For the first time, I understood why Dad had talked about bills as if they were weather systems that might wipe us out.

I also understood that talking about responsibility did not require crushing somebody else’s ambition.

I considered taking on paying clients.

Frank said the space was ready.

Pete cautioned that recording other musicians was different from recording myself: people expected deadlines, clean files, and calm problem-solving even when technology behaved badly.

He offered to supervise the first session.