Crescendo

by Laurie Larsen

  She leaned against the wall, thinking about her next move. How was she prepared to act? Here she was, one woman, no weapons, no defense training. She had to be realistic. If Lindsay was here to cause trouble, what could Haley do about it? She needed help. She pushed to her feet and made her way back through the crowd to reach the bouncer at the front door.

  He ignored her at first, and then she leaned in close to his ear and in the loud room, yelled, "I need to talk to you about a security concern. I'm Haley, the band's manager."

  He looked into her face, and he must've recognized the seriousness of the situation. He grabbed his cell phone out of his pocket and typed in a text with his big fingers. A moment later, he got a response. He read it and held up one finger to her. Wait a minute. She nodded.

  A few minutes later, two men made their way to the front door. One took the bouncer's station, freeing up the bouncer and the other man. They motioned for her to follow them. They made their way to the rooms behind the stage, and entered one, closing the door behind them. A muffled quiet provided relief to Haley's ears.

  The man turned to her and offered a hand. "I'm Doug, the bar manager tonight."

  "Oh hi, Doug. I'm Haley, the band manager."

  "You said something about a security concern?"

  "Yes, thank you for letting me explain."

  Doug nodded. "We take security seriously. Obviously, with a crowd this big and the liquor flowing so freely, things could get out of hand quickly and that's when someone could get hurt. This is Michael, our bouncer."

  They nodded at each other, and Haley explained as best she could. "I don't know if we have a concern or not. But we have a potential situation with a disgruntled fan. She was spotted in the crowd last night, and there was no trouble. But I just wonder if she was scoping the place out, ready to make her move tonight."

  "What do you think she'll do?"

  "I have no idea. But she used to be the guitarist's girlfriend and unofficial band manager. When all that changed, she got mad. She blames me. Lately, she's gone crazy on the internet, leaving bad reviews on websites about Ace in the Hole. It hasn't worked, though. Ace's crowds have been bigger and bigger, despite her comments."

  Doug nodded slowly.

  "Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I'd hate for her to do something crazy tonight that could end up hurting people. I'm ... I'm so sorry."

  Michael shook his head. "We'd rather know and be prepared than go in blind. Thanks for telling us." He turned to his boss. "You and I can talk strategy, but we need to know what this girl looks like so we can keep an eye for her."

  Haley nodded. "I've just done an entire sweep of the place and didn't spot her. At least for now. Not to say she can't show up later."

  "Do you have a picture?"

  Haley was about to shake her head, and then she pulled up the Photo Gallery on her phone. Paging back and back, she hit gold. "Yes!" She had a group shot holding up the Battle of the Bands trophy in Hilton Head. There was Lindsay, standing beside Jake. She enlarged the shot so the screen was filled with only Lindsay and held it out to both men.

  Doug took the phone and they glanced at it quickly. "Mind if I screen shot this and forward it to the security staff?"

  "Not at all," Haley said, relieved that she had brought in these professionals. She was willing to put herself in a dangerous position to protect The Bowery and Ace in the Hole, but she didn't have the tools or the knowledge to stop Lindsay if she meant business. Now, she had a team.

  Doug finished with her phone, returning it to her. "Haley, you continue to scan the crowd and let us know immediately if you see her." Haley nodded in agreement. "Michael, you and I will speak to each of the bouncers tonight to tell them to check the text I sent them and be on the lookout for this girl." He looked back at Haley. "We'll stay in touch tonight."

  "Thank you," Haley said, hoping her appreciation was evident on her face.

  They disbanded and Haley walked back to the crowded room, continuing her search. Thankfully, after an hour and two more trips around and through the entire bar area, she hadn't spotted Lindsay. She made her way over to where Michael was stationed.

  "Nothing to report."

  He nodded, his big face looking satisfied. "That's good news."

  She needed a break. A moment away from the crowd, a place she could spread her arms and sit down. A rest, to turn her attention away from the intense scan that had taken up her last few hours.

