Read Online What Matters Most by Melody Carlson - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Melody Carlson
Ads: Link
out the coffee machine. “They’re awesome!”
“I don’t know.” Willy scratched his chin. “Redemption was always known as a girls’ band. Not sure their audience would welcome a fella.” He grinned at Dominic. “No offense. I happen to think you have a lot of talent, young man. It’s just that part of the charm of Redemption’s persona was that it was all female. You know?”
Dominic nodded. “I offered to cross-dress, but they didn’t like the idea.”
Willie chuckled. “No, the Christian music industry probably isn’t quite ready for cross-dressing.” Now Willy turned to me. “But I could see you stepping into the band, Maya.”
“Not seriously,” I said.
He nodded. “Oh yeah, I mean seriously. You’d need to work on your playing skills and catch up some. But that voice of yours.” He shook his head. “Well, it’s a good one.”
“Does that mean Laura has retired for good?” Mike asked as he set a chair upside down on a table.
“We don’t know that for sure,” Allie admitted. “She just wanted to do a term of college and think about it.”
“And pray about it,” Chloe added.
Okay, I was starting to feel pretty uneasy right then. I mean, just because I’d been jamming with Chloe and Allie didn’t mean that I thought they were going to invite me to be part of their band. In fact, they
weren’t
inviting me. And they both looked as uncomfortable about this little turn of events as I felt. I actually kind of resented the way Allie’s stepdad had jumped the gun like that. I mean, he’s not even their manager anymore. It seems out of line for him to start suggesting what they should do with their band. Fortunately, my guitar was already in its case, and I told them I needed to get home. I’m sure they knew that wasn’t exactly true since my closer friends know that I sort of make my own rules while living at my uncle’s. Oh, I try to be courteous and responsible, but I mostly come and go as I please. I don’t bother Uncle Allen, and he doesn’t bother me. It’s not exactly a cozy family situation, but it’s a safe place, and I know that Uncle Allen really does love me. I also know that his job as editor of the local paper is pretty demanding. And I understand that he doesn’t want to parent me. The truth is, I wouldn’t want him to anyway.
But I’ll admit it’s kind of a lonely way to live. Not that it’s so much different from how it was with Shannon. But it’s not what I’d imagined either…back in the days when I wanted to have my cousin Kim’s “normal” life. I guess that normal doesn’t really exist. Or maybe normal is simply different for everyone. My normal seems to be independence. Well, except for God. I am very dependent on Him.
Maya’s Green Tip for the Day
Not everyone can afford to buy a gas-saving hybrid car, but here’s a driving tip that might help you save some precious fuel.
Take
a
right
. Yes, turning right can conserve gasoline. Learn to plan your drive so that you make more right turns in city traffic. Waiting in left-turn lanes not only wastes time; it wastes gas. In fact, UPS has a policy to encourage drivers to use right turns, and in 2007 it saved them 2.5 million gallons of fuel. Okay, chances are you probably don’t drive as much as the guy in the big brown truck, but you probably wouldn’t complain over a few more bucks in your pocket either.
Seven
October 11
T hose are excellent ideas,” Caitlin said. We met at the Paradiso this morning, and I’d just updated her on Marissa’s situation. “A fund-raiser is always a fun way to bring people together. What exactly did you have in mind?”
“Well, because we were doing open mike last night, I suppose I was thinking music. I’m not sure exactly how or what it would be, but they could really use the help. Marissa’s dad seemed pretty stressed this week.”
“Did you ask Chloe and Allie about it?”
“No. I hadn’t really thought of it until this morning.”
“What
“I don’t know.” Willy scratched his chin. “Redemption was always known as a girls’ band. Not sure their audience would welcome a fella.” He grinned at Dominic. “No offense. I happen to think you have a lot of talent, young man. It’s just that part of the charm of Redemption’s persona was that it was all female. You know?”
Dominic nodded. “I offered to cross-dress, but they didn’t like the idea.”
Willie chuckled. “No, the Christian music industry probably isn’t quite ready for cross-dressing.” Now Willy turned to me. “But I could see you stepping into the band, Maya.”
“Not seriously,” I said.
He nodded. “Oh yeah, I mean seriously. You’d need to work on your playing skills and catch up some. But that voice of yours.” He shook his head. “Well, it’s a good one.”
“Does that mean Laura has retired for good?” Mike asked as he set a chair upside down on a table.
“We don’t know that for sure,” Allie admitted. “She just wanted to do a term of college and think about it.”
“And pray about it,” Chloe added.
Okay, I was starting to feel pretty uneasy right then. I mean, just because I’d been jamming with Chloe and Allie didn’t mean that I thought they were going to invite me to be part of their band. In fact, they
weren’t
inviting me. And they both looked as uncomfortable about this little turn of events as I felt. I actually kind of resented the way Allie’s stepdad had jumped the gun like that. I mean, he’s not even their manager anymore. It seems out of line for him to start suggesting what they should do with their band. Fortunately, my guitar was already in its case, and I told them I needed to get home. I’m sure they knew that wasn’t exactly true since my closer friends know that I sort of make my own rules while living at my uncle’s. Oh, I try to be courteous and responsible, but I mostly come and go as I please. I don’t bother Uncle Allen, and he doesn’t bother me. It’s not exactly a cozy family situation, but it’s a safe place, and I know that Uncle Allen really does love me. I also know that his job as editor of the local paper is pretty demanding. And I understand that he doesn’t want to parent me. The truth is, I wouldn’t want him to anyway.
But I’ll admit it’s kind of a lonely way to live. Not that it’s so much different from how it was with Shannon. But it’s not what I’d imagined either…back in the days when I wanted to have my cousin Kim’s “normal” life. I guess that normal doesn’t really exist. Or maybe normal is simply different for everyone. My normal seems to be independence. Well, except for God. I am very dependent on Him.
Maya’s Green Tip for the Day
Not everyone can afford to buy a gas-saving hybrid car, but here’s a driving tip that might help you save some precious fuel.
Take
a
right
. Yes, turning right can conserve gasoline. Learn to plan your drive so that you make more right turns in city traffic. Waiting in left-turn lanes not only wastes time; it wastes gas. In fact, UPS has a policy to encourage drivers to use right turns, and in 2007 it saved them 2.5 million gallons of fuel. Okay, chances are you probably don’t drive as much as the guy in the big brown truck, but you probably wouldn’t complain over a few more bucks in your pocket either.
Seven
October 11
T hose are excellent ideas,” Caitlin said. We met at the Paradiso this morning, and I’d just updated her on Marissa’s situation. “A fund-raiser is always a fun way to bring people together. What exactly did you have in mind?”
“Well, because we were doing open mike last night, I suppose I was thinking music. I’m not sure exactly how or what it would be, but they could really use the help. Marissa’s dad seemed pretty stressed this week.”
“Did you ask Chloe and Allie about it?”
“No. I hadn’t really thought of it until this morning.”
“What
Similar Books
