A laugh bubbles out of me. What a shame it is that I haven’t called my parents in so long that my mom immediately assumes something is wrong when I do.
“Yes, Mom. I just called to say hi. I wanted to hear your voice,” I say slowly, cautiously.
“Oh!” my mother chirps. “Well, hang on, your father is here too. Let me put you on speaker.” Then I hear her call for him. I take a second to wonder if they’d seen the TikTok but quickly abandon that thought. No way they’re looking at social media.
“Josh! How are ya?” my dad barks a moment later.
I chuckle. “I’m good, Dad. How are you?”
“You know, same old, same old. Life in retirement is boring.” My dad sounds grumbly, but I recognize it as contentment. He is probably happy to be bored, having spent thirty years doing manual labor.
“What have you been up to, sweetheart?” My mother’s voice interjects.
“I’m actually… I’m in Cape May.” I pause, waiting for a response.
“Oh…you are?” My mom sounds uneasy.
“I am. Liam and Melanie and I are working on a memorial scholarship concert in Cara’s name. It’ll be September sixth at Rotary Park. I’d love if you two came.” I blurt this out quickly, so I don’t chicken out. My parents haven’t been back here since Cara died. I’m not sure how they would feel about it.
“Oh, I don’t know, son.” My dad’s voice is quiet, regretful. “It’s been so long.”
“We’ll think about it,” my mom interrupts.
“Please. I’d love to see you.” I rub the back of my neck, feeling the tension slowly creep up. “It would mean the world to me. And Mel.”
“Mel? Are you two seeing each other?” My dad has never been subtle.
I let out an easy laugh, relaxing then. “Yeah, we are.”
“I always loved Melanie,” my mom chimes in.
“We’ll think about it,” my dad repeats my mom’s earlier words.
“Thanks,” I say. “I love you guys.”
“Love you, too.” Their voices come in unison and then they’re gone.
As soon as I’ve hung up, my phone rings again. Mark’s name flashes across the screen on my dash. I tap the green button.
“Mark,” I say, easily. “How goes it?”
“How’s the latest viral sensation?” Mark barks happily.
I laugh. “I’m…optimistic,” I say cautiously. “What’s going on?”
“I just wanted to tell you that Gary, Chip, and Ilovedyour record, and we will be up for your concert. We can’t wait to see you two live!”
A grin spreads across my face. Sometimes Mark comes off like a slimy record producer, but most of the time, his approval means a lot to me.
“That’s great. I’ve got some other things I’m working on too,” I say. “Solo.” I add after a beat. The truth of the matter is, I haven’t discussed the future with Melanie beyond this concert. I have been waiting to hear what SoundShift Records wants from me. Waiting to see if I have a reason to stay, or if it’s better that I go.
“Solo? No, no, Josh. You and Melanie have something special here,” Mark argues.
“I know…” I tread carefully. “But I don’t know if she wants to go on the road with me. If she wants to do this with me.”
“Well, you better find out. Because we want both of you.” Mark’s words come out more demanding than I’m sure he means, but a dull feeling of dread settles in my chest.
I guess it’s about time Mel and I have a serious conversation about the future—our future.
