Chapter 5
Then—Text Message Chain
One and Only Ellery: How’s life at sea?
Dante Baker (rock god): Wavy.
One and Only Ellery: Ha ha. Entertain me with stories of your fascinating life! I’m stuck in midterm land and it suuuuuuucks
Dante Baker (rock god): You’ll be fine.
One and Only Ellery: You’re not even going to tell me where in the world you are? Are you still in Alaska?
Dante Baker (rock god): Yeah. Cruising between Seattle, Vancouver, and the Great North. It’s beautiful here.
One and Only Ellery: I wish I could see it.
…
Dante Baker (rock god): You could come visit.
…
One and Only Ellery: I want to. Really. I just don’t have the $$ right now to fly :(
Dante Baker (rock god): It’s cool. How’s the music?
One and Only Ellery: I wrote a song! First one I’m sort of proud of. I’ll have to play it for you next time we get together.
Dante Baker (rock god): I’d like that. We play a lot of Chicago and the Eagles right now. It’d be cool to sink into something original.
One and Only Ellery: Are you the leader of the band over there?
Dante Baker (rock god): No. Strictly bass, minimal vocals. It’s good.
One and Only Ellery: Loud sigh. Why can’t you accept that you’re front material? The way you sing, the way you play. You’re exceptional.
…
Dante Baker (rock god): Says the rock goddess
One and Only Ellery: You’re only flattering me so I don’t eat up your super expensive Wi-Fi.
Dante Baker (rock god): I’m only flattering you to pump you up for your midterms
One and Only Ellery: Ugh. Midterms. If I put my forehead on my books, can I absorb the knowledge that way?
Dante Baker (rock god): You should def try.
…
One and Only Ellery: How much longer do you have on your contract?
Dante Baker (rock god): Three months. Then I get a six week break.
One and Only Ellery: Are you going to see your family?
Dante Baker (rock god): Yeah. My older brother is dating this girl he’s really into, and he wants me to meet her.
One and Only Ellery: Ooh, fun. My little sister is dating this girl and it’s literally ALL SHE CAN TALK ABOUT. I may have blocked her
Dante Baker (rock god): No you didn’t
One and Only Ellery: No. I didn’t.
Dante Baker (rock god): I’ve got to go. Ship leaves port in a few minutes and I’ll lose the Wi-Fi. Rock on, Ellery.
One and Only Ellery: Rock on, D.
* * *
Five months later
Dante Baker (rock god): I just don’t see why we are even having this conversation. Adam Lambert versus Freddie Mercury? This should not even be a discussion
One and Only Ellery: *eye roll emoji * you are literally the only person who thinks that.
Dante Baker (rock god): I am absolutely not. You just don’t get it.
One and Only Ellery: You’re only throwing shade because you think going on American Idol cheapens your rock star status.
Dante Baker (rock god): That’s 100% not true
One and Only Ellery: totally true. Do you want to talk about your feelings on Jennifer Hudson?
Dante Baker (rock god): She was robbed. No discussion.
One and Only Ellery: But you watched the show. Admit it…
Dante Baker (rock god): We have to stop. My roommate is shooting dagger eyes at me because I’m laughing too hard
One and Only Ellery: Fine. But just one more…
* * *
Eight months later
Dante Baker (rock god): Congratulations, graduate! Going out to celebrate your newfound student debt?
One and Only Ellery: okay, I’ve only had like one bottle of champagne. LA is so pretty. These heels hurt.
Dante Baker (rock god): Tell your parents I said hi and you should drink some coffee
One and Only Ellery: They have lots of coffee in Seattle
Dante Baker (rock god): True?
One and Only Ellery: Are you in Seattle?
Dante Baker (rock god): No. I’m on the Norway/Northern Europe cruise.
One and Only Ellery: Oh. That’s far. The only word I know in Norwegian is tak. I learned it from this murder show my sister made me watch.
Dante Baker (rock god): That’s a good word to know.
One and Only Ellery: I wish you were in Seattle
…
One and Only Ellery: I wish you were here
…
Dante Baker (rock god): Have a great time today, El. Get some rest and have fun with your family
* * *
Four Months Later
One and Only Ellery: these girls can rock like no one else. You should hear Lorraine. It’s like “Flight of the Bumblebee” only rock and roll
Dante Baker (rock god): it sounds awesome. And you’re getting gigs?
One and Only Ellery: small ones. We’d probably get more somewhere less saturated than LA
Dante Baker (rock god): Nah, you guys are getting gigs there because you have wild major talent
One and Only Ellery: we might get more gigs if we had a bass player…
Dante Baker (rock god): This again? You want me to play bass or you want me to take lead so you don’t have to do it?
One and Only Ellery: I just don’t understand why you don’t want to be famous. I’ve seen you play! Those cruisers don’t know how good they’ve got it. Do they even appreciate your genius? There’s no one else like you
Dante Baker (rock god): Except you
One and Only Ellery: Hardly. Shit, I have to go. My supervisor’s tapping her watch like she would actually pay me overtime. Tell me where in the world you are so I can picture myself there with you
Dante Baker (rock god): Southampton
One and Only Ellery: Holy BALLS!!! You’re in the epicenter! Are you dying from the incredible music overload?
Dante Baker (rock god): Not really. I mean, I’ve been here before.
One and Only Ellery: I wish I was there with you. It would be so awesome.
…
Dante Baker (rock god): I wish you were, too.
…
…
Dante Baker (rock god): gotta go. First day and I’ve got to get to my muster
* * *
Three Months Later
Dante Baker (rock god): I said, Tyler sounds like a great guy
One and Only Ellery: there’s subtext. You asked me if I was seeing anyone, and all I said was, we’re hooking up, nothing special, and Selene thinks maybe he’d be a good fit for the band.
Dante Baker (rock god): No subtext. His voice is great. He’s definitely a front man. You guys will be super happy together. I’m thrilled I have this video of him on my phone now.
Gotta go. Losing the Wi-Fi
One and Only Ellery: that’s cheap, Dante
* * *
Two Months Later
Dante Baker (rock god): Hey. I’m sorry. This cruise is my last. Promise. I’m doing a repositioning that docks in San Diego. My family is all coming. Will you be there?