Chapter 32

“So,” Joe finally said. He’d literally fucked Maria into oblivion, with little if any conversation beforehand. It was time for pillow talk.

“Bob’s being mysterious and not a little bit nervous,” Maria said. “He wants everyone to meet him at his new house tomorrow evening.”

“Is he staying there?”

“No. Weekends mostly. But he insisted we meet there after his classes and my work.”

“If you’re worried don’t be.”

“You know what he wants to talk about?”

“I do, but he needs to talk to you about it.”

“But you don’t think I should worry?”

“No I don’t.”

“So distract me stud.”

“Yes ma’am.”

He went down on her pussy, saturated with his spend and her juices. He created more of the latter, teasing her to another powerful orgasm, before she flipped over and raised her substantial ass. Which he spanked hard before entering her and several times after. More orgasms ensued on her part, ending with one continuous one, essentially, with peaks and high valleys.

“Okay,” she moaned. “Too much.”

He pulled out, his cock still hard. She slowly, weakly, moved to it and took it into her mouth. Made love to it like a cherished thing, which it was to her. It and who it was attached to gave her such pleasure. She was ready for the long game, so to speak. Knowing how long Joe could take after cumming just once before. It did take several minutes, but quicker than she thought it would. Joe sensitized himself to her lips, tongue and hands. Not all that difficult. She wasn’t the cocksucker that Essie or Cheryl were, but she knew what he liked. And just her loving and enthusiastic attention helped thrill him.

“Cumming,” he groaned.

Her eyes went wide before seeming to smile, and she readied herself to swallow, holding his glans just inside her mouth and fisting him and tenderly squeezing his balls. The fisting continued while she gulped down his jism, giving room for more. She managed to swallow it all before leaving his fading erection at his insistence, being gently coaxed to move her lips to his, where he kissed her, tasting himself on her lips, and her tongue when his entered her mouth. She loved that he did that. She pretty much loved everything he did for her. With her.

“How are you?” he asked.

“Good. Better since you’re here. Speaking of which, how long are you staying?”

“Just a few days.”

“I’ll take what I can get,” she smiled and kissed him.

“I’ll want to spend some time with Celia.”

“Your new wife?”

“Yes. Would you mind if she shared the bed?”

“I’m okay with it. Is she?”

“She doesn’t mind company.”

“I suppose not,” Maria laughed. “But with me?”

“Why not with you?”

“You don’t seem to mind, but I’m getting old.”

“Still a Greek goddess.”

“If you say so.”

“You’re as beautiful as ever.”

“Things are ... settling.”

He caressed her soft flesh, firm underneath. She kept in shape, as much for him, seeing him appreciate his Greek goddess, as it was for her own health. But she had thickened. Her breasts hung down more. Her skin wasn’t as supple. Joe never seemed to mind her changes.

“You feel good to me,” he said.

“I know I’m a bit needy. I just don’t want you to resent it.”

“I never will.”

“You sure?”

“Yes.” And he was. He’d been with older women. Joanne. Constance. Caroline and Maxine. Whatever age did to their bodies never bothered him. It even fascinated him. Constance in particular had lost some of her ability to create enough of her own lubricant, but Joe’s expert cunnilingus helped, as well as some KY. Whatever it took to pleasure her, to pleasure any of them, Joe happily provided. Because their pleasure was a significant part of his own.

“You must be tired,” she said.

“I actually slept on the plane.”

“Not something you can usually do.”

“I needed it.”

“Long night.”

“Yeah.”

She laughed. “How many?”

“Four, though, unfortunately, Celia was a bit left out.”

“Four? Chandi and Moira?”

“Hermione. She’s Liana’s sister. You’ve probably seen her picture if you read Vogue or some of the other fashion magazines.”

“So she’s beautiful.”

“Yes she is. But a manipulative bitch. Or had been.”

“Doing your white knight thing again?”

“Yeah. Long story short, she was trying to separate Moira from Chandi. Have her to herself so she’d get to be partners with Moira for the ad agency. Misguided, but she didn’t know any better.”

“Trying?”

“Succeeding to some extent. I don’t know if it would have been a permanent rift, but the ambition behind it would have eventually been found out when Moira told her she’d never be partner.”

“Why would she think she could be partners?”

“She’s a graphic artist. Pretty good, supposedly.”

“But not good enough to be partners.”

“Not for Moira, no. She would never be in her league creatively.”

