Infinity Chapter 29 - Pinches

[itztigress3]

Chapter 29 – Pinches
POV:  Zac
Word count: 3241


September 4, 2013; Richmond, VA

  We had arrived earlier and the crew was busy unpacking the trailers and setting up the equipment. We really hadn’t been on the road very long but it was vastly different than the previous tours. For starters, there was an active 10 month old on the tour. Alexander was pulling up very well now and even looked like he wanted to let go. Emily generally fed him in the up-stairs area because it was private, she had her shawl but with mostly men on this tour it was preferable for her to be alone or with someone she knew, like Casey, myself, or Velma. The new members of the team adjusted really quickly to having him and he was never bored.

We were going through the set up process; Emily had Alexander in the audience section, letting him crawl around without restrictions. It was also a place that was out of the way of everyone moving around. Velma was doing a good job so far.

Jackass, yes, his name still is that. Has been quite annoying really, I couldn’t really sneak off down the hallway but in the middle of the night it was easier to lay in the bunk and reply, Emily was in her own bunk here beneath me and across from Alexander. We spent most of the morning setting up and unpacking so we could do the sound check that afternoon.

We broke for a late lunch and Emily and I took Alexander down to a place nearby. I carried him, because she insisted I was stronger and held him tighter. Fans were already lining up outside the building, Alexander didn’t like the cover over his face but it only took a stern look for him to leave it alone until we were down the street. We had a quiet lunch and some of the others had joined us.

“You know they’re going to get pictures of him anyway.”

“Not if I can help it.”

She tilted her head at me almost telling me I was full of shit before she said it.

“He’ll be fine for like five minutes, I just don’t want fifty billion pictures of him out there from one spot.”

She was giving him the carrots, which he absolutely devoured. He was eating more solids now, we were up to lunch and dinner for solids, but he still took milk quite a bit. We were only introducing new items when we knew we could get to a hospital in case he had an allergic reaction. So, he was up to 4 fruits and 1 vegetable, we were going to add one Saturday, green beans, because we’ll be in Atlanta a few days visiting with family. We finished lunch and headed back.

“So, I was thinking of bringing him on the walk.”

“No.”

“He needs fresh air Zac, I need fresh air. I’ll use the shoulder harness.”

“No. There are too many fans for that.”

“What if Casey had him? Would you be ok with that?”

“He’s not going to stay covered Emily.”

“Zac be reasonable here, fans know who he is they’ve seen pictures.”

She did have me there and I thought about it as we walked back, Casey and Carrick were both walking so I extended the offer to either of them as long as they stayed close. Casey jumped at the chance and Robert agreed to walk with us as well, I saw the little flicker of happiness in Casey’s eyes. I left them and went inside to plan the route; they came in when he was ready. Casey had him strapped securely to his back and I shook my head.

“I don’t think so Casey.”

I made Casey turn him around and put him against his chest. They went out a side door while we went out the front but Casey, Robert and Emily stayed within distance of me. I was getting my picture of the crowd, standing near Isaac as Taylor talked about our reason when a message came in.

Your son is quite adorable; his little laugh reminds me of you so much. The blue and white suit is adorable too.

I snapped my head up to where they were standing but they were surrounded by women who seemed oblivious to the fact the baby is in fact mine. I took the picture I was aiming for and another message came in.

Emily looks exceptionally well, those tight shorts accent her assets well. Did I mention the lovely curve of her hips? I do see why you are drawn to Casey as well, delicate features and he’s funny and sarcastic. They get along well, I am sure in your absents he’ll be a great provider for her and a good step-father for Alexander.

Except I won’t be going anywhere…I’m going to assume you’re here?

In deed I am Zachary, they look good but those brown pants are accenting you very well also, hugs the curve of your ass very well. I should know I’m standing right behind you.

Yep, I was stupid enough to turn around and find all women, I got a smiley face in return to that and I wanted to throw the phone but we started back, even though people were walking and talking all around me, I still heard Alexander’s cry. I stopped and nearly got ran over by a few and waited until they walked up. He was now strapped to Emily instead.

“What happen?”

“I’ll tell you when we get to the venue.”

“You’ll tell me now Emily.”

A few of the people around us looked at us. “I’m going to let that slide, because there are so many people around. I will tell you when we get to the venue.”

She then turned and walked away. “Nice going Zac.” Casey said.

I gave him a go to hell look and caught up, stayed there with them, Alexander was curled up against her and he didn’t seem happy and I saw the red mark on his leg. I didn’t even stand with them outside, I followed her right inside.

“What happen?”

She turned confused. “Why didn’t you stay out with them?”

“Because it’s clear he got hurt somehow, I can see the red mark Em.”

“Casey said he thought someone pinched him.”

“Someone did pinch him, a man did. Is he ok?”

