"I thought her mother knew all about this," Angus said as Malcolm paced the floor. His arms were crossed and his gait was slow.
"That's what she told me," Malcolm sighed. Brian and Chris watched the brothers discuss the situation, steering clear of any incoming arguments. They weren't angry per se, but there was no telling what was going through their minds at the minute. The tour was almost on them and despite all the trouble they went through, they were still short a bass player.
"Probably knew her mother wouldn't let her go," Angus said. "So she didn't mention it to her."
"Alright, so what do we do?" Malcolm asked, slapping his hands on his jeans. He looked around at everyone and nobody answered. "Any ideas?"
"Well..." Brian started since nobody else would. "It's really your call, Mal. You know what's best for the band."
"That doesn't mean I know what I'm doin'!" Malcolm said a little louder than he had intended. The other men winced and Malcolm took a deep breath. "It's everyone's decision, a little input wouldn't hurt. What, ya' think I can manage this shit by myself?"
"It's your band, Mal," Angus said. "You're drivin' this train, we're all behind you." After letting out a stream of not so friendly curse words, Malcolm sighed. "We can call whoever we liked second best."
"I've already fuckin' called an' told him we didn't pick him," Malcolm said. "Fuck knows he's already moved on to somethin' else."
"Worth a shot," Brian said. "Hasn't been that long, he can't have moved to Timbuktu." Chris laughed.
"Don't be so sure," Malcolm muttered, holding back a smile. "Alright, give me a second to think about this..."
**********
"What the hell were you thinking?" Mabel cowered from her mother's choice of words. "Auditioning for a rock and roll band? They're all so much older than you! Going on tour with them? All those drugs they probably surround themselves with? The women? It's highly inappropriate, you're sixteen!"
"I know," Mabel said. She sat there in her wheelchair while her mother angrily paced in front of her.
"I'd be the worst mother in the world if I let you go off with those men," her mother said. "You're not some seventies groupie, you're my daughter!"
"Josie and Karen thought I could do it-"
"Don't you go putting blame on them," her mother interrupted. Max followed her pacing, his tail wagging. "They're not the ones who lied to me about their schoolwork. Which you're not missing out on either. You wouldn't be able to graduate on time!" Mabel could feel her once in a lifetime opportunity slip like sand through her fingers. Just as she feared her mother answered the telephone. Hearing her mother inform her of her good fortune was exhilarating but short lived. Miss McIntosh would not be swayed.
"I'm sorry I lied," Mabel admitted. "But I knew you'd get mad."
"And rightfully so! This whole situation is too preposterous." Mabel sighed, awaiting her punishment. "I want you in your room this instant, young lady. You're grounded for a month."
"What?"
"For trying to pull a stunt like this without me knowing about it. And for lying." Mabel scoffed at the audacity and wheeled to her room.
"Rock and roll isn't what you think it is!" she yelled. "It's my only outlet in life and you don't care!" Slamming her door shut, Mabel took notice of her autographed bass guitar leaning by the bedroom window. The gears in her head began turning.
