Jerry was downstairs at the hotel, and Billy had his head bowed like a child. Jerry's constant scolding had been going on for two hours, and Billy's shame was palpable, feeling utterly ridiculous.
-Do you know why it's so bad for growing kids to consume alcoholic drinks? - Jerry questioned again.
-Yes, sir, I'm sorry, and I won't drink or encourage others to get drunk, - Billy said, clearly chastened by Jerry.
-Good, rest up, and go to bed early. I'll take you to visit Chicago, and we'll have a barbecue with the band. We can also check out a pizza joint; they say the best pizza is made in Chicago, - Jerry said to the fifteen-year-old boy. He easily saw Billy as a grandson, but he treated him like a sergeant. Jerry's strict demeanor was just his experience showing that kids like Billy needed tough love to learn how to behave at all times, so they could evolve into respectable members of society.
-Thank you, Mr. Jerry, - Billy said.
-I promised your mother I'd look after you, and that's what I have to do. It may sound like an old man's words, but I don't want you picking up bad habits that will lead you into troubles you can't bear later on, - Jerry said.
The next few minutes passed as they ate, while the band sat a little apart, with Connor keeping company with Sauce, and Spencer grading exams at a separate table with what seemed to be a sandwich. He looked serious, but the truth was he was completely ecstatic about the upcoming concert as if it were almost an imaginary event he had never been able to fathom.
***
On the streets of Chicago, there was a particularly long line to enter a concert, which was initially planned as a light festival due to the cold and fever happening in the eastern US localities.
-Well, I think Radiohead's latest album is good, but Kid A, released in October, is a true masterpiece. They announced it last minute, but after their national tour, I thought I could only see them in concert, - Dover, a young rock enthusiast, said to his group of friends, who even had a backyard band and sang some songs in their free time.
The album Kid A, Radiohead's latest album, contained incredible songs such as -Everything in its Right Place," "Kid A," and "The National Anthem. - However, Billy Carson's winning streak didn't go unnoticed; the ticket was worth it after learning about the three singing groups.
The date was extended to two dates due to the sold-out number of tickets a week before; the period doubled, and now even the tickets for the second date were about to run out.
-There's nothing like the first album, which represents Radiohead's identity. Thom Yorke himself mentioned the beginning of their career and the importance of their first album as a band, - Bobby Son, a friend of Dover and a staunch fan of the band, replied.
-You sound like a newbie; everyone likes that album for 'You' and 'Creep,' but the artistic quality of OK Computer and Kid A has greatly improved the band's complexity, - Jack said in the middle, while his girlfriend, holding his hand with a hat on her head, nodded in agreement.
The line began to move, and everyone started to feel happier; the concert was about to begin, and the spirits of all were in line, as the concert they had been eagerly awaiting was finally starting.
.***
Billy was calmer, after a long time. At Spencer's request, Scott had taught him some breathing techniques and maneuvers to handle the stage more confidently. He was like a protective father figure.
-Remember, kid, you always need to stay calm. The key to singing is breathing. Once you get the rhythm, singing a song won't cause many problems. Try to take your time and have a sip of water after each song; it can help you at the concert's end, Scott Lucas said.
-It sucks to lose your voice, - Billy muttered, having experienced that mishap some time ago. For five days, he couldn't speak or do strenuous exercises; even eating caused discomfort.
-Tell me about it. During my first tour, towards the end, my vocal strength wasn't enough. My vocal cords were vibrating so much during that tour that we had to postpone the concert for three days for me to recover. You know, take it easy, - Scott Lucas commented with a nostalgia unbecoming of his age.
Billy was now opening the concert, followed by Local H, and closed by Radiohead, switching each date, which paid homage to tradition. Only when the gap was too large or the band was very proud, they chose the place to perform.
A security guard arrived, holding an agenda in his hand and pointing at the clock. They had ten minutes left, a constant struggle because everyone was prepared. Billy felt the audience's excitement, while the concentration of people was on standby, an evident pleasure for everyone.
