ODAAT: Volume 2, Chapter 26

 

Wait

We were all so sure he would show up on time. He would be alive and well and ready to get going. But two hours after the bus was supposed to leave Detroit, we're stuck waiting.

The first hour, only Crystal seemed to be worried. The rest of us figured he just was running late. The second hour, Jared seemed to be on edge. Then, our driver, Christopher, started complaining about the schedule. Frankie knows the schedule we're on. He knows we have to get on the road. But, he's still no where to be found. I tried calling his cellphone, but every time, it went straight to the machine. That means he has his phone turned off, which is useful. Crystal tried calling the hospital, but it wasn't any help. Besides, there have been no reported accidents in the city. So, it seems like Frankie is still alive and well. We even called the hotel to see if he had gone back at any point. The receptionist informed me that he had checked out in the early hours of the morning. I expected that much. Still, she said she would call me if he showed up. It was a temporary relief.

The bus is parked in an abandoned parking lot, the second bus waiting patiently behind us. I look out the window, pressing my forehead to the glass. I remember this parking lot. When I lived here, I was trying to be a model. I came here with a photographer friend to try and build the portfolio. At my first audition I was told I didn't have the presence to be a star. I didn't. But I'm not the same person I was back then. I'm hardly the same person I was last month. I'm in a state of constantly changing, trying to adapt to the world around me. But I can't adapt to this. I can't adjust to being the frustrated manager of my fiances band. Surrounded by friends and lovers who are equally as frustrated. A road crew that wanted to be leaving an hour ago and a bus driver that's complaining about the schedule.

If any of us had James' number, we'd be calling until we got an answer. But none of us do. None of us thought to ask Frankie for it before he left. We assumed Frankie would be his usual responsible self. He is usually so on top of everything.

“Let's just call random numbers in the phone book.” Crystal suggests, whining slightly. I laugh.

“Does anyone know his last name?” Jared asks. I loosely nod.

“Yeah.” I answer, uncertain. I know that Frankie told me a while ago, when he was telling me how excited he was to get to Detroit. It's funny that we didn't stop here to see him the last time we were touring. Maybe he was too busy. Crystal looks around the bus.

“We don't have a phone book.” She observes. I roll my eyes.

“Shocker. We don't seem to have anything.” I mutter.

“So, all we can do is wait.” Jared announces, leaning back on the couch. He's got one of his legs crossed over the other and his hands sitting in his lap. His back is pressed into the couch, while his head is resting against the wall. Crystal stands up.

“Fine. I'm going to bed.” She complains, stomping towards the back of the bus. I watch her walk away, my eyes landing on Charlie. He shrugs, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Wait.” I repeat, still staring out the window. Wait. Be patient. But none of us have patience left.

We sit in silence for another half an hour before there's a knock on the bus door. Jared sits up, looking towards the entrance. He heads towards the front of the bus, even though Christopher is already opening the door. When he comes back, there's a look of disappointment on his face. One of the roadies is standing in the entrance, tapping his foot on the floor. He looks frustrated and angry and he's crossing his arms over his chest. There's a radio hanging from his belt and someone is talking on the other end.

“Where the fuck is he?” He barks. I motion around.

“Not here.” I answer dismissively. He lets out a deep sigh.

“They are running out of patience.” He complains loudly. I nod.

“Everyone is. But, there's not much we can do.” Jared defends.

“We have somewhere to be. You know we can't wait forever. We have a tight schedule right now.” The roadie continues.

“There's nothing we can do. The show can't go on without him. If he doesn't show up, there's no show at all.” I mutter.

“Take it easy, Joe.” Charlie soothes, looking towards the roadie. He shakes his head, throwing his arms up in the air. The radio almost falls off his belt, but he grabs it. The voice on the other end sounds rushed and equally as angry. Joe takes a deep breath, turning it off.

“What are we doing?” He asks, to no one in particular.

“Look, this is the best idea I've got,” I start, making up a plan as I go.

“You are going to leave, head to the hotel. We'll wait.” I finish. Joe stays quiet for the first time since he got on the bus.

“We can't just leave you here.” He argues. I shrug.

