Chapter Six #2
Music filled the cab in lieu of talking.
It wasn’t as comfortable as the silence had been between Wolf and me.
For some reason, the desire to learn all I could about Bowie while watching him grow as a musician and come out of his shell was at the forefront of my mind.
Using the butterfly cocooning metaphor wasn’t quite fitting, yet at the same time it was.
As the butterfly emerges from its cocoon, so young and full of life.
Jesus, now I had some bland-ass narrator's voice stuck in my head. No wonder kids fall asleep in class. These voices would lull my ADHD-riddled brain into submission.
“Alright,” I opened the garage door for us to unload through. “Home sweet home.”
“Nice.”
“Grab your pokey princess, and let’s head inside.”
Ha, got another laugh from the surly guitarist. He seriously carried that cactus in both hands, taking nothing else but her, as if he were afraid of breaking even a single needle.
He talked to her the whole way, telling her she was going to have a new window to sit in.
He used the same soft, cooing voice as he’d used on the ride, the one time I’d had to slam on my brakes after an idiot had whipped out in front of me.
His tone was one I’d heard used on frightened critters, but never houseplants.
The rest of us loaded our arms, and they followed me inside.
“Kitchen, living room, bedroom one, which is for Tony,” I nodded as we passed each space.
“Bedroom two right next door, Bowie, that’s yours.
Bathroom is across the hall for you to share, and my room is beside it.
” I had a simple ranch home, but the price was right when I bought it, and over time I’d done some updates.
Still had a list a mile long, but my favorite place was out back with a beer in hand, feet propped up on the side of the firepit with a roaring blaze in it.
Of course, residing anywhere near Seattle meant those days were few and far between, thanks to the rain, but I cherished every one of them.
“There’s a key on top of the dresser in your rooms for you. ”
“Sweet pad,” Tony said. “Thanks for letting us crash here.”
“No worries. Will be nice to have voices other than my own around.” Sad much?
Jeez, Pressley, why not lay all your cards on the table the first night.
“Help yourself to food and whatever else you need. I keep a whiteboard on the fridge for the grocery list, so if there’s anything you want or use the last of, just write it on there. ”
After a quick dinner of pizza, I ran Wolf home while the boys settled in. Driving, moving, and all that it encompassed made for an early night, and everyone was in bed before ten p.m.
“Whoa, this is where they live?” Wide-eyed, Tony said from the backseat. We’d just checked in at the guard shack where Joey and Stoli lived.
“All the guys from Social have houses in this subdivision.” It was kinda cool they did that. The four of them were as tight as brothers, even fought like them from time to time, but they loved each other fiercely.
“Welcome, Fuckers!” Stoli greeted us with open arms and backslaps as soon as we hit their front porch. Joey was a bit more subdued, though he smiled and shook his head at his husband’s silly antics. “Come on in.”
“Holy shit!” Bowie exclaimed. “You can see straight outside.”
“Yes, an expense that was well worth it,” Joey replied. “We like to cook and entertain, and it’s easier to mingle when the common areas are open to one another. Plus, Stoli loves to garden and actually spends a ton of time outside when the weather permits.”
“Enclosing our pool was one of the smartest things we did. The top is retractable for sunny days. Wait until you see my grill station.” Stoli rubbed his hands together like a mad scientist while Joey rolled his eyes.
“Gotta admit, babe, my meat is the best.” A round of groans rumbled through the room. “What? It is.”
“No, just,” Joey pinched the bridge of his nose. “No, Stoli.”
“First floor you can see all but the office.” Stoli waved his hand around, “Second floor has far too many bedrooms for two people. But it’s the basement that’s the sweet spot. Gentlemen, follow me.”
The basement was completely finished and ran the width and length of their mansion.
It was easily five thousand square feet down here.
Hell, two of my houses would fit in it. “Wow, this is insane.” Fully stocked game room with a pool table and old-school stand-up arcade video games, one wall had the biggest TV screen I’d ever seen, while another had a bar and fridge.
The last wall was all glass, and behind it was a recording studio with every piece of band equipment you’d ever need.
“Dude, this is fucking amazing.” I swear bBowie was drooling. “Tell me we get to play with all your toys?”
“The ones you see in here,” Stoli winked, “yes. The others are for Joey’s use only.”
Joey’s head turned skyward. “Goddess, help me to not choke my husband tonight.”
“Shall we take a detour off TMI highway?” A change in subject was due, though I had to say these two were funny as hell. “Bowie had some questions, and I’m sure Tony does too. Me personally, I’d like to see what kind of a game plan we can come up with for the band.”
Stoli fell back onto the massive sectional sofa.
Who knew they made them this big? “As soon as the band’s assembled, you need to play together and find your groove.
Joey, me and Mickey will be with you along the way.
Diamond will pop in and out, but he will likely have whoever the drummer ends up being out to his place too.
Shadow has mentioned flying up to help out too. ”
“Sweet, I can’t wait. Super stoked. I love the idea of all of us being new and not just filling in places vacated by others.” Tony and Bowie exchanged a quick glance. “You really think I can become a good enough singer?”
“Tony,” Joey pointed at him, “I have no doubt you’ll become a great singer and frontman for Imminent Danger.”