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“I don’t know. It’s been forever.”
“Exactly,” Alana says. “We can get a pretty decent audience here if we start announcing it tonight, and since your entourage is here, we can get them to move the gear. They’re so big. It’ll be easier.”
I laugh. “They’ll do it.”
“Good,” she says. “At least they’re useful for something.”
I roll my eyes, but I do smile at what they’re saying. It’s been a really long time since we just set up and played some music without any expectations. Ever since we released the album, the crowds have mostly been amazing, but the vibe has definitely changed. There’s definitely something to be said for the no-expectations era of Johnny Baskets.
We always said we did this because we liked it.
How long has it been since I’ve done something I liked, just for the sake of it?
It feels like far too long.
It would be nice not to think about possessions or anything like that. It would be nice to just make noise and think about nothing else. And Alana’s bass isnice, so it’s always a treat when I have the opportunity to play it.
“We haven’t rehearsed, though,” I say.
“Right? They’re going to love it,” Alana says, winking at me as she gets to her feet. Fuck, I love her so much. This idea is bizarre and I love that she’s had it. “I’ll start posting on social media while you tell the boys. Deal?”
“Yeah,” I say, following her out of the bedroom. “Deal.”
LUKE
After Trine comes back downstairs, she explains her plan to all four of us. Misha looks a bit worse for wear, Rei looks worried and Malon looks puzzled. I have no idea how I look. Probably just as confused as he is.
Trine crosses her arms over her chest. “Are you going to help or not?”
“Yeah,” Rei says, a little too quickly. “Of course we’re going to help. We’ll do whatever you need us to do so that you feel comfortable. It’s just…”
Trine’s eyes narrow as she looks at him.
“Are you sure this is a wise idea?” he continues.
She chews on her lower lip. For a second, it looks like she’s about to break into tears. “I mean, I guess not, but…”
“We’ll do it,” Misha says, interrupting her. “What’s the worst that can happen? We hear you play music? I’ve heard you’re pretty good.”
She flashes him a grateful smile. “You might want to adjust your expectations there a little,” she says softly. “It’s been a while. My fingers feel so stiff.”
“You’re playing bass,” Bryony says from behind her, tucking a strand of pink hair behind her ear as she smiles. “You barely do anything.”
“Hey, go fuck yourself,” Trine says, a smile on her face.
It’s nice to see her like this; bantering with her friends, not thinking about the traumatizing events of the last few weeks, not worrying about what’s going to happen next.
She just looks like herself when she loops her hair behind her ear and flashes Misha a thin smile. “You guys will help?”
“They’re going to have to,” he says, smiling and getting to his feet. “I sign their paychecks.”
Technically, he doesn’t do shit for me, but he’s right about wanting to help Trine feel normal. If this can go someway toward making her feel normal, then that’s exactly what we should do.
I don’t know what the future holds, but the thing is, no one really knows what the future holds. I can pray and hope all I want, but everything I’ve done and said so far hasn’t really influenced Trine’s decision to do anything that much, so all I can do is stand by and support her.
If that means helping her set up for a gig, then fuck it. I guess that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
Alana has plenty of equipment and it isn’t hard to lug it down to the deck, near the pool. It’s covered by a large awning, so even though the weather isn’t great and it might rain, I don’t think there’s any real threat of that.