She got him out and I checked him myself, he was ok just a little red spot.

“Are you sure it was a man?” I asked.

“Yeah, he was walking beside Casey most of the walk. Alexander was smiles and happy but I saw him reach over and a few moments later he was crying and reaching for Emily.”

I looked at her. “That’s why I said he didn’t need to be on walks.”

She looked a little stunned but I took him and walked away anyway. Leaving her standing in the lobby but I heard her coming behind me.

“Don’t you dare blame me for this; he was fine through most of the walk. It’s not my fault some dumbass decided to do that. No one even asked if he was yours.”

“They don’t have to ask Emily, it’s not like all three of us have a little baby. There too dangerous for him to be on. If you want him to have fresh air, find a park and go there next time. Not around people we don’t know.”

“Like the park won’t have that as well. What is your problem? You’re acting like a child.”

I sat him down in the main room.

“I just…I don’t want some crazy woman or guy to think anything. I couldn’t handle losing you for three days; I don’t want to even know what losing him would feel like. It’s far too easy for them to snatch and run, it’s too easy for them to hurt him because they’re mad because he’s ours and not theirs.”

She walked to me. “Baby, we’re not going anywhere. But, we can’t keep him locked up all the time either. I want him to see the world and he can’t do that if we keep him behind doors to prevent people from seeing him.”

“I know, but just he got hurt Emily. It’s not your fault, it’s really not. But, still.”

“Would you feel better if I took him in Atlanta and put pants on him? Christina is going to be there, she can walk with me and you know she’ll go skitzo on anyone who touches him.”

“Like she did Megan?”

“Exactly, she won’t let anyone hurt him.”

“Are you spending a few days with them before?”

“No, we all are. Band and crew have rooms reserved already and the rest of us are staying with Jason and Sophia, well except Tay, Natalie’s in town and he’s meeting her to stay with them a bit.”

“Why did we have such a long break anyway?”

“Because you left me to plan.”

I felt the tug on my jeans and picked Alexander back up, he’d napped before the walk so we were good there. Taylor and Isaac came in.

“Dude really?” Ike asked.

“Guys, chill. Some random guy pinched Alexander and he came to check on him, relax.”  Emily said.

“Is he ok?” Ike asked.

“Little red spot on his leg, but he’s fine.” I said.

Taylor tickled him and he was all smiles again, his baby whisper skills still intact. We went back stage to prepare for the sound check and Emily brought him back too, we were on stage and going through an acoustic set, absorbed in guitars and tuning. We all heard the drum, lightly and I turned around and found Alexander standing up in front of the little stage, hitting the bass drum.

“Emily?” I called.

She came on stage. “Sorry, Velma was asking me a route question.”

She got him and took him back to the side, but I could tell he didn’t much like that.  I rotated with Isaac incase and I saw him pull up on her leg, she looked down at him but I know he saw me and he saw the drum set too. She was talking to Velma and he was still standing beside her leg but I saw him let go, and while I was listening to Taylor, kind of, I was watching Alexander. He took a tentative step and much to Taylor and Ike’s confused looks, I had the camera phone up and recording when he took a few wobbly steps toward the stage, he took about four steps before he lost his balance and sat down on his butt, he then just crawled to the set and used the little stage to pull himself up. She looked confused and then came out, but I stopped and showed her the video.

“No way…” she said.

Taylor was the one who moved him and he looked so disappointed, he moved him away and stood him up, Ike used his phone and sure enough he was determined he was playing with the drums. He took a few more steps but still fell back.

“I’m doomed.”

“Least on the bus he has the little play area in the office; he can’t run away, just down on the main floor or in the lounge areas.” Ike said.

She rolled her eyes, but stayed with him on the stage until we were done, he couldn’t be near the stage when we were doing a full sound check, because the sound of the drums was too much for his ears. So, she had to take him back away from the stage and I know he cried.

Taylor leaned against the keyboard. “Ezra did the same thing Zac, he’ll be ok.”

“I know.”

We finished sound check and then went for dinner and showers and to get ready. She was giving him peaches when I got on the bus and he was happy.

“We have the M&G in a few, are you staying out here?”

“Yeah. I’m going to finish feeding him and then let him play. I’d bring him back inside but he may just crawl to you.”

“I don’t know Emily, that’s pretty damn loud when we’re playing.”

“I don’t think he’d care.”

I smiled and fixed myself a quick dinner and ate there with them. I then sneaked back inside for the meet and greet. The fans that were called back were super nice, there were a few guys and they were very complimentary and just nice. We got the group photo and they were let back outside, nothing odd or strange happened that I saw. I texted Emily to check on them and she said Alexander was playing in the office and she was catching up some stuff from the studio while we had internet.

