Chapter 9

“I know we met once.” Emery smiled. “Out in the parking lot before we took…” He was distracted by something on his phone screen and picked up where he’d left off after a few seconds. “Off. Before we took off.” He still kept his head down, even when speaking to AC. “You don’t have to pee before we pull out?”

AC had stayed in the van while Manny switched with Emery and six out of twelve drummers took a whiz on the side of the road. “No.”

“Okay. Cool. It’s nice to meet you again. I’m still Emery. Achoo! You’re still AC, I assume, or is it Atticus?”

Pausing at the stop sign before entering the street, AC reached over to grab some tissues from the glove compartment and shrugged.

“Either or?”

He nodded as Emery took the tissues.

“Cool. Thank you, man. I have allergies. I love cats. My histamine level, not so much. I took a pill. I guess it’s wearing off. Can’t take another for two more hours.”