“That's the solution. You guys know where you're going, where you're supposed to be. We know how long it takes to get to Cincinnati. So, we'll meet you at the venue, worst case scenario.” I offer. Joe is quiet for a minute, then he nods. At first, just a casual nod, then growing more excessive.

“Yeah. Okay. I think that will work.” He agrees, turning around and walking off the bus. I hadn't given much thought to the other bus. I knew they were frustrated, but it was for a different reason. They all slept on the bus last night, where they've slept for most of the tour. But, they get a hotel night in Cincinnati. A chance to stretch out their limbs and get a proper night of rest. Of course they are excited about crashing. I look over at Charlie, who is playing with the sleeve of his shirt. He seems uncomfortable.

“How do you remember the names of the roadies?” I ask. He shrugs, leaning forward. He rests his elbows against his knees.

“I used to be one, remember?” He asks. I laugh.

“Right, because I know what you were up to when we weren't in touch. No, I didn't know.” I laugh, adjusting to face him. He nods.

“Well, I was.” He finishes. I nod.

“I was also a roadie. I still can't keep track of the names. I only know what they do.” I argue. Joe is the guitar technician. He tunes all of the guitars, but his primary is Jared's. Jared travels with his own guitar, so he only trusts certain people to handle it. The drum set has another technician assigned to it. There's someone in charge of sound and someone in charge of security. Everyone has a specific job. I can place the face to the job, but never with a name.

“Maybe I've just met too many people in my life. I can't remember anyone.” I mutter, finishing my thoughts out loud.

“I didn't know you were a roadie.” Crystal announces, rolling out of her bunk. The three of us turn to face her, sure she would be asleep by now. I nod as she sits down on Charlie's lap. Her arms wrap around his neck and she puts her head on his shoulder. Jared adjusts his legs to give her more room.

“Yeah. I've been on the road for years. That's actually how I met Frankie. Well, the second time.” I answer, confused about how she wouldn't know that. Then it occurs to me that she didn't hear that part of our history. The only thing she knows about our history is what she heard on that television appearance. It wasn't even a true story, just a romanticized fabrication. Crystal raises her eyebrow and I shake my head. I don't want to think about the second time. I regret even saying it. I know that Jared knows. We talked about it. But, I don't want to think about it. Not now.

I lean forward and grab the schedule off the table. It's got each of the tour dates on a list. Under each location is the arrival time and the time of departure. There are stars beside each city with a hotel night. This was one of Frankie's ideas to help keep everyone on track. I was the one who put them together, of course. But, it was his idea. I made everyone a copy of the schedule, including the second bus. Their schedule is actually taped to the wall behind the drivers seat. I sigh, looking at the time line. If we don't get on the road pretty soon, the hotel booking will be canceled. Hopefully the road crew will still get their rooms, but ours will be gone. I throw the schedule back on the table and stand up. I head to the drivers seat, putting my hand on the wall above my head.

“We've got to get going. We don't have the time to wait.” I observe.

“Are you serious?” Jared asks from over my shoulder. I turn to see he's standing directly behind me. I didn't hear him following me. I nod, looking back at Christopher. He seems hesitant, but starts the bus. The whole thing jerks slightly as he pulls out of the parking lot. I head back to the lounge, sitting back where I had been. Jared sits down beside me, instead of on the other couch. Crystal has slid off Charlie's lap and is now sitting beside him. She's got her legs draped over his and her arms still wrapped around his neck. I look over at Jared, who seems disgruntled. I put my hand on his knee.

“Frankie knows where we're going to be.” I remind him. He nods.

“What if he doesn't show up?” He asks. The thought hadn't occurred to me. Jared drops his head against the window, looking at nothing.

“Well, we do have another option.” Crystal starts, looking directly at Jared. He looks over at her, raising one of his eyebrows. I follow her train of thought, shaking my head.

“No. We can't do that. You can't ask him to. There has to be another option.” I argue, letting my eyes find Jared. He sighs.

“You want me to sing.” He clarifies under his breath. Crystal shrugs.

“It's that or, cancel the show I guess.” She offers. Jared shakes his head. We're all quiet until he says,

“If he doesn't show up, I'll do it.”