Boomer stepped up onto the stage and tapped the microphone. "Hello? I'm very sorry for the delay but as you can see our lead singer, Avery, has taken ill. It will be just a moment while we figure out what's up and then I promise you, there will be live music tonight. Just bear with me a moment and the band will be back." He stepped back from the microphone, giving a final wave to the confused and worried crowed then went back stage to find out for himself just what had happened.
When Avery opened his eyes he was laying on an old leather sofa. Rick was sitting beside him and the rest of the band stood around the couch looking at him with concern. The door opened and Boomer walked in and stood next to Cole. "How we doing?" He asked.
Avery struggled to sit up. Rick grabbed his arm, slowly helping him. "Take it nice and easy." Rick told him. "Don't want you passing out again."
Avery blinked, looking around the room he was in. "Where I am?" He asked.
"Boomer's office." Trash told him. "Cole carried you in here when you fainted."
"What happened?" Kat knelt down beside the couch and touched Avery's forehead. "You don't have a fever or anything, are you alright?"
Avery swung his legs around the side of the couch and leaned forward, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah..." He said softly, "I think I just got overwhelmed by everything and started to panic."
"That ain't like you." Trash raised an eyebrow. "I mean seriously? You had a panic attack?"
"Hey, lay off him." Rick snapped. "You think it was easy for him to get up on that stage, after everything he's been through?"
"I'm fine, Rick." Avery told him. "I don't know what happened really, I just got nervous and had trouble breathing, it's not a big deal."
"It is a big deal, Ave. I knew you weren't ready for this. I wish you would have listened to me."
"So what now?" Kat asked. "We have a packed bar. Everyone's expecting us to play. If we cancel, there's going to be a lot of disappointment people."
"Tough shit." Rick growled. "If Avery can't do it..."
"No, I can." Avery protested. "I just need a minute. Rick, I really am alright."
"Kat can sing." Everyone turned and looked at Trash. "She's a really good singer. She can take Avery's place. I mean for tonight. Just until he gets back on his feet."
"Yeah, no problem." Kat smiled as she looked at Trash. "I know all the songs, no sweat. Let Avery take it easy for the night."
"What do you think Ave?" Rick asked him.
Avery shrugged. "It's fine with me, if it's okay with the rest of you."
"Then let's get back out there and get this show on the road." Cole touched Avery's shoulder. "You gonna be okay back here by yourself?" He asked him.
Avery nodded. "I'll be fine, I'm just going to lay here and rest a bit."
Rick squeezed Avery's hand. "I'll be right outside if you need me."
Avery smiled. "Rick, I'm fine. You worry too much."
"I can't help it." Rick smirked. "I love you."
Avery kissed him, "Go, I'll be fine. I love you too"
"Alright baby, rest up. We got this covered."
"Break a leg..." Avery tried to give Rick a reassuring smile but he knew that Rick could see through it. Avery felt like shit, like he'd let everyone down. Most of all, he'd let himself down, and as the others filed out of the room, taking to the stage once more but this time without him, Avery's heart sank. He had no idea if this was the end of the line for him, or just another bump in the road. He seriously hopped it was the latter.
Avery pushed the office door open and stood there in the doorway listening to the music. The music called to him. It always had. Ever since he was a child music had ruled his life. A simple song could change his mood, feed his emotions, and dictate his actions. A single song could lift him so high he felt that he was soaring, or knock him down so low he felt like dying. A beautiful voice could render him speechless and bring tears to his eyes.
Kat had a beautiful voice, there was no doubt about that. She could sing as well as she could play, maybe better. She captivated her audience and though Avery felt a tinge of jealousy over her standing there singing in his place, he had to smile. She did look amazing up there and she knew how to own the stage, she even seemed to be enjoying herself, maybe a little too much.
Avery crossed his arms over his chest and leaned his head against the doorway. He sighed. Part of him wanted to walk away. The other part of him wanted to walk up on that stage and take his rightful place, but how could he do that now, she seemed so at home up there, so natural. He wasn't about to take that away from her. That's not the kind of person he was.
