“Well…” I perched myself at the edge ofthe porch and kicked off my shoes. “A little birdy told me that Devin O’Learywaslookin’ for a new opening act. Apparently, thatlittle birdy happened to send him a video of meplayin’tonight. And Devin wants me to open for the band.” I could hardly believe thewords as they poured from my mouth in quick succession, and I grinned up at mytwo favorite ladies in the entire world, waiting for the news to sink in.
“Wouldthat little birdy happen to be Chad?” Mama asked with a grin, her voice heldtight with suppressed giddiness.
“Whatgave it away?” I laughed, ready to bound up the porch steps and give her a hug.
“Oh,my word, I could kiss that boy. Remind me next time I see him,” Mama gushed,putting her glass down on an old wicker table and jumping to her feet. “Getover here, sweetheart!” I did as she said, running up the steps to throw myarms around her neck. Mama was a crier and her tears landed softly against myhair and shoulder. “You’regonnabe the best openingact in the entire world. You’regonnabe a star.”
“Oh,Mama, stop,” I pleaded as my own eyes watered.
Conniepulled herself to her feet, threw her arms around the both of us, and pressed akiss to my cheek. “It’s true, and you know it. Now, I’mgonnarun inside for more tea. You want some?” I nodded gratefully, and she hurriedinto the house, leaving Mama and me alone.
Mymother composed herself as she pulled away and fanned her face with splayedfingers. We laughed together at the out of control state of our emotions—it washereditary. Gripping my hands, she tugged me toward the rockers. “Yougottatell Hank; he’sgonnabe soexcited. But first, sit down, baby, and tell me all about this. When do youleave? How long are you gone for? Tell meeverything.”
So,I did. I told her everything I knew, which was the little Chad had told me atthe club. Just a couple weeks from tomorrow, I’d be flying across the countrywith Chad to Devin O’Leary’s house in Connecticut. Then, for the duration ofthe tour, I’d travel the United States of America with the band, to open forall ninety-six of their headlining shows. Just me and a guitar.
“You’regonnabe on the tour bus?” Connie asked.
Inodded. “Yeah. Chad said that, since it’s just me, it’d be easier and more costeffective for me to travel with them. They’re renting two buses,” I clarified,“because their pianist is bringing his wife and three kids along. Devin, hiswife, and their kids will be in that bus, too, to give the rest of us somepeace and quiet.”
Mama’sbrow furrowed. “Wait. You’regonnabe the only womanon a bus full ofmen?”
“Fullof men,” I mocked, rolling my eyes. “Mama, you act like they’re deviants orsomething’.”
“They’remen,” she challenged.
Conniescoffed at my mother. “What exactly are you worried about? You’ve met theseguys before. You know they’re fine.”
“Youknowwhat I’m worried about. Onepretty girl surrounded by a bunch ofmen?Come on,Con. I don’t care who they are.”
“Andone of thosemenis my boy, Sarah.”
Mamaand Connie had never experienced a falling out in all their fifty years offriendship, beginning on the first day of Kindergarten. But Connie’s eyesflickered with a defensive sort of anger now, challenging my mother to continuewith whatever ridiculous misconception she’d conjured in that head of hers.
“Hank’snotgonnabe happy about this, you know that,” Mamawarned, pretending to speak on behalf of her husband. But I knew she was reallyspeaking for herself. Because everyone has scars to bear, wounds to perpetuallynurse, and my mother would always have a certain distrust toward men.
“It’sgonnabe fine,” I assured her. “I’ll be with Chadnearly twenty-four hours a day. I’m sure he wouldn’t let a damn thing happen tome.”
Sherelented. Her worry released with a squeeze of my hand. “You’re right. Ofcourse, you are. But you know how Hank feels. He worries. You’re hisbaby.” And there she went again, usingHank’s name in place of her own.
“Oh,honey,” Connie sniffed, relaxing in her rocker and shaking her head. “If my boylet anything happen to her, I’d whip his ass myself. You know that.”
Mamaand I laughed, and whatever tension remained was washed away with the joyfulsound. We enjoyed the night, rocking lazily to the tune of creakingfloorboards. Mentally, I packed my bags, thinking of everything I’d need overthe next few months while I was away.
Months. God.I hadn’t left Texas for more than a week at a time throughout mylife, andhad never gone much further than Colorado to goskiing about ten years ago. But now, I was just weeks away from seeing the EastCoast and the Atlantic Ocean, and that alone left me fidgeting withuncontainable excitement. Who I’d be traveling with, was another added bonusand my smile ached with theanticipation.
10
AlwaysBe There For Each Other
CHAD
ASCHOOL SHOULDN’Tbe so big, I decided, as Molly and I walkedinto Red Ridge High with new backpacks slung over our shoulders. The frontsteps were littered with students, the main entrance was teaming with kids andadults alike, and Molly insisted I lead the way. She was nervous and kept herhand gripped on my backpack. Afraid she’d lose me. Afraid of being left behind.
“Where do we go?” she askedfrom behind me, speaking loudly over the volume around us.
An authoritative woman caughtMolly’s question and turned to us with the need to be useful. “What grade arey’allgoin’ into?”
Molly used my body to hide,while I responded, “Ninth.”
