Grow Up!

Along with his bandmates Matt chose to go to a restaurant in the Los Angeles area for their first talk about the new album. So they could keep everything on a neutral ground and focus their minds on the only important things as being surrounded by their own personal problems. Still they hadn’t decided if their album should get a completely new style or if they should remain the old Avenged Sevenfold as the fans already knew them. Whether they risked something new or were being faithful to themselves.

After a little while Johnny finally showed up, placed himself quietly but with an innocent smile between Zachary and Brooks.

“I’m sorry but I had a discussion with Lacey” he sighed slightly annoyed but also glad he was able to flee for the next four hours until this would probably go to the second round.

“Still the same old problem with your mom?” Brooks wanted to clarify the confusion.

“Yes” he nodded in agreement but gave him the sign that he didn’t want to go in detail.

“I think I can speak for all of us when I say we all have problems that we carry with us. But we’re here to finally talk about the new album, guys. C’mon” Mat rolled with his eyes and really tried to turn the wheel back to the professional talk.

“You say it” Brian raised his eyebrow “I just hope that Val finally had the bravery to apologize to Michelle for her behavior yesterday” he replied in his snarky kind of way.

“I’ve begged her about this already, but please stop to blame Val alone for this.”

“Do you want to blame Chelle for this? I beg your fucking pardon” he got louder “Listen, she just tried to help out, did everything she can and Val hadn’t anything else to do as turning against her in front of everyone? Val overreacted for my taste, so it’s up to her to make the first step. Lately she seems pretty ungrateful for what people do for her” Brian snorted back furiously.

“What did you just say?” Matt got up but got pulled back by Zacky.

“Guys please. We’re all grown up and if I look around I think we’re part of no wrestler show. So please calm down and let’s focus on the music. And whoever bears that guilt it’s a thing between them only.”

“He’s right. So take a deep breath and let’s move on” Brooks added.

Although he was the oldest, and probably the person with a lot of patience, doesn’t mean he could sit around a table listening a dispute between two teenagers arguing whose wife is right. Besides his job as a drummer for this band he got a lot of other side projects that he tried to follow the best he can. Ronnie was still waiting for his commitment to a small video project they had planned weeks ago.

“Why don’t you discuss this alone and call me when you came to an agreement?” Brian stood up, took his jacket but got stopped by Zacky as well.

“You don’t go anywhere mister. So place your bum onto this leather seat and behave like you’re 34 for one day. But back to the main point now. Since you’ve spent all your days outside California I’ve scrolled through our Facebook fan page and read through a lot of comments. Well guys I came to the conclusion that almost 75% of our fans ask for another “Waking the Fallen” album. Why not going back to our roots? Let’s be honest it could probably be the best decision we ever made in our history besides the fact in 1999” he giggled and waited for any response.

He hoped he could get back the focus on the music. Zacky and the others couldn’t stand to hear any longer the childish discussion between Matt and Brian. Of course it wouldn’t be over but he only could wish that he wasn’t in the same room as them when this continued. They all had rescheduled that day for months already, finding the right time wasn’t easy anymore since all followed a different life by now, and everyone had their side jobs besides the band project. And the last thing they would need now are two drama queens stopping the project again.

“I have to agree with Z. That’s what our dream is about and we all tried to follow it. Last album was an unsuccessful attempt. If we don’t try it we’ll never know” Johnny said.

All but Brian agreed to Zacky’s statement. This may have caused since Brian had focused on the female waitress, flirted constantly and couldn’t hold back any of his charming compliments.

“Hello? Me calling Brian Haner Jr. Anybody home?” Zacky snapped in front of Brian’s eyes to get back his full attention. “Can you please continue that later?”

“Why? I think it’s already in good hands without me.”

“Please don’t become childish now” Zacky turned to Matt “Would you have a problem if we all go to you? It might be the better option for all of us and Mr. Haner wouldn’t have got any pretty ladies around, or shall I say girls?”

Zacky hadn’t missed the fact that Brian started behaving like a young teenager lately. Not only the behavior showed a drastic change, it seemed like the whole person had turned around itself in a short period. Brian and Michelle hadn’t missed out any parties around Orange County, which actually wasn’t the point. But there were parties that mostly were attended by people in their early 20s. Like it wasn’t pretty new for anyone that Brian liked to flirt and spread his charm around the females, it was even a little bonus for the band, but his targets got even younger from time to time. No one liked to believe that he got in a premature midlife crisis since he showed off no distinguishable signs like depression. It seemed more like he was drawn back to his old person, someone who shut down any responsibility and lived his life to the fullest.

