by Ilona Fridl
Arriving at their charter plane at three that afternoon, anxious to get to Los Angeles for their final concert the next night, Tim agreed with Roy and Luke that they were eager to get home. John expressed reservations, though. He was afraid the full impact of Carol not being there would hit hard.
As they slid into their seats, John turned to Tim. “What the hell were you doing up so early this morning?”
“I told you. I had an errand to run.” He pulled a small box out of his jacket pocket. “I bought a ring set at the jewelry store across from the hotel. I’m going to ask Teri to marry me.”
Luke’s jaw dropped. “Well, you old son-of-a-bitch, I was just going to rag you on the number of girls I had over you.”
Tim put the box back. “Toward the end of the tour, I kept comparing other women with Teri, and I couldn’t get her off my mind. She’s the one I want.”
An hour later, Tim was in the limo the record company had hired to take the group members back to their homes. Since they were in their hometown, it didn’t make sense to get a hotel room. Tipping the chauffeur after the suitcases had been brought up, Tim unlocked the door.
The apartment was clean, because he’d arranged for a maid service to come in once a month. Tim took a deep breath. It looked the same as when he left. The half-burned candles were still on the dining table and the Glenn Miller record was in its jacket on the stereo cabinet. He almost expected Teri to come out and greet him, but the apartment was silent. I’ll take care of that after the concert.
Their final concert was completely sold out. Although Tim scanned the crowd before and after to see if Teri was there, he couldn’t find her.
Mel waited backstage for them when they were finished taking their bows. “Congratulations, boys, on a job well done.” He clapped them on their shoulders. “The record execs are very impressed with what you’ve accomplished. Now remember, we have a meeting with them in two days, at one sharp, to discuss the tour. Then you boys have a well-deserved three months off before starting the next album.”
They all nodded.
John drove Tim back to his apartment―Tim had found the battery in his Corvette was dead.
“Tim, why don’t I pick you up Tuesday, and we can go to lunch before the meeting,” John said as he pulled to a stop in front of Tim’s apartment building.
“Sure, give me a call before you leave.”
Waking up the next morning around eleven, Tim decided today was the day he was going to find Teri. Shuffling through the drawer he kept addresses and phone numbers in, he found the slip of paper she’d given him with her parents’ number on it. If anyone knew where she was, they would, although he knew he wasn’t popular with them.
Trying the number, a pleasant-sounding woman said, “Hello?”
“Hello. Is this Mrs. Darden?”
“Yes, it is. Who’s this?”
“This is Tim Olson. I just got back from the concert tour and was wondering if you could tell me where Teri is.”
Mrs. Darden was silent for a moment. “I’m sorry, Tim, it would be better if you didn’t see Teri,” she said coldly.
Tim’s throat started to constrict. “Why?”
“It’s really none of your business. I shouldn’t be talking to you.”
“Wait, Mrs. Darden, don’t hang up! I was going to ask Teri to marry me.” The anguish in his voice surprised even him.
“Teri is already married. The ceremony was New Year’s Eve. She got involved with drugs while she was with you, and when you left, she got worse. We almost lost her. She spent time in the hospital withdrawing from them. You were unavailable when she really needed you, so she married someone who cared.”
“Did she marry her boyfriend from high school? Was David his name?”
“Yes, she did.”
Tears were starting to form, blurring his vision. “Give her my love and best wishes.”
“Don’t you dare interfere or try to contact her. She’s gone through enough already. If you love her, let her go.”
“I will. Goodbye, Mrs. Darden.” And he hung up.
Tim imagined he knew how John felt when he learned Carol was dead. Gazing around the apartment, all he could see reminded him of Teri. Wandering into the bedroom, he opened the closet door and touched the designer gowns he’d purchased for Teri to wear to the charity events. Tim ran his hand down one of the dresses, lifted it, and got a faint whiff of Teri’s perfume. With a sob, he saw on the dresser a picture of them with John and Carol. He picked it up and stared at it. He tried to will himself into it and then, in a burst of anger, hurled the picture against the wall, shattering it.
