Letting You Go

6 | Center Stage

October 2011

"Where are we going?" She asked as we drove over George Washington Bridge crossing the state lines of New Jersey and New York with the beautiful changing of colors of the trees as our view.  The sun was shining bright.  You could see its reflection on the Hudson.

"You will see." I said to her.

"Just relax back there. I will tell you if we have reached our destination." I said to her while looking at the rear view mirror.

She was laying down at the back of car. I cannot help but feel excited to what was about to happen. Finally, some things were falling into place.

About two weeks ago, I was pretty sure we will not be able to pull the plan off.

"There is no way she will be well enough to do it, Atti" I said to him over Skype.

"Just the same we are going to try. If she is not well enough by that time then we can think of something else. Tell Chase to make the arrangement. After our show in Denver, I will call you. Have yourself and Chase ready, okay? I don't have much time to squeeze it. We are also writing and recording new songs while on the road" He said.

"I appreciate it Atti, but what if she is still very weak by the time you are in Jersey?" I am so worried this was not going to work.

"If that's not possible, there's New York, Tennessee, Georgia even Florida. I don't know if you want to go that far, Jake. We'll play it by ear, okay?  Have a little faith. She's going to be fine. I have to go bud. I'll keep in touch, okay? Kisses to Erin!" Then he hung up.

True enough Erin was constantly vomiting, complaining of a headache and just wanted to stay in bed when Onyx band played in Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. That was just 58 miles away from our hometown.

Fortunately, after a few days of rest and more nudging from me to eat and hydrate she was ten times better now than a few days ago.

So here we were pulling up by 33rd Street side of Madison Square Garden. I felt my heart pounding. I hope Chase made it here on time and just as I was saying that to myself he opened the back door and said "Wake up sleepy head! You're here!"

I heard rustling behind when a huge man opened my door and said "Jacob Anderson?"

"Yes! That's me!"

I showed him the VIP Pass with my name and picture on it that Atticus sent.

"Okay, here's your valet ticket. You can leave the keys on the engine. Somebody's going to park your car for you."

I popped the trunk open and got out of the car. By this time, Chase was helping Erin out. I pulled the wheelchair out from the trunk and slowly wheeled it close to where she was standing.

"Where are we? What are we...." That's when she saw the MSG marque 'ONYX LIVE TONIGHT!' Her eyes opened wide as she turned to me and Chase. We both have this ridiculous smile on our faces.

"Yep! We are going to see our boy live! Are you excited?" Chase asked.

I was left speechless watching the wonderful reaction coming from her face. Her eyes were so bright.  I have never seen her lit up like this in awhile.

"We're going to watch a concert?" She exclaimed holding on to her chest.

"A sold out concert, baby." I corrected her.

She frowned at me when she saw the chair.

"Erin, it's a big place. It will be easier to move around for you if we use this. Your armpits are going to be sore at the end of the night if we use the crutches."