Chapter 25

Saturday morning, I woke up for good around 9; Becky was curled up next to me with an arm over my chest, and a leg over mine. I snuck out of bed and made my way to the bathroom; when I came back, I checked and JB and Angie didn’t appear to be up yet. Becky woke up and went to the bathroom, then enticed me back into bed; we laid there and talked about what we’d been doing since Christmas. I told her most of what I’d done, and she told me how her life was working out; we had a nice long conversation. Eventually she couldn’t resist playing with me; once she had me erect, she rolled me to my back and climbed on with a happy sigh. This time our love making was a little more energetic; it didn’t take long before she rolled us over and we really got at it.

“Fuck me, baby; just fuck me,” she eagerly demanded, writhing under me. “Pound me, screw my brains out, make me forget my name. For god’s sake, don’t be gentle; just fuck the hell out of me!” I did my best, which seemed to be pretty good; after the night before I wasn’t on edge and lasted quite a while. I screwed her for 10 minutes and got her off once before I pulled out, rolled her to her stomach, and got into her from behind. This position seemed to be the best for both of us; I lasted maybe another 5 minutes before we both reached our finish. I laid on her another couple minutes before pulling out and easing off her; she turned her head to me and gave me a smile and a kiss. “That’s exactly what I needed this morning; a nice, fun fuck. You’ve got all my nerves singing, and life is good; let’s go take a shower, and then get something to eat.”

We messed around in the shower a little bit before getting dressed and heading for the main house; Bob and Carol, JB’s parents, were waiting for us in the kitchen. Carol started making breakfast; JB and Angie soon joined us, and we all got a chance to get caught up with what had been going on in our lives. Bob had arranged for the ‘no-name band’ to play in a couple places in Nashville during our leave; we had the club that we had played on before, scheduled for that night and Sunday night, 8 to closing; and one of the street stages being set up in the street right there on the Fourth of July, from 4 in the afternoon until 8 PM. Becky was going to drive home that afternoon, but might be back that night to see us play; she was going to try to get some friends to come back with her to see our performance. Tom, JB’s brother; was going to come over this afternoon so we could practice a bit; then we’d head to the club around 6. The following weekend was open, nothing scheduled; we’d play that by ear. We went outside to check out Becky’s new car, a 1974 Mustang II; gas had gone from 40 cents a gallon to 60 cents in the last year; and the smaller, fuel-efficient car was just what she needed. She took off around noon for her parent’s house, 40 miles away; telling us she’d maybe meet us at the club around 7; hopefully with a couple of her friends.

Tom showed up at 1; the four of us set up in the pool house studio and began to practice, with Angie and Carol as our audience. Bob and Tom were amazed at how much more refined and polished JB and I had become; all the singing we had done in Virginia Beach had really improved my voice, and my playing was also much better. In Bob’s opinion, I was now singing and playing at a professional level; we experimented a bit and tried adding some 4-part harmonies to a few of our songs that sounded really good. We went through several of the songs we’d played before, then added a few new ones to our repertoire; the ladies had a couple suggestions and requests that we added. Bob had us wrap it up after a couple hours, before we started to seriously tire; the rest of the afternoon was spent just relaxing and chatting. Around 5 pm Tom’s wife Joan showed up with Cathy, JB’s older sister, the sibling helping Bob manage the family’s professional band; we all had a light supper together, then got ready to head to the club. Cathy surprised JB and I; she’d had some very nice t-shirts with “the no-name band” printed on them, with caricatures of the four of us; they looked very good on us, and she’d had a few dozen of them printed up to try to give away, or maybe sell. Angie had also gotten me a pair of nice cowboy boots; ‘so I’d look like I belonged in Nashville’, she said. They were actually pretty comfortable, though the extra 2-3 inches of height felt a little strange at first. At 7 we got in the various vehicles, and headed downtown to the club.

