3

I woke up the next afternoon with a headache from hell. I barely remember what happened after midnight. I know we almost brought the bar down with our music. I lay in bed and kept my eyes closed, knowing for a fact if I open them, I might start to hurl.

“Oi August! Your mom’s outside!” Someone yelled at me in my room.

I finally got the courage to open my eyes slightly. My mom was not outside; she was in fact, in my room, glaring down at me. I held the vomit in while I stared at the imposing figure that was my mother. The pale look did nothing to dispel the anger flahing in her green eyes. It seemed to me that even her red hair had electric currents flashing around her.

sShe turned from me and glared at Claude and Juan who were giggling at me.

“Out!” she yelled at them.                   

Their quick movement made me even more sick than I was and I quickly reached for the trash can next to my bed.

“Good God Andrea! Look at you!” my mother yelled as I started to vomit.

I could not speak from fear of chocking and the after taste of tequila that my stomach pushed out.

“Mom! Not now please?” I begged when the vomiting eased slightly

“Yes Andrea. Now! Don’t you see yourself? You came home at three this morning, ran the mail box over, parked your car in the damned rose garden, partied until dawn and now you are in here hurling your guts out! To top it all off, you missed school today! The headmaster phoned again. You have been sleeping in class. What have you done to yourself? It’s like you are fourteen all over again, this time with less sense! Are you proud of yourself?” My mother ranted at me.

I turned on my back and looked at my mother. I knew she was furious because she cared. But my head ached and I felt sick.

“No.” I whimpered.

“Then what are you planning to do about it?” she yelled at me.

“Mom, I get it. I’ll quit. I’ll push everything aside and concentrate on my school work until graduation.” I told her numbly.

My mother came to sit on my bed and placed a hand on my thigh.

“I don’t think you can quit my darling. You know, your father and I was there last night? You were doing that Rock thing and I could see that you loved it. I could also see that you were higher than a kite. Why?” she softened her tone.

I had no answer for her. I turned my face away from her and said softly

“I’m sorry.”

My mother nodded and stood up.

“Get some sleep. We’ll talk when you are sober.”

I nodded and hung my head in shame at the disappointment in my mother’s voice.

I understood what she meant when I finally got the courage to get up and go to the bathroom. I stared at my pale reflection in the mirror. It was the worst thing I had ever seen. The house was quiet, it seemed that my mother had thrown every one out.

My once clean flat was now a mess, empty beer bottles stood on every available space, the kitchen looked worse with empty pizza boxes sitting on the counter and hanging out of the overflowing dustbin.

“At least we ate.” I said to myself before I clumsily started to clean the kitchen.

I was about half way when my front door opened and my mother returned, this time with my father in tow.

We looked at each other for a while before I carried on cleaning. Next thing I know, both my parents are at my side, helping me tidy the house. My guitar lay in the sitting room, still connected to the amplifiers.

“You make good music.” My father told me when he caught me looking at the guitar.

“I’m thinking of throwing them out, leaving it all behind.” I told him honestly.

“You can’t do that. You will lose a piece of who you are.” He told me.

“Dad, I barely remember what happened last night, or this morning.” I told him.

My father chuckled and replied

“You ruined my garden then came home to make music until dawn.”

“It’s the music that brought me here.” I said to him.

“No. Not the music, but the inability to handle the pressure. Don’t give up on the music, or on anything. But learn to separate the good from the bad, and get enough rest in between.”

We stared at each other for a while then he said with a sad smile

“Care to play a song for your old man?”

I smiled at him then asked

“Play with me?”

Fun fact about my father, he was the one who taught me how to play guitar and drums. We used to play together a lot, me on the guitar, him on the drums. But then when I got into high school and joined the band we started having less time to play. But today seemed the right time to play again.

I went to the second bedroom that doubled as my music room and yelled

“Drums or guitar?”

“Drums.  You are the expert now kiddo.”

“Try to keep up.” I grinned and picked up my guitar.

My father and I are major country music fans. For at least an hour we played anything from Neil Diamond, Brooks and Dunns, Lady Antebellum, Tom Jones or basically anything my father could while I backed him.

“That was fun.” He said when the last notes faded.

I stood up and stretched before I sat down again with the guitar.

“One more?” I asked him and strummed the strings.

“What do you want to play?” he asked.

“A boy named Sue?” I suggested to him.

My father and I played a couple more songs until my mother called a halt. She kissed my forehead and invited me for dinner at the main house. I accepted gladly. Before dinner I called my boss to tell him I wouldn’t be going in. He complained about it being a Friday night but shut up when I said “Family night.”

After dinner the neighbours came over and my mother asked my dad to put some music on. Of course my father would play country music, the kind that always made them dance real close. I watched them for a while until I was approached by Gwen.

“Can you dance?” she asked me carefully.

I cocked my head at her then replied,

“Depends on the song.”

“Really? Or do you only dance when you are high or drunk like the rest of the boys I know?” she replied sarcastic.

