry, but he couldn’t help it. His marriage was over. He felt his heart breaking in a million pieces. He ran down to his dressing room and closed the door and sank to the floor crying. Brian and Kevin came in and knelt down beside him.

“Nick, we are here,” Brian said.

“Why did she do this! I didn’t want this!” Nick cried. Brian hugged him. Nick cried on his shoulder. Kristin came in and looked at them.

“They are ready for you guys to go on,” Kristin said.

“I can’t go on,” Nick said.

“Nick,” Brian said.

“I can’t go on like this,” Nick said.

“You want to stay backstage for this show?” Brian asked. Nick nodded. Brian looked at Kevin.

“Want to come out of retirement for tonight, Kev?” Brian asked. Kevin looked at Nick and nodded. They hugged Nick and went to get ready. AJ, Brian, Kevin and Howie ran onstage and explained that Nick had a bad cold and was resting his voice and Kevin was performing with them for one night only. Kevin performed Nick’s parts. Nick and Kristin watched from backstage. Nick laid down and rested his head on Kristin’s leg as she stroked his head.

“Kris, thanks for being here, you are like a big sister to me,” Nick said. Kristin smiled.

“And you are like a little brother to me, Nicky,” Kristin said.

After the show, the guys and Kristin went to the hotel. Nick went to his room and went in and sat down and looked at the divorce papers. He picked up the phone and dialed his house. Hayley answered.

“Hello,” Hayley said.

“Why divorce papers?” Nick asked.

“Nick, it’s best that we just end it, we fight all the time,” Hayley said.

“I don’t want a fucking divorce, god, Hayley, Kev and Kristin brought the papers to me before the show tonight and I was so upset that Kevin had to go onstage for me because I couldn’t, yes, I missed one show because of the papers, you did something I didn’t want, I told Brian to tell Leighanne to tell you that I didn’t want a divorce, that I needed time, I never said anything about a divorce, unless you want the divorce because you want someone else,” Nick said.

“There is no one else, Nickolas, I want the divorce because I’m tired of fighting with you all the time, nothing I do is good enough for you, I deserve better,” Hayley said. She hung up. Nick stared at the phone and slammed the phone down and threw the papers across the room. He threw his keys against the wall. There was a knock at the door. Nick didn’t move. He heard the key swipe and the door opened and Brian and Kevin came in with AJ, Howie, and Kristin behind them. Brian sat down and saw his face.

“Nick, what happened,” Brian said.

“I called her, asked her why a divorce, she said that she’s tired of fighting all the time and that nothing she does is good enough for me and that she deserves better,” Nick said softly. He covered his face with his hands and started sobbing. Brian held him.