1. Calli

1

CALLI

" T hank you! That was our last show of the day, but we’ll be up by the gate for the closing sing," Calli called from the stage. She wiped the sweat from her forehead as the crowd started to filter out. "Don't forget to leave a tip, and if you like what you heard, CDs are at the table, or you can find us on any streaming service."

"That felt good," she said. Her band around her nodded as they all began to pack up their instruments for the night. They would be here again tomorrow and for the next week, but as of right now, this was their last gig.

Calli had been after the band to start booking more fairs or shows, but they all wanted to spend some time at home, but she couldn't help feeling there was more. Michael's wife was pregnant, Matt's girlfriend was hoping to become a fiancée soon, and that just left her with Mason. And as good as she was, even she had to admit they needed more than a drummer and a singer. They still had a week left here, but she did see her time with the MacGregors and the Flying Kilts coming to an end. They hadn't pulled the plug just yet, and this was one of her favorite fairs. She was going to enjoy herself while she could.

"Hey guys, I think I'm going to take a walk and see who’s here this year," she called as she left their stage area.

They were set up on one of the three main stages this year. It was a great location—next to the tavern, good for tips. She made her way to the vendors; she was looking for a new satchel to attach to her belt. Her other one had broken at the last fair. As she made her way down the main strip, she spied one of her all-time favorite tents.

She popped her head in the small purple and gold tent, looking for its owner. Inside, she found a shelf full of herbs and crystals, a table with books and tarot cards, and on the other side a small two-person table with a purple cloth thrown over it.

"Bridget?" she asked.

From behind the counter popped up a small, round woman with wild red hair streaked with gray. "Why hello, Calli," she said in her thick Scottish brogue. "I heard ye playin' earlier. Ye sound magical, as always."

"Thank you! It’s been a good opening day so far. I'm glad you’re here. I'll have to stop by for a tarot reading. I could use one."

"Oh? Is something wrong?"

"Not really. I'm just wondering what's next. The boys have been dropping hints they’re ready to hang up their kilts," she said with a sigh.

"Oh..." Bridget said with a shake of her head. "That is a disappointment. The world needs more attractive men in kilts."

Calli flashed her a smile and a small laugh. "Now there, we can agree."

"What about yerself? Ye ever think about settlin’ down?" asked Bridget.

"Not yet. Maybe someday, but right now, I just want to experience things. I grew up in an isolated small town. When I left ten years ago, the world opened to me, and I'm not ready to be done with it quite yet,” she said as she looked through the assortment of shiny crystals in one of the small woven baskets.

"I see. Still so much of the world to experience,” Bridget said with a knowing nod.

"Yeah, I think that's why I love working the circuit. When somewhere starts to feel too old or I start to feel that calling, it's already time for the next fair. But I don't want to find a new band… So yeah, I’ll need some of your guidance."

"Well, come by anytime. I'll be here for the week."

"I'm glad you made it here. I haven’t seen you at any of your normal fairs."

"Oh, ye know me. I found a town to settle in for a bit, work my own brand of chaos. I’ve left for a few of my favorite fairs, but I'm sure I'll be out and about very soon. Like yerself, I generally refuse to be tamed," she said with a cheshire grin and a glint in her eyes.

"We're a lot like, you and me, Bridget."

"That we are. Come see me soon. I'll read yer cards and see what we can't figure out."

The rest of the day went well for an opening day at the fair. The Flying Kilts played their four shows. Playing right by the pubs was always good for them, and Calli always knew how to sing to get the tips. She didn't know how she did it. She just knew if she needed to up the tips, she put a little more intention into her singing, and they would come pouring in. Between that and the fact that she always had the audience eating out of the palm of her hand, she kept the Flying Kilts making money. Which was good, because she wagered the band would have broken up a long time ago if it wasn’t for that.

They traveled with a trailer, and the boys either stayed there together or would sometimes split hotel rooms, but Calli preferred her own lodging. And she was reminded of just how much she loved her accommodations as she made her way to her campsite.

A few years ago, Calli had bought a campervan from someone on the circuit. It had been nice not to share a camper with the boys. She had taken the time to make it her own. While it was small, it had everything she needed, from a soft comfy bed, a place for her guitar, and even a small kitchenette. For the most part, she enjoyed cooking out over the fire, but it was nice to have a place to grab a quick sandwich if she needed one or make a can of soup on a rainy day. It was nothing fancy, but it allowed her to carry her house with her, making her free spirit feel safe and unburdened. She was never more than the turn of a key from hitting the road.

She got her shower stuff and headed to the campsite shower to clean up. After that, she sat out by the fire with her guitar, thanking her muses for another successful day.

"Hey, Calli."

She looked up to see Michael coming over to her site.

"Hey, Michael," she said. "Good day, huh? I just counted tips."

"It was."

She couldn't help but notice he wouldn't meet her eye. She knew this moment was coming. She had thought they would drag it out for the week, not letting her know she was canned or the band was breaking up or whatever was happening, but it looked like he was going to be upfront. She should have known. There was a reason she had been singing with the MacGregors for years. They were good guys, every one of them. No wonder they wanted to settle down.

"What's going on?" she asked. He just sat in the seat next to her, still not meeting her eye. "Are you here telling me this is your last show?"

He just looked over at her. "Yeah, we’re here for the next week. Then, we’ll take the break for the holidays and January like always, but with a baby coming in March…"

"Of course," she said softly. "I did see this coming. Good things can't last forever."

"I wanted to see if you ever thought about settling in town with us. We still want to play together, but maybe more of a weekend thing, not a travel-the-fair-circuit thing."

"I don't know..." Part of her wanted to keep singing with the Flying Kilts, but that wasn't the life she craved.

"Just think about it. You could work at MacGregor's Pub and sing with us," he said with a soft smile.

Calli tried to think about what that would look like, bartending at a local pub and singing on the weekends. It could be a good life, but it did seem rather sedentary to her.

"I'll think about it."

"That's all I'm asking. You're family, Calli."

He stood from his seat and squeezed her hand before heading back to the camper. She knew it was coming. She would need to find Bridget soon for that tarot reading. If anyone could help her figure out the next step, it would be Bridget and her cards.