by JM Dragon
“Yeah, sure does. I was thinking I might as well finish out the night. If it’s okay with you, I’ll sit it out on the porch until the bus arrives in the morning. Any objection?” Jo asked.
“You don’t want a decent night’s rest and a shower before you travel?” John-Henry asked.
“I hardly think I’m going to be making any friends on the bus that will care about my personal habits, do you?” Jo gave him a wry look and then drank heavily from the beer he placed automatically in front of her.
“Well, let’s hope not, because after your performance it’s certain you might have a stale aroma about you.” He smiled and stroked his chin contemplating the information Jo had given him.
Jo looked at the crowd, drained her bottle, placed it carefully on the bar, walked back to the podium, and talked to the crowd around her.
“Since this is my last night, I thought I’d stick around till closing. I’ve got one more song I want to sing and then I’ll take requests.”
John-Henry listened to the impassioned words and could tell Jo was hurting when she began her song. It was then he saw Thea standing near the entrance and listening to Jo sing the last song of her own repertoire… “What made you change your mind?”
When the song ended, John-Henry watched as Thea quickly exited the bar in tears.
†
Thea was crying softly on the porch and hadn’t heard the soft footfalls of Daisy as she opened the screened door and walked out with coffee for them both. It was heart wrenching for her to see the child in pain. Whatever the trouble was, it wasn’t going to end like this. It wasn’t an option. Not for the gentle young woman who had done nothing in this life except love her father and want to help him through his woes. It had been a difficult time for her during the past five years, after the drinking and gambling took control of her father.
Now there was a little hope for her. Thea had seen something in Joanna Lackerly that brought a torch to light the flame of hope within the dear woman. By all that was holy, she wasn’t going to see it extinguished by the arrogant son of a bitch, George Andrews.
“Thea, darling, please, drink this. It will make you feel better.” Daisy passed a coffee cup to the crying woman.
Thea looked up at her with red-rimmed eyes and gave her a slight smile as she gratefully accepted the cup. “I’m not sure it will make me feel better, but thanks, Daisy.”
“Once you take a drink and tell me what’s going on, then perhaps with the coffee and the talk we can find a solution. What do you say?” Daisy grinned engagingly.
It was then that Daisy listened as Thea began her story. She learned why the banker had come to visit and later Joanna’s lack of trust in her.
“She wouldn’t tell me exactly what was going on or if anything that George said was true. If she’d only trusted me with the information, maybe we might have worked something out. All I could see was how hurt she was by my words and I let her go without a word of support.”
“So you decide that it’s in Joanna’s best interest for you to stay here and fend off Andrews. Is that it?” Daisy asked gently.
Thea blew her nose on her tissue that was sopping wet with her tears and weakly nodded. “Yes, so it would keep her out of trouble with the sheriff.”
Daisy chuckled. “If Joanna had anything to worry about on that score, do you think she would still be singing in the bar? Sheriff Smith might be in debt to Andrews but he knows the law. He’s very black and white in those circumstances, Thea, and you know it.” Daisy was certain that if they had anything substantial on the woman she would be in jail. She also knew that certain parties could get emotions running high and things could get out of hand easily and then perhaps Joanna might have a problem.
“I can’t take the chance that she might end up in jail.”
“Darling, the only thing that is going to be trouble for Joanna is when you travel with her and she has to keep you out of trouble.” Daisy laughed at the affronted look she received.
“I’m not going with her, Daisy. I won’t see her beaten again and I never want to see her suffer in any way because of me,” Thea said vigorously.
“Don’t you think she’s going to suffer more if she doesn’t know the truth?” Daisy countered.
“What truth is that? She wouldn’t understand my reasons.”
“Love. That’s the truth. I’ve never known anyone that didn’t understand that type of reason.”
“I can’t tell Joanna I love her, Daisy.” Thea looked as if she were agitated while trying to puzzle out the negative and positive issues in her head.
“Why not? She obviously cares about you or she wouldn’t have asked you to go with her. Would she?” Daisy had a knowing smile on her face.
“Because—”
“Because you’re afraid. My child, we are all afraid of reaching out for something that might be taken away, or never given back with equal measure. Darling, it’s worth taking that step if there’s a chance in a million that your love is returned.” Daisy wanted Thea to understand that she had choices.
“I could lose her, or even worse, she could end up in jail if I try to leave with her,” Thea whispered.
“Thea, answer one thing and only one thing, for that’s all that will matter in the end. Would you be happier going with her and taking your chances together than staying here knowing that you have no chances left? You know where that will lead.” Daisy stroked Thea’s bangs away from her eyes and saw the answer without words.
“I’ll leave you to ponder that thought, my child. Don’t forget to lock the door, whatever you decide.” Daisy got up and walked toward the screen door when Thea suddenly engulfed her in a warm hug.
“I love you, Daisy.” Thea whispered tearfully into Daisy’s neck.
Daisy shifted and hugged Thea back. “Yes, I know you do and I love you too. So drink your coffee and stop crying before this old woman joins you.”