  She made her way backstage to the green room. Unlike the venues where Frontier Fire played where each musician had their own private room, Ace in the Hole shared one. Actually, sometimes they didn't have the luxury of a green room. Sometimes they had to change and prep in the men's room or in a store room.

  She opened the green room door and noticed The Bowery actually provided a large room with couches and a mini-fridge stocked with water bottles.

  "Hey boss!" came Robbie's voice.

  "Hi!" Haley greeted them. "Break time, huh?"

  "Yeah, we're in between sets. Great crowd out there."

  "I know, I've been making the rounds of the place for almost two hours. They're loving you guys." She turned to Sam. He lounged in a recliner in the corner. "You sound great, Sam."

  "Thanks. We're having fun here."

  Robbie glanced over at Jake. "Man, Haley's here because we're a little worried that Lindsay has something up her sleeve tonight."

  Jake frowned, his mouth dropped. "Lindsay. Why?"

  "She was here last night. I spotted her."

  Jake took that bit of news in, his eyes working the room while he processed it. "Really."

  "Yeah. First time since Sam joined us. And you know she's become a little unhinged."

  "Yeah." He couldn't deny it after reading the poison spewed over the internet that they had attributed to her. "So what do we do?"

  "You guys, absolutely nothing," Haley said firmly. "I've got the professionals working on it. I shared her picture with The Bowery security team, and they're doing it all. You guys, just keeping playing great music."

  Jake walked across the room to where Haley stood. He put his hand on her arm. "And you? What are you doing?"

  Haley's heart melted at the tender question, and the motive behind it. Jake knew Lindsay's tirade was mostly directed at her. "Keeping my eyes open and my mouth shut."

  Jake squeezed her arm and let it go. "Good. You stay safe."

  The guys finished their break and returned to the stage. Haley could hear the minute the crowd noticed their return because they went crazy screaming and clapping, welcoming their band back. Haley settled into the couch, ready for that break. It had been a long day.

  The music began, muffled by the walls and her distance from the main room. The activity of the day, the draining emotion, the sheer length of the day, all started to take a toll on her. Her eyes drifted shut and the couch was so very comfortable. She started to drift off. She allowed it, since all here in her world was taken care of. Just a short zone-out and she'd be recharged.

  BLAKE RAN BACKSTAGE after the encore, his adrenaline high, a beaming smile on his face. Instead of hanging around for the regular high fives with the band before heading to their dressing rooms, he had a higher priority. "Hey guys, hang here for a sec. I'll go get my brother for that photo opp."

  He raced off behind the huge curtain to the far stage left ramp. Before he went on tonight he'd arranged with one of the venue's attendants to wheel Brent there, ahead of the crowd, safe from the mass exodus. Brent had actually been located here for the entire encore.

  He ran to the designated spot and waved, catching sight of Brent sitting in his chair with the amphitheater attendant close by. Brent was stoked, he could tell. Blake's heart relaxed, happy that he could share this with his brother. He approached Brent and leaned down, pulling him into a hug. His enthusiasm actually pulled the kid's one hundred and sixty pounds out of the chair, and into Blake's embrace. Brent laughed and pounded him on the back.

  "Awesome, man. Wow, you
were great. I'm so happy to have seen it."

  Blake laughed lightheartedly, all the care in the world released. All the stress and strain of the evening, all the worry, all the anger, gone in this instant. This moment made it all worth it.

  He turned to the attendant, shook his hand, and tucked a twenty dollar bill into his pocket. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

  The attendant nodded and left.

  "I want you to meet the band. Come on." Blake knew this would be a huge moment for Brent. He'd grown up on Frontier Fire music, been a huge fan in his adolescence, in Frontier Fire's heyday. He wheeled Brent over to where the band congregated, waiting for them. "Guys, this is Brent."

  True celebrities, the band members all exploded with hearty greetings and welcomes. Surrounding Brent’s chair, they leaned down to greet him with heartfelt words about how much it meant to them that he'd come. They praised Blake's singing abilities and the great job he was doing. Blake knew they were laying it on thick because of the special bond he shared with Brent. But he loved them for doing it. This moment, right here, was the best of his life, and most likely, Brent's.

