She quieted and looked around at the paintings. “What will you do with them?”
“I don’t know. I was going to burn them in the backyard but now I don’t feel like its worth the effort.”
She made a clucking noise. “You’d ruin the grass. I can put them out on the curb during garbage day if you’re really ready to say goodbye.”
I patted her hand. “That works for me. Thanks, Mom.”
Her hand landed on my shoulder, and she tugged until l was facing her. “I’m glad you’re moving on, son.”
“It’s time.”
Her smile was gentle. “It sure is. And I think I know what finally pushed you to this realization.”
“Let me guess, something to do with energies,” I quipped.
“You can joke all you want, but my sense has never failed me. I think it was that beautiful girl you brought home today. Her energy is layered, but her foundation is pure healing light. No wonder both you and Ezra are so drawn to her.”
I blushed. My mom might be a hippie, but I had no intention of talking to her about my and Ezra’s mutual desire for Adeline. That was a step too far, even for my family.
“She is…quite special,” I offered in response to my mother’s knowing look.
Upstairs, my bed wasn’t made. I hadn’t bothered with it this morning since I’d been in a rush to get to the studio on time. For all the three albums we’d recorded together, I’d never been this eager to show up for rehearsals, but of course, everything was different this time. This time, we all arrived early, every single day, and got to work without much argument.
Adeline couldn’t know this, but the reason this album was going so smoothly had fuck all to do with any of us. It was all her and the effect she had on us.
The transformation had already begun.
14
ADELINE
We werein a good rhythm and had finished recording the fourth track by the end of the day on Friday when I got a call from Frankie.
“Adeline! Oh, thank God, you picked up. Phoebe came down with a fever this morning, and it looks like I’m going to need to take her to the hospital. I just called everyone, and no one can cover for me. You’re my last hope.”
I glanced at the clock on the wall. “You start in thirty?”
“Uh-huh, until midnight. I can take your shift tomorrow if you want. I’ll be able to get a babysitter for then.”
I pressed the phone between my shoulder and my ear and started to pack up. “Okay, I’m on my way.”
Cole picked up on my conversation and twisted in his chair to look at me.
“You are a godsend. Thank you so much.”
“No problem. I hope Phoebe feels better. Text me later to let me know, okay?”
“Of course. Thanks again!”
I stuffed the phone into the back pocket of my jeans and checked to make sure I had all my things.
“What’s up?” Cole asked, his brows furrowing at my rush to leave.
“I need to cover for someone at the bar,” I explained. “My coworker’s kid got sick.”
He scratched his head. “I almost forgot you were still working there. Hey, maybe Ezra and I will stop by. We were planning on hanging out tonight.”
“Sure,” I responded absentmindedly, halfway out the door. “Bye, guys, see you on Monday,” I waved at the rest of the band and left.