“Too ambitious for her own good.”

“Yep. And your ex was part of her ambitions.”

“Jonny? What the fuck did she do?”

“Not fuck him. She hired one of Lionel’s girls for that. Moira hired him to shoot a travel ad for Barbados. Featuring Hermione.”

“And she thought he’d be a stepping stone for Hollywood?”

“Exactly. I told her the next level...”

“She’d have to fuck.”

“Yes.”

“And you slept with that bitch?”

“That’s more of a long story. Esther thought her watching me and Chandi might wake her up to what love might look like.”

“Chandi did that for that bitch that tried to break them up.”

“Yep. And it worked.”

“You sure?”

“As sure as I can be. Eventually Chandi invited her into the lovemaking. A few nights later, Moira joined us. I don’t know if anyone can be completely changed, but a major part of her cynicism, of using people instead of loving them, at least that changed. She got hurt early on by an asshole she thought she loved, but he ended up just using her. After that, she decided to be the one who was using people.”

“So as not to be hurt again.”

“Yes. I think she realizes love has nothing to do with that. Whether physical or emotional, which to some extent should be the same thing. She admitted she’s as ambitious as ever. And even though Moira is starting to trust her, she’ll be wary if the manipulations start up again.”

“What would she worry about?”

“If Hermione does join the firm, she’ll try to steal clients.”

“Find some poor jerk to fall in love with her and start up a competitor with her as partner.”

“Exactly. Moira will probably have Cheryl write up a non-compete clause as part of her contract. But I think Moira will steer her towards her real talent, which is her beauty and her presence on film. She plans to put her into acting classes to promote that ambition. By the way, Hermione claims she’d never do the casting couch thing.”

“Good luck with that. She might not have sucked Jonny off, but there is a precedence.”

“Yeah. I told her the same.”

“There’s so much of that shit in this town. At least Jonny never really fucked them before he hired them. Hoped his charm would be enough to eventually get there. Speaking of Jonny, he’s in town.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. And I’m pretty sure he’ll be there tomorrow.”

“Rhonda will be there.”

“Believe it or not, she’s sort of working with him. Or Bob is, but she’s involved.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Bob’s working on a documentary about Rhonda. About his personal relationship with her.”

“And Jonah has footage.”

“He does.”

“Hunh. Good for Bob. Sounds ambitious.”

“I know I’m biased, but he’s a precocious kid. Have you read his screenplays?”

“No.”

“He keeps scrapping them, but I think they’re really good. Ask him if you can read them.”

“I will.”

“He’ll probably be reluctant, but I’ll encourage him.”

“Has Rhonda read them?”

Maria chuckled. “Ronnie and I are his biggest fans. His only fans actually since he doesn’t let people read them. But that will change when he sends one to USC.”

“Isn’t the film school graduate level?”

“Mostly. There’s undergraduate classes like history and film studies, but he’s hoping to get into the more practical aspects. He’s like his dad with that. Wanting to know all aspects of making movies. Just a little more impatient.”

“Jonah went to...”

“UCLA. Probably why Bob wants to get into USC.”

“Not applying anywhere else?”

“He’s not interested in anywhere else. But he’ll get in. Near top of his class. He’ll ace the SATs. The verbal won’t be a problem. Lynn’s helping him with the math. And he’s studying for them.”

“He’s definitely not the bratty kid I first met,” Joe chuckled.

“Your daughter has been a wonderful influence, Joe. I just wish she’d worked her magic on Janis.”

“Still a problem child?”

“Still sullen and snappy. Blames everyone for everything. Bob for taking Ronnie from her. Ronnie for choosing Bob as a friend instead of her. Me for the divorce. You as well. Only her father gets her respect. And even that relationship becomes tentative. Those times when he doesn’t pay attention to her are the few times she comes to me and opens up.”

“I was surprised that she chose to go to Minneapolis for school,” Joe said.

“Because of you recommending the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Maybe because it’s the opposite of here. Cold instead of warm. Lakes instead of ocean. Gray days instead of always sunny. Maybe matching her mood. But she likes it there. Likes the people there. Feels like she belongs there.”

“You know I don’t visit there much anymore. Just my mom occasionally and seeing how the two sons I sired for Claire and Belle are doing. Last time I was there for them, early spring this past year, I called her.”

“I remember you asked for her number.”

