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Onyx
I met Jake a few months ago, through Alys’s app of all places. He’d been looking for a new quality vinyl version of Jackaroo’s first album, the original, not the re-release. He hadn’t thought to keep one at the start of his career, and he was offering the seller’s choice of a signed album in return, plus a healthy sum of money.
I charged him what the record was selling for in my store, and he and I started chatting. He realized I knew the app maker—Alys—and Maddox, from the We Don’t Do That Here Podcast.
Jake was excited to meet them both, and I had no doubt they’d feel the same, so we made plans for him to fly in a few days before he was supposed to play with his band in Colorado.
Alys and Maddox were staring at us now, eyes wide and jaws slightly open, as I told them the story.
“I need pictures.” Maddox fumbled around him for his camera for several seconds.
“It’s around your neck.” I nodded at the large SLR hanging from a strap, in front of his chest.
He laughed. “Oh yeah. Oh, shit. No one is going to believe this is real.”
“Actually, I was thinking you’d invite me to be on your show,” Jake said. “I love your podcast.”
Alys made that adorable eep sound again.
“Jake Etsam loves my show.” Maddox shouted.
Once the mutual fan appreciation slowed down, the three of them fell into talking. Jake wanted to know about some of the new features on Alys’s app. Maddox wanted to talk sound quality.
I joined in as well, but I was having more fun watching them.
At some point, we realized it was dinner time, so I called Joystick’s and ordered something.
Joystick delivered it himself. When he walked in, he saw all of us together. “Hey, Jake. Long time no see.”
“You too.” Jake waved back. “How’s it going?”
“Keeping busy.” Joystick handed me the to-go bag with his restaurant name on it.
Jake glanced at it, then nodded. “Man, Onyx. You know everyone.”
I didn’t really, but it wasn’t a bad list.
Joystick took off, and the rest of us stayed and talked long into the night with Jake.
I’d gotten him a room at the local motel, so he wouldn’t have to deal with anyone recognizing his name, and he headed out for the night. "Thanks for the great conversation,” he said. “I’ll be back tomorrow for the podcast.”
As he left, Madox and Alys were glowing. We headed home, and they didn’t stop talking about the evening.
I loved every single second of it. Seeing them happy. Excited. Because they deserved all the good things. And I was the luckiest man alive, getting to be a part of it all. Getting to explore this amazing life, with new adventures every single day, with the people I loved.