The stage was once again set, and there Billy stood in front of the 7,000 people, extending with a curiosity beyond, all clearly understanding that, on many occasions, the courage to face a collective group required strength. Unwaveringly, Billy recalled some mocking from novice singers about his devastating performances, something that needed to be understood only by the act of doing it.
-Don't be afraid, kid, and good luck, - Scott said alongside Billy, Local H had also gained many things in the following days.
-How fortunate I am. I just have to give it my best in singing, - Billy thought.
The maintenance staff was organizing the equipment, while Jack Sauce had a big smile on his face, Spencer continued playing with his guitar, and Connor warmed up his drumsticks, while Billy observed everything from the darkness, already having a plan. First, they would liven up the atmosphere with "Jimmy in the Middle," followed by "Seven Nation Army," "Teenager," and "Somewhere Only We Know" as the last song.
The lights turned on, revealing a small stage of perhaps two meters, atop another larger stage. Billy moved across the space with a microphone, taking his steps throughout the venue. There he saw his mother, just as she had told him on the call, with a red wool coat, extending her arms nearby, front and center. Seeing her rejuvenated his thoughts; he almost wanted to change the order of the songs so his mother could hear other songs, but it didn't matter now; he had to focus on what he was about to do.
-Good evening, the first song is called 'Jimmy in the Middle,' - the band began to adjust, and Billy firmly grasped the microphone as the band members gave their approval.
The electric guitar started, and Connor's drums wreaked havoc; everyone was stunned by the incredible chords that were so catchy. The world was desperate for the flamboyant start. Billy began his routine, opening his arms with complete arrogance, as if the audience belonged to him and no one else. With such force, he only opened his arms, while the people around him were stunned. He imagined himself as the best singer in the world, not rejecting himself, passing over the sculpted individuals trying to lead him to something he wasn't. Everyone wanted to push him into something he didn't want to be, while he pursued a single goal, as if time passed, embodying pride, strength, and resilience in his songs.
...
🎵🎶🎶🎵
Hey, don't write yourself off yet
It's only in your head, you feel left out
Or looked down on
Just try your best
Try everything you can
And don't you worry about what they tell themselves
When you're away
It just takes some time
Little girl, you're in the middle of the ride
Everything, everything'll be just fine
Everything, everything'll be alright, alright
Hey, you know they're all the same
You know you're doing better on your own (on your own)
So don't buy in
🎵🎶🎶🎵
...
People listened with total madness; this was a rock song. Even his mother, giving him side glances, was a point of light shaking her head, while Billy continued to imprint strength in his singing. Everything was in his element; the song continued as the music niche entered Billy. The force of his body moved from side to side, while people began to be infected by his actions, as Billy only carried a flag of joy in his notes as if everything, he said was a dogma that had to be fulfilled. The sky was black, just as he had imagined.
...
🎵🎶🎶🎵
Live right now
Yeah, just be yourself
It doesn't matter if it's good enough (good enough)
For someone else
It just takes some time
Little girl, you're in the middle of the ride
Everything, everything'll be just fine
Everything, everything'll be alright, alright
It just takes some time
Little girl, you're in the middle of the ride
Everything, everything'll be just fine
Everything, everything'll be alright, alright
Hey, don't write yourself off yet
It's only in your head, you feel left out (feel left out)
Or looked down on
🎵🎶🎶🎵
...
Spencer's guitar solo drove the crowd crazy, while Billy hopped on one foot like a goat, filled with happiness. Everything Spencer did was incredible; he was a genius without rancor. His guitar was like a festival of madness that incited people to move their necks as if abandoned. His every action screamed a different reality.
Music could always lead him to happiness with such pride; it was just incredible.
...
🎵🎶🎶🎵
Just do your best (just do your best)
Do everything you can (do everything you can)
And don't you worry what their bitter hearts (bitter hearts)
Are gonna say
It just takes some time
Little girl, you're in the middle of the ride
Everything, everything'll be just fine
Everything, everything'll be alright, alright
It just takes some time
Little girl, you're in the middle of the ride
Everything, everything'll be just fine
Everything, everything'll be alright
🎵🎶🎶🎵
...