We warmed up and got ready and the first part of the show was great, Taylor and Isaac did their solos just fine and I checked on Emily who was just reading, Alexander was already asleep. I went out for my solo and decided to Lullabelle, which was a slow and sweet song. I was about half way in when I heard some guy scream out that he wanted me to lick his dick and I just stopped and turned toward the audience, completely stunned. I then pulled an Emily and told whoever said it they were a drunken bastard and needed to leave because it was a song about a little girl and they were being rude. Fans were shocked, Taylor who was just off stage looked stunned, Ike’s jaw was on the ground and even Carrick and Casey looked stunned.

I then replayed the song for the fans there without incident; the remainder of the show went very well without anyone screaming out obscene phrases. After the show I went to cool off before greeting fans, the crew began to break down and repack and Velma was inside ensuring we didn’t leave anything. Emily called when she was sure I was done.

“Did you seriously call some guy out?”

“I did, Ems he screamed out in Lulla belle that he wanted me to lick his dick. Totally inappropriate!”

“I heard but just wow, I should have been inside.”

“Sorry, I am sure the internet will explode with it.”

“Already has!”

“Well, enjoy the videos. I’m going to shower right quick and then greet fans.”

“Ok.”

I hung-up and showered, re-dressed and then greeted fans, most were nice about the incident and were understanding, some said they were disappointed, others said he deserved more. The trailers were re-loaded and done by 2:30 and we were on the bus, Emily was already laying down because she would get up with Alexander. The rest of us quietly got ready for bed but I was just about to lay down when he whined and when I turned around he was getting up.

Given she was asleep I picked him up and went down to the kitchen.

“Oh no, we didn’t wake him did we?” Carrick asked.

“Probably not, could be the bus moving. I’ll let Emily sleep.”

I heated up some milk and sat down at the table, he’d had a great nap and I hoped he went back to sleep. I was sitting at the table alone, Carrick had gone to bed and everyone but the driver was asleep. He was almost done with the bottle and his eyes were getting heavy. My phone blinked and I checked, there was a picture message and I opened it and then blinked.

The picture was of my crotch, very nice clear picture, it was taken during the earlier part of the day as it was the brown pants, and I just blinked.

I really do want you to lick my dick; I’ll forgive you for the rudeness as you didn’t know it was me. I really like those brown pants, as I said they accent you very well and clearly both front and back. Sadly, neither David nor Adam knew anything about sizes….

I blinked and when he finished the bottle I adjusted him slightly, he was clearly almost asleep. The second message came in, and it was another really great crotch shot, this was clearly the show and I swallowed, was I always that visible during shows?!

I’d say…there theory of you being incredibly inadequate is wrong. What do you say Zachary? I’ll tell you, if you tell me…

I am not telling you that! The only person that needs to know is myself and my wife.

Aw, come on Zachary. I’m sure you’re not below average, I mean your fans seem to think you’re not anyway, do you have any idea what they think?

Yes. I am aware. It doesn’t mean I would confirm, deny or even acknowledge them!

You would think you would understand the rules. I’m not really giving you a choice here; it’s not a request or a question. It’s give me an answer or I will be talking to your wife very soon. She is often alone on the bus a lot, I am sure getting to her wouldn’t be a problem. So, are your fans correct?

I looked at Alexander, I had to know…

Were you the man that pinched my son today?

Yes. You failed to answer a question last week, in fact the same question. I didn’t want to hurt him or your wife. But, he was more available. How is he?

He had on pants right now and given that he was indeed asleep, I was not going to check but Emily hadn’t said anything about it being worse.

He’s fine but if you’re pissed off at me, take it out on ME not my family. You want to know what size I am? I’m above average and that is ALL I will ever say.

I figured you were anyway, David and Adam weren’t very forthcoming on personal details my guess was you scared them. I am pretty sure you exceed David, probably even Adam as your wife has remained by your side and based on her screams before you left for tour, I am sure you do your job well. You should get some rest Zachary, or did little Alex wake up? Either way, sleep well.

I swallowed hard, if he had heard us then he was there on the property, thank god it was dark. I reviewed the men that I had seen today, none seemed overly friendly or weird, and the voice that screamed out sounded young, perhaps even younger than me. But, the way he replied in messages and e-mails made him seem older. It was clear he wasn’t replying anymore tonight, so I didn’t bother to. I instead got up carefully and went back up-stairs, I tried to lay him down but the moment I did, he whined and clung to my shirt.

“Zac?” Emily asked.

“I’ve got him; I’ll just lay him down with me.”

“I can take him.”

“Go back to sleep.”

She climbed out anyway and then hopped into my bunk. “So he can’t fall out, I’m on the ground.”

I laid down, at this point I didn’t care where really. I did put Alexander against the back wall and he whined a moment but then curled up beside me and was out. I laid there for several minutes and finally went to sleep.