“So am I,” Babsie sighed. “I just keep wondering if it’s something I did.”
“Well, the fact that you keep asking yourself that is proof that you didn’t! I’m sure he’ll be fine and home before you know it. So, what’s this I here about another band?”
“Oh yeah. Storm and Rogue have started one called ‘Mutant Girls’,” Babsie smiled. “They’re going to be opening some shows for the Four Amigos this tour, so we can see how they handle it, and how well.”
“Awesome.”
“It’s becoming a bit of a tradition in this family, I think. Whenever a new band emerges, it always opens for one already established so see how the members do.”
“Well, it must work then.”
“I think it does. Gives them a taste of what it’s like. It one thing to tour as a spectator, is another thing when you actually have a function! Of course, my concern is when they’ve finished this tour and start recording their album. Because after that they’re going to start touring themselves and – no, no, I refuse to think about that! There’s enough going on.”
Peta laughed.
“Yeah, you’ve got enough kids to worry about now, without considering what they’re doing in the future. Speaking of which, I feel like I’ve been living under a rock, the last couple of years since I visited. I’ve discovered Mackie’s living down the road... I mean, how many kids does everyone have now? I know you have twenty...”
“Yeah, and Tay and Rita have nine living children. Duane died, umm... two years ago, I think. Zac has three, Jess has three, Mackie has two, Zoe has none,” Babsie grinned. “And Sarah’s pregnant.”
“What? Really? I didn’t even know she was married.”
“Yeah, well, neither did I until a few weeks ago. She’s been married to one of her band mates since June.”
“Do you think Zac, Jess or Mackie will have any more kids?”
“Hmm... I don’t know about Jess. I think Mackie’s just happy to have kids – and an amount he can easily handle, but I know Sandy wants a girl, so I don’t know. They might have a third. Zac... I know Zac wants more kids, but Kelsey doesn’t, so I can’t say either way. And as for Sarah, well, I didn’t know she’d get married without telling anyone, and I don’t know Jim that well, so I have no idea!”
“Any more bands on the way?”
“I have no idea.”
“When are 4A going back on tour anyway?”
“Early January. Myst is going to start sixth grade next year.”
“Myst?”
“Mystique. She’s seven. We did an IQ test when we realised how easily she was doing her school work,” Babsie paused dramatically. “The verdict? 188.”
“Oh my gosh, you’re joking?”
“Nope. It’s true. Kinda scary actually.”
“Sure is! So, what’s with all the paintings in the hallway?”
“Oh,” Babsie groaned. “Tobias likes to paint. A while ago I gave him permission to paint his bedroom walls however he wanted, as long as he didn’t make a mess. And the other day I caught him painting the hallway...”
“Oh dear.”
“I told him he had to paint the wall back to the original colour, then, when it was well and truly dry, he had to come to me and ask permission. Which, of course, I gave. He wasn’t happy, but that’s what happens when you paint on walls when you’re not supposed to.”
Peta laughed.
“I heard Zac won an Emmy.”
“Yeah. And he’s hosting the next one apparently.”
“Scary.”
“Exactly. Ooh, that reminds me. Kelsey has this bar right? I was talking to her about it and she mentioned how sometimes it’s hard to keep people underage out of it. And she should know, she used to go into them underage all the time.”
Peta laughed.
“So, I go this idea, what if there was like a teenage bar? Where teenagers could go, hang out, eat, drink, play pool and arcade games and whatever without being exposed to like alcohol and drugs and cigarettes and whatever?”
“Hey, cool idea.”
“Yeah, I’m thinking of having something out the back or whatever where they can just graffiti everything. I got that idea from Tobias.”
“Sounds like fun,” Peta replied with a laugh. “You gonna actually do it?”
“Heck yeah. We’re gonna have a DJ and everything. And maybe a battle of the bands type contest once a year or whatever. It’ll be cool.”
“Awesome.”
“Oh good, the jugs’ boiled. How do you like your tea?”
THE END