Если я останусь
2:48 A.M.
ThenhewenttopickupTeddy,whowassquallingfromhisbassinet.
Afewmonthslater,Dadannouncedhewasleavingtheband.Momtoldhimnottodoitforhersake.Shesaiditwasokaytokeepplayingaslongashedidn’ttakeoffonmonthlongtours,leavingheralonewithtwokids.Dadsaidnottoworry,hewasn’tquittingforher.
Dad’sotherbandmatestookhisdecisioninstride,butHenrywasdevastated.Hetriedtotalkhimoutofit.Promisedthey’donlyplayintown.Wouldn’thavetotour.Everbegoneovernight."Wecanevenstartplayingshowsinsuits.We’lllookliketheRatPack.DoSinatracovers.Comeon,man,"Henryreasoned.
WhenDadrefusedtoreconsider,heandHenryhadahugeblowout.HenrywasfuriouswithDadforunilaterallyquittingtheband,especiallysinceMomhadsaidhecouldstillplayshows.DadtoldHenrythathewassorry,buthe’dmadehisdecision.Bythistime,he’dalreadyfilledouthisapplicationsforgradschool.Hewasgoingtobeateachernow.Nomoredickingaround."Onedayyou’llunderstand,"DadtoldHenry.
"Thef**kIwill,"Henryshotback.
Henrydidn’tspeaktoDadforafewmonthsafterthat.Willowwoulddropbyfromtimetotime,toplaypeace-maker.She’dexplaintoDadthatHenrywasjustsortingsomestuffout."Givehimtime,"shesaid,andDadwouldpretendtonotbehurt.ThensheandMomwoulddrinkcoffeeinthekitchenandexchangeknowingsmilesthatseemedtosay:Menaresuchboys.
Henryeventuallyresurfaced,buthedidn’tapologizetoDad,notrightaway,anyhow.
