Page 32 of Our Moon (JACT #1)

“Take five, then we’ll put it all together,” Jerry, the sound guy at the recording studio, calls over the speaker.

I set down my guitar and raise my hands over my head to stretch. We’ve been at it all day, laying down the first couple of tracks for our second album. My arms and fingers are almost numb. The rest of the guys are doing the same thing, stretching and shaking out their hands and arms.

I wouldn’t change a thing though because we are on point today. Ever have one of those days where everything is going right? The sun is shining, birds are chirping and all that shit? Well, today is that day. We nailed two songs already this morning, each in under two takes. It’s a beautiful day.

So yeah, I might not be able to feel my fingers, but when you’ve got something good going like that, you don’t quit.

And I can tell all the guys are feeling it, too.

We’re all humming with the energy. None of us can really sit still, and I’m glad this break will be a short one because I’m already ready to get back to it.

I had no idea it was all about to get better.

We step outside of the recording room to grab some water, hot tea for Alex to soothe his throat, and a snack, and to check our phones for messages and do the whole social media thing.

I down half of my water bottle in one swallow as I go through the notifications on my phone.

One of the label’s marketing people recommended we each have our own social media pages – Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram – to keep in touch with our fans.

It’s fun, but it takes forever to sort through everything and determine what to respond to.

It’s impossible to respond to everything, but I’d hate to piss off a fan.

After all, they made us what we are today.

I just wish I could filter out all the spam.

Halfway through my notifications, I see a missed call from a local, unknown number and a few text messages from that same number .

Unknown: Call me!!

Unknown: It’s Amy.

Unknown: The nurse.

My heart thumps in my chest. Ally. Is she awake?

Before I can tap to call her, a loud cheer breaks out behind me, and I turn to see Alex down the hallway, jumping on Trevor’s back, smiling like someone just told him the McRib was back.

Or that his sister is awake.

She’s awake .

Trevor is on the phone, shaking Alex off his back, but he’s smiling, too.

I step over to Joey and nudge his shoulder. “What’s going on?” I ask, already knowing what the answer is and damn near ready to jump out of my skin and get to the long-term care center where Ally is.

He shrugs. “Not sure. But by the looks on their faces, I think it has something to do with lil’ sis.” He looks at me and smiles wide; I match his expression with a big smile of my own.

Best. Day. Ever.

** *

After quickly explaining the situation to Jerry, we hightail it out of the studio and pile into Trevor’s SUV.

“We need to call Humph,” Alex says, bouncing in the front passenger seat.

“I got it,” I tell him. I pull my phone out of my pocket and see the text from Nurse Amy still up on the screen. I type out a quick text telling her we’re on our way, then find Humphrey Morris in my contacts and tap to call.

Turns out the suit/exec/label guy had a name. Humphrey Morris. He was apparently born to be an executive with that given name. Poor guy. He’s actually really cool, though. He kind of took us all under his wing and treats us like his kids. Probably doesn’t hurt that we don’t ever give him any shit.

“Morris,” his gruff voice stated.

“Hey, Humph,” I say. “It’s Chase.”

“Chase! To what do I owe the honor? Heard you boys are doing a bang up job in the studio today.” I could hear the smile in his voice.

I’m positive we’re his favorite band to work with, but he would never admit that.

No matter how many times Alex and Joey have asked.

It would be like a parent admitting who their favorite child was.

“Yeah, we’re having a great day. And it just got a hell of a lot better. ”

“Oh yeah?” he says curiously.

“Escape clause,” I tell him. We’ve taken to referring to Ally as “escape clause” when we’re around Humph. He actually started it, always taking a moment to ask how our “little escape clause” was doing.

He’s silent for a moment, then says, “She’s awake?”

I can’t help the excited laugh that comes out. “Yeah, man! She’s awake!”

“That’s excellent news!” he shouts. And I know he means it.

He’s not the derisive type; he genuinely cares.

And no, I’m not na?ve; he does actually care.

His secretary even told us once that she’s never seen him take to a group like he did to us.

She said it’s because we respect him, cause no trouble, and genuinely love what we do.

“We’re on our way to the facility now, and we probably won’t know much until after the guys talk with the doctors, but we will let you know what’s going on as soon as we find out.”

“Take all the time that you need,” he assures. “Well, not too much time,” he laughs. “You’re already ahead of schedule with the album since you guys work so damn hard, so you’ve got some breathing room. Do what you’ve got to do, just keep me in the loop.”

“Will do. Thanks a lot, Humph. ”

“Don’t worry about it. Give Trevor and Alex a high five for me, or a fist bump or whatever the hell it is you kids do these days.”

I laugh, “I’ll do that. Thanks again.”

“Yep,” and he hangs up. That’s just Humph.

He never says goodbye. The first few times any of us spoke with him over the phone, we all thought he hated us.

The manager the label had appointed us for the tour, Pompous Thomas, rolled his eyes and told us Humphrey Morris did that to everyone.

We never did like Thomas very much and were happy to see him replaced with someone more easy-going after the tour was over.

***

Joey and I are sitting in the waiting room at the facility, waiting for word from Trevor and Alex.

They’ve been back with the doctor for over an hour already and I’m starting to get antsy.

It’s a typical hospital-type waiting area with one television set to news and the other to a soap opera.

To avoid going crazy, you can read a magazine or play on your phone.

“Dude, chill out. What’s your problem?” Joey asks, and I realize I must really be wigging out if Joey tells me to chill out. But I can’t help it. What if Ally asks for me? What if she tells them about us? Oh man, and what if they tell her about their parents? She’s going to be devastated .

I stop my pacing and sit in the seat one over from Joey. “Sorry, man. They’ve been back there a while.”

“She has been asleep for a year, bro.” He laughs as he flips through a Better Homes & Gardens magazine. “They have a lot to catch up on.”

I hope that’s all it is.

Another hour later, and I’m trying to beat level ninety-four of Candy Crush , when I hear footsteps. I look up to see Trevor and Alex walking into the waiting room. Taking note of their ominous expressions, Joey and I jump up to meet them.

“What’s going on?” I ask. “She’s okay, right?”

Alex, looking utterly lost, looks to Trevor. This isn’t good. Alex was flying high when we walked in this place a couple hours ago. What the fuck happened back there?

“She doesn’t remember us,” Trevor says flatly. “She’s got amnesia.”

And just like that, the bottom drops right back out.