June

by Erik Schubach

  Lizzie comically put her finger to her lips, her eyes glittering with mischief, grabbed my hand, dragged me out into the hall, and closed the door. I was taken by surprise by a secondary sneak attack hug and squeal that matched the one from just moments earlier, leaving my feet dangling off the ground. God help me, I was grinning like an idiot. I love my baby sis so much and it warms my soul knowing she gets so excited to see me.

  She set me down again. Now, I'm not a small woman. At five foot eight, I'm slightly above average. My sister is six foot two, medium boned, and with her Pacific Islander features and complexion, she looks like a freaking Amazon princess.

  Even though I was only five at the time, I still remember the day we flew to Puerto Rico to meet the orphaned child my parents said would be my baby sister. I was so happy, I had wanted a brother or sister, lots of the kids around our neighborhood and in kindergarten had siblings.

  She was a baby then, just one year old. She was perfect. I remember just sitting and staring in awe of her, and I was so excited that she was going to be my sister! Then Mom and Mother explained to me that it was my job to be big sister, her role model, her protector, to be someone she could look up to.

  I took that seriously and still do today. I love her to death and make sure she is always happy and I try to be a person she can be proud of. She's my baby sister, I don't care if she is a fully grown woman now, I will protect her with every ounce of my being. The person who ever hurts her will find themselves buried in an avalanche of hellfire and pain and I'd be the one directing its fury. I mean, you know... she's ok for a little brat that's bigger than me.

  “June!” She squeaked out. “You're two days early! I was going to sneak out tomorrow to go clubbing with you in Seattle.”

  I grinned. “Hi Lizzie. Yeah, I just have something important to discuss with the family.”

  She squished up one side of her face and squinted at me. “Hmmm... it's June... your season of renewal.” Then her eyes shot wide when she realized what I was about to do. I tell her everything and I have been contemplating this for months. She's like my sounding board, my interactive diary if you will. She was buzzing with excitement. “Really?! You're going to do it?” I gacked again as she hugged me.

  I nodded, “It's actually already underway. Mom sent me to collect you. We're heading to Uncle Dave's for lunch. I'll drop the bomb on the 'rents there.”

  She nodded and pulled out her cell and was blushing and swinging side to side as she canceled her lunch date with Jeremy. Her current beau. Then she turned to me and pushed one hand forward, palm up down the hall. “After you big sis.” Then she made a squishing motion with her hand indicating I was small.

  I rolled my eyes and yanked her beside me playfully. “Nobody likes a wise ass Twiggy.”

  She didn't miss a beat. “Unless it is you.”

  I nodded. “That was a given.” We chuckled as we went in search of out moms. Twiggy was her little-stuffed giraffe that she dragged around until she was twelve and already taller than me. I started calling her Twiggy then and the nickname sort of stuck.

  I blame Mom. She has this almost supernatural gift of finding fitting nicknames for people that fit to a T. I sort of picked up the habit, probably by osmosis. She's only misfired on a nickname once. When she called me Squirt when, I was a baby. That name is the bane of my existence even today. Zoey, Mom, and Lizzie all use it from time to time. I'm sure if I had a therapist, he'd agree it was cruel and unusual. Or maybe he'd just laugh himself silly and call me Squirt too. Now see? That's why I don't have a therapist.

  We met up with our parents in the lobby and headed out down the street to Dave's Diner.

  Chapter 2 – The Plan

  Once we were seated in our usual back booth at Dave's by our uncle, we took the time to catch up a bit. As usual, Uncle Dave knew what we liked and just started cooking. I glanced over at him fondly. His hair was getting silver highlights all throughout it and his strong face was etched with smile lines.

  I decided I'd lay things out after we ate. I just looked around at my favorite women. I stopped noticing how we all just naturally sign around Mom as I said, “So, tell me things. What I miss this past week being stuck up there in Seattle?”

  This got me a cacophony of snorts and smiles. I feigned innocence., “Whaaaat?”

  Mother smirked. “Message received oh subtle one. Not telling us what brings you home until after we eat.”