“Yes. We ended up having a really nice visit. Her art impressed me. Very dark, but really good. Probably because they reminded me of the German Expressionists I always loved. And surrealistic, though more nightmares than any regular dream, but somehow not disturbing. Like she gazed into the heart of darkness and examined it instead of being frightened by it. I bought a large painting and paid for her to cast in bronze a clay sculpture she had just done. She was skeptical that I was just doing it to be nice, and I tried to convince her that I really did want the work. They’re displayed prominently in my living room. I took pictures of that and sent them to her. Even then, she thought I’d take them down. So she visited this past summer. I wasn’t there, unfortunately, but Joanne showed them to her. And let her and her friends stay there.”

“And your wives and kids liked them?”

“Not at first. Esther and Liang did. But they’re the type of work that grows on you, which is what I like most about them. Discovering things the more you looked at them. I don’t know if she’ll make it as an artist, whatever that means. So few artists do. And it’s difficult work.”

“She’ll have her Junior Review show next spring.”

“I’ll be sure to go.”

“Tired yet?” Maria smirked.

“No Goddess,” Joe replied.

She slid down to take his penis into her mouth. Her thighs surrounded his head. A few minutes later, she was bouncing on him, her large breasts particularly bouncy. He stilled them with mouth and hands.

When she got off, he reslotted behind her, slapping her substantial ass and fucking her hard. He had to feel all of the friction on his cock to bring forth his final cum of the night. Hers actually came with the last dose of semen inside her and him rubbing her clit.

Collapsing after, his penis sliding out releasing juices, they slept with him cuddled behind her in the puddle they both created.

She had to get up early to get to work, not getting much sleep. Too sated to mind, she kissed Joe, who was half awake, and left him to sleep some more.

Midmorning, the phone rang. “Hello?”

Rhonda chuckled at his morning voice. “Coming over?”

“No car.”

“Oh. Right. Eddie picked you up.”

“You’re addicted to limos too.”

“I’ll pick you up.”

“You’re driving?”

“I have a driver.”

“Of course.”

“It may take a while. LA traffic.”

“I know.”

An hour later, Joe answered the chime and opened the door to a tall Eurasian woman wearing a jacket, white button shirt and black slacks. “You’re security too?” Joe asked, noticing the slight bulge in the jacket not caused by her small breasts.

“Miss Olson insisted.”

Rachel.

Joe nodded. “I need to get a rental car. You okay with Rhonda driving around with me? You know she can protect herself.”

“I’m mostly her driver and when she’s more in public.”

“Good.”

She opened the back door of the dark blue Mercedes sedan, brand new and well appointed. He sat next to Rhonda. Theresa smiled at him from the front seat.

“You like my new car?” Rhonda grinned.

“Very nice.”

“Linda’s going to teach me to drive.”

“Good idea. We need to go to a rent a car place.”

“Okay.”

“Then we’ll go pick up Celia.”

“She’s at Eddie’s?”

“Yeah. Is that a problem?”

“Of course not,” said Theresa. “Ronnie’s just being silly.”

“You’re still avoiding it?” Joe asked. “You know that’s where we’re having the wedding.”

“Weddings!” Theresa giggled.

“Weddings,” Joe chuckled.

“You’re right,” Rhonda pouted. “Eddie’s pretty much stopped meddling since the showcase he arranged didn’t end up with any signing and he’s decided he’s okay with my choice of recording studio. Speaking of which, we’ll head there after we pick up Celia. It’ll be about the right time.”

“You booked some time?”

“It’s not like Lech’s studio is all that in demand, but yeah. Mostly we book later so Bob can shoot video of it, but since we’ll be busy this evening, and I...”

“You what?”

“I figured you didn’t bring your bass.”

“No reason to.”

“So I bought you one.”

“You want me to play on your recordings?”

“Lech had us check out some bands he knew. I really liked one, but mostly the drummer. The guitarist we don’t even need, because Terry’s fine playing rhythm. Actually really good. And I can handle the rest.”

“I like the way you solo,” Joe said.

“Me too,” said Theresa.

“Definitely out of the shadow of Eddie,” Rhonda sighed. “Whatever keyboards we need I can handle too, though I’ll probably keep them to a minimum. But the bassist is this dickhead. I thought I could handle him, but I can’t. Him and the drummer are a couple, though I think she could do a lot better. And I think maybe she thinks so too.”

“Rhonda,” Joe instructed. “If you want to produce...”

“I know. I should just kick him out. But you showing up I think is better.”

