As the guys tore down that night, Tia met the organizer of the concert. They had sold out of all their merchandise, and when Tia went online, she found the album had jumped in sales along with the previous recordings that had been released. They were on their way to hitting the best-seller charts, which meant a nice paycheck for them all.
She finished up as Niko came to find her. Roger stayed close but stepped back further when Niko put his arm around Tia. Tia turned and gave Niko a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Was it a good night?” He led her through the darkened building to where the bus was parked and waiting.
“Best we’ve ever had. Niko—they sold out of everything. That never happens. It’s a cool barometer of how well you guys are being received.”
“You’ve paved the way for us, Tia. Don’t underestimate your own star power on stage, either. That’s all people seemed to want to talk about afterwards.”
“You’re silly.” She stepped into the bus, and the guys applauded.
“Tia, you sold it tonight,” Wayne shouted out.
“We’ve never performed that song better,” Sam chimed in.
Marc gave a thumbs-up and a big smile.
Johnny rose from his seat and came to her, grabbed her shoulders, and gave her a kiss on both cheeks. He whispered in her ear, “I’d kiss your lips too, because it’s a Greek thing. Except I value my schnoz too much to risk it to my cousin’s fist. You rocked it tonight, Tia.” He stepped aside and gave a nod to Niko behind her before he went to sit back down.
Niko came from behind and put his arms around her. “See? What’d I tell ya? You were the star of the show.”
“Nonsense. But thank you.” She took the fedora off his head and put it up by their faces as she gave him a kiss. “Now that is how this hat is really supposed to be used, big boy.”
Niko grinned as the men hooted and hollered. The bus pulled out of the parking lot as they hit the road for their next gig. It would be a long night as they traveled in the bus, but Tia knew three things.
She belonged.
She was wanted.
She was loved.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Friends show their love in times of trouble, not in happiness.
Euripides
The next morning on the bus, Tia rose early and sat alone with her journal before the guys started to wake up. Johnny dragged himself from his bunk in his sweats and a t-shirt, his face flushed and eyes glassy.
“Johnny?”
He slid into a seat at the table and slumped forward. Tia shoved a cup of coffee into his hand. He peeked up at her but didn’t smile. “I think I’m sick.” His voice crackled with the texture of sandpaper.
Tia cringed. Niko walked in from the bathroom and sat next to Johnny. He put a hand on his forehead.
“You’re burnin’ up man. You need to get back to bed.”
Sam peeked out of his berth and shook his head. “This isn’t good. That soaking the other night pushed you over the edge, didn’t it?”
Johnny shrugged. “Probably didn’t help.”
Tia frowned. “What soaking?”
“When we went to search for you. A storm blew in, and we all got drenched trying to get back to the hotel.”
Tia slumped and wanted to disappear into the wall of the bus. She was to blame. Her impulsive actions led to Johnny getting sick. With his cancer scare, any illness Johnny experienced put the band on edge.
Johnny looked at her. “It’s not your fault, Tia.”
The silence from everyone else spoke volumes to her, though. They all blame me, as well they should. Tia rose and went to the front of the bus to sit with Rocco.
“Johnny’s sick. We need to get to a pharmacy to buy medicine.”
“Does he need to see a doctor?”
“Not yet. Could be just a bad cold. We’ll see.”
“Concert in two days. What if he can’t sing?”
“Let’s not go there, Rocco.”
“As the manager, you need to think about it. Do you cancel, then?”
“We’ve never cancelled. It would cost us too much.”
“But what’s the cost to Johnny to perform while sick?’
Tia shook her head. “Guess I need to pray about that.”
“Next town is in an hour. I’ll program the global positioning system to find a pharmacy.”
“Thanks, Rocco.” Tia rose and went back through the bus to their berth. She closed the door and collapsed on the bed. Lord, please heal Johnny. Don’t let him or the band suffer for my selfishness. Help me be a better servant to them.
