Chapter 51: Birthday
Chapter 49
Tomorrow is my birthday. August 5th.
I got out of bed and headed to the kitchen, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. The smell of coffee and toast led the way.
Charlie and Alan were already there—Charlie nursing a mug of coffee like it was the only thing keeping him alive, and Alan flipping through the newspaper like it was still 1995.
"Morning, almost-birthday boy," Charlie said with a smirk. "The studio's ready for you. All set to record?"
I nodded, grabbing a plate and helping myself to some breakfast.
After we finished eating, the three of us got into the car and drove to an actual recording studio in town. Charlie had booked it for the morning session—mics, sound panels, a proper control room, and even a guy named Dave who looked like he hadn't blinked since 1998. It was oddly professional for something that started as a casual idea.
———
As we walked into the studio, Alan looked around, clearly still trying to wrap his head around it.
"Are you sure this is what you want for your birthday?" Alan asked, still not quite getting it.
"Come on, Alan, this is an easy one," Charlie said, rolling his eyes. "Why are you trying to change his mind?"
I looked at both of them and shrugged. "Yeah, this is exactly what I want."