Dirt Road (39 page)

Nerves. He needed the toilet. But a shit! Jees, where? This was the worst. He stared at the floor to out-think it, stared at the floor. Things in considering, in considering. Stuff. Things. Two hundred dollars. Pay it back. Obviously he would, that was obvious. He still had some of it left. Everything else he would pay back. Everything, just like everything everything.

There was nowhere to go except sit here. Although it was up to him to go to Dad. Dad would never come to him. Sarah's family table, he wouldnt intrude. Bad manners is how he would see it.

Oh well. He yawned. It was true but he needed a sleep. That was one thing. Oh but his stomach. Nerves again.

The taped music: the same guy singing as before, a nice swinging blues with piano, sax and drums. Ye could picture the old bartender as the piano player, and if ye interrupted him playing, Where's my gun till I fucking shoot ye.

Queen Monzee-ay had appeared, over by the backstage door in her ordinary clothes; ready to leave. She was signing flyers and tickets and people were taking photographs. Her and the family were going for a meal someplace. Murdo was welcome. He knew he was but it wouldnt happen. It wouldnt happen because with Dad it would be something else.

Somebody poked him in the shoulder: Esteban from Diego's band; he whispered: Moordo, come. Beer for you.

Murdo grinned. Esteban gestured to where the other guys were standing waiting for him. Vicenté clapped him on the shoulder. Hey Moordo!

The other two were Santiago and Roberto and it was high-fives: Moordo!

That was about all they could say, Moordo. Murdo liked “Moordo”. Moordo was better than Murdo. Santiago lifted the bottle of beer from the floor, poured it into a polystyrene cup and passed him it. Esteban said, Eh Moordo, you play with a white people band?

Do ye mean like in my own country? In Scotland do ye mean?

Si, Scotland.

Yeah.

Irish music uh? asked Vicenté.

Well Scottish.

Scotteesh! Santiago laughed and whispered something in Spanish to Roberto.

You didnt come to our gig, said Esteban.

No eh the time wasnt good.

Okay.

Moordo, you know Conjunto? asked Vicenté. Conjunto?

No.

You know Tejano? Tejano music?

Tex-Mex? said Esteban.

No.

Vicenté said, You hear us with Diego, is Conjunto. Vicenté pointed to the other three. We are Conjunto band. Looking for people.

No people, said Esteban quickly. Un accordeonista.

Si, said Vicenté, one accordeon. You want to play with us?

What?

Esteban said, Come with us in our band Moordo. We here.

You play with us? asked Vicenté. We have gigs.

Murdo grinned, he glanced from one to the other, and sipped the beer which was a kind of lager and sharp-tasting.

Santiago reached to clap him on the shoulder. Moordo! he said. He had a phone in his hand and gestured with it to take a photograph. Eh Moordo… He took one of Murdo.

You come with us, added Esteban.

Vicenté said, You did not sleep any place. They tell us, last night. This night come with us in motel.

Murdo grinned.

Santiago clenched his fist. You accordeon! Heyy!

Tomorrow we go early, said Vicenté.

Early early, said Esteban.

We go home. Vicenté said, You come with us. You play with us man. You wanna play with us?

Santiago pointed to the ceiling and wagged his finger at Murdo. Dios mío! Un accordeonista.

Is true, said Esteban. We need and you are here.

Murdo laughed but smothered it fast. Yeah, he said, but I dont have anything I mean like clothes and stuff, I've only got eh I mean hardly anything.

Vicenté spoke in Spanish to Santiago and Roberto, then to Murdo: You need clothes, we got clothes.

Santiago said, Si clothes, clothes.

Roberto now spoke in Spanish to the others and they laughed. Roberto high-fived Murdo who didnt know what it was about.

Is your accordeon, said Esteban. Roberto says no you – dont give shit for you!

Aw! Murdo chuckled.

Vicenté said, We are good band you know. Hey we got gigs man.

Gigs! Santiago clenched his fist, punched the air.

Murdo raised the polystyrene cup to his mouth, sipped the beer. Joel appeared by his side and whispered, Hey man.

Hi, said Murdo. Across at the bar he saw Dad watching, but acted like he didnt know, and sipped again at the beer. The others were watching him and looking at Joel. Joel said, They ask you the big question? They been talking about you all night man they want you playing the oompah ooompah stuff. Joel winked. Like you are white, they think that is cool man. Joel snapped his fingers: Get more women that way.