"She's good." Avery turned his head and saw Boomer standing next to him. He had a dish towel thrown over one shoulder and a bottle of beer in his hand.
"She is." Avery agreed. "Almost makes me feel a little obsolete."
"How do you figure?"
Avery shrugged. "She can play guitar and sing, what can I do? A whole lot of nothing."
"Avery, you're one of the best singers I've ever heard. Kat's good, but she don't hold a candle to you."
"Don't do me much good when I can't even walk up on stage and stay vertical. Makes me wonder what good I am to anyone, to them." He nodded towards the band. "Maybe they'd be better off without me."
"With that attitude, maybe they would."
Avery turned and stared at him, a little shocked, but then he looked down, dejected.
"So you're having a hard time getten' back up on that horse. Anyone who went through what you did would. Does that mean you should just give up?"
"I don't know." Avery said honestly, "I just don't want to let them down anymore."
"Well, if you quit now, you will be. Think about what each one of them kids have done to get this far, what they've sacrificed. Each one of them has fought and struggled to get to where they are today and most of it they've done for you, because they believe you in you. You walk away now and you won't just be walking out on your band or your friends, you'll be walking out on your family. If you ask me, that's worse than losing some stupid competition. You could play a hundred gigs, enter a hundred competitions and win or lose it doesn't matter as long as you have each other.
I know you're hurting, and I know you're scared, but giving up isn't a solution. At the end of the day you'll still be hurting and you'll still be scared, but you'll also be alone and boy, there ain't nothing worse than being alone. You have people here that love you and will support you no matter what you choose to do, but before you make your choice stop and think about them for once. How is your leaving going to affect them? How do you think they'll feel if you just walk away now? They've suffered through all this with you and believe me when I say suffered, Rick most of all. Rick nearly lost his mind when we couldn't find you."
Avery nodded sadly. "I remember what he looked like when I woke up in the hospital. He looked terrible. I never want to hurt him that way again."
"Well, it wasn't your fault. But if you walk away now it will be."
Avery thought long and hard about what Boomer was telling him. "I don't want to hurt him, any of them, I love them all too much."
"Then prove it." Boomer told him.
"But how can I..."
Boomer shook his head. "That's for you to figure out kiddo. I ain't no therapist, I'm just a bar keep." He gave Avery a wink then turned and walked back to the bar, whistling along to the music as he picked up a glass and started cleaning it.
Avery smirked and shook his head. "Alright old man." He whispered. "I get it, I heard ya loud and clear."
"We're going to take a little break." Kat announced to the crowd. "Don't go anywhere though because we'll be right back with more great songs." She smiled and thanked the audience then she and the others set aside their instruments and filed one by one off the stage.
"You guys sounded great." Avery told them. "Really good. I had no idea that Kat could sing so good."
"Yeah she's got an amazing voice." Trash put his arm around Kat and pulled her against him. He was beaming as he looked at her. So proud, so enthralled, and utterly in love. Avery couldn't help but smile at them.
"She's definitely got talent." Cole smiled as he walked past them. He nodded respectively in her direction then headed to the back where the toilets were located.
"I got to drain it too." Trash said. He quickly kissed Kat on the mouth then hurried to the back before he pissed himself.
"I need some water." Kat gave Avery a quick pat on the shoulder then headed to the bar. Her voice was a bit raspy. He could tell that she was feeling the strain. She wasn't used to singing an entire set list and it was starting to wear her down. Avery could remember those days. It took his voice awhile to get in shape too. Constant vocal exercises and hydration was a major help in that. For Kat, it was just a matter of getting used to singing again because she had sang with her previous band. She was just out of practice now.
Avery watched her bounce happily to the bar as Boomer handed her a bottled water. She did seem in a really good mood. She liked singing, Avery could tell, and then that old feeling of being useless began to creep up on him again. Rick came up and wrapped his arms around Avery, crushing the boy against him.
"How you feeling?" Rick asked him.
"Better now." Avery turned to him, smiled and kissed him deeply on the mouth.
"That's good, I was worried about you."