* * *
Niko helped his friend back to his bunk after getting him to drink water and pop an over the counter fever-reducer. He met with the rest of the band, and they did their study and prayed. When Rocco pulled over at a pharmacy, Niko watched his wife leave the bus to get supplies to help care for Johnny. Roger stayed inside, stating she was safe enough at the store without him shadowing her every move. She returned shortly with stuff for Johnny’s throat, for the cold, to keep him comfortable, as well as favorite treats for the guys. She also purchased some Vitamin C-infused concoction for everyone to keep the rest from catching a cold. At least that would be the hope.
“Thanks, Tia,” the guys all chimed in.
She checked on Johnny and gave him an electrolyte drink and lotion tissues. She disappeared into the back of the bus as they hit the road again.
Niko was torn. Agony for his friend vied with resentment regarding what had happened to lead to this illness. He loved his wife, and he forgave her for running off. She never asked them to come after her. In reality, it was his fault. He was the one who panicked and, in fear, urged everyone out to search. He didn’t forecast a storm. The biggest concern was that maybe this really wasn’t a cold—perhaps Johnny’s cancer had returned.
The next day, they had an evening radio interview. Johnny stayed in the bus sleeping. The guys handled it fine and because it was a Christian station, requested prayer for their sick comrade. Tia hadn’t spoken much to anyone but had been focused on caring for Johnny and seeing he recovered. Niko grew jealous of the attention she paid to his cousin.
They returned to find Johnny sitting up. He had listened to the broadcast. He rasped, “Nice job, guys.” A few chest rattling coughs and Niko escorted him back to his bunk. They’d head to the hotel, but Niko couldn’t find Tia.
“Hey, Rocco. Seen my wife?”
“She took a cab to the hotel to get everything ready. Roger accompanied her.”
Niko wasn’t sure he liked the idea of her going on ahead. When would he ever lose this fear that something might happen to her?
When they arrived, Tia came to the bus and handed out keys to the men. She gave Johnny a room next to theirs, and it wasn’t until Niko got the luggage in that he realized it was an adjoining one.
“Johnny will be fine through the night without you nursing him.”
“It’s in case he needs us or gets worse.”
“He could text me.”
Tia didn’t respond, but the droop of her eyelids indicated he had wounded her.
“Listen. I appreciate you care and feel responsible, but people get ill. It happens.”
“In all the years you’ve toured, when have you ever seen Johnny this sick?” Her arms folded across her chest.
Niko frowned. She knew the answer. It was after an exhausting tour their previous manager dragged them on, where they barely rested and performed almost nightly. That was when he got so ill Johnny sought a doctor, which led to his cancer diagnosis. “It’s not the same thing.”
“Johnny’s different. That experience changed him, Niko—body and soul. I should have put more space between our venues.”
“And raised the expenses and reduced the income? No. You’re doing fine with how you scheduled us, and we all agreed to the pace of this tour.”
“But if Johnny can’t perform…”
“We’ll go on with the show. If he rests well and the cough is contained, he m
ight play even if he can’t sing.”
“But your harmonies together are one of the hallmarks of the band.”
“It is what it is. Singers get sick. The show must go on. No one promised our performance would be identical to any studio-cut album.”
“No, but you have a reputation for being even better live.”
Niko growled. “And we are human beings who experience bad days and get sick. The audience will understand. And who knows? Maybe he’ll be well enough to sing.”
Tia shook her head and went to knock on the adjoining door.
“Come in,” was the weak response.
“You decent, Johnny?” Tia started to push open the door with Niko following.
“Are you alone? I could be indecent for you.” Johnny groaned when he saw his cousin.
Niko shook a fist. “If you weren’t doped up on cough syrup, I’d be pounding you one. You be nice to Tia. No funny business.”
Johnny giggled, coughed, and rolled over. “Thanks for the single room, but Sam would have nursed me.”
Niko grunted. “Right. He’d have punched you till you stopped snoring.”
