[b]Seriously. Thanks again for shipping that down; I know it’s a bitch to get in and out of my place.[/b] Rob hurriedly tapped out the message to Ari as his stomach finally calmed enough for him to sit up straight. He was (mostly) hydrated and feeling good enough to head downstairs. But if he was being honest, he felt a bit of anxiety in his about the ordeal. [i]Was it too much? Did it bring up some terrible memories?[/i] He wasn’t sure at this point whether or not he had given J the Pond record back to put aside a decade’s worth of guilt or to try to get her attention in an ‘I-still-care-about-you’ sort of way. Probably both. In his hands, the phone buzzed. Ari replied: [b]Yeah yeah 🙄 you’re lucky you live a few feet from campus. And by the way, why’d it have to be that record?[/b] Rob responded: [b]It’s a long story; thanks a million again. I owe you dinner and all the microbio tutoring in the world.[/b] And then Ari: [b]Oooooorrr you could fly me down there? Get me an autograph? You’re on KEXP up here and everything dude. Still can’t believe it’s happening.[/b] Rob rolled his eyes: [b]It’s nothing. But yeah. Everything kinda blew up, huh? I think I have a call-in interview with them at 10 this morning.[/b] Ari: [b]Mae who now? ☠️[/b] The sentiment made Rob laugh. Ari was a good kid—twenty-two years old sure, but to him, definitely a [i]kid[/i]—and she had always been good as a roadie in the Seattle scene. He thought about how a few short weeks ago, he was with all of those kids playing underground gigs in Pioneer Square. Now he was back on the interview circuit. Back from the dead. [i]“Rob, the record…”[/i] He looked up to see Jane as she stormed into the room. His heart jumped as he watched her hair sway with her movements. Was this good? Was this bad? Before he knew it, he had nearly fallen over on the bed—the force of J’s body pressing against his seemed to knock the wind out of him. His face burned brightly as he felt the warm between them. [i]Familiar warmth.[/i] Instintually, he wrapped his arms around her. His hand nearly traced up her back as he gently grasped at the nape of her neck. His other arm wrapped around her and held her side. Her body fit into his as perfectly as ever she had. He was almost out of breath when she let him go. The moment faded, and the dampness at chest became clearer. [I]”Morning swim.”[/i] Rob couldn’t say anything. All he could do is put on a dumb little smile at her sight. She was the first to break the silence. She had a request. An NA meeting to go to. For all he cared, she could have asked him to go to Italy. Of course he’d go. “Five years?” he repeated after her. “Holy shit. Wow, that’s…wow.” [i]Could he have anything decent to say?[/i] Before he could come up with something, she was gone as quick as she had come. He fell down on his back to the bed, and let out a massive breath. Maybe this wasn’t a bad idea. *** “That’s rich,” came Austin’s response as soon as Rob had told him the news. The two had met up in the kitchen once Jane turned in to the basement for writing time, which was supposed to begin shortly. “What do you mean?” “I mean—” Austin replied. “—look, I’m not your Dad. I’m not lecturing you. It’s just—” “—that I’m going with her to an NA meeting when I’m not exactly sober?” Rob finished Austin’s thought for him. He nodded. Austin took a moment and finished the water in his hands. “Sorry,” he apologized, “J knocked the wind out of me with that yoga.” After he composed himself: “I like you. I like J. I like J sober. I hope that stays that way.” “I’m not trying to do anything to her,” Rob shot back. He felt himself grow more and more defensive. “I mean—I’m not trying to do [i]anything[/i]—or maybe I am—look, I’m not asking her to do shit with me.” “And you’ll keep her on the rails while you’re too drunk to walk?” Rob shut up after that. Austin seemed to eye him up and down before he continued. “Maybe take this as a challenge. Sober up. Deal with whatever the fuck’s going on inside Rob. “I had to put together one of you two after shattering, I don’t want to do it twice.” Rob wanted to respond, but his phone buzzed in his pocket. [i]Evan.[/i] “Look, I have that call-in…” Rob said, turning from Austin. He seemed unamused. “Talk later?” “Sure,” came Austin’s flat reply. “Whatever, man.” Rob scrambled up the stairs, closed the door to his room, and took the call. “We’ve got thirty seconds and then I’ll connect you,” came Evan’s voice—all business. “I told them no MAE questions, but you’ll probably have to field one at the end.” “Yeah yeah, I figured. I have a response. What else?” “Focus on the positive. There’s an appetite for new In Bloom music. Everything is a hit. New stuff is coming soon.” “Easy enough.” “There’s going to grill you about lyrics.” Rob paused at that. “…I know.” “Are you ready for it?” “Ready enough, just connect me.” “Good luck, Rob.” The phone buzzed, clicked, and a few moments later, the call connected to the radio station offices. “You’re on in ten,” came a voice. In the background, Rob could hear the final notes of Everything play out in the studio. As the music faded, the host came on top of it: “Everything…In Bloom…you’re tuned into KEXP and everyone here is having a little bit of Déjà vu. In Bloom isn’t a band we’ve played much in recent years but ever since some old tracks have resurfaced online it’s like their back on their National Tour. Still can’t believe their back and still can’t believe our very own hometown hero Robert ‘Rob’ Pennie is joining us today—Rob my friend, how’ve you been?” “Good—great,” Rob started up. He’d done a million of these, but for some reason this one was making him nervous. “I miss town already.” “Yeah, that’s right—” the host continued. Slick as the rest of them, she seemed to start responding to Rob before he’d finish talking. “Rob, you’ve