Page 84 of Follow the Rhythm
“You look very familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?” she asked after the usual pleasantries about how I slept.
“Well, I am a bit famous,” I said with a wry smile. “Not as famous as you, of course, but I’m part of the band Charlie was tour managing.”
“Oh my gosh, of course! You’rethatEllis. I was so sorry when Charlie told us about the tour ending early. Dean’s had to have a few vocal cord surgeries over the years; he can tell you all about it.” She gave me a reassuring smile.
Right. The vocal cord surgery. Suddenly, the lie made me feel dirty. It had been Karen’s idea, a stopgap measure for me to ‘get my shit together,’ but I hadn’t protested. “I wouldn’t want to bother him,” I said noncommittally.
“It wouldn’t be a bother. He loves telling his war stories, and you’ll be a fresh audience. He should be out soon; he’s with his occupational therapist right now.” Her smile faded. “And of course, I’m so sorry for your loss. Losing a band member is like losing a family member. I can’t imagine how that must have felt. Still feels.”
Grief choked me, sudden and jarring as a car accident. I managed a nod, but then Charlie was next to me, his hand onmy shoulder, and I could take another breath. “It’s hard,” I said as evenly as I could. It wasn’t her fault she’d touched an open wound.
“I’m glad you have someone to lean on.” A soft smile crept back to her lips. “Charlie certainly has broad shoulders. And I can’t remember him ever bringing someone home, so you must be very special.”
“Please, Mom, I told you we’re just friends.” Charlie sounded pained, and I could imagine him as a teenager, begging his poor mother to stay out of his business.
Adeline scoffed good-naturedly. “Come on, honey, we’re all adults here, and you know I don’t judge! Diana can give me all the grandchildren; I just wantyouto be happy.”
Charlie made a faint sound of distress in his throat, and a smile bloomed, unbidden, on my face.
The arrival of a tall, broad man who looked like hip Father Christmas, with his white beard and thick, square-framed glasses, saved us from any further discussion of potential grandchildren.
“Charlie!” he bellowed, pulling him into what looked like a crushing hug. “I’m so glad you could come for a visit. We’ve been missing you!”
“Hey Kristopher. It’s great to see you, too.” Charlie sounded slightly squashed but genuinely happy.
“And you must be the mysterious Ellis,” he said, turning his attention to me. He had a faint accent of some kind, maybe Dutch. I stood to shake his hand. It felt more like a bear’s paw. “Finally turning Charlie here into an honest man?”
“Oh dear god, you guys are killing me,” Charlie groaned, his cheeks blazing.
“I’m doing my best,” I said conspiratorially to Kristopher, unable to help myself. He and Adeline beamed at each other, then back at me.
“This guy is a fucking sadist,” a voice growled from behind me, accompanied by a clomping set of footsteps. “I can’t believe you hired him to torture me.”
Dean Bennett had arrived. I had never met him before, but I’d been aware of him almost my whole life, just like everyone else who had even a passing interest in rock music. North Portal was inescapable. But if I hadn’t known who he was, I wouldn’t have recognized Dean Bennett as the vital lead guitarist.
He looked like an old man. His signature shoulder-length hair had turned white, and he was using a cane to trudge into the room. Half of his face drooped slightly.
The blonde man beside him laughed brightly and clapped him on the shoulder. “And you’re paying me very well to do it.”
Dean grumbled and made his way to the couch. Each step looked like a struggle.
“Good day today?” Adeline asked the therapist, sounding anxious.
“Very good. We’re making a lot of progress on fine motor skills,” he answered. “See you tomorrow!” he called over his shoulder with a wave.
Dean settled onto the couch with a sigh, flexing his left hand. “Damn kid has me all cramped up.” His speech was slow, and a bit slurred.
Adeline pulled me gently over to the couch and presented me like an offering to the king. “Dean, this is Ellis.”
He noticed me for the first time and squinted at me. “Am I supposed to know who you are? My memory is shit now.”
“He’s Charlie’s… guest,” Adeline said with a sly smile.
“I’m also a huge fan,” I admitted to Dean. It wasn’t often you had a chance to meet living legends, even diminished ones. “It’s an honor to meet you. You’ve been a massive inspiration for me.”
He grunted and spread his arms. The left arm didn’t go quite as high. “That’s me. Mr. Inspirational,” he said sarcastically.
“Hey, Dad,” Charlie said from beside me. He was smiling, but I could see the tension around his eyes. “You’re looking good.”
