Nothing Dad I mean can we talk about it after?
Dad looked at him.
Over in the parking area Gene was helping Joel with the roadie stuff, loading the pick-up truck. Queen Monzee-ay was by the corner of the building surrounded by a wee crowd. Some of her CDs had been available and she was signing them and saying hullo. Sarah and Aunt Edna were to the side of her, with Diego Narciso and Sarah’s parents. Murdo went to them. Dad followed, and Declan came too. Sarah patted Murdo on the arm. You going with the guys? she said.
Aunt Edna chuckled. Set Texas on fire huh?
Dad had overheard. Declan too. Murdo had to say something. Diego’s band, he said.
Diego’s band? said Declan.
Well not like Diego I mean like his band, the guys playing with him.
What…? Dad said.
Dad was staring at him. Murdo sniffed and looked away. He said to Sarah: You going home now?
Sarah was about to reply but Aunt Edna cut her off: Murdo, we are going to eat. And you are most welcome to come along with us. Aunt Edna said to Dad: You like salt cod sir? We are going to eat salt cod.
Sarah raised her eyebrows. It’s like chewing rubber Murdo honest to God.
Aunt Edna chuckled.
You going home after that? he asked Sarah.
Right now, yeah.
Oh… Murdo smiled, after a moment.
She touched his wrist.
No, he said, I just eh… He nodded. Vicenté and the guys had come from the entrance and were chatting with Diego. Santiago especially, doing most of the talking.
You okay? asked Sarah.
Yeah.
Aunt Edna spoke to Dad, pointing her forefinger at him: These boys are good.
Playing with Diego…! Declan smiled. Oh yeah.
Dad didnt know what was happening. It was obvious the way he was looking. Murdo avoided him and said to Declan, It’s the guys themselves. They’ve got their own band. Murdo sniffed. They think I’ll fit.
Declan said, Well sure you’ll fit son. You will fit right in there.
Murdo shrugged, glancing at Dad.
They’re all related, said Aunt Edna.
Declan growled: Where they come from everybody’s related.
Queen Monzee-ay had appeared next to Aunt Edna and Sarah. She had taken her cigarettes from her bag, passed one to Aunt Edna. She said to Dad, Your son should go.
Dad looked at her as though he didnt know what she meant, but he should have by this time because of what people were saying. Murdo said, Dad what it is their own accordeon’s been playing with another band and the guys are looking for another one who’ll just be there with them so they can get some proper rehearsal in.
Sarah grinned. Murdo smiled at her.
Aunt Edna said, I like San Antonio; river walking, honky tonking.
Diego and the guys had come forward to hear what was being said. Diego and Santiago exchanged words in Spanish. Santiago pointed at Dad. Diego stared at Dad. Aunt Edna whispered to Queen Monzee-ay and it may have been in French, then spoke quietly to Diego who nodded and raised the black studded cowboy hat to scratch at the side of his head. He peered at his wristwatch. Queen Monzee-ay said to him: The boys got some gigs lined up huh?
Vicenté called the answer: Si señora we got Matamoros through Nogales. El Paso, Mexicali.
Declan said, Conjunto circuit huh?
Si, si! So you know is for Murdo, we want him come play with us. Be good for him; good for us.
Yeah. Yeah, said Declan. He glanced at Dad although most were looking to Declan. Dad hadnt spoken a word hardly. It was like people had forgotten to include him. But Dad would speak. He was just taking things in. Dad did that. He would say it soon enough. Whatever. Him and not anybody else. Dad didnt care about anybody else, if people were looking or what. If he thought something he would say it, and it didnt matter about other stuff.
Murdo waited. Sarah was watching him. He smiled a moment then looked at Dad. Dad just shrugged. Murdo stared at the ground.
What are they talking about son? Dad said, We’re going home on Tuesday. Do you know what they’re talking about?
Dad was not smiling. Murdo could have. Dad spoke directly to Declan. I dont know what people are talking about.
Declan coughed and cleared his throat and probably would have spat except so many people were there. He was a fine musician. People here didnt know that. Murdo could have told them. To the side it looked like Aunt Edna was going to say something but she didnt. Vicenté and the guys were looking at him. And Dad, and Dad said, What’s happening here? Eh? Murdo we’re going home on Tuesday. Am I missing something here?
Murdo stared at him.
Eh? Murdo?
Yeah Dad well like if I could maybe stay on a wee bit.
What do ye mean?
Well maybe I could just stay and like, play with the guys, like if I could just stay on and maybe…
I dont know what ye’re talking about.
If I could just stay on and maybe…
Son we’re here on holiday. Dad smiled. This is a holiday.
Dad…
Sarah was watching, standing closeby Aunt Edna. In the background Diego and the band also were listening; Esteban and Vicenté translating for Diego, Santiago, and Roberto.
Dad said, It’s a holiday.
Murdo said, It’s not a holiday.
Yes it is.
Dad it’s not. It’s not.
I’m not talking about this here.
Dad, it’s not a holiday.
Aye it’s a holiday of course it’s a holiday. Dad addressed Queen Monzee-ay. It is a holiday, he said. You know that, like a vacation. We’re here on vacation.
Queen Monzee-ay didnt reply.
Murdo said, Dad I’m sorry.
What about?
Murdo noticed Sarah’s attention distracted by her parents over by the pick-up truck, there with Joel and Gene and waiting to leave. Sarah signaled to them.
What about? said Dad.
Eh, well. Murdo sniffed.
What are ye sorry about?
Nothing. I’m just like thinking maybe I would I mean eh just stay here and just like play with the guys. And come home after.
Dad was staring at him. The others were all intent on what was happening but keeping their distance. Declan too, now smoking a cigarette and standing back a couple of paces.
Murdo said, Sorry Dad.
Son ye cant. It’s not possible. Ye cannay just stay here. It is not possible.
Yeah but if I do the gigs and came home afterwards?
It is not possible.
But Dad.
Ye’ve got to listen to me here son it is not possible. Ye’re sixteen years of age.
Nearly seventeen Dad I’m coming up for seventeen.
Ye’re sixteen years of age. Dad glanced at Declan. Declan it isnay possible!
Declan sighed and nodded. It is kinda complicated, like the bureaucracy son know what I’m saying? it’s all in there, red tape and like man… Declan shook his head, dragged on his cigarette.
Dad said wearily, Visas and work permits, Social Security cards, Green Cards. Ye’ve no even got yer passport son I mean ye left it at Uncle John’s. Ye left yer passport. Dad peered at Queen Monzee-ay. The boy forgot his passport!
Well he dont need one for Texas, said Queen Monzee-ay.
No! said Sarah.
Declan chuckled, and growled, You don’t need no passport for Texas.
Diego said to Esteban: Texas? Passport?
What I’m saying is it’s ID for everything. He needs permission. Dad glanced at Murdo: Permission son ye need permission.
Aunt Edna muttered: Permission, toujours.
At the side Esteban and Vicenté were explaining things to Diego in Spanish. Santiago and Roberto were listening closely. Diego nodded. He strolled the few paces to Dad, and stood directly in front of him. Dad stared at him. Diego returned the stare, then he tapped Dad on the shoulder. Hey, he said, Moordo’s father. Amigo.