been a local for some years, but clearly you and the rest of In Bloom have some amazing things cooking down in Orange County. Tell us—has it been like putting on a glove, or are there some barbs from how you guys separated last time?” “It’s been seamless, seriously,” Rob replied, trying not to take any bait in the question. “You know, we’ve all done our own things for a while after In Bloom wrapped up, and I have to say, it seems like the perfect time to come back together. Everyone’s bringing their best work, and I think people are really gonna like what they hear when it’s all done.” “We’re excited to hear it, and we’re glad to have just a few minutes of your time. This cut’s a little darker than the last stuff we’ve heard from you. A little more raw. Do you think it’s anything to do with where everyone is at this point?” Rob winced a bit at that comment. “We try not to think too hard about evolution in terms of sound, we make what we make when we go into the studio. But we’re older, you know—we’re not the fresh-faced band on the scene anymore, and I think that’s going to be a big strength for us going forward in terms of exploring new avenues.” “Rob, I do have to ask—this one seems awfully pointed towards some issues between yourself and Jane Molloy, frontwomen of In Bloom.” [i]That’s not a fucking question,[/i] Rob thought to himself. He tried not to pause too long and responded with the non-answer he had been thinking on all morning: “I think you’re going to see a lot of incredible songwriting from Jane on this record particularly in regards to lyrics. Her songwriting process—and I think she may be a better person to talk about this than myself—but her songwriting process has always been her own, and I really love how the track turned out. Everyone’s been really enjoying being back in the same room together and it’s just been a joy, truly.” There was an unusual pause at that—perhaps the host was trying to sort out whether or not to push Rob further. Either way, she’d continue to get non-answers out of him. Instead, she pivoted: “Finally, your former partner MAE has been in the studio at the same time as you all.” “Yes, that’s right,” Rob replied. He’d be a brick wall on this subject. “That’s got to be exciting for your daughter, to see her parents both start writing music again for the first time.” [i]What kind of set-up is this?[/i] Rob thought. [i]I have no idea how to respond to this.[/i] “Well, I think you’ll find she’s a lot more interested in her favorite TV shows than her parents’ music,” Rob laughed. “But yes, I think she’s very happy to be back in the studio.” “Rob Pennie from In Bloom—thanks so much for taking our call and tell everyone we say good luck!” “I will, thank you.” “KEXP an affiliate of the University of Washington. Support for KEXP comes from viewers like you. To learn more abou—” Rob quickly hung up the phone. He’d had to get used to fielding these types of question, but he was thankful the years had made him less prone to putting his foot in his mouth. A moment later, he got a text: Evan: [b]Not bad, buddy.[/b] Rob shrugged. [i]At least he’s happy.[/i] *** Several hours later, the session came to a close. Two more songs had been tracked out, with another demoed for Evan to listen to. There had been a lot of debate internally about whether or not that track needed orchestral backing or if Sam’s part was filling out the space, so Evan was called in to see if he could gather the money for a four-piece orchestra in the first place. The songs they were making were really something else, if Rob had to be honest with himself. They were vulnerable—more confident. Fewer stadium singles and more introspective pieces. “We need something fun, I’m telling ya’ll,” Sam huffed as he walked upstairs. He had been saying it for a few hours. [i]Something fun.[/i] The album was missing something fun, apparently. Austin moved to follow Sam up the stairs and talk to him, but Rob let them go. These things normally worked themselves out anyways. Once again, it was just Jane and Rob. She was putting her mic back up when he stood up from the drum throne and cleared his throat. “Let me shower and I’ll be ready in ten, yeah?” He said, giving a bright smile. For a few moments, it felt like they were back together. “Maybe afterward we could—” Rob froze. [i]Oh yeah. Jared.[/i] “Oh, sorry,” he stammered out. “You’ve got a thing later. I’ll…meet you at the front door?” He paused for her response, then turned with a smile up the stairs. Once he was past earshot, he rushed into his room in a panic. The sink cabinets flew open. Without thinking, he took a big swig before realizing what he was doing. He almost tossed the handle back underneath the sink, closed it and turned on the shower. [i]What the fuck was he doing?[/i] His mind raced throughout the shower and as he dressed himself. He used mouthwash and looked in the mirror. [i]Real fucking smart, Rob. Real smart. Pre-game the NA meeting. Fucking moron.[/i] He put on a shirt and blow dried his hair. [i]You’re lucky you stopped yourself. Fucking idiot. Seriously. What’s your problem?[/i] He left the bathroom and put his shoes on at the foot of the bed. [i]She’s going out with Jared. [u]Jared[/u]. She’s got plans. She’s moving on. What are you doing?[/i] He took a deep breath. [i]That’s right. You’re taking her to get her chip. Look how good she’s doing. What are you doing? What are you doing? What the FUCK are you doing to deserve—[/i] [b]SMACK![/b] His right cheek burnt bright red from how hard he had struck it. The thoughts went away after that. Rob stepped back into his bathroom and used a cold rag to fade the red from his face. After a minute or two, he was good to go. Heading downstairs, he saw J waiting for him. “Sorry about the delay,” he said, smiling. “Ready when you are.”