Stronger Within (The Silver Lake Series Book 1)

by McCallum, Coral

  “Well, we’ve to play a set at the school on the fifteenth,” answered Jake. “Then early next year we’re heading to Australia, New Zealand and Japan with an Australian band if it all goes to plan.”

  “Wow!” stated Lucy. “This has really taken off, hasn’t it?”

  Jake nodded, “It’s been a bit of a roller coaster ride. I keep thinking it’s a dream and I’m going to wake up.”

  “Is there money in it yet?” asked his brother-in-law bluntly.

  “We’ve not met the accountant recently, but yes,” replied Jake with a grin. “We’re starting to see the fruits of our labours.”

  “You’d do it for free,” declared Lori with a giggle. “I’ve seen you on that stage.”

  “Probably,” he conceded with a grin. “Hearing the fans singing along with you, and singing your lyrics back at you is an incredible experience. You can’t put a price on that.”

  “Is there any video footage of the tour?” asked Lucy hopefully.

  Glancing at each other, Jake and Lori burst out laughing.

  “Hours and hours of it!” giggled Lori. “There was a young documentary filmmaker following them. Every time you turned round Scott was there filming it. He filmed all the performances, I think. Simon was helping him the other night.”

  “He was?” asked Rob sounding surprised.

  “He just carried some cables and a spare battery or two,” joked Jake. “Lucy, as soon as I get a copy of the footage, I’ll get it to you.”

  “Thanks,” she said with a smile. “Now, I reckon dinner’s about ready. Rob, will you give me a hand please? Boys, go wash your hands and get to the table.”

  “Yes, mom,” they both said, racing towards the downstairs bathroom.

  “Can we help?” offered Jake, as he helped Lori to her feet.

  “No need,” assured Rob. “Go on through to the dining room.”

  After a delicious meal, Lucy asked the boys to help clear the table so she could serve dessert. Throughout the meal the two boys had been begging their uncle to play his guitar before they went to bed. While Lucy cleared the plates away, Jake ran out to the car to fetch his acoustic guitar. Leaving it propped up in the corner, still in its case, Jake took his seat again just as his sister and her sons came in carrying the birthday cake and singing “Happy Birthday.” Rob and Lori joined in as Jake sat back smiling and shaking his head.

  “Make a wish,” said Lucy, as she placed the cake in front of him.

  With one breath, Jake blew out all the candles and made his silent wish as he did so.

  “Thanks,” he said quietly, gazing down at the photo on the cake. “And you remembered about the icing too.”

  “I just hope it tastes as good as it looks,” said Lucy, passing him the knife.

  When they had all eaten a generous portion of cake, Jake asked his nephews, “Do you still want me to play my guitar?”

  “Yes!” they both screamed at once.

  “Only for ten minutes, boys,” stated Rob as he checked the time. “You have school tomorrow, remember?”

  “What do you want me to play?” asked Jake as he went over to the corner to fetch his guitar.

  “Something you play on stage,” said Sam.

  “Something loud!” grinned Josh mischievously.

  “Ok,” began Jake, as he adjusted the tuning and tried to figure out what to play. “Josh, I can’t play too loud as I don’t have my electric guitar or any of the amps we use on stage. Sam, I’ll play one of the songs we do, but it’s a quiet one.”

  As Lucy brought through the coffee from the kitchen, Jake began to gently play “Stronger Within.” Hearing the acoustic melody in the confined space of the dining room sent shivers through Lucy and, when Jake began to sing, she could feel tears of emotion welling up in her eyes. She stood behind her husband, with her hands on his shoulders, mesmerised by the sight of her brother playing and singing in front of her. The boys both sat in stunned silence, totally entranced. Neither of them had seen anyone play the guitar up close before and were fascinated by it.

  “That was beautiful,” acknowledged Rob when the song was over. “Really something.”

  “Play another one,” said Josh, clapping his hands.

  “One more. Then it's bedtime,” agreed Jake.

  This time he opted to play a more familiar song and played Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven”. Lori had never heard him play it before and she sat as enchanted as the others. As he played, Jake glanced over at her and she nodded her approval. When the song ended, the boys pleaded for a third one, but their dad said no. With sad, tired faces the two little boys hugged Jake and Lori and said good night as Lucy took them up to bed.

