Into the Crowd. ✔

CHAPTER 10

The earliest flight left at 7 am the next morning. The first class cabin was nearly empty when I boarded, but was happy that it never filled up. Needing this little bit of solitude until I have to face the boys when I get back home. Stepping of the plan in Adelaide I pulled the ball cap over my head as I head towards baggage claim fishing my sunglasses out of my backpack. Nearly twenty minutes later I made my way over to arrivals, spotting Ezra waiting for me with a big stupid grin on his face.
“Lover boy!” For the first time in forever I had this big goofy smile on my face when I approached him. He pulled me into a brotherly hug before we made our way out of the terminal to where he parked.
“Good flight?” he ask as he open the trunk of his car for me.
“Same old, same old. Where’s the boys?” I asks as throw my duffle into the back.
“Still sleeping, I think. Drew came over last night, but I haven’t heard anything from Charlie in a couple of days.”
“I talked to him last night, he’ll meet us for lunch at Trevor’s. That means you and Drew need to join us as well.” I said as we pulled away heading towards the city.
“Sounds serious.” He expertly maneuvers through the cars as we turn off onto the highway.
“It was a serious couple of days and I need to talk to all of you.” He nods in understanding.
“How is she doing?” he asks as he focused on the busy highway.
“Good under circumstance.” I wanted to wait and tell them all at once exactly what went down the last couple of days.
“Anything else?” he asks curiously, knowing I am withholding some information.
“I’ll rather tell you when all of us are together.” I admitted.
“Okay. I understand.”
“Should I drop you of at your condo?” he asks before we drove off in silence.
It was close to eleven am when Ezra dropped me off at my two bedroom apartment in the city, promising to meet up at Trevor’s at two pm. The apartment was dark with the curtains still drawn. This was the first time I was back at my own place in nearly eight months. I bought this space a couple of years ago, not needing a lot of space for myself when most of the year we were on tour or living out of hotel rooms. I pulled out my cellphone and dialed Maddie’s number. She answered at the second ring.
“Josh!” she answered, surprises that I actually called.
“Hey honey.” I sweetly answered back sitting down on the couch that was a bit dusty. I totally forgot to get a cleaning service, but it slipped my mind.
“I miss you.” She admitted in a soft voice. My heart breaks thinking that she is all alone in her hospital room.
“Miss you too. I just got home. I took the earliest fight out this morning. I’m sorry I couldn’t come by this morning…” I wanted to say goodbye before I left, but it was early and I needed some time to think about everything I have to do once I get back home. A mental checklist.
“It’s fine Josh. You stayed until late last night and I appreciate it, but now- you need to sort everything out so you can come home to me.” She spelled out seriously.
“I want to be with you right now! Fuck everyone else. Tell me and I’ll be on the first flight back to you.” Being away from her right now is killing me. Now that I have her back, I don’t want distance to separate us any longer than it already had. I know she is strong and very much vulnerable after every that happened, but that strong caveman urge to protect her from the word is starting to sweep under my skin. It was always there I just got really goof at hiding the hurt.
“I know you do! That is why I am giving you this time. Talk to your brother and friends then come right back to me.” Her voice was low in a soft whisper. I did something inside of me, hearing the vulnerability in her tone. She seems scared that I may have changed my mind about her. With me being miles away from her, isn’t working too. But not even the devil would keep me away.
“I don’t need time. Well I do, to pack up everything, but you know I don’t need time to think about everything else. About you? About Taylor? Baby I am all in…My mind is made up.” I reinsured her. She took a minute to take it all in, leaving me with the soft whisper of her breathing.

“I was thinking…” She said breaking the silence.
“Mm-m and what is that?”
“I am talking to both Vicky and Taylor today. To explain what would happen when you get back.” That’s good. I don’t want to rush them. With me back in Adelaide would hopefully be enough time for them to come in grips with me moving back to Sydney and into their lives. I have to admit that it is scary, thinking that I may be too fast or they just won’t be okay with it.
“Are they going to be okay with this? It’s okay if YOU need more time, Maddie. It’s all up to you and Taylor to decide to move in with me.”
“Taylor would be ecstatic, I know she would be, because we both waited so long for you to find us again. It may be hard in the beginning, but everything would work out in the end. I know so.”
