As he jogged back to the house, Jake spotted Lori walking along the sand towards him. The ocean breeze was catching her hair and it was flying in the wind like golden silk threads.
“Morning, li’l lady,” he called, flashing her a smile. “You ok?”
“Fine. Just felt like some fresh air before I sit down to finish off the piece I’m working on,” replied Lori, taking his sweaty hand. “Are you ready for tonight?”
“More or less,” he answered. “I’ve to meet Rich at the school for a run through at two.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” she confessed. “It’s been a while since I saw you on stage.”
“It’ll be good to get up there again,” commented Jake. “I miss playing live.”
“How many are going to this tonight?”
“I’m not sure. Around one fifty I’d guess.”
“A small, select audience,” she teased, squeezing his hand.
“There better not be any heckling from your table, Mz Hyde.”
“Never,” she promised with a giggle.
“And no bidding for auction items you don’t need,” he cautioned.
“We’ll see about that.”
By seven o’clock, the school hall was beginning to fill with guests. Jake and Lori had arrived shortly after six thirty to give Jake time to warm up before he was due out on stage. When they arrived, Rich was already sitting at their table beside Linsey. After delivering a swift kiss to her cheek, Jake had left Lori with the couple and disappeared off towards the music department. Both Grey and Paul were coming along, as was Maddy. Grey’s mother had offered to watch Becky and the twins to allow the new parents to attend the event. Gary and Scott had also bought tickets, then, as a last minute addition, Dr Marrs had been invited along. He had arrived in town a couple of days before to supervise the finishing touches being put to the JJL Studio and had donated ten hours of studio time along with his services as an extra auction item when he heard about the fundraiser.
A few minutes after Lori had settled herself at the table, Grey arrived with Scott, Gary and Dr Marrs. He apologised that Maddy and Paul were running a little late but were on their way.
“I think this is their first night out since the meatballs arrived,” Lori observed. “Maddy’ll be a wreck about leaving them.”
“Paul sounded a wreck when he called to say they’d be late,” laughed Grey. “He’s worse than the boss is.”
While Grey and Gary went to fetch them some drinks, Dr Marr’s asked Lori if she had been out to see the studio.
“I was out last week when they put the signage up,” she replied. “It’s looking great. Are you staying at the house?”
“Not till the end of next week. No water,” replied the producer. “I’m at the hotel on the highway. The one where the last record’s launch party was.”
“Oh, I know it well!” giggled Lori. “Maddy practically lived there for months!”
“It’s fine for a week or so.”
“I guess,” she agreed before adding, “I’ve still got the artwork for the studio lounge out at the beach house. Do you want Jake to bring it in on Monday? Or you can come over to pick it up over the weekend, if you’d prefer?”
“I could pick it up tomorrow afternoon,” he replied. “I’ve no plans for the weekend.”
“Come over for lunch,” invited Lori warmly.
As the boys returned with their drinks, Paul and Maddy arrived. They had all just taken their seats when the lights dimmed and the school principal stepped out on stage.
“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to our annual charity auction,” he began, the microphone crackling loudly. “This year we’ve set things up a little differently. There will be three musical interludes and three auction slots. There will also be two short intermissions to allow you to refill your glasses. Without further ado, let me introduce you to the first act of the evening. Please welcome on stage Candy Apple!”
The audience clapped politely, as the first of the two student groups came nervously out onto the stage. As she scanned their pale, anxious faces, Lori didn’t recognise any of them. When they started to play, their nerves slowly vanished and they performed a solid set of five well known pop and rock songs. Dr Marrs was soon tapping his foot in time to the music, but, in stark contrast, Maddy had her unimpressed face on.
“They’re only kids,” whispered Lori to her friend between songs. “You’re not here scouting for talent.”
“I’m always keeping an eye out for talent,” confessed Maddy quietly. “Old habits die hard.”
When Candy Apple finished their last song, the audience cheered and clapped loudly. One table were on their feet, whistling, much to the young band’s acute embarrassment.
As they left the stage, Dr Jones returned to the centre spot and began the evening’s first auction segment. The first five lots included vouchers for some of the stores in town and culminated in a voucher for a dinner for two at the local steakhouse. As the bids for this item topped one hundred dollars, Maddy placed a high bid of two fifty.
