Chapter
83
Tyler and
Grace burst through the doors of Shrewsbury hospital and headed right for the
emergency room. Fortunately, Scott was
on call at the time and met them there.
“Scott….where…where
is he?” Tyler breathlessly said.
“Calm down,
Ty…he’s right in here, but hurry. The
doctor needs to speak with you.”
“Whats wrong
with him Scott?” Grace asked.
“Looks like
appendicitis,” Scott replied. “However,
he’s perforated so they’ll have to operate immediately.”
“Perforated?”
Tyler asked. “Scott, please use words
us simple chaps understand.”
“Its
ruptured,” Scott explained. “Which
means, there’s a chance that infection setting in, which is why they have to
operate immediately.”
“Oh God,”
Grace whispered as she and Tyler were led to the gurney in the ER where Mark
was laying on. His face was contorted
in pain and his face was covered with sweat.
Grace went right to her son as the attending physician went to Tyler.
“Mr. Savage,
I’m Dr. Fulton. Your son Mark’s
appendix has ruptured and we need to remove it immediately before infection
sets in. You’ll need to sign these
forms.”
As Tyler took
care of the forms, Grace bent over her son’s perspired face and kissed his
forehead, startled to feel that his skin was hot.
“Mark, its
okay we’re here,” she soothed him.
“They’re gonna have to take your appendix out, lad.”
“Mum, it…..”
Mark winced. “Crikey, it hurts so
much. Feels like a Guiness truck ran
over my stomach.”
“I know,
lad. You’ll be okay once it comes
out. Your dad and I are here. We’ll be in the waiting room while they
operate. We’re not gonna leave, okay?”
Mark was too
weak to do anything but nod. Tyler
finished signing the papers then went over to Mark. “Aye lad, you’re gonna be okay.
They’re gonna operate on you now.
Your mum and I will be waiting.”
Grace put her
hand on her son’s forehead again and bit her lip. “Dr. Fulton, why is he so hot?”
“Well, a high
fever is a sign of appendicitis, but its also the sign of an infection. Which is why we’ve got to prep him
stat. C’mon, lets get him into OR.”
In a flash,
Mark was wheeled out of the emergency room and up to OR. As Tyler and Grace followed, Tyler made a
quick call on his cell phone to Chelsea.
Trevor answered the phone.
“Uncle Ty….is
Mark okay?” Trevor asked with worry.
“He has to
have his appendix out lad,” Tyler replied.
“Listen, just let your mum know what’s going on and have her call the
house to check on Abby. I know she’s
13, but I don’t know how long we’ll be here.
Just make sure she’s okay and tell her we’ll call her in a little
while.”
“Okay,” Trevor
replied. “Mark’s gonna be alright, isn’t he?
I mean, its just his appendix.
That’s pretty common.”
“Well, the
doctor’s are worried about infection.
We won’t know until he comes out.
We’ll call as soon as he does.”
“Okay. Tell him……tell I’ll be by tomorrow.”
“I will
Trevor. And thanks for checking up on
Abby for us.”
“No
problem. Just call soon.”
“We will. Bye.”
Tyler clicked
off his cell phone as he and Grace entered the waiting room.
And…..waited……
Chapter
84
Several hours
later, Dr. Fulton came out of surgery and went to find Tyler and Grace in the
waiting room. They both rose when he
came in.
“Mr. &
Mrs. Savage, everything went fine with removing Mark’s appendix. He’s in intensive care recovering. However, we won’t know about infection until
he wakes.”
“Well…..what
if he has an infection?” Grace asked.
“We’ll have to
put him on an IV of very strong antibiotics,” Dr. Fulton said. “He should be awake soon and then we can
move him to a private room.”
About twenty
minutes later, Tyler and Grace went into ICU to see Mark as he awoke from
surgery. Tyler bent over him.
“Aye
sport. How ya feeling?”
“Mmm,” was all
Mark could manage to say as he fluttered his eyes. He was obviously weak and not fully awake.
An hour or so
later, Mark was moved to a private room where Tyler and Grace stayed with him
for a while. It was then that Tyler
suggest that Grace go home to Abby while he stayed with Mark.
“Call if
anything happens,” Grace said.
“Nothing’s
gonna happen, luv,” Tyler assured her.
Grace nodded
then went to kiss her son’s forehead, which was slightly warm. She didn’t think much of it as she stroked
his hair. “Mark, I’m gonna go home
because Abby’s alone. Your dad’s gonna
stay. I’ll be back tomorrow, okay?”
“Okay mum,”
Mark quietly said.
Grace left and
Tyler turned the telly. After a while,
Mark began to drift off to sleep. He
wondered if this was a good thing for him to do since he just woke from being
under anesthesia. As he thought that, a
nurse entered the room to check on him.
“Um, excuse
me……..”
“Lisa,” the
nurse replied. “I’ll be Mark’s nurse
for the night shift.”
“Lisa,
yes…..uh….should he be going off to sleep like that? Is it an after effect of the anesthesia?”
Lisa put a
hand to Mark’s forehead and her eyes widened.
“Oh dear,” she said. “I think
he’s developing a fever. Mark? Mark, wake up….I have to take your temperature.”
“Huh?” Mark
groggily murmured as his eyes barely opened.
Lisa put the
thermometer in his mouth then took his pulse.
She retrieved the thermometer and sighed. “100. He may have an
infection. I’m gonna have to test his
white blood count. We may have to start
him on an IV of antiobiotics.”
Tyler felt
Mark’s forehead as the nurse took his blood.
His skin was very hot and his temp was high. The infection from his ruptured appendix obviously set in after
all.
“Is he gonna
be alright?”
Lisa put the
vial of blood in her pocket. “I’m gonna
have this tested immediately, but, in the meantime, I’m gonna page Dr. Fulton
to come here take a look. We don’t want
to put him on the antibiotics unless
we’re absolutely certain, but we don’t want to take chances either. The sooner we start him, the better.”
Within fifteen
minutes, Dr. Fulton came to check on Mark.
His fever didn’t sit well with him and turned to Tyler. “I’m gonna start him on antiobiotcs
now. We should have his white blood
count very soon, but the fever is a good indication.”
An IV was
inserted into Mark’s arm and a bag holding antibiotics was hung from the
rack. Mark was delerious and falling in
and out of sleep and they tried to keep him awake as long as they could.
Tyler had went
into the waiting room while Mark was being tended to and called home.
“Grace, its
me.”
“How’s Mark?”
“Well, he’s
got an infection. He’s got a 100 fever
and they just tested his white blood count.
They’ve put him on antibiotics right away.”
“Ty….is he
gonna be alright?”
“Yes luv,
he’ll be fine,” Tyler tried to reassure her.
“Maybe I
should drop Abby off at Scott’s and come back……”
“No, don’t
worry. I’m gonna stay the night with
him. The nurse got me a nice comfy
chair to sleep in. I’m not leaving him. And…I’ll let you know if anything happens.”
“Call me with
anything, you understand Ty! I want to
know.”
“Grace, don’t
worry. He’ll be fine.”
“Ty, hold
on. Abby wants to talk to you.”
Tyler waited
while Grace handed the phone to his daughter.
“Daddy?” she
said in a broken voice.
“Yes luv. You okay.”
Abby began to
cry. “Daddy! Mark’s not going to die, is he?
I know he’s a mega pest, but I don’t want him to die!”
Tyler sighed
as his own eyes began to tear. “Abby,
luv. Mark’s not going to die. He does have an infection, but they’ve given
him medicine for it. He’s gonna need
time to fight it off. When he’s a
little better you can come see him, okay.
Don’t’ worry luv. I’m gonna stay
here all night with him so you be good for mum, okay?”
“Okay. I love you.”
“I love you
too. Tell mum I’ll call her later.”
Tyler hung up,
hoping that his words comforted his daughter.
They sure
didn’t comfort him.
Chapter
85
By ten o’clock
that evening, Tyler checked in with Grace one last time. Mark was still stable since the nurse last
came to check on him.
He went back
to Mark’s room and got himself comfortable in the chair, however, Lisa came in
one last time. She took Mark’s
temperature and pulse. Then she
frowned.
“What is it?”
Tyler asked.
“His
temperature is up,” Lisa replied.
“102. And, we got his white blood
count back. Its over 400, which is very
high.”
“But….but he’s
been on the antibiotics for a couple of hours now,” Tyler said. “Why is his temperature higher?”
“Well, the
infection probably got worse in the interim,” Lisa said. “This isn’t something he’s gonna kick
overnight. It may take a few days. Even though he’s young and strong, he just
had surgery so his body is too fatigued to fight it. We just need to wait it out.”
As Lisa
gathered her things to leave, Tyler stopped her. “Lisa, can someone die from an infection from an appendectomy?”
Lisa bit her
lip. “Mr. Savage, why do you want to
know…….?”
“Just….just
tell me,” he interrupted her.
“Yes, they
can. If its not detected and treated in
time. Even though Mark’s was discovered
fairly soon after surgery, his temp and white count is still dangerously
high. We’ll watch him carefully, don’t
you worry. Why don’t you get some
rest?”
Tyler sat in
his chair and pulled it close to Mark’s bedside. He lightly felt his cheek and it was burning hot. Even though he slept, his breathing was
ragged.
This was the
last place Tyler wanted to be, by his son’s hospital bedside as he basically
fought for his life. The last time they
were both in a hospital at the same time was when Mark was born. Tyler managed a smile as he fondly
remembered that day almost 18 years ago……..
……..Tyler
held Grace’s hand as they awaited their firstborn child to be cleaned up. Grace lay there, exhausted but exhilirated
after giving birth to her son. Within
moments, a tiny bundle wrapped in white with a little blue cap on his head, was
placed in Grace’s arms. Tyler sat down
next to her as he leaned in to stare in awe at the perfect little baby that he
and Grace created. His son.
“Oh my God,
Ty….he’s…..he’s so beautiful,” Grace said as she kissed his tiny sleeping
face.
Tyler
kissed his son’s hand with tears in his eyes.
“Yes he is….just like you,” he replied.
“I love you so much, Grace. So
damn bloody much.”
Just then,
the doctor came over with the certificate in his hand. “Well, does this wee lad have a name yet, or
are you still thinking one up?”
Tyler and
Grace looked at each other first before Tyler answered the doctor. “This lad’s had a name as soon as we knew we
were having a boy,” he stated proudly.
“His name is Mark Randall Savage.”
The doctor
wrote the name down so it could be typed on the certificate. “Is he named after family?”
Tyler’s
face was confident. “Yes, he is. He’s named after……..my brothers. My two band brothers who’ll live on in him.”
The doctor
saw the exchange between husband and wife that only they understood and walked
away with a smile. Tyler took his son
from his wife’s arms and cuddled him close.
“God, I
wish your namesakes were here to see you,” Tyler whispered to Mark. “You’d love them, Mark, just as much as I
did. And they’d love you………”
Tyler
absentminded stroked Mark’s hair as he reveled in the memory of the day he was
born. He then bent over his hospital
bed and kissed his hot forehead.
“What I
wouldn’t give for them to be alive to see you lad,” he softly said before he
took his chair.
Tyler clicked
the telly off and closed his eyes, trying to block out the light and voices
outside the slightly open door of Mark’s hospital room. He turned away from the door and closed his
eyes, awaiting sleep to overtake him.
However, the sound of the door clicking closed made his eyes open.
The room was
plunged into darkness without the light from the hospital corridor
outside. He got up and went to open the
door, but the handle wouldn’t turn.
After several tries, he lightly banged on the door for someone to hear
on the other side.
Suddenly,
Tyler was overcome with a very strange feeling. And then…..his senses were assailed. They were filled with the smell of spilled fuel, smoke and
twisted metal. And blood. No……..death.
A strange,
hazy fog built up behind him. Before he
could turn around, two very familiar voices called out to him.
“Aye mate,”
one voice said.
“Long time, no
see,” the other one said.
Tyler turned
around and, standing before him, were Mark Shepard and Randy Spencer.
