The Last Mile
by Philip Gonzales (LA89)


Chapter 1


     On a warm spring evening, a 30 year old orange hedgehog went through his scrapbook from his highschool and college days. He reminisced about his band and the time he spent with his bandmates. He held back a tear as he took a sip of his tea. His 29 year old blue hedgehog wife saw him on the living room couch and sat down next to him.


     "Hey hun, whatcha up to?" Cassandra asked.


     "Oh hey Cassie, I'm just looking through some old photos." he replied.


     She leaned over to look at the photos. She found a photo of Anthony, and three of his friends; a cat, a coyote, and a red tailed hawk.


     "Oh hey, your old bandmates!" she said.


     "Yep, it's been 10 years now since we were all together." he said.


     "Wow, do you miss performing with them?"


     Anthony let out a long sigh. "All the time. We may have had our differences, but we had something special going on."


     "Aw baby." She laid her head on his shoulder and gave him a little hug. He then put his arm around her and gave her a little kiss on her ear. "How did you guys get together anyway?"


     "Well… I was about 17 when I first considered making a band. Me and Jani were already close friends by then."


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     13 years ago, a 17 year old Anthony sat on the edge of his bed while practicing on his electric guitar. His riffs could be heard all across the house. His mother, a 49 year old green hedgehog, Billie, knocked on his bedroom door. He turned down the volume on his guitar.


     "Yes mom?" he asked.


     His mother opened the door halfway. "Hey Anthony, I love what you were playing there." she said.


     "Oh thanks mom, it's a new song I'm working on."


     "Well keep it up, because it sounds great! Your friend is on the phone."


     "Jani?"


     "Yes."


     She handed the phone to Anthony.


     "Hey Jani! What's up?" he asked.


     A 16 year old white cat was on the other end. "Oh hey Anthony." he replied. "I'm just getting ready for my gig with my grandpa tonight."


     "Ah sweet. Hope it goes well."


     "Yeah, I wanted to ask you if you want to come see me tonight."


     "Wow really? Sure buddy, sounds like fun!"


     "Hehe...thanks."


     "When's the show?"


     "It's at 8 p.m. at the Little Wing. Admission is $10."


     "Nice. Do I have to wear anything special?"


     "Nah, it's all casual. Except for me, I have to wear my suit."


     "Well I bet you'll look nice and sharp up there!"


     "Oh haha...yeah." he blushed.


     "I just gotta check with my mom first, then I'll be good to go."


     "Great! I'll see you there pal."


     "See ya too bud!"


     He hung up the phone. Anthony went up to his mother who was reading a book in the living room.


     "Hey mom, Jani wants me to go to his jazz show tonight. Mind if I go?" he asked.


     "Have you done all your chores today?" she asked back.


     "Yes, I took out the trash and mowed the lawn."


     "What about the dishes?"


     "Oh right, the dishes…"


     "I'll let you go as soon as you finish them."


     "Sure thing mom, thanks."


     "No worries sweetie, be sure to stay safe and have fun while you're out."


     "Don't worry mom, I will."


     "And be sure to put on deodorant and clean pants."


     "Yes mom…"


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     Later that evening, Anthony showed up to the Little Wing jazz club a half hour before the show started. He saw Jani just outside the club.


     "Hey Jani!" he says.


     Jani wore a blue suit, purple tie, and brown shoes.
 
     "Anthony! So glad you could make it!" Jani says.


     "Yeah man, you're looking great. Looking forward to it?"


     "Yeah...it's just…"


     He looked to the side a bit.


     "What is it?"


     "I- I'm just a little nervous, you know?"


     "Oh yeah, I totally get that."


     "And it's not even my first time. I- I thought I would get over it by now."


     "Yeah man, I know how you feel. Believe me, I feel the same way whenever someone wants me to play something for them on the spot. But I know you're gonna do great out there, just focus on the song and your instrument, and you'll be just fine, I promise."


