Andy

When my Dad walked through the door, there was an awkward silence. He stood in the kitchen, where Mom worked on dinner and I and CC sat at the island eating the carrot and broccoli tray my Mom put out, just shooting the shit, acting normal.

Obviously, I never invite anyone to my house. Elizabeth had only ever come over once, and it was for my fourteenth birthday party two years ago. I tended to avoid inviting people into my home, if I could. And my parents knew this better than anyone, so my Dad was just as surprised as my Mom when he walked into the kitchen, finding CC there, all wigged out in his black hoodie, black skinny jeans, and matching black leather biker boots.

"Oh..." My Dad murmured in surprise.

"Hey, Mr. Hunter." CC grinned at him. "Christian." He held out his hand, and my Dad looked like an ass for a moment because he couldn't remember his name.

"Hey... Christian. How are you?"

"I'm doing good. How are you?" He replied, and I found it amusing how 'chipper' CC was being all of the sudden.

"I'm good. Thanks."

CC turned back towards me and flashed one of his trademark, sneaky smiles, before popping another baby carrot in his mouth. I just shook my head sadly and questioned his sanity.

"So, Christian, what brings you here?" My Dad finally asked when he couldn't take it anymore, and no one was saying anything.

"Oh, I came over to talk to Ash, actually." He replied matteroffactly.

"Is that so?" My Dad replied, forcing a layer of bordom into his extremely interested tone, as he pulled up a seat beside me so he could silently judge CC.

"Yes, sir. I came to ask her if she'd be interested in playing piano for my band tomorrow night. But she said she had to ask you guys." CC told him innocently. I caught the glance my Dad sent my Mom.

"I didn't know what you wanted to do with it." My Mom replied without being asked for her input, she already knew my Dad wanted an explanation.

"Well... For starters, I guess, where are you playing?"

"It's a cafe on Rivers Street. I wouldn't have asked her to go if it was anywhere inappropriate." CC replied with a sudden undercurrent of authority, and it took my Dad back a few steps.

"Oh. How late will this show be?"

"I'll have her home by 10:30, at the latest. If you need an earlier time, I can rearrange the playlise, if you want."

I could see the spark of approval in my Dad's eyes and he slowly thought this through. "Do you want to go, Ash?"

"I think it'd be amazing practice." I said, avoiding the direct question to put my two cents in. "It's up to you guys. I already told him I would if you said yes."

Just a little pressure.

"Um... Honey?" My Dad looked to my Mom, and through silent expressions and hand gestures, they rested their case.

"Okay, Ash can attend. I trust you can handle getting her to and from the venue?"

"Yes, sir."

"You don't have to call me sir." My Dad said with a flattered expression, "Dave works fine."

"Can do, Dave." CC grinned, thrilled with the progress he was making in the trust department. "It's only going to be like a six song set, though, because another band is playing after us. We're opening for them, we'll be back early."

I listened to all the details CC was giving, and found myself getting so caught up in his lies, I was actually getting excitedfor the event that would not be taking place.

"Would you like to stay for dinner, Christian?" My Mom offered after he'd buttered them both up with compliments on their home and asked them both very interested questions about their jobs.

"Can I?"

"Absolutely. Ash, mind setting an extra spot in the dining room?"

"Dining room?" I cracked, "It really is a special occasion." I grinned, grabbing an additional plate and moving it to the dining room. We usually just ate at the kitchen island, and there was more than enough room for one more there.

Nevertheless, I carried the stack of dishes into the dining room, that was just off the hallway from the kitchen, and began to set the table. I moved slowly, listening carefully to keep track of my parents' conversation topics.

I was grateful when it never deviated from music or work topics. I helped set out the food, and I made Koolaid, to remind my parents how ridiculous they were being with the fancy stuff.

"So, Christian, how long have you lived in Pendant?" My Mom asked over dinner. I was curious, too. Even though it was a question I'd probably never ask him personally, I wondered.

"Whole life." He responded matter-of-factly with a proud smile. He took a drink of lime Koolaid before continuing. "I actually used to mow Andy's Aunt and Uncle's lawn during the summer, before he moved here with his family. I was mowing the lawn when his family came over to visit the Turners, and we just started talking." He laughed, and it clicked into place how he was able to get my address from the Turners... They were all good friends.

"My parents only live a block or two up the road, so it was always in walking distance."

"Where do you live now?" My Dad asked with interest as he ate.

"Sage Apartments, west side of town. It's small and simple, but the rent is cheap, so I can't complain."

My Dad pursed his lips and nodded, carefully filing this information away for later.

"So what else do you do besides music?"

"For now, that's it." CC told them, and my Dad's expression changed a bit. "But, I hope to go to college at some point, I'm just not sure for what, yet."

"Did you graduate?" My Mom suddenly asked. I knew she meant it in a way that related to college but it seemed outright.

"Random question..." I mumbled awkwardly, watching CC proceed to wear his oblivious, joyful grin as he replied "No, ma'am. I dropped out."

There was an awkward silence, and I could literally feel any respect my parents had for CC, draining from the room with the ticking seconds. It was clear that any positive vibe the dinner event had, was now long gone.

"Uh... I actually have to get home to feed my dog." CC suddenly mentioned, looking down at his wrist, where no watch was. "Thanks for the dinner, though! I'll pick up Ash tomorrow around 6:30, if that's cool?"

I nodded, "I'll walk you to the door."

My parents looked at us in surprise, and our abrupt departure left a sour feeling behind.

I followed CC silently to the front door, and let him out on the porch, closing the door behind us so we could talk in private. "Sorry about them." I apologized, beginning to ramble.

"It's no trouble." He laughed, "I meant everything I said, plus their reaction was priceless."

"Uh... Thanks for covering for me." I told him awkwardly, shifting on my feet. "You didn't have to."

"Covered for you?" He wondered in confusion, cocking his head. "Lucky for you, we actually do have a show scheduled for tomorrow night, so yeah, you're still playing with us. Better catch up on some piano playing."

I laughed and shook my head, "It's nice to see you again." I smiled, pulling him into a quick hug. "Have a nice evening."

He smiled back as he jogged down the porch steps, turning halfway towards me to say "You, too. See you tomorrow night."

I watched him head towards his car, parked along the curb across the street, and drive away. I sighed in relief, but still felt the clouds of stress and anxiety eating away at my mind. I went back inside to salvage what was left of dinner and my evening, before going to bed early, drifting off, imagining how tomorrow's surprise show would go.

Notes

Big, huge, amazing things are coming!
Also holy crows, bros, amazing, kinda unrelated news. I pre-ordered Andy's solo album yesterday, and it comes signed! Also, I posted one of my Andy drawings on Instragram a few weeks ago, and the official page for American Satan, the movie Andy is going to be in, favorited it, made my evening. :D