Chapter 127: Tacit Blue
Friday, January 6th, Night
(Alix singing in italics)
Walking through the terminal, he made note of how different regionals were from international airports, but they were also the waiting areas, and people that came and went. The rhythm of life, and many of the same stories. It was no different, no matter the size of the airport.
The crowd he was in pushed through until they reached the end of security and arrived in baggage claims. He found himself a spot at the turnstile and waited for the luggage to come out. This wasn't his first flight and he was patient, enough.
Finally, the turnstile started to move and the baggage started to arrive. Carefully he watched and waited. Finally, his bag came to him, and he grabbed it. Walking towards the doors out. Someone was standing there holding a sign with his last name.
"Are you Binks?" he asked.
"Yes, I am," he said, "Are you Tucker Baker?"
"Yes, I am," Tucker said.
"Good, follow me," Binks said, "The band is at the club."
"Okay," Tucker said and followed Binks out of the terminal and to the waiting SUV. Binks opened the back hatch and took Tucker's bags. They were placed in the SUV, and Tucker got into the back seat. Binks got into the front seat and they drove off.
"Anything you want to know, Mister Baker?" Binks asked.
"How is she doing?" Tucker asked.
"Tired like most of the band, and more than a little homesick," Binks said.
"She's very much a low-key woman," Tucker said.
"Her sister isn't like that," Binks said.
"Well for one, they are two different people. Two, Kat tours with her husband, and a long-time friend. Three, Kat's also been on the road since she was fifteen," Tucker said.
"I appreciate they are very different people," Binks said.
"That's also the surest way to piss Alix off," Tucker said.
"What would that be?" Binks said.
"Compare Alix to Kat," Tucker said, "They don't like it."
Binks nodded, he looked down at his watch. He turned to Tucker. "By the time we get to the venue they will be heading out on stage," he said.
"I figure as much," Tucker said.
"Would you like to wait for them in the dressing room, the bus, or somewhere else?" Binks asked.
"Binks, why are you asking so many questions?" Tucker asked.
"Mrs. Drake ordered me to take care of you," Binks said.
"I see, what else did Mrs. Drake tell you?" Tucker asked.
"Just make sure you and the band are happy," Binks said.
Tucker nodded and leaned back closing his eyes. The last few days have been long hours, little sleep, and crap food. He could feel his hands start to shake as his coffee and monster high started to wear off.
"Is there anything to eat between here and the venue?" Tucker asked.
"We could find something," Binks said.
"Thanks," Tucker said.
"What would you like?" Binks asked.
"Let's see what we come across," Tucker said.
"It would be easier if I knew what you wanted," Binks said.
"Binks, I've existed on pizza rolls, hot pockets, coffee, and Monster, so anything other than any of those," Tucker said.
"Would a burger do?" Binks asked.
"Fine, and water," Tucker said.
"Fries?" Binks asked.
"Yes," Tucker said, and leaned back, closing his eyes again. Expect for eating his burger and fries, they stayed closed until they reached the venue. Getting out of the SUV, the driver took Tucker's bags to the bandwagon. Binks led Tucker into the venue and gave him his pass.
"Where do you want to be waiting until they come off stage?" Binks asked.
"The stage wings?" Tucker asked.
Binks nodded, "Very well," he said.
Binks led Tucker up to the stage. Tucker put in his earplugs to protect his hearing. He took the moment to eat his burger. He could hear the music playing. The guitar playing of Holden was very clear. Once at the stage wing, Binks looked at him.
"I'm going to be leaving now," Binks said.
"Okay," Tucker said.
"I'll see you tomorrow," Binks said and walked away.
Tucker nodded and looked off to the stage. The bass player, Mike, looked at the stage wing and saw Tucker. He smiled and gave him a chin wave. Tucker nodded back.
Alix stepped off to one side and looked at the crowd. Tucker studied her and saw her blonde hair was sweaty, she was wearing black jean shorts, a battered grayish muscle shirt which is now sweat-stained, and Chuck Taylor's filled out her stage wear.
Tucker smiled and finished his burger, and started at his fries. He loved watching Alix on the stage.
"You've been a great crowd tonight," Alix said, the crowd cheered.
"Not bad for a little band from nowhere North Carolina," Alix said, the crowd made some noise.
"How about another song?" Alix asked the crowd made some noise.
"This one is Fake it," Alix said.
Tucker noted that Fitz the drummer counted off the beat. The rest of the band kicked in and Alix hit her moment.
Well, I'm not gonna lie
How can I put this easy?
I try and try but what for, just to please you?
It's true, you're wasting my time
You're just a waste of time
And I don't see why, I should listen
To someone who can't listen to themselves
Just listen to yourself
Fake it, you'll never get ahead of it
Trace it, back to where we started
'Cause backtrack, baby backtracking never got you nothing
(One step forward and two steps back.)
And if you fake it, they'll never know your real name
Trace it, just to find it's such a shame
You wasted your chance
Tasted everything before you ever held itWell, I was never gonna complain
But why should I hold back when I wanted to be on your side?