     Jani gave a little smile.


     "Okay Anthony, I'll try my best."


     "That's the spirit!"


     He pats Jani on the back.


     "Agh!" he screamed.


     "Oh! Sorry bud, I forgot."


     "It's okay...I'm fine."


     He brushed off his suit.


     "You still feel good to play?"


     "Oh yeah, of course. I gotta go now anyway."


     "Alright buddy, I'll see you in a little bit. Do great out there!"


     "Will do bud!"


     Jani went around the club to the backstage. Anthony went inside the club and sat down at one of the tables. The club was fairly small with minimal lighting, with plenty of people waiting for the show to start as they enjoyed their meals.


     At 8 o'clock, the stage lights went on, and a man in a black suit got up on stage with a microphone, with a drum kit, keyboard, and a stand up bass all set up behind him.


     "Ladies and gentlemen," he said. "Thank you for joining us tonight at the Little Wing jazz club and restaurant. Friendly reminder that today is Half Off Friday, so be sure to order one of our specials while you still can."


     One of the waiters showed up to Anthony's table with a plate of chicken wings and a glass of soda.


     "And now, without further ado, please welcome tonight's performers, Gary and the Pearls."


     The audience applauded as Jani, his grandpa Gary, and Gary's friend Zachary entered the stage. Anthony tried to pick up one of the chicken wings, but it was still too hot.


     "Ouch!" he said to himself.


     Zachary sat down at his drums and started playing a steady beat. Jani then started to play a mellow groove on his bass. And shortly after, Gary came in with a catchy melody on his keyboard. Anthony was surprised by Jani's talent.


     "Wow… I never knew he was this good." he said.


     He listened closer as the band started to play louder. The audience faintly cheered  as they watched Jani, who seemed to be very focused on his bass.


     "I knew he could do it. Looks like he's having fun."


     Anthony's phone started buzzing in his pocket. He took it out and found a text message from his mother.


     “Hi honey, r u doing ok?" she asks.


     "Yeah mom im fine" he replies.


     "That's good. How much longer is the show?"


     "About a half hour i think"


     "Ok. Btw, can u fold the laundry and pick up ur undies in ur room when you get home plz? thx, love u!"


     Anthony looked up from his phone and blushed in embarrassment.


     A half hour later, the band finished their last song, and the audience cheered and clapped for them. Gary went up to the microphone.


Gary: Thank you so much. We are Gary and the Pearls. Goodnight.


     Gary, Zachary, and Jani left the stage while Anthony left the club with a box of his leftover wings. Before he got into his car, he saw Jani again, packing his equipment into his grandpa’s minivan.


     "Jani! You did awesome!" he said.


     "Heh, thanks Anthony. I’m glad you liked it."


     "I knew you could do it, bud!"


     "Yeah man, I remembered what you said about focusing on my instrument, and it worked out pretty well. I think that was better than most of my performances."


     "That’s great man, glad I could help out. Hey, if you're not doing anything tomorrow, wanna head to the arcade to celebrate?"


     "Um… sure. I don’t think I have much to do then."


     "Sweet! I’ll see you then, night!"


     Anthony started to walk to his car.


     "Oh wait Anth-"


     Anthony tripped and fell face down, dropping his box of wings.


     "...Your shoe is untied."


     "Oh dang…"


     "You alright?"


     "Yeah, I lost a couple wings, but I’m fine."


     He got up, grabbed his box, and dusted himself off.


     "That’s good, hehe."


     His grandpa calls out Jani. "Jani! You ready to go?"


     "Oh yes grandpa!" Jani replies. "Sorry bud, I gotta go. See you tomorrow!"


     "Alright, see you later!"


     Jani hopped into the minivan and they drove off. Anthony went into his car, and looked down at his shirt, noticing a hot sauce stain on it.


     "Oh man, I hope mom doesn’t notice, this is my best shirt." he sighs.


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