“Not showing him how to do his job?”

“No. Showing him why you’re my choice. And...”

“Go on.”

“I don’t want to lose the drummer with him.”

“How am I going to prevent that?”

“Maybe talk to her?”

Joe sighed. “Just talk?”

“She needs a good shagging Joe,” said Theresa.

“Jesus.”

“Crudely put, Terry,” Rhonda chuckled, “but not wrong. Joe, she’s got this killer body. Like Playboy hot. But her face ... she calls herself Plain Jane. Thinks she’s not at all attractive despite that body.”

“You’ve seen her body?”

“Not much since the audition. I think her asshole boyfriend dressed her in tight clothing because he must have heard I’m lesbian. News got out about me and Terry. Ever since, everything’s loose on her.”

“Was she nervous being on display?”

“At first, but her talent came through.”

“I’ll talk to her. We’ll see about anything else,” he glared at Theresa, about to speak. “But how long do you need me?”

“How long did you plan to stay?” Rhonda asked.

“I’m actually just here for what’s happening this evening. Giving Maria support when she hears the news about Bob getting married and fathering a child. Speaking of which...”

“Not yet as far as I know,” said Theresa.

“Could you maybe stay a couple weeks?” Rhonda begged. “Things are happening fairly quickly, and we can figure it out if you would be needed longer. Theresa’s stuff is just going to be acoustic guitars. Maybe dubbing in something after.”

“Okay, Rhonda.”

“Great!”

“I’ll stay as long as you need me.”

“Two weeks should be fine.”

Joe nodded.

And it gave him something he didn’t know before they arrived at the car rental place. How long he’d be staying. A fancy rental place as it turned out. He went with their biggest convertible. It was LA after all. And he needed the leg room. Rhonda dismissed her driver and she and Theresa rode with Joe.

Joe pressed the doorbell at Eddie’s studio. A big, rough yet handsome Russian answered it. “You’re here,” Joe said to the familiar bodyguard.

“Where else would I be?” the man smirked. “It’s my home.”

“Rachel said you were working on something.”

“I look after Rachel when she’s here.”

“Your wife?”

“She told you.”

“Yes.”

The man shrugged.

“Misha? Who is it?” Joe heard from behind the man. Looking past, he saw a statuesque blond Russian beauty barely wearing some lingerie.

“Part of your work?” Joe asked.

“None of your business.”

“Of course,” Joe chuckled. “Am I allowed in?”

The man stepped aside and Joe and Theresa and Rhonda entered.

“He’s in the studio,” the man added gruffly.

They headed down to the basement where Eddie was strumming his 12 string. Celia sat a few feet away facing him and away from their entrance. She turned and smiled. Joe leaned over and kissed her.

“Ronnie,” said Eddie, happily surprised. “How’s it going?”

“It’s going,” Rhonda smiled back. “What’s that you’re playing?”

“Something peaceful.”

“Sounds it,” Rhonda chuckled.

“We’re going to go,” said Joe. “Need anything, Celia?”

“Where will I be tonight?”

“Maria’s?”

“Give me a minute.”

“Of course.”

She rushed up the stairs.

“How long are you staying Joe?” Eddie asked, continuing to strum his guitar.

“A couple weeks it turns out.”

“I thought it would be shorter.”

“Me too.”

They both laughed.

“You going to visit Rachel?” Eddie asked.

“I’m sure she’ll insist.”

“No doubt,” Eddie chuckled. “I’ll be heading to Boston at some point.”

“Ginny? Give me a couple months. I’d like to spend some time at home with my family.”

“I might head out to New York sooner.”

“Trevor?”

“Yeah.”

“Rachel?”

“She’s still caught up in the video. But I bet Hank wouldn’t mind being left alone. You’re incentive enough.”

“I suppose,” Joe chuckled.

“Ready,” Celia yelled at the top of the stairs.

“See you,” said Rhonda.

“Tonight,” Eddie responded. “Want a joint?”

“I’m good.”

“I’m not,” Theresa giggled and hopped up to Eddie, who handed her one of his patented fat ones. “Thanks,” she put it in her purse.

He popped another in his mouth and lit it while they left.

“Want to smoke?” Theresa asked in the rental car.

“After,” said Rhonda. “Maybe after our meeting tonight, okay?”

“Okay,” said Theresa.

“How was Eddie?” Joe asked Celia.

“Fun,” she giggled and blushed. “So I get to meet the Greek Goddess in the flesh.”

