“Sweetheart!” she sang into the phone, the elation clear in her tone. “How’s the tour going?”
A smile immediately spread across his face at the sound of his mother’s voice. “It’s great, Mom. Everything I hoped it would be. It’s exhausting, though, I have to admit.” His parents made it look easy, even touring with two kids.
“Slow down, then. I know it’s exciting, but head back to the bus and get a good night’s sleep as often as you can. You don’t have to hit the bars and clubs every night. They’ll still be there on your next tour. You don’t have to do it all this time around.”
He wished he had the time and the energy. “I know, Mom. We actually don’t have much free time. Tonight’s the first night in a long time that we have off. We’re in Seattle. At Spinasse.”
“I love that place. Make sure Sindy tries the tajarin.”
He remembered how much his mother loved the dish. “Tessa made sure we ordered our favorites. Sindy loved everything. Even the zucchini blossom.” He chuckled a little as he pictured her face when she realized it was a flower. It took a little coaxing after the trauma of trying an oyster, but she gave in and tried it and loved it.
“How’s Tessa? Is she taking it easy, or running circles around everyone with her attention to every last detail?”
“Since when does Tessa take it easy? And you know that she doesn’t listen to anyone.” Quite the opposite. Tessa tells everyone else what to do, but his mother already knew that.
His mom let out a long sigh. “I miss you both. I’m so happy you’re doing so well. I’ve read all the reviews of Prodigy and they’re stellar, but I can’t wait until both of my kids are home.”
A lump settled in Lucas’ throat, making it hard to speak. “We only have about two more weeks on the road. We’ll be heading back east in a day or two.”
There was silence on the phone for a few seconds before his mom spoke again. “I’m very proud of you, Lucas. I don’t have to tell you how much talent you have. You’re an amazing guitarist, and you’ve grown into such a responsible, mature, intelligent and handsome man. I couldn’t ask for better children. I love you and your sister very much.”
Oh God. The baseball lodged in Lucas’ throat clogged his chest with emotion. He blinked rapidly and looked up to the ceiling as he tried to find his voice. It cracked and shook but he didn’t care. “Love you, too, Mom.”