  Stirring his coffee, Rob said, “I’m beginning to understand why Lucy was so blown away at your album launch.”

  “Thanks,” replied Jake, realising that was praise indeed from his brother-in-law. Casually, he sat picking out a melody that had been forming in head over the last few days.

  “I don’t know how you do it,” added Rob. “I’ve not got a musical bone in my body.”

  “A lot of years of hard work,” said Jake.

  “Why don’t the band ever play “Stairway to Heaven”?” asked Lori, sipping her coffee. “That sounded fabulous.”

  “We’ve played it before. A long time ago,” replied Jake. “Who knows, it might find its way back in someday.”

  Carefully, he put his guitar back in its case, feeling a bit embarrassed at playing in his sister’s house. To him, it felt a bit like showing off.

  When Lucy came back downstairs half an hour later, she was disappointed that he had put the guitar away.

  “Thanks for playing for the boys,” she said warmly. “It was all they could talk about as I put them to bed.”

  “Pleasure. I’d play all night given half a chance.”

  “I remember,” laughed Lucy. “And it used to drive Dad wild. Was that the same guitar Mom gave you when you turned eighteen?”

  Jake nodded. “The very one. My most treasured possession.”

  They sat around the table for another hour or so reminiscing about Jake’s misspent youth, telling more tales about the tour and the end of tour party. Just after nine, Lori yawned, then declared that she was struggling to keep her eyes open.

  “Lord, I’m forgetting how tired you two must be,” apologised Lucy.

  “It’s been a long day,” admitted Jake, realising he too was tired. “Are you both working tomorrow?”

  “I’m not,” said Lucy. “But I’ll be up early to get the boys out to school and kindergarten. When do you need to leave?”

  “Before lunch,” replied Jake, getting up from the table. “No doubt we’ll be up at the crack of dawn though with the time difference.”

  “Well, if you’re first up, put the coffee pot on,” suggested Rob, only half joking.

  “Night night, folks,” said Lori sleepily, allowing Jake to help her up. “Thanks for dinner.”

  “Sleep well,” replied Lucy softly.

  By five a.m. both Jake and Lori were wide awake, their body clocks telling them it was mid-morning. Both of them had slept soundly in the soft, comfortable bed and now lay wrapped in each other’s arms, listening to hear if anyone was moving around. Gently Jake fingered Lori’s long blonde hair, enjoying the fact that, if he chose to, he could lie there all day. It had been an intense few weeks and, now that the rock’n’roll rollercoaster had come to a temporary stop, he realised just how tired he was. Sitting around having a laid back family dinner the previous night had been the perfect way to wind down. As he lay beside Lori, Jake silently reflected on how much the band had achieved in such a short space of time.

  “Penny for them?” whispered Lori softly.

  “Eh?”

  “You were miles away there.”

  “I was just thinking back over the last few months and how far we’ve come so fast. It’ll be nice to slow things down for a few weeks before it all starts up again,” he replied. “I still can�
�t quite believe what we’ve achieved this year.”

  “We’ve both come a long way, I guess,” mused Lori.

  They heard the distant “cheep” of an alarm clock signalling that someone else was probably awake.

  “I’m going to get some OJ,” said Jake, getting out of bed. “Want some?”

  “I’ll come down in a few minutes,” Lori replied. “Don’t bring juice up here. I’d hate to spill anything.”

  “Ok,” nodded Jake, as he opened the bedroom door.

  Once down in the kitchen, Jake poured himself a large glass of orange juice and, having swallowed half of it in two thirsty gulps, he then began to make a pot of coffee. He hadn’t bothered to pull on a shirt and was standing at the sink in his shorts when his elder nephew walked in.

  “Wow!” exclaimed the voice behind him. “You’re all pictures, Uncle Jake!”

  Trying not to laugh, Jake turned round. “Morning, Sam. You ok today?”

  The little boy nodded, still staring in fascination at his uncle’s tattoos.

  “Can I get you some juice or some cereal?”

