Rushing Whispers

    The two of us arrived at Stan’s Art and Design just after noon on Friday. Yesterday, Cameron had firmly reminded Dale and Willie to arrive on time but he wasn’t much worried about punctuality when it came to Lee or Colin.      Dale arrived last, walking in about fifteen minutes after Cameron and I. The photographer, Myles, had previous experience with band photo shoots including working with Seven by Eight in the mid-sixties. He was eager to begin, so once everyone had arrived we all headed into the studio.      “Geoff mentioned the name of the album,” Myles began as he set up his camera. “He said you were going for a sort of ‘talented dunce’ look?”      Dale and Lee were already going through the boxes of movie props in the corner as Cameron replied. “You’ve got it.”      Myles chuckled but continued to set up. “Well, pick a prop and let’s begin.”      I took a seat against the wall ...

[Cameron’s Perspective]      I woke and pulled Emily close to me even before I’d opened my eyes. Once I did, I could see the softness of sleep on her features. She always looked at peace while she slept, and though I was torn between leaving her in the bliss of dreams and simply gazing at her, I had to kiss her.      I gently touched my lips to her shoulder. Her skin was warm and I didn’t stop myself from peppering her with soft kisses. Within moments, Emily stirred and my name tumbled from her lips.      “It’s as if my name was meant to be said by you,” I whispered.      Emily turned onto her side and kissed my lips. “Maybe it was,” came her sweet reply.      “I had a dream of you,” I confessed.      Her deep blue eyes sparkled at my words. “You did?”      “Yes.” I held her hand in mine as I spoke. “We stood in a meadow, filled with green grass and wildflowers,” I elaborate...

    The recording sessions had been going well, there’d been nothing more than a few verbal clashes that got sorted out rather quickly. I hoped it would continue this way, as we still had the producer hired until the ninth, though the look I’d seen on Dale’s face this morning made me doubt it would.      The band had been in the studio for nearly five hours when I heard them emerge. I was in the kitchen standing by the stove waiting for water to boil, and Sylvia was relaxing on the sofa with a book.      Everyone seemed in good spirits as they trickled into the hallway, and slowly dispersed.      “Hey, Lee, do you remember that chick who kept following you around?” Willie asked. “Somewhere in Germany.”      “More like all of Germany,” Lee retorted. “It was a blessing the Dutch stopped her at the border.”      Most of them were in the kitchen now, searching for drinks and any food they could...

    Today had been Amoeba’s fourth day of recording for the new album. Things had been going smoothly so far, and everyone had been arriving early in the morning and leaving by the evening. The five of them, with the producer, would spend the whole day in the studio and only ventured out to eat every few hours.      The recording schedule didn’t leave much time for Cameron and I to be alone, and tonight was no different. All five of the men had gone out to a pub, which left Sylvia and I alone at the house. We poured ourselves drinks and sat in the living room, keeping the liquor bottles nearby. Once she had finished a few glasses, Sylvia was more open to sharing her thoughts once I asked how she was doing.      “It’s been hard, Emily. If I’m being honest.”      “Does Clyde know about the clinic?” I asked as I sipped my drink.      “No.” Sylvia’s frown deepened. “I’m worried about telling him. He alrea...