A Tour causes strain between brothers
A few weeks later Nat and Alex were packing for the tour. Everybody was excited about singing on live television. Nat had mixed feelings about the tour on one hand he was thrilled about singing on television but he would be far away from Rosalina until school started.
Alex came upstairs and said "Nat have you seen Mr. Rock bear? He was right under my pillow last night now I can't find him anywhere."
Nat said "Al stop acting like a child. You don't have to take Mr. Rock bear on a tour. That was fine when you were little but now it would just be stupid."
Alex said "you didn't give him to me until you were twelve. I'm only nine so it's ok for me to still want to sleep with him."
Mr. Wolf said "Nat Rosalina wants to talk to you. She sounds tired though so don't stay on too long. Goodnight Alex and go to bed this time. We have a plane to catch at five in the morning and remember we're going to be on TV. That means no swearing when I turn on the lights to wake you up."
Nat ran downstairs and grabbed the phone. Rosalina spoke with a shaking breath and said "Nat how are you? I miss you so much I can't believe that you guys are going to be on TV! Please promise me that you'll have fun even though I'm not there."
Nat said "of course Rosie anything you want. I'm just glad that you're ok. If you miss me while we're on tour just listen to the music box I gave you."
Rosalina started to cry Nat was afraid that she would make herself sick. He waited for her to calm down. Rosalina sniffed and said "the box was in the bottom of my purse and that was never found. I'm so sorry Nat you must hate me!"
Nat spoke softly "hate you oh god Rosie no. You mean the world to me that box can be replaced but you can't be ever."
Rosalina sighed and said "the nurses are yelling at me to go to sleep. Hospitals suck they are so strict! You're leaving tomorrow and they won't even let me talk to you for five minutes."
Nat said "what time do they turn the phones on there? Dad said that will be at the airport for at least five hours before they load the plane. I could call you before we leave if they have the phones turned on before eight."
Rosalina sighed and said "no they don't turn them on until noon. I really have to get off now before they pull the pull on mine for the rest of the time I'm in here."
Nat hung up and climbed into bed after running upstairs. Then he heard Alex screaming in his sleep again. Nat got up and shook his brother gently and asked "another nightmare Al? Do you want to talk about it?"
Alex nodded and said "we were on the flight and it crashed. I was the only one who survived."
Nat said "I think you're more frightened about what happened to Rosalina then I am. Nothing is going to happen to us on that plane. We might get mauled by crazed fans and the press but no one is going to die. We'll land in Hawaii safely the worst that will happen is that we'll have jet lag. Now go to sleep please Alex it's already midnight."
Alex fell asleep but Nat sat up thinking about Rosalina. He grabbed a pen a flashlight and a piece of paper. Then he sat down and wrote a new song just for her. When he got around to sleeping his dad came into the room and woke them up.
Nat yawned and got up. Mr. Wolf said "Nat did you get any sleep last night? I found this under my door. I assuming that you wrote it for Rosalina."
Nat ran over and shook Alex who was still snoring loudly. Alex woke up and screamed "Nat I'm up! Just keep the cameras out of my face and I won't kill anyone!"
Mr. Wolf said "I let you guys sleep too late so you have to hurry. I'll get breakfast ready. I expect you both downstairs in five minutes."
When the band got to the airport Nat sat down put his head in his hands. This tour was going to be hard because Rosalina wasn't with him. He wanted to strangle someone he was so stressed out. Alex fell asleep and leaned on Nat's shoulder. Nat angrily pushed him off. His heart felt like it was on a thin sheet of ice.
Mr. Wolf said "Nat this isn't like you. You love going on tour and you love the band. What's bothering you? I'm sorry the camera guys walked in on your shower. Is there something else though? You have to admit that Rosalina is going to have a field day when she sees you naked."
Nat snapped "yes Rosalina will see it but so will the entire world! I don't really care if Rosalina sees that tape but I don't want the rest world to see my small butt!"
David thought that Nat was making a joke so he said "your butt is pretty big Nat that's why you're the leader."
Nat screamed "that's it I quit! I can't take the press and reporters anymore! I'm tired of people only seeing me as Nat Wolf leader of The Naked Brothers band! Just once I want to be known as just Nat Wolf! Dad I'm taking a cab home I'll see you in a few months."
Nat stormed out of the airport and called a cab to get home. When he got home E.T ran to him. She had been left home because Rosalina's father had promised to take care of her. Nat loved E.T very much. Whenever he was upset she would jump into his lap and lick his face. Nat called E.T upstairs and had her jump on to the bed. He then climbed up himself.
E.T settled herself on Nat's chest and whimpered she hated it when Nat was upset. She had been with the family since Nat was a baby.
. Nat felt awful about leaving the band now that he wasn't angry anymore. Tears flowed freely down his cheeks and into E.T's fur. ET looked at Nat like her pup she licked his face to remove dirt, sweat, or in this case tears. She also slept in bed with him to keep him warm.
Nat said "E.T its ok girl. The band is just going through a rough patch right now. Just be a good dog and go lay down."
E.T barked loudly and whined. Nat hugged her and she lied down on his chest again. Nat had just gone to sleep when his cell phone rang. He answered it on the first ring thinking it was his dad making sure he got home alright.
