“It probably was,” she said, “so it’s good news all around.”
“Exactly.”
“So, is that a yes then?”
He shrugged. “I’ll listen to Shane on this one,” he said.
“And what does Shane say?”
“He said that I could do it again, but that he wants to change my seating.”
“Oh, I like that idea,” she said. “If he can sort out how you should be sitting, and you can find a way to make that work along with your natural playing style,” she said, “that’s probably all working together for the good of your core.”
“Well, that’s the thing,” he said. “You’re the first one to mention my natural playing style. Because really, when you get into playing, you don’t think about how you’re sitting,” he said. “So it’s a little awkward because Shane always wants me to consider my posture, and, once I’m into the music, I don’t think of anything but the music.”
“So, go around the place and see if any other chairs would work for you,” she said.
“Shane suggested that as well—or maybe even an office chair or something that will give me a little bit better lower-back support.”
She nodded thoughtfully. “We have a bunch of chairs in the offices. You can always ask Dani about having one for the concert.”
“Yeah. Shane’s got a whole pile of chairs for our next session that he wants to work with.” At that, she stared at him, and he nodded. “They’re all lined up—like fifteen of them.”
She chuckled. “The thing about Shane is,” she said, “if you put him on a mission, he’ll see it through. And he’ll see you through, to the best you can be. So, if he has all these chairs lined up to figure out how to make it work for you,” she said, “I’d let him do it.”
“I’m not sure I have a choice,” Lance said, laughing. “Shane is beyond determined.”
“And so are you,” she said gently. “And you should be. You’re very talented, and, if this is what you want for your second career, then go for it.”
“I never thought I could have a career at it,” he said, “and I still don’t know that.” He stared off in the distance. “Shane mentioned a couple bars in town.”
“And would that be where you might want to play?”
“I’m not sure,” he said. “Somebody else mentioned YouTube, but I wouldn’t have a clue how to monetize something like that.”
“That may be something where you have your own channel to increase your visibility or something,” she said. “I don’t understand how that works either, but I’m sure it wouldn’t take too much to figure it all out.”
“Personally, I really enjoy the bar atmosphere,” he said. “Especially a bar that plays jazz and the blues too.”
“Well, like Shane said, a couple are in town. I’ve been to one of them,” she said. “I know they have live music. I suppose I could always ask how they pick their musicians.”
He looked at her, surprised, and then slowly nodded. “Well, whenever you’re there next, if you wouldn’t mind, it would be good information to have.”
She smiled. “Absolutely,” she said. “In fact, I’d be delighted. I really want you to succeed at this.”
“What? Are you getting rid of me already?”
She gave him a slow smile and said, “Honestly, I’m trying to keep you close. If you find jobs in Dallas that you actually love and want to stay with,” she said, “then maybe I’ll be lucky, and you’ll stay nearby when you’re done with your rehab.”
He looked at her in surprise, and then the most beautiful of smiles flashed across his face. “You know something? That’s exactly what I was thinking too.”
Lance shouldn’t have said anything to her about the clubs. That was putting a job on her shoulders that didn’t belong there. If he couldn’t go to the club and talk to the owners himself, he certainly shouldn’t be the one playing there.
He’d always been independent.
This was on the edge of not.
He frowned at that. He hadn’t had any qualms when he’d asked her initially, so what was the hindsight issue now? It’s not like she’d shown any hesitation. Still, it worried him until Shane stopped him at his next session.
“What’s going on?”
“Just pondering the fine line between dependence and independence.”
Shane gave a low whistle. “Now that’s an interesting argument. I think the difference is in the ability to accept help when needed, versus using help when it’s not needed. Everyone needs help sometime. It’s abusing that help that makes the difference.”
“So, dependence should be acknowledged when one has no choice, and independence should be exercised if one can make that choice.”
Shane looked at him in surprise. “If that pertains to the situation at hand, yes. But remember. It’s also a gift to ask for or to accept a little help. As long as you don’t abuse it, it’s all good.” With that, Shane motioned at the medicine ball. “Now let’s get back at it.”
Lance laughed and bent from the knees to pick it up. He’d just wait and see. If he’d crossed a line with her, hopefully she would tell him. And, in the future, he’d have to remember not to ask for something if he could do it himself.
His future was at stake here.
Chapter 14
Jessica couldn’t stop thinking about the clubs in town. As soon as she was done with work today, she skipped dinner and headed into town, where she stopped off at the first of two clubs. It was open but not with any live music at the moment. It didn’t really get busy until around seven p.m. She walked to the manager’s office and knocked. Surprised, somebody from the inside called out to come in. She pushed open the door, then smiled and introduced herself.
The manager looked at her and said, “What can I do for you?”
“Hello, I’m a nurse from Hathaway House,” she said. “We have a veteran who’s recovering
