“Thank you and good night,” called out Jake as the band prepared to leave the stage.
Within seconds of them heading into the wings, the fans were screaming for more. Dripping with sweat, Jake grabbed a towel from Jethro and rubbed himself down before grabbing a water bottle.
“Daddy!” cried out Melody, overexcited to see her father on stage.
“Three more songs, Miss M,” he replied, glugging down more water. “Three song encore, then you get a hug.”
“Want to go on stage,” grumbled Jesse, wriggling restlessly in Lori’s arms.
“Three more songs and we’ll see, buddy,” said Jake.
Behind them, they could all hear the loud chants of “Silver Lake, Silver Lake, Silver Lake Lake Lake” and the rhythmic stomping of the fans’ feet.
“Get your asses back out there, boys,” instructed Maddy sharply. “And remember your marks for the end of the show. Watch for those cannons going off!”
“Yes, boss,” said Jake, tossing his sweat-soaked towel aside.
It didn’t escape his attention that someone caught the small silver-grey towel before it hit the floor. As he turned to head back to the stage for the encore, he saw Nicole standing in the shadows with the towel in her hands.
The roar from the Silver Lake fans almost deafened the band as they walked back out. Raising his hands in an appeal for quiet, Jake waited for the cheers to die away before he began to speak.
“We’ve got three more for you, folks!” he declared, struggling to make himself heard. “This was one of Rich’s favourites. Enter Sandman!”
Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, Jake began the distinctive intro to the classic Metallica anthem. Todd came in right on cue then Paul’s powerful drum beats and Grey’s chugging bass built on the maelstrom of sound. Heads banging, the three guitarists came together centre stage then Jake stepped forward, “Say your prayers little one.”
All along the rail, the hard-core Silver Lakers were headbanging. Out in the middle of the room, a small mosh pit had opened up. On the raised area, Jake could see Becky beside Wren and Hayden dancing in time to the music. Beside them, Grey’s mother, Annie, was also nodding her head in time to the metal anthem. Everyone in the venue was moving and soaking up the classic metal cover.
“Baltimore, you guys are fucking fantastic!” roared Jake at the end of the song. “Now, we have something special for you. We have a brand new, never been heard before song for you.”
Screams and whistles of appreciation echoed throughout the venue.
“This is Shattered Hearts,” announced Jake simply.
The delicate melody that had haunted him since Rich’s death soared over the fans. As if understanding what was to come, the fans lit up the room with their cell phones and lighters. Amid a landscape of twinkling stars and through a veil of unshed tears, Jake and the rest of Silver Lake premiered the new song. Singing Rich’s raw and powerfully emotional lyrics ripped Jake apart but, by some miracle, he kept his voice steady. Cheeks wet with tears, he poured his heart and soul into the solo before singing the last verse and chorus. Either side of him he could see Todd and Grey wrestling with their own grief. Risking a brief glance into the wings, Jake witnessed Jethro consoling an openly weeping Maddison. In front of him, the Silver Lakers along the rail were overcome by grief.
“Thank you,” he managed as the last notes faded out.
Letting out a long howl of pent up anguish, Jake then roared, “Rich, this is for you, buddy! Baltimore, thank you and we’ll leave you with Flyin’ High. Safe journey home. Stay safe till next time.”
Before Jake knew it, he was waving goodnight to the crowd and tossing the last of the commemorative picks from his mic stand out to the lucky few. Flyin’ High had disappeared in a blur and he barely recalled playing it. As he headed towards his family at the side of the stage, both Melody and Jesse broke free from Lori’s grasp and came running towards him. Scooping them up into his arms, Jake hugged them tight and allowed them a few moments on stage in front of the cheering fans before he carried them back into the wings.
“You were incredible tonight,” said Lori, hugging her family. “What a show!”
“That was……” Jake couldn’t continue. He was totally lost for words.
As the Silver Lake extended family moved away from the side of the stage, there were hugs and more than a few tears. Everyone agreed that it had been the perfect celebration of Rich’s life and music.
Each of them carrying a sleeping child, Jake and Lori walked slowly along the quiet hotel corridor shortly after two in the morning. There had been an after-show meal at a local steakhouse and, while the party animals among the band and crew went in search of a night club, the others headed back to the hotel.
Balancing Melody on his hip, Jake fumbled in his pocket for the key card, taking three attempts to get the green light from the door. With a sigh of relief, Lori lay Jesse down on the bed, removed his sneakers and pulled the sheet over him. She checked the holdall that lay between the two kid’s beds for his favourite cuddly dolphin and tucked it in beside him. While she had settled Jesse, Jake had done the same with Melody, slipping her American Girl doll under the sheet beside her.
“Those little guys have been great today,” said Jake as he followed Lori across the room.
“They’re going to be tired and cranky on the ride home tomorrow.”
“Probably,” he conceded with a yawn.
“You ok?” asked Lori softly. “That was an awesome show. You guys did Rich proud.”
“I’m fucked” sighed
