by Pepper Pace
Robin rubbed her eyes feeling old and tired. “I’ll come with you.” Nobody should do something like that alone. “But…you are going to have to tell Peter. If you don’t I will.”
Belinda’s eyes flashed fire and her face began to darken but just as quickly her expression calmed and she gave Robin a steady look.
“Do what you do and I’ll do what I do.”
Robin thought about that. “What does that mean?”
“These are your rules, not mine. I’m having the…abortion and you’re going to drive me, and anything else is up to you, Robin.” She gave her a knowing look; knowing that she wouldn’t dare tell Peter.
Chapter 26
Jason and Peter were totally out of their element once the faxed contract came through, so it was a good thing that Peter’s parents were attorneys. Peter’s Dad said that it was a pretty good contract but that he thought that he could make it even better. He faxed back a counter and it was immediately accepted.
They celebrated at a nice downtown Cincinnati restaurant. Jason had always gotten along well with Peter’s parents. They gave Jason all of the credit for turning their son’s downward spiral around after his paralyzing accident.
He excused himself in order to call Robin. Mr. Edelson was working on a studio that they would be able to utilize immediately and they should be able to get started within the next few days.
“Hey Babe.” He had wheeled himself to the alcove by the restroom where he would be able to hear her.
“Jason, hi. Where are you?”
“We went out to eat after signing the contract. Where are you?”
“Oh, well Belinda and I went out to eat. I just dropped her off and I’m back at home.”
“Okay. How was the funeral? Was it bad?”
“No, actually it…it helped, if that makes sense.”
“Closure?”
“Yeah. And Miss Lucille’s son gave me some of her jewelry; really nice pieces too. There are diamonds and opals.”
“Seriously? That was very cool. I can’t stay on because I’m still at the restaurant. But I just wanted to tell you that I love you. I miss you-”
“Aww…I needed that, honey-”
“-and I want you to take your medicine and get some rest so just stay home and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I’ll be here for a while longer and then Link and I want to fool around with some beats on the studio. Babe, we will probably be very preoccupied in the evenings so feel free to do other things after school. Plus I don’t want you to be bored if it takes up all of my attention.”
“I understand.” She could never be bored listening to the two of them making music. But she figured that they probably didn’t need her hanging around all of the time. She could find things to do some evenings, but she wasn’t going to give up all of them. “I’ll see you in the morning. I love you too—and don’t forget to do your homework! You got that paper due on Thursday and you haven’t even started it.”
Jason chuckled. “Okay, okay. I will start that paper tonight. See you tomorrow.” After hanging up Jason felt that everything that he could ever want in life was within his grasp.
***
The next few days were very hectic. Peter and Link spent each evening working on music and Robin decided to call her mother so that they could go shopping. Robin wanted to wear something special for the Bahamas and not just her old jeans shorts and t-shirts that was her normal summer wardrobe. She was beginning to really look forward to the trip.
“Christmas in the Bahamas; it will be weird not to have snow.” Robin commented as the two sipped hot chocolate at the food court. Packages were surrounding them and Robin felt good being able to pull out cash without having to do a mental calculation in her head of which bill wouldn’t get paid this month.
Betty grinned. “I know, and we’ll be wearing bathing suits right in the middle of winter! Robin you’re going to love the Bahamas!” Betty had been twice, as well as to Hawaii and Jamaica. “You and I are going to swim and eat and shop until we collapse.” Robin grinned at her mother’s enthusiasm. She spent the next few minutes describing the tropical beauty and all of the excursions that she had booked for their ten day trip.
“Mama!” She laughed. “We are going to have time to just relax and chill, right?”
“Oh yeah! We definitely have to spend some time in a hammock, plopped on a beach.” Betty’s smile broadened and her eyes glistened. “Robin, there is no one…other then maybe your Dad, that I’d rather be taking this trip with. And I know that things haven’t always been good, but I want you to know that I’m trying very hard to make that up. God has given us a second chance and I want to appreciate every second that I have with you.”
Robin felt her eyes sting. “I know that you have been working hard and I appreciate how you’ve accepted Jason and how much better you and I get along. It’s been wonderful, Mom.”
Betty took Robin’s hand and squeezed it quickly. “I thought you might cancel on me once you started dating Jason because you wouldn’t be with him on Christmas.”
Robin shook her head adamantly. “No. I wouldn’t do that. I already told Jason about our trip and I’m sure it’s not going to be a problem. He’ll be on winter break until the second week of January so we won’t have to worry about him getting back and forth to school. Besides, mama, he is really working hard on that project with Akita Tom. I don’t think he’ll be missing me all that much.”