  I mocked indignation. “What? I'm just curious how things are going at home.”

  Lizzie hopped in. “Because you have been away oh so long. You only visit every weekend since you went two whole hours away to take care of our Cornfed Potatoes business.”

  I just shook my head at the women. “Fine fine, whatever. But I am seriously interested in any new developments.”

  Mom just grinned and swung her eyes to Liz. My sister rolled her eyes and said, “Fine. I was going to wait to tell her once it actually happened.” She turned to me. “I think Jeremy is going to pop the question this weekend. He's been really secretive lately and then he springs on me that we have a reservation at Alessandro's on Sunday night.” She had an excited gleam in her eyes.

  This was exciting news, and I already knew. He called me begging for help last week, being a Northwest transplant, he wasn't aware that there was a six month waiting list at Alessandro's. I actually approved of the man, he doted over my sister and he made her so happy.

  He pushed the right buttons by saying that Elizabeth says there isn't anything I can't do. I dropped Crystal McKay a line. I already owe her a couple favors, I actually don't know anyone who doesn't. She chuckled and told me just to call Alessandro and tell him to give Jeremy her table for the night. I had to snort when Crystal added, “Ooooo and the leader of June's Eight owes me yet another one.” This got me to grin too. My little group of friends in New York did make a mess out of that city and we left our mark, I'm still amazed how many urban legends I hear about us.

  Now, I couldn't resist some teasing as our lunch arrived. I shrugged. “How do you know he's even interested in marriage?”

  She blushed. “He stayed with me all through college and he moved to Vancouver when I graduated. Either he is a dreamy stalker or he may truly care for me sis.” I crinkled my nose at her and she added. “And you're mean.”

  I grinned at my parents who were trying not to chuckle. “I'm sorry Twiggy. It's just so much fun teasing you.” The french fry projectile she sent my way hit me right between the eyes. We all laughed and listened to her tell us why she suspected he was going to propose as we ate.

  It never ceases to amaze me how savory Uncle Dave can make everyday food like a cheeseburger taste. He's like the god of American diners.

  When we finished up and Dave had cleared away the plates all eyes turned to me. Mom signed without saying, “Now spill woman, stop stalling.”

  I sighed. My nerves were already getting to me and I kept my hands in my lap for a bit so they couldn't see them shaking. I contemplated some grand escape. Possibly using a holographic walrus, a pair of chopsticks, and a high powered laser.

  I took a deep breath and then looked each one in the eyes in turn and ended looking into Mother's expressive brown eyes. I started talking, my voice seemed a million miles away, like it was someone else speaking. “I... I want to quit Traxx and start my own record label in London.”

  It came out in a rush and didn't have a fraction of the eloquence I had planned. Nobody said a word. Mother just tilted her head a bit, implying she wanted me to elaborate. Why was my mouth so dry all the sudden? I took a gulp of water from my glass and said. “I've wanted to go out and make my own mark on the world for some time now.” I glanced between my parents. “You two cast a large shadow. I couldn't be more proud of both of you and I love you so very much, but I want to see the sun. I want to step out into the open and spread my arms and make some part of the world mine.”

  Still nothing. My heart was pounding. “The only thing I love as much as my fa
mily is music. Harmony Traxx is the most amazing thing and it has nurtured my love for music. So I decided that music would be my life. I mean, do something you are passionate about right?”

  I was beginning to wonder if I were the only one there and was just imagining my silent family. I nervously glanced around at them. “I have loved the underground music scene for all of my adult life and I see so much potential there. I was thinking about starting a label that sought out these untapped talents and nurturing them. Make the label an invitation only opportunity for these artists.”

  I thought a moment. “The biggest underground music scene is in London. Eclipsing even New York's, so it would only make sense to be positioned where the artists are. I would take a page out of the Harmony Traxx book and take a small percentage of the royalties, though I would make a profit, to fund future ventures, and give bonuses to the scouts.”

