by Kylie Parker
“Only someone as crazy as you would call those two that.” Frustration was lingering in Gina’s voice, as she approached James and Marcus. “Hi. I’m Gina: the lunatic’s girlfriend; nice to meet you.” Marcus offered his hand, but she was too upset to notice it. Instead, she passed by him and headed towards her friends.
“Evening, dear,” Olivia said, looking up at Gina over her right shoulder.
“It would be if he was less happy.” Gina grumbled, as Michelle made room for Gina. “What am I going to do with him? I swear, sometimes he is so damn cheerful that I want to smack him over the head.”
“Have fun with it.” Olivia advised, as Gina seated herself beside her. “James says he’s never seen him happier. You’re the reason, by the way.”
“That’s really flattering, but…”
“There is no ‘but’,” Olivia interrupted, her voice stiff. “I’ve seen the way you look at him. You love him, red. Ok, he may be a handful sometimes, but, he loves you, too. Hold on to him.”
“I second that.” Helen voiced her opinion. “It’s nothing a good, long conversation couldn’t resolve.”
“Thank you for your input.” Gina gave her a polite smile. “I’m sorry. We went out for lunch today. Do you know what he did to the waiter?”
“What?”
“He slapped his butt!” Gina said with her eyes wide open. “Why would a man do that to another man?”
“You don’t like sports, do you?” Michelle inquired, sporting a devilish smile on her face.
“No,” Gina responded, turning to her. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“It’s a ‘guy’ thing.” Olivia explained. “Guys do that a lot to each other. It’s like a pep talk. It’s just more physical.”
“Hello, chicas!” Rick cheered, extending his arms as he made his way towards the fire. “Check it out. The cowboys are coming.”
Helen averted her gaze from him and glanced at the beach house. James and Marcus were climbing down the stairs, with guitars strapped around their necks and, amazingly enough, cowboy hats on.
“Oh, he looks so good with that guitar on!” She exclaimed, her heart fluttering, as a broad smile spread across her face.
“I did not see that coming.” Olivia spoke in emphatic tones. “I mean the cowboy thing.”
“Well…” Michelle smirked, rising from the sand. “Excuse me, ladies. The –former—twerking queen must take up her seat between the two studs. For the next hour or so, your boys are mine.”
“Maybe,” James smiled down at her. “Not just yet, though. Sit back down.”
“I thought you wanted me to sing tonight.” Michelle spoke, confusion written all over her face.
“We do.” James assured, as Marcus sat across from Helen. “We just want to play a couple of tunes first, before you join us.”
Helen smiled playfully up at Marcus, before leaning over Olivia’s shoulder.
“He looks so cool and so hot at the same time.” She whispered in her ear. “I just want to jump him and do all kinds of sexy things to him.”
“I couldn’t have said it better myself.” Olivia nodded, casting a blissful glance at her friend.
“Silence, please.” James requested. “Alright, Marcus: Let’s show these ladies how we used to rock, back in the day. Three, two, one…”
At the finish of his friend’s countdown, Marcus started his performance with an upward strum. His middle and index fingers crossed the fret board quickly, before they began to play an unfamiliar, high-pitched tune. James followed, as Olivia smiled to herself. Clueless as to what they were playing, Helen turned to her.
“Bon Jovi,” Olivia whispered: “‘Wanted Dead or Alive’.”
The title appealed to her; yet the sight of his slender fingers, dancing across the fret board was far more enjoyable. And, when Marcus opened his mouth, he made her heart pound in her chest. His voice was not nasal like Jon Bon Jovi’s, but he seemed to have no problem with the pitch at all. On the contrary, he sang passionately with his old friend, glancing at him every few seconds, as melodic chords filled the night. James was savoring every second of this, just as much as Marcus. It was in those few minutes that Helen understood the bond between the two men. They had been music buddies, long before she met him. Reunited and with a bigger zest for life, they performed side by side, as the flames reflected in their eyes…
It's all the same, only the names will change
Every day, it seems we're wasting away
Another place where the faces are so cold
I'd drive all night just to get back home
I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride
I'm wanted dead or alive
Wanted dead or alive
Sometimes I sleep, sometimes it's not for days
And the people I meet always go their separate ways
Sometimes you tell the day
By the bottle that you drink
And times when you're alone all you do is think
And I walk these streets, a loaded six string on my back
I play for keeps, 'cause I might not make it back
I've been everywhere, and still I'm standing tall
I've seen a million faces and I've rocked them all
'Cause I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride
I'm wanted dead or alive
'Cause I'm a cowboy, I got the night on my side
I'm wanted dead or alive
And I ride dead or alive
I still drive, dead or alive
James and Marcus concluded their performance with a downward strum, just before the four women and Rick burst into a long round of applause. Mesmerized, Helen locked her gaze on Marcus’s face. His bright smile reappeared, as he high-fived his joyous friend.
“Thank you, ladies. And gentleman.” James grinned, nodding at the same time.
“I’m impressed,” Michelle confessed. “I thought you guys wouldn’t pull it off, but ‘wow.’ That was great.”