  Blake handed his phone to one of the stagehands and they all gathered for a picture. They positioned Brent in the middle and everyone gathered around him, kneeling or bending to position themselves at chair level. "One, two, three, cheese!" Big smiles and happy pats on the back, and more thanks to Brent for coming. It was unreal. Larger than life.

  They all disbanded, leaving Blake and Brent a little breathless. "Take you to my green room," said Blake and he grabbed the handles of Brent's chair, moving the chair and pushing. Once they got settled in, he retrieved a couple water bottles from the fridge and handed one to Brent. "You hungry?"

  "No. Sit down man, before you fall down. You don't have to wait on me, geesh." Brent shook his head in wonder.

  Blake chuckled and fell backwards into the couch. It felt good to be off his feet, off his mind. All was good. "So, pour it on. Praise for your big brother. What'd you think?"

  Brent shook his head. "I'm sure I can't come up with the right words. It's inadequate to say great. Or awesome. Or even unbelievably monumental. But all those things are true. You are amazing. You did so, so good up there. You belonged. You have talent. I mean, I always knew it. But you can perform at this level, Blake. This is just the start. You're on your way. Sky's the limit."

  Blake listened, motionless while his brother shoveled it on. What he didn't expect was the stab of tears in his eyes. He sniffed and grabbed a tissue from nearby. Brent wouldn't make fun of him for crying. This was too huge, and both of them knew it.

  "How many cover band singers get to do this?" Blake said, and his voice caught. "How many dream about this chance night after night while they're scraping by, singing for small crowds who aren't even paying attention to them while they're talking and drinking and partying? There's no comparison between that kind of gig, and this."

  "And you've done both," Brent said with a happy smile.

  "Yeah. I still can't quite believe it."

  "What comes next?"

  Blake shrugged. "Josh Lakely comes back in a few weeks. He'll take his spot and I'll go back to mine with Ace in the Hole."

  "Okay. And Ace is doing better now too, right?"

  "Yeah, absolutely. They're playing bigger bars and even a few cool venues with stadium seating. We're scrabbling and climbing the ladder. Up, always up."

  "With Haley's help. She was a game changer for you guys. You'll get there."

  Blake tossed his tissue but didn't respond. Brent noticed. "What? Don't tell me you're mad at Haley for forgetting me at the airport."

  Blake avoided his brother's eyes. Brent knew him way too well.

  "Bro, come on. Seriously?"

  Blake brought his hands up and ran his fingers through his hair, leaving his curls ragged. "Brent, this is not for you to weigh in on."

  Brent studied him silently for a moment, and then wheeled his chair so he was facing Blake, inches from his face. "Yeah, I think it is. Because if you have even half a notion to punish Haley for forgetting to give me a ride, then man, your priorities are way off."

  Blake exhaled a frustrated breath. "She knew how important it was to me to pick you up without a hitch. And she raced off on a wild hare. And she left you stranded." He looked away. "I can forgive a lot, but I have my limits. And I don't think I can forgive her for that. Maybe it's time to end it."

  "Hold on. Stranded, is a bit of a stretch. I wasn't in the desert in the middle of nowhere without any food or water. I was in an airport. If I had to, I could've used my little brain to get myself to the venue, bro."

  "No, that's not the point. It's not that you couldn't ..."

  "Bro, stop it. Okay? Listen, I'm not a child. I know I'm paralyzed. But that doesn't mean that I can't do everything, well, just about everything, that any other guy my age can do. I'm not helpless. I just can't walk. That's it."

  Blake focused his eyes on his brother's, nowhere else. "But you didn't have the arrangements. She was supposed to be there and take care of you. Get you off the plane, get your luggage, get you in the limo. She failed at that, and let us both down."

  "So what? Boo hoo, I can't figure that out for myself? I'm a smart guy, Blake, whether you believe it or not." He threw his hands up in the air. "Change of plans. I need to find my own way to where you're playing your concert. Can't be too hard to figure out. Is that too much of a challenge for a grown man? No." Brent reached out and placed a soft hand on Blake's cheek, cupping it fondly. His voice lowered. "I'm not a kid anymore. I know you love to play the protector role, and I swear, I appreciate it. And the love behind it. But Blake, you need to let me grow up."

