Page 63 of Behind the Lights

“I have another announcement to make.” In the time we’d been working with Sal, I don’t think I’d seen him this happy. “Your CD has brought many new ventures our way and not only have we started getting requests from advertisers but,” he paused, “you have your first headlining tour kicking off at the Tacoma Dome in June!”

His announcement was met with the four of us jumping in the air and screaming while drawing each other into hugs. Diamond scooped up poor Easton whose face flushed the instant the big guy had him up in the air in his arms.

“With that being said,” Sal continued, drawing us back down to earth, “you guys need to practice and get your playlist in order. I’m still firming up who’s opening for you, but I’m leaning toward another local band I’ve had my eye on for some time now.”

Our folks were so excited when we told them that they got together to throw a huge BBQ for us. We asked them to keep it simple, we really missed the easy going, laid back family gatherings when we were on the road. All we wanted was to hang out and catch up with everyone we’d missed. With another tour on the brink, we wanted to lay low for as long as we could.

And before we knew it, the big day was here.

Chapter

Sixteen

June 9, 2018

Standing backstage with my band brothers, my dad, Stoli’s mom, and step-dad Brett along withMickey’s family, it still seemed like I was dreaming — our first headlining tour.

“Joey,” one of the security guards called to me and I raised my hand. “There’s uh, there’s this lady out here who claims she’s your mom.”

“What? Where?” my dad said, and not very happily I might add.

My heart was racing as Stoli and I followed behind my dad and the guard. But when we rounded the corner there she stood screaming at another guard, “I told you Joey’s my son, you stupid fucker. Let me back there.”Great. “There he is, Joey honey, tell these idiots who I am and come give me a hug.”

I froze, staring into the dilated pupils of the woman who’d given birth to me. She looked like shit and was clearly strung out with some equally as disgusting guy standing beside her. Nothing but skin and bones, wearing a tank top and filthy jeans. Her arms were covered in scratches and her hair was a matted mess she’d tried to drape up on the top of her head.Holy hell.

“And there’s my asshole ex-husband with him. See, do you need any more proof than that,” she screamed, drawing a crowd around her.

The poor guard turned to me, the pitiful look he wore edged the courage I so desperately needed to get through this with at least a shred of dignity intact to surface. “I don’t know who this woman is. Come on, Dad,” I said, grabbing his arm.

His eyes were locked on my mother as I watched a barrage of emotions flash across his face – anger, hatred, disgust, and finally sadness over what the woman he’d once loved had become.

An addict.

“Dad,” I whispered to him, “we need to leave and let security handle this.”

As we walked away, she screamed, “You worthless piece of shit. I’ll sue you for all you’re worth just you wait and see!”

My father tensed beside me and stopped.

Stoli wrapped a comforting arm around my shoulder. “Take your father back to the dressing room. I’ll handle this.” He turned and walked back to talk with security. By this point, Sal and Easton were there sorting it out with the venue management.

Right after we got inside the dressing room, my dad lost his shit and for the first time, I found myself consoling him. I was dead inside, my feelings for her were buried so deep it was as though my psyche held them at bay while I held my father through his melt down.

I managed to move us as one unit to sit on the couch, and when he calmed down and had his sobbing under control he said, “Worthless piece of shit seems to be her go to comment.” While it honestly wasn’t funny, in that moment it was to us and we needed to laugh to get past the hurt and anger.

“She was the love of my life, son, and now look at her. She’s a mess. A part of me wants to reach out and help her, but I know that would be detrimental to both of us and I’m not willing to risk that for someone who obviously doesn’t care about hurting themselves or others around them.”

There was a knock at the door. “You up to letting others in?” I asked him.

“That’s fine. Those people out there, Joey,” he pointed to the door, “that’s our real family. People like Mary who aren’t afraid to put me in my place when I screw up. People like Ricky who pick you up when you’re down. That’s our family, not her.”

I nodded, willing back the tears his truthful words brought forth and cleared my throat, “Come in.”

Stoli emerged, shutting the door behind him. “You guys okay?” His concern was genuine, as was he.

My dad spoke the truth when he pointed out who our true family was. Family didn’t need blood to form a bond, it only needs to have a heart.

“Yeah, we’re good. What did you tell security?” I asked him.

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