Rum and Coke

“Ms. Patterson, what will you do now that half of your band is gone and the other half is not capable of performing?” a news reporter asked.

Ellie just smiled. “Mark and Bailey left tour for personal reasons- reasons that I, nor anyone else, will reveal. Ryan and I are not bitter for this unfortunate circumstance. We hold no grudge against them, instead, we wish them the best of luck. To this day, we are all still good friends. As for ryan and my own invalidation, we will continue to tour and perform. We only ask that the fans understand that we cannot do any of crazy antics for which we are known for.” Her dictation was very reserved. Brian was taken aback by the neutrality of her tone. He knew that he was witnessing something- he just couldn’t put his finger on what, exactly, he was witnessing.

“And how are you going to play?” another new reporter asked from the back of the room.

“We have moved several things around on the set list to accommodate our injuries,” Ellie replied.

“Would you care elaborating?” another, closer to the front, asked.

“We are sharing talents, instruments, and stage space,” ryan responded with a hand held mic so that everyone could see him. “Stereotypical’s set is cut down somewhat and we have a special treat for everyone who comes to the show.”

“Mr. Reynolds, would you mind telling us of your injuries?”

“No comment. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have a technical rehearsal to do. Goodbye.” He said before turning off the mic, setting it in his lap, and rolling off the make shift platform.

~*~
“We decided to give you, Ryan, Ren, and Kay a bus with a wheelchair lift. The roadies that can be spared are moving all of your stuff as we speak,” Brian said as he sat down in a chair next to Ellie after the tech run.

“Okay.”

“And we’ve arranged to stay in hotels every night from now on, so you and Ryan will be more comfortable.”

Ellie nodded.

“Are you alright? You look really sick,” he said, noticing her unusually pale complexion.

“I’m fine, just a little tired,” she replied while taking a sip from her water bottle.

“Are you sure?”

“Positive,” she said, finally turning to look at him and flashing him the biggest smile ever. “So, I really hope not all rock tours are this dramatic. I mean, I’ve toured with theatre troops and we’ve never had anything this big happen.

Brian laughed. “Nope, can’t say I’ve been on a tour this dramatic. Well, not one I can remember anyway.”

Ellie smiled and let her laugh die out slowly.

“So, you’ll never guess who I just got off the phone with,” Brian said awkwardly, trying to break the silence.

“I’m not up for guessing games right now. Who was it?”

“Joel Madden from Good Charlotte.”

“Awesome. Don’t they live in like…Australia or something?”

“They do.”

“Okay, so why did he call?”

“He heard about everything that’s happened this tour…and I mean everything. He and his band are willing to get back together and fill in the time if need be.”

“Great, we get even more drama!”

“Ellie, I’m serious. The guys and I aren’t as young as we used to be. We need to fill at least two hours, and there is no way that you and Ryan can even perform half your set and do the collaboration set with us. We need someone else.”

Ellie stood up and took a few wobbly steps away. For some odd reason, her legs didn’t get the memo to move determinedly away.

“Ellie, it’s something to think about. That’s all. They’re on stand-by and won’t come over until we call them.”

Ellie looked back over her shoulder. “I’ll talk it over with Ryan.”

~*~
Ellie tried to still her hand. It had started off with a little shaking before the set, now- after the set- it was full on tremors. She was scared. More scared than she could ever remember. She knew the signs well. She knew them all too well. She had first seen them less than two years ago. Her mother was making coffee and dropped the pot, her hands were shaking so.
Ryan was the only one to notice Ellie’s discomfort. “Ellie? A word?” he asked, placing a hand on her trembling ones.

Ellie looked over on stage to see her biological father rocking out with his band. He wouldn’t notice her disappearance until the end. Ellie looked over at Ryan and followed him out.

“What’s going on, Jitter?”

“Please, don’t call me that,” Ellie pleaded, still trying to quieten her hands.

“I’m sorry, what’s wrong?”

Sniffling, Ellie showed him her hands. “Th-they started.”

Ryan reached up and sandwiched her hands in between his own. The vibrations rippling through his hands felt odd. Eventually, he could feel the tremors quieten somewhat.

Ellie kneeled down and placed her head on his knees.

Ryan let go of her hands and ran his fingers through her dirty hair. “It’ll be okay. We can get through this.”

Ellie slowly lifted her head and looked into her twins eyes. Her fear shown through them. It nearly broke Ryan’s heart. “Ryan, I’m terrified…and you know me, I don’t get this way- ever.”
Ryan rubbed the lone tear off of her cheek and kissed her forehead. “It’s okay- I’m scared, too. What will I do when you’re gone? We’ve never been apart for more than a week at a time. Who will help me wreak havoc? Shopping for another Terror Twin is hard, you know.” He added the last bit with a smile.

Smiling, Ellie leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “Don’t worry, I can always come back a haunt your ass.”

“You better,” Ryan laughed. “Hey, your hands- they’ve stopped.”

Ellie looked down at her hands. They were still and calm on Ryan’s knees.

“See? All it took was a little awesomeness from me.”

Ellie scoffed and pushed on his shoulder, causing the wheelchair to rock back. “Awesome, my ass!”