“Your sarcasm is not lost on me you know?” I retorted angrily.

“I do know that, but it must’ve been one hell of a party considering the music didn’t die down until dawn.” She scolded.

“So I hear.” I retorted and stood up from my chair, intent on walking away.

I made it to the kitchen when my father caught up with me.

“It seems you and Gwen are at odds?” he asked carefully.

I nodded and said

“Seems so. She’s picking a fight.”

“You look frustrated.”

“I am.”

“You haven’t been home in a long time. But it’s good that you get some time off.” My father said with a smile.

“I didn’t. I called in family time.” I replied and opened the fridge for a beer.

“We’re out.” He said and handed me his newly opened beer.

I cringed at the thought.

“I can always just run down to the liquor store to get more beer Dad.”

“We can both go.” He said and nodded.

“Gulp while I tell your mom.”

Our intention was to get a couple of six packs and then head home, but my father ran into one of his friends in the liquor store. The man invited us to have a beer with him so we headed to the closest bar, called Watering Hole. It was clearly an old bar, the furniture was fashioned mainly from what appeared to be recycled sleeper wood and old whiskey barrels.

The barman was wiping glasses with a dishrag as we approached the tentatively relaxed bar. I was very impressed with the set up. The music was low, so that people could have decent conversation without yelling at each other, and it wasn’t so crowded, not the way I was used to.

We ordered our beer and sat down. My father’s friend nudged him and they took off towards the booths.

“Where is everyone?” I asked the barman after a while of studying the place.

“The live bar down the street, where they always are.” He replied with a shrug.

I snorted and gave him a wry grin.

“I suppose they’ll be disappointed tonight then.”

“Because the lead is sitting in my bar?” he asked with a pleased chuckle.

I grinned at him and raised my beer.

“Decided to have a beer with my old man instead.” I replied and looked over my shoulder to where my father and his friend sat at a barrel table.

The man must’ve seen my gaze wander for he suddenly said with a jerk of his head towards my father.

“They used to come here all the time after work. Up until a few years back Kenny didn’t come in as much. People said he wanted to spend more time with his family,” The barman told me why a happy smile, “You take after him I hear.”

I grinned and said curiously.

“You seem to know a lot about me.”

“You know how to draw attention even if it’s not your intention.”

I inclined my head at him and raised my beer to my lips. I chatted to the barman for a while  in between him helping other customers. An older man, about my father’s age came in and stood next to me.

“May I?” he asked, pointing to the empty stool.

“Wouldn’t mind the company.” I told him and raised my hand to the barman for another beer.

“You from around here? Can’t remember if I’ve seen you before?” he asked after he placed his order for a whiskey on the rocks.

“I am. Came in with my dad and his friend. That’s them over there.” I told him and pointed to my father.

“You’re Kenny’s kid? Man, you had grown!” he replied with a smile.

I tried to hide the discomfort that was starting to grow inside of me. He had this look in his eye that said he knew me but I couldn’t, for the life of me, place him.

I stayed in my seat however and continued to talk to him for about an hour until my father called me over to play a game of pool with him and his friend. I declined the offer, simply because I have never played before and I am a sore loser. But something drew my attention at the one side of the bar, an old jukebox.

“Dad, do you have any coins?” I shouted over a relatively rowdy crowd that had just come in.

My dad glanced my way and then at the jukebox. He shook his head and bent over the pool table to shoot the balls. I shook my head at him in disgust before going to the barman to ask him if he can get the jukebox playing.

The barman laughed at me then said.

“A musician asking for a jukebox. Don’t you usually do it yourself?”

“What? Entertain myself? At home or at work yeah.” I shrugged at him.

“Because you are either bored or get paid to do it right?” he asked with a frown.

“Yeah. But I’m really in the mood or something different tonight.” I scrunched up my face and returned to my chair at the bar. Lucky for me, the old man had left.

The barman turned away and came back with another beer. I patted my pocket and pulled out my wallet to pay him. All I had was my credit card.

“I am so going to regret this. Add another five beers and a couple of shots to my tab will you? I’m going to pay it now or I’ll walk out without paying.”

He laughed and took the card. When he was done ringing up the bill he returned the card. I was about half way through my beer when my mother walked in, looking absolutely furious. Trailing behind her was a very hesitant Gwen. My mom saw me then gave me a look that said

“Where’s your father?”

I could do more than point towards the pool table. Gwen said something to her but my mother shook her head vehemently and dragged the poor woman in by the hand.

“Here comes trouble.” The guy next to me said as we turned in unison to watch my mom round up my father. I swear I had never seen my father so surprised to see anyone. He gave me a foul look but I raised my hands as if to say, ‘Leave me out of this.’

He talked to my mother for a little while until she appeared calm. Before I knew it she was marching towards me, a very determined look on her face.

“Wasn’t me.” I said quickly as my mother drew close.

“I know. We waited two and a half hours for the two of you and here you are, getting drunk! You could’ve called you know? I thought you would have more sense than your father.” She replied angrily.

