Page 82 of Dark Verse

“I know, right! Come on, I’ve got the sheets out on the dining room table.”

Zeke leads Ven down the hallway towards the kitchen and dining room, while I take the steps up to my room three at a time. I place her bags on the floor beside the door and dresser.

A cold breeze hits me across my exposed arms, and I look up.

“Oh shit,” I say aloud, realizing my bedroom window is cracked open.

This afternoon was so nice I pushed it wide open to let the crisp fall air in. The wind blowing through the dying leaves created a constant soft rumble as I practiced this afternoon. But I forgot that the moment the sun disappears, the temperature plummets. I cross the room swiftly, pulling the window firmly shut and locking out the cold air.

When I arrive back downstairs, everyone is in the final stages of dinner being served. Zeke has removed the pages and pages of sheet music from the table, and he and Venny are setting out five places. Via and Cash are in the kitchen working in perfect coordination to get the pot roast, roasted vegetables, salad, and bread ready to eat.

It’s an unexpected sight to see someone I’m in a relationship with work in such perfect harmony with three people who are foundational to who I am today. It warms my whole chest up. We all sit down and devour the meal in front of us, the conversation free amongst us all.

“Knox told me your last week at House Band was great,” Venny says as we pass the bread and salad around and fill our plates and glasses.

“It was,” Cash says.

“Underselling it much, babe? I am still riding high. We had to put in a rush order on merch. We ran out with two nights to go,” Via elaborates.

“I’m sorry I missed it. But that’s the nature of my job, unfortunately. How are your next few weeks looking?” Raven asks the table.

“It’s only been a few weeks since our stint there ended, but I’ve got us booked and playing every weekend and two or three other nights a week all the way through December.”

“Plus, that meeting with Mandy from Dark City’s Children,” Cash says.

“Oh, yeah,” Ven glances at me, “You mentioned that. Is it scheduled? What’s going on there?”

Vis sighs heavily, “It got canceled unfortunately, his assistant said there was an emergency. But glass half full, its already rescheduled, so I think we’ll have some good details by Thanksgiving.”

Via crosses her fingers.

“That’s still amazing.” Raven’s gaze settles on me for a moment like she is waiting for me to add something.

But I’m honestly just enjoying the moment of watching them all together. Venny being in this room with all of us feels so right to me.

“And we talked about it as a band,” Zeke continues. “January and February can sometimes be dry spells for live shows. We’re thinking about doing some studio time in the new year. Pull together an EP or maybe another full album.”

“Really? You all have enough new stuff for a full album?”

Raven looks at me again, and I nod.

“Plus, we have enough time to start looking at stops for a tour next summer,” Via says. “It’s about time to get back out there, see the fans beyond this little bubble we’ve been able to cultivate.”

“It would be good timing. New music to take on a tour,” Cash chimes in.

Venny’s smile is wide as she listens, and Zeke and Via go back and forth on potential North American locations.

“I’m really impressed by how you’ve been able to leverage your time at House Band Featuring. I mean it was always what I envisioned long term for bands that signed seasonal contracts with us, but you and the Heirs are my first test subjects.”

I scoff. “Rude, I never got a piece of cheese. Don’t most test subjects get cheese or a food pellet or something?”

“Oh, you got something.” She turns that exacting stare on me.

Down boy.

Everyone at the table begins laughing. As we finish the delicious food, Zeke starts talking about bringing all that sheet music back out.

“Let’s clear the table first, please,” Via insists.