“Sold to the lady on my right,” declared Dr Jones proudly. “And thank you for your generosity.”
There was a polite round of applause from the audience.
“Now for our second musical performance. I’d like to welcome out on stage Hunt ‘Em Down!” announced the principal with a theatrical flourish.
Again the lights dimmed and, under cover of darkness, the band took their places. When the lights went up, Lori instantly recognised Todd and Kate and the song. It was Silver Lake’s Dragon Song. The Silver Lake party gave them a huge cheer as Kate stepped up to the mic.
“Now, there’s potential there,” commented Maddy as Hunt ‘Em Down began their second song. “The girl’s great, but that boy on lead guitar has real talent.”
“Jake’s protégé,” explained Lori with a wink. “We saw him first. I’m sponsoring him through college.”
“And,” added Grey leaning into their conversation. “He’s Jake’s guitar tech for the summer.”
“Oh!” gasped Maddy somewhat taken aback. “Guess I missed the memo on that one.”
Hunt ‘Em Down played three more hard rock classics before finishing with a more gentle version of Bon Jovi’s Wanted Dead Or Alive. As Todd played the guitar intro flawlessly, Maddy nodded her approval to Lori. The boy was good, very good. Kate’s voice had a husky warmth to it that lent itself perfectly to the song. Everyone in the hall was on their feet, cheering, as their short set ended. Before the band had a chance to leave the stage, Dr Jones stepped out and asked, “Who wants to hear these guys play one more?”
The crowd’s reaction left the young band in no doubt. With a few quickly whispered thoughts and nods, they reached agreement about what to play and Kate stepped back up to the microphone.
“Thank you,” she said humbly. “This is something we’ve been practicing. This is Patti Smith’s Because The Night.”
Again, when the song was over, the small crowd were on their feet applauding loudly. In a theatrical gesture, Kate made a deep curtsey with imaginary skirts and called out, “Thank you, one and all, and good night.”
There was a few moments delay while they set up the second auction slot. Dr Marrs nudged Lori and asked, “Can you send them to see me?”
“I’ll speak to Jake about it. Impressed?”
“Very,” he nodded. “I’m tempted to buy back my own auction lot just to get them into the studio with me.”
Lori laughed before adding,” Let’s see what happens on that one.”
The second auction slot included slightly more diverse items for sale. Gary put in the winning bid on a day’s fishing trip while Lori was the winner of a two-hour slot at Danny’s tattoo parlour. When the others quizzed her about it, she just giggled before confessing to having a design in mind. The last item was a limited edition skateboard and Scott put in the winning bid at the last moment for it. This prompted a round of teasing from Grey and Paul, followed by a caution from Gary
to be careful.
After a short interval, the principal took to the stage to introduce the final musical segment of the evening.
“I mean this from the bottom of my heart,” he began warmly. “I really am delighted to welcome back two former colleagues and friends. These guys have given up their precious free time to coach the two groups you heard earlier and have also worked tirelessly behind the scenes tonight. Calming nerves. Tuning guitars. Re-stringing one, I believe, at very short notice. Now it’s their turn to perform for you. From local and international rock sensation Silver Like, I’m delighted to welcome Jake Power and Rich Santiago out on stage.”
As the small crowd applauded enthusiastically, Jake and Rich stepped out from either side of the stage. Two stools had been set up, with their guitars on stands at the side of their respective seats. Settling himself on the stool and adjusting the microphone to the correct height, Jake said, “It’s nice to be back on stage and to be invited along tonight. It’s been a while so bear with us, folks.”
The crowd cheered again.
“We’re going to play a mix of our own music and some other stuff. Some old, some newer songs. We’ll even throw in a few personal favourites. We’d like to start with one of Rich’s favourites. This is a Guns ‘n’ Roses’ song. Patience.”
Rich began the intro and the small audience cheered approvingly. The duo followed their opening number with two more well-known rock cover versions. Everyone in the hall was hanging on their every note.
“You still with us?” asked Jake as he changed guitar.
