"Ya' really came through for us, lass," Brian said. "But we don't wanna put all this pressure on ya'."
"Yeah, remember," Malcolm said. "You're only a kid."
"I can do it," Mabel said.
"No one's disagreein' with that," Malcolm smiled. It faded. "But it's not fair of any of us to expect you, a sixteen year old girl, to save our arses." Mabel refrained from answering by strumming her bass. "We're not dumpin' all this on your back so you can carry the tour."
Josie and Karen snored from the bed.
"We appreciate what you're doin' for us," Chris said. "More than you'll ever know. But in case things should get difficult-"
"I'll be fine."
"He's only sayin' we've called in a backup," Malcolm said. "After your mum scared me off we had to call our second best tryout. Should have done that in the first place."
"I understand," Mabel said. "Thank you."
"No need for that," Malcolm said. "Jus' want our guest comfortable, ya' know?"
"When does the tour start?"
"Tomorrow," Angus said. "We start in Australia an' move on to America. An' then when Cliff can come back, you're free to go home." Mabel looked down at the carpet.
Home.
"Well...good thing I brought my passport then, huh?" The men were quiet for a second.
"Shit, hadn't thought of that," Angus laughed. Brian and Chris laughed with him.
"Good thinkin', lass," Brian said. Mabel smiled and continued strumming. Thinking of her mum back home. Thinking of Josie and Karen, whom she dragged into this mess.
It would be worth it. She would make it worth it.
**********
"You really are a fast learner." Mabel whirled around to see Angus smoking. The flickering lights from the motel sign illuminated the moths circling around. Mabel came out to think, not talk. "You really should get some sleep, hon."
"I can't," she said. "Too much going on."
"Worried?" Angus asked. "Nervous? Scared?"
"Try all of the above." She wheeled her chair around to face him. He was bundled up in a coat.
"I understand," he said. "That's why we're lettin' ya' run."
"I'm not leaving if that's what you're thinking," Mabel snapped.
"We know that, but it's always an option, ya' know? An' what about school?"
"What about it?" Angus shrugged.
"You're gonna miss an awful lot." It was Mabel's turn to shrug.
"School doesn't matter." Angus laughed.
"Not that I disagree," he said. "Look, kid, ya' got a bright future. None of us want ya' throwin' that away jus' for us."
"Turning this opportunity down would be throwing my bright future away." Someone got cut off in the distant traffic and honked their horn.
"Get some sleep," Angus said. "I'll take the next watch. We'll talk in the mornin'."
"Get some sleep yourself, old man," Mabel teased. Angus scoffed.
"Old..." he muttered.
**********
"Are you ready, Mabel?" Karen asked.
