Connection

Chapter 1

Mercedes Jones opened her laptop and signed in before going to FaceTime and calling one of her sisters, who picked up. "Hey!"

"Hey?" Marcy pushed up the sleeves on her shirt.

"Where are you?"

Marcy shrugged. "We're on the bus."

"Where are you going?"

"Nashville, I think."

"That'll be fun."

"Yeah. I want them to stop in Memphis so I can show Sam where I walked a bunch of years ago."

"What? he doesn't believe you?"

"I think he does but I still want to show him. Plus he and the guys can get Memphis barbecue."

"Finn would love that."

"I know. He's dreaming of it now." Marcy looked away from the camera.

"Is he sleep?"

"Yeah. Everyone is." Marcy looked back.

"What time is it?"

"After midnight."

"We're about to go on." Mercedes looked around the dressing room.

"Where are you?"

"Milwaukee."

"Why are you about to do a show at this time of night?"

"It's an encore performance. We went on earlier then went to eat. Now we're getting ready."

"Where's Tana and Britt?"

Mercedes picked up her laptop and turned it toward her friends. "Guys! It's Marcy! Say hi!"

"Hi, Marcy!" Brittany waved big.

"Patti!" Santana lifted her hand.

"Sup?" Marcy replied.

Mercedes set her laptop back on her vanity. "How are you?"

"What do you mean?" Marcy picked up a bottle and began drinking out of it.

"With everything. How are you?"

"What's everything?"

"You know... Home."

"If you're going to ask about Mal, I wish you'd just come out and ask." Marcy gave a long suffering sigh.

"Well, have you spoken to him yet?"

"No."

"Marcy!" Mercedes smacked her lips. "How are you supposed to work anything out if you don't talk?"

"My phone works perfectly. If he wants to call me, I guarantee the phone will ring."

"But will you answer it?"

"Hell naw!"

"Marcy!"

Marcy made a stubborn face.

"This fight has gone on for more than a month! You need to talk to him!"

"Nope. All he wants to do is argue and I'm not about that energy."

"I've seen a few clips online. You're singing kinda angry."

"Stop watching me perform..."

"Marcy..." Mercedes gave her an annoyed look. "You love each other."

"I tolerate him. I don't know what the fuck his problem is."

"Stop that! You love each other!"

Marcy was quiet.