“Can I buy you a drink Mom?” I asked her with a smile.

“Wine please.”

“Gwen?” I asked carefully. Gwen did not answer, instead I saw her standing around awkwardly talking to a guy who had her arm in an almost death grip.

I cocked my head and stood up slowly.

“Don’t.” my mother hissed.

“Just going to talk Mom.” I replied but I could my face heating up slightly.

“Kenny!” my mother screamed for my father as I made my way to the guy who was holding Gwen prisoner.

Someone intercepted me as I got close to the two I was targeting.

“I’ll do this. He’s my mate. I don’t think he knows what he’s doing.”

I turned to look at the guy I had been sitting next to.

“Get his hands off my girl.” I said in a low tone.

He grinned at me then stuck out his hand.

“James.”

I shook his hand and said

“Andy.”

James went up to his friend and tapped his friend’s shoulder before saying something to him. James’ friend let go of Gwen and walked with her to where I stood waiting.

“My apologies. I didn’t know.”

“I don’t think you gave her much of a chance.” I replied coldly.

“Can I buy you a drink? Yours appears to be on the empty side.” He offered with a friendly smile.

I looked at my bottle and realised he was speaking the truth. I shrugged and agreed. We shook hands and then I held my arm out for Gwen who was giving me concerned looks. I flashed her a confidant smile and put her arm around her hips.

“I don’t think you should be doing this.” She whispered to me.

“Just stick to it. We don’t want these guys getting any ideas.” I whispered back.

I looked towards the bar where the barman was handing out the beers. I took mine and raised it in a toast.

Someone turned the volume on the jukebox up and people started tapping their feet as Footloose started to play. I was surprised to see my father pull out some fancy footwork as he made his way to my mother, who was starting to get a devilish grin on her face.

I shook my head and turned away from them, Muttering to myself.

“Careful they are going to start a stampede.” I said to Gwen and pulled her out of the way.

My words were barely cold when a group of youngsters joined my parents on the floor in their typical American line dance.

“Why don’t you join them?” James asked me as he tapped his foot to the beat.

I shook my head and said

“I don’t dance.”

“Mind if I asked your lady?” he said but was looking at Gwen.

“If she doesn’t mind.” I replied after a curious look at her. She held out her hand and joined the man for a dance.

For all of two minutes I watched the dance going on, drinking two shots of Jagermeister with James’ friend.

“Bet you are a lot more comfortable behind the instruments than on the dance floor.” The barman remarked as we tapped the glasses after the last shot.

I only inclined my head in agreement.

“We have a piano in that corner if you’re interested?” he suggested.

“Nah. Guitar is my thing.” I replied and asked for another beer.

“Got that too.” He started to grin hungrily at me.

“Where’d you get a guitar? I have been sitting here for hours and you never mentioned anything about that.” I replied with a frown.

“You never asked, but now it appears that you are getting drunk because you are missing all the fun.” He replied.

I sighed and looking longingly at the dance floor.

“You know what? You are right. I’d better be off. Thanks for the drink.”

With that greeting I grinned and left the bar. I took out my phone and called Claude.

“Where are you?” I asked him soon as soon as he picked up.

“Where I should be.” He replied and the phone went dead.

I shrugged and walked the two blocks down the street where Illumination was located. For once the band’s cars stood in the front parking lot. I shook my head and walked in.

I spotted them sitting in the very centre of the counter. I walked up and waved to Jeanie who immediately took out a beer from the fridge.

“So, can someone please tell me why this place is empty and you are not on stage.?” I said by way of greeting.

“Possibly because our lead was a prick who suddenly decided to have a family night.” Tom answered without looking at me.

“The lead doesn’t make a band.” I replied and waited. They turned in slow motion but they did not seem to register the fact that I was there.

“Really? Cause we sucked without you man. What has gotten into you?” Tom asked angrily.

“My family did Tom. I’m nineteen years old. I have school, I have a job, and I have you guys. I am burning out. I am either high or exhausted. I am still feeling the shit from last night or this morning or whenever the hell that was. I really can’t do that anymore dude.” I said honestly.

“You don’t have to do it every night. We know you have all that stuff going on but to drop us on a Friday night wasn’t cool man.” Claude sounded disappointed.

“I’m sorry guys. I had to. I have to give my folks some time too.” I replied drily.

“Yeah? So what are you doing here then?” Tom asked quickly.

I took a deep gulp of my beer before I answered.

“Irony of this matter is, my dad and I went out for a beer, then my mom showed up and now they are showing the youngsters up in the bar down the street doing their line dancing thing.”

The guys started laughing at me.

“I’m guessing you left because you don’t dance.” Claude said when he calmed down.

“Yep. Then I realised I need a ride home and I hoped you guys were still here.” I answered him slightly embarrassed.

Claude clapped my shoulder before he stood up and said

“Come on. I’ll take you home. Be right back guys.”