“You okay with that?”

“Yes Joe.”

“She’s nervous about it.”

“Why?”

“She’s worried you won’t find her appealing.”

“She’s a very sexy woman.”

“But... ?”

“Would she want me to be there?”

“She’s been with a woman before with me. It’s true it’s been a while, but ... do you want to be there?”

“I don’t know.”

“Be honest please.”

“Honestly I don’t know. You’ve put me in an impossible position. I’ve been with bigger, older women before, but it was forced and not all that appealing. She is sexy, but ... I don’t know how I’ll react. How will she feel if I reject her?”

“Confirming her worst fears? She’s actually in really great shape. I don’t think you’ll reject her. How about this? Join us in bed. I’ll just be with Maria. If you want to join in, that would be great. If not, I’ll just be with you.”

“We’ll trade off being voyeurs? I’d be okay with that. Would she?”

“I really think she would. But if it’s something that is in the least uncomfortable, it’ll just be the once.”

“Wouldn’t both she and I have to agree with that?”

“With that level of intimacy, I’m certain it would be felt by all.”

“Okay.”

“I really didn’t want to put you in a spot.”

“I know. She’ll want to be with you.”

“After what she finds out tonight, it’s likely.”

“And you want to be fair with me.”

“It’s not just about being fair.”

“Don’t worry Joe. I’m very much looking forward to just being with you, even with a voyeur.”

Both Rhonda and Theresa laughed from the back seat. “Your father is very much too much,” said Theresa.

“Welcome to the world of Joe’s circus,” Rhonda returned.

“Sorry Rhonda,” Joe said.

“Don’t be. I’m used to it. I just think about my dad having problems every other man in the planet wished they had.”

“So what was it like growing up with such ... openness from your parents?” Celia asked.

“Standard answer is it was what I knew,” said Rhonda. “But of course I found out the uniqueness via friends and being in their homes. What I got was how fortunate I was being in such a loving and supportive home. Little fighting went on, and buttons weren’t being pushed for effect. It got harder when my mom and my second mom separated from my dad. Not as hard for me as for my brother, Nate. He’s pretty sensitive and I’m built of harder stuff I guess. Pretty independent since I was pretty little. But even Nate with his problems was probably in the best situation he could be. Siblings who loved him and supported him and Dad and Li and Auntie Jo and Essie.”

“Your dad’s younger wives?”

“You mean you now?” Rhonda giggled. “Essie’s been like my oldest sister since before I can remember. Li’s like a really cool young aunt. Joanne is my third mother, pretty much mother to us all.”

“So how is it becoming Joe’s wife?” Theresa asked.

“Never dull,” Celia chuckled. “I definitely never imagined my life to be this ... loving. In fact I didn’t expect my life to good at all, or all that long. I’ll always be grateful to Joe for that. For saving me.”

“So being his wife is thanking him?”

“I hope not,” Joe said.

“I guess I went into it grateful. But what Joe is implying is it wouldn’t work out if that’s all I felt. More trading sex for things, you know? Less monetary, or to just survive, but still there. No, I don’t think it was ever just gratitude. I felt loved. By Joe and Essie and all his wives. I felt welcomed and appreciated and loved. And it was easy to return that love.”

“But not being exclusive?” Theresa asked.

“I knew that coming into it, like all of his wives and lovers do. And in some ways I’m better with it than Joe is.”

“How do you mean?”

“Because Joe wishes he could be more than one man, to take care of us more. But the thing is, and all his wives would agree with me, there’s an exclusiveness when I am with him. It doesn’t matter if it can’t be all the time. When it happens, it’s enough.

“And the other side, I don’t have to be exclusive either. I can be with other people. His wives of course, but also being with Eddie, which is something I very much enjoy. Like it takes care of a need I have. That wouldn’t happen in an exclusive relationship, exploring interests not shared by the monogamous partner. Both being with women and being with Eddie. And there’s an amazing trust there. That Joe trusts me to be with him in the end. Just like I trust him to be with me.

“I think Maria is the most difficult situation I’ve faced. I genuinely don’t know how I’ll react to her. Because honesty is so much a part of my relationships now being with Joe. If I find her unattractive. And yet I’m not really worried. Because, in the end, I know Joe will work through it with both of us. Whether it gets me to get over whatever reaction I had initially, or I let them have their time together without me there, somehow I know Maria will be okay with it.”