When we got there, I was really surprised; there were posters up with the band name and the caricatures of us on them; Cathy’s doing, I was told; and the place was packed, several hundred people already in attendance. Again, there was a large table reserved near the stage to the side for us; Carol, Angie, Cathy, and Joan settled themselves there while we got ready on stage. Also similar to before; Bob and Tom first setup my stool, guitar, and mic with a working speaker; Bob motioned me to it with a smile, “Do your thing,” he said. I just smiled back and shook my head; then picked up my guitar, sat down, and switched on the mic.

“I wasn’t expecting such a big turn-out,” I announced to the crowd; “I sure hope we’re all in the right place.” That got a cheer, I guess we’re on; at least I am, for the moment. While the others continued to set up, I tuned my guitar and talked a little about us and our background; since we’re in a bar, I tried a quick bar joke. “The folks putting your drinks together asked me to make a public service announcement; sleeping with the bartender won’t get you a free drink; but it is worth a shot.” That got a couple chuckles so I tried another; “You know; money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy beer; which is pretty much the same thing.” A couple more laughs, so I tried one more; “I’m curious; if you refill a glass of beer before it’s empty, does it still count as just one drink?” A few more laughs, but also a couple jeers. “Sorry folks, sometimes I just amuse the shit out of myself. Hurry up guys,” I turned and told the rest of the band; “I’m starting to lose them already.”

A couple more laughs; Bob told me it was going to take another few minutes; so I tried a solo, guitar version of the new hit, “Desperado”. JB and I had worked on it and figured it out; that got a round of applause, now I seem to be on the right track. JB sat down next to me and appeared to be ready; I looked at him and introduced him as my best friend, though we were still figuring out which of us was supposed to the bad influence; that one got a few more laughs. I did the first couple of bars of “Johnny B Goode” and JB joined in; now we’ve rocking and have everybody’s attention. Bob and Tom were also ready and added a little bit toward the end, seems we’re all finally good to go. “Okay Bob; what do you got?” I asked. He started on “Good Hearted Woman”; we all joined in; the show was on.

I had gotten used to the restaurant crowd in Virginia Beach, mostly families while we were playing; this was a whole different audience; no kids, and a lot more involved. Obviously, many of the folks remembered us from before and liked what we were doing; we got lots of enthusiastic applause, whatever we played. Older rock and roll, newer stuff, Motown, country and western; they loved it all. I continued to talk between songs; with the rest of the band, and the audience; it was just a big party. We played for almost an hour; at the end of the first set, we tried an ‘a cappella’ version of “Up on the Roof” that got some real cheers and applause; time for a break.

I don’t know how I missed it; but when I made my way to the reserved table, Karen was also now sitting there with another girl, talking to Angie; and Becky and what seemed to be three of her friends, a girl and a couple guys, had joined them. I didn’t freeze, or even stumble; but I hadn’t even considered this happening. Fortunately, everyone seemed to be getting along and enjoying themselves; most of them were wearing one of Cathy’s new ‘no-name band’ t-shirts over their tops, and looked like a bunch of groupies. I was following Bob and Tom, JB behind me; we trailed over to the table and got hugs and kisses from all the ladies. I was introduced to Becky’s friends, former high school classmates; the young guys shook my hand and told me how much they were enjoying the show. Karen introduced me to her friend, and we all chatted a bit; our 20-minute break with them was nice, mostly comments on how well we were doing. Neither Becky or Karen seemed to pay any special attention to me, or each other; but I wasn’t sure what I should do, or say.

Eventually JB and I went back on stage and did a couple of songs; then Bob and Tom rejoined us and we concentrated on doing several county songs. We also did a lot of the sing-along songs we’d done months before, and just about everyone joined in. I’d point my microphone at the crowd when they needed to join in, and they’d enthusiastically sing the chorus; we were all having a blast. We also did several light-hearted, funny songs; including ‘Peanut Butter Conspiracy’, ‘Roller Derby Queen’, “Dead Skunk in the Middle of the Road’, and ‘Spiders and Snakes’; almost everyone seemed to get a kick out of them.

