"Nope. But, if you’re scared then have Uber drop them off at the new place instead and be waiting. Then, wrap her in bubble wrap and have a nurse on standby for the night."
He laughs and pushes Carrie lovingly seeing that it was just shitty cards and not an omen. "Uber isn’t a bad idea though. God knows I’ll be a nervous wreck in the car once I get them from the airport."
We nod, knowing the pressure in that car would make anyone wilt. "So get her an Uber to the house and tell her you are in the middle of lyrical genious shit and cant stop. She so wont care." I say and rub his arm.
"Well, there’s the plan then." He says and we are interrupted when the doorbell rings alerting us the movers are here.
Carrie and I do the girl thing and swoon over the upcoming nuptials and agree Bright will have it like an extravaganza.
"Enough girl talk, let’s work." He says and takes us both in a headlock on both arms.
"Wait..." I say laughing as we break free. "Wait so, what does that mean for kids? Will you make us aunties one day?"
"He cringes and shakes his head no. "I already did, you have Raleigh, he's like ten kids and just as hard to handle."
Cal
I get to Shames but don’t bother knocking. I use the keycode that unarms the lock on the door and yell from the entryway.
Shame comes down the stairs and throws me a hi-five. "What's up man?"
I had called on my way over letting him know I had some news.
"So, I was asked to do the cover forSound Logics magazineand be part of the fifty most influential guitarists of the twenty-first century."
His smile tells me he is pumped for me. "No shit?" He claps his hands together and starts yelling. "Fuck yeah bro!"
He grabs us two low ball glasses and pours us both a whiskey. "Cheers brother, this is a fucking recognition you deserve." We toast and drink from the whiskey. "When is it coming out? Honestly we need to celebrate."
"It will be the March Issue and I do the interview a week from tomorrow." I don’t hide my smile, but I struggle being ecstatic because I want to tell Jen and I refuse to talk to her outside of my texts about Axe. The last year we do the 50?50 thing because with my touring schedule she was all I had to rely on. God knows my ex wasn’t.
"Well shit we are all on hiatus until next year so I say fuck it, let’s plan a party."
"No, we are going out to celebrate this. This is huge Cal and everything you have ever wanted. This is your life’s work and dedication." He starts a group text to everyone we know and within minutes my phone is blowing up with congrats texts from everyone I love.
"So, we are going to pre-game at your spot at seven and then head out I'll reserve us a spot."
"Wait, tonight?" I ask and kick back the rest of my whiskey.
"Fuck yeah tonight. What the fuck do we have planned honestly?"
His phone is blowing up now too and mine keeps going when I hear Cassa come into the den with a huge smile. "Holy shit Cal! This is remarkable!" She hugs me and hands me Ella who goes at my beard immediately.
"Hey brat, that hurts." I say in a silly voice that makes her laugh.
“So, I need to call the sitter and get arranged, but I will be pre-gaming with you boys later." She kisses me on the cheek and disappears from the room.
I play with Ella while Shame calls the Sue to request a roped off section but they are hosting a headliner tonight. I get an idea though and look at him as I hang Ella upside down by her feet as she laughs hysterically.
"Bro, call Tiny and get us a spot at the Aloha."
He starts a series of hell yes and calls Tiny. "Look Tiny, we need like an hour block of Cal playing. Riffing and some solo shit." I look at him like he might be a genius. There is a reason they put me on that list and it is because something short of epic happens when I play and get lost.
Once he is off the phone with Tiny he comes looking for me while I dig through the pantry looking for my girl Ella some grub. I throw some grapes and a string cheese on her tray and let her go to town before looking to Shame who has the details for the impromptu party.
"So, what’s the plan?" I ask and steal some grapes for myself and sit beside Ella.
"They have a band booked tonight, solo artist he says rocks. Lexington Cherry?" He looks at me to see if I recognize the name. I don’t and shrug my shoulders.