Iris Rainbow

by Ilona Fridl

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Praise for Ilona Fridl

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Epilogue

  A word about the author...

  Thank you for purchasing this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

  Iris Rainbow

  by

  Ilona Fridl

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  Iris Rainbow

  COPYRIGHT © 2014 by Ilona Fridl

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  Contact Information: info@thewildrosepress.com

  Cover Art by Rae Monet, Inc. Design

  The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

  PO Box 708

  Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

  Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

  Publishing History

  First Mainstream Historical Rose Edition, 2014

  Print ISBN 978-1-62830-214-1

  Digital ISBN 978-1-62830-215-8

  Published in the United States of America

  Praise for Ilona Fridl

  IRIS RAINBOW finaled

  in the WisRWA Fab Five Contest

  “IRIS RAINBOW is a gritty, gutsy look at the dark side of the Summer of Love in California. Ilona Fridl takes readers on a psychedelic journey of first love and music, to heartbreak and addiction, promiscuity and despair. Ultimately, Iris Rainbow soars free, finding her real self again and leaving her transitory past behind, discovering a life of lasting love and fulfillment.”

  ~Kathie Giorgio, author

  ~*~

  The Dangerous Times Trilogy

  “SILVER SCREEN HEROES has it all. Suspense, romance, mystery, history.”

  ~Vee, Night Owl Romance Reviews (4.75 Hearts)

  “Read SILVER SCREEN HEROES and join the magic of an era long past and feel the miracle of true love. Excellent read!”

  ~Marianne Gibson, Between the Lines (4 Stars)

  “Ilona Fridl’s GOLDEN NORTH is truly an adventure worth joining. Take an armchair travel opportunity to go to Alaska. This wild state is a wonderful backdrop for such a great novel.”

  ~Ursshebear, Night Owl Reviews (Top Pick)

  “A quick and enjoyable read that drew me in from the first page to the last even without reading the first two books…romance, some laughter, lots of angst and a few tears…family, friends, history, battles, casualties, injuries, a stalker, mystery and suspense.”

  ~Romancing the Book (4 Roses)

  Dedication

  To the love of my life,

  Mark,

  who helped make this story sing

  Prologue

  At the words “Ladies and gentlemen, KRLA is pleased to present The Beatles!” sixteen-year-old Teri Darden was engulfed in a wave of noise from the crowd. She could just make out their new song, “Help.” She looked over at her close friend, Evie Campbell, and their eyes caught as they joined in the frenzy. To Teri, the audience seemed to have a life form of its own, seething and writhing.

  Screaming from the audience echoed off the dark hills behind them, and she could barely hear. The Hollywood Bowl had never seen its like, she was sure. It was hard to believe the Fab Four were in the same area as she. It had been love at first sight when she stared at The Ed Sullivan Show and was bowled over by this English group. Now here they were in front of her, looking even better in person, especially Paul, on whom she had a crush.

  Too soon, the Beatles left the stage. Teri and Evie sat next to their respective boyfriends, David Kelsey and Ken Barnes, waiting for a break in the large mass of humanity blocking the aisle next to them.

  “David, you got great seats!” Teri rasped, hoarse from screaming. “So close, and what a view!”

  He smiled. “My dad got them for me. Working for the entertainment section of the LA Times, he gets tickets for just about everything.”

  “What a great way to freeload off your father.” Ken laughed.

  “You’d better be nice to me, since I paid for your date tonight.”

  “I drove, sucker. You owe me gas, then.” Ken patted David on the head.

  David retorted, “It’s your dad’s car, so you’re a freeloader, too!”

  Trying to clear their throats, Teri and Evie made a vain attempt to talk. Teri’s ears were still ringing.

  “Come on, we’d better start back to the car.” Ken took Evie’s arm and guided her into the moving column of people, then Evie grasped Teri’s hand, and David brought up the rear. We must look like a snake winding its way through the crowd. Finally, they made their way to the blue Chevy station wagon.

  Ken and Evie climbed into the front seat while David and Teri slid in behind them. Teri suddenly was very tired and put her head back, closing her eyes. Not hearing the car start, she opened them again and saw the traffic in the parking lot was at a standstill.

  “Might as well wait for some of the cars to clear out.” Ken put his arm around Evie, and she turned to him and they kissed with passion.

  “Sounds good to me.” David put his hand on the back of Teri’s neck and drew her over for a kiss, making a move to caress her breast, but she laced her fingers through his.

  “I’m not ready for that yet.”

  “Let me know when you are.”

  Teri snuggled into David’s arms for a few minutes before Ken turned the key in the ignition. They were on their way.

  ****

  Looking out the window of John Simon’s black Ford pickup, Tim Olson sighed. Slouching down on the passenger side of the cab, he put his arms behind his head, dreaming of girls screaming for him. Glancing over at John, who was leaning on the steering wheel with his chin on his hands, watching the cars not moving in front of them, Tim poked John on the arm.

  “Do you think we’ll ever be that popular with our band?” Tim warmed to the idea. “Wouldn’t that be cool to have all those chicks throwing themselves at us?”

