Ghost In The Guitar - 4. Moving, Recording, and Haunting

Fabian called his lawyer cousin James and was able to see him the next day. James looked over the contract that Reid had emailed and didn't see any issues with it. Fabian clicked the link to sign it, gave James the fifty bucks he'd requested for looking it over, and left the office. He shot Reid an email when he got to his car to tell him the contract was signed.

Reid replied shortly thereafter asking for Fabian's banking information and also sent a link to fill in his W-4. Two hours later, Fabian had just over $13,000 more in his checking account.

"Damn, they take out a lot of taxes."

"It gets worse."

Fabian shuddered and started his car. He had to start getting used to hearing that voice. So far, he hadn't spoken directly to it, but that time would soon come. He stopped on the way home at a local storage facility and bought several boxes to begin packing.

That night, at The Grape, he told the Slacker Crew that he'd be moving on the first. Ernesto said he was ready for it and had already found a replacement for Fabian. Eric Lehmann would join them and watch at The Grape on Thursday to begin getting up to speed. The Crew played the Century Bar Wednesday and Friday nights. Eric would watch them there Friday, and would begin practicing with them Saturday afternoon. As soon as he felt comfortable, he would begin mirroring Fabian during their shows.

Eric wanted to spend some one-on-one time with Fabian, mostly to learn the S&S songs. He was somewhat familiar with the group, but unlike the rest of the set, their songs were only a few years old at most.

Fabian and Eric spent much of the next two weeks, until the day before Christmas Eve, working on the music. Eric also helped Fabian with his packing.

In between getting Eric up to speed and packing, Fabian took part in the twice weekly calls talking about the new songs. The rest of the group had three songs just about ready. They were looking for Fabian to fill in some of the gaps. Russell had already penciled in the basics, but if he worked on any solos, nobody knew it.

Fabian was living in a furnished apartment, so moving furniture wasn’t an issue for the move. He traded in his Toyota Corolla for a Tacoma, so he’d have enough space to move all his things without renting a truck.

Two trips between Medford and Morristown on January first and he was moved into his new apartment. He’d arranged for a bedroom, kitchen, and living room set to be delivered on Saturday the second. He slept on a sleeping bag with about a dozen boxes, in an otherwise empty apartment the first night.

The next day, while waiting for furniture deliveries, he played his Fender Stratocaster along with the CD Yves made for him of the three songs. He ruminated aloud.

“It just doesn’t sound right.”

“Buy a Les Paul.”

“Yeah, I should do that.”

“Go to Ritchie's Music Center tomorrow.”

Fabian looked up Ritchie's Music Center and saw that it did in fact exist, was open Sundays, and was only about twenty minutes away. After the furniture was delivered, Fabian went grocery shopping so he’d have food in the apartment.

Sunday morning, Fabian stopped at a diner for breakfast, then headed to Ritchie's.

“Welcome to Ritchie's. How can I help you?”

“I’d like to look at your Les Pauls.”

The clerk showed him their selection, “Feel free to try any of them out you’d like, I’ll just plug it into the amp in our soundproof listening room for you.”

“Thanks.”

Fabian walked through the selection. He picked up a few and then saw one that he liked a lot. It was a Gibson Warren Haynes Les Paul Standard, 60s Cherry. As soon as he picked it up, he knew it was the right one. Well, he was told it was the right one.

“Yes. Try it.”

Fabian had flinched and looked at the clerk to see if he heard Russell. The clerk looked at him funny, but made no comment about hearing a voice.

He told the clerk, “I want to try this one.”

“A very nice choice.”

The clerk showed him into the listening room and Fabian started playing Buried Alive.

“Holy shit, you’re good.”

“Thanks.”

He played parts of a few more S&S songs.

“It sounds pretty good.”

“It seems perfect for you.”

“You should buy it.”

Once again, Fabian looked at the clerk for some clue he heard the voice too.

“What?”

“Oh, um, I thought you said something else. Sorry.”

“Nope.”

“It’s used, right?”

“Yes, sir.”

“What’s the best price you can give me?”

“I really can’t let it go for less than $2400.”

It was marked $2499, “Does it have a case?”

“Yes, included with that price.”

“I’ll take it. Let me have five sets of strings, too.”

After getting back home, Fabian played along with the new songs on the Les Paul.

“Sounds much better. I still don’t know how I’m going to add much to the songs.”

“I’ll help you with the solos.”

“Good. I feel like I should be doing something for you, but I don’t know what.”

“All in good time.”

Fabian wondered what he could possibly do to help a ghost. He’d never watched any of those paranormal investigator shows, so he had no clue Russell might need help crossing over. Even if he had watched them, it would still have been difficult to figure out what it was Russell would want from him.

Monday would be the first day Fabian will be working with the group in the studio. That would be a new experience for him. On his way there he wondered aloud.

“I hope I don’t mess up and talk to you while the guys are around.”

“Not a worry. They’ve heard me too.”

“No shit?”

“No. I recommended they choose you. Although it probably wasn’t necessary, the other two finalists weren’t very good on our songs.”

“I have to ask; did you help me with that solo?”

“Yes, but very little. You’ll get it right by yourself soon enough. You’ll have to.”

“Why?”

“I can’t help you, or be here, forever.”

“Are there rules?”

“None that I can share right now.”

“What does that mean?”

“I can’t say more, sorry.”

“It’s okay. This is so weird.”

“It’s all new for me too.”

“Yeah, I guess it would be. When would you have to leave?”

“When the time is right.”

“Cryptic.”

“It must be so.”

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