Chapter
86
Tyler stood
there frozen, his entire body shaking as his hand continued to grip the handle
of the hospital room door. He blinked
several times, but it would not erase the sight of his two deceased friends and
bandmates.
“W…w…what……..what
is this?” Tyler stammered. “This…..this
is a dream. It has to be.”
Randy and Mark
looked at each other and raised their eyebrows before looking back at Tyler.
“If that’s
what you want to call it,” Randy mused.
Tyler couldn’t
take his eyes off them. They hadn’t
changed one bit since he last saw them.
“You…..you’re
both wearing the same clothes you had on the night of……I mean…..I…I remember
what you both had on. You….you look
exactly the same.”
“Well, we’ve
um….modified ourselves just a bit,” Mark said.
“I don’t think you wanted to see what we looked like when they pulled us
from the car. My face and head were
full of glass.”
“And I had a
steering wheel imbedded in my chest,” Randy added.
Tyler put his
hands over his ears. “No! Don’t!
Please don’t remind me!
I’d….I’d rather remember what happened before that. We had just
performed at the Britsh Music Awards.
We went back to my house afterwards to change. Randy…you….you went to go get your ’69 Corvette so we could all
go out. But……but I didn’t go. I didn’t go! Oh God, how could you ever forgive me for not going.”
Tyler sunk the
floor and cried almost 25 years of pent up guilt. Randy and Mark both went over to him and bent down.
“Forgive you?”
Mark asked. “For what? For not coming along so you could die with
us? Or end up fighting for your life
like Kevin? Don’t be serious, Ty.”
Tyler looked
up at his friends who looked youthful and alive, despite the
circumstances. “I just….I just feel
like I abandoned you. Maybe…maybe if I
came I would’ve drove and could’ve avoided that drunk driver. Maybe we would’ve stayed out later and
missed it altogether. Maybe…..”
“No maybe’s,
Ty,” Randy said. “What happened
happened. Nothing can change it. The important thing is that you’re alive and
Kevin survived. And….we wound up
surviving through you.”
“That’s
right,” Mark agreed. “You preserved the
band’s name in the record label. That
alone honored us.”
Randy
straightened up and looked over at the hospital bed. “That’s not the only thing
you did to honor us,” he said as he went over to the bed. Randy looked at young Mark sleeping in the
bed and put his hand on his forehead.
“We knew when
he was born, Ty,” Randy said. “Naming
him after us was humbling. He’s a good
lad, he is. No wonder why my baby
sister loves him.”
Tyler got up
from the floor and went over to the bed.
“You….you know about Tara?”
Randy
nodded. “Yes, I do. I can’t believe my dad was so heartless.”
“But, leave it
to your mum and sister to find their way to Sheffield and into Ty’s life,”
Mark said to Randy.
“Yeah, its
like fate,” Tyler said.
Randy looked
at Tyler and smirked. “Fate? Um….okay.
If you say so.”
“What?” Tyler
asked. “You mean……you mean….”
“Everything
happens for a reason, Ty,” Randy said.
“And Tara coming into yours and Mark’s life was for a reason. Don’t question it.”
Randy then
looked down at young Mark in bed as he kept his hand on his forehead. “He’s gonna be just fine, Ty. Don’t you worry. He’s got a long, prosperous life ahead of him.”
“He’s worried
about his future – or whether or not he’ll have one,” Tyler said.
“There’s
nothing to worry about, Ty,” Mark said.
“I know he’s undecided now, but he’s gonna be afforded an opportunity
that he won’t be able to pass up. Just
make sure he doesn’t.”
Tyler was
intrigued. “What? What is it?”
“That we can’t
say,” Randy said. “But, you’ll know
what it is when it happens. Just
promise me something, Ty.”
“Anything!”
“When you go
home, go find a box on a shelf in your garage.
You’ll know it when you find it.
There’s something at the bottom of the box. Give it to Mark, okay?”
Tyler nodded
and gulped. He then saw Randy take his
hand off Mark’s forehead and move away.
“We have to go
now,” Mark said as Randy joined him by his side.
“No….no,
please don’t go! Not yet. Stay a bit longer….”
“We can’t Ty,”
Randy said. “And…..you won’t ever see us again.”
Tyler’s eyes
teared up as he approached them.
“Why? Why after all these years
did you decide to show up……now?”
“We didn’t
think we had to at all,” Randy said.
“But, when you were over your parents, agonizing over how guilty you
still feel after all these years, we knew we had to. Your guilt over whether of not we forgive you for that night was
an open door. Now that you know how we
really feel, you can have closure. Now, we have to go.”
“Okay,” Tyler
trembled. “I……I miss you mates so
much. It never stopped hurting. Never.”
“We feel the
same way,” Mark replied. Then, he and
Randy walked towards Tyler and hugged him.
Tyler clung to his lost band brothers and was afraid to let go. They all hugged for a good solid minute
before Mark and Randy broke free.
“Cheers, Ty,”
Randy said. “And, don’t you worry about
Mark. What happens may surprise you!”
Randy and Mark
then faded backwards into the mist surrounding the room. Tyler walked towards them.
“No…..no,
please. Please just stay a bit
longer. Don’t go. Please…….don’t go!”
*****************************************
Tyler’s eyes
flew open as he bolted upright in his chair.
Beads of sweat covered his face, his heart was pounding and his entire
body trembled. He looked at the
hospital door and it was cracked open, just the way it was before he sat down
to fall asleep.
“It was a
dream,” he said to himself. “But…..it
felt so real.”
“Dad?” came a
groggy voice beside him.
Tyler got up
out of his chair and went to his son.
“Aye. You okay?”
Mark forced
his eyes to stay open. “Yeah…..I guess
so. I…I heard you mumbling in your
sleep, almost like you were crying. You
must’ve been having a bad dream.”
Tyler
smiled. “It wasn’t bad. I’m sorry I woke you, lad.”
“You
didn’t. The nurse woke me up. She must’ve came in to take my
temperature. I…I felt a hand on my
forehead, but when I opened my eyes, no one was there.”
Tyler felt the
color drain from his face. In his
dream, Randy had his hand on Mark’s forehead. No….no, it couldn’t be?
“Maybe you
were dreaming too, Mark.”
“Maybe we had
the same one,” Mark replied.
Tyler thought
about that and nodded. “Perhaps.”
“Dad?”
“Yeah?”
“Am I gonna be
alright?”
Tyler smiled a
confident, assured smile. There was
absolutely no question of doubt. “Yes
Mark. You’re gonna be just fine.”
“Did the
doctor’s say so?”
“No, not the
doctors, lad. Lets just say……….a
slightly more higher authority!”
Chapter
87
Mark’s
condition vastly improved and he was home within a week. He had a bevy of visitors along with a pile
of schoolwork to catch up on while recouperating. Between Tara and Trevor, Mark was able to get all the assignments
he missed and catch up on everything before being better enough to go back to
school.
Of course, his
soccer playing days were over for the rest of the season and he missed the
first semi-final, in which Westfield easily beat Bootham 3-1 and advanced to
the finals. Trevor gave him a play by
play breakdown of the game to make Mark feel as if he were there, but it only
made him feel worse.
“Whats wrong,
cous?”
Mark sighed
and frowned as he laid on the couch in the downstairs family room. “Someone’s out to get me, that’s whats
wrong.”
“Who’s out to
get you Mark?”
“Someone who
wants to screw up my life, that’s what,” Mark replied. “Soccer was my last resort, Trev.”
Trevor sat
back in the chair and stared at his cousin.
“What are you talking about? I
didn’t know you wanted to play pro. Why
didn’t you tell me?”
“Hell, Trev, I
didn’t even know until a few weeks ago.
I have no clue on what I want to do, so instead of feeling like a loser,
I guess I’ll try a go at soccer. But
now that I’m convelescent till the end of the season, I can kiss any scouts
seeing me goodbye.”
“Mark,
something will come to you. I’ve always
wanted to play soccer since I was a tot and knew I wanted to play pro someday. Its gotta be in you for a long time. Whats the one thing in your life that you’ve
always done and never gave up on?”
Mark shrugged.
“I don’t know. The only thing that’s
always stayed with me is playing the drums.
But, I have no desire to form a band, nor do I know any mates who play
guitar.”
At the top of
the stairs, Tyler listened in on Mark and Trevor. He knew his son’s passion for the drums had been in his blood
since he was 3. Even he, himself, had
no plans to form a band until he went to university and met Mark Shepard. It was a coincidence that Mark played the
bass. From there, they advertised for a
drummer and guitarist and found Randy and Kevin.
But Tyler
wasn’t pushed by his father into a musical career, so he wouldn’t do the same
with his son. He had to find his own
way. He then remembered his dream where
Randy told him that Mark would be afforded an opportunity that he shouldn’t
pass up. Tyler chuckled over believing
that dreams could be a sign. However,
Randy was right about Mark getting better and…and Mark did feel a hand on his
forehead when no one was there.
Tyler then
remembered something Randy said about a box on a shelf in his garage that had
something in it that he wanted Mark to have.
Tyler gave into a silly indulgence and went out to the garage. He scanned the shelves, but didn’t see any
strange box. He went to go back inside
when he heard something fall.
He turned to
see that a soccer ball rolled off the shelf.
He picked it up and placed it on the shelf and, as he did, he saw a box
that the soccer ball was hiding. A
strange feeling came over him, as if that soccer ball rolled off on purpose so
that he’d see that box.
He took the
box which was marked ‘Crossfire’. For
the life of him, he hadn’t remembered storing any band related stuff in the
garage. He went through it and found
some odd souvenier stuff from their early days: matchbooks from London pubs they played in, promo flyers from
their first opening acts, rough demo tapes, etc. He kept digging through until he got the the bottom. And then his heart stood still. He remembered Randy’s words from his dream
as clear as day…..
“When you
go home, go find a box on a shelf in your garage. You’ll know it when you find it.
There’s something at the bottom of the box. Give it to Mark, okay?”
Tyler
retrieved what was at the bottom of the box then left the garage. He went downstairs to the family room where
Mark and Trevor were watching the telly.
“Aye dad.”
“Aye uncle
Ty.”
“Aye
lads. Um….Mark, I uh……found something
in a box in the garage. They belonged
to Randy. I………know for a fact
that he’d want you to have them.”
Mark sat up as
his father handed him a pair of Randy’s autographed drumsticks.
Chapter
88
Westfield
sailed through the finals 4-2 and would now be facing Easingwold in the
championship. When the day of the game
arrived, Sheffield couldn’t have asked for a more perfect May day.
In the stands,
Scott, Chelsea, Tyler, Grace and both sets of grandparents were there. A few rows behind them, Mark sat with Tara
and Emily as he had to watch from the stands, although he took a bit of comfort
being flanked by the two prettiest girls in school.
By the half,
the score was tied 1-1. Both teams had
gotten down to the opposite goals numerous times, but were only let in one
apiece. Trevor kicked himself even over
that one goal he allowed, but the shifting sun blinded him for a split
second. Still, that wasn’t an excuse.
With five
minutes left in the last quarter, Wesley scored on an assist from Kyle to put
Westfield in the lead 2-1. All they had
to do now was protect it, however, Easingwold was notorious for last second
comebacks. Even though a goal would
only tie the game, it would give Easingwold the momentum it needed to go for
the winning goal.
In a scene
reminiscent of how last year’s game ended, each team’s defense fought to keep
the other teams offense away from the goal.
With two minutes left, Sean had taken the ball away and headed towards
Easingwold’s goal in the hopes of a last minute insurance goal. As the clock ticked down to under two
minutes, Sean was intercepted short of Easingwold’s goal where their offense
proceeded to razzle dazzle up the field towards Westfield’s goal, where Trevor
waited.
He took his
stance and remembered last year. He’d
gladly separate both his shoulders again if it meant saving the game from going
into overtime. He was exhausted and
wanted the game over. As hard as he
tried not to be distracted, his eyes would casually glance into the stands as
they searched for possible scouts.
Easingwold’s
player approached with the ball as they were effective in keeping it away from
Westfield’s defense. Trevor’s eyes
shifted between the playclock which just went under a minute to the Easingwold
player determined to get the ball in the net.
