Chapter 13

We talked about our backgrounds a little. He had a degree in Music. I told him I had a degree in Literature, with a minor in Psychology. The word “nerd” was mentioned a few times, on my behalf.

“So,” I said, as we sipped hot apple cider in the small food court set up at one end of the walkway, “if, heaven forbid, the band broke up, what would you do?”

He became apoplectic. “Don’t even say that!”

“Calm down, but humor me anyway. What else would you do with your life? All you’ve ever wanted to be was a bass player? Nothing else?”

“I’ve never really given it much thought.” As he spoke, a little kid got away from his mother and fell down at Monty’s knees. The boy started to cry and Monty immediately picked him up and soothed him.

“It’s okay, sweetheart. It’s just a tiny little scratch. Won’t hurt a bit after a moment, yeah?”

The child stopped crying immediately and stared at Monty in total adoration, just like all his thousands of fans. “Are you sure?” he asked.