Josh's Destiny

Chapter 19

Sam expected to wake up with a blinding headache and sick to his stomach. He had really tied one on the night before. But to his great surprise, he awoke refreshed and really needing to urinate. He got out of bed, noting that he was still in his underwear, and made his way to the bathroom.

As long as he was in the bathroom, Sam decided to shower. When he had finished his shower and dressed he went in search of coffee. He came out of his room, and was just passing the fourth floor landing, when a deep chill skittered across his spine. He stopped and looked up the stairs, knowing there was something he should remember but couldn't. Well, whatever it was, maybe he was better off not knowing. Or he could have told Josh or even Destiny.

Sam shrugged his shoulders and proceeded downstairs. The others were up, sitting around the table and talking. They looked up when Sam came through the door.

"It lives" Josh said with a grin.

"Oh, fuck off, Josh" replied Sam good-naturedly. "I'm up, showered, and ready to rock and roll. I feel fantastic!" Sam took a seat and Tanta came in with coffee.

"And glad to hear it" said Tanta. "That was quite some reaction last night. You should be careful with brandy, young man, at least until you're used to it. And yes" she said as she turned to go get food, "I know about the weed you were smoking. Tsk, tsk." Sam blushed as Tanta left the room,

"Was I really that bad?"

"Little brother, you even had some wicked hallucinations. You even passed out and Jake and Danny had to put you to bed."

"Yeah" said Danny "and you ain't light, no matter that you're skinny."

Sam was about to reply, when Tanta came back in to the room. She carried an enormous platter of pancakes, bacon, sausage and muffins. "Oh my God, you read my mind!" said Jake.

"Well, dig in" said Tanta. "This is your last meal with me. I understand you're leaving for Boston tonight."

Josh nodded. "Right after the show" he said, helping himself to pancakes and bacon. "I want to thank you for the hospitality. I'll remember this place forever!"

Tanta looked to Destiny, then back to Josh. "I'm sure you will. It was a pleasure having you. But" she said with a knowing glance at Destiny, "I have a feeling you'll be back."

Josh glanced at Destiny. Had she been talking to Tanta about marriage? He didn't see how, they had not had the chance to be alone and talk since they had been there. Destiny held Josh's gaze for a moment and then returned her attention to the food.

The guys joked and talked and generally had a good time until Josh looked at his watch and said, "Hey, are you guys all packed? The car will be here in twenty minutes." Sam excused himself and left the table to get his things together. Josh sat and waited.

When there was no noise from upstairs, Josh was relieved. Danny said, "I guess Sam doesn't remember last night. That's a good thing."

"Yeah, at least he'll be able to play decent", Jake chimed in.

"I suggest we not mention it to him", Destiny said. "It's over and done with. He's fine and he doesn't seem to remember, so, well, we'll just cool it with the partying for a time. Agreed?"

The guys were staring at Destiny like she had three heads. Josh said, "Des, we do a ton of interviews and meet and greets. We're invited out constantly. The first show was nothing. We can't make Sam walk the straight and narrow if he doesn't want too. But I can guarantee one thing, no brandy!" And the other guys agreed.