Boffa: "I read the reviews of your CD. Congratulations."

Me: "Thank you!"

Boffa: "So what's up...Let me guess. You're getting a lot of positive feedback from your own music and you're not sure you can commit to the function band."

Me: "Well, that's part of it. But the other news I wanted to share with you is that it looks like I'm going to have the opportunity to study and travel abroad this fall."

Boffa: "Go. Just go."

Me: "Yeah...Well, you know, I'm still not sure exactly what's going to happen, but right now the most important thing is to respect our relationship by being forthright about anything that comes along that might jeopardize what I can commit to the band."

Boffa: "That's why I hired you."

Me: "I know. Thank you. And the other thing that matters so much to me is to let the band know that my bowing out has nothing to do with their potential or that I don't believe that they're going to make it..."

Boffa: "Oh yeah...These guys are going places."

Me: "I just know how important it is for the group to have a solid, committed, group of people who can start building relationships now before things get crazy."

Boffa: "Listen, I knew when I hired you that there was a 50% chance you would be pulled in another direction. But I wanted to see what would happen and to give you the opportunity. I've been in this business a long time. There are no surprises for me. Plus, I wanted to have someone who wasn't a project. I needed at least a few solid players to get things started."

Me: "Thank you. It's been a blast. And you know, when I was thinking about all this, my greatest hesitation was missing the opportunity to work with you...I'm just so glad we're connected again..."

Boffa: "Listen, if we lose touch, it will be because of you. Consider me a friend for life. You know, just this afternoon, I had lunch with one of my former students who's studying to get a Master's Degree in Business..."

Me: "Yeah, that's what I'm going to do..."

Boffa: "Are you serious?"

Me: "Yes, I am."

Boffa: "That's great. It's just great. You know, I am just sitting back and looking at all of these students and these people from my past. I'm just watching the circle of life and it's just....It's beautiful."

Me: "It is. I knew you would understand. I knew I could tell you where I was coming from and that if anything came up you would understand completely."

Boffa: "Well, you're wise beyond your years. I wish other people knew that."

Me: "How are you doing anyway?"

Boffa: "I'm exhausted. I had a wedding last night, and I have two more coming up...It's a beautiful day and I want to be out on the golf course. I just want to play golf."

Me: "Soon enough, my friend."

Boffa: "Yeah, I know. So, listen. You're going to tell the guys on Wednesday?"

Me: "Whatever you think is best."

Boffa: "I think that would be best...I think that would be best. You know, all you gotta do is follow your passion and things will just fall into place. That's all. It's so simple. We complicate everything, don't we?"

Me: "We do. But I'm experiencing first hand what you mean about following your passion. That's all I'm trying to do these days."

Boffa: "I know...I've seen you on stage with your own songs. You're singing from your heart. And if technical skill was all that mattered, no one would have heard of Bob Dylan."

Me: (laugh) "It's true." (pause) "Thank you."

Boffa: "We'll make music together, okay?"

Me: "Okay."

Boffa: "Okay, kid. I'll see you on Wednesday."