What Matters Most (11 page)

I
‘m not sure if I keep practicing my music because I want to be in Redemption, which is a ridiculous long shot, or because I need the distraction from Shannon. But the fact is, I’ve really been practicing both guitar and the bass that Dominic loaned me. I still haven’t told my dad about this audition, but I did mention to him that I’ve been getting more into music lately.

“What do you mean
into
music?” he asked. He was in Portugal at the time, finally returning my call. I really wanted to discuss Shannon and what I should do about her, but I thought I’d soften up this prickly topic by mentioning music first.

“I’ve been playing your old acoustic guitar,” I told him, “writing some songs, and even learning bass.”

“Good for you, sweetie. I always knew you had natural talent. How’s school?”

“Pretty good.” I told him how I decided to be a senior.

“That makes sense to me too,” he admitted. “You’ve always been mature for your age.”

“And guess who’s in town?”

His silence told me that he was either stumped or had guessed.

“Shannon.”

“I’m sorry, Maya. I heard she’d been released. I was hoping she’d leave you alone.”

“Me too, but that’s not happening.”

“She’s not staying at the Petersons’, is she?”

“Thankfully, Uncle Allen pulled in the welcome mat.”

“Smart man.”

“So what am I supposed to do about her, Dad?”

Another long silence.

“I mean, she’s not my responsibility, is she?” Okay, I know the answer to this, but I was looking for validation.

“Of course not, sweetie. Shannon is a grown woman; it’s about time she took care of herself.”

So I told him about Marissa’s dad and their clever plan for Shannon to play nurse to Marissa.

Dad groaned. “I met Adam at your dinner party last summer, Maya. He seemed like a sane person to me.”

“I think he’s desperate.” So I explained about Marissa in the nursing home and how it’s not the best situation for her recovery.

“And being cared for by Shannon will be an improvement?”

This time
I
groaned.

“Isn’t Adam in law enforcement?”

“Yeah.”

“And Shannon is aware of this?”

“Of course.”

“And she’s okay with it?” He chuckled.

“You think Adam will keep her in line?”

“I don’t think anyone can keep your mother in line, Maya.”

“You mean your ex-wife, Dad?”

“Yes.”

“I mean, you’re the one who chose her. I didn’t really have a say in the matter.”

“I know…and I’m sorry. But if I hadn’t chosen her, I wouldn’t have you, now would I?”

“I guess not.”

“Here’s what I think, sweetie. In regard to Shannon, just let her do her thing. It’ll either fly or flop…and you know which scenario I’m putting my money on.”

“So I shouldn’t warn Marissa’s dad or anything?”

“He’s a cop. I bet he’ll figure it out.”

“But what about Marissa?”

“What’s the worst thing Shannon can do in regard to Marissa?”

I considered this. Despite having no mothering skills whatsoever, Shannon wouldn’t hurt anyone. Not intentionally. “She might neglect her.”

“Hmm…”

“Maybe I should just give Adam a little heads-up,” I said, “for Marissa’s sake.”

“Yes. You’re probably right. For Marissa’s sake.”

We talked awhile longer, but I could tell he was tired, and it was really late over there. “Thanks for listening,” I finally told him.

“Let me know how it goes.”

“I’ll e-mail you.”

“Love you, sweetie!”

“Love you, Dad.”

Then we hung up, and I prayed about the situation with Shannon and Marissa. I asked God to guide me and, if I need to say something to Marissa’s dad, to show me how to do it without totally insulting my mother.

The audition is over—what a relief. And although Bruce Glass, the manager, seemed to like me and told me I was good, I don’t think he was that impressed, and I don’t think he’s going to want me to replace Laura in the band.

“Thanks for playing for me,” he said when we finished. “You have real talent. Chloe told me that your dad is Nick Stark.”

I nodded as I unhooked my guitar strap.

“Your style is similar to his, but different.”

I wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or not. I just nodded and smiled. “Thanks for listening to me.”

“We’ll let you know our decision in a day or two.”

I thanked him again and began gathering up my stuff.

“You were great,” Chloe told me as I put my guitar away.

Allie grinned. “Yeah, I think Bruce likes you.”

“But he still wants us to play with the other two girls that he’s interested in,” admitted Chloe. “That’s probably why he’s not saying much…yet.”

“It’s okay,” I told them. “I understand. And I’m sure he’s got a lot to think about.”

But as I drove home and as I sit here tonight just thinking over this whole thing, I suddenly kind of want it. And that surprises me. To be honest, it might be that I want to escape Shannon. Or maybe avoid the calamity that I know she’ll probably bring into Adam’s and Marissa’s lives. Or maybe I really do just want it. But the more I think I want it, the more convinced I am that it’s not going to happen. And so I will simply pray about it. My prayer is that if this is God’s will, He will open the door wide. And that if it’s not His will, which seems most likely, He will slam the door shut and lock it tight. And having prayed this prayer, I know I can sleep easy tonight. God is in control.

It was just a regular Monday morning, and I was about to head out to my car to go to school, thinking how cool it is to have a normal life, when I saw Allie and Chloe at my door—and they had flowers and balloons in their hands.

“Hey, did someone just win the lottery?” I asked.

“Something like that.” Allie laughed.

“Bruce wants you in the band!” Chloe thrust the roses at me and then hugged me. Allie hugged me too. And they both
seemed so genuinely happy that I actually started to cry. How weird is that?

“Really?” I sputtered. “I’m in the band?”

“If you want to be.”

Now I considered this. I remembered my prayer about opened or closed doors, and I wondered if this really was God’s work.

“Bruce suggested that you take a few days to think and pray about it,” said Chloe, “to be really sure.”

