Jameson // Metallica

SECOND CHANCE FOR A HAPPY ENDING

Jason was nervous about this business meeting. He hadn’t had to attend one in person in a long time. He’d just participated through speaker phone and kept it as impersonal as possible. Not that he didn’t want to see the others, but seeing all of them together, at the same time, that was different.

Metallica was not only a band, but a business. And Jason, although no longer a member musically, still held a position in the corporation. His insight was not often needed, and more rarely asked for, but this time his presence was requested. Kirk had called and asked him to come.

*****

“Why?”

“Because we need you to.”

“We?”

Kirk sighed over the phone. “He wants to see you.”

*****

He hadn’t seen James in a long time. Hell, he hadn’t spoken to him in a long time! And walking into his hotel room, he wasn’t sure if he was ready to. Why now? Why, after all this time, did James want to see him? These were questions that Jason had asked himself all the way to San Francisco, but only James held the answers. And Jason was willing to bet that he’d never get them.

He unpacked his one suitcase and decided to let Kirk know he was in town. He dialed Kirk’s cell, shifting nervously from one foot to the other.

“Kirk here.”

“Hey bro.”

“Jase! How’s it going?”

“I’m here.”

“Seriously. How are you?”

“No, I mean, I’m here. In San Fran.”

“Oh!” Kirk laughed. “Good. How was your trip in? Do you want to get together for dinner or something?”

“Um, honestly Kirk, I don’t think so. I’m kinda tired.”

“You don’t have to lie to me Jason. I know something else is bothering you.”

Jason smirked into the phone. “You know me too well Hamlet.”

“Talk to me man. What’s up?”

“I’m nervous.”

“About what?”

“Seeing James.”

Kirk sighed. “Jason, he really wants to see you. I know you’re worried about it, but you shouldn’t be. He’s changed. I swear he has.”

“That’s what I keep hearing. I just don’t get why he wants to see me so bad. He’s said everything that needs to be said. So have I. It’s done.”

“You’ll have to get those answers from him. I just volunteered to get you here.”

“Thanks,” Jason said dryly.

Kirk chuckled. “Sure you don’t want to get dinner with me?”

“Nah. I’m gonna order room service and just chill. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Ok man. Later.”

Jason hung up the phone and scanned the room service menu. After placing his order, and being told it would take 45 minutes, he decided to jump in the shower. The trip, plus all the worrying about James and this meeting, had his nerves in a shambles. A long, hot hotel shower was what he needed to calm them.

He had just wrapped himself in his robe when room service knocked. Sitting down to his meal, Jason realized that he really had no appetite. He was worried. He’d said a lot of stupid things to the press. Both sides had. He was afraid that once they all got in a room together, rather than being able to act like the businessmen they were, they’d start a screaming match ending with him getting the shit beat out of him.