Chapter 8

Tico and David had both observed Jon as he snuck away with his cell phone in his hand. Little fucker is going to call his wife, huh. Well if Jonny can leave during soundcheck, then so can I, Tico thought. With a grin on his face, Tico turned to their keyboard player, David. “Be back in a few,” he said as he slid off his seat.

 

With the door firmly closed behind him, Tico dug into the pocket of his jacket that was hanging from the back of a chair sitting next to the table that contained his personal items. The phone safely clutched in his hand, Tico grabbed a bottled water from the mini fridge before settling himself on the couch near the table. One swift move of his wrist and the call was being connected.

 

Lani and Melissa were talking when Lani heard “Duke of Earl” by Gene Chandler, coming from her bag, her husband’s ringtone. Reaching inside her bag, Lani pulled out her phone and hit the accept button on the screen.

 

“Hola, cariño (Hello, my darling),” Lani greeted her husband in spanish.

 

A deep, rich voice laughed. “Hola, querida. (Hello, my dear).”

 

Placing her hand over the receiver so Tico couldn’t hear her talking, Lani turned to Melissa. “Can you do a favor for me?” Melissa nodded in an affirmative way. Lani continued, “Can you get one of the boys to keep Sam occupied while I am talking to T?”

 

Melissa stood up and put her hand on Lani’s shoulder. “ Take your time,” then she walked away.

 

Lani watched Melissa walk away before directing her attention back to her phone call. “Sorry, honey, I had to turn the TV down.” She prayed he would believe her little white lie.

 

“Are the kids watching cartoons?” Tico asked. He could picture Sam and Tia sprawled out on the living room rug, hands tucked under their chins, feet crossed at the ankles as they laughed over one of their favorite shows.

 

Glancing over towards Sam, Lani smiled. “Sam is playing a videogame with a friend, and Tia is sleeping.”

 

A smile formed on the drummer’s face. “Does that mean that I have my wife’s undivided attention?” Tico asked in a teasing tone.

 

“Yes, you have my complete attention, well, for the moment anyway.” Lani laughed.

 

She could hear a sigh come from her husband. “You know as well as I do that everytime we try for a little phone entertainment, something, or someone, gets in the way. For me, it’s the kids. For you, it’s Jon.”

 

As much as he hated to admit it, Tico knew his wife was right, but it didn’t mean he had to like it. “I know, Kailani, I know. That’s not the only reason why I called, though,” Tico replied in a playfully hurt tone.

 

“Are you sure?” Lani’s voice held a tinge of doubt.

 

With a full laugh, Tico knew he had been caught. “Okay, so maybe I was hoping we might have a little love connection over the phone. Can’t blame me for trying, can you, Kailani?”

 

Her body shaking with laughter, Lani took a moment to catch her breath. Taking, slow, easy breaths, Lani finally got herself back under control. “No, honey, I don’t. But love connection, really?!”

 

“See what happens when I hang around Curly Q?” Tico laughed.

 

After a few more minutes of laughter, Tico and Lani discussed the kids, and a little bit about the show. Nothing serious though, they wanted to keep their conversation on the light side. Before ending the call, Tico reminded his wife to pick a vacation spot. Lani assured him she already had a place in mind.

 

“I better go before Jon sends out a search party for me.” Tico knew how Jon was when it came to show days. No one left his sight, not even Obie, or Tony. Yes, Jon was that anal about everybody sticking close together. 

 

Lowering her head, Lani took a deep breath. “I know, honey.Have a great show, and remember, the kids are going to call you tomorrow.”

 

“I am looking forward to it.” His voice held a touch of sadness.

 

“I miss you, T,” Lani whispered into the phone, not even sure her husband heard her.

 

“Get some rest, my love. Kiss the kids for me. I love you, Kailani,” Tico softly said, then he hung up.

 

Needing a minute to compose himself, Tico took a couple of large drinks from his water bottle, as he continued to sit on the couch, one hand rubbing the back of his neck, the other clutching the water bottle.

 

Jon had walked back to the stage area, noticing he had a little spring in his walk. Damn that woman is good for my soul, Jon thought. Taking the steps two at a time, Jon hit the stage with renewed energy. He was ready to finish soundcheck, then grab some dinner and relax with his brothers before hitting the stage tonight.

 

Stepping on stage, Jon was surprised by what he saw, or rather what he wasn’t seeing. The stage was empty, no band, no crew running around, nothing, nada. With his hands on his hips and his mouth set in a grim line, Jon turned to the only person he could see working, Obie. Walking over to his microphone, Jon called for Obie’s attention.

 

“Hey, Obie. Where the fuck is everybody? We haven’t finished with soundcheck yet.” Jon’s arms made a sweeping motion to the empty stage, irritation showing in his voice.

 

Without even looking up at Jon, Obie shrugged his shoulders as he continued with his task. “Not the babysitter.”

 

Normally a comment like that would have sent him into a hissy fit, at least that was what his kids called it. His phone chat with his wife had left him feeling relaxed, so he ignored Obie’s remark. Choosing instead to put his time to better use, Jon found a pen and notebook, he had a song running through his head.

 

“Might as well try and get this on paper,” Jon mumbled to himself as he perched his butt on a stool by David’s keyboards.

 

Returning to the stage, Tico found Jon sitting next to David’s keyboards, his butt plastered on a stool, a pen in his hand with a notebook perched on his lap.

 

“Hey, man. How are Joanne and the kids?” Tico asked the man he considered to be his little brother.

 

Giving Tico a quick glance, Jon continued with his writing. “They are doing okay, not great, but okay. How are Lani and the kids?”

 

Lifting his shoulders in response, Tico just stood there for a minute watching Jon write. “Doing about as well as your family is.”

 

Jon just nodded.

 

“Man, I wish we were heading home after the show tonight.” Tico’s voice had a ring of loneliness to it.

 

Raising his head, Jon looked at the man he had called brother for almost thirty years. “Me too, Teek, me too.” Jon slapped Tico on the shoulder as he walked past him heading back to his drums.