Page 117 of My Rock Star Neighbor
“We thought we were going to be out here forever,” José says.
“We didn’t hear you,” I tell him.
“So we gathered,” he says wryly.
I hug the band in our post-concert ritual.
The Beacon.I can’t believe we played here.Another band had to reschedule because their lead singer needed knee surgery, and I was able to include it as part of our contract re-negotiation.I choke up, telling my bandmates how much I love them.
José pats my shoulder.“I thought I was getting emotional with the prospect of having a baby.But we’re family.All of us.We will always have each other’s backs.We’ve been through too much together.”
As Maddie’s friends also join us in the green room, my found family is growing.Maddie has two weeks off and is joining me on the tour.
Another knock sounds at the door, and Amira brings in my mom.I invited her to this concert at Maddie’s suggestion that maybe if she saw me playing and met the band, she’d change her mind.My mom looks a bit shell-shocked by it all, to be honest.Elena, with her belly, hugs her first.
“Nick’s mama, we’re so happy to meet you,” she says.“You’ve done such a good job with Nick.I want all of your tips.José and I are having a baby, and even though José may be on the road, I am lining up all the aunties and uncles.”
Maddie and I introduce my mom to everyone.I can literally see my mom relaxing and realizing while meeting my bandmates and Maddie’s friends that we have a strong community and discipline—this is not the route to a life of dissipation.
I offer my mom a bottle of water, and she smiles at me.
“You have such a wholesome group of friends,” she says.“This is nothing like your dad’s band.”
We may be wholesome, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not counting the minutes until I get Maddie alone and in my bed tonight.
“Can I have a band T-shirt?”she asks, pointing at my Orchard Folly T-shirt.
“Yes, definitely,” I say, shocked.
“I should advertise my son’s band,” she says.
I pull her in for a tight hug.
We all leave via the back exit of The Beacon, and I hug my mom good night again as she leaves to return to her hotel room around the corner.
“Shall we go home now?”Maddie whispers as she holds my hand.
“I have a short scavenger hunt for you,” I say.“Because I missed celebrating Valentine’s Day with you, and you like puzzles.”
The band members climb into the van, but I steer Maddie to a black sedan behind it.Inside, on the seat, is a box.She slides in and opens it.Inside is a piece of paper:What to feed Maddie when she’s sad.Go to that place.
She glances at me.“Dumplings or M&M’s?”
I shrug.I’m not telling.Maddie gives the driver the address of the dumpling place.
She snuggles into me as we drive there.“You didn’t have to do this.Honestly.You already gave me a great Valentine’s Day gift.And I’m just so happy to be with you.”
“I wanted to,” I say.
We enter the dumpling place, and the woman behind the counter smiles broadly when she sees us and nods excitedly at me.She hands Maddie a plate of dumplings.The dumplings are arranged in the shape of an “I.”She also gives her an envelope.
I’m starving after the performance, so I order another plate, and we sit by the window and eat them.It’s funny to think of all the times I picked up dumplings for Maddie here when I wanted to curry favor for playing too late, as well as the chance meetings where we’d run into each other here and eat together as casual friends.I was an idiot not to realize sooner how much I liked her.
Maddie opens the envelope.Inside is a photo of graffiti.
“Strangelove!”Maddie says.“That was not on my bingo card for tonight.”
“It was very memorable,” I say.
