Miss Jackson {b.u.}

{99}

August 31 2019:
Today was career day for Daphne. I had to go in. I was nervous. I'd never done a 'career day' in my life. Im not even sure I know what to say or what to do. But, Joanne did warn me and told me to be on my best behavior. That meant, no cursing, no talking about how I used to drink and smoke on tour all the time. None of that. Daphne's classroom was pretty small and her class was filled. I never thought i'd be so intimidated in a room full of twelve and thirteen year olds. Her teacher began explaining what was happening and how long this was going for. Each parent had to bring something in from their job. It could be one or two items. I had brought my gold microphone and my gold jacket from the tour and outside performances. Daphne also agreed that it would be great if I took them today.

It felt like I was in school again. The anxiety building up before getting called on. I tapped my foot on the ground, taking a few deep breath before the literal nightmare decided to come true, "Mr. Urie? Do you mind going next?"

Daphne turned to me and set her hand on my arm and leaned in, "okay, dad. You got this. Just answer her questions."

I furrowed my eyebrows and jerked my head back as I looked at her, "alright, this isn't an interrogation, Daph and you aren't a lawyer."

Daphne took her hand off of my arm slowly as I got up. I grabbed the jacket and the microphone, laying them in my lap as I sat in the stool, in front of twenty...twelve year olds.

I rubbed my hands on my thighs, "Okay, class, Mr. Urie is Daphne's father. And what is it that you do?"

I took a second to collect myself and I looked out to the sea of children, but I kept my eye on Daphne, "i'm a musician. I make music, write songs, sing songs, play instruments. Im in a band, sometimes I branch off and do solo work.."

Everyone seemed confused, "basically what Mr. Urie is saying is that he's just like your favorite artist. Like...Michael Jackson. He's a singer."

Once all the kids realized, they gasped and were excited, interested now, "what does your regular, normal work day look like."

I blew air out of my mouth and set my hands on my knees, "well—uh, that...that varies a lot. Some days, I could be in my studio, recording music, having meetings or some days I could be at home, sitting in my home studio, writing music and playing chords or strings on the piano or guitar," I began and cleared my throat, then ran my hand over my mouth, "uhm...some days i'm not even here, in New York. Im in another state or country touring and performing on stage, which is the reason why Daphne misses school for a while sometimes."

The kids seemed so interested in my career and the path I chose. I winked at Daphne and then turned my attention to the teacher, "at what age did you start your career? Was it easy? Hard?"

I fixed my black suit jacket and adjusted myself on the stool, "I started at...seventeen but it was at eighteen is when it really kicked off with our first single, I write sins," I began and took a quick glance at Daphne, who shot me a thumbs up, "and it was hard trying to keep up and make really good music. A lotta people tried a lot of things to cut us down."

"Do you mind explaining the items you brought from your job?"

I picked the microphone up and flipped it, smiling at myself—but quickly wiping it off of my face, "so. This is my microphone. Uhm, it's designed—customized for me. Its like a...ah, a good luck charm, if you will. This recently came back home with me after the recent tour."

I set the microphone on the table beside me and then picked my gold jacket up. I helped it up and swiped my finger underneath my nose, "this jackets also designed for me and its from the recent tour the band. We get these jackets made for us every tour."