Time And I

Twenty-Two

It didn't feel like anything changed when I woke up the next morning. I had to remind myself that I was now in a band, and I almost cried. Again. But I held it in, because I heard Jeanie recording, and if she heard me cry, she'd most likely call out my name and reveal that her sister's name was Mel. People would soon put it together, and no one would leave me alone. So I swallowed the tears and quickly changed into faux leather leggings and a loose black tank with a skull cut out on the back with my combat boots. I grabbed my leather jacket and walked out to the kitchen.

I was looking forward to telling everyone at the Clubhouse the news. Brody was going to be super proud, and once Jeanie was done recording, so would she.

Rick sat at his desk in the corner of the living room, headphones on as he edited a video for Jeanie's YouTube. I did my best to not disturb him while not seeming like I was creeping behind him. I poured a bowl of cinnamon cereal as Rick finally looked at me. He did a double take before taking off the headphones and joining me in the kitchen.

"How was the concert last night?"

This time, I didn't try to not cry. Rick panicked, but since I was smiling, he didn't comfort me. "The band's drummer is leaving for grad school, and they want me to replace him."

"Are you shitting me?" he exclaimed in joy.

"Hey!" Jeanie called out, poking her head out of her office. "I'm about to record. Keep it down."

"Wait!" Rick exclaimed, and she jumped. "Tell her," he said, nudging my back.

"I'm in a band now."

Jeanie didn't say anything. She stared at me, eyes widening. I was expecting her to scream and jump and cry with me, but after thirty seconds of silence, I wasn't sure if she was going to say anything else. Maybe she was confused. Or worried that I randomly met a band and joined.

"It was the band I went to see yesterday," I quickly clarified. "I'm replacing their drummer who's leaving for grad school."

Jeanie's smile softened as she exited her bedroom and held out her arms. "I'm so proud of you, Mel."

It wasn't the reaction I was expecting, but a hug was still good enough. She pulled away after two seconds and walked back into her office.

"She's happy for you. Know that," Rick stated. I looked back at him. "She's trying to keep to her schedule. When she's done, she'll be taking you out for dinner to celebrate."

"Just another thing to put in her calendar, huh?"

"She'd forget if I didn't."

"This isn't something she should forget."

"You know Jeanie. She'd keep working on new gameplays and not take any time for herself. She's obsessed with her job. She's working hard to be an equal in the gaming world. She's making a difference. That why I have to write it all down."

"Don't," I told him. "I might not be home for dinner. Brody will most likely want to take me out. Besides, I'd rather she actually remember it." I pushed my bowl of cereal to him. "Here. You can eat this. I'm not hungry."

I walked to the front door, snatching my purse before exiting. Since Jeanie started her gaming career, she'd been busy. She was very particular with time organization, wanting everyone to follow their timetables down to the exact second. But this was something big for me. She'd been looking forward to me finding a band, and I finally did. When she hugged me, I thought it was going to be tighter.

Maybe I just expected too much from her at this point. She was a busy woman. Her brand consumed her. For all I knew, she probably knew that Rick liked her but wanted him to continue working for her and was afraid telling him would make him quit. Or she wanted an excuse to focus more time on her work than on someone else. At least I'd know it was hereditary.