†
Thea smiled tenderly at the retreating back of the woman who had at least given her things to think about, even if she hadn’t made a decision. After walking back to her chair, she looked toward the town. The faint strains of music floated down the street from the bar just as her mind drifted to the problems at hand.
†
Jo sat on the steps leading to the bar, her guitar by her side and her few personal possessions in the haversack at her feet in the dust. She gingerly placed her hand on her left eye and grimaced at the pain it caused. She smiled ruefully, for that pain was nothing to what she felt at leaving without Thea by her side.
The sunrise was beautiful, with gentle swirls of golden light heralding the dawn of a new day along with the fresh possibilities that lay ahead. Jo gave it a cursory glance and sighed. She waited patiently for the bus that would pass through town and take her away, part of the way to her destination—Nashville.
She’d said her good-byes to John-Henry, who had been sad to see her go but made her promise to call him if she needed any help. There was also the promise of free tickets if she made it in Nashville. Jo had laughed at his optimism. It had cheered her up and made her think of something other than her melancholy thoughts of Thea.
Lucy had surprised her at the end of the night with a short visit to say goodbye. She brought freshly made sandwiches and snacks for the journey. Jo had to wipe a tear away at that gesture. No matter how happy she felt at leaving, she would miss some good people. Once she boarded the bus, she would be leaving the nondescript town with a heavy heart. Definitely a first for her.
In the distance, on the horizon, she could see a dust cloud approaching the end of Main Street. With one last glance at the motel, she wondered if Thea had gone back there for the night. Maybe even for the rest of her life. She shook the thought away while pulling her tall frame up from the steps before stepping down onto the road, away from the building. Her arm rose to signal the approaching vehicle and picking up her bags and guitar case she looked around her and gave a wry smile.
Hell, a month ag
o I was cursing having that argument with Jed that brought me here. Now, I’m wondering why it is causing me so much more heartache to leave. Her attention returned to the approaching bus, her heart too heavy to contemplate what she was about to give up.
“Could you use company on the journey?” Thea placed two battered suitcases down. Jo’s back stiffened at the sound of the voice she had never expected to hear ever again. It was like music to her starved heart. “Who says I’m going on a journey?” Jo answered with happy confidence.
“Isn’t that why you’re waiting for the bus,” Thea replied.
“Yeah, yeah, it is. Don’t know how long the journey will last though. Sure you’re up for it?” Jo still hadn’t dared turn around. She felt sure it was a trick of the early morning and she was talking to herself. The oncoming bus was about to stop any second to pick her up. No, to pick them up, she prayed.
“Yes, I’m up for it. For however long it lasts, Joanna. Even if it’s a lifetime.”
Jo heard a breath sucking in—it was hers. She turned around with a wide infectious grin that Thea returned in equal measure.
“Well, I’m not sure getting to Nashville will take a lifetime, but let’s go, shall we?”
Thea laughed and picked up her bags as the driver opened the bottom doors for them to stow their belongings.
“You know, Thea, you’re going to have to ditch the suitcases. We need to travel light.”
Jo smirked at Thea’s distressed glance at her cases. “That’s fine for now, Thea. We’ll work it out. Never fear.”
“You know that no one told Tony that I wasn’t staying at the motel. I saw him asleep in his truck parked in front of the building. I think he was on guard duty.” Thea grinned. “I don’t think I want to be him when good old George finds out I’ve gone.”
“Come on, let’s take our seats.” Jo grinned at the news. “Serves ‘em both right. The bus will be long gone before they know you’re not there.”
“Joanna, may I ask you a personal question?” Thea wrinkled her nose as she slid into a seat.
Joanna sat next to Thea and smiled. “Sure. Ask away.”
“You don’t always travel without getting a shower do you? I think that in the future you need to break that habit if you do.”
Jo laughed so loud that the two other passengers on the bus looked in her direction. “Well, you see, it was like this, Thea…” Joanna settled down next to her friend as the bus speedily left the town.
Chapter Twelve
“Thea, are you home?” Jo flung her backpack onto the side table, causing it to totter. She quickly grabbed hold of the vase of fresh flowers threatening to fall. It was a pleasure to come home to a clean house where she didn’t have to do anything.
Jo smiled recalling her days at the motel with Thea—a month she never would forget. In that time, they formed a solid friendship and thanks to John-Henry had the opportunity of a potential singing contract in Nashville…
They had arrived in Nashville three months earlier with little more than the shirts on their backs and even less money in their pockets. Now hard work, even stacking shelves in a local supermarket would see them through. There was no way Thea was going to end up in the gutter.
Keeping an eye on the inexperienced woman had become second nature.
At times, she wondered how the timid and innocent Thea managed to worm her way into her heart so rapidly. Jo’s life had demanded that she survive in any way she could and she had few experiences left to challenge her but not so for Thea.
John-Henry’s friend Jack Wicklow was true to his word. After listening to Jo sing in person, he advanced her enough money to rent a modest apartment along with money for other necessities. He’d told her that he knew she was going to make it big and it was only the first installment.
It made her heart flutter and her belly warm knowing that she would always be able to look out for Thea and keep her safe. Thea looked after the domestic needs of their lives. Jo found she had the amazing talent of taking anywhere and making it a home. The once dingy apartment was now a colorful, clean place that Jo was proud to call home.
