“January got me the job?” I asked, baffled as ever.
“Yes, January put her own reputation on the line to save your sorry ass.”
“How?” I swallowed audibly.
“She went to Peter Weathervane, without permission, by the way.” We both knew that showing up unannounced at Peter’s door is basically a death wish. I nodded. “Turns out, January found she was somewhat responsible for Jonah thieving all your bands.”
“She’d never do that,” I said, defending her.
“No, not directly,” Jason continued, fishing his cigarette and lighter out of his pocket, as if he could smoke it in there. He was nervous just talking about the risk January took. I breathed deeply. “Apparently, when she would phone home, she’d let them know where she was going and I guess Jonah found this out somehow. He’d ring her home soon after claiming to represent the label and conned her little sister into spilling your locations.
“She felt awful about it, I guess, and risked her own job to let Peter know the truth. When Peter confronted Jonah with the phone records, he couldn’t deny it and was fired on the spot.”
“Oh my God, she could have been fired as well.”
“I know,” Jason said.
“Why?” my mom asked.
“Because our locations were label business and we signed confidentiality agreements before we’d left. We don’t want competition from other labels. She risked herself for me.”
“What a brave girl,” Kelly said. “She must love you very much.”
I was staggered by Kelly’s words and could only stand there, staring at my shoes.
“I have to find her,” I said suddenly and bolted out the door.
Everyone followed me out into the hall.
“Wait!” I heard Jason say from behind me. “Don’t you want to know where to find her?”
I turned back around.
“She’s a producer now.”
“No kidding,” I said, happy to hear it, walking backward for a bit before turning back around.
“What does that mean?” I heard my mom ask my dad as I ran for the elevator doors.
“It means she’s a talented, talented girl,” I heard my pop explain to my mom, making me smile. I’d used those exact same words to describe her to Jason in Austin just in a very different context. I had no idea at the time just how true those words really were.
I hit the buttons for the below ground floor on the elevator and my body shook in anticipation.
Cherry came skidding to a halt next to me as the doors slid open and I stepped inside, turning to face her.
“Be patient, Tommy,” She told me. “Remember to be patient.”
I nodded as the doors slipped closed.
The ride down was excruciating. My heart could keep time with a hummingbird’s wing and the sweat began to slide down my neck. I’d never been so nervous in all my life.
Ding.
I startled. Get it together. I practically sprinted down the hall towards the studios and was brought short by none other than Georgia Asher.
“Georgia!”
“Good God, man!” she said before realizing it was me. “Oh! Thomas!” she said properly, making me smirk. “What are you doing here?”