Page 126 of August Lane
Jojo:
He was. Maybe more than me.
Emma:
Really?
Jojo:
I mean, you saw the protests. I’ve been doing this for years, and they’re accusing me of not paying my dues.Me.I haven’t bled enough, I guess. I changed what I sang. How I sounded. I did everything I could to please those folks. But all I heard was no. Not now, not you, not ever. Finally I get one yes, and it’s a big enough yes for people to care about and suddenly I’m not qualified. I’m a gimmick.That’s why I never wanted August to do this. I never wanted her with me, seeing what I had to do to keep going. I never wanted to teach her those lessons. But that meant I was always gone, so I didn’t teach her anything. And I don’t know how to feel about that.
Emma:
If you could go back, what would you teach her?
Jojo:
I’d say… I’d tell her not to look at me. And don’t look at anyone else. Turn off the radio and sing.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
2023
August wasn’t awake when Jojo’s text came. She was dreaming about Birdie’s funeral. Only it wasn’t her grandmother in the coffin. It was August. She was staring at herself, lying peacefully with her arms folded, and thinking of how well everything had turned out. How perfect. Then suddenly, she was dressed in satin, surrounded by roses, and she thought,I know this song. She had just looked up, searching for rainbows, when the vibration of her phone startled her awake.
Happy belated birthdaywas the first message, followed by,I’m sorry.
She could hear Luke in the kitchen, making breakfast, and August was tempted to show the text to him. Get his take on what it meant. But she couldn’t move. Jojo had never apologized after one of their arguments, not spontaneously and unprompted. The concert was in less than two weeks. Most likely, David had convinced her to extend a strategic olive branch to ensure things went smoothly.
Or maybe it was genuine. Perhaps for once, Jojo was experiencing sincere regret.
August texted her back.Can we talk? I’m sorry, too.Then she waited for a response.
Nothing.
