Epilogue A: Maybe I Got A Little Lost Along The Way
as told by Noah Davis
(aged 17)
23 December

I don't know where I stand on this whole Christmas thing. Sure, in theory Christmas is great. More food than you ever really need and a whole bunch of junk that you want. I just get hung on the whole family togetherness thing. Is it so wrong that it hurts when I see Mark and Cade or Joanne and Roman? There's just I bond I guess I miss.

There was one christmas, I was ten. Dad woke me up early and we went around the city just the two of us, then he snuck me into a bar where had a gig.

Two weeks later we found about the state of T-cells.

Christmas stopped for me.

I knew Mark was up to something. He doesn't hide secrets very well. Maybe that's why he made Shon tell Ella we were going Christmas shopping.

Christmas shopping my ass.

Mark looks out of place in this bar, but he casually ignores it.
He comes over from talking to the manager,

"You're up in ten. Go get warmed up."

I numbly walk to the back, take out my guitar, and start tuning.

Some old guy come of a random corner.

He looks like shit. Smells like it too.

"You're Roger Davis' boy?" He slurs a bit. Big suprise.

I nod but keep focused on tuning. I don't want to be dragged into his world. I've made my promise.

He goes on until I can hear my name. I get up to walk away.

"I bet you're crap just like your father."

I just smile back at him. What the fuck does he know?

It's just some bar, not a lot of people but its something, right?

I play what ever I can right off the top of my head, but its enough.

I've been waiting for this moment forever.

I loved watching Dad play and when he was done it was my turn...then it was kind of one of those bonding moments...now its our communication.

It feels good to be up in front of a crowd, just me and my guitar.

I don't mean to brag, but they love me. As I go off I see the old guy glare.

I love proving people wrong.

Shon just grins at me...I know what he means...

When we get back home Mark makes him self busy in the kitchen. Shon goes to our room.

"Hey, um...Mark?"

He turns around, two bowls of cereal in his hands..."Cereal?"

I take one and it silent as we begin eating,

"Mark, thanks for tonight."

He just shrugs.

"What was Dad's first gig like?"

It questions like these Mark is beginning to live for. An excuse to slip into memory. He like that sort of thing, does it whenever he thinks nobody is looking.

"The only place he and the band could find willing was that bar." For a moment he begins channeling some one much more philosophical, some one un...Mark. "The look he had playing...same one you had. I'm getting too old for the bar scene. I think we should head off to bed...I still have to pick up the squirt's present...argh...you're starting to rub off on me..."

He lays his hand on my shoulder before leaving me alone in the kitchen.

Really I guess I can't complain.
Good place. Life isn't really shitty.
Although sometimes I wish...well, what good does that do?
No day but today right?

I'm too much of a guy to admit I'm scared shitless. I'm afraid of getting lost.

Well, maybe, who isn't...?

Author's note:

Not the best chapter I really like the next two better. This one was a bit hard to write.
one down two more to go.
hope to see you all there...

review responses:

eLpHaBaFaBaLaElPhIeFaE: thanks!

BwayDiva: Maybe not so adorable anymore...and you'll see more of that in the next two chaps...he's a little blindfolded as to it himself...right now kind of brooding teen..oh well thanks as always.

Lils: I know you do. Not really but getting close...so I update on a weekend just for you does it help? Brilliant? Are you okay? anyhow thanks...

until next time, this is me...signing out