Page 33 of The Roadie
After four weeks on tour with Immortal Angel, it all came to an end. Last night’s show in Indianapolis saw the close of Brett’s first stint as a roadie with the band and his time with Kira. He couldn’t believe how quickly the time slipped by. He had gotten used to the routine. Not just the nightly shows and constant on-the-go tour, but the everyday familiar goings on. It became clear right away that everyone on the bus was one big extended family. He would miss them, but, most of all, he’d miss Kira and didn’t know if this meant the end of their relationship or the beginning of it.
They needed to talk about it, but today wasn’t the day. They were on the bus heading back to New York, and Angel made a grand meal for everyone in the bus’ kitchen. Brett had expected something quick or easy, but Angel made a full three-course meal that looked like a banquet.
The dining booths, which had never been occupied by everyone at the same time before, were surprisingly spacious. There were the usual bumping of elbows and accidental stepping on toes under the table, but there was as much room as they would have had at a diner.
Most of the food remained on the stove and counter, with the exception of a huge platter of pork which sat in the middle of each of the three dining booths. Everyone filled their plates in assembly-line fashion and returned to their seats, obviously well accustomed to the procession.
“Are you familiar with Cuban cuisine?” Angel asked Brett from the booth across from where he sat with Kira, Audra and Jimmy. “These are some of our favorites.”
“Not really,” Brett admitted. “It all looks exquisite and smells just as good.” He looked into his plate, which emanated with amazing aromas. He took a helping of everything, even the items that he was unsure of. Everything smelled so delicious that he didn’t want to pass up any of it.
As a single guy, his culinary skills were severely lacking, but he usually cooked dinner or fired up the grill. He’d never experienced anything of this caliber, though, even at the restaurants the guys from Bulletproof owned all over Los Angeles. He pointed to something on his plate that looked like a croquette but could also be a pastry dough. “What’s this?” he quietly asked Kira.
“Papas rellenas.” She cupped her hand over her mouth and whispered, “Potato balls.” She started giggling, and Audra joined her.
Angel overheard, even though he was sitting at the booth across from them. “Are you girls laughing at my balls again?” he teased. Then he began to proudly list the dishes that he prepared with enthusiasm as if he were a waiter in a five-star restaurant, describing them in detail. He made them sound even more appealing than they looked and smelled.
Jessi leaned her head on Angel shoulder with affection. “My husband is an astounding chef, and he loves to cook for his family. I’m so blessed.”
“I cook, too,” a little girl’s voice offered. It was Tessa, who sat in a booster seat next to her mother. She was such an adorable little girl with dark black bangs, big brown eyes and a huge personality. Jessi kissed the top of her daughter’s head. “Yes, you do. You’re a big help to Papi in the kitchen. You even help me draw.”
Tessa nodded. “Clothes for people to wear.”
Angel’s chest puffed out. “Our daughter is going to be a world-class chef and a famous clothing designer.”
The corner of Tommy’s mouth drew back into a quizzical smile. “How about, our daughter the rock star? She’s a born entertainer. You see the way she sings those Disney songs, complete with dance routines. She can do anything. Did you help Papi with dessert tonight, princess?”
The little girl nodded. “Red felfit cake. Cause it’s Mason’s favorite.”
Mason, who was sitting in the booth with the Blade-Garcia family instead of with his parents, in order to be next to the other kids, gave Tessa a million-dollar smile. “I love red velvet cake, Tess. Thanks. I can’t wait.”
Tessa’s cheeks flamed beet red, and she giggled under her hand.
General chatter continued between the booths for the rest of the meal, and then they all moved to the living area to have dessert. Mason’s Aunt Mary sat on the couch opposite from Brett. She was an older woman, most likely a great aunt, and not someone you’d expect to see on the road. Brett wondered about her travels with Immortal Angel. He was about to ask her how she liked touring with a punk rock band, when she beat him to it.
“Brett, how do you like touring with Immortal Angel? Is it much different from the band you usually tour with?”
“Yeah. Actually, it’s very different. I’ve never traveled with the band on their bus before. I always ride with the road crew. We don’t get fancy hotel rooms. Everyone sleeps on the bus.” His eyes darted toward the kitchen, the circular staircase that led to the second floor, and the enormous giant screen TV. “It’s nothing like this.” The road crew’s tour bus has the bare minimum. Even by rock star standards, Immortal Angel’s ride was overly luxurious and stocked with more amenities than he could list. A part of him felt a little guilty for abandoning the rest of the roadies and sharing these luxuries with Kira. But he knew that this job was really only given to him so he and Kira could spend time together.
He found her hand and brought it to his lips. “I really do appreciate this opportunity. This has been an awesome tour. Not just because of the way we’re traveling, but because I’m spending so much time with you and these people who mean so much to you. I know rock stars like their privacy. They’re your family. I’m a stranger. But I don’t feel like one.”
Everyone was smiling and nodding, but Kira’s gaze held his attention. Her eyes twinkled as she wore a warm smile. “The idea was for us to spend time together and have fun. And we did,” she said.
Jimmy leaned forward and clapped Brett on the knee. “We’re happy to have you here, man.”
Lucas, the little blond-haired boy, agreed. “You made us breakfast one morning on the bus when we were hungry.”
“How do you kids like riding on the tour bus?” Brett asked them, curious as to how they adjusted to moving from city to city almost on a daily basis.
“Fun,” Lucas immediately answered. “I get to see Mason every day and we play music together. Sometimes Tessa sings with us. She’s still learning all the words, but she does real good. And sometimes I get to see Daddy and Papi play guitar and sing on stage. That’s my favorite part. Once, I played on stage with them for Daddy’s birthday surprise. It was awesome! That’s what I want to do when I grow up. Play guitar on stage like Daddy.”
All three of Lucas’ parents looked at him as if the kid just discovered the cure for cancer, but Tommy Blade looked like he was about to combust. “That’s my boy!” He raised his hand for a high five and Lucas pressed his tiny palm into his father’s large hand. “You’re gonna be a superstar, Lucas. Mason, too. And Tessa, as well, in whatever she chooses.”
Brett felt at home amongst this large group of people. At first, he was hesitant and unsure how it would go, as things didn’t start off so well with the men on board. But, now, there was easy acceptance into this group. He’d also learned a few things about Kira, which was exactly the point of being here. She hated Brussels sprouts and spinach. Even though she generally preferred to eat healthy, she also loved burgers and fast food. She seemed to have a sweet spot for Angel, who acted like the patriarch of the group. She really was inseparable with her sister, and the two were alike as two people could be. Even now, sitting next to one another on the couch, they both had their legs crossed the same way and picked delicately at the red velvet cake.
“What happened to the coffee, A?” Tommy asked his husband.
Angel looked mortified. “I totally forgot about it. I’m so sorry, everyone.” He darted into the kitchen area and started rummaging around in the cabinets.
