Road Trip (8 page)

Josh grinned. “I know exactly what you mean.
You don't appreciate the old fogies until you leave home.”

We had to hurry a bit through dinner, but no one seemed to mind. Then we took them back to the hotel, where Laura and I had booked our parents some very nice suites, as well as a room for Josh and Laura's brother, James. And again, they seemed suitably impressed. I'm not sure why this means so much to me, but for some reason it does. Maybe it has to do with the times that my mom sort of pooh-poohed the whole music thing, like it wasn't such a big deal. But I could tell by her expression that her thoughts on this may have changed some since then.

As usual, we had to get to the auditorium early, but we had prearranged another limo to pick up our families as well as front-row seats for the concert.

I felt more excited and nervous than usual as we went onto the stage. But the audience was enthusiastic, and I started to relax as soon as I had the mike in my hand.

“Hey, y'all” I yelled, imitating their Texan drawl. “It's great to be down here in the Lone Star State. Praise God for Texas!” Naturally this brought a big applause. “And tonight is a big night for Redemption. As y'all know we're pretty hew to the music scene. And this is the first time our folks have been out to see us perform as
warmup for Iron Cross, only the hottest band in Christian music.” Again the crowd went wild. It's amazing how just saying the name “Iron Cross” can get a crowd jazzed.

I pointed down to the front row where our families were seated. “I hope you'll welcome our families here tonight. And with God's help and grace, we'll give you the best music we've got in us!” Then we started to play. And we rocked! And the crowd rocked! And I honestly believe it was the best concert we've ever given. Even Jeremy said so when he came out onto the stage and thanked us in front of the totally stoked crowd.

“Are these girls great or what?” he asked the crowd, and they clapped and cheered even louder. “I keep telling them that it won't be long before we're opening for them.” This brought good.' humored laughter and more applause. Then we went down and sat with our families for the rest of the concert. Josh leaned over and looked me in the eye.

“You are totally amazing, sis!”

I'm sure my face was just one great big smile by then. “Thanks.”

After the concert we took our families backstage to meet Iron Cross. “That Jeremy really has his head together,” my dad said afterward when we all met at the hotel restaurant for a late night dessert.

“Yeah,” I agreed. “He's pretty cool.”

“He said some nice things about you too.” Dad winked at me.

I managed to maintain a calm exterior. “Well, he's a gracious guy.” Ifow I have absolutely no intention of revealing to anyone that I have feelings for this guy. Besides, I keep telling myself, it's a schoolgirl crush that will pass in time.

“Don't you want to know what he said?” demanded Allie.

I just shrugged.

My dad smiled at Allie. “He said that I should be proud of my daughter, that she's not only a talented musician but a fine person too.”

Allie smirked at me. “I guess that's true.”

“Gee, thanks,” I told her.

“It's just so unbelievable,” James said suddenly.

“What?” asked Laura.

“That you girls—our baby sisters—are out here playing music with a group like Iron Cross.”

Laura frowned. “What do you mean? Don't you think we're good enough?”

He laughed. “Obviously you're good enough. You guys are fantastic.” Then he shook his head. “But it's still unbelievable.”

“I know what you mean,” said Josh. “It feels weird to be shown up by your kid sister.”

“Hey, we all have our gifts,” I told them.
“There are things you guys can do that we'll never be good at. Like sports,” I added. “You both are really great athletes.”

“Yeah, but we'll never make the kind of money you guys are making with sports.”

“It's not all about the money,” I said. “And who knows how long this ride will last anyway.”

“That's right,” added Willy. “The music industry is a finicky business. Things can change at the drop of a hat.”

“So you better enjoy it while it's here.” Ky dad raised his soda glass as if to toast us. “And here's to three incredibly talented girls and what appears to be a very bright future!”

All in all, it was a nearly perfect day. Unfortunately, I had to go and spoil things as my parents and I were going up in the elevator together. They had decided to turn in early, and I wanted to see them to their room.

“I've been thinking about Caleb a lot lately,” I said as soon as the elevator started going up.

Dad cleared his throat. “Why's that, pumpkin?”

“Well, I see all these down-and-out homeless kids in every city and—”

“Caleb has made his choices,” my dad interrupted.

“But I keep wondering if he's okay.”

Ky mom sniffed, and I turned to see that her
eyes were filling with tears, but she didn't say anything.

“I just wonder if there's anything I can do to-”

“Chloe, I know that you love Caleb, and now that you've got money, I'm sure it would seem like a good idea to help him. But believe me, money is not what Caleb needs.”

“I just wondered if you ever hear from him,” I continued even though I could tell I was upsetting my parents. “I think about him sometimes, in the middle of the night, and I get so worried and scared for him. Of course, I pray for him, but I just wonder if there's something more—”

“Praying might be the best thing you can do for him,” Dad said as the elevator stopped on their floor.

I turned to look at my mom. “Do you know where he is?”

She pressed her lips together and looked at my dad.

“Honey,” Dad put his hand on my arm, “I know you only have Caleb's best interests at heart. And that's good. But I think you'd be wise to avoid him. At least until he's ready to make some serious changes in his lifestyle.”

Mom sighed then hugged me. “I'm so proud of you, Chloe.”

I nodded and swallowed hard. I appreciated her words, but I was so focused on Caleb that I didn't completely absorb the meaning until I was back in my room. And it was sweet of her to say that. Really. Just the same, I would've rather have heard what's going on with Caleb. I'm sure they must know where he lives. Kaybe I'll ask Josh about it tomorrow.

