Chapter 27
27
Today is one of our more exciting press events of the tour. Declan, Grayson, and I are playing a few songs for the kids at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and then sticking around to chat. Considering the issues facing these children, I was surprised how many of them knew the words to our songs.
After our performance, Declan takes a tour with the hospital staff while Grayson goes to visit the ICU. I hang around the area they set us up in to say goodbye to the kids as their parents and nurses take them back to their rooms. As people clear out, I notice a little girl sitting alone at one of the tables. With no other adults around, I check on her.
“Is this seat taken?” With widened eyes, she shakes her head, allowing me to sit down beside.
“I’m Jack.”
“I’m Johanna.” She appears to be around ten years old with wild brown hair and big blue eyes. She reminds of a mix between Lainey and Ellie at that age.
“Did you enjoy the show?”
“It was pretty good.”
“Only pretty good?”
“It would have been cooler if Grayson had his drums instead of the keyboard.” Because of the limited space, we played an acoustic show as a trio. Dec and I on guitar and Gray on the keys.
“You’re right, drums would have been cooler. Do you play any instruments?”
“I had a harmonica for a while, but my mom said it was keeping my little brother up and she made me stop.”
“That stinks. Sometimes moms can be lame.” She smiles at that.
“She traded me a Switch for it. There is a game on there that lets me play the drums which are way cooler than a harmonica.”
“Sounds like an upgrade to me.”
“Yeah and it doesn’t keep my brother awake. He sleeps a lot when he’s sick.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Did he come to the show?”
“He’s not allowed to leave his room ‘cause of all the tubes. I usually sit with him but Mom said I could come down for your concert, but I would have stayed upstairs if I knew about the drums.” Damn. This kid is harsh. I love it.
“Do you know how to play real drums?” I ask.
“Not yet, but Mom said she’ll get me lessons when I’m older and Kevin isn’t in the hospital anymore. She might even send me to a summer camp where they’ll teach me since we don’t know anyone who has drums. Have you ever been to summer camp?”
“I have not. I spent my summers on my grandparents’ farm.”
“Did they have horses? ”
“They did.”
Johanna pauses for a moment as if to consider the merits of my childhood before nodding her head. “Horses are cooler than drums.”
This kid. When I peer up, I realize the space has cleared out and aside from staff members walking around, it is only the two of us.
“Is your mom meeting you down here?”
She glances around as if noticing the same thing. “She said she would come get me, but if the doctor stopped by, it could be awhile. I’m not supposed to take the elevator alone.”
“How about I take you back to your mom and brother?”
“Okay,” she agrees, jumping out of her seat.
Letting her lead the way, we hop on the elevator and take it to the cardiac ICU. When we arrive, I see an older version of Johanna talking to none other than Grayson. He waves as we approach.
“There you are!” the woman says. “I was about to come down and grab you. Thank you for bringing her up here. I’m Nadia, her mother.”
“This is Jack,” she tells her mother who gives me an appreciative and tired smile.
“Johanna, this is my brother Grayson. Grayson, this is Johanna. She thinks drums are cooler than the keys.”
Crouching down to her eye level, he addresses the spirited girl. “Me too.”
My chest almost bursts at the toothy grin she gives him. Until The sensation is wiped away by laughter caused by monologue on how the drums are cool, but that horses are cooler. As Grayson and Johanna debate the merits of both, I talk to her mom.
“That is some kid you got there.”
“She’s a firecracker. I wasn’t half as easy to deal with at her age and I hadn’t been through nearly as much. ”
“She said her brother is sick?”
“Kevin and his dad were in an accident when he was two. He’s had several surgeries to repair the damage but his heart sometimes has trouble keeping up.” That’s heavy. I was blessed growing up to not only have two parents but also four healthy siblings. I was the one in and out of the ER the most for my daredevil ways.
“She is a great big sister, though,” Nadia comments.
“I bet she is. She reminds me of my sister, Lainey. She told me all about the summer camp where she is going to learn to play the drums.”
“She’s my little musician. Her school doesn’t have much of a music program and professional lessons are expensive where we live. Sleepaway camp will give her the chance to learn how to play and give her a break from all the craziness here.”
Nadia and I talk for a while longer about the families struggles while Johanna schools Grayson on Switch drumming game. The buzz of our phones lets us know it’s time to head downstairs to get to the venue for soundcheck.
“I know we just met,” I say to Nadia, “But I would love to sponsor Johanna’s time at camp and pay for lessons throughout the school year. She deserves them.”
“I want to turn you down. But one thing I’ve learned throughout this journey is to not rob my kids of opportunities because of my own pride. Thank you,” she replies, eyes glistening. Getting her information, I tell her my team will be in touch to get everything squared away.
On the ride back to the arena, I think about how fulfilling that interaction was. Hearing about their struggles tugged at my heartstrings. The knowledge that little spitfire will be jamming away on her beloved drums, gives me a sense of satisfaction I’ve rarely had outside of music. I know how much being able to channel my emotions into my performance helps me. I would love to ensure other kids have that same opportunity .
If I could do something like this as my side project I would in a heartbeat. I don’t think finding kids to give music lessons to is what Eliza had in mind, but maybe she will know of something I can get involved in. I bet my list making queen could find me several local charities to support that involve kids and music.
After sending an email to my finance manager with Nadia’s info, I filter through the emails waiting for me in my inbox. One that piques my interest is from a distillery in Boston. They know about my love of whiskey and want to discuss a potential partnership. I don’t know if it will go anywhere, but I agree to the meeting next week.
My positive attitude is struck down later in the day when I get a text from Lainey.
2:13 PM
Ryder Princess
Hey loser. You taking care of my girl?
I haven’t spoken to Lainey in a few days and that’s her opener? Does she know about me and Ellie? Is this her way of offering her approval? That would be nice. Declan has been back on my case about telling her. I want to, but Ellie hasn’t mentioned it again and with things going good between us, I don’t want to rock the boat.
Of course. I feed her, water her, and take her for walks twice a day.
You make her sound like a pet. That your kink ?
If she’s joking around, she doesn’t know. She is protective over Ellie. There is no way she wouldn’t be reading me the riot act at the very least to tell me not to hurt her friend. Everyone seems to be afraid I’m going to hurt Ellie, but none of them realize that of the two of us, I am the most likely to get hurt.
Once Ellie realizes how unambitious I am, she’ll kick me to the curb for someone with more drive. It makes a man almost wish she was into me for the money and the fame because I could at least keep her enticed. I am more hopeful than normal about my ability to keep Ellie interested. Visiting the children’s hospital has gears turning in my head that could lead to something fulfilling and worthy of my time and attention.
Lainey and I are close, but we aren’t divulge-my-problems-to-her close. For no reason other than wanting our baby sister to always look up to us and save her from unnecessary stress, the guys and I try to keep that shit between us. We never wanted Lainey to have to face the darker sides of our life after stealing away pieces of her childhood already.
It’s part of why I keep it light with her. And why hiding my relationship feels wrong. The good things were always what I could share with her and for now, I am keeping the best thing that has ever happened to me under wraps. Not wanting to slip up, deflection is the name of the game.
Nah. I leave the kinky shit to Declan. Although, I wouldn’t be opposed to wearing a leash for the right woman.
That is more information than I ever wanted to know.
You’re welcome. Can’t wait to see you when we get to LA!
Back at you, Jackie. I miss you guys more than I expected.
Us, too. Laines.