Thanks to SnowflakeMelt for my first review, I really appreciate it. . . I know this chapter may seem kinda short. . . And. . . Well. . . It is, but it was a natural break int the story. If I had added what is now the beginnings of Chapter Three, I think it would have made this chapter too long. . . Sue me. . . Wait. . . Don't sue me, I have no money. . . Anyway, enjoy the story!
Chapter 2
"Dude," Cody exclaimed, "that was the best show yet!" The human's hazel eyes sparkled as he and Theodore walked backstage after the show. "You knocked it out, man!"
"I'm right here on your shoulder, Cody." The chipmunk smiled and said in mock annoyance. "You don't need to be so loud." The tone of his voice changed slightly, "You know I've heard enough yelling. . ." He gave a small sigh, then smiled brightly at best human friend. "Thanks for letting me ride, I know it was your Dad's idea."
Cody blushed as he started walking to the dressing room he and Theodore shared. "Hey, no problem. It's definitely safer for you up here anyway. . . Thanks for letting me play in the show." He turned the knob and opened the door. "It was awesome. . . Where do you want to get off the 'Richardson Express'"? He smiled.
Theodore laughed. "Just put me down on the table next to the closet. I want to change before we go to the trailer. . . I'm just glad you said yes, you're an amazing musician. I mean as far as I know you can play anything, and people deserve to hear you. . ." Cody blushed even more as Theodore un- wrapped the multi-shaded green scarf from around his neck, revealing the beginning of a large swatch of gauze. He then carefully pulled of the black knit sweater he now wore for performances to reveal the rest of the gauze wrapping that ended at just above his waist. "I still owe you for saving my life. . ."
Silence filled the room for a few moments until there was a knock at the door. "It's Dave and Matt. . . Can we come in?" Cody glanced at Theodore who was putting on his trademark green hoodie, then turned back at the door and opened it. The human was instantly wrapped in a hug from his father.
"I am so proud of you, Cody", Matt said coming out of the hug. "You both sounded great. Dave's even playing better than he has in years. Watching you play reminded me of the days when you played at Days End." The two sons exchanged a curious glance. "That's where Dave first made a job out of playing piano." Matt smiled at the memory. "I was just a glorified bouncer. . . One night, two drunken idiots got into a fight. The piano player got out of the way but not without a broken nose."
"My nose was shattered so badly that after his shift ended a few minutes later, he took me to the emergency room." Dave smiled at his best friend. "He stayed with me all night because I didn't have anyone else. We've been like brothers ever since. "
Then he turned to his own son, "you sounded great Theodore." He walked over to the closet, "you're getting better and better."
"How long did I hold the note tonight?" The chipmunk was referring to one of the last notes in the 'The First time Ever I Saw Your Face'. Since starting to perform the song as a solo, Theodore would flex his vocal muscles by holding the final 'saw' lyric as long as he could while Dave timed him.
Dave's smile expanded into a grin, but he said nothing.
"Come on Dave. . . Please." The chipmunk whined.
"Fifteen seconds-" Dave was interrupted by shouts.
"YES!" The chipmunk jumped for joy. That beat his previous record by almost five seconds. When he landed, however, he winced and reached under his hoodie. He brought his paw back out, and sighed. "Great. . ."
Cody's face grew concerned. "Are you O.K. Theo?" Then he caught sight of the small amount of blood on chipmunks paw, and let out a small gasp. "Did you pop any stitches?"
Theodore sighed. "No, but I think I split one of the cuts open." The chipmunk blushed.
"Come on," the teenager gave his friend a soft smile, "we need to change you bandages anyway." He glanced at his father. "Or do you want us to wait?"
"Go ahead. . ." Matt opened the door, and addressed the guard outside the door. "Henderson, can you walk Cody and Theodore to our trailer?" The guard nodded. "Stay outside until I get there please. . . I need to talk to Mr. Seville for a moment."
"Of course sir" He turned the boys, and Theodore was already on Cody's shoulder.
"I'll check in later Theodore, love you." Dave said.
"Love you too. . . Tell Alvin and Simon goodnight for me." The chipmunk waved as he rode out the door. "Thanks for letting me stay with you and Cody, Matt."
"Of course, my job is to keep the three of you safe." The head of security smiled. "Even from each other," he added under his breath.
"See you later Dad. . . Mr. S," Cody said.
After the two sons left, the fathers turned to each other. "So. . ." Dave started, "what did you need to talk to me about." Although, the father of three had a feeling he knew. "Where are Alvin and Simon?"
"In your trailer, in their separate rooms, with a member of my team outside each room. . . I'm sorry Dave, they got into it again. As their 'secondary father', as you call me, I had to separate them so they wouldn't try to kill each other. . . Again. "
