He nodded. “Yep, right. Okay then, shall we?”
The exited the car and headed in. Chris Wiley and Brandon were there, checking mics and instruments with Justin, Nathan and Charlie.
Charlie, naturally, looked at them anxiously. Chase clapped him on the back, and Sky knew he was hoping Charlie would act normally.
She assumed, however, that Chase had gotten with him. He knew about Bobby Sacks. He would have made sure, too, that Charlie was all right.
And that he should keep quiet.
“Hey!” Chris called, greeting them. He hurried over and gave Chase a pat on the back and hugged Sky.
“This is going to be amazing! Sky, so cool,” he said softly.
“Thanks. Of course.”
“Mark has the set list. Sound checks...”
“Wait, wait!” Mark came hurrying in from the stage-right wing. “Sky, we’ve another reporter who wants to speak with you before we get started. Obviously, we want the best tech we can get, but I also know that you knew your dad, you’ll play it by ear and audience cue once we get going—”
“Mark, yes, I’ll be fine.” She smiled and added sincerely, “I’m happy to be here. And I will be my dad to the very best of my ability.”
Mark Reynolds smiled at her. “No, Sky. Honor your dad, but be you. This band, the group of us, we’re his legacy in a way. But you’re his real legacy. Be you!”
Joe Garcia had followed Mark in. “Be you, Sky,” he echoed. But then he grimaced and added, “But you might tell the reporter you think we’re ultracool.”
Sky laughed. “Joe, I’ve got it. No worries,” she assured him.
“Hey!”
She turned around. Charlie was attaching a wire to an amp.
“Hey, Charlie.”
“You’re all here. No one, and I mean no one but Nathan, Justin or me, is to touch anything electric or electronic, got it?” he demanded.
“You got it!” Mark assured him, glancing worriedly at Sky.
She set a hand on his arm. “It’s okay.” She turned, smiling. “Not to worry, Charlie. I won’t even fool with my own fuse box!”
He looked at her and nodded. She smiled. He was definitely looking worried. She decided it was a good thing Chase was the one working undercover and not Charlie.
“I’ve got the reporter just back there. Her name is Marci Simmons. Seems nice and already told me she loves her job because she loves rock bands,” Mark said.
“Great. I’ll go talk to her.” She turned and almost tripped over one of the workers she didn’t know.
“Sorry, sorry!” he said. “I’m, uh, Noah. Noah Lawson. I’m kind of new. But I’m super happy to be here, and I didn’t mean to be in your way!”
“No, no, it’s fine!” she reassured him.
Smiling, she headed into the stage-right wing. A woman was waiting for her by the dressing rooms.
“Hi, I’m Marci!” she said, offering Sky a hand. “I realize you guys want to get to it, but I’d love to ask you a few questions. This is a really special occasion. Chase McCoy sitting in for Hank—and you, which is truly rare, taking your dad’s place.”
“I’m happy to be here,” she said.
“Even though...”
“My father loved the band. He loved music. All forms of music. And he was from New Orleans, fell in love with street musicians, Frenchmen Street and all the venues. Dad loved his songs. I’m happy to do his songs.”
“He was all about the music, right?”
“And people,” Sky said. “He truly enjoyed other musicians. Oh, and musical theater! He told me he’d been crazy about Godspell and Jesus Christ Superstar when he’d been young. He loved Tommy, and then, coming up to closer decades, Hamilton and Next to Normal. He appreciated so many of his fellow performers.”
“They say he admired others. Some rock stars want it to be all about them and don’t really care to watch other—”
Sky interrupted her with an honest laugh. “Trust me! My dad wanted to go to just about any concert—he loved his old friends and acquaintances and new talent. And then again, any musical theater anywhere near him.”
“His songs—”
“Tended to reflect his life.”
“Well, here’s an important question for you. We understand you use music to teach, often with those who are having difficulty with behavioral problems or fitting in—kids maybe even at risk. Will you keep doing that, or will you be with Skyhawk full-time now?”
“I love what I do. But I’m not saying I won’t be with Skyhawk again. On the one hand, I was my father’s baby. On the other hand, the band was equally his creation. I’d like to honor music in the way that he loved it and the band.”
“That’s great, and thank you so much!” the young woman said. “I am truly anxious to see the show and equally grateful for this chance to chat briefly with you.”
“My pleasure,” Sky assured her.