  John chuckled. “You’re beginning to sound like Luke. I don’t think we’ll get anywhere without a manager or an agent. Since we got out of high school, all we’ve managed to get bookings for is high school dances and weddings. It seems pretty dead end to me.”

  “Maybe we can ask around. We’re good enough. I’m sure of it. Four years out of high school, we should be doing better than this. My dad is starting to bug me about going to college.”

  “Yeah, I told my dad I would give it a five-year try, and I’ve got one year left. Let’s get Roy and Luke next week and find someone who’ll represent us. Who knows, we may get a record contract someday.”

  Drifting off, Tim stared out the window and into the night sky, dreaming of riches and fame. The roar of the pickup engine startled him out of his reverie. Cars in the parking lot were moving, so John pulled out into the line. Tim turned on the radio and resumed his thoughts.

  Chapter 1

  Teri and her mother were setting the table for dinner. T
eri glanced up to comment, “It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since the Beatles concert. They’re supposed to be back this year, but I don’t think we can go.” As her gaze came to rest on the car pulling up in the driveway outside, she added, “Oh, here’s Dad.”

  Her father, a flight instructor at the nearby airport, breezed in and greeted her mother. “Well, we didn’t lose any students today,” he added, then turned to Teri. “Pixie, when are you going to learn to fly?”

  Rolling her eyes, Teri sighed. “Dad, please don’t call me that anymore, I’m seventeen. I told you I don’t want to fly a plane like Laura did.”

  “Did I hear my name mentioned?” Teri’s sister entered the room with a grin.

  Embracing his oldest daughter, Father smiled a welcome. “Laura, it’s good to see you! How long are you home from college?”

  “For a few days. I don’t have classes for the rest of the week.”

  By this time, Mother had brought the pork roast out and everything else was on the table. Sitting, they passed the food around, and when they started eating, Father turned to Teri. “Pix—er, Teri, do you have plans this weekend?”

  “Yes, Dad, why?”

  “I need you to mow the lawn.”

  “Sure, I’ll do it Sunday afternoon.”

  “Do you have a date this week?”

  Teri looked at him. “Yes, Saturday. I’m going to the Scene to see a brand-new group called Virgin Ram. It’s their first appearance at the club this weekend. Bud Tyler is going to introduce them, and they’ll be in Alhambra once a month.”

  He was silent for a moment. “Who are you going with?”

  Biting her lip, Teri ventured, “Evie, Ken, and…David.”

  With a stern line to his mouth, he remarked, “Didn’t you go out with David a couple of weeks ago? I told you, I didn’t want you going steady in high school.”

  “Daddy, I do go out with other boys that ask me. It’s just that David asks me out a lot.”

  “I don’t want you to get too serious about this boy. I’m concerned that if you only date one boy, things might get out of control. I worry about you getting too deeply involved.”

  She smiled sweetly at her father. “Dad, I know. Don’t worry about me.” Just get off my back.

  Concern wrote on his face. “I do all the time.”

  Laura glanced at Teri. “That’s the same rule I had. You’ll survive.” Teri snorted.

  Picking at her food, she thought about the sandy-haired surfer dude she’d dated since she was sixteen. Knowing David for the last five years, Teri liked him a lot, but she didn’t know if she loved him. I feel good with him. We like the same things, but why don’t I feel those fireworks that are supposed to happen?

  Saturday evening, Teri had just finished combing her long auburn hair when her mother called, “Teri, David’s here!” Teri made sure her white lace blouse and green mini skirt were straight and went to greet David. They were meeting Evie and Ken in the club’s parking lot.

  Teri walked into the Scene teen club with eager anticipation. She dug her elbow in Evie’s side. “I hear Virgin Ram is popular all over Los Angeles.”

  Evie nodded. “I’ve never seen them before, but I know the reports are all good.”

  The four friends squeezed onto the dance floor to get a good view. When Bud Tyler, the owner, walked on stage, David chuckled. “That guy really looks out of place in his own club, with that dark gray suit and his hair in an out-of-style pompadour.” Bud looked at the eager crowd through his black horn-rimmed glasses.

  Ken put his arm around Evie. “He may be out of date, but he sure knows how to find talent.”

  “We are pleased to have with us this evening,” Bud said with a flourish, “a new group from Encino that has caused a stir around the area. We will have them here once a month at the Scene, and I hope you will welcome them. Here is John Simon on drums.” Coming out to cheers, John settled on the stool behind the drum set, waving to the crowd. “On the keyboard, Roy Gardner.” The cheering continued as Roy stood behind the electric keyboard, bowing. “On the bass guitar, Tim Olson.” Tim came out, picked up his bass, and smiled at the audience, while Teri felt her heart skip. What a dreamboat! “And lead guitar and singer, the most popular, Luke Knoll.”

  When Luke came out into the spotlight with his guitar, the girls in the club went crazy. Evie’s eyes grew large. “Wow! He is every inch a rock star. See how tight his clothes are? He just oozes sex.”

  Bud yelled out, “Let’s hear an Alhambra welcome for Virgin Ram!” Everyone went wild as the group launched into “Shout.”

