Snapshot (41 page)

“More or less,” he said, recalling those early days when his life changed from running with the neighborhood kids every night to being thrown into a van with his family and promoting the early music of Jamieson.

“Why didn’t you ever say something?” she asked.

“Peter asked me not to,” Adam said, feeling like he just threw his brother under the bus.

All eyes shifted to Peter. “It’s true. Adam told me that he liked playing guitar, but that he really wanted to be at home hanging out with friends. I begged him to stick it out because it was my dream and I wanted it so badly.” Peter grimaced. “And so he did.”

His mom went silent and looked at his dad. Adam didn’t know what to think. He liked finally being heard, but wasn’t sure where this conversation was headed.

“What exactly is it you’re asking for, Adam?” his dad asked.

“I’d like to be an equal member of this band and this family. I don’t need to be on every little decision, but I deserve to be in on the big ones, like deciding when we’re going on tour, what special appearances we do and song selections for our next album.”

“You think you’re ready to be treated as an adult?”
 

“Dad, I’ve been acting like an adult for the past three years. I handle media, I put in eighteen-hour days. I help Peter with orchestration, and I work with the back-up musicians. What more do you want?”

“I want your word that you won’t take off the next time you get mad. I want your word that you really want to be a part of this band. If you don’t, well, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. I don’t want you coming to me in a month complaining.”

“Until now, I’ve never complained,” he said matter-of-factly, because he hadn’t. “I can’t promise I want this for the rest of my life, or even two years from now, but for the immediate future, as long as I get time off for myself once in a while, I’m in.” Adam meant it. He loved the music and performing, but he needed more down time too, for things like camp and Marti. If Marti ended up back in Wisconsin or with some distant relative, he needed time to go visit her.

“How about we make a one-year commitment?” his mom suggested. “You boys are getting older and may have other things in mind, like college. Perhaps we need to revisit this once a year.”

Garrett started to speak, but Peter interrupted. “I think that’s a great idea.”

“So do I,” Adam added.

“I think that’s fair. What do you think, dear?” his mom asked his dad.

“Logistically that will cause a nightmare of problems, but considering Adam and Peter are still teenagers, I think they should have options too. If I still had to work behind a desk at my state job, I would not be a happy person. The boys deserve to have options and to make changes in their lives if they want, as long as it’s done responsibly.”

“That settles it,” Mom said.

Garrett huffed and shook his head.

“Except for one thing,” his dad said.

“What’s that, dear?”

“Adam’s punishment.” He pinned Adam with a menacing stare that only a father could deliver.

“What?” Wasn’t the drama of dealing with his family punishment enough? Changes needed to be made, and thanks to him, now they were.

“You don’t steal money from your parents and fly across the country without a word. While I accept you as an equal member of this family, you are still only sixteen. I’ve always taught you that for every action, there is a reaction,” his father lectured.

“And what’s my punishment?” Adam frowned, forcing himself not to roll his eyes.

“Before every performance, you will be responsible for taping down all the stage cords. It should take you about an hour each time. The stage manager will supervise and report back to me.”

“What?!” That was a crew job!

“Until the end of the year,” his dad added.

“That’s four months!” This was bullshit! Dad was out of his frickin’ mind!

“And,” his mother added. “As long as Marti stays with us, you will be staying at Peter’s new place.”

Peter laughed, then quickly looked away and covered his mouth.

“That’s not fair! Leave Marti out of this! She needs me!”
 

“You’ll see her plenty. Do you really want to discuss the reasons for that rule?” His mother arched a telling eyebrow his direction.

“No.”

“Good. Then I think we’re finished. Meeting adjourned.” She stood, ending all discussion. Garrett gloated.

Adam muttered as they all dispersed. Here they go, screwing with his life again.

“Hey Mom, do you mind if I run? I’ve got a lot to do over at my place,” Peter said.

“No, that’s fine. I’ve got some calls I need to make. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” She pecked him on the cheek.

Peter headed out the door. Adam followed.
 

“And where are you going?” Garrett asked.

“To my new room!” Adam slammed the door behind him.

Chapter 25

“What do you mean she’s leaving?” Adam yelled into the phone. He wasn’t sure he heard his mom right. The street traffic made it hard to hear. He and Marti were following the Freedom Trail in downtown Boston. It was a walking tour of historical buildings from the time of the revolution. Because it was a weekday, and he wore a cap and sunglasses, they went unnoticed.
 

His mom responded. “Marti needs a permanent home. You didn’t think she’d stay with us indefinitely did you?”

Yes, he secretly hoped she would. “No, but I didn’t think you’d have her shipped off the day after we got here either.” He shared a panicked look with Marti.

“Adam, it’s not like that.” His mom sounded annoyed, but he didn’t care. He hated how Marti kept getting bounced from one place to another. It wasn’t fair.

“So where’s she going? Are you sending her back to her mother’s? Because that would be the worst thing possible.” One glance at Marti’s pale face and wide eyes and he knew that she feared the same thing.
 

“Would you please just come back to the hotel? I think you’ll find it works out well for everyone.”

“Right. I’ve heard that one before.” He ended the call and looked at the despair on Marti’s face.

“I’m leaving, aren’t I?” she asked, already resigned to her future.

Adam nodded, a knot of frustration in his gut.
 

*
 
*
 
*

They entered the hotel suite in a somber mood. Marti felt like she was about to be sentenced to a long torturous death. Adam’s mom and a pretty young woman chatted on the couch while sipping iced tea. The two women stood as she and Adam walked in.

