Page 43 of Driving Beats

“Thanks, man. If you hadn’t set my head on straight back then, I never would be here.”

“Your expanding family is all the thanks I need.” He and his now-wife had broken up over something stupid, and Andy was a walking zombie. I remember sitting down with him and helping him see what he had to lose. They got back together the next week and never looked back.

“By the way, our parents are going to host a party for us in another month or so. Think you’ll be able to make it?”

I do a quick calculation. “Sorry. I’m on hiatus now, but we start up again in three weeks. We’ll be playing in Australia and New Zealand.”

“Oh, boo-hoo. You can’t come to the party because you’re touring the world.” He chuckles. “In New Zealand, no less, which is right up your alley. With all The Lord of the Rings stuff.”

“I haven’t thought of that. Maybe I can ask our manager to see what tours are available.”

He’s sincere. We’ve never been in competition—our lifestyles are worlds apart. Yet, it’s nice to have him as a check, considering sometimes I consider a hotel room “home.”

“Oh, and get this, our parents are talking about retirement.” My father’s an accountant and my mother owns a flower shop. “I can’t see it, though.”

I smile. “Me neither. They’re both too full of life. Besides, I think they might kill each other if they have to spend too much time together.”

“I know! But Dad has been going on and on about taking a world cruise like Grandpa did last year.”

How would that work? “Mom doesn’t like being on the ocean.”

“Exactly! When I remind him of this truth, he says it’s a big ship and she’ll adjust.”

I shake my head. “Have you brought it up to Mom?”

“No way. That’s Dad’s fight. I’m not getting into the middle of it.” My sister-in-law says something in the background. “My wife reminded me to put the date of the birth of your second niece or nephew on your calendar. For now, pencil in a note around mid-month. I’ll send you the exact date as we get closer.”

“UC should be back in the States by then for the final leg of this tour.”

“Cool. Oh, I almost forgot, our parents—and me, of course—want to congratulate you on your Oscar for ‘Refocused Destiny.’ It was awesome seeing my big brother on that stage, accepting an Academy Award. The guys at work razzed me for a week, but they were impressed.”

My eyes stray to the gold statuette, still in my bedroom. “Thanks. It was important to us, and we lobbied hard for the award.” Voting can be a nasty business, but no need to get into that with him.

“So, what have you been doing during your break? Been to any meditation retreats?”

Ever since Lillian and I broke up, he knows I’ve been more and more consumed with meditation. “I have one set up, but haven’t been able to attend yet.” I take a beat. “My luggage was lost, so I have to replace my wardrobe.”

“Mom told me. Sucks, bro. I know how much you hate clothes shopping.”

“Yeah, well, I have help.”

“What? Like you have a personal shopper who brings all the stuff to your house? Sweet!”

“No, Andy, I don’t have one of those.” Although, it does sound easier than driving to all the places. “I have a stylist taking me to various stores.”

“Oh la la. A stylist? Fancy shmancy.”

I picture Nese, not as the band’s stylist, but as she was in the botanical garden today. Broken and raw and real. And impressive.

I remember I’m on the phone with my brother. “Not really. She’s just a kid—she’s UC’s stylist. Since we’re on break, our manager asked her to help me out.”

“She can’t be that young if she has such an important job.”

I stand and walk over to the windows. “She’s only twenty-four.” With a history that aged her beyond even my chronological years.

“Well, if she can get my brother out to clothes stores, she must be part witch as far as I'm concerned.” He chuckles.

“I told her I could order stuff online, but she almost had a conniption.”