The crowd was on its feet in a mix of anticipation and excitement. In the stands, Chelsea gripped Scott’s hand
as they could only imagine what was going through Trevor’s mind right now. Sav and Joe were on their feet as well as
the thrill of the moment went through them as well. Behind them, Mark, Tara and Emily screamed for Trevor.
But Trevor
heard none of it. His eyes were focused
on the ball as it was passed from left to right and back again. A lateral pass to the left side of the
goal. Trevor kept his eye on the player
to his left receiving the pass.
Instead, the ball sailed to a third player, whom Trevor was not aware
of, who had a clean, unprotected shot at the corner of the goal.
When the ball
reached the third Easingwold player, Trevor was already too far from the corner
of the goal. Trevor’s quick reflexes
caused his body to lunge to the corner of the goal just as a collective gasp
was let out from the crowd. Trevor’s
fingertips grazed the ball as he fell upon his back. He batted the ball in the air and out towards a Westfield
player. But in landed in front of an
Easingwold player instead who was facing the open goal dead center.
As the
Easingwold player footed the ball, Trevor’s eyes saw where he unwittingly
batted the ball. As the Easingwold
player set to kick, Trevor simultaneously rolled from his back to his hands and
knees. He lept towards the center of
the goal the same time the ball arrived.
Instead of hitting the net, it hit Trevor in the midsection where his
arms went around it and fell to his knees.
Just as the
clock ticked down to zero.
The move was
too amazing for words and the crowd didn’t know whether to scream or stand in
awe at the indescribable athletic ability Trevor displayed. For the second year in a row, he saved the
game from overtime.
In the stands,
the Savage and Elliott clan hugged each other with disbelief.
“If anything
was gonna stop my heart for sure, that would’ve been it,” Joe exclaimed as he
hugged Sav. “That save was phenomenal!”
Tyler slapped
Scott on the back. “Proud?”
Scott grinned
from ear to ear. “Little bit,” he
mused. “I’m going down to the
sidelines.”
As Scott made
his way down, he waited over to the side while the team stormed the field
towards the goal to mob Trevor. He
folded his arms as he allowed arrogant, fatherly pride swell through him. From the moment Trevor was born, Scott had
imagined how wonderful he’d be. Today,
Trevor exceeded his expectations.
Scott’s
euphoric thoughts were interrupted by a tap on his shoulder. He turned around to see a man who looked
very familiar.
“Remember me,
Dr. Savage?”
Scott didn’t
know how the man knew his name, but then recognition came over him. “You’re……you’re the scout who was at the
Sherburne game.”
“That I am,”
the man said. “I remember you telling
me that you were Trevor Savage’s father.
I took the liberty of asking about you from someone in the stands. My
name is Martin Brucker. When I saw you
come down, I decided to intercept you.
That is one amazing son you have.
That save was absolutely incredible.”
“It was,
wasn’t it?” Scott said, unable to be humble.
“So, tell me. Are you interested
in my son?”
“Would I be
here talking to you if I weren’t?” Martin asked.
Scott was full
of curiosity. “So, Mr. Brucker….tell
me. Who do you represent? A local team…perhaps Sheffield Wednesday or
United?”
Martin raised
his eyebrows as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his business
card. He handed it to Scott and his jaw
practically dropped when he saw the unmistakable MU
logo in the upper corner.
Scott wasn’t
the only one who’s expectations Trevor exceeded.
Chapter
88
Scott kept the
card in his pocket, along with the cards of scouts representing local teams,
including both Sheffield Wednesday and United.
He didn’t say anything to anyone, Trevor especially, until he was able
to sit down at home with him in private and reveal the choices he had for his
future.
The entire
family waited for the team to emerge from the locker room. Mark had joined the team inside so he could
feel a part of what took place, even though he couldn’t play.
Afterwards,
Trevor and Mark emerged with their teammates and headed over to their families.
Scott intercepted Trevor and hugged him tight.
“I’m so damn
proud of you, do you know that?”
The tone in
his father’s voice made a chill go up Trevor’s spine. It was as if his father knew something he didn’t. Trevor pulled away.
“Dad,
did…..did you see any scouts?”
Scott tried
not to give anything away, but he couldn’t help but smile. “I saw a few. We’ll talk about it later when you get home from celebrating.”
Trevor knitted
his brows. “Dad? What…..?”
“……later,
Trevor,” Scott interrupted. “Now, your
teammates are waiting.”
Trevor first
hugged his mum and grandparents before taking Emily’s hand and taking off,
followed by Mark and Tara.
The entire
family, minus Abby who went to a girlfriends house, went out to dinner to
celebrate. Scott had a hard time
concealing a prideful grin from everyone else.
“So…?” Tyler
asked.
“So……what?”
Scott replied.
“Fess up. We all saw you talking to a few chaps who
handed you cards.”
Chelsea turned
to Scott. “Is this true?”
“Look, I
didn’t want to say anything until I talked to Trevor first,” Scott said.
“Scott, I
could go at any second,” Joe smarted.
“You have to tell me now.”
Sav rolled his
eyes. “So, are we back to joking about
dying again?”
“No, I’m just
trying to blackmail your son about spilling his guts, that’s all,” Joe
said.
Scott
laughed. “Careful, you two. I may just have a reason to give you more to
fight over.”
Paige shook
her head. “More?”
“Is that
possible?” Abby mused.
“Quiet,
wench,” Joe sassed his wife.
Scott decided
that he couldn’t hold it in anymore. He
was so excited, he thought he would bust.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the business cards.
“Well, this
was one team,” he said as he flashed the Sheffield United card. Joe let out a raucous laugh and almost
knocked Sav off his chair. “Well, well,
well! Guess you may have to convert to
cheer for your grandson, mate.”
Sav put his
elbow on the table and plunked his forehead into his hand. “Oh God, help me!”
“Um…..hold
that thought, Uncle Joe,” Scott said as he held up another card. “They’re also interested in Trevor
too.”
Sav saw the
Wednesday card, folded his arms and stared at Joe with a smug look. Joe felt Sav staring at him, but wouldn’t
look at him.
“I swear, if I
look at you, you will wind up in the hospital again, and not with
breathing problems.”
Chelsea was stunned. “Scott, I don’t believe it. Who else?”
“Well, a
couple of other locals, but I don’t think they’re gonna matter.”
“Course not!”
Joe stated. “The lad’s gonna play for
United. Ow!”
Joe turned to
Sav as he rubbed his leg from where Sav jabbed it with a fork. “He’s going to play for Wednesday,
mate.”
“This could
get very ugly Scott,” Tyler said.
“Dad, calm
down,” Grace said. “That vein on your
forehead is popping out.”
“And such a
lovely shade of purple it is,” Sav jested.
Joe flashed
him a dirty look, but before he could say anything, Scott intervened. “No use
in pummeling each other over this. I
have a strong feeling that Trevor may not even look at these teams.”
“Why do you
say that,” Chelsea asked.
Scott produced
another card. As soon as everyone at
the table saw the MU symbol, they all
gasped.
“Holy mother
of God,” Joe gasped. “Manchester
United?”
Scott
grinned. “We may have the next Simon
Farrell in our midst!”
Chapter
89
Before the
game, several of the lads chipped in to rent out two adjoining rooms at a local
motel. Although they planned on using
it to celebrate their championship, they were also intent on wallowing there in
a tub filled with a large keg of Guinness, should they have lost.
Enjoying the
perks of their legal drinking ages, the lads who were abstaining from driving
proceeded to get drunk. Mark wasn’t one
of them, since he was still taking post surgical medication. Not to make him feel bad, Tara didn’t drink
either.
Mark watched
his teammates whoop it up, wishing he could’ve participated. Even though he had been a started since his
sophomore year and a fixture on the team, today he felt like an outsider.
Tara sat next
to him on one of the couches in the room and stared at him, knowing what was
going through his mind. She leaned in,
turned his face to hers and kissed him passionately on the lips. When she pulled back, Mark was
flabberghasted.
“Not that I’m
complaining, luv, but what was that for?”
“Do I need a
reason?” Tara countered.
“I’d like one.”
Tara snuggled
in closer. “Well….Trevor may be the
hero today, but, after what you’ve been through, I think you surpass that. I’m proud of you Mark, even though you
weren’t on that field.”
“But…….”
“Shhhhh, not
buts,” she cut him off.
“Okay,” he
gave in. “Hey, I forgot to tell
you. My dad found a pair of Randy’s
autographed drumsticks.”
Tara’s eyes
lit up. “What? Oh my God!”
“I’d um…..like
for you to have them. You should have
something that belonged to your brother…..”
“Absolutely
not Mark. I’d think they be put to
better use if you played with them.
Speaking of which, have you been playing since you’ve been
recouperating?”
“Not yet. Maybe I will tonight. I got a little rusty since I’ve been in the
hospital.”
“Promise me
you’ll use Randy’s drumsticks?”
Mark kissed
her nose. “Promise.” He then squinted when he heard giggles and
groans coming from the adjoining room and then grinned. “Looks like Trevor’s getting his victory
shag!”
******************************
In the adjoining
room, a slightly tipsy Trevor was rolling around on the bed with Emily before
he finally put a condom on and found his way inside of her. His euphoric victory today, combined with
the buzz of a few cups of ale, heightened his senses, not to mention his
desire. Within minutes, his shattering
release came over him as Emily bit into his shoulder.
He then fell
on top of her and panted. “Wow! That was……..wow! Sorry if it was fast, luv, but I just couldn’t hold it. ”
Emily caught
her breath as well. “I’ll let you off
the hook today, sport,” Emily mused.
“It felt real good either way.
I’m so proud of you, Trevor. God
knows the offers that’ll be pouring in after what you did today.”
Trevor rolled
off Emily and onto his side. “Well, I’m
not gonna get my hopes up too much. I
mean, I’d like to think that I’m good enough for a local team. If that happens, we can hopefully still stay
together. I know you’re going to school
in London in the fall, but I hope we can make our relationship work, Em.”
Emily snuggled
next to him. “I’d like that too,
Trev. But I don’t want you to
jeopardize your dream either. We love
each other, and that’s all that matters.
If we want to make it work, we’ll find a way. I know London’s far from here, but my paralegal course is only
two years, plus I’ll be home for holidays and every other weekend.”
“I’m sure I
won’t be going far,” Trevor said. “I’d
settle for Rotheram or Doncaster. Their
teams are pretty decent.”
“Trevor, you
could very well be playing outside of South Yorkshire. Don’t sell yourself too short.”
Trevor
chuckled. “Yeah, sure. Only local teams would go out of their way
to scout in Sheffield. I don’t think
you’ll ever find a Manchester scout in the stands.”
Chapter
90
Around 9:30
that evening, Mark drove an intoxicated Trevor home. He stopped in front of his house and helped him out.
“C’mon, Trev,
help me out a bit,” Mark said. “I’m not
gonna bust a stitch because you decided to get pissed.”
Trevor
snickered, letting the alcohol take over his senses. “Aye, cous, don’t spoil my fun just because you’re sober. I’m 18, I just saved the championship from
tying, again, and I got
shagged. And now, I plan on sleeping
until at least tomorrow afternoon.”
Mark put
Trevor’s arm around his neck and walked him to the front door. Hopefully, his uncle Scott would forgive
Trev’s condition due to the special occasion.
Trevor tried
to pinpoint the doorbell with his index finger, but kept missing, giggling each
time he did.
“You can stop
a soccer ball from getting by you from three different angles, but you can
locate the bloody doorbell,” Mark mused as he rang the doorbell for him. Scott answered the door and was met by
Mark’s sheepish grin and Trevor’s wide, drunk one.
“Aye dad,”
Trevor happily announced. “Now…..don’t
yell at me. I mean, you must’ve gotten
yourself drunk when you were my age.”
Scott rolled
his eyes and pulled Trevor away from Mark.
“C’mon there, champ. Thanks for
driving him, Mark.”
“No problem,
Uncle Scott. However, I don’t want to
be his head when he wakes up tomorrow.
