Deaf & Dumb

Peter Gets Some Big News

Stephen let Peter into the studio. Graham and David were both strumming guitars as loud as they could. Peter cringed slightly as he passed by. Graham smiled at him.
"David said he played guitar better than me so I said I could play louder," He said laughing.
Peter smiled slightly. "Can I see a guitar?" He asked.
Graham passed him his. Peter began to play a little bit of the blues. Stephen joined in on his guitar. Peter smiled and passed the guitar back to Graham. Peter picked up a bass that was already hanging out in the studio and started tuning it. Once that was done he sat down between Graham and David. David was lazily strumming across the strings. Graham started to strum with him. Stephen started playing a third part. Peter just stared at them mixing their guitars together. He wasn't sure what to do. He felt out of place.
David saw Peter's confusion. He smiled. "Just jump in with whatever," He said.
Peter nodded and played a simple bassline to accompany the three guitars, but it didn't sound right to Peter. The others didn't seem to mind his playing at all, but he just felt wrong.
Finally the three stopped messing around on their guitars and decided to actually sing one of their songs. Graham wanted them to play Marrakesh Express as a warm up. Peter vaguely knew what to play for the song. When they were trying to get him to join Graham sang it for him. David and Stephen tried to win him over with Wooden Ships. Peter was very impressed.
Now no matter how hard he tried he couldn't get the same sound out of his bass as what he imagined was need for the song. Something just felt wrong as he played bass for his three friends. The three didn't seem to notice his inner turmoil. They said he sounded good and he was doing fine, but Peter knew he couldn't play in their band. It wasn't that he didn't want to. He just couldn't. He owed way too much to the Monkees.
Peter couldn't desert them like the Monkees like that. He played with Crosby, Stills, and Nash for a little while longer just to see if it was just the song, but no matter what they played he felt like he just didn't blend well with them. Peter put down the bass. He looked at Stephen and frowned.
"I don't know what it is, but I just don't feel right," He said.
Stephen's brow furrowed. "It's just cuz you're not used to us," He said. "Give it a few days."
"No, it isn't that... earlier today I was playing beautifully with the Monkees, but with you guys I'm just not getting it..." Peter said.
David smiled at Peter and said, "Everyone goes through this when you split with a group. Give it a few days like Stephen said."
Peter nodded and stared at the floor for a moment. Maybe they were right. He just needed to get used to this new unit.
"Saying that, you aught to go home. It's getting pretty late," Stephen said looking at the clock on the wall.
Peter scratched his hair for a moment and stood up. "Thanks, it's a real honor to work with you," He said sliding towards the door slowly.
Stephen laughed. "Don't be like that. You wouldn't have said it was an honor to work with me before Buffalo Springfield," He said.
Peter smiled and stuck his tongue out. "It wasn't meant for you," He said ducking out the door.
Peter decided he wanted to stop by Rosemary's apartment. He knocked on the door and Carolina answered. Her eyes widened for a moment.
"Um... give me just a moment," Carolina said shutting the door suddenly.
Peter stood out in front of the door for a few minutes. He frowned for a moment and tapped his foot.
Then Rosemary opened the door. She looked like she had been crying. Her nose was red and so was her eyes. She looked at him, and it looked like she might cry again. Peter hugged her and held her to his chest. He rocked her gently and stepped inside.
Peter looked to Carolina. She looked fidgety. Peter went and sat down on the couch with Rosemary. She unwrapped herself from him, but she wouldn't look at him.
"Why is Rosemary acting so weird?" Peter asked Carolina.
Carolina frowned. She asked Rosemary if she wanted her to tell him. Rosemary's eyes filled with tears, and she nodded her head.
"Rosemary's pregnant..." Carolina said slowly.
Peter looked at Rosemary then to Carolina. "When?" He asked.
"She went to the doctor today," Carolina said. "He said it's due in seven months..."
Peter looked at Rosemary again. She still wouldn't look at him. His hand gently touched her cheek and he drew her face towards him. He eyes were filled with tears, and her face was blotchy because of them. He didn't know what to say.
Peter leaned forward and rested his forehead on Rosemary's. He closed his eyes and let out a soft sigh.
"I didn't think it would happen like this..." He said slowly.
Peter let his hand touch her stomach gently. He knew he wouldn't feel anything, but the thought of something growing inside her scared, excited, and amazed him.
Rosemary signed that she was sorry as Peter drew his forehead away from her. He stared.
"What for?" He asked.
She pointed to her stomach.
Peter frowned. "You didn't do this on your own. Half of this is my fault," He said.
Rosemary touched her stomach. She shook her head slowly and lowered her head. Peter put his hand under her chin and lifted her face to him. He smiled at her. "Why are you so sad? We're gonna be parents!" He said trying the change the mood.
Rosemary stared at him for a moment. She smiled as she thought about what Peter said. She was having a baby with the man she was in love with. Why was she sad?
Peter leaned forward and kissed Rosemary. She draped her arms around his neck. Carolina rolled her eyes and tapped Peter's shoulder.
"This is how we got in this situation to begin with," Carolina said dryly.
Peter parted from Rosemary blushing. He turned to Carolina. She was smirking slightly.
"I'm gonna be a dad," Peter said excitedly.
Carolina smiled and nodded.
"I don't know who to tell!" He exclaimed.
"How about your parents?" Carolina asked as always being the voice of reason.
Peter thought about that for a moment then frowned. "Shit, my parents," He said slowly.