She sighed in relief. “Good because I already sent in the final payment and we’re talking about more than two grand, non-refundable.”
“Wow, Mama, do you want me to pay for some of it-?”
“No. This is my present to myself. So you better not even think about buying me a present this year…and don’t think you are going to get one, either!” She laughed but Robin’s smile was slight and almost secretive.
“I know that I already have all of the gifts that I could want for Christmas.”
Betty watched her, thoughtfully. “Jason’s a good person. Do you see him in your future?”
“I can’t imagine him not in my future.” Her heart swelled as she said those words.
Betty continued to watch her, her expression unreadable. “I’ll probably always be concerned about the obstacles that you and he have to face-”
Robin opened her mouth to interject but Betty held up her hand and halted her.
“-but I know that you and Jason will handle it perfectly and if you have problems it’s from everyone else in society.” Robin relaxed at the accuracy of her words. “And my god, that boy knows his music! Honey, if I hadn’t heard him school me on music from my own generation, I would not have believed it myself!” Infact, it was his knowledge of music which sealed the deal for her. Any 19 year old (white or black kid) that could successfully name the members of the Temptation, or that would hug a Bootsy Collin’s album as if it were a rare jewel, could not be bad in her eyes. There was something about Jason that was immediately evident, whether you thought you liked him or not, and that was his unwavering confidence. He practically dared you to prove that he was different than anyone else.
And her daughter had chosen him. And Betty was learning to have faith in her baby.
The next day Robin sat quietly listening to Jason and Peter create very beautiful music. She kept herself busy by reading another vampire novel and interjecting her opinion when asked. Then she went to bed long before Jason and didn’t even wake when he snuggled up against her in the spoon position late in the night.
On Wednesday the studio space was ready for their use. The five friends met Mr. Edelson at an office complex that didn’t seem as if it would have a musical studio within its walls. It even had a receptionist at the first floor entrance, which gave the entire place the feeling of being a dental office. But then Mr. Edelson led them to the fifth floor and after exiting the elevator and travelling down a short hallway, they came to an office that contained three room
s; one was a sitting area, the other was filled with electronic devices, and the last was a very small glass enclosed room that held a microphone. It is where a singer would record.
The best thing is that they would get to meet Akita Tom for the first time, via webcam, but still actually meet someone that was doing exactly what Peter and Jason wanted to do. Peter warned the followers not to say anything creepy, like being his biggest fans or exclaiming their love for him. Robin shrugged inwardly, just happy to be included in the adventure. She wasn’t starstruck by Akita Tom as the others were. She was more overwhelmed at the show of wealth that it took to have a private studio set up as loaner to a group of college students.
Belinda acted comfortable and enthusiastic, as if she hadn’t just had a long conversation with Robin about being pregnant and making plans to abort. Amberly was smiling and jittery and her energy was almost irritating as she kept moving and talking. Jason was big-eyed like a kid in a candy shop. He was the most likely to say something crazy. And Peter was confident and poised, prepared to be the voice of the two.
They were introduced to a young black man that would serve as their technical advisor on the use of the equipment. He also indicated that he could help them mix but the resulting quiet was enough to let him know that his talents in that department would not be needed.
Robin settled on the couch with Amberly and Belinda while Mr. Edelson, Link and Peter sat at a round conference table that had a satellite phone positioned in the center. A camera was set up before them right beside a flat screen television and the techie; whose name was Jay, stood at the ready to begin the feed.
Mr. Edelson’s calm demeanor put the boys at ease, but Robin could plainly see that Jason was nervous. His freckles stood out as a dark contrast on his paler than usual skin. At least his hair was tamed since Robin had pulled it back into a ponytail earlier. Peter was so calm that if not for the constant drumming of his fingers against the hand rest of his wheelchair, no one would have been able to tell that he was nervous.
The phone rang and Mr. Edelson answered by speaker.
“Tom?”
“Yes, I’m here. Can you hear me clearly in Cincinnati?” Akita Tom’s friendly voice asked in a joking manner.
“Loud and clear.” Peter responded. Everyone smiled and seemed to relax.
“Yes, are you ready for the web feed, then?” Mr. Edelson asked.
“I am. Don’t laugh. It’s just after 6 am here and I’m still in jammies.”
The girl’s smiles broadened. Robin knew that she would like this man. Jay began the feed and the 32 inch plasma screen came to life. After a short moment where just a blue screen was visible, Akita Tom’s face appeared. He was surprisingly normal. He was a thirty-something white man, thin and nerdy in a youthful Bill Gates sort of way. He was indeed wearing a silk robe over a jersey. His short dark hair was a bit unruly and he hadn’t yet shaved. But his smile was broad and his eyes clear.
