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Remember Part 8 I plugged my cell phone into the charger and dialed Scott from the hotel phone. Just when I thought I was going into voicemail, the line picked up, but it was a voice I didn’t recognize--a woman. A nauseous feeling began to rise in my throat. “Hello?” The woman said again. I swallowed hard and tried to control my quivering voice. “Um…I might have the wrong number, but I was trying to reach Scott. Scott Stapp?” I squeezed my eyes shut and prayed I misdialed. “This is his phone.” “Oh.” I felt my mouth go dry. “Who is this?” “Stephanie. Who is this?” Stephanie? I didn’t know anyone named Stephanie. Who am I?! Who the hell is she? She’s going to be the first one to give some answers. I thought quickly. I’m not calling from my cell, so they couldn’t tell it was me, and the hotel phone should just show up as an Illinois call. “This is, um…Mark’s sister-in-law, Tracey.” I hope I remembered her name right. “I couldn’t reach Mark and I thought he might be with Scott.” That was a good one. I’m better at this lying shit than I thought I was. “Oh okay. Well, Scott’s in the shower, but Mark’s not here.” And I’m surprised you’re not in the shower with him, you little tramp. “I guess I’ll just have to try Mark’s cell phone. Thanks, um…what was your name again?” “Stephanie.” “I don’t think I talked to you before.” I poured on the sweetness to hide the spite in my voice. “Are you Scott’s girlfriend?” She giggled. Oh my God, I know that simpering little laugh. She slept with him. “No, we just met last night.” I think I’m going to throw up. “Okay, well, I have no message for Scott, but if you see Mark, tell him I called.” “No problem.” I hung up the phone without saying goodbye. I was surprised that I managed to get through that conversation without wanting to crawl through the line and rip out her throat. I needed to call Mark. I had to keep the story straight in case Scott called him. And perhaps Mark could tell me a little more about this Stephanie person. “Hey Mark.” “Terri! How ya doing? How does it feel to be back home?” “I never realized how much I missed it.” “Is it hot up there?” “Not too bad.” Enough of this beating around the bush.  “Listen, I just called Scott.” He got quiet for a moment, then his tone changed. “Uh-huh.” “And a girl answered.” “Uh-huh.” Something wasn’t right. “Mark? What do you know?” “Hey, whatever happens between you and Scott…” “Don’t give me any of that bullshit. Just level with me.” He sighed. I wasn’t too sure I wanted to hear this either. “We went to a bar last night, knocked back a few beers. Scott kept hitting on some chick.” “Stephanie?” “Yeah, I think that’s her name. I asked him what the hell he was doing when he has you, but he just blew me off and left with her. That’s all I know.” And she was still there in the morning. I could hear her sickening little giggle echo in my head. “Terri? You okay?” “Yeah, I guess so.” “I’m sorry.” “I know.” At least there was one man in the world that was sincere and faithful. Too bad he was taken. I told Mark about my little sister-in-law story and swore him not to tell Scott I called. We wrapped up the conversation with some small talk, mostly to get my mind off the whole issue that was clouded over my head. I hung up the phone and hugged my knees to my chest. David was right. It didn’t seem possible that he could know Scott better than I did. But it happened just the way he said it would. But what about me? Didn’t I just do the same thing last night? I doubt Scott regretted it as much as I did. I got up and walked over to the window, parting the curtain to take in the view of the bustling city below. Why? Why do I even try? I can’t change Scott. Fuck, I can’t even change me. I had an urge to cry, but no tears came. What would I be shedding tears for? For what Scott did to me or for what I did to myself? I desperately tried to justify it in my mind that we were now even…in a game I wasn’t even aware I was playing. I thought about David. Last night had come back to me clearly. There was no doubt there was still something between us. I let my forehead fall against the windowpane. I could have left right away after the show; I could have never even gone. I knew what I was doing. I was playing the game. I’m just as guilty as Scott. Disturbed Fanfic Page Remember - Part 9 Copyright TMS2004   page created with Webpage Designer (NS)