Day Four: The Day Before

The next morning I am so well rested and happy, I decide to get a move on

early and go outside for some last minute shopping. After doing my own shopping, I

decide to get the band a bottle of Jack Daniels and JaÅNgermeister to try and win them

over. Hopefully Ben is right about bringing a few bottles of liquor to the tour, because

I need to make a good first impression. It starts raining as I leave the liquor store and

it is a good ten minute walk to my house, so I decide to go for a coffee instead. I order

a tall latte and take a seat by the window. This way I can easily see when the rain

stops and I finish my coffee right around the time it does, so I hurry outside and

quickly walk home.

As I open my front door, I hear my phone ring. By the time I reach it, I’ve

missed the call. I wonder who it could have been, because no one really knows I am

home today. Oh well, if it is important they will call again. I take off my coat and

unpack my stuff. I decided on a healthy dinner for tonight; a big green salad and some

fruit. Who knows what kind of food we’ll get on the tour? I put the JaÅNgermeister and

Jack Daniels in the fridge.

I check if the clothes hanging to dry are ready to be folded, which they are.

After putting them in my suitcase, I double-check if I have packed everything and then

close it. For the millionth time today I check if the company credit card I received

from accounting yesterday is still in my bag. I better not lose this, or I’ll be in “a

world of trouble” (as was explained by Mark, the head of accounting). I check my work

e-mail for the last time before turning off my laptop and putting it in my backpack.

With it I also pack the USB cable, so I can synchronize my Blackberry with my laptop

and also the power cord to charge the battery.

I circle around the room and when I don’t know what to do next I lie down on

my couch. As I look around the room, I realize that I am really going to miss everything

here. I grab the remote control to my stereo and turn on some music. It is only 1:30

p.m. at this time, so I kick off my shoes and decide to relax for a while. I pick up my

book from the coffee table and start reading. After having read a few pages without

actually taking in any of the words, I put down the book. I’ve done everything I have

to do, packed my suitcase and am basically ready to go. While picking up the phone I

glance at the clock and see that it’s too early to call anyone to say goodbye, so I put it

back in its station. I am still holding the phone when it starts ringing. I almost drop it

on the floor. Before answering I look to see who it is, but the number is blocked.

“Hello?”, I say.

“Yes, hello. This is Tyler from Less is More. Can I ask you if you are happy with

your phone service? We have a fabulously cheap deal especially for you, only valid

today.”

“Thank you, but no thanks!”

“Really, this is the best deal anyone will ever offer you!”

“I doubt that.” I say, “and I’m really NOT interested. I’m perfectly fine with the

service I have now. So thank you for calling and goodbye.”

I hang up before he can get in another word and put the phone down. This must

have been who tried calling earlier. I walk over to the bedroom, lie down on my bed

and stare at the ceiling for a while.

When my phone rings again I pick up the one next to my bed and say: “Hello?”

“Hi. It’s Ben.”

I sit up at once, as if he’d hear it if I was lying on my bed, and say: “Hi.” “I just

wanted to check if you had any more questions, since we didn’t see each other

yesterday.”

“Oh yes, I do. I was wondering if I should have someone’s phone number in case

of an emergency. Also who should I report to tomorrow morning?”

“I think it’s best if you contact me to keep us in the loop, in case of an

emergency or for any other reason, since you don’t really get along with Sylvia. I’ll

send you an e-mail with my details. The manager of the band, Vaughn Muster, will be

at the bus to meet you tomorrow morning. Anything else?”

“Ok, thank you. No, there’s nothing else I can think of right now.”

“Ok, then we have to go over the ground rules for “in the field”-work. Normally

there’s the no drinking rule, but that is virtually impossible on a tour with a busload of

guys. So I would say drink but don’t get drunk, always remember that you are there to

do a job. Mark’s already told you about the daily limit for the company credit card.

Keep checking in with us regularly, so we know how things are going. And some

personal advice…keep things strictly business, if you know what I mean.”

“Thank you for letting me know all this. I think I’m as prepared as I could be in

this short time, so I’m just going to take some time to relax before I have to leave. I’ll

probably miss this quiet time once I’m on the tour bus, going by what you’ve told me

at dinner the other day.”

“You are welcome! Call me if you have any more questions or need advice.

Have a great time on the tour, see you back at the office in three weeks.”

I hang up the phone after saying goodbye to Ben, lie back down and close my

eyes for a few minutes. I wake up in shock frantically searching for my alarm clock to

see what time it is. Phew, it’s only 5:00 p.m. I get up and go straight to the kitchen to

prepare dinner. When I’m done eating I get the phone to call my dad.

”Hi, dad! I just want to check with you if you are going to be home tonight. I’m

leaving tomorrow morning and want to come say goodbye to you.”

“Hey Sky sweetie, of course you can come over. Should I call your brothers as

well?”

“No, I’m only going away for three weeks. I’ll see them afterwards.” I respond.

“Ok. What time will you be here?” Dad asks.

“I’ll be right over.” I hang up the phone, get my coat and go out the door.

Ten minutes later I arrive at dad’s. I’ve been living on my own for 5 years

already, but only when I come to dad’s house do I feel like I’m really home. The fact

that he always greets me at the door with a huge warm smile and a hug adds to the

feeling.

“Hello sweetheart. I’m glad you decided to stop by tonight. I wanted to give

you something to make you feel better if you have a hard time on the road.” Dad

walks ahead of me into the living room and reaches for a little package on the coffee

table.

He hands it to me and I unwrap it. It’s a picture of me when I just turned 6 and

both my parents are on either side of me giving a kiss on my cheek. I remember seeing

this picture hanging in my dad’s bedroom for years, though it was much bigger than

this one. Tears well up in my eyes and I give dad a big hug.

“Thank you so much! I love this picture! It will definitely make me feel better

when I’m down. Mom looks so good and healthy in this picture. I can’t believe it was

only three months before she got sick.” Seeing dad’s reaction at the mention of

mom’s illness I quickly change the subject. “I’m being picked up tomorrow morning at

7:00 a.m. I am so nervous about this. I know this is a chance of a lifetime to prove to

my boss that I’m able to write the big stories, but what if I fail this assignment

because I can’t get along with the band or their crew. I’m so dependent on others for

this, it makes me anxious.”

Dad puts his hand on my shoulder, smiles reassuringly and says: “What is there

not to like about you? You are a great girl! All you have to do is be your natural self

and I’m sure you will do an excellent job with that story.”

I smile back at him and give him another hug. Then he asks if I’d like some

coffee and I nod. While he walks into the kitchen I take a seat on the couch opposite

the TV. Its muted images catch my eye and I notice that it’s on MTV. I frown at the

sight and ask myself why dad would be watching MTV. Since I can’t think of any reason

for it I ask him, but he doesn’t hear me. When he comes back into the living room

with two mugs of coffee I ask the question again. He starts laughing and says that he

was trying to figure out who that band is that I’m going on tour with. Understanding

why he’d like to find out I tell him what I know about them.

“They sound like a good bunch! See, everything is going to be great!”

I wish I shared his confidence. After another mug of coffee, some wine and

talking about all kinds of stuff it is time for me to go home. I say goodbye to dad, give

him big kisses and hugs and walk out the door. At around 11:00 p.m. I arrive home and

go straight to bed.