Tia bustled around getting water and putting stuff near the bed for Johnny, who gave her a goofy grin. “Tia? Leave that schmuck and marry me instead.”
“Sorry, Johnny. I’m partial to dark brooding eyes, the curls, and the grumpy mood when he doesn’t get his way.”
“My hair doesn’t curl much since I keep it short. Stupid cancer. Donna left me ’cause of that.”
“The cancer or the lack of hair?”
Johnny stared at her. “It was an excuse. She dumped me for a guy double my weight and who made more money.”
“I’m sorry, Johnny.”
“Just keep Niko happy. Gives me hope that maybe someday I’ll find a girl like you for myself.”
“Aww, you’re sweet.” She bent over and placed a kiss on his forehead, and he grinned. “Get some rest.”
Niko walked her out of the room, shutting the door behind them. “Wanna go out to eat or order in?”
Tia checked her phone. “Wow. Didn’t realize how late it was. Order in. Chinese?”
Niko grinned, went to call, and pulled out the cash while his wife took a shower.
He watched her emerge from the bathroom in shorts and a t-shirt with a towel fluffing her hair. She tossed the towel on the floor and collapsed on the bed. “Niko?”
“Hmmm?”
“Tomorrow we visit the TV station, and later we have the concert. What will you do if Johnny hasn’t recovered?”
Niko shrugged. “I’ll bribe my back up singer to help out more on stage.”
Tia squinted at him.
“Yeah, I’m talking about you.”
“And why do you think I could even come close to singing Johnny’s part?”
“Because you’ve stepped in to do it during sound checks.”
“How would you bribe me?”
“How about a date?”
She propped herself up on one elbow. “Excuse me?”
“I’ve never taken you out on a date. I propose I take you on one.”
“A date. If I sing, I get to date the lead singer?”
“He might even be persuaded to go to bed with you.”
“And I could have my way with him?”
“Any way you’d like.”
“I’ve heard of singing for your supper but never singing for a date with my own husband.”
“Hey, it’s the best I could come up with.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Niko kicked off his shoes. The delivery man arrived, and they sat down to eat. “Niko?” What’s this?” Tia held up a container.
“Chicken noodle soup. Gotta feed the geeky guitar player next door, right?”
Tia kissed his cheek, and he headed over to make sure his cousin got some food while it was hot.
The next morning, Johnny wasn’t much better. While the rest of the band did their gig at the television station, Roger and Tia escorted Johnny to urgent care. They were first in line, and with a diagnosis of strep throat, the doctor prescribed an antibiotic. Johnny downed the first dose and went back to the hotel to sleep while the band set up at the auditorium.
Tia helped with the sound check and prayed somehow Johnny could perform. The band had done their morning show without him, but she knew they missed a lot when Johnny’s tight blend wasn’t there with Niko. Plus, the guys often played off each other with spontaneous guitar battles that entertained the crowd.
They headed back to rest, and Tia checked on Johnny, who slept. His fever finally broke.
* * *
Niko helped Johnny get ready since he was weak. Johnny insisted on playing, and while his voice cracked, he breathed easier with the help of peppermint tea Tia had forced into him the past two days. He began to smell like a candy cane.
They did a quick sound check, and with Johnny on a stool, Niko figured his cousin would make it through the night. He didn’t have to bribe his wife after all. Bummer. Her nursing left him lonely, in bed and out.
* * *
The band slowly developed a routine on the tour. A few nights in the bus and some trade-offs on driving ensured Rocco got rest. They would hit a town and do interviews followed by a concert. Every night the crowd reacted to For Love of You with a demand for an encore, and Niko sang to Tia.
Tia still experienced nightmares, but they resolved quicker and Niko took to praying over her before they went to bed. He fell asleep easier after the evening disturbances, so he was not as drained during the day. Tia filled out her curves more, regaining the weight she lost after the assault. He liked her softness.
A few weeks into the tour, he skyped with Pastor Dan, something they had been in the habit of doing. Tia gave him the berth to himself for privacy as the bus rolled down the highway.
