Rocky Road

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

Rocky Road — page 7 — Oh come on she knows how you get Rev says I have every right Cass says folding her arms We know Cass but that woman did us a favor Shawna says We can’t just be rude to her If bein in a band means kissin up I don’t wanna be a part of it Cass grumbles Door’s open Rev mumbles into her soda can She was against inviting Cass into the band in the begin ning insisting to Shawna that it was their thing But Cass is an amazing drummer and Shawna trusts her instincts Besides both Rev and Cass needed more friends What better way to hit two birds with one stone What did you just say you Cass says only to be interrupted by Shawna coming between them slinging an arm across both of their shoulders an awk ward arrangement considering how tall Rev is and how much shorter the chair makes Cass Hey Kiddos Shawna says let’s look at the positives here We got our first gig And we got paid 10

Rocky Road — page 8 — She glances at the funnel cake still sitting in Cass’s lap Technically Rev and Cass follow her gaze to the funnel cake With a small smile Cass shrugs and stuffs her face with another piece of it Better than nothing Cass mumbles through a mouthful of fried dough a puff of powdered sugar coming out with the words Yeah Rev mutters looking away and tucking her short brown hair behind her ear better than nothing In the near distance a girl comes tripping towards them at full speed Shawna squints Is that Junie she asks Didn’t she say she wasn’t coming Rev asks Well yeah but she said it in that way that meant she was coming you know Shawna says Rev’s brow furrows No That girl needs some dance lessons or gymnastics training or something Cass says watching her with amusement I’m more graceful on my feet than she is 11

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