by Ilona Fridl
As she unbuttoned his shirt, she gazed into his eyes. “Let’s have a night to remember.” She rubbed his chest.
Tim stood up, unbuckling his belt and unsnapping his pants, then kicked off his shoes and removed his socks. She rose, holding him in an embrace before she pulled out his shirt and finished unbuttoning it. Removing it, she kissed down his chest to his stomach, and Tim moaned with pleasure. When she removed his pants and briefs, he enfolded her in a passionate kiss, and she felt him getting hard. She pulled him down with her on the bed and caressed him. Tim moaned again. “Oh, baby,” he said, running his fingers through her long hair.
Tim kissed her again, guiding her shoulders gently and easing her onto her back. Opening her legs, he worked her with his tongue and fingers until she shattered in ecstasy.
Teri changed position with him, pushing him on his back and straddling him, then lowered herself onto him. She moved up and down in her own rhythm until she came again.
Pulling off, she drew him on top. “Please make long, slow love to me.” He entered her and, for a while, they were one. For the first time, they had an orgasm together and lay there in each other’s arms, enjoying the closeness.
As they settled down to sleep, he wiped her cheeks. “Why are there tears?”
“I just realized how much I’m going to miss you.” Teri snuggled up in the crook of his arm.
“I’m going to miss you too, baby.” Tim drew her to him and kissed her damp cheeks.
The next morning, Teri put away the last of the dinner dishes while Tim packed. When he brought out the suitcases, setting them just outside the door, Teri sighed. “When is the limo coming?”
“Soon. Teri, you know you can live here while I’m gone.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t bear to live here for a year without you. Too many things would remind me how lonely I’ll be. Carol and I are moving into a small apartment off the Strip. She couldn’t stand living in John’s apartment alone either.”
Just then, there was a knock at the door and a handsome chauffeur stood there. “Mr. Olson?” he asked, and Tim nodded. “Your limo is here.”
Pointing to the suitcases outside the door, Tim directed, “You can load these in the trunk. I’ll be there in a few minutes.” The chauffeur nodded as Tim closed the door.
The couple locked in an embrace, tears streaming down their faces. Finally finding his voice, he cupped her chin. “I’ll look for you when I get back, I promise.” She could only nod. “Teri, I love you.” He kissed her, and then he was gone.
Teri sobbed at the door as she watched the limo pull out of sight. Why did he pick now to tell her he loved her? He’d never said that before. She thought of what Dana had told them and knew it had all happened like she said. Closing the door, Teri went to the couch, where she cried for a long time.
****
Tim watched Teri as the limo pulled out. God, it hurts to leave her. Now, I start my new adventure. He blew his nose in his handkerchief and stared out the window. This is what I’ve been waiting for most of my life. All those chicks throwing themselves at me. He felt strangely torn. I’ve got Teri on a string, I won’t lose her. She doesn’t have to know what happens. Being a rock star means one big party, doesn’t it? Tim chewed on his thumbnail. I’m going to miss her. The thought of her gave him a hard-on. Get a grip. But losing Dana was never like this. Teri will wait for me.
Watching the landscape fly by, Tim knew he wouldn’t see the familiar mountains and seashore of home for a long time. He wouldn’t see Teri for a long time, either. If I work it right, I can have Teri and enjoy other women, too. One more time, I’ll open the competition with Luke for the tour, then come back to her for good. I told her I loved her, didn’t I? Settling back in his seat, he smiled.
When Tim arrived at the airport, he met with the other three band members at the charter plane after giving his suitcases to the attendant. The whole entourage of manager, roadies, band members, and equipment was going on the same plane. The cabin was very plush, and Tim slid into an overstuffed seat while their manager passed out a several-page itinerary. Mel, a fiftyish man with salt-and-pepper hair and dark brown eyes, then proceeded with his speech.