G’night.”
“’Night, lad,”
Scott replied.
“Nighty,
night, cousin mate,” Trevor said with a giggle and a hiccup.
Trevor
staggered inside and almost ran his mother over on his way into the
kitchen. “Oh, aye, mum. Shhh, don’t tell dad. He thinks I’m just a wee bit tipsy, but I
had a lot of ale. But…I didn’t drive.”
Chelsea
crinkled her nose. “Good Lord, Trevor,
you positively reek,” she said as she sat him down. “Let me make some tea.”
Scott came in
and studied his inebrieated son. “Well,
no sense in talking to you tonight about this.”
“’bout what,
dad?” Trevor asked with glassy eyes.
“Well, a few
scouts gave me their cards today.
They’d like to meet and talk with you.”
“No shit,
dad!” Trevor blurted out before he belched.
Scott knew it was worthless to scold his language in his condition.
“We’ll talk
about it tomorrow when you’re head’s not spinning.”
Trevor saw
some business cards on the center island and reached over to swipe them. “Hmmm, are these the teams, dad? Lets seeeeee………figures, both Sheffield
teams. Better cancel both of them out
else Grandpa and Uncle Joe will really kill each other for sure. Ummm……..hey, Leeds. Never thought of them.”
Trevor
shuffled the cards until he came upon one that he just stared at with open
mouthed awe. Then he let out a raucous,
drunken laugh. “Oh, dad good one! Did you and uncle Ty cook this up to poke
fun at me? Well, I’m not buying it.”
Scott saw that
Trevor had the Manchester United card in his hand and obviously thought it was
a joke.
“Uh,
Trevor……..that really is a card from a Manchester representative,” Scott said.
“Oh yeah,
sure, dad,” Trevor sarcastically said. “And I suppose they want me to be the
next Simon Farrell? Nice try.”
Trevor emphasized
his words by ripping the card in two.
“Trevor!”
Scott blurted out as he took the two pieces out of his hand. “Lad, this isn’t a joke. I know you may be too drunk to digest it,
but a Manchester rep was at the game today.
He approached me and gave me his card and wants to meet with you.”
Chelsea poured
her son a cup of tea as she gaged his reaction to Scott’s words. Trevor started to stagger in his chair as
the realization of the words hit him.
“Manchester
United?” he asked. “As in, Simon Farrell,
my hero’s, Manchester United?”
“Yes lad,”
Scott answered. “What do you have to
say about that?”
Trevor’s face
paled instantly as he dashed to the half bath to puke his guts out.
Chapter
91
Mark arrived
home and tossed his keys on the counter as soon as he came in. He opened the fridge and pulled out a can of
soda and popped it open. He then heard
footsteps approach the kitchen from the living room. Mark looked up to see his father.
“Aye dad. I just dropped Trev off. He got himself thoroughly pissed.”
“Uncle Scott
may let him off the hook tonight,” Tyler replied. “Have fun?”
Mark shrugged
as he took a swig of soda. “I
guess. Its kinda hard to celebrate when
you weren’t part of it.”
“Mark, you’ve
been ‘part of it’ since you were a sophomore.
Just because you didn’t play in the finals and today doesn’t mean you
didn’t contribute to getting there.”
“Yeah, well
sitting in the stands doesn’t get you noticed by scouts, dad.”
Tyler leaned
against the counter and folded his arms.
“Scouts? Mark, you never
mentioned wanting to play pro.”
“I know, and I
never intended to, but since I don’t know what else to do, I figured soccer was
the best bet. And what the hell happens
to me? I get appendicitis and I’m out for
the rest of the season. Thought it
would be cool if Trev and I could both play pro.”
“How about
that news about Trevor?” Tyler asked.
“Can you actually believe it?
Manchester United.”
Mark almost
spit his soda out. “What? Manchester?
Someone from Manchester was there today and they want Trev?”
Tyler bit his
lip. “Oh, I thought since you took
Trevor home that maybe Uncle Scott told you, but yes. A couple of local teams are interested as well, but
Manchester……well.”
Mark felt even
more dejected than he ever did. “Well,
at least one of us will be famous.”
“Mark……..”
“I’m going
downstairs dad,” he said as he opened the door and disappeared behind it.
Tyler sighed
and ran his fingers through his hair.
He could only imagine how lost Mark felt right now, but then he
remembered his dream, at least that’s what he’s calling it, where Randy said
the wonderful opportunity Mark would be afforded. Tyler wondered if it was true.
He also hoped
that it would happen quick.
*******************************
Down in his
sanctuary, Mark put his soda down and stared at his drumkit. He hadn’t played since a week before his
surgery, and lost the urge ever since.
However, he picked up Randy Spencer’s autographed drumsticks that his
father gave him and clenched them in his hand.
The drums were the only mainstay in his life since he was 3 and brought
him a lot of joy. It made him feel good
to excel at something.
He sat on his
drumstool, then turned on the tape machine behind him. He had taken Fusion’s debut CD his father
gave him and programmed most of the songs that he liked, then filtered out the
drums. He selected the song he liked
the best, in which the drums were wicked.
With Randy’s
sticks in his hand, Mark came in on cue and tore through the drums in that song
as if he were a seasoned rock star.
Mark was on fire, never before playing with the passion and drive that
he did.
On the other
side of the door, Tyler pressed his ear to pick up what Mark was playing in his
soundproof room. He had come down to
talk to him some more, but heard the music begin to play, then the drums. A wide smile spread across his face as he
was thoroughly impressed with how good his son is.
He then heard
something fall in the other room. He
walked around the corner to the tv room and saw that a video had fallen off the
shelf. He picked it up and paled when
he saw it was one of Crossfire’s live performance videos. Tyler quickly spun around the room as if he
were looking for Randy and Mark to reappear.
As the
drumbeat reverberated through Mark’s sanctuary, Tyler looked at the video in
his hand, then looked upwards.
“What are
you trying to tell me?”
Chapter
92
Trevor opened
his eyes the following day and looked at the digital clock on the
nightstand. It was almost one in the
afternoon. He rubbed his face and swung
his feet to the floor, only to reel back and grab his temples.
“Bloody hell,”
he gasped as his head spun. He laid there a bit until his room stopped moving
and then he got up slowly. He headed to
the bathroom where he immediately brushed his teeth to remove the pasty feel
from his mouth. After using the toilet,
he slowly made his way downstairs to find the house empty. It was Saturday, and he figured his dad was
on call and his mum was out on errands.
He then found a note from his mum stating just that.
He went to the
fridge and pulled out a carton of orange juice and, less than half full, he
drank the remainder of it right from the carton to get rid of the cotton feel
in his mouth. He then made a sour face
when he realized that toothpaste and orange juice don’t taste well together.
He tossed the
carton in the pail then saw the torn business card from the Manchester rep on
the counter which was taped back together.
Everything from last night suddenly came back. Of course, he thought his father had to be kidding. Manchester is only the best pro team in
England, so what would they want with and eighteen year old Sheffield lad? Trevor knew he was good to play pro, but he
never dreamed of being part of an elite team such as Manchester.
The first
thing he did was call Emily. “Hello?”
“’morning,
luv.”
“You mean
‘afternoon’,” she corrected. “Trevor,
did you just get up?”
“Yeah. Blimey, I was drunker than I thought. My parents weren’t pissed, though. They understood. Had to get it out of my system, ya know? Em……you’ll never guess what? A few scouts approached my dad at the game
yesterday.”
“Oh, Trevor….I
just knew it!” she exclaimed on the other end.
“Anyone interesting?”
Trevor
grinned. “You could say that. What if I told you that one of the scouts
was from Manchester?”
Emily was
silent for a few seconds. “Trevor,” she
half whispered. “Are……are you kidding
me? Truly, are you?”
“Unbelievable,
huh? That’s what I thought when my dad
told me last night. I thought he was
making sport of me. When it sunk in, I
ran to the loo and threw up. I don’t
know if it was all that ale I drank, or the excitement, or….both. Em, this is more than a dream come true, but
I’m scared.”
“Of course you
are,” Emily replied. “But Trevor,
Manchester just doesn’t look at anyone unless their worthy of being on that
team. With Simon Farrell’s career over,
their second team goalie has taken his place and they probably need someone to
back him up.”
Trevor smiled
over Emily’s knowledge of the game.
“I’m guessing that’s it. But
Em…..Manchester is a bit far from Sheffield, and even farther from London. I mean, I know that this may only be an
invitation to try out, but…..if I make it, and you go off to school in London
in the fall…..”
“Trevor,
remember what we talked about last night?” Emily said. “I know we love each other and we want to be
together, but high school is over and this is where our lives are supposed to
start. I’ll be here for you Trev, if
you want me to, and I’ll wait for you, if you want too. But…..don’t you dare pass this opportunity
up.”
“I don’t want
to, Em,” Trevor replied. “And, of
course I want you to be there for me.”
“Then there’s
nothing left to discuss. Trevor, if
we’re meant to be together, we will be, but I don’t want to keep you from
becoming what you always wanted to be either.
You’ll hate me for it, and I couldn’t bear that. We’ll keep in touch by phone and hopefully
se each other for the holidays.
I’ll….I’ll miss you terribly, you know.”
“I”ll miss you
too, luv. I love you so much, Em. I don’t want to lose you, but…..I don’t want
to pass this up.”
“Then
don’t. Trevor, remember your parents
story. They were separated for six
years before they found each other again.
As long as we love each other, it’ll be possible.”
Trevor
smiled. “Yeah, you’re right. I mean, long distance relationships can
work. You can go to school, I’ll play
soccer and we’ll talk to and see each other in between. We can do this, Em.”
Little did the
innocent lovers know was that the real world planned on changing all that.
Chapter
93
Mark sat in
the kitchen wolfing down a package of cupcakes as he read the recap of the game
yesterday in the Sheffield Star. How he
would’ve loved to see his name in there somewhere, but there was nothing he
could do about it.
He chugged a
glass of milk as he watched his mother and sister enter the kitchen.
“Need anything
while I’m out, Mark?” Grace asked.
“Where ya
going?”
“I’m dropping
Abby off at the mall to meet a girlfriend, then to the market.”
Mark looked
past his mother at his sister. “Did we
graduate from training bras yet, wench?”
Abby
sarcastically folded her arms across her slowly budding breasts and smirked at
her older brother. “Now that I’m 13 –
almost 14 – I’m much too mature to even acknowledge your stupid comments,
Mark. Mum, I’ll wait for you outside.”
With a toss of
her light brown hair, she haughtily sashayed out the front door. Mark made a face, then looked at his
mum. “She’s just like Grandpa Joe.”
“Look who’s
talking,” Grace said. “Listen, your
dad’s on the phone in his office. Tell
him where I went when he gets out.”
“Sure.”
Now that
school was over, and no solid plans for the future, Mark didn’t know what to do
with himself. He figured that Trevor
would be reveling in all his offers from yesterday, and Tara was getting ready
to go on a two week holiday with her aunt, uncle and Emily. Feeling about as useless as a snow shovel in
summer, Mark dragged himself from the kitchen table to head downstairs to where
he planned on crashing for the day.
That is, until his father came in.
“Aye lad,”
Tyler said. “Where’s you mum?”
“She took Abby
to the mall then she was going to the market.”
“Ah, guess
she’ll have to wait to hear the news, however, I think you might appreciate
this.”
“What?”
“I just got
off the phone with uncle Kevin. He just
got a call from the producer who’s supposed to be in the London studio with
Fusion as we speak working on their album.
He walked out on them yesterday.
Seems he couldn’t take Zak Silver’s arrogance and unwillingness to
listen to direction, so he quit on them.
They’ve got four songs left to record, so…..guess where Kevin and I are
headed this weekend?”
Mark let out a
chuckle. “Oh dad, you’re kidding? You and uncle Kevin are gonna finish
producing their album? How are you
gonna deal with Zak?”
“Do you think
I really care about his hissy fits?” Tyler said. “Plus, they’re signed to our record label so we basically own
their arses. They’ve got a six year,
three album deal so they better not screw around with us unless they want to be
hauled into court for breach of contract.”