  When the band took a break, Teri and Evie went into the restroom. When she heard the heavy green door shut with a thump, Teri grabbed Evie’s hand. “Did you see him?” Teri fanned herself.

  Evie grinned. “You mean Luke? Isn’t he fabulous?” She leaned toward the large mirror behind the white porcelain sinks to check her makeup, then smoothed out her shoulder-length brown hair.

  “No, I meant Tim, the bass guitarist. The one with the smile that just melts me.” Both turned to look as three more girls came in, chattering.

  Evie pulled a folded piece of paper from her purse and waved it under Teri’s nose. “I found these fliers about the group on a table in the front lobby, and it says here that a fan club is forming. We could sign up. It would be the first one we’ve joined for a local group.”

  “I’m with you.” Going into the small lobby, Teri took one of the fliers off the table and put it in her purse.

  Their boyfriends were waiting for them by the dance floor, and David grabbed Teri’s arm. “We have time for one more set before we have to go.”

  Teri pointed to the stage. “They’re coming back!” Almost breathless, she watched the group ready their instruments.

  The next set started with a slow tune. David and Teri danced, and she discreetly maneuvered toward the stage, getting a good look at Tim. He had dark thick hair, down to a little past the nape of his neck, and a handsome face with very striking green eyes. She judged his height at about six feet, and he looked well built. He wore the same outfit as the rest of the group: a red shirt with white collar and cuffs, open to his mid-chest, and silver herringbone hip-huggers with a white belt. Black boots completed the uniform. Tim looked very―was sexy the right word?

  All of a sudden, she heard, “Teri―TERI! Are you listening to me? The music stopped.”

  She stared at David and felt her face go warm. “I―I’m sorry, David. I was daydreaming. What did you say?”

  Watching her, he sighed, then laughed, and repeated, “I said, let’s go sit with Ken and Evie for a couple of numbers.”

  Teri followed him to one of the tables on the side of the dance floor. Evie giggled as she dug her elbow into Teri’s side. “Your next crush?”

  Teri stuck her tongue out. “Shut up!” she hissed, but her face burned again. She absentmindedly traced the wood grain in the old table with her fingernail.

  During every dance after that, Teri snuck peeks at Tim over David’s shoulder. She couldn’t remember ever being this flustered before. A couple of times, Tim looked like he was watching her and smiling.

  After the second set finished, the four friends said their goodbyes in the parking lot, and David and Teri got into his old white Chevy. At Teri’s house, he pulled to the curb and shut the engine off.

  “Thank you for the fantastic evening, David.”

  He gazed at her for a moment, his face glowing green in the lights from the dashboard. “Teri, I want to go steady with you.” He clasped her hand tight.

  “David, you know what my father said. I can’t go steady in high school. That’s his number one rule,” she said, squeezing his hand back. Anyway, I don’t know if you’re the one.

  “It stinks. Why can’t we go steady anyway? Your father doesn’t have to know.” He took both her hands, looking at her intently.

  “I can’t lie to my father. I never have, and I’m not going to start now.” Teri steeled her spine. �
��You know I care about you. We’ll still see each other.”

  A shadow seemed to pass across his eyes. “It’s just that I’m afraid I’ll lose you to someone else,” he said in a low voice.

  Letting go of his hands and lifting his chin up, she studied his face for a moment. “David, no matter who I date, I’ll always come back to you, I promise.” They kissed tenderly. “I have to go in. Goodnight, David.”

  “Goodnight, Teri.” She got out of the car and walked up the driveway to the house, then turned and waved. He waved back before he started the engine and drove off down the street. Why does it feel like I lied to him? She sighed, opening the door.

  ****

  At the Scene, members of Virgin Ram were ending their last set, with the audience applauding wildly before getting ready to leave. Tim Olson scanned the crowd, wondering where that girl went that he’d noticed earlier. Coming up behind him, Luke slapped him on the shoulder.

  “Looks like we’re a hit here in Alhambra.” Luke grinned. “Hey, Tim, are you looking for somebody?”

  “Yeah, I saw a gorgeous redhead here earlier, but I don’t see her now.”

  “You mean the one in the green mini skirt? I was checking her out, too. Maybe she’ll be here next month.”

  “I hope so. I’d like to meet her.”

  “Hey, quit drooling.” Luke gave Tim a sleazy smile.

  Hitting him on the arm, Tim smirked. “Look who’s talking, you with the notches on your dick. Come on, we’d better start tearing down and loading up.”

  Luke muttered under his breath, “It’s sure going to be nice when we get roadies to do the grunt work for us.”

  Unplugging the amps and starting to coil the cable, Tim was thoughtful. “You know, we’ve really come far since we hired Mel as our manager. He’s gotten us better gigs than we could ever come up with on our own. It’s about time.”

  Luke nodded. “Sure is. With him taking our original songs to record companies, I hope we get something out of that, too. Roy told me our high school friend Dolores is offering to start a fan club. Hey, maybe we can get a break on a local teen television show.”

  “I remember trying to convince my parents that I wanted a music career instead of college. They didn’t like it at first, but they did agree. It looks like the tide is finally turning.”