“Well, boys, you’re all on your way to the big time. You can study the itinerary at your leisure, but basically, you’ll start in Canada and Alaska, through Hawaii, and on to Australia and New Zealand. We’ll take Japan and Hong Kong and some of the islands in that area, but we will skirt the war zone in Southeast Asia. Then we’ll hit South Africa, and next the Middle East and Europe. Finally, we will hit the major cities in South America and work our way up for the United States tour. My public relations department will feed progress reports to the media to keep your name in front of the public during that time. Any questions?”
“Do we get any time off?” John asked.
“We have in your contract that you get one week off every two months.”
“Can we go home during that week?” Roy questioned.
Mel shook his head. “The expense of flying you back and forth is too great. You’ll have to stay in the area where you are at the time. I’m sorry, I know it’s hard to be away from your family and friends for a year, but if you really want fame, you have to make this sacrifice. Anything else?”
“Can our family and friends come visit us?” John asked.
“Sure, but at their own expense. The company won’t pay for it.”
“How about the second album we need to fulfill the contract?” was Tim’s question.
“You boys have enough tracks ready to fill another album. If the tour goes well, the way I expect, I can probably get another sweet deal for you. That’s why this tour is so important. Is that all?”
The guys looked at the stacks of paper in their hands and nodded. Mel clapped John on his shoulder. “Break a leg, boys. I know Virgin Ram will be a great success.” With that, he went back to his seat.
John sighed. “Well, this is what we’ve been working for. It’s hard to believe we’ve made it this far. Although it was hard leaving Carol this morning.”
Roy nodded. “I know what you mean, man. That’s why Linda and I got engaged last night.”
A chorus of “What?” “Congratulations!” and “You crazy son-of-a-bitch!” rang through the cabin.
“We set the date for two weeks after we come back from the tour. She and my family are going to arrange everything.”
John shook his head. “I should have asked Carol, but I plan to call her as much as I can. How about you and Teri, Tim? Are you going to keep in touch?”
An evil carnal side took over Tim’s brain. “I have her so mesmerized now, she’ll wait the year for me. I told her I loved her and would look her up when I get back. I plan this tour to be my last fling, so Luke, the competition is on again. Teri doesn’t have to know what goes on.”
John gaped. “Aren’t you taking Teri for granted?”
“You should have seen her last night. She won’t leave me, no matter what.”
Luke grinned. “Okay, man, scorecards start in New York. I know I’ll win all around the world.”
“You’re on, sucker.”
John and Roy looked at each other, rolling their eyes.
A couple of hours later, they arrived in New York and were whisked to a hotel in Manhattan. The next day, they arrived at the theater to rehearse for the Sunday night show. They set up and started their first song, “Taking On.” At the satisfying conclusion of the music, clapping was heard in the wings.
“Excellent performance, boys! It’s good to see an American band taking the world by storm.” The host himself appeared on the stage with a few men behind him.
Mel went over and introduced the band members. Tim found he couldn’t speak above a whisper as he greeted Mr. Sullivan.
Ed turned to a man who was introduced as the director. “Gene, I want them to play two spots on the show.”
“Yes, sir!” He hurriedly wrote on his clipboard, as the entourage left the stage.
“And now on our stage,” they heard Ed Sullivan say, “is a group of youngsters from Southern California…”
There were screams from the audience and they glanced at each other, giving the thumbs up.
“…that have been making waves on the music charts. Give a welcome to Virgin Ram!”
The curtains parted and Tim’s jitters went away. The cheers and screams from the audience seemed to energize him. God, we’re playing to millions of people sitting in front of their TVs. The thought gave him goose bumps. How many years had he dreamed of being on the Ed Sullivan Show, and now he was. It was everything he had thought it would be. Launching into the back-up vocal on “Taking On,” he had a new energy. We’re going to wow the country tonight! Ed invited the band to the edge of the stage after their second spot to congratulate them. We’re stars now! Tim basked in that thought.