“Guess you can
put that wanker in his place then, eh dad?”
“Me? Wait till uncle Kevin gets a hold of
him! You know his California
temper. Kevin was twice as bad as Zak
when he was his age, but when it came to making an album he never backtalked a
producer.”
Mark continued
to chuckle. “Oh man, what I wouldn’t
give to watch the rest of this recording session unfold.”
Tyler’s face
lit up as he smiled. “Mark, why don’t
you come with uncle Kevin and I. We’re
gonna stay at the London flat.
Hopefully, we won’t be there longer than 2 weeks, depending upon how far
along these last four songs are.”
Mark’s eyes
popped. “Really? Oh, mega!
I’d love to go. I mean, nothings
going on here. Trev’s gonna be
interviewing with teams possibly, and Tara’s going on holiday with her aunt and
uncle. All the other guys are gonna
either go on holiday with their families or with their girlfriends.”
“Good,” Tyler
said. “Plus, you may want to see the
workings of producing an album. The
business will be yours someday, if you want it. That and the record label.”
“Dad, I…….. I
know what you’re trying to do. I’d be
cool to take over the business someday, but I wan’t to do something on my own
first.”
“That’s
commendable Mark. Don’t worry, it’ll
come. Maybe this is what you need – a
few weeks away with a couple of older blokes, even if one is your father. Maybe you’ll think clearer in a different
atmosphere – and I don’t mean atmosphere as in pubbing either.”
“Aw, gotta hit
a few dad. Anyway, maybe you’re
right. Maybe getting away to think is
what I need to do.”
Chapter
94
Several days
later, Trevor nervously sat in the living room, trying his best not to look out
the window. Martin Brucker, the
Manchester rep, was due at the house any minute. After talking with his parents, Trevor wanted to take a shot at
Manchester first before he considered any local teams. Knowing that this may be a once in a
lifetime opportunity, Scott and Chelsea had to agree.
“Trevor, get
away from the curtains,” Chelsea scolded as she brought a pot of tea in. “You look too anxious.”
“I am
mum. My insides won’t stay still. I…….crikey, he’s here!”
Trevor moved
away and sat on the couch, unable to stop from fidgeting. Scott walked in, as he fastened the buttons
on the cuffs of his shirt, and headed for the door.
“I’ll get it,”
Scott said. “Relax Trevor. Remember, you’ve already impressed him enough
to show up. Lets see what they want to
offer.”
That wasn’t
enough to calm Trevor, but he managed his best. The doorbell rang and, after a few exchanged pleasantries, Scott
showed Martin Brucker into the living room.
Trevor and Chelsea stood for introductions.
“Mr. Brucker,
this is my wife, Chelsea and, of course, my son Trevor.”
“Please, call
me Martin,” he said as he took Chelsea’s hand.
“Pleasure to meet you.”
He then turned
to Trevor. “Well, young man, I can’t
tell you how impressed I’ve been by your skill as a goalie.”
Trevor’s
natural shyness took over as he blushed.
“Thank you sir. You don’t know
what an honor this is.”
Trevor wanted
to go on, but he remembered not to gush.
He tried to remain calm and professional. They all sat down as Chelsea offered tea.
“Well, I’ll
get right down to it,” Martin begain.
“Now, I know you probably didn’t expect a Manchester scout coming to
Sheffield, but you came a little highly recommended Trevor.”
“By who?”
Martin looked
at Scott. “I understand that you were
Simon Farrell’s physician when he tore his knee up. When he got the bad news that he couldn’t play anymore, he came
to me to say goodbye. I told him that
I’d have a hard time filling his shoes, even though his back up, Patrick
Tierney, has been doing a fine job. I
then said that I’d be scouting for a back up for Patrick. He then told me that you had a son whom he
met in your London office last summer – you Trevor. Simon said that you were a big fan of his and Manchester and that
you had just won the regional championship.
Simon had checked out the local newspapers and read up on you and found
out that you were quite a star. He gave
me the heads up to check you out. I
did, and am I ever glad. Trevor, you’re
more talented than he described. Now,
I’m not here to present an official offer to join the team, but an invitation
to come to Manchester next week and try out.
If things go well, we’ll then discuss all the legalities and contract
negotiations. But first, we want to
know if you’re interested in trying out.”
Trevor wanted
to jump out of his skin, he was so excited, but he sat there with utter
calm. He first looked to his father, as
if asking his permission on what to say.
Scott waved his hand to him.
“You’re
eighteen now, Trevor. Its your decision
and your future. Answer the man.”
Trevor looked
at Martin and flashed a gorgeous smile across his handsome face. “When do I leave?”
******************************
Meanwhile,
Tyler’s doorbell rang and Mark ran to it, since he was expecting Tara. He opened the door and stared at his
beautiful girlfriend whom he was gonna be apart from for a few weeks.
“Aye luv,” he
said, stepping outside and kissing her.
“Aye,” she
replied. “Lets sit outside for a
while. Its so warm.”
Mark noticed a
piece of paper that she had rolled in a tube in her hands. “What’cha got there?”
Tara looked
down at the paper. “Oh….oh, this,
I…….its something I drew. For you. I’ve been sketching a lot lately, you
know….brushing up before school starts in the fall. I did this by memory because I wanted it to be a surprise. I hope you like it.”
She handed it
to Mark and he unrolled it. And he
gasped. It was an incredible likeness
of him sitting at his drumkit playing.
He couldn’t believe the detail that Tara captured from memory. He looked at her wide-eyes.
“Wow! Tara, this……this is mega! You did all this from memory?”
Tara
nodded. “Yeah. Everytime I watched you play, I memorized
all the detail in your kit because I wanted to get it right. You look so…….so natural playing them,
Mark. Not to mention the fact that
you’re so good.”
Mark smiled at
her. “Thanks luv. I’ve been playing with Randy’s sticks
lately. Maybe I’m getting some
supernatural energy from them or something!”
Tara laughed. “Maybe.
So, you excited about going to London to see Fusion record?”
“Yeah. I mean, I think I need to get away and
think. You’ll be gone on holiday, so I
figured I’d go with my dad and Kevin.
If anything, I’ll get to meet the band and that’ll be cool.”
“Yeah, it is,”
Tara said. “And…who knows. You may just discover what it is you want to
do while you’re in London.”
Mark
shrugged. “Maybe.”
Little did
they know, but Mark’s trip to London and Trevor’s trip to Manchester we’re
going to change their lives.
Chapter
95
The following
day, Mark went to go see his cousin to wish him well in tryouts the following
week before he, himself, left with his father to meet Kevin in London.
Mark went
around the back to let himself in through the kitchen door when he saw Trevor
in the backyard volleying a soccerball with his feet and knees.
“Guess you can
never practice too much, eh Trev?”
Trevor dropped
the ball when he saw his cousin and smiled.
“Guess not. This is crazy,
Mark. Bloody fantastic, but crazy. Ever since that guy left the other night
I’ve been afraid to wake up every morning, thinking that this was just some
dream. I still can’t believe it.”
“Me neither,
but I wouldn’t complain,” Mark chuckled.
“Just don’t forget about us common blokes when you become a rich, famous
soccer player.”
Trevor rolled
his eyes and flashed a trademark blush.
“Aw, stop it. I’m trying out for
a backup position. I’ll be lucky if I
get off the bench at all, let alone make the team.”
Mark threw his
hands up and huffed. “For bleedin’
Christ’s sake, Trev, will you give yourself some credit and stop being so
humble. Enough’s enough, already. You were good enough to impress Simon
Farrell for him to tell a scout to look out for you. They don’t pull green lads like us out of Sheffield for
pity. This is Manchester United. They only take the best. And for that, they only try out the best. You go in there thinking you’re not good
enough to deserve a shot and you won’t get one. Those bloke’s will see some naïve eighteen year old and they’ll
try to eat you alive before you have a chance to prove yourself. Trev, you’re good enough to get there. So show them that you’re good enough to stay
there!”
Trevor let
Mark’s words sink in. He knew he was
right. He was young and had to prove
himself in front of a bunch of seasoned players. He knew he’d be ribbed and tested to the max to see if he’d
break. Trevor knew that this was his
one and only shot and, if he had any chance, he’d have to show up in Manchester
with thick skin and a firm resolve. And
a little arrogance to boot!
“Thanks Mark,”
Trevor finally said. “So……when you
leaving for London?”
“In an
hour. My dad and I are meeting my uncle
Kevin in London. I just came to say
goodbye. I saw Tara last night. Man, I’m gonna miss her.”
“I know, I
feel the same way about Emily,” Trevor said.
“But, she’s on my side, you know.
She wants me to make it. But……I
don’t want to risk losing her either.
We’re gonna try to make it work.”
“Well, if
history runs in the family, it just might,” Mark said. “Our parents went through their traumas and
separations and things worked out. Who
knows? Anyway, you’re only eighteen,
Trev. You’re gonna have soccer groupies
hanging around. Manchester probably has
some of the best.”
Trevor had to
grin. “Yeah, no doubt. We just agreed to take it one day at a
time. I guess that’s all I can do.”
“At least you
know where you’re going,” Mark said. “I
still don’t have a clue what to do and Tara’s been so supportive. She thinks I should put a band
together. Hell, if I knew of some mates
who played guitar and sang, maybe I would.”
“Well, maybe
after watching Fusion record you’ll get bit by the bug,” Trevor replied. “Don’t worry Mark, things’ll come together.”
“I hope
so. Well, I better get going. Knock ‘em dead, Trev.”
Mark stepped
forward and gave his cousin a hug.
Trevor felt his desperation in his hug for a brief moment.
“Thanks
Mark. You know, you’re not just my
cousin. You’re the best friend I ever
had. Lets not have anything come
between that.”
Mark pulled
back and looked at his cousin who was, indeed, his best friend as
well.
“Never.”
Chapter
96
Tyler and Mark
arrived at the London flat around dinnertime.
The flat had once belonged to Sav and Joe when they first started the
London studio and had now been passed down.
Tyler fondly
remembered the weeks that he and the rest of Crossfire stayed there while
recording their demo and afterwards
while they played local pubs to earn some money before it was shopped
around. A lot of good times were spent
there with Kevin, Randy, Mark and assorted female company!
They arrived
at the door and noticed it open. Tyler
walked in and dropped his bag.
“Kev…….is that
you?” Tyler called out.
Kevin Schon
sauntered out of one of the bedrooms with a shirt in one hand and a hanger in
the other. “No, it’s the frigging
boogey man, Brit,” he bit out with a grin.
In all their
years together, Kevin never lost the sharp, sarcastic wit he had displayed
since the day he showed up for his guitar audition 25 years ago. At almost 48, he displayed a mature
handsomeness that grew from the hot young rock star he was so long ago. The only remnants that remained from that
time was a slight, permanent limp in his right leg from the accident.
“Nice to see
you too, mate,” Tyler sassed back.
“When’d you get in?”
“Been here
about an hour,” Kevin replied. “Just
unpacking and waiting for you guys to show up so we can have dinner
together. I’m starving.”
Just then,
Mark came in with the last suitcase and dropped it with a thud in the middle of
the living room. Kevin’s face lit right
up.
“Hey, buddy!”
he said with joy as he went over to Mark to hug him. “Good to see ya, son.
Damn, look at you. You’re a man
now.”
Mark leered at
him. “Yes I am!”
Kevin leaned
in and elbowed Mark slightly. “In more
ways than one, I bet, huh?”
Mar wiggled
his brows. “What do you think?”
“Well, if you
take after your old man, then it’s a no brainer. He’s been nailing college chicks since he was 18, so I guess the
apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
“Crikey, Kev,
do you mind?” Tyler blurted.
Kevin waved
him away. “Oh, what’s the matter with
you, Ty? Your son’s 18. Time to tell him all the horny road
stories.”
“I don’t think
he needs any help,” Tyler replied. “He does fine on his own, trust me!”
Kevin’s eyes
widened with remembrance. “Oh
yeah! What’s this you’re dating Randy’s
sister? Your dad told me that story. I couldn’t believe it.”
