Free Bitter Farewell by Karolyn James Page B

the sink and stared in the mirror at himself. He could have shaved real quick but the urge came and went. Trying to look good for a funeral - his father’s funeral at that - just seemed pointless.
    “Danny, I’m not going to pull anything out of you,” Rick said. “Just know that I see something, okay? And I’m here...”
    Rick played a quick drumbeat with his knuckles on the doorway and backed away.
    “Wait a second,” Danny said. “Let me ask you a question.”
    “Shoot,” Rick said.
    “Did you leave anyone behind? I mean, when we left...?”
    “What? Like a girlfriend?”
    “Just anybody,” Danny said.
    “Sure I did. We all did. Why?”
    “Just wondering.” Danny hesitated and hung his head, fighting his reflection.
    The man staring back at him in the mirror didn’t want Danny to go back. Didn’t want Danny to think that way or even attempt to take a single step that way. That man in the mirror reminded Danny of what waited... a private jet to take him to Colorado to spend time with the band in a secluded, quiet town. A chance to write new music. Play old music. Drink and celebrate life. Then he would get on another private jet and fly to a beach - or an island - and just stop living for a little while before the tour began again.
    “Is that where you were yesterday?” Rick asked. “Chasing time?”
    “Chasing time,” Danny whispered. “That would make a hell of a song title.”
    “What would?” Davey asked as he walked by the bathroom. He stopped and wrestled with his tie too.
    “Let’s be late for our own father’s funeral?” Johnnie added as he came to the top of steps.
    Danny watched as his blood brother stood fully dressed, sharp as ever, his face like stone, not showing an ounce of emotion other than the big brother protective twinkle in his eyes. Chris came up the steps too and just like that, in a matter of a few seconds, the entire band crowded the bathroom.
    The band, Danny’s brothers, were all there.
    They weren’t asked to be there right then, but something just brought them together. Rick’s inability to tie a tie. Johnnie’s hatred for being late to anything. And then of course, Chris and Davey sensing the need to be there for him.
    “Guys,” Danny said. “Thanks for being here.”
    “Where else would we be?” Davey asked with a sly grin on his face.
    “Oh, I don’t know,” Danny said. “In Colorado with Anna?”
    “Anna,” Davey whispered as his eyes lit up.
    It annoyed Danny a little. He wanted to feel that way.
    A cell phone beeped and Rick touched his pocket.
    “Is that your texting girlfriend?” Chris teased.
    “Yeah,” Rick said. “But I’m not worried. I have something better to do right now.”
    And they all stood, waiting for Danny or Johnnie to say something.
    “We should go soon,” Johnnie said. “But first, I think we all know that, uh, mine and Danny’s father wasn’t exactly the greatest person in the world.”
    The rest of the band, including Danny, shared a laugh.
    “He was a drunk. He was abusive. He cared about... well, nothing...”
    Johnnie stared at Danny and Danny had the feeling that Johnnie was talking to him more than actually addressing the band for any real purpose. Danny could sense Johnnie preparing him for something. What, he didn’t quite know yet.
    “But today at least ends it all,” Johnnie said. “Maybe that’s sad, maybe that’s morbid, but it’s the truth. It’s the last living tie to Bakersville and maybe now we can look back and be proud of the town that created Chasing Cross. As much as I want to dig around in my memory, I won’t. I know one thing is true... the man that will be laid to rest today did one thing right... he made me and he made Danny...”
    “Isn’t that two things?” Rick asked.
    Johnnie smiled. “Fair enough.”
    “I mean, give some credit where it’s due,” Davey said. “Your dear mother did have to sleep with him at least twice, right?”
    “Ah, come on,” Danny cried out.