Chapter 10 #2
The Next Note Foundation is something I’ve been helping with for almost two years now.
I learned of it at a time when I needed it most, and it quickly became so much more than that for me.
It started with a handful of kids hanging around, messing with guitars or drums, looking for something to do after school.
Something to keep them out of trouble. Gradually more and more kids showed up, and Rhonda, a retired cellist from the Nashville symphony, who is now the director, decided to apply for non-profit status and make it the real deal.
That way there would be funding and the ability to actually do something real with the program.
I heard about it one weekend I was in town and stopped by to see what it was about.
I’ve been volunteering since, any chance I get.
Nashville being the Music City, they’ve got plenty of help these days, but I still like being part of it.
That and hanging with my brother are the only things I miss about these trips.
And tomorrow I plan on spending the day with a bunch of kids with a dream.
I see so much of myself in them. When I was their age, there were times I felt like I was drowning.
Hell, as an adult there have been even more times I’ve felt that way.
Music is the only thing that has kept my head above water.
The only person who knows I do this is my brother. It’s not anyone’s business. I don’t need a pat on the back or a spotlight for doing something decent. Mom and Dad don’t even know. I like keeping it private. Let people think whatever they want about my weekends in Nashville.
I order an Uber, and Ryan and I stand to close our tabs.
When we’re out on the street, the cacophony of noise that defines Broadway on any given weekend follows us as we walk in silence to meet our ride.
People mill about smoking, vaping, chatting with friends.
A pedal pub approaches, filled with women wearing cowgirl hats and several of them hoot and holler as they pass.
When we get back to his house, Ryan heads to his basement where all his gaming systems are set up, and I head to the spare bedroom I use when I’m here. Checking again for a text from Cassie, I see none and decide to start up a conversation.
How has Cassandra’s night been?
Her response comes instantly.
Cassie
Well, I met Josie. Penny and I are still at her house.
A second later my screen lights up with a FaceTime call from Cassie. This should be interesting. Mom and I talked this morning, and she mentioned that Josie’s kids were staying over. Josie is practically family and Mom treats Abby and Jay like her own.
There’s some kind of scuffle and then Penny’s face fills the screen, Josie’s dog Smudge in her arms.
“Liam, I told them not to FaceTime you. Cassie and Josie have had a wee bit too much to drink. You’ve been warned.”
“Oh boy,” I mutter. I don’t have a clue what a drunk Cassie looks like, but I’ve witnessed my fair share of drunk Josie exhibitions over the years. She can go from the life of the party to sobbing in her pillow in sixty seconds flat.
Then I take a second to scan Penny’s face. Under her eyes are shadows that aren’t usually there and a sad look in her eyes I haven’t seen in a while.
“You okay, Penny?”
She lifts a shoulder and lets it drop. “Just missing Austin. His tour ends in a few days, though.”
“Yeah, well, try to get some sleep. Anything I can do?”
“Unless you can go and physically drag him back here, no.”
Another scuffle and Josie and Cassie’s faces appear, though they’re holding the phone at the worst angle possible, all chins and nostrils.
“Hey, Liam!” they shout in unison, then the phone finally lifts enough for me to see them properly.
“Liam.” Josie moves the phone so close to her face all I see is her eyes.
“Why have you been keeping Cassie all to yourself? I loooooove her!” Then she pulls the phone away and leans over and gives Cassie a loud kiss on her cheek.
Cassie’s face is flushed, and I can tell she’s got a good buzz going.
“You know I’ve never been good at sharing my favorite things, Josie.”
If I’m not mistaken, the color on Cassie’s cheeks deepens. God, she’s gorgeous.
Josie lays her head on Cassie’s shoulder, twirling a lock of blonde hair and looks straight at the camera. “Liam, I demand more time with Cassandra Noelle James.”
“Not my middle name,” Cassie sing songs, but Josie is on a roll now.
“Singing River is keeping her. She’s never allowed to leave.”
Well, shit. Cassie leaving Singing River hasn’t crossed my mind. I felt like she was setting down roots here. Now a pit grows in my stomach at the thought.
From off screen I hear Penny yell, “Liam, I promise I’ve cut them off. Only water from here on.”
Cassie snatches the phone so that only her face is in the frame now, a strand of hair stuck to her cheek. “Liam,” she whisper-yells, “I like your face.” With one finger she caresses the phone screen, and Josie swats her hand back down. “It’s very…perfect.”
“Liam does have a perfect face,” Josie agrees. “Penny, don’t you agree Liam has a perfect face?”
Cassie narrows her eyes, nostrils flared and she turns a murderous glare on Josie. “Find your own perfect face. This one’s mine.”
I hear a clap and Penny’s voice, again from off the screen. “Okay, you two, it’s bedtime. Tell Liam good night and we’re done.”
“Good night, Liam! Quit hogging our girl!” Josie shouts, shooting me finger guns.
“Night, Liam,” Cassie says, quieter, and waves at the screen.
The call ends and I’m left staring at my lock screen, a grin on my face I haven’t earned.
Because here’s the thing about nights like tonight.
The best and the worst parts happened within an hour of each other.
Ryan cracking open a door that’s better bolted shut, and Cassie’s face on a phone screen, saying this one’s mine like she means it.
I set my alarm, click off the lamp, and lie in the dark with two names in my mouth. One I can’t stop saying and one I can’t start.