  Still silence. “Half a world away, maybe I won't simply be the daughter of Mandy Fay Harris and Congresswoman West.” Then I added. “I really think I can pull this off with the right people.”

  I spread my shaking hands on the table inviting comments, arguments... anything.

  Mother spoke first, her eyes watering up, but her strong, confident voice not betraying her emotions, “You should use the Harmony label to lend credit to the new studio. There is a lot involved in setting up a recording label, you should get with Nick and Frank to hammer out some details. It won't be easy.”

  I was speechless. I searched her eyes for any clue as to her feelings. She was normally so easy to read, all of her emotions are right on the surface. I reached into my bag and pulled out the business plans I had worked up and handed them to her. “I... I all ready have the past few months. They said it was impossible.”

  This got Mom to snort, she giggled out, “Telling you that something is impossible is like trying to put out a fire with gasoline.” I smiled at that comparison. Once I got my teeth into something, I never let go. Just ask the New York Deputy Mayor and the director of the New York Department of Transportation. Then she added, “Knowing them, they said it on purpose to get you stoked up.”

  I blinked a couple times and looked over at a super smiley Lizzie, tears were threatening her eyes too. Then my jaw dropped. They all knew. They friggin' knew I was going to propose something like this. I mumbled, “What the hell? You knew?”

  Mom gave an overly cute smile as she shrugged. A tear rolling down one cheek. Mother leaned into me and bumped shoulders with me, and spoke with pride, “We've been wondering when you were going to leave the nest baby girl. You are a one woman army and need to roam freely. You know we love you and will support you in anything you endeavor.” Then she suddenly sobered and added sadly, “I know you sacrificed your own music because of me.”

  I sighed. “Mother, you have no idea how proud I am to be your daughter. So it is no sacrifice at all.”

  Then Lizzie started bouncing around in her seat. “You'll need a studio, and staff, and... and people in the know on the streets to scout and...”

  I stopped her and looked around sheepishly. “Ummm... I already have a building in London proper and it is being converted into a recording studio. It will be completed in October. I sort of dipped into my trust fund a bit. And I am hand selecting staff already. I sort of needed to make an announcement to you all because I need to leave after my birthday to try to locate the first scout that I want. The guy is almost a ghost in the underground music scene in Manhattan.”

  Then I felt some shame as I looked back at Mother and said, “And I needed to give my notice to Harmony Traxx.”

  She just hugged me as I started to cry. “Oh baby. You are going to do great.” I don't know which of my emotions was causing the tears. Hell, maybe all of them, but relief was the most dominant in my mind. I was so afraid they would be disappointed in me.

  Mom shrugged with glassy, tear filled eyes. “What do you think about London Harmony? Could be a sister studio for Harmony Traxx. And you know you always have access to all of our studio resources here.”

  I blinked. “I... I like that.” I turned to Mother and cocked an eyebrow, she just smiled and nodded ascent.

  Lizzie just squealed and clapped in glee and blurted out toward the kitchen, “Pie! We need pie!” I smiled at her, how the hell could a full grown woman pull that off that mush cuteness?

  Have I mentioned just how much I love my amazing family?

  Then the conversation devolved into a question and answer session. The last question was, who was this scout I was trying to locate? That was the question of the hour. I said, “When I was going to the Art Academy in New York, there was this DJ named Scratch. The guy was the king of the underground scene. He had this unnatural knack for mixing that was just short of genius. I hit a few raves where he was spinning.”

  I thought a moment. “He could tell who was going to make a mark in the music scene and would only show up to showcase their music. I'd say that the guy rivaled you on determining who would make it big Mother.” That was saying a lot, Mandy Fay Harris was not only legendary in music but in who she decided to back with Harmony Traxx. She was almost never wrong.

  She nodded, impressed. “Well, if he gets your praise, that's all anyone needs to know. You gotta find him.”

  I nodded and squinted an eye. “Yeah, that's the hard part. The guy never speaks to anyone or even at all. There are rumors that he may be mute. The people who organize the raves won't talk about him for fear of him not spinning for them. He's like a ghost. So I have to do it the old fashioned way. I have to hit the underground scene in the Big Apple and try to locate him myself.”