“That’s probably the best idea for this situation. No more distractions, plus Val already might be shopping with friends or playing with the kids at the playgrounds around our place.”

~*~

Val called out for lunch at “Green Bliss” along with her friends Lacey, Meaghan and Kelly. Certainly they would have met at other occasions but today she started a kind of counsel to find a solution for her problem with Matt. Meanwhile she got tired of the fact that she handled 90% of doing the chores while raising two little children besides.
So these three girls got pretty close after some time spending backstage or going out together, talked to each other on the phone or used other opportunities to get to each other better. They became like three close sisters who are always willed to help out in every situation.

“Yes I think you should go on some vacation over the weekend. You’ve owned this!” Kelly supported her idea “Yes you just came home from Hawaii but have you ever looked into a mirror? You look worn out. If you ask me you don’t look recovered at all but it’s understandable by all the stress and fights you handle lately.”

“Yes that idea may sounds drastic to you at first hand but I think Matt needs that and will understand this for sure” Lacey smiled encouragingly and patted her friends hand “You deserve it, as Kelly already mentioned it.”

“Maybe you’re right” she sighed and pushed her doubts aside.

It was more about time to teach him a lesson but maybe he would get it in the wrong way. Matt may be a man but she knew he could take things quite personal at some stage. According to actions in the past it proved her right that it can turn it to the other way faster as she could snap. This time she would be happy to avoid any further arguments. He shouldn’t start questioning the whole marriage.
But then Val had heard of the nice spa hotel in Palm Springs and it sounded tempting to get a weekend off to leave him alone with the kids. Though could Matt cope all the chaos? Everyone who had met her two sons knew they weren’t angels. Rebelling all day, breaking glasses with preference and you only could threat them by taking away their favorite toys. Last thing applied to her oldest still but she knew as soon as Cash would be older he would copy everything his bigger brother does. All mothers she had met in her small village could feel with her and it was even harder to be a full-time mommy sometimes.

“Girls, I might be wrong but does it include of our men’s work by going on Instagram and liking through the pictures?” Lacey raised her eyebrow in surprise.

“I’m sorry. What do you mean?” Val looked confused.

“Well I just wanted to check if my friend already had posted something new of her baby and saw Brooks liking through my pictures and Zacky doesn’t seem to be convinced either by giving his new image the title ‘bored’.”

“Did you just say my husband is using Instagram?” Kelly couldn’t believe it and begged Lacey to reach her the mobile to check by herself.

She used all social medias, including Instagram, for her profession but she never got notified whether by the app or her husband himself that he started using it now too.

“Girls, what do you think of the idea we all go to Palm Springs this weekend?” Val’s face had something malicious, but she also was curious in how the boys could manage themselves without their wives by their side.

~*~

Once they arrived Matt’s house they sneaked off to the studio without being seen or heard since no one was in the house anymore. He was happy that his wife was out and so he got away of another discussion about his promises he keeps breaking lately.

“So let’s continue here” Matt rubbed his eyes and swallowed his words he would throw at Brian right now.

“Well then let’s do this” Brian sighed out loud and leaned one of his arms against the sound table.

“But before we actual start I wanted to ask you Brooks if you could call Steve Vai for us? A lot of artists cooperate now with other musicians and we all really like his work on the guitar. I thought it would be good if he could work with us for one song maybe” Matt had turned to the left where Brooks got himself a seat on the black couch along with Johnny and Zacky.

“Uhm …” Brooks got interrupted.

“How did you got his number?” Brian eyed him suspicious.

“We had been working together many years ago. Actually it was him who believed in my talent.”

“I can’t believe it” he shook his head, biting on his lower lip to stop himself for any other nasty comment. “When?” he asked after a little break.

“1992. But is that important?” Brooks couldn’t understand the fuss that Brian was making with his little diva attitude.

“You were 15 when you worked with one of the big musicians in our history.”

Before anyone else could continue the dispute Val opened the door, smiling at her lovely husband who was pretty surprised by her sudden appearance. His pulse raised up in the air, not knowing what she’s going to do or say now. After all it wasn’t pretty looking much like work now.

“That’s how work looks for you? Hanging out in the studio?” she pointed at each one of them until her pointy finger stopped at Matt.

“We just started when you came in” he looked for some excuse and had to admit himself that this was now pretty cheap.

“Three of five are on their phones, one is looking like he’s going to explode any minute and you? What are you doing? Well sweety, I just wanted to say that I’ll drag the girls out to a wellness hotel in Palm Springs this weekend. So that means you’re responsible for house and our two precious kids” her smile revealed a devilish mind and she knew she was holding the ropes in her hands right now.

