Page 65 of My Rock Star Neighbor
We’ve arrived at my mom’s Victorian house, which sits at the top of the hill, close to the main street of Catskill.It’s an over-the-top huge house with nine bedrooms, with each of the three women having two bedrooms leaving several spares for guests, like their visiting children or grandchildren.There’s a wraparound porch on the first floor, perfect for reading books or writing lyrics, and then a second-floor balcony that provides a river vista.The views are absolutely stunning when the sun sets and the leaves change.
Still, I was shocked when my mom first fell in love with this house.I thought she’d want a modern, utilitarian house, not one with nooks and crannies (and lots of maintenance) and history.So much history.It was the home of a judge.I can’t say I’ll ever truly understand my mom.
My mom meets us as I park the bus in the driveway next to their backyard, most of which is covered with a vegetable garden.I hug my mom hello.She feels smaller—shorter and frailer—every time I do.We break apart.My mom is definitely checking Maddie out.I put my arm around Maddie and pull her closer to me.
“I feel like I’ve had a courtside seat to your dates, there’s been so much publicity,” my mom says.“I was sure it was merely a publicity stunt, but here you are.”
Maddie blinks.
“It’s not a publicity stunt,” I say.
“I thought you’d decided to fly solo, Nick?”my mom asks.
My mom has to be the only mother who’s not actively seeking grandchildren.Actually, she just really doesn’t want me to pursue a career as a musician.
“That was the plan, but then I met Maddie,” I say.
“You’re next-door neighbors?”she asks.“Was the article correct?”
“Yes,” I confirm.“That’s how we met.”
She nods but gives Maddie another once-over.As I grab the Orchard Folly-labeled bag, filled with specialty food items she requested from the city, she seems to glance at the band name.I probably should have packed it in a different bag.
“It seems like a big deal that MusEn picked you up,” she says.
“It is a big deal, Mom.”Dad was never picked up by a legit label.
“It’s great.He’s finally getting his break,” Maddie says.
“Do you actually believe that?”my mom asks.“Aren’t you worried you’ll lose him if he makes it big?”
Maddie stares at her.Her brow wrinkles as if she can’t quite make sense of my mom.
My mom’s open hostility toward my career is a shock to most people.
“No.I support his dreams, like he supports mine,” Maddie says.“I’d be more worried that I’d lose him if he didn’t make it.I’d worry that his creative flame would die, and he’d become bitter.And then he wouldn’t be the Nick I know, who’s so passionate about making music.”
She gets me.How does she understand me so well?
“You’re not worried about him being swept up in the fame?”
“He’s pretty level-headed.You probably had a lot to do with that,” Maddie says.“I think he knows what’s real and what’s not.”She gives me a pointed glance.
“What about the fact that he’ll have to travel?”
“My sister is married to a lawyer.Believe me, that’s not better.He works until eleven every night and works most weekends.And his routine doesn’t include dancing to stay fit.”
I very much appreciate the way Maddie’s eyes flicker over to my chest, with a definite heat of approval in her glance.
“Plus, I have my own career, and I often work nights or weekends,” she says.
“Oh, so you don’t plan to have kids?”my mom asks.
I can’t believe she’s going there.We will drop them off here.I think she’s half afraid that’s my plan.
“Not at the moment,” Maddie says.“We’ve only just started dating.”
“I got pregnant on my first date with Nick’s dad.”