Chapter 8
Sunday evening found Teri and Carol in their apartment, waiting to watch the boys on TV. Carol picked at a thread on the arm of her overstuffed chair. “Teri, Linda called this morning. Roy proposed to her Thursday night and they’re getting married when he gets back. She said to tell you.” Sighing, she studied her hand.
“I take it John didn’t.” Teri glanced up from the couch where she had been reading the newspaper. “Tim didn’t either. Seems like Dana was right.”
Checking the clock on the bookshelf, Carol rose and turned on the small portable TV. “It’s time for the show.”
They stared numbly at the screen and at the first performance of Virgin Ram, Carol said, “They sound great, don’t they?”
Teri eyed her. “You can’t cry anymore either, right?” Carol nodded.
When the last appearance on the show was finished, Carol waved at the screen. “Goodbye, John.”
Teri followed. “Goodbye, Tim.” Turning off the set, they sat in the dark. “Do you think they’ll call?”
“They haven’t yet. They’re probably out celebrating tonight. I really don’t think we’re going to hear from them.” Carol turned the lamp on. “How about you and I move the hell out of LA? There’s quite a scene happening in San Francisco, and I think we could use a change.”
“Where should we go?”
“Let’s go to Golden Gate Park and see what happens.”
Teri jumped up. “We can start making plans in the morning.”
Two weeks later, with the continued pain of Tim and John not calling, they headed up the coast, unsure where this adventure was going to take them. They had quit their jobs, sold Carol’s car, and pooled their cash. Arriving in San Francisco, Teri pulled into a parking lot at Golden Gate Park and they got out of the car to stroll to where the flower children were gathered.
It looked like an international gathering of peace, with everyone decked out in colorful clothes, reminding Teri of the music festival. Some people listened to musicians singing folk songs and joined in on the chorus. Artists worked on crafts of all kinds―leather, beading, jewelry, and more. Here and there small groups were scattered, talking, eating, and, yes, there was a sweet smell of pot. Teri found herself being drawn into the subculture. I need someone who’s happy right now. These people seem to be content.
Someone called her name and Teri turned and saw Mindy, the girl she had met at the music festival. “Mindy, hello! It’s great to see you again. This is my friend, Carol. Carol, this is Mindy, the girl I told you about.”
Mindy nodded a hello to Carol. “What are you two doing up here in ’Frisco?”
Teri looked down. “We needed a change of scenery.”
“Yeah, I heard about Virgin Ram going on a year-long world tour. Bummer.” She turned to Carol. “Were you going with one of them, too?”
Carol sighed. “I was with John Simon.”
“I feel for the both of you.”
“Are you still with Stutz Bearcat?” Teri asked.
“No. We broke up after two of the band members got busted by the narcs. Say, do you have a crash pad?” They shook their heads. “Then come meet my friends, and you can stay with us. We’re using an old building in the Haight-Ashbury district. There’s plenty of room.”
Carol glanced at Teri with a shrug. “Why not?”
“Good. Come on.” Mindy took them by their hands and introduced them one by one to a very strange and mismatched group of people. Redman, the self-proclaimed leader of the pack, was a good-looking American Indian with long braids. His old lady was a small Asian girl called Seagull. Also in the group was a black couple: Trace, who wore the black beret of the Black Panthers, and his lady, Cassie, who was very pregnant. While they talked to everyone, Trace glared. Mindy’s former bandmate Joe was with her, and Dash, a former Stanford student, was in hiding as a draft dodger. There was a boy Mindy didn’t know, but he said his name was Chris. He was a runaway whom Seagull had found and invited to join them.
“Praise the Great Spirit! We now have an even match!” Redman intoned.
“What does that mean?” asked Mindy.
“That means we now have a cosmic balance of male and female.”
Teri wasn’t sure what they were getting into, but she figured she would go along with it for now. At least it was a free place to stay. Later that afternoon, Teri followed Redman’s old pickup back to a building near Haight-Ashbury. They turned into a small parking lot in back.
