"Yes, it does. Jordan's boyfriend is twenty-one. That means he can buy alcohol. I don't want you sharing a car with someone who can buyalcohol."
"Then I sure hope the limo driver is underage," Lucky saidsarcastically.
"Don't get smart with me, young lady. You know what I mean. You can get a limo for the prom, just share it with one of your otherfriends."
"I don't have any other friends," Lucky said, frustration filling her voice. "Jordan's the only one who puts up with the constant checking in and everything else I have to do. I mean you guys even call the theater to check the time the movie's over so you know when I'llbehome."
"What about that Sean boy down the street?" Lucky's mom asked, ignoring her. "I ran into his mother at the supermarket. He's going with his girlfriend, and I don't think they have alimoyet."
"Yeah, just perfect, Mom. I can share the limo with two people I barely know and my stranger of a date. What a special prom memorythat'llmake."
"At least you're going. Be grateful for that," her mom said, her tone sharpening. "And your father and I expect you home right afterwards. You can visit with Jordan the next day if seeing her at the prom isn'tenough."
"No, I can't see her the next day. She's going away for the weekend. Like every other kid in school." Lucky hugged herself. It was just another time where she felt completely left out and punished for noreason.
"Well, that's fine that they all have such neglectful parents. I can't help it if we worry and protect you," her momanswered.
PresentDay
"If only my mom knew what a perv she set me up with for prom. I had to keep pushing him away," Lucky said as she shookherhead.
"Well, at least you didn't tell the interviewer you've never been kissed,"Jordansaid.
"What are you talking about? I've beenkissed!"
"Okay okay, yes, you've been kissed. One kiss." Jordangiggled.
"Don't you start. It counts. I'll never forget Tommy Hearon. How he waited with me for the school bus. The way he leaned in towards me..." Lucky's voice trailed offdramatically.
"The way his braces got caught onyourlip."
As they laughed, Chuck popped his head back into the office. "Lucky? It's almost time. Are youready?"
"Yes Chuck, I'm coming." She turned towards Jordan. "Let's go! I can't believe this is really happening. I've been dreaming about this myentirelife."
Chuck Russo was known as the dream maker. When record companies had a lot riding on a new talent, they called Chuck in as the producer. He had an uncanny ability to get unknowns onto thecharts.
Lucky completed her album with Chuck just a couple weeks before. Using studio musicians helped the process go smoothly. But now that she was going on tour, she needed a band. Since Chuck was the most familiar with her sound, he had offeredtohelp.
Lucky grabbed Jordan's arm and pulled her out into a busy corridor with pale green tile flooring and rust-colored walls. As they walked down the hall, they passed gold and platinum records. The old recording studio was exactly like Luckyimagined.
People casually walked the halls, some in suits, but most in jeans or shorts. It reminded Lucky of when she was in college and she thought about how all her hard work, all the hours she spent writing and rehearsing, had led to this. She couldn't stopsmiling.
Entering the rehearsal space with Jordan, Lucky spotted Chuck pacing the floor while talking into his cell phone. He was a short, thin man, attractive for his age, despite his unnaturally black hair that hung straight to his shoulders. He had a black goatee which was sculpted to a point at his chin and made Lucky think of the devil even though she had noreasonto.
"She's not going to go for that, and I wouldn't blame her." He paused as he listened to the other person on the call. "No, if that's what you want, then get your ass over here and tell heryourself."
He hung up and motioned to Lucky to sit with him at a long table that faced the stage. About ten musicians milled about, strumming and tuning their instruments. Chuck slid a list of musician names with their experience towards Lucky, then leaned intowardsher.
"Your label is coming in. They have somerequests."
"Is that who you were justtalkingto?"
He grunted and nodded as he straightened to sit in his seat properly. "I should call them demands. I don't think you have achoice."
"Whatisit?"
"The line-up. They want her added to the band." He motioned towards a corner where a woman not much older than Lucky leaned against the wall, ignoring everyone. She was tall and thin with long legs in a pair of tight jeans and a crimson V-neck sweater. She whipped shoulder-length platinum blonde hair aside as she waved off a guitarist who tried talkingtoher.