“Oh good! You’re back,” Mrs. Jamieson said.

Marti offered a weak smile. She wondered if the stranger was a social worker. Whoever she was, she couldn’t be much more than twenty-five.

“Hi Marti,” the young woman said.

The voice sounded familiar, but she couldn’t place it. Marti studied the woman’s friendly face, her blonde hair, and the open familiarity in her expression. “Brandy?”
 

“It’s me.” Her half-sister smiled.
 

“Oh my god! I didn’t even recognize you.” Marti stepped closer, noticing the similarities of their eyes and noses. She paused, not sure how Brandy felt. They’d never been close growing up. Brandy had been locked in her Goth underworld.
 

“I’ve changed a bit since you last saw me.” Brandy hugged Marti like the long lost sister she was. “I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch with you all these years,” she said in her ear before she released her. “I was pretty messed up for a long time and then I spent all my time in school playing catch up.”

Marti soaked up the embrace. She’d never been so happy to see someone. Brandy looked nothing like her former self. She’d lost the dyed black hair, the nose ring, and the other piercings. “I can’t believe it’s you!”

Brandy gave Marti the once over. “And I can’t believe how grown up and beautiful you are. Last time I saw you, I think you were still in grade school.”

Marti’s heart sang. She’d written Brandy off, but now that her sister stood before her, Marti didn’t ever want to let her go. She grinned like an idiot, and then she remembered Adam, who had been so worried. “Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot to introduce you. This is my boyfriend, Adam.”

“Hi. Nice to meet you,” Adam said. He seemed relaxed now to know the mystery guest was her sister and not her mother or a foster care worker.
 

“Why don’t you two do some catching up.” Mrs. Jamieson offered Marti her spot on the couch. “Marti, would you like some iced tea?”

“Yes. Thank you.”
 

Marti joined Brandy on the couch. “How did you know I was here?”

“Mrs. Jamieson called. She talked to dad. He had his manager give her my number. Of course, everything at Dad’s place is gone.” She touched Marti’s arm. “I can’t believe you were in that fire. God, I was so scared when I heard about it.”

Marti kept staring at her sister. Brandy was an oasis in the desert of Marti’s chaotic life. She never thought she’d see Brandy again. They had always lived such different lives. And here her sister was, in the Jamieson’s Boston hotel suite.
 

Adam’s mom set down Marti’s glass of iced tea.
 

“Thank you.”

“God, I’ve been talking like crazy. I’m just so happy to see you. Tell me about yourself.” Brandy picked up her glass and sipped.

Marti paused a moment. Her emotions rolled to the surface. “My grandma died,” she said, her eyes tearing up.
Now where did that come from?
She had been so good at forcing back her sadness.

“Mrs. Jamieson told me. I’m so sorry. That’s why you ended up back at Dad’s place?” She put her glass down and squeezed Marti’s hand. Marti saw Brandy’s look of sincere concern.

 
“There was no place else for me to go. My mom is worse than Dad.” Marti blinked her tears away.

“Really? That’s hard to imagine. Dad is like some overgrown kid who’s never had to grow up. He’s terrible as a parent and you can’t rely on him for anything. And that’s why I’m here.”
 

More than anything, Marti wanted the next words out of Brandy’s mouth to be an invitation to live with her. But almost before she got her hopes up, she forced herself back to reality. It was too much to ask for.
 

“You can’t go back to living with Dad.”

Thank you!
“I know, he’s got the tour.” Marti rubbed her palms on her new jeans.

“I’m not just talking about the tour. I’m talking about after that, too. Dad means well, and he loves his kids, but he’s a train wreck. He almost got you killed living in that house. What I’m trying to say is that I’d like you to live with me.” Brandy watched expectantly for her reaction.

Marti’s eyes widened. Could she be so lucky? She turned to Adam; his face mirrored her emotions. Happy and scared. If she lived with her sister, when would she ever get to see him? Where did her dad mention Brandy lived? She recalled it was far from LA. Was it someplace out East? That would be closer, but still, she and Adam would be back to square one and never get to see each other. But she wanted to live with Brandy. She liked Brandy, especially the new, grown-up Brandy.

“Are you sure? That’s a lot to ask,” Marti wanted to make sure her sister really meant it. Too much had been ripped away from her. She couldn’t bear it if it happened again.

“Of course, I’m sure.” Brandy grinned. “I barely got out of that nut house in one piece, and there’s no way I’m letting you suffer any more than you already have. My place is no mansion, but you’ll get your own room, and we have a great view of the bay. I should mention that you’ll have to share the place with me, my husband Paul, two cats and a dog.”

Marti felt a momentary stab at the mention of cats. Kahlua was lost forever, her last attachment to Grandma. She changed the subject. “Dad mentioned you got married. Are you sure Paul won’t mind?” She didn’t want it to be like living with her dad where Courtney hated her guts.

“Are you kidding? Paul has five brothers and sisters. He says our place is too quiet. He’s already mentioned remodeling the basement so you can have a hangout place with your friends.”

Part of her loved the idea of living with them, and part of this reminded Marti that she would have to make new friends all over again. She gazed at Adam and saw him try to hide his sad resignation. They both knew he wouldn’t be able visit often. But the reality was that she needed to go with Brandy. She didn’t know how she could say goodbye to Adam again. He’d saved her so many times.

Brandy kept talking. “And I checked out the high school, and they have an awesome school newspaper. You could be on the newspaper staff and take pictures if you want. Of course, school started last week, but we can get you registered tomorrow and start the day after.”

So soon?
Marti needed more time.