“Now…” James heaved a long, deep sigh. “I’d like to play a song that my friend here dedicated to me, a long time ago. I’m sure you all know it was a dark time for me. Part of me wished I had listened to him, but, if I had, I never would have met my wife. Bon Jovi’s ‘Keep the faith’.”
Marcus smiled bitterly to himself, tapping the sixth string on his guitar. The quick rhythm drove Helen to shake her head, watching the veins on his hands, as James joined him for the second time. Just like earlier, the two of them sang with presence, as the flames swirled in front of them. The title provided Helen with a hint, but, she only comprehended what James meant, when she heard the lyrics of the powerful song. This time, despite the quickness of the rhythm, they both looked sad, as melodious lyrics exploded out of them…
Mother mother tell your children
That their time has just begun
I have suffered for my anger
There are wars that can't be won
Father father please believe me
I am laying down my guns
I am broken like an arrow
Forgive me
Forgive your wayward son
Everybody needs somebody to love
(mother, mother)
Everybody needs somebody to hate
(please believe me)
Everybody's bitching
'cause they can't get enough
And it's hard to hold on
When there's no one to lean on
Faith: you know you're gonna live thru the rain
Lord you got to keep the faith
Faith: don't let your love turn to hate
Right now we got to
Keep the faith
Keep the faith
Keep the faith
Lord we got to keep the faith
Tell me baby when I hurt you
Do you keep it all inside
Do you tell me all's forgiven
And just hide behind your pride
Everybody needs somebody to love
Everybody needs somebody to hate
(please don't leave me)
Everybody's bleeding
'cause the times are tough
Well it's hard to be strong
When there's no one to dream on
Faith: you know you're gonna live through the rain
Lord you got to keep the faith
Now you know is not too late
Oh you got to keep the faith
Faith: don't let your love turn to hate
Right now we got to
Keep the faith
Keep the faith
Keep the faith
Lord we got to keep the faith
Walking in the footsteps
Of society's lies
I don't like what I see no more
Sometimes I wish that I was blind
Sometimes I wait forever
To stand out in the rain
So no one sees me crying
Trying to wash away the pain
Mother father
There's things I've done I can't erase
Every night we fall from grace
It's hard with the world in your face
Trying to hold on, trying to hold on
Faith: you know you're gonna live through the rain
Lord you got to keep the faith
Faith: don't let your love turn to hate
Right now we got to keep the faith
Faith: now it's not too late
Try to hold on, trying to hold on
Keep the faith
James and Marcus finished playing the old song, amid loud cheers and well-deserved applause. Helen put her hands together, realizing that the man she had only just started dating had a sensitive side. All of a sudden, she felt an uncontrollable urge to go over to him and kiss him. Before she could do so however, James addressed them once again.
“Thanks.” He croaked. “Now, I’d like to invite my good friend, my right-hand girl, protégée extraordinaire, Ms. Michelle Adams.”
“Thank you for the kind words, Mr. Farrell.” Michelle said in a sweet voice as she rose from the sand. “What do you guys want to play next?”
James’s words passed Helen, unheard by her. Whatever they decided to play next did not matter. For her, the only focus that held all her attention was Marcus, stealing glances at her, as he entertained her and her friends. Her feelings for him had changed into something much deeper than a mere crush. In her eyes, Marcus embodied everything she had been looking for in a man: sensitivity, rugged looks and a calm nature.
The night went on with more and more, older and newer songs. In spite of Michelle’s initial objections, they didn’t have to try hard to convince her to sing for them. Very soon, the young brunette was having so much fun that she would not stop. Finally, more than two hours later, the seven of them left Butterfly beach, promising to each other to repeat this, sometime in the near future. Helen’s head might have been buzzing, yet her heart was filled with content. She would ride off with her biker, in the hope that her presence would help him heal his broken heart.
Bon Jovi, Deep Purple, Whitesnake… God, I wish I knew all those band names sooner. But, it’s ok. My Marcus will educate me. My Marcus… It sure feels good to call him that. I’d better talk to Liv tomorrow about Rick’s nephew. It’s a long shot, but I need to know if he’s had any luck hacking into the Pentagon’s database.
15
Helen might have been curious about Peter’s efforts, but she knew that a somewhat crowded hotel balcony was not an ideal place to have that – potentially long – conversation. The studio where James and Michelle rehearsed was very close to their hotel. Usually, their sessions lasted hours, but, after singing for hours the night before, Michelle would not want to strain her voice. More than likely, they would not be long. Helen didn’t wish to discuss the matter in front of James and she also didn’t need to handle her friend’s questions about the night she had spent with Marcus, yet again. Therefore, she convinced Olivia to visit a beachside café in Santa Monica.
“Alright…” Olivia started, gazing out at the ocean, as she lifted her glass to her lips. “I’d really love to know what’s going on in that little head of yours. You’ve barely said a word all morning. What’s the big emergency, Helen?”
“First of all…” Helen drew in a sharp breath. “I think I’m in love.”
“Well…” Olivia snorted in amusement, facing her. “You finally realized it. Better late than never, I guess.”