“Yeah, huh?”
Mark replied. “Talk about fate.”
Kevin crossed
his arms and got a naughty look on his face.
“So, spill it. Is she hot or
what?”
“Incredibly!”
Mark gushed. “She’s bloody beautiful,
Uncle Kev. Long dark hair, pale green
eyes…..”
“Nice rack?”
Kevin interrupted.
“Nice everything,”
Mark replied without shame.
“Cool,” Kevin
said, slapping Mark a high five. “Still
playing the drums, too?”
“Oh yeah. Dad found a pair of Randy’s drumsticks –
autographed ones. I’ve been playing
with them.”
Kevin looked
at Tyler. “Really?”
“Yeah, found them
in a box in the garage,” Tyler said, as a chill went up his spine remembering
his dream. He quickly shrugged out of
it. “So, how’s Tina and the kids?”
“Good,
good. Shane’s still trying to get his
foot in the door of several companies since he graduated college. And, Kevin Jr’s settling into his freshman
year in high school. He’s already in
love with half the girls in his class.”
“Talk about
the apple not falling far from the tree, eh?” Tyler replied. “So, lets go get some dinner and talk about our
game plan for tomorrow. From what I’ve
been told, Zak Silver’s enough to drive any producer into therapy. I also hear that the rest of the band, his
brother included, are absolutely fed up with him.”
“Yeah, well
with us there, they have no choice but to get that album finished,” Kevin
said. “Remember, they’re sighed to our
label – a six year, three album deal.
Its either they finish this or get hauled into court for breach of
contract.”
“Lets hope
they see it that way, mate,” Tyler said.
“I could care
less if they do or not,” Kevin barked.
“And, I’ll tell you right now, that little putz gives me any shit, he’ll find one of his
drumstick’s up his ass.”
Chapter
97
Tyler, Kevin
and Mark arrived at the London studio around ten the following morning. Tyler nursed a tea from a local shop while
Kevin, ever the hardcore American,
sought out the nearest London Starbucks for a large cup of high-test, as
they entered the studio. Mark followed
with a bottle of chocolate milk and a cherry chip scone in his hands.
The men were
pleased to find out that the band was already there. Well….most of them.
“Well,
gentlemen, good to see you again,” Kevin said as he saw the band sitting in the
recording area.
Rob Silver,
Fusion’s lead guitarist, co-founder and Zak’s younger brother, smiled as he
stood up and extended his hand to Kevin.
“Good to see
you again too, Kev,” Rob said, his pleasant, good-naturedness obviously
apparent. He was a stark contrast to
his hot tempered elder brother.
Kevin then
went over to Troy Weston, the bass player, and Paul Visser, the other guitarist
and shook their hands. “Hey guys, we
gonna finally finish this thing?”
“We better,
else I’m gonna explode,” Troy replied.
“We should’ve
been done two months ago if you ask me,” Paul added before sending a knowing
look towards Rob.
Rob sighed
heavily before he saw Tyler come in.
“Ty, hey,” Rob said.
“Aye there,
lad,” Tyler said, shaking his hand before nodding over at Troy and Paul.
Troy and Paul
waved back as Tyler then scanned the room.
He turned to Rob.
“Where’s your
brother?”
Rob rolled his
eyes. “Good question. We all went to the pub last night and he
wound up leaving with some girl. Never
came back to the flat at all. Don’t
worry, he’ll be here.”
“Lets hope,”
Tyler said before calling Mark over.
“Rob, this is my son, Mark. He
just graduated high school and decided to take the trip with us.”
“Hey Mark,”
Rob said, shaking his hand. “Good to
meet ya.”
“You too,”
Mark gushed a bit. “Man, I am such a
big fan of you guys. Your debut album
absolutely rocked!”
“Thanks. Lets hope this one rocks harder.”
“Lets hope it
gets done first,” Paul said with frustration.
No sooner than
he said that, the front door opened and 23 year old Zak Silver poured himself
in wearing the same t-shirt and jeans he had on the night before and his eyes
shaded with dark sunglasses. He pulled
them off to reveal eyes that saw a night of heavy drinking and little sleep. He saw Tyler and Kevin and shouted.
“Hey, hey,” he
arrogantly announced. “Mr. Savage and
Mr. Schon to the rescue, thank God!
That idiot producer didn’t have a clue what we were about.”
Rob went up to
him. “Where the hell have you been,
bro?”
Zak rolled his
eyes to Tyler. “Will you get a load of
this guy?” he said, pointing to Rob.
“Barely 22, a rock guitarist and acting like a mother hen.”
Zak turned to
his younger brother. “Where the hell do
you think I was, bro? I was with
that hot chick I left with last night.
She wanted to do a rock star and I obliged!”
Zak snickered
after that last line as Tyler put his hands on his shoulders. “Alright, rock star. We’ve got a lot of work to do. I suggest some coffee, fast!”
Zak walked in
the direction of the coffee pot and noticed Mark. “Hey, who’s this?”
“That’s my
son, Mark,” Tyler said before setting off with Kevin for the booth. Mark would have to fend for himself with
introductions.
Mark held his
hand out to Zak. “Aye, mate. I’m a big fan. Also, I’m a drumm…….”
“Yeah, yeah,
whatever, kid,” Zak rudely drawled before brushing past Mark.
Mark stood
there with his hand still out and a perplexed look upon his face before Rob
came up to him.
“Ignore him
when he’s like this, we usually do,” Rob said.
“Well, I
didn’t want to impose,” Mark said.
“Zak shouldn’t
get treated any differently than the rest of us here,” Troy said as he came up
behind Rob, along with Paul. “No divas
allowed.”
“Yeah, tell
that to Zak!” Paul exclaimed.
Mark looked at
Rob with a grin. “You let them talk
about your brother that way?”
Rob
chuckled. “Unfortunately, I agree with
them.”
Chapter
98
Scott and
Trevor left their hotel room near the club’s practice field and headed off in
that direction. Trevor was dressed in
his practice clothes and carried a small bag of gear as he sat in the car
trying desperately to calm his fluttering stomach.
Scott knew
what was going through his son’s mind and tried to assure him. “Trevor, remember, Manchester doesn’t invite
just anyone to try out. You’ve impressed
them enough to get this far. Now all
you have to do is show them that they didn’t waste their time.”
“Easier said
than done, dad,” Trevor replied. “At
Westfield, I feel like I’m invincable, but this is the pros – Manchester! Do you know how intimidating that is?”
“You’ll have
to forget that,” Scott said. “Remember,
every chap on that team went through the same process you did, so they’re no
different.”
Trevor let
that sink in. “Yeah, you’re right. Hey dad?
Um….try not to…..you know…….”
Scott softly
laughed, knowing what Trevor was trying to politely say. “Don’t worry, I’m gonna hang around in
view. You’re a man now, Trevor and this
is yours to handle on your own. I’ll
keep a respectable distance so no one will know that your father is there with
you.”
Trevor smiled
with a creep of a blush. “Thanks, dad.”
They arrived
at the field and Trevor took off on his own to find the coach as Scott strolled
the grounds and basically melted into the backround. He was so proud of his son and was glad that he wanted to handle
this on his own. He needed to if he was
ever going to survive.
Trevor slung
his bag over his shoulder and headed into the field. His eyes saw a sea of red jerseys that were engaged in various
practice drills before they fell upon a distinguished looking gentleman
standing on the sidelines with his arms crossed.
Trevor headed
over and saw the man look his way when he got close enough. Trevor looked at him questioningly.
“Coach
Ridgeford?”
The gentleman
smiled sternly, but warmly. “Yes, I’m
Walter Ridgeford. And you, lad, must be
Trevor Savage.”
Trevor cocked
his head in wonder.
“We knew you’d
be arriving for tryouts today,” Walter said.
“And Martin hasn’t sung your praises enough. I’m hoping your as good as he says, else you’ll be on your way
and he’ll be out of a scouting job.”
Trevor’s hazel
eyes widened a bit, before he calmed the look on his face. It was obvious that this man was baiting
him. Even though Trevor was only 18, he
couldn’t act like a naïve laid else he’d be chewed up and spit out before the
afternoon was over.
Instead,
Trevor smirked. “Well, I guess the
pressure is on. Not only do I have to
prove myself, but a man’s job is at stake because of it.”
Walter eyed
Trevor for a few moments after that comment before throwing his head back and
laughing. “Oh, you’re gonna do just
fine, lad. Now, see that chap in the
black golf shirt?”
Trevor looked
to where Walter pointed on the field.
“Yes?”
“That’s Stuart
Ross. He’s the goalie’s coach. You’re all his, lad. Good luck!”
Chapter
99
Trevor made
his way over to the goalie’s coach.
“Mr. Ross, I’m
Trevor Savage. I’m here for the
tryout.”
Stuart
acknowledged Trevor. “Good to meet you,
lad. I’ll be with you in a moment.”
Trevor nodded
as Stuart took off in another direction.
As Trevor stood there, a tall chap with dark hair and deep brown eyes
walked over to him, folded his arms and assessed him.”
“Did you take
a wrong turn, laddie?” the chap said.
Trevor looked
at him and recognized him instantly.
It was Patrick Tierney, the second string goalie who was now the starter
because of Simon Farrell’s injury.
Trevor knew better than to be presumptuous and acknowledge him by name,
but waited for a proper introduction.
“Excuse me?”
Trevor asked.
Patrick
snickered. “I said, did you take a
wrong turn? This is Manchester’s
practice field. The nursery school is
down the road.”
Patrick
laughed as a few team members behind him shook their heads as they chuckled
over his humor. If ever Trevor was going
to be tested on how well he could stand toe to toe, now was the time.
“Afraid not,
mate,” Trevor said, confidently. “I’m
here for tryouts.”
Patrick looked
audacious. “You? Tryout?
How old are you?”
“Eighteen.”
“And your mum
weaned you off the teat and let you venture out into the grownup world?”
Trevor watched
the team members behind Patrick laugh, but kept his composure. “Oh, I”ve been weaned for a while…..well….at
least from my mum. Now……my girlfriend
is another story!”
The other
members broke down and laughed at Trevor’s slick comeback to Patrick. Patrick turned around and gave them a face
before turning back to Trevor.
“So young
laddie…..what position are you trying out for?”
“Goalie.”
Patrick’s eyes
widened before the twinkled with mirth.
“Are you bloody serious? They’re
considering you as my backup?
You’ve got height, I’ll give you that, but you’re a little too
lean. Not to mention the fact that
you’re a child!”
Trevor
wouldn’t be fazed. When Simon Farrell
went out with a career ending injury and Patrick took over for him, a lot more
was written up about Patrick’s arrogant attitude than his actual playing on the
field. Yes, he was a good goalie, but
his personality and antics made for far better tabloid news than his talent.
“Aw, that’s
not fair, mate,” Trevor said. “You’ve
got me judged before I’ve got a chance to prove myself.”
Patrick
continued to size up Trevor. “Young
lad……I’ll wager that you’ll be on your way back home to mummy at the end of the
afternoon.”
Trevor’s mind
raced as to what to do. He had always
had a shy side to him, but now was not the time to be humble. He deserved to be here. And…..he needed to get that across. Right now, he needed to use the balls that
God gave him and take a risk.
He looked to see
the coach walking the sidelines, not paying much attention. He then saw that the goalie’s coach was
engrossed with someone on the other side of the field. Trevor saw a stray soccer ball on the
ground, picked it up and tossed it to Patrick.
“I tell you
what, mate,” Trevor said. “I’ll make
you an even better wager.”
Trevor trotted
over to the goal to stand in front of it.
He then bent over in his stance and looked at Patrick with all
seriousness.
“Try to get it
past me.”
Chapter
100
By now, the
other seasoned players were intrigued by this bold youngster and began to line
up on either side of Patrick as they egged him on.
“Go ahead
Patrick,” one member encouraged him.
“Do what the lad says.”
“Yeah, come
on,” another member said. “Lets see how
good he really is.”