  Lizzie rolled her eyes. “Oh you poor thing. Being subjected to awesome music while you hunt Bigfoot.”

  I grinned back at her. “Whatever sis. You're just jealous.”

  She nodded and then suddenly spoke in a serious tone. “Damn right I am.” We shared some silent sibling communication. I felt like I was abandoning her and our parents, but she silently let me know that it wasn't true and she loved me.

  We finished up, said goodbye to Dave, and made our way back to Harmony. Where I was attacked by a tidal wave of piranha. Ok, no piranha, but my super cute six year old cousins, Maxine and Teddy, the evil twins. Zoey just chuckled as I begged for help as they hugged the crap out of me. I blinked... good god I was going to miss these little rugrats!

  We caught Zoey up with events, she was a co-conspirator so she just nodded and acted appropriately surprised until Mom stopped and cocked an eyebrow like only she could. She said, “Hey little ladybug... you're playing us.” Zoey's grin scored a nine point five on the shit eating scale. The blush on her cheeks only highlighted the veil of freckles under her mop of red hair that matched her mother's. You certainly could see the family resemblance between her and Mom. They both had Grandma West's hair. I had seen old photos, I wish I had known her.

  Chapter 3 – Pickpocket

  The next few days were a whirlwind of prepping. That and they twenty-fifth birthday-ed my ass.

  I have to admit how shocked I am at how happy and supportive my family has been about this. I was afraid I'd upset my parents. I know Mother had expected me and Lizzie to take over Harmony Traxx when she retired, but she seems excited about my plans for some reason. Mom had to get back to DC to work on some legislation.

  I had just finished coordinating with the woman who will be my operations and creative manager at London Harmony. She's one of my old friends from college and a member of June's Eight, Zilrita Marx. A walking contradiction on two legs. She never dropped her goth look from college even though it contrasts so much with her over exuberant attitude and constantly smiling face. I sent her to London to oversee the renovation of our building.

  We nailed down our staffing needs and had a track on everyone we would need except for our first scout. I would perform the job until we found people for the position if I couldn't locate and lure Scratch to the dark side with us.

  The next thing I knew I was in Ne
w York city, the old stomping grounds of my college years. I was staying with an old friend, Kathleen. I smiled when I learned that she was now the manager at our old haunt, the coffee shop across from the Academy, Campus Grounds. She was working in that capacity as she paid half her salary back to the owner to buy him out. By this time next year, Campus Grounds will finally be hers.

  I was making coffee in her apartment as she walked out of her room to switch on the news in her work uniform. I signed to her when she looked back over her shoulder. She signed back that yes she'd love some coffee and to have someone else bring it to her for a change. I snorted and shook my head at my old friend. Being deaf never slowed her down in going after what she wanted in this world, she reminded me so much of Mom.

  I brought steaming cups of the wonderful smelling brown liquid to the coffee table and sat and watched the news with her as we sipped and woke up. It wasn't until she was about ready to take off for the day that I realized the volume wasn't on and we were just reading the closed captioning. Growing up in my house, half the time the sound was off.

  She stood up and smoothed out her robin's egg blue dress, the trademark look of the coffee house. Then in her slightly monotone voice with muted syllables, she said as she signed, “Walk me to work lady? I thought you might like to see the old place before you go on the hunt.”

  I nodded with a smile and absently replied, “I'd be delighted to.”

  We chatted and caught up with the past couple years. It may seem odd to some people, how there are just some people in the world that you have a connection with that time or distance can't dull. That's how it is with my old crew, June's Eight. Those seven friends are part of me, and Kat and I just bantered like it was only yesterday that we last spoke. It is a... comfortable feeling.

  After the three block walk, I was hit by a bout of nostalgia seeing our old haunt and remembering all the fun we and our friends had there. I glanced at the Art Academy across the road and smiled fondly. I had redefined my life there and forged some friendships that are the stuff of legends.