“Perfect,” nodded Lori, feeling tears pricking at her eyes. “Rich would’ve approved.”
“I hope so,” sighed Paul with a small smile. “The three of us decided early on that there really only was one choice for a title.”
“Shattered Hearts,” repeated Jethro, nodding. “Poignant. Media will love it.”
“Any ideas for a design to match that?” asked Grey, turning to face Lori.
“I might have something in mind,” she replied, smiling at him. “When do you need the artwork done by?”
“End of October. First week in November at the latest,” stated Maddy, checking her schedule on her cell. “First single is due out December 8th so we need that cover fast.”
“What’s the first single to be?”
“Longitude Latitude,” replied Jethro. “Still to be confirmed for definite.”
“Sting In The Tail still gets my vote,” challenged Grey.
“I thought you might have gone with a ballad,” observed Lori.
“Shattered Hearts is still under consideration,” added Maddy. “We’re meeting Jason on the 17th to decide.”
“That’s only two days away. Please tell me you don’t need anything by then!” exclaimed Lori, praying that the answer was “no”.
“It’s fine, Lori,” assured Jethro. “But if we could have the design by the end of the first week in November that would help.”
“By November 7th I assume?”
Maddy nodded, “5th ideally. There’s a full band meeting at the label’s offices on the 6th before we head to New York for Garrett’s launch.”
“Ok, I can do that,” agreed Lori, confident that she could pull something together in three weeks. “When do I get to hear the rest of the record? Might help to speed up the conceptualisation.”
“I can get you a copy,” offered Dr Marrs warmly. “Thought Lord Jason would’ve sent you the whole file.”
“I only got four tracks,” revealed Lori, conscious that the baby was kicking furiously. “But, I have half an idea for the design.”
“Well, let’s get you the rest so you can pull together a whole idea,” teased Grey, watching her closely.
“Thanks.”
Over the next hour or so, they debated what other designs they would potentially need to tie in with the album cover. By the time Maddy was bringing the meeting to a close, Lori had a lengthy list of supplementary items that would be required. Promising to cost the job out by the end of the week, she was the first to rise to leave. Leaning heavily on her cane, Lori promised to call Maddy after she’d got the kids into bed.
As she opened the door of her SUV, Lori heard footsteps behind her.
“Lori, wait up!” called Grey as he came across towards her.
“Everything ok?” she asked, noting the anxious look on his face,
“You tell me,” countered the bass player calmly.
“Pardon?”
“When are you going to tell him?” asked Grey simply. “I assume Jake doesn’t know. I spoke to him last night and he never said anything.”
“Oh,” said Lori softly, gazing down at her baby bump that she’d so carefully hidden under the long black sweater.
“Lori, I have four kids,” laughed Grey. “And an eye for a pretty, pregnant woman.”
“Stop it!” giggled Lori, her cheeks flushing scarlet.
“Well?”
“Jake doesn’t know yet,” she replied quietly.
“He deserves to know.”
“I know but things are still so messed up,” sighed Lori, her eyes filling with tears.
“Do you remember the blessing I read out at your wedding?” began Grey warmly.
With a tear gliding down her cheek, Lori looked up at him.
“Treat yourselves and each other with respect and remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves. When frustration, difficulties and fear assail your relationship, as they threaten all relationships at one time or another, remember to focus on what is right between you, not only the part that seems wrong. In this way, you can ride out the storms when clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives – remembering that even if you lose sight of it for a moment the sun is still there.”
“Maybe Jake’s not the only one who forgot our vows,” said Lori softly. “Thanks, Grey.”
Reaching out to hug her, Grey whispered, “Just talk to each other.”
“Three Dead Mice?” muttered Garrett, reading the poster on the rock bar’s door. “Three Dead Mice? Jake, you sure about this?”
Grinning, Jake nodded, “Positive. Been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a gig in a dive like this.”
“I don’t ever recall enjoying a gig in a shit hole like this,” declared the older musician sourly as he followed Jake into the crowded bar.
At the far end of the small venue, the stage was already set up. Scanning the crowd, Jake gauged that Rob’s band had just about filled the venue. Guessing that the bar maybe held about a hundred and fifty, Jake was impressed to see it so full on a Thursday evening.
In the corner, the old-fashioned jukebox was blasting out a Weigh Station classic. Instantly, Jake felt at home.
“Beer?” he checked with Garrett, who was also scanning the room.
“For starters.”
“Relax,” said Jake, putting a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll watch the band, have a few beers then head home. It’s a school night after all.”
There was one local support band on the bill, Nu, and as Jake ordered their drinks at the bar, they hit the stage. Unable to quash his inner teacher, Jake found himself inwardly criticising the balance of their sound. The four young musicians on stage were delivering a solid, classic rock set, throwing in Black Sabbath and ACDC covers to make up for the lack of original material. He’d guided Garrett to a spot close to the front but still in the shadows to the side. The band’s merchandise table
