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The band plays a wildly robust set. They’re actually not bad. Mateo has an incredible amount of energy to bounce around on stage the way he is, still able to sing and play guitar in this heat. All the musicians seem to be having fun up there. Desirée’s gaze is trained on my brother most of the time, following his lead. It’s hard to believe she’s all grown up now. I feel so old.
The song they’re playing is so upbeat, more and more people come up to dance. Right up front, there’s an overly tanned middle-aged guy in nothing but shorts a size or two too big on him. He’s swaying to the music with his hands in the air, showcasing his tattoos and nipple piercings. He’s so loopy, either he doesn’t notice his shorts are hanging low, or he doesn’t care. That’s LA for you. These free concerts bring out all the crazies.
Olive points to him and quips, “Just say no to crack.”
“And Nipplegate,” I reply, rubbing my thumbs and forefingers together. Olive dissolves into laughter, clutching her belly and covering her face.
“Staaawwwp!”
I gather her into a hug. “Wanna go eat something now?”
“Let’s keep dancing.”
How is she not tired yet? I’m already feeling hot and winded, but I’ll continue dancing with her for as long as she wants. I’ll do almost anything she wants.
We remain on the grassy area for the entire set, taking breaks from dancing to just watch Mateo and his band. After the encore, the parks and recreation lady gets back on the stage to remind everyone to buy those raffle tickets. Olive and I go from tent to tent to see what they have. I buy a few tickets to support the veterans, the local high school, and the booster club. The water district has a booth reminding us California’s in a drought and to please conserve water. Olive spins their wheel and wins a key chain. In the next booth, there’s a guy in a bee costume giving away a bike to drum up publicity for his bicycle store. It’s a canary yellow beach cruiser with a front basket. The bicycle raffle tickets are free, so Olive and I go over and get ours.
“I hope I win,” she says, clutching onto her ticket. “Although I don’t have anywhere to keep a bike at my apartment.”
“If you win, you can store it in my garage,” I say. I put my ticket in my wallet and offer to hold on to hers, but she stuffs her ticket down her top and pats her heart.
“For luck,” she says.
“My wallet is safe,” I affirm.
“Oh, but is it lucky?” She wags her brows and leads the way back to my parent’s glamp-ground where Dad is already serving the brisket.
Olive is all over it and sings Dad’s praises with every bite. I have to admit, it’s amazing. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever had brisket before. It’s so tender it melts in my mouth. I’d like to incorporate this into my menu somehow. Maybe serve it with jalapeño polenta. I’m already thinking of ideas.
Soon after, we’re joined by Mateo and Desirée. They’re still in their pirate garb.
“Wow, you’re really committed to the act,” I say.
Mateo glowers at me. “We stay in costume for the fans,” he says.
I snort. “Okay, Lin Manuel Miranda.”
He huffs. “For the last time, I do not look like Hamilton. I’m a captain on the high seas.”
I guess I’m not the only one teasing him about it.
“Well, you’re an easy target and… I’m not throwin’ away my shot.”
Desirée laughs. “Maybe that’s why people like to come up and take pictures with you.” Turning to me, she adds, “We autograph The High C’s swag the fans buy.”
Really? People actually buy their swag? I mean, they’re fun in a drunken Irish pub kind of way, but they’re not that good.
The thing about Mateo is that he’ll jump from classic rock to sea shanties to cumbia from one week to the next. He’s always collaborating with different musicians just to be able to play anything anywhere.
“Ooh, did you say swag?” Olive’s face lights up. “I’ll buy some swag.”
Desirée waves her hand. “Oh, we’ll just give you some.”
“No, no,” I say. “This is your business. I’ll buy it.”
Olive looks up at me with those cocker spaniel eyes. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I know. But I enjoy buying you things.”
