Point Of View 2 [*Do not read until you've read the same chapter of ATW]

Chapter 50 & 51 Save Me From Myself/ The Avalon

*James*

"Something is up with Julia. Trish, what's going on?" I ask while we walk Maggie around Nate's complex. Trisha stalls and stares ahead a little. How this woman is walking in heels so easily is beyond me. She had some meeting today and is dressed like she should be a lawyer. She has this hot pink button-down blouse on that is tucked into a black skirt that hugs her body, and black high heels. 

"Really, I don't know much. Nate hasn't been home much at all these last two days. And when he is, he doesn't want to talk about it. I know Julia is having a hard time, though. That's really all I know." She looks up with me full of sympathy. "She's got a lot of mental health hurdles to overcome."

"Yeah, she does." I frown. "I wish I could help her more. I'm not used to that shit though, you know? Nate is good with that because of his sister. I'm not."

Trisha nods in agreement while we stop, so Maggie can do her thing on the grass. "Yeah, I've never been really good with that either. I tried a little with Cara when she was younger, but it was so stressful. At the time, I was also taking care of my dying mother and still Nate's P.A. So life was a bit of a blur."

"Jeeze. I didn't know that. You're really strong, you know that?" I smile down at her, but she just stares ahead with a huff, like she doesn't believe she is.

"I'm a good actor."

"No... give yourself credit, Trisha. You've been through a lot in your own life. Yet you are always right there cleaning up everyone else's. You deserve to feel proud and receive compliments about your strength and coping abilities. Som-sometimes, I feel like your life gets put on the back burner because you are too busy with ev-everyone else's." I stammer.

"You're getting tired, huh. We can head back." Trisha notices my stuttering as I grow weary. She doesn't point it out in a rude way, but in a way to let me know it's ok. That she gets it. I nod, and we turn back in the direction we can from.

"Anyway, my job to clean up messes. Have you MET Nate Hollan?" She chuckles. "He's a trainwreck."

"Yet the whole world is in love with him." Ok, I realize that sounded a bit like a jealous man. Maybe I am. Nate fucks up all the time and look at his life. He's got it made. Ok, well not in the love or family department. His sister and girlfriend are both a mess and his mother is a heroin addict. But I try to live a good life and do right by others. I try to live the life God has planned for me yet here I am, stuttering when I'm tired and unable to care for myself.

"The whole world is in love with him BECAUSE he's a train wreck. He might have fame and a big bank account, but he is relatable. He goes through shit just like the rest of the world. By going through shit is how he became such a great songwriter. He uses his shit and turns it into music."

"So, Nate's talent is winning the world over with his life drama, Your talent is cleaning up everyone's messes. Julia's talent is being an amazing caretaker... even if she can't take care of herself right now... Wonder what my talent is? I'm just some guy who almost lost it all from running a red light." I say in a lighthearted way though it's true.

"You can show me your talent later tonight." She nudges her body into me a little while we walk back home.

"What happened to the taking things slow??" I muse. "I thought we were on the same page here Trisha The Receptionist."

"Ugh, I know.  Can I admit something?" She waits for my slight nod as we sit on the bench in front of Nate's building while Maggie sniffs around more, neither of us ready to go up yet. "I'm dying to know what you're like. You know... in bed."