You're wasting my time
You're just a waste of time
And now I can see, all you wanted was just a chance
To be in the spotlight
Well baby it's not right and sincerely I'm sick and tired
Fake it, you'll never get ahead of it
Trace it, back to where we started
'Cause backtrack, baby backtracking never got you nothing
(One step forward and two steps back.)
And if you fake it, they'll never know your real name
Trace it, just to find it's such a shame
You wasted your chance
Tasted everything before you ever held it in your hands
They're shaking now, don't break it now
We'll break it down, is this clear enough?You're shaking now, don't break it now
We'll break it down
You're shaking now, don't break it now
We'll break it downEverybody jump, everybody say 'Woah.'
Everybody's swaying, everybody say 'Woah.'
Everybody jump, everybody say 'Woah.'
Everybody's swaying, everybody say 'Woah.'Fake it, you'll never get ahead of it
Trace it, back to where we started
'Cause backtrack, baby backtracking never got you nothing
(One step forward and two steps back.)
And if you fake it, they'll never know your real name
Trace it, just to find it's such a shame
You wasted your chance
Tasted everything before you ever held it in your hands
Wasted your chance, tasted everything before
You ever held it in your hands
Tucker listened to the band play. He remembered the first time he heard Alix sing; it was their junior year of high school. In the small apartment that she lived in, he met her grandparents and got to see the bedroom she shared with Kat. The first song he heard her sing was with Kat, while her Opa, played the accordion. Her Bubshka called the song they sang Kat's song.
The song ended, and Tucker was drawn back to the present. Alix didn't have the stage presence that Kat could muster. Both women were inherently shy, Tucker noted, but they could muster enough to grip the audience.
"Thank you," Alix said, "You should give yourself a cheer, for being such a great crowd." The crowd did so. "We'd like to thank Unlucky Magician for taking us on the road, they'll be up next, as this is our last song." The crowd did make some noise. "For our last song, this is Starlight!"
Fitz counted off and the band started, Alix started to sing. Tucker smiled; he liked this song.
So I've been thinking lately
That I should try to grow up
Maybe start to show up on time
But let's be real here, baby
It's not the way that we work
So why waste the sunshine?
I guess it's kinda funny
We always throw away our money
Right when we need it most
But honestly I'm happy
I don't wanna worry about
How we got to be so broke
Don't want to say goodnight, let's live it up
Don't have to say we're giving up if you
Walk me home tonight I swear I could
Fly beside you or under your starlight
Don't want to say goodnight, let's live it up
Don't have to wait to have it all if you
Light me up tonight I swear I could
Never burn out under your starlight
So you've been thinking lately
That you don't know what you want
But you don't know what you've got my dear
And if it's dreams we're chasing
You've got the world at your feet
The skyline is so clear
We're getting hung up on the things we should have known
Never bothered us before
We're tryna make ends meet but I'm starting to think
That this is all I need and more
Don't want to say goodnight, let's live it up
Don't have to say we're giving up if you
Walk me home tonight I swear I could
Fly beside you or under your starlight
Don't want to say goodnight, let's live it up
Don't have to wait to have it all if you
Light me up tonight I swear I could
Never burn out under your starlight
Oh, under your starlight
Well our jeans are well ripped with our pockets thin
We don't have any change so we'll just put our hands in
You'll keep me warm tonight
I don't need nice things to help me sleep at night
Well it's never felt better to have nothing but you
And no one understands me but I'm telling the truth
'Cause we can live in our own world as long as you love me
As long as you love me
Don't want to say goodnight, let's live it up
Don't have to say we're giving up if you
Walk me home tonight I swear I could
Fly beside you or under your starlight
Don't want to say goodnight, let's live it up
Don't have to wait to have it all if you
Light me up tonight I swear I could
Never burn out under your starlight
Don't want to say goodnight, let's live it up
I'm lost tonight under your starlight
The song ended and Alix held up a hand. "Thank you and good night," she said.
One of the techs went out and they took several pictures of the band and the crowd for social media. The band shook hands with several of the people in the front row, and several guitars picks and playlists were passed out into the crowd. Slowly, the band started to leave the stage.
"Hey Tuck," Fitz said, as he came off the stage.
"Fitz," Tucker said.
"Hey Tucker, Alix will be happy to see you," Ivan, the rhythm guitarist, said.
Tucker smiled, "I'm sure she is," he said.
"Tuck," Mike, the bass player, said.
"Mike," Tucker said.
Holden, the lead guitarist, and co-founder of the band came next. "Tuck," he said, and hugged him.
"It's good to see you too, Holden," Tucker said, unsure what to do.
"She'll be here soon," Holden said, released Tucker and headed deeper into the venue.
Tucker watched as Alix collected her blue plaid shirt and headed off the stage. He watched her and smiled; she was the most beautiful thing in the world. She walked off the stage and picked up her head. Suddenly, Alix paused and her pupils dilated. When she saw Tucker, without a word she rushed over to him. Wrapping her arms around his next, she pulled him down to her level and kissed him. Tucker just went with it.