“An entourage!” He commented and every one chuckled. “Is this the entire Wheels of Steel group?”
“Yes.” Peter gestured to make introductions but Akita Tom interrupted. “Wait, who is Tramp Stamp?” Amberly’s hand shot up faster than anyone had ever seen her move before. She had never lay claim to that name with more enthusiasm then she had at that moment.
“That’s me! I’m Tramp Stamp!” She said while standing and waving.
“And how such a name ever got stuck on such a pretty girl is a mystery.” He said. She blushed and sat back down. “And who is Patty?”
Belinda came to her feet grinning and nibbling on her lower lip nervously.
“Damn, no one said that you had a member of your band that looked like the singer Pink. Jesus…” Belinda blushed and shook her head in denial. “You know that us nerdy guys really go for the tough girls that don’t take any shit.”
“That’s about right.” Peter confirmed while Jason shook his head in agreement.
“And who is the other lovely lady there?” Robin felt hot and cold chills course through her body. Jason smiled proudly.
“That’s my girlfriend.”
“Are you serious? You guys already got it like that? Why the hell do you need to break into the music biz? When I was your age I aspired to be just where you are now; girls in my band and a gorgeous girlfriend.” His tone was only partially kidding. Everyone could tell that he wasn’t shining them on, he really admired them for what they had already achieved. Peter took on a very thoughtful look.
“It’s good, Mr. Tom. But we’re hungry for more.”
“Just Tom, or Akita. I hear you. Look, you guys don’t know this but I’m a pretty big fan of your music. I’ve been following you for a while.” Jason and Peter exchanged surprised looks. “Anyone with a studio can create mixes, reproduce songs, but you have taken it to a different level. You’ve already achieved a cult status outside of the states and…most likely within the states. They really like you here in Japan. I’m going to get you feeds to International YouTube so you can see what I’m talking about.”
Jason’s heart was thudding in his chest. He knew that they were good…better than good, even. But he had no idea that they had a following like what Akita Tom was hinting at. Everyone sat there in quiet amazement as Akita Tom continued speaking.
“My music has a very big Asian influence…which is something that I’m very much in to. But your music is very…hard. Your use of hiphop, soul and R&B is something that I just can’t get the knack of. It’s what people want to hear. I want to merge our sounds and see what we come up with.”
“That sounds great…Tom.” Peter said while enthusiastically nodding his head. “Top and I have been messing around with a lot of things.”
“I want to hear it. I’m anxious to mess around with beats.” He paused. “Top? You have cerebral palsy? How does it impact your music?”
Everyone got quiet as Jason thought about the question. “It impacts it in both a positive and a negative way. Because of CP I found a life within music before I ever knew how to be social.” Akita smiled gently. “But because of CP I don’t have the muscle control necessary to be a musician that can play piano or guitar. But I found control within the studio…I can make it do what I need it to do. Making music this way…gave me a life.” He blushed but Akita Tom gave him an encouraging nod of his head.
“I was…a painfully shy boy. I made music for my own pleasure at first, and it was my only friend for a long time. But when people became enthusiastic about it, I learned that my music could be felt by others in just the same way that I felt it. So, music made my life. Peter, I read about your accident. And I’m very sorry about your paralysis.” Akita Tom took a deep breath. “Do you think that you would have become a mixer of music had it not been for your accident?”
Peter shook his head. “I didn’t really have any drive or direction. And it got worse after I lost the use of my legs. But then Jason taught me about making beats and um…” Peter cleared his throat and seemed to become a bit emotional as he looked down at the table. “…the world opened up to me in a different way. It was something that I could control. And…yeah.”
“Well…I think that we are all on the same page. Music is not just a means to make money or garner fame—though it can definitely lead to that. But it is our life’s blood. Do you agree?” The boys nodded. Akita clapped his hands once. “Grand! You boys get into that studio and learn how to use it and we’ll get started tomorrow! For now, I’m going to have breakfast and a cup of coffee. We’ll meet back here same time tomorrow, is that fine?”
Jason and Top agreed. They would head here directly after school each day. Once the video feed ended everyone began talking excitedly. Jay and Mr. Edelson showed them into the studio with the musical equipment allowing them to play around with it as they learned how to use it correctly. Not very surprisingly they picked it up very quickly and were already making new beats inside of an hour! The girls soon became bored and decided to pick up dinner for everyone.