Through the dark emotions surging through him, he heard the phone ring. Like a man in a fog, he answered it. “Hello?” he said with a rasp.
“Tim? This is your mother. I called to say welcome home. What’s wrong?”
“Mom, I was going to ask Teri to marry me, but I just found out she’s married someone else.”
“Son, I have to say I’m not surprised, with the way you treated her.”
“Why? I told her I loved her before I left, and I said I would find her when I got back.”
His mother was silent for a moment. “Tim, you know your father and I thought she was way too young for you. But in a way, she was more mature. Telling a girl something means nothing if your actions show something else.”
“What do you mean? I treated her very well.”
“While you were here. I kept a scrapbook of the news releases from your tour, and there are many pictures here of you with a lot of different women. I’m sure Teri saw them, too.”
“But they meant nothing to me.”
“Did Teri know that? How many times did you contact her? How many letters did you write?”
“Oh, god—” He closed his eyes. I tried to keep the truth of all those women from her. I should’ve kept in touch. I thought Teri was firmly in the palm of my hand. Stupid, stupid, stupid!
“Tim, I love you dearly, but you brought this on yourself. Do you want to come home for a while?”
“No, but thanks, Mom.”
“Try to make it over here soon, and we’ll talk.”
“See you. Bye, Mom.” Numbly, he hung up and wandered to the bar to check what was left. Lining up the bottles, he took the first one and poured himself a drink.
****
Somewhere, Tim heard a phone ring, then raised his head from the overstuffed chair. That was a big mistake. His stomach lurching, he rolled for the plastic trash can in the corner and vomited the booze he’d consumed last night, falling to sleep again. Sometime later, he heard the doorbell and knocking. Swearing, he crawled to the door with the trash can in tow.
“Who’s there?” Tim managed to spit out.
“It’s John. Where have you been, man? I’ve been trying to call you.”
Tim braced against the wall, opening the door.
John made a face. “Oh, shit, what happened to you? You reek!”
Tim’s back was against the wall and he slid down the painted surface. “Teri married someone else.”
John glared at him. “So you went and crawled in a bottle.”
Tim hiccoughed. “My mother thinks I’m immature.”
John put his fists on his hips. “I wonder whatever gave her that idea?”
Grabbing the trash can, Tim vomited again. “Never drink year-old booze, man. It’s pure poison.”
“Damn it, Tim, we have a meeting with the record company in three hours. I have to get you sobered up.” John took him by his shirt collar and pulled him to his feet. Then he half-dragged Tim into the bathroom, turned on the shower full blast, and shoved him into it, clothes and all. “Man, you owe me big time for this one.”
Chapter 11
Married life turned out to be agreeable to Teri. The bank she worked for was only a couple of blocks away, so she always walked to work and let David have the car.
While she was busy at her job one morning, her mother called, asking if she would like to have lunch.
/> “Sure, Mom, that would be great. There’s a coffee shop two doors from the bank. I’ll meet you there at noon.”
“Wonderful, Teri. See you then.”
When she got to the small eatery, it didn’t take Teri long to spot her mother sitting at one of the booths, and as she slid in on the seat her mother said, “I took the liberty of ordering chef’s salads for both of us.”
“Good, that will give us more time to talk.”
Biting her lip, her mother glanced at Teri. “I’ve got something to tell you, but your father didn’t think I should.”
Teri was concerned. “What is it, Mom?”
She held her daughter’s hand. “Teri, Tim called yesterday, looking for you.”
Teri squeezed her mother’s fingers, but couldn’t speak. Her brain was about to explode. He did keep his promise and try to find me. Was I wrong about how he felt about me? And what about that German girl? Her practical side took over and she realized she couldn’t go back on the promise she’d made to David. It wouldn’t be fair to him.
