isoristine54redandwhiteBelAir.Weplayedeverythingfromhighschooldaoweddingsandtheoccasionalnightataclub.Discriminatingbyearandnotbyanypreceivednotionofcool,wecouldplayanykindofmusicforanycrowd.

    Afterajazzperformancewhereweparticularlykilledthecrowd,Oscardroveushome,radi,theboysimood.Hedroppedofftheothers,andlatethatsummernightweparkedinfrontofmyparentshouse.Mothsdancedcrazilyintheheadlights,ahmiccricketsongunderscoredthesilehestarsandahalf-moondottedthelanguidsky.WegotoutandsatonthehoodoftheBelAir,lookingoutintothedarkness,notwantingthenighttoend.

    "Man,weweregas,"hesaid."Weslayedthem.DidyouseethatguywhenwedidHeyNow,likeheneverheardasoundlikethatbefore?"

    "Imboutworn-out,man."

    "Oh,youweresocool,socool."

    "Yourenotbadyourself."Ihitchedmyselffartherupoostopskiddingoffthehood.Myfeetdidnotquitereachtheground,soIswuimetoatuneinmyhead.Oscarremovedthecigarettehehadstashedbehindhisear,andfromhislighterhelitit,andintothenightskyheblewsms,eaebreakingitspredecessor.

    "Wheredyoulearntoplay,Day?Imean,yourestillakid.Onlyfifteen,right?"

    "Practice,man,practice."

    Hequitlookingatthestarsandturofaceme."Youpracticeallyouractitgiveyousoul."

    "Ivebeentakinglessonsforthepastfewyears.Iy.WithaguynamedMartinwhousedtoplaywiththePhil.Theclassidall.Itmakesiteasiertouandthemusieathitall."

    "Idigthat."Hehahecigarette,andItookadeepdrag,knowinghehad