Chapter eleven
Brian steered the truck down the dark, lonely road. He glanced over a few times at Daniel, sitting on the passenger side. He could tell he was hurting. Brian had no idea what had started the argument between Daniel and Adam moments earlier, but he knew that he had only once seen Daniel that out of control before...and it had not been with Adam. It had been with Brian. Fighting over a woman. Brian shivered when he remembered back to that night. He was glad now that at least, it hadn't come to blows with Adam.
Daniel had punched Brian, more than once that night. He had begged Brian to swing back, but Brian could never have done that. Daniel was his little brother. He was hurt and confused, Brian knew. He wasn't about to hurt him even more. He would have rather let Daniel beat the crap out of him than to strike him.
Daniel sat silently staring out the window into the darkness. He couldn't see anything, he wasn't trying to see anything. He was lost in his thoughts...in his grief.
He had meant every word that he'd said. He had said all these things before, just not to Adam's face. He had expressed it all to Crane over the last few years. Crane refused to see it as Daniel did. He corrected Daniel each time, telling him that he was wrong about Adam. Daniel didn't care what Crane believed.
He had his his big brother all figured out. It hurt him though, to know these things about him. After all, he considered Adam to be like a father. He was someone that he wanted to please. Daniel remembered and loved his real father very much, but Adam had been the one to take care of him ever since he was eight years old.
He and Brian...Brian was a lot different than Adam. He was a cool brother. He didn't judge. He was supportive when need be...like right now, for instance...but, he didn't try to tell them all what to do. He knew his place...he was a big brother, not a parent.
Some of Crane's words were sneaking in from the back recesses of Daniel's mind, no matter how hard he tried to shut them out. Adam didn't choose to be in charge. He had no choice. He can't always be our brother. He is responsible for us and sometimes he has to be a parent. We can't fault him for it...it's just the way it is. It's not fair to him for us to hold it against him. Don't you know that he would love nothing more than to just be our cool big brother? Don't you think he hates having to be the one to tell us no when we want something when he knows it's not good for us?
That last part was what bothered Daniel the most. To think that he has to tell us no when he knows it's something that's not good for us. Daniel figured that what Adam was trying to say about him chasing a music career was no, it's not good for you Daniel. As far back as Daniel could remember, Adam seemed to view music as Daniel's hobby. Ranch work was what was important.
Like Adam, Daniel was naturally good at ranching. He was well rounded with all the duties. He was a skilled mechanic and was a natural with the animals. He could rope and ride as well as the rest of them. He was patient and methodical. Any problem that arose, he could be counted on to figure out a solution. He was all in all a good guy to have around. Daniel was sure that this was all Adam viewed him as. Someone handy to have around. He had figured out for himself a long time ago that the reason Adam didn't want his music career to go anywhere was because he would lose him as a steady ranch hand.
Brian's voice broke into Daniel's thoughts. "Hey partner, you feelin' any better?"
"Not really." Daniel answered flatly.
"Hey Dan'l. You know...you're wrong about Adam. I dunno what started all of this, but you gotta believe me. He wants what's best for all of us. We both raised you boys up telling you to be all that you can be and we meant it. He is not trying to stand in your way buddy. Do you hear me talkin' to ya?" Brian asked.
"Yeah, sure. I hear ya." Daniel replied.
"So where are we going anyway?" Brian asked. They were approaching Murphys and Brian had promised to take Daniel wherever it was that he was going when Adam had tried to stop him. He couldn't let the kid tear off down the road in the state that he had been in.
"Drop me off at the hotel." Daniel answered.
"For the night or what?" Brian asked, completely in the dark.
"I don't know. That might be best...I don't really wanna go home...wait, no...just give me an hour and come pick me up, would ya? I'll meet you right back here in front." Daniel answered as Brian pulled the truck up in front of the hotel.
"Ok partner...If that's what you want...and hey, think about what I said, ok?" Brian said, reaching over to squeeze Daniel's neck.
"Ok, Bri. I will." Daniel replied. He stepped out of the truck and headed inside the hotel.
Daniel knocked quietly on the door. He took in a deep breath and waited.
"Daniel...what are you doing here this time of night?" Tally asked, clearly surprised.
"Come in." She said backing away from the door to let him inside.
"I've got some questions for you Tally." Daniel began.
"Sure, sit down. I was just having a drink, you want one?" Tally offered, pouring herself a glass of whiskey.
"No, I'm good." Daniel replied. "Tally, when did Spider quit the band?" He asked her pointedly.
"Um, a couple of months back. Why?" She replied.
"Why are you just now offering this job? Who's been playing guitar for you for the last couple of months?" Daniel asked.
"Oh, we hired a guy right after Spider headed back to L.A. He's good, he just didn't impress the record company." She explained.
"Why not?" Daniel asked.
