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They hand it to me, and my entire body gets the chills as I stare at who I know is me, but I still can’t believe it.
Across the top are the wordsThe MC Band, written in bold font that ends with calligraphy style lines, making the cover sexy with a tad bit of femininity to it.
“That’s fucking rad!” Cole says as he falls into his chair at the soundboard, which has been his spot on this record the entire time, along with the sound engineer the record label hired.
“It’s really happening, guys,” Paul says with a slap to Nate’s back. “The first single will release next week. All of the promos have already gone out. Get ready because your life is about to change forever. And it will happen quick. So, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
All of us just stare at each other in awe.
It’s one thing to work your ass off, but it’s the weirdest feeling when all of that work actually pays off, especially after thinking so many times that we were going nowhere.
Now, here we are, with an actual record.
Amazing.
“Let’s go celebrate!” Paul says. “Lord knows, you guys deserve it.”
We all agree and head out the door to, I’m sure, our favorite spot. The hole-in-the-wall Cajun joint was all we could afford when we first arrived, but even as we started making money and could afford more, we still went there.
The family has treated us like their own since all of our families were back in Mason Creek, and it wouldn’t be right to not share this success with them as well.
As we walk in, Raymond, the father, welcomes us in. “There are my kids!”
When he first started calling us hiskids, we all laughed because we are most definitely white and he is most definitely Black, but none of that mattered. Our family-like bond didn’t see skin color, and that’s what made it even more special.
Nate is holding the album cover behind his back as we walk in, and once we get to the counter, he turns it around for Raymond to see.
“Well, I’ll be damned!” Raymond says, grabbing it to hold it up closer. “D’Ambra, come check out what the kids brought us to show off!” He winks in our direction with a grin.
“Let me see!” D’Ambra comes walking out from the kitchen, wiping off her hands on the rag that she has hanging from her apron. She’s the mom and Raymond’s wife.
Raymond hands it to her, and her expression says it all by the way she lights up with so much excitement.
“Look at you guys! You look like a real band!” she says with a laugh. “I’m so proud of you all!”
“We couldn’t have done it without your amazing food!” Nate says.
She blushes as she grabs him for a hug. “You’re such a suck-up, but I love it. Now, what can we get you all?”
We order all of our favorites, plus a few pitchers of beer, and grab our corner table, where we always sit.
Cole places the record up on the edge of the booth, right next to our picture that we all autographed for them the day we got signed. I snap a picture and send it to my mom.
The only thing missing from tonight is her. I’ve asked her so many times to come visit me, but she’s always got something going on either at the market or with Susie. I feel like I hardly get to talk to her anymore, and every time I do, she’s quick to change any subject I’m talking about or she says she’s ready to get off the phone.
I try not to take it personally, but sometimes, it’s just so hard, being so far away.
I haven’t been back to Mason Creek since I left after graduation. At first, I couldn’t afford to go home, and once I could, we were so busy that I could never find the time. All of the guys’ parents have come out to visit, but not my mom. That’s why I think D’Ambra has become so special to me. She’s been the mom I needed when I couldn’t have my own.
I feel her loving touch on my shoulder, and I lean into her.
She leans down and whispers in my ear, “I’m so proud of you.” Then, she kisses my cheek.
I grin up her way, then look back at the cover album one more time.
Raymond walks over with the two pitchers of beer, and we all pour our glasses, Raymond and D’Ambra included.
As we clink in cheers, we all say, “To us!” in unison before we take our sips.
