Shadows From the Abyss

Silhouette of a Life

The next night during the West Palm Beach show, Shawn stayed stage side. Art ventured out into the crowd and somehow pushed his way forward to the barricade in front of Mike. He was incredibly easy to spot being six foot in a sea of hormonal girls, but the black Korn hat he was wearing and his red flannel didn't hurt. Anytime he caught Shawn's eye he smiled and winked before going back to dancing and singing. Just watching him have the time of his life gave Shawn a warm, fuzzy feeling in his soul. He really did love Art and being with him had really improved his mood and outlook. He stopped the whirlwind constantly spinning in his head and calmed his anxiety in a way no one had ever been able to.

He was nervous about Art flying out tomorrow. They'd drive to Tampa overnight and then first thing in the morning he and his Dad would drive him out to the airport to catch his flight back to Raleigh. What if he had a meltdown in the terminal or as soon as he was alone, had a panic attack no one could stop? Fuck, maybe he should fly back home with him and avoid any chance of falling off again. No, he needed to be able to stand on his own and be okay for a few days. And over thinking it tonight wasn't going to help. Take the cards you're dealt and make that shit work, as his mother used to say.

He stood up from the gear box he was sitting on and stretched before heading back and getting another beer. No one on the road crew gave a shit that he was 19, but he did his best to avoid venue staff backstage, not that any of them knew who he was or that the drummer tearing it up on stage was his father. He took his time, strolling around and checking out all the instruments and gear that was being loaded up. He congratulated the guys from Catfish and the Bottlemen on another great set when he ran into them before finally returning to his spot.

"Alright, we still need a drummer," Billie proclaimed over the speakers. "Drummer, drummer, come on someone here plays." He suddenly laughed. "Seriously? Alright, come on, dude."

Shawn sipped his beer, expecting to look up and see a young kid or teenager, but almost spit all the liquid from his mouth when he saw his lover walking back towards the drum set with a swagger unmatched by anyone he had seen before. Since when did he play? He turned his hat around backwards with a cocky grin before rolling his sleeves up as he ascended the riser steps. The look on Tre's face was full of 'You're shitting me' as he approached. Shawn watched, feeling a mixture of awe and horror as his Dad stood, handed over a pair of sticks, gave basic instructions which Art immediately understood and took over as if he had played every day of his life.

"Did you set this up?" Shawn asked Billie in disbelief when all three men exited the stage beside him.

"Hell no," Billie scoffed, trying to catch his breath as he grabbed a water bottle from the cooler a stage hand had brought for them.

"Why didn't you tell me he was a drummer?" His Dad asked.

"I didn't know, he never mentioned it," Shawn watched as Art masterfully kept the beat, adding in a cymbal hit occasionally. How had he not known about this? Had he mentioned it before or was it some surprise he had been hiding?

His Dad and Mike ran for a quick bathroom break while Billie stood and watched for a few more seconds, slightly taken back. "Keep this kid, I like him."

Shawn just nodded, pulling his phone out and snapping a few photos, letting the horror drop away and the awe and amazement take over. "Go baby!"

When the show had wrapped and everyone had left, Art finally reappeared backstage, covered in sweat and confetti but a look of satisfaction and pure enjoyment on his face. "Did I rock or what?"

"Why didn't you tell me you played?" Shawn laughed, pulling him into a tight embrace. "You did awesome!"

"Surprise," Art beamed. "I started playing when I was like ten."