28. Never, never fade away

"Come a bit early if you like” said Wayne, who is setting up for tonight's concert.

Nice try. I get to the Mt Eden hall a bit late. Don’t want to be early when there’s chairs to unstack.

We go way back. I’ve known Wayne since I was about 70 kilos.

"Tell me about it,” he said patting his flat stomach. "I’m under orders to lose this for the wedding photos"

Oh for fucks sake... art directors.

"Just stand facing the camera," I offer indifferently. "And wear black." Which is of course something no designer worth their photoshop subscription needs to be told.

Wayne was always teasing me about my stomach.

Not quite as much as Bill, who was my best man.

"Is it ok to make fat jokes?” Bill asked before the ceremony.