After the boys gathered around the kitchen sink to brush their teeth (because it was easier than taking turns in the microscopic bathroom and it allowed everyone to get their turn in there more quickly), Dad called everyone to order.
The meeting was mostly going over the day’s itinerary, set list, and a few bus basics (like not slamming doors, not cooking on the stove while the bus was moving, bathroom schedules, and respecting time limits, et cetera), when Gary told us we were just a few minutes from pulling up to the truck stop. Everyone needed to get ready (other than Dad, who had obviously thought ahead) but getting dressed in the bunks was a non-option, especially for big guys. I suggested Sandy, Kiki, and I go into the office and close the curtain, giving the guys room in the open area at the front of the bus. Then, after they left, we’d finish getting ready and join them in the restaurant. This also gave us time on our own to review the itinerary and what we needed to do to make the day go smoothly.
“Great thinking,” Dad said with a nod and a wink. He pulled the curtain closed across the front of the office with him inside before he sat down beside me.
“All right,” I began, looking down at my hastily-scribbled to do list. “While the guys go to the Y and then to the Hall of Fame, I’m thinking I’ll go do some shopping. I need some clothes and things for myself and I can see if any of them need anything.”
“Good plan,” Dad said and turned to point at the file box. “Linda would have a file set up with car services in each town, so just call one to take you where you need to go. Sandy,” he said, turning to my friend. “I need you with us to take some shots since you’re now officially our only media on tour.”
“Aye, aye, Captain,” Sandy said with a salute. “I did some quick candid interviews with them after last night’s gig, so I do need some time to cut those so you can review them. Maybe I’ll make some pictures for Instagram, too—I have some great sound bites that I can turn into graphics. I can do that while they’re working out.”
“That works,” Dad said. “I’m sure you’ve already connected to the bus’s Wi-Fi network?”
“Yep,” she said. “Gary gave us all the password last night. I also have the list of today’s social media messages for you to approve.”
“Perfect,” he said with a nod. “I can go over that at breakfast along with the ones for the guys’ own accounts. Kiki?”
“I’m going to get out and check on tonight’s wardrobe once we pull into the Hall of Fame and I can get on the truck. But I’m thinking we should leave the boys alone to do the casual thing this afternoon, if that works for you.”
Dad nodded. “Fine by me. Just make sure they’re all okay to go on camera—no clothing logos, clean and neat. They’ll get the hang of things, but...”
“Of course. On it,” Kiki said and then looked at me. “If you don’t mind waiting, I can go shopping with you.”
I nodded, happy for the company, especially in a strange city. “No problem. While you’re doing the wardrobe thing, I’ll familiarize myself with Linda’s files and make a list of what we need.” I turned back to my dad. “And I’ll make sure we’re back from shopping in time for sound check.”
He smiled and I could see the pride in his eyes which made me feel weird. I wasn’t doing anything other than what needed to be done, but it still felt nice knowing he thought I was doing a good job. Not a Linda-caliber job, I was sure, but good enough to take the pressure off him so he could focus on the boys and the eight million things that were his responsibility.
“Great,” he said and was about to say something else when a chorus of whoops and laughter came from the front of the bus.
He stood up and reached for the curtain.
“At least it’s not fighting,” Kiki said, all seriousness.
“Still only day two,” Dad said sardonically before he pulled the curtain back and left the office, raising his voice to cut through the boys’. “Hey, hey, what’s going on up here?”
Kiki rolled her eyes. “Boys. Can’t live with them. Can’t make a living without them.”
Sandy and I laughed. “You love it,” Sandy said.
Kiki twisted up her lips into a smirk. “Of course I do. Though I’m starting to think I’m getting too old for this life. I need to find someone and settle down. Get the picket fence and all.” She blew her flat and non-styled bangs off her forehead. “Go back to brown hair before it all goes gray.”
I glanced up at her electric blue locks. “I can’t even imagine you with brown hair.”
She laughed. “Even my own mother wouldn’t recognize me.” But then her eyes got a bit sad. “But maybe it’s time. Get a salon job in the suburbs. Cut hair for soccer moms.”
“Don’t you dare!” Sandy said, obviously scandalized by the thought.
“You’re telling me you’d give up all this?” I asked. I’d never really thought about Kiki having such domestic goals.
“Maybe. I’d like to have someone steady, you know? It’s hard to have relationships when you’re always off on tour. Remember, I don’t just work for your dad—this is my seventh back-to-back tour. It gets old and it’s a bit concerning that I barely remember my home address anymore.”
“Seriously?” Sandy asked.
Kiki shrugged and then winked at me. “Maybe I’ll just keep things simple and marry your dad.”
My mouth fell open as I thought about Linda and my father, still not sure what was going on between them.
Kiki burst out laughing. “Oh you should see your face, Nessa. What’s wrong, scared to have me as your stepmom?”
“Terrified,” I said, feeling stupid for believing her for even a second. Though, in my defense, I did have reason to wonder about my dad’s love life.
I pondered if she knew anything about my dad’s relationship with Linda. I might have asked her, but not with him only a curtain away.
Speaking of: “Everyone’s decent up here,” he said as he pulled the curtain across. “We’re going to head on in.” Dad held his hand out to me and dropped a keychain with the iconic Rolling Stones logo on it into my open palm. “When you’re ready, lock up and join us.”