"I dunno exactly. He's older, not really attractive. I dunno, they just said he doesn't fit. The fact is, they were all ready to sign us after they saw us perform the first time. That was when Spider was still with us. When they brought the head of the label back, Spider was gone and we had Keith with us. The guy just wasn't sold on Keith. He told us to find another guitar player and he would come back and take a second look. If he liked what he saw, he would sign us. He suggested that we get someone younger and better looking. Someone with good stage chemistry like me and Spider have...with the same level of talent of course. We all naturally thought of you...so, when we called Spider and begged him to come back and he turned us down, we just knew that we had to try to get you." Tally explained.
"Ah, so I'm second choice." Daniel said.
"Look, Daniel you asked. I'm being straight with ya. That's exactly how it went down. Sorry if it hurts your feelings." Tally replied.
"No, that's ok. I appreciate it. So, you're saying there's no guarantee's. This guy has to like me or it's a no go?" Daniel asked.
"Well, I guess. But Daniel, he will love you. We all know it. You're great! Don't sell yourself short here. Be confident in yourself." Tally said, reaching out to brush her hand down his face.
Daniel pulled back a little and Tally caught it. "Hey, you don't have to be afraid of me. I'm not gonna hurt you again, I promise."
"No Tally, you're not. I'm not gonna let you hurt me this time." Daniel replied. Way to go Daniel! Lay the law down to her for a change. He almost laughed out loud at his own thoughts.
"So listen. I was gonna call you tomorrow. See, it's like this. Spider called this evening and he's reconsidering. He talked to his lady friend and she didn't want to be the reason that he turned down such a great opportunity. I explained to him that I have already offered the job to you, but...you hadn't given me an answer yet." Tally said.
"So that's it. If Spider comes back, I'm out, is that it?" Daniel said, not at all surprised. Fickle should be this girls' middle name.
"Look Daniel. There's no absolute guarantee for us here. We are hoping the record company will want you, but...the fact of the matter is, if Spider's in, they are ready to sign. But, if he decides to pass, the job is yours...Don't be mad, ok?" Tally pleaded, but with a lack of genuine concern in her voice.
"No, I'm not mad. Fact is, I started to come here tonight to tell you no. I had some questions, but I was still leaning towards no. My band is important to me. I want a career, but...I want it on my terms. We just have to keep working at it and our chance will come. I'm not willing to settle for just any offer. It has to be right for me...a hundred percent." Daniel explained.
"I understand. Can I ask you something?" Tally said.
"I guess so." Daniel replied.
"When you got here, it looked to me like you had been pretty upset. Something tells me there is more going on with you than this job offer." Tally said.
"Oh, don't worry your pretty little head about me." Daniel replied flatly.
"Hey, Daniel...I got to know you pretty good a while back. Now, I could tell you were hurtin' as soon as I opened the door." Tally explained, then continued. "Maybe I'm not your favorite person in the world, but if you need a friend to talk to, I'm willing to listen...It has to be your family. I know how much they mean to ya. What's goin' on?"
Wow, there is a human side to her, after all. Daniel thought to himself.
"I had a fight with Adam. He doesn't know about any of this, but...I'm sick of him trying to butt into my life. He doesn't want me to have a music career at all." Daniel began.
"Yeah, I remember you tellin' me about it...well...back then, when we were together. Daniel I gotta be honest with ya. I watched him in the audience both nights that he watched us perform. I didn't get that sense at all from him. In fact, to me he looked proud of ya. Couldn't you see it? He looked like a proud Pappa to me. Are you sure you aren't just hiding behind him? You know, using him as an excuse because you're scared? Daniel you're young. We all get scared. Staying on the ranch with your family...I'm sure that gives you a sense of security. There's no security in this business, and...well, it's a hard thing to do. Jump out into the unknown with no safety net.
She was right. Daniel had never had it put to him so plainly, but Tally had just spoken the truth. It did scare him. He had been blaming Adam for his own insecurities. Maybe Crane and Brian were right about Adam. Mabye it wasn't that he wanted Daniel to stay. Maybe he was just protecting him while he was there. The fact of the matter was, he had hurt Adam tonigt...bad. He was feeling pretty lousy about it too. He needed to make things right. He loved Adam with all his heart and he couldn't leave things like this between them. He was sorry and he had to let him know that. After all, no one was promised tomorrow. Something bad could happen to either one of them at any time. Daniel couldn't bear the thought of never being able to apologize to Adam.
"Tally, I've gotta go. I have to talk to my brother. Forget about the offer. Whether or not Spider comes back to High Sierra, I'm not interested. I'm gonna have my own career one day, but this isn't the right move for me. Thanks for thinking of me...and thank you for the talk. I hope y'all get your record deal and I wish you nothing but the best. Right now I have to right a big wrong. My family is the most important thing in the world to me and I can't lose them...any of 'em!"
Daniel reached out and gave her a hug and for once his knees weren't going weak over her. They were weak, but it had nothing to do with Tally Dean. He turned and left, not caring about anything other than going home.
to be continued...