Brooklyn Baby - The Beginning of Lana Del Rey

Part 11 - Money Power Glory

It had taken 4 weeks of being in a band to finally decide on a name: The Rich Whores. Tacky, but it felt right. We submitted our demo a couple of days ago by email. It normally takes a week to hear back, so we're expecting to get a response very soon. 

Over the month, I had become very close to the boys, but I can't say the same about Arthur. Looking back, I couldn't help but feel like there was something off with his behavior.

Arthur had been gone more than half of the time we should have been spending together. Not once did he tell me where he was going. In the middle of an event, date, even a conversation he would quickly slip out for 10 minutes to an hour. I've tried to follow him, but I never succeed. I wouldn't even consider our relationship healthy anymore, but I didn't have the courage to face him, in fear of messing up my relationship with the band.

We were all squished on Drew's musty couch that was crammed into the corner of the room. Half of us were smoking, the rest were sipping beers. All we did this week during our practice time was stare at Aaron's email, refreshing every minute, waiting for a response from Jack Thomas. 

"You don't need to keep reloading it dude," Drew said to Tags who was furiously clicking the circle-arrow button. 

"I'm just so nervous," Tags said defensively.

"Calm down guys," I spoke and kicked my feet up on the wooden coffee table.

A sudden ping sounded from the computer, causing us to jump in anticipation. After scrambling over the mouse, and a bunch of Move's and Let me see's, Arthur finally opened the email. Our eyes rapidly searched for the information we desired.

We all looked at each other indifferently after reading it over twice more. In summary, Jack Thomas loved the song, so much so that he offered to buy it from us. 

No one knew what to say, so I decided to be brave and speak first.

"I don't know. I literally don't know what to do."

"$8,000 each Lizzy! Do you know how much that is?" Tim screeched.

"But it's our  work," said Aaron.

"Man, do you know what we could do with that money?" Drew whined.

"I think I agree with Aaron on this," Tags said much quieter than the others. "Well," they all turned their heads to me, "I guess you're the tiebreaker."

I thought about my morals, about one's rights, and how I feel about selling my work. Then the money flooded my previous thoughts with images of trailer homes and band practices every day. The latter thoughts won.

"I want to move in next door... so I need the money."

The agreeing half of the guys squeezed me into a group hug, while the other two disappointingly shook their heads.

After two days we had received our money and Aaron and Tags had slightly come around to my decision. In this short span of time I also had A) Bought the mobile home B) Quit my job at Ruby Tuesday C) Informed my Aunt and Uncle about the situation and said my goodbyes.

My life was changing; my goals were coming to fruition rapidly before my eyes. It was okay that I was leaving so many people and things in my past because it was fueling my life's dream... right? I guess that was my excuse for having not talked to Amelia since that day she argued with me. The feeling was strange; Amelia had been my first friend when I moved to Long Island. Life made your path because it leads to success, or at least that was my current belief.

I was currently moving my belongings from Long Island to the trailer park, with Arthur in the passenger seat. I pulled up to my new home, I guess I can start calling this home, and backed in so we could unload more conveniently. While Arthur and I carried stacks of boxes, a man with a cat walked by. He was on the elderly side of age, had a beer belly, and wore a baseball cap. These are the kind of people I should get used to being around.

"Are you guys new to the neighborhood?" he said in a gruff voice, adjusting the cat on his shoulder. 

"Yes, I'm Lizzy and this is my boyfriend Arthur," I answered, rearranging the boxes so that I could shake his hand.

"Well, it'll be nice seeing a new face 'round here. Scratch that, it'll be a nice change seeing a pretty face here." 

I awkwardly chuckled, tucking my hair behind my ears.

"I'm Pete and this here is Fatty," he said pointing to the cat on his shoulder. "We live next door. Sorry if he escapes sometimes, he'll always find his way back home."

I hope I could as well. I approached the animal and petted its back.

Arthur was taking pictures of the new trailer, to document memories or whatever. He always has that thing with him. Right as I said that, the cat jumped into my arms, and he pointed the camera at me. Click, click, click.

"Is this really something I want to remember?" I asked annoyed. 

"You will one day. Trust me."