“What, you knew?” Helen’s voice became high-pitched, her brows popping up as she leaned towards her. “How?”
“From the moment I saw you crying on that balcony.” Olivia replied, easing her glass down on the table. “I mean, why else would you cry for someone? Plus, the guy’s your type. He’s handsome, he doesn’t talk much and he’s a musician.”
“If you’re saying he’s a lot like James, trust me, he’s not.” Helen remarked, shaking her head sideways. “Sure, he’s not so talkative, but, he doesn’t have a temper. The other night, I tried to get out of bed. I accidentally kneed him in the crotch. He cried out in pain, but then, he just smiled at me and said something like: ‘Try to be more careful next time’.”
“Yeah,” Olivia gave a short laugh. “James wouldn’t do that. What are you planning to do?”
“What can I do?” Helen answered her friend’s question with a question, holding her hands out. “Try to enjoy it? How could I do that, knowing I’ll be leaving soon?”
“You’re already doing something …” Olivia raised an eyebrow, “… something that could change his life. Who knows? If things go well, your biker may not have to live in the shadows for much longer.”
“I’ve been meaning to ask you about that.” Helen stated, leaning her elbows on the table. “What’s Peter been up to?”
“Well, he can’t hack into the Pentagon.” Olivia informed, dropping her gaze from her friend’s stare. “He said ‘without a supercomputer, it’s pretty much impenetrable’. But, he’s been digging in the dark web. He’s come up with some very controversial reports on the incident, but there’s a problem.”
“What kind of problem?” Helen waited for her answer with bated breath.
“All this needs to be investigated.” Olivia said with a touch of sadness in her voice. “Pete’s just a college student. We need to find a very skilled investigator, who won’t be afraid to challenge the official account.”
“I can’t afford one.” Helen sighed, running both hands through her hair.
“Awww, poor thing,” Olivia spoke in her most comforting voice, reaching to caress her hand. “Do you really think I hadn’t thought of that?”
Helen’s face became slack in disbelief, her mouth open wide as she stared at her friend. Once again, Olivia had proven her love to her. Unable to force a single word out of her throat, she put her fingers over her lips, as Olivia’s smile turned into a huge grin.
“I talked to James about it, yesterday morning.” Olivia went on. “He said he’d been thinking about Marcus’s case, since they saw each other on our wedding. He’s found an investigator. His name is Dan Warrick. I’ll ask Peter to contact him today and hand over everything’s he’s found so far.”
“I can’t thank you guys enough for this.” Helen said, her voice a soft whisper, as she felt tears rising up in her eyes.
“Anything for my friend,” Olivia uttered in a whisper as well when she placed her hand over Helen’s. “I pray this goes well; for both of your sakes. Marcus has been on the run for too long and you? You deserve all the happiness in the world.”
At that point, Helen’s phone rang. It was her mother.
“Hey, mom. What’s up?”
“Hi, sweetheart. All is fine here.” Debbie’s voice came out somewhat faint. “How about you?”
“Not much has changed since last night. Mom, you sound a little off. What is it?”
“Nothing important, pumpkin.” Debbie put a little force
in her voice, before her sigh sent shivers of worry through her daughter. “It can wait. Don’t you worry, ok?”
“Mom!” Helen raised her tone. “What is it?”
“Like I said, it’s nothing urgent. You take care, child. Bye.”
“Ok, something’s seriously wrong.” Helen murmured, tossing her cell phone across the table.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Olivia’s smile vanished, as she leaned closer to her friend. “What do you think it is?”
“I don’t have a clue.” Helen shrugged her shoulders. “She said it’s not urgent. She picked one hell of a time to call me, that’s for sure.”
“What are you going to do?” Her friend’s question was the one she had been asking herself, since the moment she hung up the phone. Helen might have been having the greatest time on this trip, spending her time with her friends and Marcus; but, in her mind, that question only had one answer.
“I’m going back to Shandaken,” she announced. “I’m worried about them.”
“What?” Olivia screeched. “Really? Because of a hint?”
“Liv, they’re my family!” Helen exclaimed. “What am I supposed to do, turn my back on them? And it’s not just a hint. My mother never talks like that, unless something’s gone seriously wrong.”
“It’s your call, Helen.” Olivia clenched her jaw. “I’m fine with it, but, what about Marcus? How are you going to tell him?”
“I’ll figure it out.” Helen stated, her heart sinking at the thought of her conversation with him. “Let’s just go back to the hotel.”
16
The unexpected turn of events sent Helen’s heart into a downward spiral. Very soon, she would have to say “goodbye” to her friends and Marcus alike. She hoped that the problem between her parents was minor and that she would return to Los Angeles as quickly as possible, but Helen couldn’t deny to herself that resolving it could likely require a lot of time. There was a good chance that she would not be able to join her friends again, at least not until Michelle’s tour was over. Nevertheless, even if Helen decided to ignore her mother’s words, she could not enjoy herself, knowing that there was a problem back in Shandaken. Despite the fact that the everyday routine in the small town had tired her, she loved her parents fiercely and she wanted to stand by them in this dark hour.
