“It’s his temper really. I mean you remember he had a temper, but he never would lose control. Now, man, there is so much that sets him off. And when he gets pissed, he’s like a tornado. You have no idea what mood he’s in on a regular basis. He can go from zero to fucking one hundred in a millisecond. But I’m around him all the time. So for the life of me, I don’t know when he is finding time to do anything.”
“Well, have you talked to him? Asked him about everything?”
“Yeah, I’ve tried to. But he just blows me off. Man, Max, if it was easy to talk to the son-of-a-bitch, I wouldn’t be here.”
“Then, I guess I can’t help you.”
I stood, and then Train stood, too.
“Okay, look. I’m sorry. I’m just so frustrated. I’m at my wit’s end. I think he’s going to mess-up his chances in this business, and that’s going to be the death of him. How do I bring up the topic without making him pissed off?”
I looked in his eyes and thought about that very question. I honestly don’t think it’s possible. Then an idea came to me.
I said, “Why don’t you and someone sit down with him and talk to him. I’m sure there is someone in your camp that you can trust.”
Train laughed.
“If you believe Trip trusts or would listen to anyone from his team, you really don’t know him. In that case, you’re right; I shouldn’t be here.”
Train headed for the door, and I sighed. I know what I’m about to suggest will come back to haunt me. Hell, I shouldn’t even care one way or another. But the look in Train’s eyes made me stop him.
“Train, you don’t have to go. Okay? I’m sure we can think of something.”
Train smiled at me and sat back down. I took a deep breath and asked Train if he wanted something to drink. He told me, “Water.” When I came back to sit down next to him, we hashed out an idea. At first, I was a little hesitant about it, but Train was adamant in his belief that it would work.
My thoughts moved to the last conversation I had with Mason: “He’s a ticking time bomb waiting to go off.” I knew in my heart he was right, but in about fifteen minutes I was about to find out first-hand.
Train thought it would be a good idea if he and I tag-teamed and talked to him. At first, I said no. I didn’t want to be in the same room as Trip, but Train promised me he would be in the room at all times. I knew if there was anyone that could control Trip, it was his brother. So we made a date to get together and talk. But when Trip just called, Train wanted to do it right now. I shrugged my shoulders and told him ‘fine.’
The moment Train hung up his cell telling me Trip was on his way, I felt that bad vibe you get when you’re about to do something you know you shouldn’t. This wasn’t right. I felt it, but I ignored it, thinking it was just nerves.
My bell went off, and I went to push the button to let Trip inside. When he got to my door, we gave each other a hesitant hug. He wore a white t-shirt and jeans, with a pair of Timberland boots. That was a wardrobe that I always loved to see him in. When he smiled at me, it was hesitant as well and a little shy. That eased my tension tremendously. It was as if the old Trip was back. Once we all sat down, I looked at Trip.
“How are you?” I asked him.
He nodded.
“Good, I guess. I have a lot going on right now, but I think everything is going okay. Why? You don’t think so?”
Trip looked between me and his brother.
Train cleared his throat, “Look, bro, Max and I wanted to talk to you a little bit about what’s been going on with you lately. I know—or rather, we both know—you are under a lot of pressure trying to go pro and everything. But we’ve noticed some changes in your moods.”
Trip frowned and sat back in the chair he was sitting in.
He said, “What do you mean by moods?”
Train, copping out as I knew he would, looked over at me. I rolled my eyes at him and then said bluntly, “You’ve been reacting to a lot of situations that you normally would let roll off you. Now you get extremely angry. We just wanted to talk to you to maybe figure out what’s going on and try and work through it. Like if you feel stressed out, what are some of the things we can do to alleviate some of the stress? Stuff like that.”
Trip looked at me and then at his brother.
Frowning, he said, “I see. So you two came together like an intervention or something? You think I’m using or something?”
I shook my head.
“No, of course not, but come on, Trip. I know you have a temper, but you’ve let a lot more things bother you than you normally would.”