Esteban and Vicenté laughed.

Cómo? said Santiago.

Esteban and Vicenté translated for him and Roberto. Roberto made a shrieking noise, pointing at Vicenté. Esteban said, Is true, Vicenté, he dont get no woman!

Seis meses! said Santiago.

Vicenté formed the shape of a pistol with his right hand, pointed at Santiago's head and made the sound of an exploding gun: Pwohhh! Pwohhh!

Aahh. Santiago staggered, kidding on he had been shot. The others laughed, Murdo too – it was funny, Santiago was funny.

Joel said quietly. Hey Murdo I gotta go.

What?

We all are leaving, gran and everybody. You want to come say hullo? Joel smiled. Hullo, goodbye?

Jees!

And it was noticeable that the tables were full again. A couple of the Zadik Strollers band were onstage footering with the instruments and preparing. They were the headline show, about to start, and people were returning from the interval. Murdo was about to follow Joel who had continued along towards the backstage area but Vicenté was tugging at his arm. Moordo you come with us; we got beds beds beds, bathrooms, shower rooms.

Bars, added Santiago.

More bars, said Esteban. Diego got one big suite. We got two rooms, two rooms, space for you.

Thanks, said Murdo.

Then tomorrow early, nos vamos.

Nos vamos, we leave early, early early, said Vicenté.

Vicenté and the guys were waiting for him to say something. Murdo saw Dad and Declan Pike coming toward him. Declan made a punching movement in salute. Murdo smiled. My father, he said, it's my father. He indicated Dad who was behind Declan. Declan arrived first and gripped Murdo's wrist: Sensational man! Sensational! Where d'you learn Zydeco music? you get that in Scotland! He laughed.

Dad was hanging back. Murdo smiled at him by Declan's shoulder. Hey Dad…

Okay son? Dad reached to him, and they shook hands. Dad said, It was good.

Yeah?

Dad smiled. Murdo leaned closed to him. Sorry Dad, he said. I'm so sorry.

Ssh, said Dad.

Diego's band were talking in Spanish together. Santiago said something and the others laughed and looked from Dad to Murdo.

Murdo scratched his head and added, Diego's band eh…

Exactly! Declan chuckled. Now what I want to know boy: how did you do that? Diego Narciso. Declan growled: Thirty years man and boy and I aint ever seen Diego Narciso man in the flesh man know what I'm saying, he dont stray farther north than Austin! Declan kissed Murdo on the cheek. It was a smacker and Murdo wiped at it.

Declan laughed.

Esteban and Vicenté were talking together and attempting to draw Murdo into it but it was impossible and just too much, they all seemed to be talking and other people were there like the Zadiks bass guitarist passing by and giving him a wee salute, and Murdo could have said cheerio to him too but it was outside especially where he needed to be and he said to Dad, I've got to say cheerio to people. Queen Monzee-ay Dad, like I mean she's leaving and eh… Murdo glanced at Vicenté and the band.

Yeah of course, said Dad.

Murdo began walking towards the main hall exit at once, but Vicenté and the guys followed on, and behind them Dad and Declan. Vicenté called: So man you got place tonight with us, okay, we got beds, bathrooms. Tomorrow night is rehearse. Go in studio, okay?

Studio! said Santiago.

Declan was looking from one to the other. Dad too, attending to it all but not knowing what was happening except maybe the word “tomorrow”. Declan said to him: Room with us too Tom, huh? Murdo?

Of course! What d'ye mean? Dad frowned and glanced at Murdo. What a room? Ye mean a bed? Of course a bed, of course. Ye dont have to ask something like that son we got an extra one in.

Murdo nodded. They passed along the L-shaped lobby. Dad said, I'm picking something up here son and I'm no sure what it is.

…

Eh?

Murdo didnt reply, but continued walking. When they stepped outside Declan made a V-sign of peace with his right two fingers, and brought out the cigarette pack, extracted a cigarette and had it in his mouth before leaving the building. The big cowboy doorman watched them exit. Dad said quietly: What the boys there were saying son… Eh? What were they saying?

Nothing Dad I mean can we talk about it after?

Dad looked at him.

Over in the parking area Gene was helping Joel with the roadie stuff, loading the pick-up truck. Queen Monzee-ay was by the corner of the building surrounded by a wee crowd. Some of her CDs had been available and she was signing them and saying hullo. Sarah and Aunt Edna were to the side of her, with Diego Narciso and Sarah's parents. Murdo went to them. Dad followed, and Declan came too. Sarah patted Murdo on the arm. You going with the guys? she said.

