Rushing Whispers

    I had practically demanded Cameron to not get me a present for Valentine’s Day. Though, despite my insistence, I knew that he would. We had spent the first half of the day lounging around the house doing nothing in particular. I had given Cameron sweet kisses from the moment we woke, and he’d responded in the same fashion.      We’d eaten a small lunch about one hour before he took my hand and gave me a sweet smile.      “I have something for you,” Cameron spoke in a soft voice.      I narrowed my eyes in mock anger and his smile grew.      “It’s for us both,” he amended with a wink. “I figured it would be an acceptable compromise.”      I couldn’t help but return the grin. “What is it?”      Cameron pulled a small item from his breast pocket. “It’s just some paper,” he explained. “Very small paper.”      The sly look on his face had me curious, so I raised a...

    “How is everyone?”      “Not too bad,” I told my sister. “They’re all in the studio to audition the new drummer.”      “Is he any good?” she asked curiously. We'd been on the phone already for a half hour, checking up on each other.      “It seems to be going well,” I replied. “Nothing’s been thrown yet.”      “Good.” I could tell Liliane was frowning when he voice came through the handset. “Have you spoken to Sylvia?”      “Very little,” I admitted. “I’d guess that she’s too busy trying to keep her marriage together.”      “It’s a shame. I know you enjoyed her company.”      “What can you do?” I answered offhandedly.      “Nothing at all,” Liliane retorted. “And speaking of shame, does your landlord have any?”      I laughed before answering. “No, he’s all out of shame. What did he do this time?” I leaned against the wall and smiled...

    As scheduled, we received a call from the prospective new member by late morning on Monday.      “Hello?” I spoke into the handset.      “Hello, I’m calling to speak with Cameron. My name’s Colin Foster.”      “I’ll get him for you,” I replied. “Hang on.”      Cameron had heard the phone ring and was coming down the stairs. I held the phone out to him and he put it to his ear.      “Colin, it’s good to hear from you,” Cameron winked at me and listened to Colin’s reply. “That’s no issue,” he insisted.      Being too curious for my own good, I stood closer to Cameron and was able to hear Colin speak.      “I’m living in Kirkcaldy at the moment,” he told Cameron. “I’d likely be able to get a room in Aberdeen to spend a few days in your area. For the audition.”      “Nonsense,” Cameron retorted. “Emily and I have room for you here. There’s no need t...

    Nearly three weeks had passed since the affair was found out. Clyde was absent from the next two jam sessions, as we had assumed he would be. After another handful of meetings, the band expressed their desire to have a drummer present, I thought of Steve.      I had given him a call and made sure that I correctly remembered what he had mentioned on New Years.        “I’m no superstar, but I get by behind a kit,” he told me. “Why do you ask?”      “Clyde has some family things to take care of, so he’s taking a little break. We’re looking for someone to fill in for a few days,” I explained. “Do you think you could lend a hand?”      Steve wasn’t a half bad drummer, at least to my standards. With his help, the rest of the band were able to get some ideas down and record a few rough demos over the next week, which eased some of the tension we were all feeling.      By the time Clyd...