Tonya glanced at her watch with a cheeky grin.“It’s time.”
The members of Bret Beats walked off stage to get dinner for their reunion with each other.
Jesse wore one of his tight button-up shirts with flared jeans.He wore his show clothes like armor.
Mason pulled me aside to talk.“The plan is to introduce ourselves and the cause, and we will call you on stage to talk briefly about James if you feel comfortable.Also, beware of Jesse.This will be his first show sober, and he won’t know how to act.He just ate an entire box of snack packs.”
It was wild to think that Jesse was sober.He did seem more alert and down to earth, but he didn’t possess his regular pizazz.Jesse was electric when he was under the influence.I wasn’t sure if anyone had seen him clean since they released their first album.Getting drunk was his pre-show ritual, so he needed something new to hype him up.Snack Packs could do the trick, but for how long?I hoped he would seek out more help.
“Harold Hayes is here, a critic from Zipper, so this needs to go well.”
“Dang.Well, the critics will always be there.We can only do our best,” Mason said.
“It’s okay.I have a feeling Zipper’s new article on the band will tell the truth,” I responded with a slight grin.I knew that this time around, I could positively change the article’s outcome.
Mason patted me on the shoulder and followed Tonya onto the stage.
“Break a leg!”I screamed.
The crowd roared when they saw Jesse’s tattooed arms cusp the microphone.His raspy voice boomed into the squeaky speakers.“Thank you to everyone who came out to support us today.My name is Jesse Young, and my band is called The Matches.My drummer is Keith, Tonya’s on bass, and my buddy Mason is on the keys.We also have a special guest here today,” Jesse said, motioning toward Darren.“Darren helped us write our new single, 'Pitiful Peaches.'I also wanted to thank the previous band, Bret Beats, for contributing to the song.Uh...”Jesse called Mason to take over because he was at a loss of words.
Mason carefully jumped over the cords and took the microphone off the stand.The microphone screeched, and the crowd watched Jesse step back from the podium.“Hi!We are here today to celebrate James Hartley’s life.Some of you may have known him, while others may not.I didn’t know him.We spent time with his daughter, though.Penny, come on out.”
I put one foot in front of the other.I tried not to think about how many people’s eyes were locked into my side profile as I made it to the center of the stage.
Mason flashed me a genuine smile when he passed the mic into my shaking hands.
“Hello.I am Penny.”My voice echoed into the throng.I was holding the microphone too close to my lips, so I pulled it away from myself.I spoke more clearly and slowly.“James was my stepdad.He was an amazing father, and he, um, loved music.Actually, I am standing here with his favorite band.My momma and I have been lost without him.”
My momma wore her new Pitiful Peaches shirt in the front row.Her look of fondness gave me the courage to continue to talk.I stumbled over my words, but the audience continued listening.“Anyways.He took his life, and I try not to talk about it because people get weird when you mention suicide.But ...that is why it is important to talk about it.People struggle every day, sometimes even the person who laughs and cracks the most jokes may face demons in their mind.So please check on your friends and loved ones and be kind to each other.Thanks to everyone who showed up today.I appreciate it.Enjoy the music.”
The crowd clapped, and voices hollered to show their love and support.A breeze fell over my trembling body, cooling my nerves.
Familiar faces beamed up at me.I could make out the faces of Betsy, Thomas, Zach, kids from school, my co-workers, my momma, The Peach Pot crew, and Harold Hayes furiously writing in his notebook.Darren’s family stood toward the very back.His father had a scowl as Doreen pulled on his belt loop, pointing at Darren behind me.She was bobbing up and down, screeching at her brother on stage.I turned around and gave Darren a thumbs-up before positioning myself out of view.
Chapter Thirty-Three