“And he’ll bring a contract by.” Allie frowned. “You’ll need a parent or someone to sign it.”

Now I frowned.

“Does your uncle have legal guardianship over you?”

“I’m not sure. He did represent me in the legal thing last summer, but it wasn’t like he was officially signed over to be my guardian. I guess I better do some checking on it.”

“Yeah.” Chloe nodded. “Bruce is hoping you’ll make a decision by the end of the week. He’s already planning our new tour schedule, and he’d like to see us in concert by mid-November.”

“Wow, that seems soon.”

“It’ll probably be kind of low key,” Allie said. “Churches and conventions and small-time stuff.”

“Until we get really used to playing together,” Chloe explained.

“And until our audience gets used to us,” Allie added.

“And it’ll give you some experience before the real concert tour begins.”

“So what do you think?” asked Allie. “Kind of freaky to think you could be hanging with us 24/7?”

“No,” I said quickly, “that actually sounds cool.”

“Allie snores,” Chloe teased.

“Do not!”

I glanced at my watch. “I should probably get to school.”

“Speaking of school,” Chloe said as they walked me to my car, “they’ll let you continue your classes on the road.”

“Yeah,” Allie chimed in. “Being in a professional band isn’t a get-out-of-school-free card. They still expect you to graduate.”

“Just talk to Mrs. King,” said Chloe. “I mean, when you’ve decided.”

“Pick us!” Allie cupped her hands in a beggar imitation. “Please, pick us!”

Chloe laughed. “Don’t pressure her. She’ll figure it out.”

And that’s what I’m hoping to do. I mostly think that I’m going to do this. But I want to be absolutely sure. This is a big decision, and it’s not just about me either. Chloe and Allie have a lot at stake. If I do this thing, I need to be certain it’s right.

Bruce dropped the contract by the house this evening. He met Uncle Allen, and we discussed my interesting custody situation. I even told him about Shannon and how she’d recently been doing time. “I don’t want it to look like I’ve got any skeletons in my closet,” I confessed.

He chuckled. “As long as you’re open about it, I don’t think it matters at all. In fact, it can be a strength—particularly when you’re
giving a testimony, which is a fairly regular thing at concerts. I’m sure a lot of kids can relate to a parent who’s less than perfect.”

“That’s an understatement when it comes to my mom.” Then I told him about how I had everything pretty much ready for my emancipation.

“That might be the best way to go,” Bruce said. “It would make it easier when you girls are on the road. Although I’ll still recommend a chaperon since you’re all under twenty-one.”

Uncle Allen was browsing through the contract. “I’m sure you don’t mind if Maya has an attorney go over this,” he said.

“I’d be disappointed if she didn’t.”

After Bruce left, Uncle Allen congratulated me again. “Does Kim know about this?”

“I e-mailed her this afternoon.”

“E-mail, she-mail—let’s give her a call.”

Then next thing I knew we were talking to Kim on the speaker phone. “That’s so great,” she said. “I hadn’t checked my e-mail yet. I’m so happy for you, Maya!”

“Thanks. I have until Friday to make a final decision,” I said.

“Meaning you’re not completely sure?”

“I’m mostly sure, but I just want to be one hundred percent.”

“That’s right,” said Uncle Allen. “It’s a big decision and a big commitment. Not something you should do lightly.”

“I’ll have Robert Bernard go over the contract,” I explained. “And I’ll try to see about getting emancipated.”

“Speaking of that…” Kim sounded concerned. “How are things with Shannon?”

I told Kim about the possibility of Shannon taking care of Marissa.

“You’re kidding!” She sounded stunned.

“Yeah, pretty strange, huh?”

“I guess. But you never know, Maya. It could end up being a good thing.”

“I’m not sure I want to be around to find out.”

“When will Marissa get released?”

“In another week, I think.”

“How’s she doing?”

“She’s still improving, but it’s pretty slow going. And being in the nursing home is depressing, I can tell.”

“Tell her I’m still praying for her.”

“Absolutely.”

“And I’ll really be praying for you too, Maya, that God will direct this decision. But I think it sounds like a cool opportunity.”

“Would you do it?” I asked suddenly. “I mean, if they’d asked you?”

She laughed. “I’ve jammed with them before, but they’re not exactly a violin sort of band.”

“But…if?” I persisted.

“I don’t like hypothetical questions…but if I had the opportunity to, say, play violin with the philharmonic symphony orchestra,
well, I’m guessing I’d say yes.” She chuckled. “I’ll let you know when they call.”

“It’s not outside the realm of possibility, Kim.” Her dad’s voice was serious. “You are a very gifted violinist.”

“That’s right,” I added.

“At the moment I have my hands full with college. I probably shouldn’t have taken sixteen hours my first term.”

“Well, if anyone can handle it, it’s you,” her dad said warmly.

“I agree!”

Then we hung up, and I took my contract to my room, where I read the whole thing twice through. And although it’s hard to decipher all the legalese, I am pretty stunned at how much money I’d be making. That alone should make the emancipation judge stand up and pay attention. But I’m worried about the one-year commitment. A year is a long time. On the other hand, I’d make a lot of money. More than I can make with my three part-time jobs combined, which isn’t bad. Still, I don’t want money to be what’s driving this decision. I want my choice to be God directed—and hopefully God blessed as well.

D
ay three of my need-to-decide-my-future week—and only three days left. It’s not helping that Dominic told all our friends that I’ve been invited to join Redemption. I know he did it because he’s proud of me and thinks it’s a great opportunity that I’d be foolish to pass up. But now everyone seems to have an opinion on it.