Aunt Edna chuckled. Set Texas on fire huh?

Dad had overheard. Declan too. Murdo had to say something. Diego's band, he said.

Diego's band? said Declan.

Well not like Diego I mean like his band, the guys playing with him.

What…? Dad said.

Dad was staring at him. Murdo sniffed and looked away. He said to Sarah: You going home now?

Sarah was about to reply but Aunt Edna cut her off: Murdo, we are going to eat. And you are most welcome to come along with
us. Aunt Edna said to Dad: You like salt cod sir? We are going to eat salt cod.

Sarah raised her eyebrows. It's like chewing rubber Murdo honest to God.

Aunt Edna chuckled.

You going home after that? he asked Sarah.

Right now, yeah.

Oh… Murdo smiled, after a moment.

She touched his wrist.

No, he said, I just eh… He nodded. Vicenté and the guys had come from the entrance and were chatting with Diego. Santiago especially, doing most of the talking.

You okay? asked Sarah.

Yeah.

Aunt Edna spoke to Dad, pointing her forefinger at him: These boys are good.

Playing with Diego…! Declan smiled. Oh yeah.

Dad didnt know what was happening. It was obvious the way he was looking. Murdo avoided him and said to Declan, It's the guys themselves. They've got their own band. Murdo sniffed. They think I'll fit.

Declan said, Well sure you'll fit son. You will fit right in there.

Murdo shrugged, glancing at Dad.

They're all related, said Aunt Edna.

Declan growled: Where they come from everybody's related.

Queen Monzee-ay had appeared next to Aunt Edna and Sarah. She had taken her cigarettes from her bag, passed one to Aunt Edna. She said to Dad, Your son should go.

Dad looked at her as though he didnt know what she meant, but he should have by this time because of what people were saying. Murdo said, Dad what it is their own accordeon's been playing with another band and the guys are looking for another one who'll just be there with them so they can get some proper rehearsal in.

Sarah grinned. Murdo smiled at her.

Aunt Edna said, I like San Antonio; river walking, honky tonking.

Diego and the guys had come forward to hear what was being said. Diego and Santiago exchanged words in Spanish. Santiago pointed at Dad. Diego stared at Dad. Aunt Edna whispered to Queen Monzee-ay and it may have been in French, then spoke quietly to Diego who nodded and raised the black studded cowboy hat to scratch at the side of his head. He peered at his wristwatch. Queen Monzee-ay said to him: The boys got some gigs lined up huh?

Vicenté called the answer: Si señora we got Matamoros through Nogales. El Paso, Mexicali.

Declan said, Conjunto circuit huh?

Si, si! So you know is for Murdo, we want him come play with us. Be good for him; good for us.

Yeah. Yeah, said Declan. He glanced at Dad although most were looking to Declan. Dad hadnt spoken a word hardly. It was like people had forgotten to include him. But Dad would speak. He was just taking things in. Dad did that. He would say it soon enough. Whatever. Him and not anybody else. Dad didnt care about anybody else, if people were looking or what. If he thought something he would say it, and it didnt matter about other stuff.

Murdo waited. Sarah was watching him. He smiled a moment then looked at Dad. Dad just shrugged. Murdo stared at the ground.

What are they talking about son? Dad said, We're going home on Tuesday. Do you know what they're talking about?

Dad was not smiling. Murdo could have. Dad spoke directly to Declan. I dont know what people are talking about.

Declan coughed and cleared his throat and probably would have spat except so many people were there. He was a fine musician. People here didnt know that. Murdo could have told them. To the side it looked like Aunt Edna was going to say something but she didnt. Vicenté and the guys were looking at him. And Dad, and Dad said, What's happening here? Eh? Murdo we're going home on Tuesday. Am I missing something here?

Murdo stared at him.

Eh? Murdo?

Yeah Dad well like if I could maybe stay on a wee bit.

What do ye mean?

Well maybe I could just stay and like, play with the guys, like if I could just stay on and maybe…

I dont know what ye're talking about.

If I could just stay on and maybe…

Son we're here on holiday. Dad smiled. This is a holiday.

Dad…

Sarah was watching, standing closeby Aunt Edna. In the background Diego and the band also were listening; Esteban and Vicenté translating for Diego, Santiago, and Roberto.