“I told him you were married. He said to give you his love and best wishes. He just got back from the concert tour.”
Teri sat for a long minute. “That’s right, it’s been a year since he left. It seems like a lifetime ago.”
“How do you feel about that?”
Teri sighed. “I meant what I said before I married David. This doesn’t change anything.”
Her mother seemed relieved. “I was hoping you’d say that.” Sitting back as their salads came, she gazed pointedly at Teri. “I do understand how you feel. Your father wasn’t my first choice.”
Teri was shocked. “Mom, what do you mean?”
“When World War Two started, I was engaged to another man. Ted, your father, was his best friend, and both of them enlisted in the Army Air Corps, since they were trained pilots. They ended up at a base in England, flying bombing runs.” Tears appeared in her eyes. “Mike, my fiancé, was killed on one of those missions. Ted started writing letters to me every week, and the letters were so comforting I found myself falling in love with him. So we got married when the war was over.” She stroked Teri’s cheek. “You have it tougher than I did, though.”
“Why?”
“Because the love of my life was dead and I never had to think of him or hear about him again. Tim is alive and famous, and you will hear about him for years to come. I don’t envy you. And don’t tell me you don’t love him anymore. I know you do. You have to be strong.”
Teri smiled. “I never could lie to you. Thank you for being so understanding.”
Finishing their lunch, her mother picked up the check. “Don’t worry, it’s on me.”
“Thanks, Mom, for everything. I have to get back to work.” After a quick hug outside the coffee shop, they went their separate ways.
****
Teri and David often visited with Evie and Ken, who had moved into a small house in Burbank. Ken was a physical education teacher and coach at a high school nearby. Evie was expecting their first baby in November. Teri called her in October of 1970 with some news.
“Evie, guess what! I just got a call from the doctor and I’m pregnant! The drugs didn’t mess up my system after all.”
“Teri, part of me wants to say congratulations. The other part says, just wait a few months, and you’ll see how great it is―swollen ankles, backache, and all.” Evie laughed. “What did David say?”
“I haven’t told him yet. I called my mom, then you.”
“Oh, that’s going to make him feel special. When’s the baby due?”
“The doctor calculated around May twenty-fourth.”
“Isn’t that about the time of David’s graduation from college?”
“Evie, what are the chances it will happen on the same day as the ceremony?”
Evie chuckled. “With your luck, most likely. Teri, I can always count on you to make life interesting.”
David, of course, was delighted as well as terrified at the prospect of becoming a father and being responsible for supporting a family. Teri assured him that with the grades he was getting he should be able to get a good paying job after graduation.
In November, Evie gave birth to Kevin Barnes, a robust eight-pounder. David and Teri became godparents at his christening over Thanksgiving weekend. After seeing Kevin, Teri was even more eager to hold her own baby.
****
Teri had her arms around Tim, smiling that dazzling smile of hers. He said, “Teri, I love you,” and she melted away from his arms.
Opening his eyes, he gazed around his old room, the one he used to share with his brother Michael. It was one of his days off from the studio, and he almost wished he could go back to his high school self, when everything was fun and the future was bright. Tim had moved back home temporarily until he could find a house. After a year of deep depression, he’d left his apartment because too much there reminded him of Teri, so his mother had offered the use of his room. If only Teri would get out of his dreams. Tim checked the clock. Its hands said it was ten-thirty. Groaning, he got up. I’ve got to stop drinking so much. Shuffling downstairs to the kitchen, he was surprised to find his father at the table, reading the paper.
“Dad, I thought you’d be at work today.”
He raised an eyebrow. “It’s Sunday, Tim. The service station is closed.”
“Oh, right.” Tim sat at the table. His mother was putting away dishes.
“Can I get you something for breakfast?” she asked.
“Just coffee, please.” She poured him a cup and set it in front of him. Staring at the dark steaming liquid, he was lost in thought.
