Rock Radio by Lisa Wainland Page A

They’d started getting calls from clubs in Orlando to perform.  The momentum was growing.
    Cody realized he had two choices:  the band or school. His future hung in the balance of security and a dream.  His whole life was spent living for others.  He never had dreams of his own.  He decided school could wait.  The chance Red Lawn was getting might never come around again.  Cody went to the dean’s office and requested to take a leave of absence.  His excellent record helped to make his case.  The benevolent dean agreed.  Cody could take a year off without jeopardizing his scholar ship and then return to school.  Cody was incredibly grateful.  It wasn’t an easy decision, it really was a sacrifice for him...he was just one semester shy of his degree, but he had to try.
    His mother was skeptical.
    Laura was supportive.
    She encouraged Cody.  The idea of a leave of absence was hers.  Laura thought of Cody’s happiness first.  She went to every show in town and tried to make it to the shows out of town as well.  Cody looked to her as inspiration, always singing, All You Were to her.  He still marveled that they were together.  His past never came up to make a difference.  Now, they were so focused on the present and their future, the past didn’t even come into the equation.  Cody felt he dodged a serious bullet and ended up with a true love.
    The guys in the band loved Laura, too.  She was their biggest fan and had become part of the family.  But their dreams of overnight success did not come so fast.  For nearly two years they played small clubs and concert halls around the South, taking long weekend road trips, begging club owners to give them a shot.  Most did after hearing a set and booked the band for future dates.
    Cody lost his scholarship, much to his mother’s dismay, but the band showed real potential...he needed to go with his gut on this one.
    Laura stood by him and the band.  She was right there with them every step of the way.  It was only fitting that she was with them on the biggest night of their lives.
    The band had just finished playing a show in Pensacola.  Laura was able to make this trip.
    “You guys were great...as usual,” she said, confirming the roar of the crowd.  Red Lawn had quite a buzz in the state of Florida, all their shows were packed.
    “Yes, you were,” a long blonde haired man said.
    “Thanks.”
    The man extended his hand.  “I’m Eric Wayne, head of Circle Records.”  Circle Records was a local record label that helped launch the careers of a lot of Florida bands.  The guys of Red Lawn knew very well of Eric Wayne.
    “Nice to meet you.”  Cody shook his hand.
    “You guys sound good.  I’m thinkin’ you might be right for my label.” Eric had a thick New York accent.  He moved to Florida to escape the cold and depressing winters.  A lucky investment in a tech stock helped him start the record label.  He made it a success on his own.
    Cody had taken on the leadership role of the group, much to Alex’s dismay.  He answered quickly, “I think we’d be interested.”  He looked around at the other guys.  “Of course, we need to discuss it.”
    “Of course,” Eric said, already knowing what the answer would be.  “Here’s my card.  There’s a cell phone number on it.  Call it when you make your decision, but don’t take too long.”  His caution was more selfish than altruistic, he didn’t want to lose them to someone else.
    “Sure, we understand.”  Cody took the card.
    “I look forward to hearing from you,” Eric said, turned, and walked away.
    The guys were psyched.  They couldn’t believe it.  Laura was thrilled for them
    “It’s all happening for you,” she whispered in Cody’s ear.
    He hugged her tightly.
    Yes, it was.
    The next day Cody called Eric and accepted his offer.  They agreed to meet two days later in Gainesville for lunch.
    Alex was skeptical.
    “Let’s not sign up right away,” he cautioned