Parker was on a high. By all accounts, Atticus was on board with his proposal. Isaac just wanted to check in with the rest of the band before giving him a definitive answer. That was fine with Parker. Things would go much more smoothly if everyone was in agreement. The last thing he wanted was a hostile environment and if any of the members had misgivings about the proposal, then he would walk away.

It would hurt, but he would do it.

For this to work—for everyone involved—there had to be open communication and a willingness to participate. Without that, Parker may as well give up now.

He climbed into...