“Good, I wouldn’t want it any other way.” For a moment she excuse herself as I heard voices in the background, but she whispers that is only a nurse to do a checkup. And I waited a moment before she brings the phone back to her ear.
“When are you talking to the boys?” She asks on the other side of the line.
“In a couple of hours.” I tell her about our meeting at Trevor’s later that day.
“Are THEY going to be okay with it?”
“They know how I feel about you. They will learn to accept it.”
“Good.”
“Look honey, I need to finish up a few thing before I meet the guys. Why don’t you give me a call later when Taylor is with you? I would like to talk to her as well…”
“Okay, but it would probably be in a couple of hours. There’s something I want to ask you, though.”
“Anything.”
“Taylor has a doctor appointment in less than two weeks. On March 14th. I would like you to come with us. Would you try to be back by then?” she shyly asks.
“Yes, yes of course I will be back by then. Thank you, Maddie, for including me.” Now that I know about her condition I want to keep a close eye on her and help as much as I can.You’re her father and it’s a big bonus that I love you as well.”
“I don’t think I will ever grew tired of hearing you say that.”
“Get used to it. I have a lot of years to catch up upon…” After another couple of endearing comments she hung up, promising to call back later. My once dull apartment feeling more and emptier by the second. I reached my desk at the other side of the living room, firing up my laptop. I logged in and fired up the Browser, looking up property agencies and logged into Homely and opened up other alternatives. I inserted my estimate price range, the area I want to buy in and the physical aspects of what I was looking for. Wanting to be close to Taylor’s school that is also Maddie’s workplace, shopping centers and local hospital facilities. Denistone is one of the best suburban communities in Northern Sydney, but finding a good property would be a search. The house should at least have four to five bedrooms, a big kitchen and living space, but I will also need space for my home studio. An image of a newly build, fully renovated house pops up on screen. Constructed within the last three years in a beautiful French Villa style. Double storied with three big arches at the front that leads to the front door. Immediately intrigued I clicked on the information icon. The beautiful house was newly listed and as I read further on and checked the comments I saw that a few people are already interested in the property. A silent, mine, came to mind as I took it in. The arches continued at the back of the house leading down a couple of steps. Showing a grand sized, gated pool area with a large enough deck that leads around to create a comfortable relaxing space alongside the pool. The back yard was big with a large garden area that lead along the west side of the property, covered by the shade of a big oak tree. Inside, it showed two pictures of each room. From the front door it opened up into a beautiful tiled ‘atrium’ leading into the grand staircase on the ground floor. Of to the left side of the house are the big modern kitchen with stain and steel appliances, modern but still has the flare of the European style opening up into the dining area. Loving the open plan feel. The living room was spacious and I could easily picture family movie nights. It opened up with long slide doors onto the back deck with a beautiful view of the garden and pool area. There was also a small office space leading to the back of the living room, which would be a great work place for both Maddie and Taylor. Downstairs also had one big guest bathroom. The floors covered in a unique stone arrangement. Upstairs was the stretch of bedrooms. I scanned through the images of the rooms. A big plus was that all five bedrooms came with a modern marbled basic sized bathrooms and great storage space. What I did not expect was the basement, which automatically would become my studio. All it needed was to be soundproofed and it would be a go. After the images came to an end I sat back in the chair. This house was absolutely perfect. I could picture us growing our family in it. Maybe grow old together. It was sere luck I came across such a perfect home in such a short time. It was like it was meant to be. I backed out of the link and quickly scanned the rest of the options that was popped up, but none of them had the same effect it had with the first house. That house can easily be OUR home. Who would have thought I would be looking for a home. Merely a week ago I was content to go back to my lonely condo here in Adelaide. Content to spend the rest of my life right here, but so much has change. For the first time in my life I can give my family something I never had as a child growing up. A stable home. To be loved. Enough money to not worry about what was for dinner the next day. ‘Faded’ did well, more that well. Three Grammy’s under our belt for the new best artists and a couple of other awards as well. Some might think our big break was with the song ‘Into the Crowd,’ but it was actually with the theme song we did for one of the biggest Hollywood movies a couple of years ago. Each one of us has enough to live very comfortably for the rest of our lives. Being constantly busy. Releasing album after album, doing shows after shows. Internationally as well as locally. I never though loving music so much that it bought us such success and I am thankful, but something was always missing. Some might call us lucky and that is for a damn sure true. That is why when two pm came closer, I made a bid on the house, topping the other bidders, hoping to get the advantage.