His father put down the newspaper and looked at Tim. “You know, son, you moved out of your apartment last winter, and now it’s April. When are you going to find a house?”
“I haven’t had a lot of time, working at the studio.”
“I’ve noticed that on your time off you just mope around the house. You know, after my three children left home, I didn’t think it would be my eldest multi-millionaire child who would move back in.”
“Sorry, Dad, just going through a hard time.”
His father looked stern. “Tim, I know Teri married someone else, but after eight months, it’s time to pull yourself together and get on with life. In other words, find a house and get the hell out of here.” He picked up the papers and went into the living room.
His mother came over, putting her hand on his shoulder. “You know, your father is right.”
“I know, Mom. I’ll start looking for a house this week.”
The wall phone rang and she answered. “Hello?…Yes, I remember you. What can I do for you?…Tim’s right here. Would you like to talk to him?” She handed him the receiver. “It’s Dana Stanley.” She walked out of the kitchen.
“Dana?” Why is she calling me? I haven’t seen or heard from her since the big fight. I don’t know what she would want me for, after Steve asked her to marry him. She’s an exciting woman, but hard to get along with.
“Tim, I won’t keep you long. I’m working on the ten-year reunion for our high school, and I was wondering if Virgin Ram could play at the hall we rented. It will be for May of next year.”
“Dana, before I answer, I’m sorry I acted like such an asshole last time I saw you. I suppose you’re married to Steve now.”
She was silent for a moment. “No, I’m not.”
“Can I take you out to dinner tomorrow night? I’ll ask the execs at the record company if it will be all right to play at the reunion.”
“Sure. Where are we going? Should I dress up?”
“Just put on a nice dress. I know a little place, but it isn’t real fancy. What’s your address?” She gave it to him. “Okay, I’ll be there around six.”
The next day at Dana’s apartment, he rang for her.
“Yes?” she said through the intercom.
“Dana, it’s Tim. Are you ready?”
“I’ll be right down.” A couple o
f minutes later she appeared, wearing a dusty-rose dress that set off her dark brown hair and eyes.
Tim gazed at her. “Dana, you look beautiful.”
“Where are we going?” she asked as they settled into the rich leather seats of his Corvette.
Tim grinned. “It’s a surprise.”
A few minutes later, he pulled into the parking lot of a little Italian restaurant called Antonio’s.
Dana gasped. “Tim! This is where we had our first date!”
Tim hurried around the car and opened her door. Offering his arm, he said, “Shall we?” She took it and strolled in with him, and once inside they sat at a booth as they had so long ago.
After ordering, Tim turned to her. “The reunion committee is starting early. If it’s in May, that’s over a year.”
“They wanted to get everything set up. What did you find out from the record company?”
“They won’t let us play for free, unless it’s a licensed charity. It’ll cost ten grand to have us.”
Dana’s eyes widened. “Ten grand? We don’t have that kind of money in our budget.”
“I didn’t think so. I told the other guys about it, and we decided to pay for it out of our own pockets. Consider it our donation to the reunion.”
Dana’s smile lit up the room. “This is going to be the best reunion ever!”
The waiter brought their order to the table, and as they began to eat, Tim said, “It’s a good thing you asked me now, because in a couple of weeks we’re going out on an eleven-month tour of Europe, Canada, and the United States to promote our new album. We’ll be back in time for the reunion, so don’t worry.” They were silent for a few minutes while Tim weighed a question. “Dana, can I ask you something personal?”
“Okay.”
“What happened with you and Steve Marshall?”
Dana picked at her food. “Nothing. I lied. He never asked me to marry him.”
“Then why did you tell me he asked you?”
“I was wondering if you still cared for me. It was a test, and when you didn’t answer, I got very angry at you.”
“I’m sorry, Dana. I fell for another girl, but she married someone else while I was on tour.”
Dana smiled strangely and raised her glass of wine. “Well, here’s to a pair of misfits.”