  Ten seconds could have passed, or a full five minutes, Blake didn't know. But an overwhelming truth filled his head and wouldn't let him go until he shared it with his brother, for the very first time. "I have to protect you. It's my job to take care of you. Because it ... this," he motioned to Brent's legs, "was all my fault."

  "What? No. Of course it wasn't."

  Blake nodded, first slowly, then growing in pace. "Yes it was. This wouldn't have happened if it weren't for me."

  Brent pulled back, rolled his chair backwards an inch or two. Joking, but not entirely, he said, "Are you telling me you were the one who set that fire, bro? Because uh, wow, that would be quite the confession."

  "No, no. Of course not." He covered the short distance Brent had put between them by scooting forward on the couch and grabbing his brother's hands. "I should've been there. I never should've been safely across town in my friend's house. If I'd been there I could've helped you get out. Without hurting yourself."

  Brent blinked, his face crushed with emotion.

  "It's all my fault," Blake murmured. He closed his eyes and welcomed the tears shed. A waterfall of pent up tears over the mountain of guilt and regret he'd carried with him over the last dozen years. He hadn't been there for his family when they needed him the most, so he sure would be there for them now. He'd be the best protector and provider he could possibly be for Brent and Aunt Gloria. But it would never be enough to make up for his absence the night they needed him the most.

  He'd move on with his own life, but he had to keep a clear sight of what was most important: his family. His responsibility to his family. And his efforts not to fail them again. Life hadn’t been easy, but it had never been as hard for him as it was for Brent. Whatever he could do to make life a little easier for him, Blake would do.

  The cushion on the couch next to him crumbled and he looked to see that Brent had maneuvered himself out of his chair and onto the couch. Brent put his arms around him and pulled Blake into a solid, warm hug. He was whispering softly, and Blake had to concentrate to hear what his muffled words were.

  "Don't be a Superman. It's not your fault. Don't be a Superman."

  Moments passed and Blake let his brother hold him, encourage him, make him feel better, his words swirling around the room and landing on Blake's
conscience. He'd never allowed Brent to be the protector—had never needed him to be. But Brent was here for him now and he was glad.

  Blake straightened and pulled away, using the palms of his hands to wipe away the remaining evidence of his emotional breakdown. "Sheesh," he joked. "What a crybaby."

  Brent laughed, and Blake knew deep in his soul that Brent would never speak of this incident again. Never tease him, never remind him. But one thing was sure, it was healing. And Blake had a whole new perspective on how his own protectiveness, his obsession with protecting Brent, had outlived its usefulness. Brent was right. He wasn't a child, and Blake needed to allow his little brother to spread his wings without him constantly taking care of all challenges for him.

  "So," Brent said, "where was Haley anyway? Did you ever find out?"

  Blake shrugged. "She went to take care of an Ace in the Hole situation. Or at least, what she perceived as an Ace in the Hole situation."

  "Well, that sounds like a very reasonable and forgivable offense."

  Blake didn't want to analyze his feelings about Haley's betrayal. One major, life-changing revelation per night was plenty.

  "Look, I know you don't want to talk about your relationship with me, bro, and I understand that. But let me just put a few things out there. Number one, she's awesome. She's the best thing that's ever happened to you, and I don't mean just professionally, although she's been awesome at that too. But personally. She's good for you, and you're lucky to have her."

  Blake looked down at his lap.

  Brent continued, "And number two, only you know what you can live with in a relationship and what is a showstopper. But I take me off the table." Blake looked up at him. "That's right. Don't use me as a reason you're mad at her or think you want to break up with her. This thing tonight ..." he gestured with both hands between the two of them, "has absolutely nothing to do with Haley. Her leaving me at the airport because she was off working for your business, that's no big deal. And unless you want to now load me up with unwarranted guilt, like you've been carrying around inside for way too long, then please. Don't break up with her because of me."