(BIRTHDAY ON THE ROAD)

It was a little tricky planning a birthday party for Laura since we were driving to Tulsa today, but somehow we managed to pull it off. i'irst, we all pretended like we'd forgotten it was her birthday this morning. I could tell that she was a little ticked about it, but she kept her thoughts to herself.

After breakfast, Allie took our gifts and stuff and rode with Willy so they could set things up. Meanwhile, Rosy pretended to take a “shortcut,” buying time for Willy and Allie so they could get there ahead of us.

Our destination was a tiny town named Mitchell—just like Laura's last name. This was Rosy's idea since she's the one who knows where everything is. The plan was for Rosy to pretend to be lost. A real stretch because that woman seems to have a road map imprinted into her brain. She always knows where we are and when we're going to get to our destination.

“I thought this would take us straight up to Tulsa,” she announced as we meandered down a country road. “Guess I was wrong.”

Laura didn't even look up from her schoolwork, but Elise winked at me.

“Maybe you should call Willy and ask him for some directions,” I said from my spot at the table.

“Yeah, guess I do that. Don't recall ever being lost before.”

I could hear her talking on the phone but sounding more confused than ever, finally she said, “I think I just stop in the next town and ask for directions.”

“Mitchell,” I said as we drove within the city limits.

“Huh?” Laura looked up.

“The town,” I told her. “It's called Mitchell.”

She just nodded as if she could care less.

“Population 154,” I said as Rosy slowed down.

“I'm gonna stop at this cafe and ask for directions,” she called back to us. “You guys want anything?”

Elise took Davie by the hand. “Yeah, I think I'll get Davie something.”

“I want a soda,” I said. “You coming, Laura?”

She just shook her head.

Now we had expected this might happen. So we got out and went in without her. We figured we could make sure everything was all ready.

Willy and Allie had the little cafe completely decorated with balloons and crepe paper and flowers. The cake and the gifts were on a table, and the owner of the restaurant looked pleased to have our business. Allie later told me that they had to pay him extra.

Then I went back to the bus to get Laura. I
already knew what I would say. Laura has this funky old collection of salt and pepper shakers that her great-grandma left to her. She has them on shelves in her bedroom. And we all know that she has a weakness for buying a new set when she discovers something unique.

“You gotta come in here and see their salt and pepper shakers,” I told her. “They must have a hundred of them.”

“Really?” Her dark eyes lit up and she set aside her laptop.

Now I felt a little bad, except that I knew my gift contained several sets I know she's been wanting for her collection.

“Yeah, come on.”

Well, to say she was surprised would be a complete understatement. She was so shocked that she began to shake and cry. A little un-Laura-like but sweet. Then we all hugged her, and it took her three attempts to blow out all seventeen candles.

It was a fun little break in our otherwise mundane day. Several locals were looking on with curiosity, and when they discovered (from the owner) that we were a real band, they came over and asked for our autographs. I'm sure they'd never heard of us before, but we signed for them just the same. And Willy even gave the cafe owner a CD.

All in all, it was a good party, and I think Laura really appreciated it. It felt good to make her feel special, ibr some reason this tour has seemed harder on her than any of us expected. So Allie and I made a pact to go out of our way to make Laura happier.

(OK IN OKLAHOMA)

It's hard to believe that we've been opening for Iron Cross for more than a month now. Kan, how the time flies. I just looked at our concert schedule and discovered that we only have ten concerts left on this leg of our tour. Then we go home for Christmas break. Elise has really been riding us hard on our schoolwork. I think this has more to do with Allie than Laura and me, but I suppose we've all gotten a little lazy, or “unmotivated,” as Elise so kindly puts it.

“You girls have to keep your grades up,” she said this morning as we were heading toward Oklahoma City. “0r else they might replace me as your chaperone.”

“Oh, Mom. They won't do that.”

“Oh, yes, they will.” Elisq helped Davie open up the tin that holds his crayons. “You girls know I don't have any teaching credentials. Good grief, I only completed two years of college before I quit to get married.” She shook her head. “Now, if that wasn't one of the stupidest moves of my life.”

“You colila go back to college,” said Allie. “We could probably afford it now.”

Elise laughed. “Hey, maybe you and I could go to college together.”

Allie shook her head, “ifo way. I don't even want to go to college.”

“Allie!”. Laura scowled at her from across the table where she was writing a paper for her economics class. “You've got to go to college.”

“Why?.”

“To further your education, stupid.”

Allie stuck her chin out. “Who you calling stupid?”

Laura looked down. “Sorry, that wasn't too cool. But get real, Allie. We all have to go to college. Right, Elise?”

“That'd be my vote. I've always been sorry that I quit.”

“But what about our music?” I asked. “How do we keep Redemption alive and go to college at the same time?”

Laura shrugged. “Who knows what will happen by then, Ghloe. All I know is that I made a promise to my parents that I would go to college, and I intend to keep it.”

Allie winked at me. “I guess we'll have to start looking around for another bass player.”

“Whad'ya mean?” Laura looked up with a hurt expression.

“Well, if you're going to bail on us—”

“I never said—”

“All right, all right,” Elise interrupted. “Whether or when you girls go to college does not have to be determined today. The fact is, none of you will get accepted into college if you don't do your schoolwork. So I am now imposing silence on the bus until we get to Oklahoma City. Understand?”

“Amen!” called Rosy from her drivers seat. “You girls” fighting is wearing thin on my nerves.”

So we quietly did our schoolwork, and the next thing I knew we were driving through Oklahoma City and parking in front of our hotel. As we were unloading I felt a tap on ray shoulder. A guy not much older than me, I'd guess, stood beside me, smiling in a hopeful way. I could tell right away that this guy lived on the streets. His hands were grimy and his clothes were tattered and shabby.