The thing called friendship was turning out to be very satisfying.
“Thea, you home?” Jo called again as she walked into the kitchen. She was surprised that there were no succulent smells wafting through the room. It was empty. Spotless and tidy, but empty.
Jo looked out the small kitchen window, wondering if ever she would make the big time and have the luxury of a beautiful view one day. She snatched a cookie from the plate that Thea had around for visitors. Or so she said. There was always a fresh batch for Jo to snaffle and she suspected Thea made them for her since visitors were practically nonexistent except for the neighbor above them.
As she was munching on the delicious chocolate cookie, she walked into the living area surprised that Thea wasn’t there either. She was either asleep or out somewhere. It was only four-thirty in the afternoon so it was doubtful she was taking a nap.
Once she’d settled on the sofa, stretching her long denim clad legs on the cushions she picked up the remote and turned the television on, using it as background noise while she relaxed from the long studio session. It had been a very busy day and she was tired. In the past three months, she had been practicing for long hours and although she knew it was for her benefit, her lack of a social life was getting to her.
Even Thea had given up on them having time to tour the city together. Thea had made a friend in one of the neighbors and now had someone to go out with and explore the town. Jo didn’t really mind, for she was happy with her music and that was what paid the bills. She reasoned that it was a great way for Thea to stretch her wings and find out what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. The unsettling feeling in her stomach made her wonder if she was all that happy with Thea’s newfound friendship.
Jo yawned. Thea won’t be long, she never goes far, she told herself before letting the peace of the apartment lull her to sleep.
†
Thea smiled engagingly at her new friend, Alice Richards, who lived in the apartment above them. Alice didn’t mind the odd late session that Joanna indulged in when she was working on a new song and would often come around from time to time to see a live performance. Joanna, ever the showgirl, seemed to bask in the attention. Joanna was a star to her and there was no doubt to the whole world one day—she just knew it.
“Alice, how’s it been today?”
Alice worked in a law firm as an underwriter. It wasn’t the most sensational job in the world but it had its compensations and paid the rent. The woman seemed quite happy with her lot in life although she admitted that she wouldn’t mind settling down one day and was envious of Thea’s relationship with Joanna. Thea did have to explain that they weren’t a couple in that sense although she longed for that to be true. She knew Joanna liked her but not to the same degree that Thea did. With each passing day she was more certain she loved Joanna and her dream was that they would be a couple.
“Great. What about yourself?” Alice asked.
“Oh, you know me. I’m enjoying getting around the city. After living in a small town all my life, it’s a novelty.”
“A novelty you will find will wear off in time. I hope it doesn’t tarnish for you too soon.” Alice grinned as they walked toward the small apartment building in a mid-priced area of the city. “Who knows, you could be living with a star one day.”
Thea’s shining eyes looked up at one particular set of windows and smiled. Joanna was a star and without her, Thea wouldn’t be free from the entanglements that would have emotionally killed her. “Oh, I think there’s a great chance of that in the future.”
As they climbed the steps to the apartment, a wolf whistle stopped them. Thea turned and saw a group of young men on motorcycles leering at them. She dropped her eyes fractionally. Joanna always tried to make her more assertive in handling what she termed the riffraff element of humanity who tried to feed off the innocent in this world.<
br />
“Hey, beautiful, wanna come for a ride?” asked the guy on the lead motorcycle. The girl already sitting behind him scowled.
Alice turned to face them. “No.”
“Oh, I wasn’t talking to you, red. I’m waiting for your friend’s answer.” His voice dropped seductively as his eyes roamed Thea’s body. His taunts reminded her that she had seen enough of this kind of baiting for a lifetime.
I thought I left this behind in Danvers.
“No, thanks.” Thea tugged on Alice’s sleeve. “Let’s go. Joanna will be waiting and it’s already after five,” she whispered.
The biker quickly dismounted his bike and ran up the stairs between them and the entrance to the building before they knew it.
“Want to whisper in my ear, beautiful,” he said playfully.
The man was quite handsome in a tough way. His stubble had the effect of giving him an extra dimension to his masculinity. Thea remembered Joanna telling her that the look was raw sexuality. It might be to Joanna but certainly didn’t ring any of her bells.
“No, thanks. Perhaps another time.”
The young man smiled broadly showing gleaming white teeth. He lifted his hand and passed a fleeting finger across her cheek before grinning. “I’ll hold you to that.”
He vaulted down the stairs and mounted his bike before roaring away.
“Wow. Thea, you handled that well.”
“I didn’t do anything. Come on let’s go. Joanna will be home.” Thea looked at her friend and smiled. “Want to drop in for supper in an hour?”
Alice shook her head. “Sorry, I have my night class in an hour. Can I have a raincheck?”
“Sure. You know you are welcome anytime.”
†
Thea unlocked the door and walked into the apartment hearing the low hum of the television. She sniffed the air. It lacked any smell that told her that Joanna had started dinner. Not that she expected it since it wasn’t her field. They had tried it a couple of times but the singer couldn’t add cooking on her many skills set.