Redman led them back around the building to the front door to enter the old commercial building. Sheets covered the store windows. Teri hadn’t seen anything like this in her life. Mattresses were scattered along against the walls, with a small kitchen set up in one corner and a full bathroom in the back. Redman explained, “It’s like the lodges built by my forefathers, where all family members live together. We must pair off to keep the cosmic balance.”
With a slight pang of jealousy, Teri watched handsome Dash approach Carol. “Will you join me?” She’d noticed him eying Carol earlier, and admired his sandy hair and blue eyes.
Carol glanced questioningly at Teri, then shrugged. “All right.”
Brown-eyed Chris was the only one left. He seemed lost and scared and very young, and Teri’s heart went out to him. I guess I feel like a runaway myself. Looking at Teri, he blushed to the roots of his light brown hair.
Redman stood in the center, clapping his hands. “It’s time for the evening council. For our new family members, you must bring one of the blankets from the stack and spread it out to sit around the center.” He pointed to a bookshelf by the far wall.
Teri watched and followed what everyone else did. Spreading their blankets on the floor around Redman, they sat cross-legged. Redman filled what looked like an Indian peace pipe. “We welcome our new members, who the Great Spirit has sent us to live in brotherhood and peace. Please rise, Chris, Carol, and Teri.” As they did, Redman lit the pipe and took a draw on it, and Teri smelled the familiar sweet odor. “When you take the pipe, you’ll be part of our family and will live with us in harmony and peace.” There was a slight snort from Trace.
Teri took a draw from the pipe when it was her turn, blurring a bit, because it was stronger than she was used to. She went into a blissful high.
Redman indicated the three new members. “Can any of you cook?”
Teri nodded in her dazed state. “I can.”
Pointing to the mattress nearest the kitchen, he said, “Then that place is yours.”
After the council meeting, everyone paired off to their areas and Chris looked nervous about lying beside her with the sounds of lovemaking coming from around the room.
“It’s all right, Chris. We don’t have to do anything but sleep,” Teri whispered and, seemingly relieved, he stretched out.
As the days went by, Teri got used to the strange arrangements. Even Trace said a
couple of words to her instead of glaring, and Carol and Dash became a couple. No one was the wiser that Teri and Chris were still simply sleeping through the night.
Mindy reintroduced her to coke. Teri was hesitant at first, but all these drugs were giving her a feeling of wellbeing and made her happy again. Without them, she felt the pain of Tim walking away and never getting in touch. Carol was doing the same, she noticed, and they talked a couple of days later. “Do you think the guys ever tried to call us? What if they did and we weren’t there?” Carol asked, crying.
Comforting her, Teri sighed. “I try not to think about that. They didn’t call in those two weeks we were getting ready to come here, and that was the last straw for me. You’d think they would have found a minute, if they really cared. Carol, we were there for them through all the victories on their way to the big time. After the Ed Sullivan Show, it really hurt that they didn’t call. I can’t listen to their music anymore without cringing.”
Carol nodded. “When I talked to Linda, she said Roy had given her a schedule of where they were staying and when. I didn’t get one from John.”
Teri’s stomach knotted. “I didn’t get one either. Let’s face it, they just don’t care about us.” Teri pulled a couple of uppers out of her pocket and handed one to Carol. “Here, I think we need this.”
A week later, Teri found Chris sitting on the flower planter in front. “Chris, can I talk to you?” He nodded, and she continued, “Why did you run away from home?”
He looked at her sadly. “My parents got a divorce and the man my mother married kept slapping me around until I couldn’t take it anymore. So I left home.”
“You didn’t graduate from school, did you?” He shook his head. “Chris, listen to me. Don’t ruin your life like this. Go back home and finish school, then leave them forever, if you have to.”
“Are you a runaway, too?”
“In a way, but I did finish school first.”
“And you ended up here, anyway.”
Smart kid, he got me. “Other things messed me up. Don’t use me as an example. Just think about going back.”
