Taylor was onstage with his brothers, playing a gig for their tour. His throat was on fire for some reason, and he was having a terrible time singing the songs.
His voice was getting increasingly more hoarse as he tried to sing with the intensity that the song commanded. On the last note, his voice cracked, badly. Ike turned to look at him with a questioning look on his face. Tay shook his head at his brother and took a sip of his water. It burned down his throat like liquor, and he winced momentarily from the pain.
"Only two more songs to go." he told himself. "Bloody MMMBop. At least Zac sings lead on Man from Milwaukee." He realized that Isaac was saying something.
"You guys, since we like you so much, we're gonna sing you an extra special bonus song. This song has never been heard by anyone but us. We hope you enjoy it." he grinned at the strong-lunged crowd and began to play the opening chords.
"Auugh! Thanks, Ike. Man, I forgot about that friggin' song. Oh well, hope my voice can get through it." Tay was too busy thinking things of this nature, and so missed his cue, coming in too late with the keyboards. He recovered quickly, and smiled sheepishly in return to Isaac's mildly irritated look. He fought his way through the song, and through MMMBop, but his voice cut out on him during Man from Milwaukee. Ike and Zac continued the song, and the fans sang along, so it didn't sound bad without him. Still,. he couldn't believe he had lost his voice.
When they were through, Ike and Zac thanked the crowd, but Taylor could do nothing but wave at the crowd. They ran offstage, still waving.
"Nice screwup, Tay," Ike said in passing. Noticing Tay's silence, he turned back to him.
"Tay?"
Taylor pointed to his throat and mouthed, "Lost my voice." Ike got an understanding look on his face.
"Oh, that sucks. Think it'll be back before the concert tomorrow?"
Tay shrugged his shoulders.
"Oh well, just try not to talk until we sing again, okay? Isaac sighed and walked toward the meeting room.
Tay groaned at the thought of the meet and greet. He thought for a minute then got an idea. He quicly wrote on a piece of paper,
He shivered. "WEIRD!! Now I'm even seeing people who look like her!"
Then there was another person, another laugh, and another handshake. And another. And still another. Finally it was time to go to the hotel and sleep. The family all piled into the limo, and everyone was too absorbed in conversation with everyone else that no one noticed that Tay wasn't talking.
