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"We’ve seen them quite a few times," Malcolm said "They sound a hel of a lot better than they did when they were led again and patted her husband’s chest "They were awful, weren’t they?"

"And now they’re one of the most popular and talented bands out there," Myrna said, stil s to protect her fro doom

"Just because you’re popular doesn’tIf Myrna had a cotton swab, she would have cleaned out her ears He didn’t real y just say that, did he? Eric’s fingers gripped the back of her jacket Was he trying to keep her fro the shit out of hiood move on Eric’s part

"They just don’t make music like they used to," Malcolru," Malcolripped Myrna’s jacket even tighter

"And Brian solos constantly," Malcol "He wouldn’t know a good riff if it bit hi, but she was grinning to herself in agreement

"And why in the hel do you need three bass drums, Sticks?" Malcolm asked "You only have two feet And fourteen cymbals? I mean real y What’s the point?"

"Different sounds," Eric said quietly

"You’re a fkin’ drummer Your job is to keep the beat, not make different sounds"

"Eric is the best druh "Sed has a beautiful voice and Brian’s solos are a!"

"Yeah, wel , it sounds like a bunch of noise It ain’t music"

"What the hel do you know, you washed-up has-been?" Myrna sputtered "Why don’t you step off your self-erected pedestal and offer your son some support? You don’t want him to succeed, do you? He thinks you want him to appreciate his success, but in reality, you didn’t want him to surpass you Too late, O’Neil He already has"

"Did you just cal me a ‘has-been’?" Malcol else she’d said The important stuff about his son had apparently bounced off his overly large ego Frustrated to the limits of her tolerance, she shoved Eric away and spun on her heel Sed, as standing directly behind her, caught her by the shoulders to steady her And beside Sed stood Trey and… Brian

Shit!

Froathered he’d overheard her tirade

"I’m sorry" She ducked her head so she didn’t have to see his face What was she thinking? Cal ing a rock legend--Brian’s father--a washed-up has-been To his face She wouldn’t take it back though She’d o wait on the bus" Maybe she could think of the right thing to say in the interim She was at a complete loss at the moment

"Why?" Brian asked

"You heard what she cal ed me," Malcolm bel owed

"I also heard what you said" Earner the courage to look at him "If you don’t want to be here, you should leave"