Rocky Road

Rocky Road — page 3 — Shawna can’t say that she’s disappointed It’s an improvement over her garage They have actual expo sure here Anyone might be listening Who knows who had shown up at the fair today expecting to just be contributing to the fight against breast cancer Never Forget Nina Clarke only to be blown away by the magnificence of the Beauty School Dropouts As Shawna sings her mind wanders to what rec ognition might get her and her band Fame Money Fans Everything a teenager could ever want She knows what Rev is going to say It’s not realistic Shawna Stop daydreaming up impossible scenarios You’re only setting yourself up for disappointment Well phooey to that Rev said that when Shawna suggested the idea for a band too and look at them now Rev didn’t even know how to play guitar back then Without Shawna’s help Rev wouldn’t be up here right now and her songs would still just be poems and tunes she hummed softly to herself so Shawna will set herself up for as much disappointment as she pleases It keeps her working keeps her wanting to achieve a 6

Rocky Road — page 4 — goal Imagining that things are impossible only makes her feel like she’s already been defeated She finishes the song to a smattering of applause and the band leaves the stage They’re set to do a few more songs later but they’ve earned a dinner break Free food That was the best they were going to get for a charity gig but Shawna doesn’t mind Neither does Cass Free food always tastes better in their books Rev usually says that it’s all in their heads Cass usu ally takes that time to make some kind of rude hand gesture at her I think they like us Shawna says patting her dark kinky hair to make sure everything is still where it’s supposed to be and taking a long drink of water Hardly anyone was really listening Rev says tossing a can of soda between her hands Who cares Cass says taking a bite out of a pow dered-sugar-coated funnel cake At least we got out of that stupid garage Hey Respect the garage Shawna says pointing at Cass with her water bottle A lot of really famous 7

Rocky Road — page 5 — bands started in garages We’re a part of a long noble tradition And a lot of bands never got out of those garages Rev points out There like I said Cass says mouth full Glad we got out of that stupid garage It smells like dog crap and that step is hard to wheel over Shawna rolls her eyes It seems as if the duty of dreamer has once again fallen to her Ugh you guys aren’t getting it she says and we put a plank over that thing for you Cass gives her a flat look They all know it’s not sufficient but it’s the best that they have At least the stage today is wheelchair accessible Mrs Johnson walks up to them After hearing about them from her son Timothy she negotiated with their parents to let the BSDs play at the fair Yeah they’re in a band or whatever Timothy probably said not looking up from his text conver sation with his latest girlfriend Even the teachers couldn’t get that boy off his phone 8

Rocky Road — page 6 — Hey girls Mrs Johnson says Cass rolls her eyes How’s everything going Good Need anything We’re good Mrs Johnson Shawna says match ing the woman’s smile knowing that she cares that she’s trying She got the BSDs a stage at least Shawna can’t fault her for much after that I could go for one of those hot dogs over there Cass says intentionally choosing the farthest vendor from where they are sitting You got it sweetie Mrs Johnson says a flash of pity in her eyes Shawna knows how much Cass likes to push the limits of people’s pity so she pinches Cass’s arm before she can open her mouth to do so You girls keep up all the good work Mrs Johnson says as she walks away giving the band a double thumbs-up We appreciate you When Mrs Johnson turns away Cass punches Shawna in the arm Ow Shawna says rubbing it For as small and scrawny as Cass is she hits hard The heck was that for Cass asks 9

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