“Hey, Niko. How’s it going?”
“Pretty good. Rough start but the crowds are great. Johnny got sick but is on the mend now. We’ve been selling out, and Tia’s fighting against demands for more venues, remembering how we burned out years ago. We’ll be in Florida soon, and she even scheduled a few days for us to enjoy Disney and Epcot.”
“How’s married life?”
“It’s good. A challenge at first. At home, I wasn’t too worried about being away from Tia—but on the road, I’ve struggled with over-protectiveness. I almost lost her once, and I’m afraid I’ll lose her again.”
“I doubt she’s taken well to being hedged in by you.”
“No. It’s caused trouble. And initially, I fell into old patterns of flirting with women.”
“Ouch,” Dan said. “I can only imagine what happened after that.”
“It wasn’t pretty. Dan, I took her for granted for all those years yet I want to keep her so close lest something happen to her, but then I forgot I was married? What kind of fool am I?”
“You’ve asked her forgiveness and she’s given it, and you’ve sought to mend your ways?”
“Yes.”
“Then move on and stop beating yourself up for your mistakes. Marriage is a big change for the both of you and under unusual circumstances.”
“I need to figure out a way to carve out more alone time with Tia, though. Were you aware that we’ve never even dated? It hit me the other day. Sure, we’re by ourselves in the hotel room, but that’s not a date. I’m hoping to get some time in Florida where we can be away from the guys. I hope they understand.”
“Might be hard, huh? She’s part of the gang, and you don’t want them to think she’s pulling you apart from them.”
“She isn’t. She has made no demands of me. She’s accepted this is the way life is, but the reality is, she deserves more, and there is much about my wife I don’t know and want to learn. I can’t do that in a group.”
Pastor Dan nodded. “How is your spiritual walk, Niko?”
Niko smiled. “Good. I’m writing songs again as we settle in. The band is studying and praying together, a
nd Tia and I finished Song of Solomon and are in the Psalms now.”
“That’s all you are doing to lead others, Niko—but how about you? Alone with God? It is a similar issue to you and Tia not having much time alone together. How are you at connecting with God?”
“Much of that comes out of the studies I’m leading and preparing. And the writing. My journal is more of a prayer and song ideas than it is a diary. I think I’m doing pretty good staying connected to God. But life is smooth right now, and part of me wonders when it might shift.”
“You can’t live in fear of the next tragedy or valley you’ll hit. They come. Cling to Jesus and keep worshipping him, confessing your sins, and letting Him work in and through it all.”
“Thanks, Dan.”
“No problem.”
“So what’s going on in your neck of the woods? Getting colder in Wisconsin?”
The conversation went on to discuss ministry and personal challenges on Dan’s end of the conversation. After setting a date in the calendar for their next video call, they said their goodbyes and Niko shut down the computer. He reclined on the berth and tried to figure out how he would break it to the guys—he wanted to date his wife. Alone.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend.
Theophrastus
Tia couldn’t keep her eyes open. She excused herself, headed to the berth, and stretched out for a nap. She hadn’t needed naps since just after the attacks, but now this had been happening daily. She didn’t understand what was wrong. Yesterday, she thought it could be a touch of the flu. The smell of food was enough to make her skip dinner altogether.
Niko was sweet, but he was on edge. She still experienced nightmares, but that didn’t seem to be the issue. The problem was her breaking into tears for the slightest reason. Sometimes they were happy tears. She cried through every concert lately, and by the time she got out there to sing, she was red-eyed and weepy. The crowds still seemed to love the performance.
Niko wrote a new song and sang some of the lyrics for her, and she wept. She couldn’t remember what day it was or where they were supposed to go next. Thank goodness it was all in writing and her phone reminded her of the day of the week. At least tomorrow they had a break and would spend time playing, going to Epcot and Disney, and enjoying themselves. She even flew Ginny down as well as Wayne’s wife, Candace, to join them for a few days.
Feta and Freeways Page 13