“That’s one of your tricks right?” Matt came closer and continued whispering “Can’t we just talk about everything later? I don’t like unwanted visitors for our conversations” he pointed with his head at the four band colleagues.

“Let’s talk when I’m back. Have fun” she kissed her husband’s cheek, waved to everyone in the room until she disappeared again.

~*~

Val beamed when she returned to the kitchen where Kelly, Lacey and Meaghan already waited tensely for the news.

“And how did it go?” Kelly reached her a glass of champagne.

“Great! You should have seen his face, ladies” she giggled “His jaw dropped and he was like ‘OH MY GOD WHAT AM I GONNA DO?’” she tried to imitate Matt’s voice and burst out in big laughter.

“Do you think he will pay this back to you? I mean I don’t know Matt as you guys do” Meaghan swallowed unsure, not knowing how she should put this in words without attacking Val personally “But as you know he’s pretty stubborn and this move may woke him up from a long nap but that doesn’t mean he’s going to change something or if this would solve the whole problem.”

“That’s true. There’s still a long way to go” Val sighed silently, sipped on her glass and happy she won the first round at least. “But still I’m curious how this will go.”

“And who’s going to watch him when you’re in Palm Springs. Let’s admit you may have two kids but your man can be a big baby boy too” Kelly led the conversation to something else.

“I’ve told my neighbor if she can keep an eye on the house. I don’t like the idea of coming back and see everything burnt down” she tried to smile but the idea actually scared her.

“What are we waiting for? I want my drink at the pool, a nice guy giving me a back massage and some fun. I’m so glad I don’t have to face Johnny’s mother for two days” she looked at puzzled faces “Don’t worry. I’ll tell you all later” she smiled and turned to Val. “Will Michelle join our trip as well?”

“I don’t think it will be a good idea and I assume she’s having other plans already” Val tried to smile and overcome her argument with her twin sister.

The others held back further comments. No one really understood the fight and how the argument had started but they knew both had to clarify this in private without any interferences of a third party.

“Darling?” Matt came in “Have I missed something?” he looked at their gathering, the drinks in their hands and slowly he understood that this was just a trap.

“Yes we just had a little chat and why don’t you invite all the guys over to our place? You can combine both things pretty good, work and family. But remember there’ll be 5 kids at home” she winked back and turned around again “When I come back on Monday morning I don’t like to find this house in a complete mess and you better don’t break anything” she blew him one last kiss.

“And 2 dogs. Don’t forget my babies” Lacey blinked.

Val opened the door and saw Michelle looking at her. She looked better already and it doesn’t seem she got much sleep last night but this may had other reasons.

“Can we talk?”

Michelle’s voice was quiet and gentle, almost the opposite of her normal voice. Right now she sounded like one shy girl asking her idols for an autograph.

“I’m sorry I’m busy. We talk as soon as I’m back” she patted her shoulder friendly and went to her car.

“Can I talk to Brian?” she asked now Matt since he was standing on the door.

“Do you know what?” he shrugged “Everything changed now anyway and you also can take him home now. The job is done for today” Matt said and asked her to wait in the kitchen.

~*~

The day may developed differently than originally planned but Brian had wished anyway to spend his day with his wife as hearing other stupid comments. They were friends and he usually likes them like brothers but nowadays they kept annoying him with question why he spent all his night in the club, why he wasn’t at the dinner party and so on. Brian didn’t want to justify all his actions and his decisions. He was grown up and old enough to make plans as he wants.
The car ride went silent, both went through their own train of thoughts until Michelle interrupted it.

“Honey, can I ask you something?” Michelle asked shyly as she would feel uncomfortable.

Sure, of course. Shoot” he smiled at her encouragingly, stroked her cheek softly and he was happy as he got the same beautiful smile back.

“I mean we’re now married for many years and knowing each other already for ages.”

“Yes” he nodded in agreement but couldn’t imagine where this was all now coming from.

“I know our life differs considerably from Val and Kelly. We’re partying a lot and just enjoy our lives in some other way” she trailed off.

“Chelle, please come to the point. What do you want to ask or tell me?” he was no guy of a lot of patience.

“What do you think about starting a family now?”

Michelle spoke pretty fast like her heart was beating in her chest. Since they got married they never wasted a minute to talk about having kids one day. Both arranged that they would never got kids because they rather like to live their life spontaneously and kids would just ruin this for them.

But as Brian heard the words out of his wife’s mouth he stopped the car in the middle of the road, not caring if there were cars behind him or not. It never crossed his mind to have kids and now all of the sudden his wife asked him to start a family?

Notes