Patrick
volleyed the ball between both hands as he stared down Trevor, who didn’t even
so much as flinch. He chuckled and
placed the ball on the ground by his feet.
“Okay there,
laddie…..welcome to the real world,” he said before backing up, lining up and
head towards the ball before giving it a ferocious kick in Trevor’s
direction. Trevor lept up and caught it
with his hands. Patrick shrugged.
“So what, you
caught one,” he taunted.
Trevor threw
the ball back at him. “Again,” was all
he said.
A chorus of
‘ooooooh’s’ came from the other members as Patrick caught the ball. He began to color over being shown up by
this young little welp.”
“You bloody
little twerp,” Patrick hissed. “Think
you’re a smart-ass, eh?”
Patrick fielded
the ball and volleyed it around from left to right to try to get it past Trevor
with a moving shot. He faked left, then
right, trying to confuse Trevor. When
he had Trevor over to the left side of the goal, Patrick pivoted and moved
right and kicked the ball into the unmanned right side of the goal.
Trevor twisted
his body when he saw Patrick’s spin move and made it to the ball just so his
fingertips grazed it enough to slow down its forward momentum. He slapped it up in the air and came down
with it.
His move
caused a collective gasp from the members watching. It also caused Coach Ridgeford to stop in his tracks and observe
what was going on. From the other side
of the field, the goalie’s coach, Stuart Ross, folded his arms and watched as
well.
From atop a
bleacher where he tried to remain inconspicuous, Scott watched his normally shy son challenge the team’s
starting goalie with a prideful grin on his face.
Everyone was
impressed except Patrick, who was pissed.
He backed up, tossed the ball down and advanced upon Trevor again, using
all kinds of fancy moves to confuse him.
Not once did the ball make it into the net. Every time Trevor made a save, the other team members
clapped. Finally, Patrick gave up and
angrily tossed the ball to a teammate.
“I’ve had
enough of this bloody juvenile nonsense,” he spouted. “I’d like to see him do that in a real game.”
Patrick fumed
as he walked away before another member went up to Trevor. “Nice show there, lad. Takes a lot of ballocks for a newcomer to
act like that. Usually, we don’t let
young’uns like you get away with showing off, but the fact that you did and
stood up to a challenge will earn you respect.”
Trevor grinned
with modesty, not letting anything go to his head. He still had a lot to prove.
As far as
Coach Ridgeford was concerned, he saw all he needed to see.
Chapter
101
Back in
London……..
Tyler and
Kevin were busy pushing buttons, moving levers and keeping a fine-tuned ear to
the recording of the song ‘A Devil
of an Angel’. It was the first of 4
songs that Fusion had left to record.
They had the guitars and bass parts down and were now using the mix to
record the drum fills.
Zak Silver sat
behind his black laquer Mapex drum kit, clearly frustrated by having to wait while
Tyler and Kevin listened to each part as it was recorded.
Mark sat off
to the side, careful not to bother his father and Kevin, but within view of
Zak. It hasn’t even been 24 hours, and
he’d already concluded that Zak was the biggest asshole to walk the face of the
earth. Several times he tried to pull a
‘rock star’ attitude, but he only got rewarded by having to do double and
triple takes of certain drum fills.
Granted his father and Kevin wouldn’t let the little wanker push them
around, but Mark was wondering how long it would be before Zak snapped.
“Zak, listen,”
Kevin said from the other side of the glass.
“We gotta go over the end fills of the chorus. I can’t get the sound I’m looking for. It doesn’t flow.”
Zak sighed
heavily and rolled his eyes. “Jesus
Christ,” he muttered. “I must’ve did
that part ten times already!”
“And you’ll do
it ten times more till we get the sound right,” Tyler shot back.
Zak blew out a
loud breath before lighting a cigarette.
“This fucking sucks!”
“This is the
un-glamourous side of rockstardom,” Kevin said. “Now, take a few drags and lets get going.”
Zak took a
drag of his cigarette and looked at Kevin with wide eyes. “Let me finish this then I’ll start.”
Kevin raised
an eyebrow at him. “You don’t tell me
what to do, kiddo. Got it? Now, put the cigarette down and pick your
drumsticks up. We can finish this in an
hour or we’ll stay here with you till nine tonight. Take your pick.”
Zak wanted so
much to blow off steam, but these guys just weren’t the producers. They were the labels owners and he had to
bite his tongue. He didn’t’ know how
long he’d last doing so.
He smashed his
cigarette in the ashtray and picked up his stick.. “Fine!” he shot out.
“Lets go.”
Kevin hit the
button that turned off the audio on his side and turned to Tyler. “Fucking little punk,” he seethed.
“No wonder the
last producer walked,” Tyler replied.
“He should’ve
walked all over his face, if you ask me,” Kevin said before turning the sound
back on. “Okay Zak…..lets go.”
Kevin played
the guitar and bass parts of the chorus as Zak filled it in with the
drums. Off to the side, Mark winced at
the choice of drum fills. It did the
chorus no justice at all. He had been
listening to this song for the last two hours and already had his own version
of the drum part for the chorus in his head.
However, it wasn’t his place to tell his father how to do his job.
After running
through it for the eleventh time, Kevin played the tape back and shook his
head. He looked at Tyler.
“I don’t know,
something’s missing.”
“Fuck it, man,
I’m not doing it again,” Zak stated.
“Excuse me?”
Kevin replied. “First of all, I didn’t
ask for your opinion. Second, don’t
tell me what you’re going, or not going, to do. That’s our job.”
Zak gripped
his drumsticks as Tyler tried to calm
Kevin down. He turned the sound
in the booth off. “Kev, not that I’m
giving in to that little prick, but I think we all need a break here. We’ll get more from him if he can go blow
off some steam and we get lunch.”
“Yeah, you’re
right,” Kevin said. “Zak, take a break
and get some lunch. We’ll reconvene in
a half hour.”
Zak made a
vulgar sound before getting up and storming out. Kevin’s eyes followed him.
“I’m gonna
kill that kid before this album is finished!”
“You Yanks are
so volatile,” Tyler jested. “C’mon,
lets go eat. Mark….want to come with
us?”
“Nah, I’m just
gonna hang. I’ll run out for a burger
later on.”
Mark was now
alone and feeling a bit sneaky. He knew
he shouldn’t do this, but he couldn’t help himself. He missed Tara and his body was wound up to where he needed to
let off some steam himself. He went
behind the boards and set the chorus of guitars and bass to loop every two
minutes.
He then went
around to Zak’s drumkit which, in his opinion, was a piece of crap compared to
his custom silver and chrome Pearl set.
Mark sat behind the drumkit and waited for the guitars to come in. When they did, he came in on cue with the
drum fill that he had cemented in his mind for the last two hours.
The chorus
kept looping as Mark came in with the drum fill over and over.. The blaring guitars and drums drowned out
the sound of the door opening, nor was Mark aware of the dropped jaw of Rob
Silver as he watched him.
Chapter 102
Mark drummed
his heart out, keeping his eyes closed so that his senses were focused on feel
instead. When the recorded chorus
finished, he opened his eyes and waited for it to loop again. That’s when he saw Rob Silver standing right
in front of him with a look of awe on his face.
Mark almost
fell backwards off the stool as he put the drumsticks down and sat up. “Rob, I….I thought I was alone,” Mark
stammered. “I’m sorry, I…..I didn’t
mean to play your brother’s drums without asking. They just kinda called out to me.”
Rob stared at
the drumkit then back at Mark. “How
long have you been playing the drums?”
Mark grinned,
glad that he wasn’t pissed. Then again,
Rob was the nicer Silver brother.
“Well, technically I’ve been banging on things since I was three. But, I got my first set of drums when I was
four. I got a slightly bigger set when
I was around seven or eight, then I got a custom Pearl kit when I turned
13. I’ve been playing with that one
ever since.”
Rob shook his
head back and forth in wonder. “Shit
man, you’re good. Ever think of forming
a band?”
“Well, I don’t have any mates that are musically
inclined like I am. The reason I’m here
is because I didn’t know what to do with myself after high school, so I’m
hoping some time away will give me some insight. I was thinking about soccer, but as soon as our team made the
finals, my appendix ruptured. End of
that!”
“Ouch, that
sucks dude,” Rob said. “Anyway, I think
you’d be better off channeling your energy in music. Its fun, the pay’s pretty good and the women are incredible!”
“Yeah, I know
all about it,” Mark said with a grin.
“I mean, my father and grandfather were rock stars, so who knows?”
“Gotta keep
the family tradition going, don’t ya think?” Rob asked.
Mark
shrugged. “Maybe.”
“So……..play
that drum part again,” Rob said, intrigued, as he grabbed his guitar and sat
down. “I know your dad and Kevin have
been trying to get a certain sound down with Zak before I left.”
“Yeah,
well….personally speaking, I thought the fills did no justice to the chorus,”
Mark said, as he sat back down. “I just
have an ear for that sort of thing. I
play from feeling…….always have.”
“Here, let me go turn the recorder off,” Rob said
as he headed over to the other side of the glass. He turned the looping recording off then sat on a stool next to
Mark with his guitar. Even though he
played lead, he played the rhythem section of the chorus and sang the lyrics as
Mark came in with the fill.
Just as they
finished, the door opened and in walked Zak.
He heard the sound of his drums being played by someone other than
himself and he followed the sound into the studio. He stopped dead in his tracks.
“What the fuck
do you think you’re doing, you little shit?”
Mark and Rob
looked up to see Zak’s angered face as he walked over. Mark sheepishly stood up.
“Mate, I’m
sorry. I told your brother that…….”
Zak ripped the
drumsticks out of Mark’s hands. “I’m
not your mate, you little putz. These
are my fucking drums! Who the fuck said
you could horse around with them?”
Rob put his
guitar down and stood up. “Zak, calm
the fuck down, will ya? Its not like he
doesn’t know what he’s doing. He’s been
playing since he was 4, which is a lot longer than you.”
Zak turned on
his younger brother. “Oh, and you just
took it upon yourself to give him permission to play my drums?” Zak then turned to Mark. “Don’t you ever touch my stuff again, got
it?”
Even though
Mark knew he was wrong in playing someone elses kit without asking, there was
no reason for Zak to fly off the handle the way he was. Then again, he should’ve expected it. Mark just put his hands up in surrender.
“Sorry, won’t
happen again,” he said before walking away.
“Damn straight
it won’t happen,” Zak continued his tirade.
“Its bad enough I’m getting shit from that gimpy Kevin, now I’ve got to
put up with highschooler’s fucking with my stuff.”
Mark stopped
dead in his tracks and turned around. “What did you say about Kevin?”
Zak
shrugged. “Gimpy. You know….because he walks with a limp.”
Mark was so consumed
with rage that he didn’t even think before he ran towards Zak and tackled him
to the floor. Zak didn’t know what hit
him as Mark straddled him before grabbing him by the shoulders.
“You
fucking moron!” Mark
screamed. “Do you have any bloody
idea why he limps, you pisser? The guy
nearly died in a car accident – the same accident that killed his and my
father’s two bandmates, asshole! He
injured his spine… he was in a coma for days and when he came out of it, he
couldn’t feel his legs! He’s lucky that
he can walk at all, you fucking little idiot!
That’s why he limps!!!”
Zak was trying
to fight Mark off, but Mark had him pinned and was also fueled with
adrenaline. Finally, Rob pulled Mark
off Zak.
“Mark, calm
down man,” Rob said.
As soon as
Mark was pulled off Zak, Zak stood up and went for Mark.
“You little
fuck!” Zak seethed, before Rob intercepted him.
“Let it go,
Zak,” Rob said, pushing him away.
Zak tried
pushing his brother out of the way.
“Get the fuck out of my way!
Don’t you tell me what to do.”
Rob pushed
him. “I am gonna tell you what to do
now. You shouldn’t have said
anything. Man, when are you gonna learn
to keep your fucking mouth shut?”
“Going against
me?” Zak asked Rob. “Fine! Fuck you too, little brother!”
Zak turned and
stormed out of the studio. Rob sat down
heavily in the chair and flung his head back.
Mark walked up to him.
