The Caged Butterfly by Marian L. Thomas

Author:Marian L. Thomas
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: L.B. Publishing Books
Published: 2018-08-30T19:18:43+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Six

Timmy -1973

“You ready, kid?” Bryan asks as he sticks his head in my dressing room.

“How’s it looking out there?” I say, turning around in my chair and motioning for him to come inside.

“How you think? It’s packed out there. You okay?”

I turn back around and glance in the mirror. “I’m cool. Just can’t believe it’s been five years since our first jazz record went platinum.”

Bryan pulls up a chair and takes a seat in front of me. “Now look at you. On tour.”

“In Chicago, of all places,” I say, frowning.

“Look here man, don’t let that stuff get to you. It’s the past. You gotta let it go. I don’t know why you don’t go see a—”

“I don’t need a shrink. I just need to get this concert done so we can move to the next venue.”

Bryan smiles, but I can see the concerned look on his face.

“I’m good. Stop looking like that. You just need to be sure everything is handled.”

“It’s handled. She’s here.”

I glance up at him.

“You gonna be cool with this? With her being here, I mean?”

“It’s cool. We need a singer since the one we always use is sick. I’m just glad she was able to get a flight here and quick.”

“True, but—”

“It’s cool. Really.” I turn around and face him. “Look, I’m always going to love her. I just wouldn’t ever trust her again. Not with my heart. Her bite hurt, you know what I mean?”

“There you go again, stealing my words,” he says, as he stands up and opens my dressing room door. “You want me to leave it open?”

“You can close it. Give me five minutes, and I’ll head that way.”

“All right. Hurry up. You know white folks like their concerts to start on time.”

I grin at him as he walks out and closes the door behind him. I glance in the mirror again and run my hands through my hair. My eyes look tired from not getting much sleep last night on the plane.

I take a sip of water from a water bottle that Bryan had brought in and as I go to stand up, I hear a knock on my door.

I swing the door open and see my father’s eyes staring back at mine.

“Timmy.”

I take a few steps back. Both of us taking a few moments to find the next word. I look at his face. I can see the hesitation on it as he stands there, waiting for me to say something.

“Dad,” I finally say.

He reaches out to hug me, but I give him my hand instead. I see the look of disappointment, but he takes it, and we shake hands for a second or two.

“What are you doing here?” I ask as I move aside and he comes into my dressing room.

“It’s your first concert in Chicago. You didn’t think I would miss it, did you?” he asks, looking around.

“You missed just about everything else. Why change the game now?” I say, still not believing that’s he’s actually standing in front of me.

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