  “Milk and Cheerio’s, please,” replied Sam still staring. “How come you’re all pictures?”

  “They’re tattoos,” explained Jake with a grin. “A friend drew them with special ink that goes into your skin.”

  “Doesn’t it wash off?”

  “No,” replied Jake, as he searched for a bowl and the cereal. “It stays forever.”

  “Did it hurt?”

  “Some of it did,” admitted Jake, finally finding the bowls. “It stings a bit when it’s getting done.”

  At that Lucy came in, closely followed by Rob and a very sleepy looking Josh.

  “Mom, look!” cried Sam excitedly. “Uncle Jake’s covered in pictures!”

  “They’re scary,” whined Josh, cuddling into his mother.

  “I’m guessing they haven’t seen anyone with tattoos before,” deduced Jake, pouring milk into Sam’s cereal for him then passing him the bowl.

  “I’ve never seen tattoos like that for real,” Rob confessed, almost as wide eyed as his son. “That’s some collection.”

  “You’ve had some of those a long time,” said Lucy, sitting her younger son at the table. “I remember you getting the first one. Mom had a holy fit when she saw that sword on your back.”

  “I can imagine,” said Rob.

  “The face on your leg is scary,” stated Josh, scowling at his uncle. “So is the man on your shoulder.”

  “They’re only drawings, honey,” reassured Lucy, passing Josh a bowl of cereal. “Is Lori awake yet?”

  Jake nodded, “She’ll be down in a minute or two. Takes her a while to get moving in the mornings some days.”

  Right on cue, they could hear Lori making her way down the stairs. She had left her cane in the bedroom and couldn’t disguise her limp as she entered the kitchen.

  “Good morning,” she said brightly, as she sat down beside Sam.

  The boy was staring at her then, feeling brave, he asked, “Why do you walk funny?”

  “Sam!” scolded his mother. “Don’t be so nosy!”

  “It’s ok,” said Lori, taking a deep breath. “I had an accident, Sam.”

  “What happened?”

  “I got hit by a motorcycle when I was crossing the road. I broke my leg badly and it hasn’t healed properly,” she explained briefly. “So I limp now when I walk.”

  “I’m sorry,” said the boy, staring down into his cereal bowl.

  “Didn’t you look before you crossed the road?” asked Josh seriously.

  With a wistful smile, Lori replied, “I did, Josh, but the man on the bike didn’t stop at the red light.”

  “Enough questions, boys,” said Lucy sternly. “Eat your cereal.”

  “Right,” declared Rob, finishing his last mouthful of coffee. “I’ll see you guys another time. Have a safe drive back down to the shore.”

  “You’ll need to visit us sometime,” offered Lori warmly. “And thanks again for letting us stay here last night.”

  “Not a problem. We’ll maybe take a run down in the spring. Too cold for the beach in winter.”

  “You’re welcome any time,” said Jake.

  “Thanks,” replied Rob brusquely before adding “Lucy, I’ll be late home. Don’t wait dinner for me.”

  Without waiting for a reply, he was gone out the back way through the garage.

  “Ok, boys,” snapped Lucy, clapping her hands. “Go and get dressed for school and brush your teeth.”

  The boys didn’t need to be told twice and both quickly scampered off up the stairs. Pouring herself a coffee, Lucy sat down at the table with a sigh.

  “Sorry, it’s a bit chaotic in here at breakfast,” she apologised. “And I’m sorry if the boys made you feel uncomfortable, Lori.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” replied Lori, forcing a smile. “I’m getting better at answering those awkward questions. It’s easier when kids ask though than when it’s an adult.”

  “It must be hard,” sympathised Lucy with a sad smile. “Sounds awful.”

  “It’s a taboo subject,” stated Lori plainly.

  “Let it go, Lucy,” cautioned Jake quietly.

  “Sorry,” she apologised then changing the subject said, “I need to leave before eight to take the boys to school and kindergarten. I’ll be back around nine. Will you still be here?”

  “If you want us to be,” replied Jake.

  “I thought maybe Lori and I could go to the mall for an hour or so before you leave. A bit of girlie retail therapy,” suggested Lucy hopefully.