Rosalina said "Nat I just talked to your dad. He said you quit the band because of something the press did. Is this true because it's all over live television?"
Nat said "the camera crew filming our tour took things a little too far this time. They followed me into the bathroom and took pictures of me naked! I got angry and I quit Rosie you would have done the same thing."
Rosalina said "you're right Nat I would have freaked if the press got that annoying. That's just not right for them to have invaded your personal space like that. I thought these people had to follow the rules of basic human respect. I'm sorry Nat and I hope that they have enough respect not to show those images. They apologized to you right and said it was just a mistake? Sometimes those people make me so mad I could scream!"
Nat said "No and that's the problem! Please don't scream though you'll make yourself sick Rosie. Since I'm going to be at home by myself maybe I could come see you."
Rosalina said "I have to go my dad just got here. I love you Nat promise me that you'll think about coming back to the band."
Nat hung up and lied down again. Lucky their other dog came into the room and lied down on the floor. Nat stroked her ears and tried to go to sleep. A few hours later David called Nat answered and said "David what do you want? I told you before I left I quit. There's nothing that you can say to get me back into the band. I'll still talk to you but I've had enough with the press and crap. Yes I talked to Rosalina and No I'm not coming back! It doesn't matter what you guys offer me I'm done being Nat Wolf leader of the Naked Brothers Band!"
David said "Nat the band is falling apart! Copper can't even stop Alex and Tomas from fighting like you can. Your dad blames himself for you leaving. He says he should have put limits on the press."
Nat's heart let into his throat when he said "the band is falling apart! Copper always said that we were like a family. Family never falls apart that's what mom always said."
Dean said "Alex hasn't stopped crying since you left. He thinks that the band is breaking up. I just keep telling him that I don't know and that it's really up to you how things turn out."
Nat said "let me talk to him. This is my mess and I have to fix this put Alex on please David said "Alex is too depressed to talk to anybody. That's why I called you because things are way out of control."
Nat said "I can't believe I'm saying this but milk always helps him calm down. I'll talk to him once he's stopped crying. Thanks for telling me what's going on David? Is Alex mad at me?"
David said "Nat I really don't think that it's my place to tell you. I have to go stop another fight between Alex and Tomas before they kill each other."
Nat hung up and got out of bed. E.T whimpered and looked at him with sad eyes. Nat patted her head and said "you are so lucky to be a dog girl. Dogs don't hold things against you or take rude pictures of you. I love you E.T I promise girl I'm ok. Just go lay down that's a good girl."
E.T lied down and fell asleep. Nat was worried about the band. David had sounded really stressed and worried. Nat remembered what he had said to Alex about their mom's connection with the band. He had promised Alex that as long as the band remained whole he would never loose his way of remembering her.
Nat picked up his cell phone and called Alex. Alex answered and his voice sounded like he was trying not to cry. Nat said "Al please don't do this. The band isn't breaking up you know I wouldn't let that happen. I love you Al now calm down and take a deep breath."
Alex sniffed and said "how do you know the band's breaking up? You're not in it anymore Nat you quit this morning."
Nat said "Al you can just relax. I love you little brother and I'm sorry I took what the press did out on you. I can't come back until I manage to laugh off what happened."
Alex snapped "Everybody is going nuts trying to figure out what we're going to do without you! Please come back to us Nat we need you."
Nat said "Al please calm down. I love you. That is why I want you to lead the band until I get back with you guys." Nat hung up and E.T jumped into his lap. Nat petted her and said "thank you for cheering me up girl. Here's a dog treat for the best dog in the world."
Lucky made a low growl in her throat. Nat said "you miss Alex don't you? He'll be here in a few months. Where's the ball Lucky? Go get the ball Lucky."
Nat threw the ball for Lucky for a little while and turned on the TV. He turned to the channel that Rosalina said the band was on. He saw the band getting ready to practice for their next big concert. Nat noticed something strange about the room. There was only a piano in the center of the room.
Nat heard his father sing "far longer than forever I'll hold you in my heart. It's almost like you're here with me although we're fall apart. Far longer than forever as constant as a star I close my eyes and I am where you are. Much stronger than forever and with your love I'll never be alone."
Nat stood up and called his father. He wanted to know why his dad was playing the song he wanted to play for Rosalina while on tour. Mr. Wolf answered the phone on the first ring and said "Nat are you ok? Alex said you made him leader of the band until further notice. Do you remember what happened the last time?"
Nat said "I'm trying to make things right dad. I hurt Alex and I'm letting him have something that he wants."
Mr. Wolf said "is there another reason why you called? You seem upset Nat."
Nat said "dad why are you playing my song for Rosalina? I wanted her to hear me sing it for our two months of dating present. Now that surprise is ruined dad thank you very much!"
Mr. Wolf said "Nat I'm playing that song trying to get Alex to relax. Before he talked to you he wouldn't even leave the hotel room. He was drowning his sorrows in milk. Thank god he's only addicted to milk."
Nat said "dad I got Alex to calm down. Now Rosalina has heard her song before it was ready. Haven't you noticed that he's in Rehearsal with you? I'm watching the band on TV right now dad. You guys sound great yeah I miss you to."