Rushing Whispers

    The second of two nights of performances at New York City’s Ballroom had been just as successful as the first, and had wrapped up the first half of the American leg in fine fashion. At the end of the show, we all piled into the bus that would take us to the hotel.      “What time is the flight, again?” Dale asked not long after the bus began to move.      “We leave for the airport at eight,” Cameron replied. “So be ready for seven.”      “Am I really that bad at being on time?” Dale asked offhandedly.      He was being rhetorical, but that didn’t stop Willie, Lee, and Cameron from replying with a resounding “yes” at the same time. I couldn’t help but laugh, even if it was at Dale’s expense.      “You said Geoff is meeting us at the airport?” Willie asked Cameron. I was sure he remembered, though, and was only asking to remind the others.      Cameron nodded. “He’ll be a...

    We had two days off in Boston since leaving New York state after Sunday’s show in Albany, though Cameron and I hadn’t done much sightseeing during that time. This afternoon, however, I dragged Cameron out with me to window shop.      We had stopped for lunch and by one o’clock we were slowly meandering back towards the hotel. I followed Cameron into a music store he’d just spotted, and it made me smile to see him acting giddy at the range of brand new instruments on display.      “This is a beauty, ” he said in awe. The object of his gaze was a shiny, black-sided keyboard, obviously set up to be the centerpiece in this section.      “Try it out,” I told him. “They won’t kick a pretty girl out of their store,” I added, adjusting my shirt in emphasis.      Cameron raised an eyebrow, but set his fingers on the keys regardless. He played a short melody for a moment and looked as if he was going to hav...

    Cameron hadn’t given me any clues throughout the day on how we would celebrate my birthday, or if we would celebrate at all. The latter wouldn’t bother me, as I’d asked him not to make a big deal out of my thirtieth birthday, though I had doubts he would listen to my request.      I was standing on the side of the stage for the encore; Amoeba came back out and played two last songs, the first being Missing Persons . The crowd roared at the end, and only quieted down at Dale’s insistence.      “This here, this is a song from the new album. Are you all ready to see the fairgrounds?”      The crowd cheered and yelped in response. Lee started the song off with a pounding bass line, which eventually grew into a steady rhythm provided by the addition of drums and keyboards. I knew this song well, it was one of my favourites on Cabinet of Fools . Lyrically, Fairground was short and concise, but on a musical level there w...

    Running water was the first thing I heard when I woke up. Neither of us had slept much, but I would have gladly spent all night awake to comfort Cameron.      I sat up and stretched, my mind returning to last night. He’d been riddled with guilt when I managed to pry his feelings out, but I would have been lying if I’d told him I didn’t feel the same at times. It tore my heart to see him so hurt, still pained for our loss nearly one year after the Rotterdam concert.      I had comforted him well into the night, until we eventually succumbed to sleep as the sun rose. It was now just past ten o’clock, and I was sure that Cameron felt much more exhausted than I did.      I walked into the bathroom and poked my head behind the shower curtain. “Good morning, my sweet,” I cooed.      Cameron turned to face me. “Good morning, my beautiful,” he replied. The smile on his face was refreshing to see.  ...

[Cameron’s Perspective]      I woke up in a near-sweat, my eyes snapping open as soon as I realized I was no longer dreaming. I didn’t often have nightmares, but each time I awoke from one I was left feeling unsettled.      Tonight was no different than usual, though the dream itself was peculiar rather than frightening. I tried to relax myself enough to drift back to sleep, but even with Emily’s steady breathing and comforting presence beside me, I struggled.      I slowly got out of the bed and gazed around the hotel room. The tour had only just begun a few days ago, but I strongly felt the clashing of my desires. I sat at the small table at the far end of the room, doing my best to remain as quiet as possible to not wake Emily.      Deep inside, I knew that my ambivalence towards this tour stemmed from her presence with me. Before we met, I had set off on tour without many worries. My time was usually divided b...

    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...