“Rob, I’m
sorry, but I just couldn’t…..”
“No, don’t
apologize Mark,” Rob cut him off. “He
had it coming. He shouldn’t have said
that.”
Mark looked
towards the door. “Will he come back.”
“I don’t
know. And, at this point, I don’t
care,” Rob said, standing up. “I’ve got
to call the rest of the guys. There’s
something we’ve got to do.”
103
Tyler and
Kevin returned from lunch to find the wrong Silver brother waiting for them.
Tyler looked
about first then looked at Rob. “I’m
sure I’ve exhausted this question by now, but ……where’s your brother?”
Rob slowly
shook his head and rolled his eyes.
“And I’m sure I’ve exhausted this answer, but…..good question! However, I don’t know where he is this
time. Nor does it matter anymore.”
Kevin threw
his keys on the board, leaned against the wall and folded his arms. “Why?
What happened?”
Rob buried his
head in his hands. “Where do I start,
Kevin? This shit that he’s been pulling
has gone far enough. I just got off the
phone with Paul and Troy. Those guys have
had the patience of a saint with Zak, but they just can’t take it anymore. I can’t take it anymore.”
“Rob, what happened?”
Tyler pressed him.
“Zak mouthed
off at your son Mark and, well…..they got into a fight.”
Tyler then
realized that Mark wasn’t around and Rob noticed.
“He went out
for a bit to cool off,” Rob said.
“Cool off?”
Tyler asked.
“Yeah. Mark tackled him to the ground.”
Tyler’s eyes
bulged. “What? Mark?
Rob, tell me…..if he’s causing any trouble…..”
“No, no, no,”
Rob was quick to say. “It wasn’t Mark’s
fault. Actually,” Rob looked at
Kevin..” he was defending you.”
“Me?” Kevin
asked, puzzled.
“Yeah. Seems you’ve been on Zak’s case a lot and,
well, he hit you below the belt, literally, with a comment. He um….made a crack about your limp. Mark heard it and went ballistic and knocked
him down. I pulled Mark off Zak, then
told my brother to cool it, but, being the hot head that he is, he didn’t like
that I wasn’t sticking up for him and split.
That pretty much made up my mind for good.”
Kevin smiled
warmly over Mark defending his handicap, however Tyler wasn’t happy.”
“Defending
someone or not, he should know better than to physically attack someone.”
“Yeah, well,
if you ask me, my brother’s lucky that someone didn’t do that to him a long
time ago. I wish I had. But, well…what I have to do now may hurt
even more. The guys and I decided that
Zak can no longer be in the band. Zak
doesn’t realize that the band is made up of four of us, not just him. I mean, he’s my brother and I love him no
matter what, but I won’t let him destroy the band. We want to last longer than two albums, you know?”
“We hope so
too,” Kevin mused. “Especially since
you’re signed to our label.”
“So….when do
you plan on telling him?” Tyler asked.
“Well, I have
to find him first,” Rob said. “Troy and
Paul said he didn’t show up at the flat.
He’s probably at some pub getting shit-faced.”
Just then
Rob’s cell phone rang.
“Yeah?”
“Rob, its
Paul. Man, your brother just stormed in
here like a fucking tornado, packed his stuff and is taking a taxi to the
airport. He’s going back to LA. He said to try to finish the album without
him.”
Rob cursed
silently. “Paul, did you try to talk to
him?”
“No way,” Paul
replied. “To be honest, I just let him
go. I mean, he’s gone anyway, right?”
“Did you say
anything to him about that?”
“Nah, I
figured you should.”
“Thanks. Alright, listen, don’t worry. We’ll get the album finished. I think.”
Rob clicked
off his cell phone and looked at Tyler and Kevin. “Zak flew the coup. Went
back to the flat, packed his stuff and is heading back to LA. What the fuck are we gonna do now?”
Kevin rubbed
the stress from his face. “Well, we’re
gonna finish this frigging album, that’s what.
We’ll get a session drummer to finish out the songs. I’ll make some calls.”
Just as Kevin
left, Mark came back in the studio. Rob
looked up, thought for a moment, then smiled wide.
“Uh….Kev? Perhaps you don’t have to make those calls
after all!”
Back in
Manchester………
Trevor
finished out an afternoon of grueling tryouts.
The goalie’s coach put him through rigorous practice drills that made
his high school practice look like playtime in a sandbox. But Trevor met every challenge, even when he
thought he would drop from exhaustion.
He was actually on an adrenaline high from his little show with Patrick
Tierney, who hadn’t even looked his way the rest of the afternoon.
Trevor thought
that he may have pushed the envelope with the pro goalie, but he also had to
prove that he was man enough to handle what was going to be thrown at him. There was no place on this team for passive
players.
Around 4 in
the afternoon, Trevor went to the sidelines to gather his belongings. He ran a dry hand towel over his sweat
soaked face and squirted his water bottle over his hair before rubbing it
briskly with the towel. He was
immediately confronted with Stuart Ross, the goalie’s coach.
“You showed
yourself well there, lad,” Stuart said.
“I was especially impressed with the way you took matters into your own
hands with Patrick. That said a lot
about you.”
Trevor flashed
a shy grin. “Well, I’m not usually like
that, but I also know that I’m not in high school anymore. I’m not gonna survive here if I’m
timid. Hope I didn’t piss him off too
much.”
“I really
don’t care if you did,” Stuart said.
“This is a team. We stroke no
one’s vanity. He knows he’s the
starter, but we also need a backup who’s just as good.”
Trevor was
dying from the anticipation. “So……did I
make the team?”
“Well, I have
to talk to Coach Ridgeford first. We’ll
have an answer for you tomorrow. Show
up, same time.”
“Yes, sir.”
As Trevor
watched Stuart walk away, someone came up from behind him and slapped him on
the back.
“So, young
laddie, you’re not so green after all.”
Trevor looked
into the eyes of a Manchester player who had two more teammates behind him.
“Well, if I’m
to keep you with you chaps, I need to be on my toes,” Trevor replied.
“By the way,
my name’s Michael. These two blokes
behind me are Ethan and Andrew.”
Trevor
acknowledged the players. All three
looked to be no older than 21.
“Listen, Trevor,
we’re kind of take it upon ourselves to be the unofficial welcome
committee. Since you’ve got one more
day of tryouts tomorrow, I’m assuming that you’ll be in Manchester overnight,
correct?”
“Yes,” Trevor
said. “My father and I are staying at a
nearby hotel.
Michael put
his arm around him. “Well, I don’t
think your father won’t mind us taking you out tonight. Dinner, and such. We’ll be back by 11:00 since we have a curfew during
practice. What’ya say there, laddie?”
No way could
Trevor turn down going out with three Manchester players.
“Sounds
brilliant,” he agreed.
Three hours
later, Trevor sat in in The Bull’s Head with Michael, Ethan and Andrew as they
heartily ate their famous Bully Cheeseburgers, chips and stuffed jacket
potatoes. Trevor had three glasses of
ale and, even though he ate, he was feeling a bit light headed. He hadn’t really drank since the night at
the hotel after winning the championship game.
Even though he wasn’t driving and didn’t have to be at practice until
noon, he didn’t want to overdo it with the ale.
When he
drained the third glass, his head spun a bit.
Michael clapped him on the back.
“C’mon, laddie….drink up,” he mused as he hailed a nearby waitress. “Practice isn’t until noon tomorrow. You can sleep it off by then.”
Trevor shook
his head. “No, I don’t think so. I don’t think I’ve sprouted my drinking
wings yet.”
Ethan grinned
at him. “Aye, no problem. Don’t want you getting sick on us. And um…..I can think of something much more
interesting than drinking that we can introduce him to tonight.”
Ethan shared a
knowing look with his other two teammates that Trevor didn’t pick up on. After another hour, they paid the check and
took off.
The four of
them drove around until they pulled into the parking lot of a club. Trevor got out and looked up at the sign.
“The Kitten
Klub?”
Michael slung
his arm around Trevor’s neck. “Between
this and drinking, I think this may be the lesser of the two evils. Maybe!”
Chapter
105
The first
thing that hit Trevor when the door opened was the sound of the pounding bass
coming from the sound system. The
second thing that hit him was the sight of a topless young woman with an
absolutely incredible body swinging around a pole onstage for a sea of young
and old men surrounding it.
His mouth
practically hit the floor as he couldn’t take his eyes off the half naked
woman. Michael saw it and eyed Ethan
and Andrew before nuding Trevor.
“First strip
club, eh laddie?”
Trevor didn’t
hear him. He just kept staring at the
young woman on stage who had pulled off her short, flouncy skirt to reveal
nothing but a g-string. Trevor’s
eighteen year old hormones shot into gear and his body violently reacted.
Michael walked
on ahead. “C’mon, lets get a good
table. We come here all the time so the
waitresses know us.”
Trevor tore
his eyes away enough to see where he was going. As soon as he sat down, he inconspicuously shifted himself to a
more comfortable position, but the painful hardness in his trousers was
anything but comfortable.
After ordering
ales, Ethan looked up at the young woman dancing on stage, licked his lips,
then nudged Trevor.
“So.,……what’ya
think?”
Trevor shook
the cobwebs from his brain and blushed profusely, thankful it was a bit dark in
there. “All I can say is……holy shit!”
Andrew looked
around. “Wonder if Ginger is dancing
tonight.”
“Who’s
Ginger?” Trevor asked.
Andrew pointed
to the woman on stage. “See her………well,
Ginger makes her look a bag lady.”
Trevor didn’t
think anyone could be more beautiful than the woman on stage.
Except Emily.
Trevor’s eyes
bulged when he realized that maybe he shouldn’t be here. Should he say something to the guys about
having a girlfriend? Would they think
him some sissy? After all…..he was just
looking. No harm done. Plus, he had called Emily after practice
when he got back to the hotel to tell her how everything went. She knew he was going out with a few of the
teammates…..where wasn’t a big issue, was it?
When the
waitress delivered there ale, Ethan took her arm. “Aye Sue…..do you know if Ginger’s dancing tonight?”
Sue, who was
scantily dressed in micro-hiphugger shorts and a midriff baring tank top that
barely contained her breasts shook her head.
“No, not on stage at least. She
doing privates.”
Sue walked
away and Trevor’s eyes followed her long legs before he looked at Ethan. “What are ‘privates’?”
“Lap dances,”
Ethan replied, before pointing to individual curtained booths. “Not every bloke likes to have a lap dance
with everyone watching, so the dancers do private ones in those booths.”
Trevor looked
over at the curtained booths, wondering what was going on inside of them. Michael saw him looking and slapped his hand
on the table. “That’s it! If you’re not going to get pissed, then you
can at least celebrate a great tryout today with your first lap dance.”
Trevor paled a
bit. “Uh…..no, I don’t think so. I mean……I kind of have a steady girl.”
Andrew shook
Trevor’s shoulder. “Oh, lad, its just a
dance. Plus…..you don’t tell your girlfriend
everything, do you?”
Trevor
shrugged. “Well…….I guess not.”
“Settled
then,” Michael said as he flagged Sue down again. “Go find Ginger, luv. She
has a new customer to break in.”
Sue looked at
Trevor before reaching out to lightly stroke his face. “Oh, you are one sweet thing,lad. Ginger will enjoy this, for sure.”
Trevor turned
pink as she left before looking at Michael.
“All they do is dance?”
Michael
grinned wickedly. “That’s right……just
dancing.”
Trevor knew
Michael was hiding something when he looked up and almost fell backwards. Walking towards him was a young woman, no
older than 21 or 22, wearing a pure white slip dress that was indecently short
and a pair of white, strappy heels that laced up her luminous golden legs. Her cinnamon colored hair was a wild array
around her shoulders, but it was her turquoise colored eyes that stood out,
even in the dimness of the club.
This was the
infamous Ginger.
She stopped at
their table and put a hand on Trevor’s shoulder. He looked up into her eyes and Ginger’s breath caught a bit. She was told he was young, but his sexy
innocence hit her like a thunderbolt.
“I understand
you’d like a private dance, sweetie?”