“If his beautiful new wife finds her ugly?” Theresa asked skeptically.

“The thing is, I find her beautiful and sexy. I understand why Joe calls her his Greek goddess.”

“But it’s what you haven’t seen yet.”

“An older, heavier body,” Celia agreed. “But ... it’s an experience I had.”

“What happened?” Joe asked.

“It was one of the clients. This rich, fat bull dyke. She was ... aggressive. Wanted to make me enjoy her, if that could ever happen. She was ... disgusting.”

“I would ask if she looked anything like Maria,” Joe said, “but that’s not the point is it? Maybe we should keep things separate.”

“No Joe, unless Maria can’t handle the possibility, I’d like to get that woman’s image out of my head, and replace it with Maria’s. You said she’s in great shape.”

“She is. Age is there. Her flesh isn’t as resilient or buoyant. Her breast might hang down a little more, but only in comparison to where they have been. She doesn’t sag.”

“Maybe you could talk to her?”

“Maybe you should,” Joe returned. “I’d like you to get to know her.”

“Okay Joe,” Celia smiled. “I tend to enjoy talking to your women.”

“Our women,” Joe corrected.

“Right. Even that bitch Hermione ended up being pretty cool.”

When they finally arrived at the studio, a tall skinny guy hunched over the wide sound deck, nudging a couple slides. The glass muffled the noise coming from the recording studio, a four piece essentially playing live. None wore headphones, but Lech did. Curiosity brought Joe to put on another set.

A blonde, medium body with California girl/girl next door looks sang lead and played rhythm guitar. A blonde guy not much taller than her played lead and sang backup. A scowling though handsome light brown haired guy wearing leathers and looking the most rock and roll with his clothing and his moves played bass, while a plain on the border of ugly woman with short brown hair pounded on the drums.

They sounded similar to X, but not nearly as good. Okay but not great. The woman had a sweet voice, but that wasn’t necessarily a good thing for rock and roll. Exene from X certainly didn’t have a sweet voice. In other words, they were capable. Except for the busy and not always on the beat bassist. And the powerful, energy generating drums.

When they finished, Lech, the engineer let them know that Rhonda had arrived.

“You got that?” asked the bassist.

“Yeah,” said Lech. “But it’s Ronnie’s dime now.”

“Come on,” said Rhonda to Joe. “Let’s make some trouble.”

“Bass?” Joe asked with a chuckle.

“Greg’s wearing it.”

It was the Fender Joe preferred and he nodded.

Joe followed Rhonda and Theresa into the studio, each carrying a guitar case. Joe’s was an electric for Theresa to play when not playing her acoustic, which was what she carried.

“Guys,” Rhonda announced. “I decided on some changes. Greg, could you please give the bass to my dad?”

“What the fuck?” Greg growled.

“Be nice and do what I say,” said Rhonda.

“Fuck you,” he grumbled and removed the guitar strap around his shoulder and thrust it at Joe. “Jane?”

“No, Jane stays,” Rhonda said. “I need her drums.”

“Jane!” Greg growled.

“You really going to go there?” Joe asked him. “Keeping her from playing on what will probably be a major release because of your ego? Jane, Rhonda really wants you to drum for her.”

“Okay,” Jane squeaked.

“Stupid, ugly cunt,” Greg muttered.

“Yes you are,” Joe confronted him. “So get your ugly shit out of here! Now!”

“I’d take his advice Greg,” said Theresa. “He’d take you down without a moment’s thought.”

“Whatever.” And he stomped out.

“And I’m sorry I won’t need you guys either,” Rhonda said to the guitarists.

“Sure,” the blonde girl smiled. “Jane’s good, isn’t she?”

“She’s brilliant,” Rhonda agreed.

“They came as a package,” the blond guy confided. “Greg brought her in. But replacing him might have meant losing her.”

“We’re hoping that might change,” Rhonda grinned.

“I don’t know how,” the girl said.

“Besides, she’s with us,” the guy pointed out.

“She’s good enough for both of us, don’t you think?” Rhonda posited

“Yeah,” the two blondes agreed.

They waved at Jane when they left, Jane waving back with a tentative smile.

While Rhonda and Theresa set up their guitars and Joe tuned the bass, Rhonda told Lech into the mic, “I want to get Joe into Targets. Terry knows what I want. By the end of the day, I’d like to record it.”

“How do you want to it set up?” Lech asked, his voice heard via speaker.