Chapter 59

Omar had managed to get out ahead of everything. He said Casey was suffering from the flu, and had been working hard on the next record, but we’re all going to make sure he’s in perfect health before continuing.

To us, he told us we needed to bring in another bass player to finish the songs. We only had four more to go.

“No, Omar. We’re not replacing Casey. He’s our bass player.”

“We need to get the album done, Nick.”

I shook my head. “I’m not singing in this band with someone else playing the bass. If you want to finish the album, find a new lead singer.”

Omar looked like he wanted to object, but as I sat defiantly by Casey’s bedside, he knew it was no use. He threw his hands in the air and left.

Veruca stopped by the day after he’d been admitted.

“Did you know he was sick?”