Disco Balls and Plane Tickets
Chapter 19
Melissa: “Melissa, wake up,” just as the image of Taylor’s head floating down to kiss me emerged in my peaceful dream, it disappeared with the sound of Lillie’s voice prompting me up while jumping up and down the tiny stiff bed. I pulled the covers over my head, mumbling, “no. Go away. Leave me alone. Let me sleep.” “Never,” she laughed, “Now you are going to get up, if I have to turn the bed over. Then, you are going to get dressed and sit and listen to the radio interview.” “Huh…” I sprang up, flinging my feet over the side of the bed and rubbing my eyes furiously. I had forgotten all about the interview the guys had this morning and hearing those two words instilled excitement in me. I’d soon get to hear my baby’s voice over the little alarm clock radio in the cramped hotel room. Picking up old blue jeans and a faded t-shirt, I trudged into the bathroom. From the confines of the tiny pink bathroom, I heard the radio click on in the other room. I smiled, pulling the small t-shirt over my head, “what time is it?” “Ten till nine,” her voice called back. “Oh, ok,” I opened the door as my voice echoed back to me. I caught a phrase in Italian with the word Hanson in it and I laughed in excitement. “Look at you, you’re all giddy! This guy has you crazy,” Lillie noted. “Well, thank you, first I’m giddy, now I’m crazy,” I joked. “Anytime.” I froze as the DJ said what sounded like an introduction, followed by three voices in unison, “Hey.” The DJ switched to English. “It is so good to have you here in Venice again. How has your tour been so far?” “It’s been awesome. We always love touring over here in Europe,” I picked out Isaac’s voice. “We’ll we love having you here,” the cheesy disco jockey replied, then, “when do you plan on going back into the studio to work on your next album?” I heard a small sigh as if the question was typical and I’m sure that it was. “Early September, October,” Isaac responded again. “We’re on tour here for a few more weeks, then we head back home for a US tour before going back to the studio,” a familiar voice cut in and I felt my heart leap and a smile emerging once again. “Oh no, not again,” Lillie rolled her eyes as I turned red and threw a pillow in her direction. The usual questions seemed to drone on like this for the next 30 minutes. “Ok, get to the dirt already,” Lillie started talking to the small black box on the nightstand. As if by command, the question was presented, “So, Taylor, we hear you have a new woman in your life, is this true?” I could imagine him at the station turning red with a smug grin on his face, looking at the floor. “As a matter of fact, it is.” My jaw dropped. I couldn’t believe he was admitting to it. I giggled uncontrollably as I turned to Lillie who dawned a similar state of shock. “Omg, Lillie! I’m so happy.” “Can you tell us about her,” the voice on the radio probed for gossip. I could tell he was smiling as he spoke, “well, her name is Melissa and she’s from the states. She’s just an incredible person.” “What’s her last name? Is she a celebrity?” “No, she not a celebrity and I can’t give out her last name.” “He’s trying to protect you,” Lillie whispered. “I know, it’s cute,” I giggled. “So is it love?” he asked Taylor. “Yea, I think so.”
Chapter 20