  “And what am I meant to do?” asked Jake, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

  “Oh, I don’t know,” giggled Lucy. “The breakfast dishes will need washed and the family room needs vacuumed. That’s if rock stars remember how to do chores?”

  “Mom taught me well,” laughed Jake. “I’m sure I can figure it out.”

  “Lori?” asked Lucy hopefully.

  “Sure, why not,” she agreed. “But we do need to head off before lunch.”

  ♪

  The beach house stood in darkness in the fading light of the afternoon when Jake finally turned the car into the driveway. One hour at the mall had turned into two and then Lucy had insisted they stay for an early lunch. Traffic on the Coastal Highway had been backed up due to an overturned truck and their two hour drive had taken almost four. It had been a relief when the Rehoboth water tower came into sight signalling that home was only a few short miles away.

  “Home sweet home,” sighed Lori, as Jake switched off the engine.

  “Feels like I’ve been away forever,” he said as he opened the car door.

  “You’ve been away less than three weeks,” replied Lori. “Can you give me a hand, please?”

  “Sure,” he said, rushing round to help her.

  As Jake helped her out of the car, he could see pain etched across her face. Over the past week, he had seen that look too often and his concern was growing.

  “Don’t yell at me, li’l lady,” he said softly, as he put a supportive arm around her waist. “But I’d be happier if you called your doctor and made an appointment to see him. I can see you’re struggling here.”

  With a heavy sigh, Lori surprised him by replying, “I’ll call him in a few minutes. I missed my last check-up. I’m sure I’ve just overdone things over the last few days.”

  “I hope that’s all it is,” said Jake. “I hate seeing you in pain, Lori.”

  “I’ll be fine,” she assured him, as she unlocked the door. “You go and fetch the bags and I’ll get the coffee pot started.”

  It took several trips back and forth but, by the time Lori had poured two freshly made mugs of coffee, Jake had brought all their luggage into the lounge, including his guitars. While the coffee had been brewing, Lori had taken two Vicodin to ease the growing pain in her leg. Much as she hated taking the strong pain medication, she hated suffering the pain even more
.

  “Right, li’l lady,” said Jake picking up the two mugs. “You’re going to lie down in the sun room for a couple of hours. No arguments.”

  “I’m not arguing,” conceded Lori, sounding depressed. “Let me bring the mail and my laptop through though.”

  Almost as soon as she was settled on the couch with her leg supported by cushions, Jake handed her the phone.

  “Call the doctor.”

  Without argument, Lori dialled the all too familiar number and asked to be put through to Dr Brent’s secretary. Gentle classical music played in her ears as she waited to be connected. After several minutes her call was transferred.

  “John Brent speaking,” came the familiar voice.

  “Hi. It’s Lori Hyde,” she said. “Times must be hard if you’re answering your own calls.”

  “Good afternoon, Lori. I was beginning to think you were avoiding me. You missed your last appointment.”

  “Technically, I cancelled it,” replied Lori. “But I’m calling to make another one. Sooner rather than later if possible.”

  “Let me check the schedule,” said the doctor. “How have you been?”

  “Fine up until about a week ago,” she admitted, then she briefly explained about her trip to Britain. The doctor asked her a few questions about the type and location of the pain she was experiencing. He quizzed her about what pain medication she had been taking.

  “Can you come in first thing on Monday?” he asked. “I’ve a clinic starting at nine thirty, but it’s full. If you can be here for nine, I’ll see you before it starts. From what you’re telling me it sounds as though you’ve just overdone it on your trip. It doesn’t sound like an issue with the internal fixation, but we’ll get some x-rays done to rule that out. In fact, can you go and get them done first. I’ll tell the department you’ll be there for eight thirty.”

  “OK, I can be there for eight thirty on Monday,” agreed Lori resignedly.

  “Great. Now take things easy over the weekend. Go back to your low level pain management routine. Even if you feel ok, follow the regime until I see you.”

  “Should I try to stay off my feet?”

  “Take plenty of rest. When you are sitting down, keep your leg up and supported,” advised the doctor. “I’d be wasting my breath to put you on bed rest, Mz Hyde.”