My mind was miles away from the meeting with our west coast promoter. He gave me a thick book with the details and rattled off highlights about fees, ticket sales versus projections and whatnot, then handed me the check. The venues out here paid the promoter, then he subtracted his fees and gave us the rest. I signed the paperwork. Our Dad was the accountant, so if the numbers were wrong, I would leave it for him to work out on the back end. The check was a slightly more than expected, seems we got a bonus for selling out one of the shows.
“We look forward to working with you again,” I held out my hand.
“Likewise. I never thought Hanson would be my golden ticket, but your shows always sell well out here. Keep it up.”
“We will do our best. Take care,” I said.
“Safe travels,” he said as I walked out the door. I couldn’t wait to check my phone to see the updates from Taylor.
Dr. Said mild OD. Release today. Still a couple more hours. Zac ok.
Behaving?
Well enough.
I didn’t like the sound of that. And the doctor language. If that was mild, what did severe look like? I wouldn’t wish that on anyone I cared about.
I still had several more stops to make before I could go to the hospital. I needed to take the check to the bank, deposit it, then have them cut a check for each of us, plus our backup musicians and road staff. Then, I needed to head back to the hotel to distribute them. They all had flights home this afternoon, and I knew they were anxious to get paid. Our flights were booked for the next morning. The original plan was for us all to take on one part of the business duties, and each have some downtime. We knew from experience that our wives would be ready with a list of honey dos the second we walked in the door, and though we missed our families, we needed time to transition our brains from touring rock star to dad.
Zac’s health was the most important thing, though. I could go without sleep for a little longer. I had been doing it all tour long anyway. I briefly thought back to how well I slept on the pain pills after my surgeries. It was a dangerous thought that I quickly pushed out of my head. I thought about the times I “forgot” to avoid whiskey during the evening and then took pain pills that night. Zac and I really were the same person. I was hard on him because it was an extension of being hard on myself.
“Ahem, we’re here,” the taxi driver said, breaking me out of my thoughts.
“Oh, sorry. Thank you,” I handed him the fare plus tip and made my way in.
“Isaac,” Jerry greeted me as soon as I walked in. We had a good relationship with him from a few years ago starting the record label, and he was always so helpful.
“Hi! Nice to see you again,” I said.
“How was tour?” he asked.
I handed him the check. “Oh, very good, I see. Do we need to deposit this, then cut checks?” He motioned for me to follow him back to his office.
“Yes, sir. I have all the information here.” I handed him the spreadsheet of our payroll.
“You know, we could automate this for you.”
“We actually discussed the information you sent over, but we think the fees are a little high for now. We are still a pretty small shop.”
“Ah, I see. Well, hopefully your business will continue to grow.”
“I hope so.”
“Alright, if you will just give me a few minutes to process this. Do you mind waiting in here?”
“Not at all. Thank you.”
I checked my phone as soon as he walked out.
Everything fine. Nurse took IV out. Waiting on discharge paperwork.
Ok. At bank.
I shuddered as I remembered Kevin putting the IV in Zac’s foot. I had to remember he brought this all on himself and not show any sympathy later today. Taylor’s soft love crap didn’t work. It was back to tough love from me. It was the only way to get through his hard head.
“Alright, here we go,” Jerry handed me the copy of the deposited check and an envelope containing the payroll checks.
“Thanks so much. So sorry I can’t stay, have folks waiting to catch flights.”
“No worries. I’ll see you next time. It was great doing business with you,” we shook hands and I hurried out the door.
While I waited on my taxi, I called the hotel to reserve a conference room for us, then emailed everyone to meet me there in 15. I would have to give the end of tour speech myself. Taylor was always so good at that. Last tour we had a huge party, but had since learned that all everyone really wanted was to get their checks and go home, so I didn’t bother to order catering.
I wondered how much I should tell them. It was obvious from fan websites that someone on our team was leaking information, but who? We were all staying at the same hotel, so I’m sure they heard the commotion last night. And several of them were at the party as well, so no use in covering it up, I guess. I would just have to try to keep my rambling to a minimum. I was anxious to get back to Zac anyway.
Headed to the hotel to distribute payroll, then on my way to you.
Ok. Still waiting on paperwork.
How is Zac?
Sarcastic
“Well, team, we did it. Tour 2008 in the books. Thank you all so much for your amazing hard work to keep everything going. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and enjoy some well-earned time off with your families.”
“Alright,” Rebecca said, leading a round of applause.
I shook everyone’s hand as they left the room. Rebecca was the last to leave.
“How is Zac?”
I was surprised more people didn’t have questions, but I also knew they all had to get to the airport to catch flights home.
“He’s . . . Ok. I think he mixed too much stuff together last night and it really messed him up. Tay said they will discharge him today, though.”
“Ok. Hopefully being home will help. Do you need anything before I leave?”
I put my hand on her shoulder. “No, we can manage. Thank you, though. Have safe travels home.”
“You do the same, Isaac.”
I hugged her. “Thank you, Bex. We really couldn’t do anything without you.”
She smiled. “I know. Happy holidays,” she said as she left.
I glanced around to make sure we hadn’t left anything in the conference room, then immediately called a taxi. I only had to wait a few minutes.
We will be ready when you get here
On my way
I took a deep breath. It was time to turn on the tough love act. I almost lost my resolve when I saw Zac walk out of the hospital. He looked like he had lost another 10 pounds. His greasy hair in his face and wrinkled clothes made him the very picture of a drug addict. This wasn’t my brother. Not the same brother that used to run around when we were trying to practice making up words and silly songs. Taylor and I wrote about girls, Zac wrote about aliens.
Be tough. Be tough. The last thing Zac needs is someone going soft on him.
“Well, you look like shit,” I said. Good start.
“Thanks, you too.” Zac shot me the bird with a huge grin on his face.
“He can’t be too sick if he’s back to his usual sunny disposition,” I said to Taylor, hoping he would take the hint.
“Can we not argue right now?” Taylor said with a sigh. “Let’s just get back to the hotel. I think we’ll all feel better if we just rest.”
“Alright, Alright,” I said, sliding into the cab.
Taylor made Zac get in next, then he slid in.
They obviously didn’t bother to give Zac a sponge bath. The hospital smell stuck to him, layered over sweat, vomit and alcohol. I started to hold my breath, then thought of something that would cover up the smell.
“Hey, can we stop at an In and Out? Surely there’s one nearby. Get some burgers to take back to the hotel with us.” Two birds with one stone. The burgers might distract from Zac’s smell, plus I know he needed to eat.
“That’s a great idea,” Taylor agreed.
“Sure thing,” The cab driver called back.
“Did they even feed you at the hospital at all?” I asked Zac
“No. Well, just some jello.”
“Then we definitely need to get some burgers into you. Several of them,” I slapped his stomach. That was a good touch, I thought.
Zac didn’t say anything, but he barely took a breath while he scarfed down his food. At least that was a few calories. Probably more than he had eaten in a week. I wouldn’t be able to eat my food until the air around me smelled a bit better. I guessed Taylor was having the same issue since he hadn’t eaten anything either. And I was sure he hadn’t had much at the hospital. Zac bolted out of the cab the second Taylor let him out.
We watched him rush into the hotel. I hoped he was rushing to call his wife and then get some rest.