Page 104 of Goodbye Days

“Shut up! I’ve been working on it for a while.”

“So—do you want to be a classical pianist or this?” I nod at the stereo.

“All of the above.” She picks up her iPod. “Okay, that’s good.”

I put my hand over hers. “I want to keep listening.”

“Eeeee. No!”

“Yes! In fact, I expect a copy of this.” Because this also makes me forget everything. Oh, how this makes me forget.

Even though skyscrapers don’t have chimneys, downtown Nashville somehow always smells of woodsmoke by mid-October. And it’s perfect jacket weather. The night air tastes like chilled apple cider and the sky breathes with stars. We park and walk the few blocks to the Ryman. The crowd gradually thickens as we approach. Groups mill around, chatting excitedly.

I walk a little taller as I catch a pack of frat boys eyeing Jesmyn as we pass. That’s right, bros. But I wish I were holding her hand.

Then: “Carver! Jesmyn! Hey!”

I look over to see Georgia, Maddie, and Lana waving. “Oh, shit,” I mutter, and wave.

“What?” Jesmyn asks, veering in their direction.

“Nothing. Just—Maddie and Lana can be obnoxious.”

Georgia greets Jesmyn and me with a hug. “Are y’all as completely shitting yourselves in excitement for this show as I am?”

“More,” Jesmyn says.

I avoid eye contact with Maddie and Lana.

“Well, hello to you too, Carver,” Lana says loudly.

“Hi.”

“Hello, Carver,” Maddie says as loudly as Lana.

“Hey.”

“Are you gonna introduce us to your friend?” Lana asks.

“This is Jesmyn. Jesmyn, Lana and Maddie, my sister’s friends.”

“…And?” Maddie asks.

“Yeah, Carver, and? Are we not your friends?” Lana asks, eyes boring into me.

I stifle an eye roll because it’ll only make things worse. “And…my friends.”

“Awwwwwwww,” they say in unison.

They introduce themselves warmly to Jesmyn, who gives me a look saying, What’s wrong with you?

Georgia glances at her phone. “Okay, we’re gonna grab our seats. Where are you guys?”

“Balcony,” Jesmyn says.

“Cool,” Georgia says. “Maybe we’ll see y’all after.”

“Bye, Carver,” Maddie says, still being loud. She catches Jesmyn’s eye and shakes her head.