When I arrived at Trevor’s on the east side of Adelaide, all three of them were already seated at a table sipping on their waters looking deep in conversation. As always their ball caps were drawn down on their heads. I don’t know why they hide when everybody in Trevor’s already knows who we are
“Sorry I am late. Lost track of time.” I said sitting down in the open chair next to Charlie. The waiter came back and we ordered our lunch.
“So what do you want to talk about?” Drew asks from across me.
“We’ll talk after lunch. I can’t think on an empty stomach.” I said as we talk about the tour.
“How is she?” Charlie asks from next to me when the waiter took away our empty plates.
“Good under the circumstances. She would be released in a day or two. Their having a close look because of the prior Post-Traumatic Amnesia.” I said sipping my hot coffee.
“Mate, I have no idea how you seem so calm for someone who just found out the love of your life is still alive.” Drew said.
“Oh believe me, it’s been eating me up inside, but I believe everything is going to work out alright.”
“I’m with Drew on that, Josh.” Ezra said.
“Let’s get down to business then,’ I said and I adjust my body on the seat, taking a minute to organize my thought.
“I’m moving back to Sydney. As soon as possible.” I finally stated. The confused looks on their faces take their place as all three of them silently watches me and I shrugged.
“What?!” Charlie almost shouted from next to me. A few of the other patrons looked up from their plates.
“I want to be close to Maddie and Taylor.”
“But what about the band?” Drew chipped in. This is going worse that I thought.
“We have eight months off, Drew. I will continue writing in that time. The band will not be affected with me moving away.”
“But what would Maddie think? She doesn’t know you, Josh.” Charlie said as the others nod. Oh-boy, here it comes. The moment of truth. I choke back a sigh and swallow down some much needed courage.
“About that. That was the other thing I wanted to talk about,” I said, pushing the still hot coffee away from me.
“The doctors never distinguished the actual course the first incident had with her case of Amnesia, because of the severe impact on her side of the truck. To make it easy to understand…’ I paused, before I continued,
“Somethings when a person suffers from long-term memory loss. A similar incident can pull you out of such state. A trigger. There has been a few cases in the past where such person would wake up and regain the memories that what was once lost.” There was silence around the table, but somehow I saw a small glimmer of a smile forming one Ezra’s lips.
“What? Please tell me that it means what I think it means?” Charlie and Drew asks.
“It does. The day after the three of you left, she woke up and she remembered. She remembered everything.”
“Oh-’ Charlie said, his hand intertwining with his hair. For a moment he was silent, but then he indulge me in a big hug, knowing what this moment means to me. I hug my brother back and for the first time since we started this conversation I could see the acceptance in their eyes. Like he was relieved.
“I don’t know what to say...” Charlie says so no one can hear it before he sat back. Now comes the really hard part.
“But that’s not everything. Taylor, my daughter, she’s sick…” I filled them in with Taylor’s condition and I watched them in silence as they took everything in.
“Now you see why I have to leave?” I pleaded with them. Begging them to fully understand what I am going through emotionally and the reasons why it is so important for me to go.
“Where are you going to live?” Ezra asks.
“I was searching for houses online that is why I was late. I think I found one. One big enough for all of us and for when any of you want to come and visit. I bided on the house and now I just have to wait, but I need to be back in Sydney in less than two weeks.” I gave them a brief description of the house I want to call home.
“Does the label know about your move?” There is still that. I know convincing them will be harder.
“I am meeting with Andy tomorrow morning.”
“I am happy for you, Josh. This seems like fate.” Drew said.
“One twisted way fate worked.” Ezra said.
“I guess there is nothing we can do. You belong there, Josh. YOU deserve to be happy.” Charlie said. Knowing my best friends will be there for me, like they always were, gave me some hope at the end of the tunnel.
“Once I am settled there. All of you are invited. I would like for all of you to meet my girls.”
“It’s a date,’ Ezra says sit back in his seat,
“Mates, I can’t believe one of us is actually admitting to growing up.” Drew said with a laugh that bought a smile on all of our faces. It will never fade.
“It’s time. And I am scared as hell I will mess this up...”