The break between the second and third set was a little longer; the bar was really packed, and the bartenders and waitresses were having a hard time keeping up with all the customers. I noticed Carol, Angie, Karen, and Becky sitting together now and having what seemed to be a serious conversation between themselves; it seemed to be a good time for me to stay away, and keep my mouth shut. Everyone is still smiling and laughing, I don’t need to interrupt that; maybe they aren’t talking about me. Maybe.

The third set went much like the first two; the audience was really involved, and had seriously overflowed onto the sidewalk and street in front of the place. The club was built so almost the entire front could be opened up; inside was packed, and it didn’t look like the sidewalk was passable. Toward the end of the third set Bob had JB and me sing and play a couple duos while he was talking to the manager; who wanted us to play one more set, if possible. A quick conference with our ladies and we agreed; a couple more songs and I announced another break, with a promise to be back for one last hour of live music.

Our third break lasted a little bit longer. Our party thought we were doing exceptionally well; Cathy was talking to Bob about maybe recording us, putting together a cassette tape of our music; she had sold all the extra t-shirts. We continually had people coming up and complimenting us and making requests, those addressed to me I tried to hand off to Bob. Becky dragged me off to the side and we had a very quick conversation.

You guys sound wonderful!” she exclaimed over all the noise, “I’m so glad I got my friends to come with me. I’m pretty sure we won’t be back tomorrow; but I think we’ll try to come back on the Fourth and listen to you play then.”

“I’m glad you like the music; I never thought I’d be doing something like this,” I told her. “I saw you talking with the other ladies; is everything okay?”

“Yes,” she laughed, “you know us ladies, we need to talk things out. Karen seems nice and I like her; and I’m sure you will treat her well and won’t hurt her. She said she’s just looking to have some fun and hopefully better experiences; and she said the one night she had with you was ‘amazing’.” I blushed; and she giggled and gave me a poke in the ribs. “I’m having a very hard time not teasing you about this. Have fun, and just be yourself. Now give me a quick kiss; I think we’re going to be leaving soon.”

A quick kiss is what I gave her, and what she returned. No passion, and not lingering; but a nice kiss all the same. We got back to the table and chatted with the others a little bit more; then it was time to go back on stage.

A fourth set; now it’s close to midnight. We performed mostly slower songs now, trying to settle the crowd a bit; they still seemed to enjoy everything we did. We announced a couple love song requests and performed them; I got a couple chuckles from the crowd when I speculated that maybe, just maybe; someone would be getting lucky that night if we got the song right. That led to a couple more relationship jokes; I told the guys if they really wanted to make their woman happy, to take her home, throw her into bed, then clean the house while she was sleeping. I’d told a variation of that joke before, but it still got another roar of laughter and approval from the ladies; so did the one about the only male you can change is one wearing a diaper. We did a couple more songs, then announced the end of the performance and that we’d be back tomorrow night, come back and bring their friends; I was surprised when we got a standing ovation. Bob had us do one more song, “The Party’s Over” to try to get the idea across; the manager shut off the stage lights and turned on the jukebox; we were done.

Done performing; it took several minutes to get down to the girl’s table; we were swamped with people complimenting us. I had been so focused on the performance, I hadn’t noticed that Becky and her friends had left; though Karen and her friend was still there, chatting with Angie and the others. We stayed another 45 minutes, winding down; we had several drinks, mostly sodas, trying to re-hydrate. Something else I hadn’t noticed, I had sweated through my t-shirt; we all had, it was hard work performing in front of a crowd like that. All four of us walked around a bit; we had mostly been sitting on our stools on stage; it wasn’t long before I found myself standing next to Karen.

She leaned in and gave me a sniff, then giggled; “You’re a little ripe, but I still like the way you smell. You want my band t-shirt?” she asked, pulling it off over her head, “I just slipped this one over my sundress; and we’ve exchanged clothing before,” she laughed.

I had to laugh, too; “Thank you for reminding me about that; you’re still not giving me much of a chance to refuse you, are you?”