Nate, Charlotte, Carly and I were all waiting patiently while Live Trepidation set up for their gig on the rooftop at Bar 22. Carls had come along to see Derek perform, and I wasn’t sure whether I appreciated that or not. If my performance for Bryce was acceptable, then great, she was there to witness that, but if it was a complete flop, then fuck, she was also there to witness that and have the ammunition to never let me live it down.
It was a perfect early summer Saturday afternoon, the temperature sitting nicely in the mid-twenties. Although I felt rather hot and slightly clammy, guessing it was a result of my intense anxiety. I scanned my surroundings, taking in the modern contemporary styled rooftop bar, with wooden bench style seats running along the boundary walls. Walls, which were also wooden panelled to about half way up, stopping to support an ornamental garden containing lights. The lights nestled in the garden lit up the painted feature walls that spanned the space from the garden top, all the way to the veranda-styled roof. There were also mirrored Art Deco pieces hung on the feature walls which grabbed the garden light’s beam and bounced it back into the room.
The bar sat opposite the stage which was set up in front of the furthest wall when you walked onto the roof top. The rectangular space in front of the stage and bar was filled with matching square-shaped wooden panelled tables and groovy white and red tub chairs. We were seated in those chairs around a table, the closest to the stage.
“Alexis?”
Carly’s raised voice snapped me out of my scrutinizing.
“Yeah?”
“Are you alright? You’ve been off with the pixies ever since I arrived.”
“Sorry, I’m just...” I leaned in closer to her. “Nervous.” I sat back and couldn’t help but display a terrified look on my face.
She screwed up her face then leaned in closer to me. “Why are you nervous?”
I looked at Charli and Nate who both had their heads down, attention fixed to their iPods. “Derek has been teaching me how to play the guitar, and I’m going to surprise Bryce with a song. I’m freaking out, I’ve only been playing for a few months.”
“Fuck off!” Carls said out aloud.
I glared at her then subtly flicked my eyes in the kids’ direction—they didn’t even flinch.
“Are you for real? Oh, my, God, that’s awesome. So, why are you nervous?”
“Oh,” I deadpanned for the smallest of seconds, “Let me guess...cause there’s a whole roof top full of freakin’ strangers.”
“Who cares?” Carls said bluntly as she picked up her glass of wine and sipped it.
“I do!” I blurted out as I picked up mine, sipping it not as calmly as Carly had.
“Why? Who are you performing for? Them or Bryce?”
I tilted my head to the side in frustration. “Bryce.”
“So just play it for him. Don’t even acknowledge anyone else.” She sipped her drink again then focussed her attention on Derek, having convinced herself that her advice was my solution. “We haven’t had vanilla yet,” she added.
“Oh,” I gave the kids another quick glance, checking to see they were still occupied with their handheld devices and not catching on to the fact that their mother and Carly were now talking about sex. “Why not? That’s unlike you. You normally devour vanilla then jump right in to chocolate or even Rocky Road.”
“I do not,” she scoffed.
“Yes, you do. There’s not many flavours you haven’t tried.”
“I like strawberry, Aunty Carls. Do you like strawberry?” Charli asked, not taking her eyes from her iPod. Charli, you eavesdropping little rabbit.
“Yes, Charli, I love strawberry. It’s my favourite.” Carls pressed her lips together as if to say ‘Mmmm’.
“Mum, what’s your favourite?”
I don’t know. Are we talking about sex or ice cream flavours? “I like vanilla with sprinkles and topping and chocolate chips,” I answered quickly. There, I think that about covers everything.
“Yeah, me too,” she smiled at me. “Can I have some now?” What?
I looked at Carly, her amused face revelling in the fact I had to somehow dig myself out of this dilemma. “What Charli? What do you want?” I asked flustered.
“Ice cream.”
“Um, sure.” I dug out my purse. “Nate?”
“I’ll have what she’s having,” he replied, unperturbed and like Charli not even removing his eyes from the little screen. This is the weirdest conversation ever.
Carls was laughing. I shook my head at her.
“Here, Charli, go up to the bistro desk over there and order two ice cream sundaes.” I handed her the money and pointed her in the right direction. “Nate, go with her please.”