“We sure are!” yelled someone from the back of the hall.
“Ok,” laughed Jake, settling himself back into position. “Now, can you guys keep a secret?”
There was a loud chorus of “yeah”
“Well, this next song is brand new,” continued Jake. “We’re working on a new album and this looks likely to be on there. This is Same Day New Life.”
At the Silver Lake table, Maddy and Lori exchanged glances, while Grey and Paul smiled conspiratorially. A soft, delicate melody drifted out across the hall, then Rich came in and the new song took a different turn. Jake’s vocal was slightly lower in his range than normal, but was crystal clear. As they listened to the words, Lori saw Maddy reach for a tissue. Tears were flowing freely down her cheeks as she listened to the boys singing about the twins’ arrival into this cold, harsh, tortured world. It was the first time Lori could remember seeing her friend so overcome with the emotion of a song.
“Maddison,” said Jake warmly when the song was over. “That one’s for you.”
From the stage, he could just make her out and was as surprised as Lori to see her crying. Part of him felt guilty, but another part was flattered to see that she had felt the emotion that had gone into their new acoustic, rock lullaby.
“Another favourite,” continued Jake. “One of the first songs I ever learned how to play. This is Maggie May.”
They followed the Rod Stewart classic with two more of their own, then declared that their final song for the night would be Simple Man, a Lynyrd Skynyrd classic. This was one of Lori’s personal favourites and she usually only heard Jake sing it in the car. Seeing him on stage, lost in the song, was a beautiful sight. Beside her, Maddy had regained her composure and she leaned over to whisper, “I’d almost forgotten just how good Jake was. They’ve been fantastic tonight.”
“Long way from Surfside,” mused Lori quietly, smiling proudly at her fiancé’s performance.
Before the song was fully over, the whole hall was on its feet, clapping and cheering wildly, crying for more. On stage, Rich and Jake exchanged a few words, then Jake leaned forward.
“Thank you,” he said, gazing round the hall. “If it’s ok with Dr Jones, we’ll play two more.”
The principal, who was seated at the table in front of the stage, shouted up, “It’s fine by me.”
“Ok, two more it is,” agreed Jake. “Last time we played here was a special night for Rich and I and the rest of the band. It was also a special night for me on a personal level. This song is what made it. Lori, this is for you. Wonderful Tonight.”
Now it was Lori’s turn to feel her emotions begin to get the better of her. Tears welled up in her eyes as she subconsciously fingered her engagement ring. Throughout the song, Jake barely took his eyes off her, both of them lost in memories of their dance at the school’s Christmas social and Jake’s proposal.
“Now this really is our final number,” called out Jake. “A Silver Lake show always ends with Flyin’ High!”
Despite cries for more, Rich and Jake took a final bow at the end of Flyin’ High and, leaving their guitars on stage, both jumped down and went to join the Silver Lake table. As they made their way across the hall, several members of the audience stopped them to congratulate them or to shake their hands. Still smiling and on an adrenalin high, Jake hugged Lori tight as he sat beside her.
“Love you, rock star,” she whispered, kissing him on the cheek.
“That was a blast,” declared Rich, still grinning like a big kid.
“You guys were fabulous,” conceded Paul as Grey nodded in agreement. “We hate you for it.”
Laughter erupted around the table, causing most of the audience to turn round to see what the joke was.
Up on stage, Dr Jones was standing ready to commence the final auction segment of the evening. Several members of staff were circulating the hall, placing bundles of envelopes, sheets of paper and pens on each table.
“Now, ladies and gentlemen, how do I follow that?” declared the principal. “Let’s have another round of applause for Rich and Jake.”
He didn’t have to ask them twice. Cheers echoed round the hall and, in their seats, both musicians blushed in embarrassment, feeling humbled by the reception they had received. As the applause died away, Dr Jones continued, “The last section of the evening will take the form of a silent auction for our more valuable and prized lots. Some of the items are on display at the back of the room and there’s a full list on each table. Please place your bids by writing the amount you wish to bid and your name on a piece of paper, sealing it in an envelope. On the envelope, please write the lot number. Bidding will be open for the next fifteen minutes.”
There followed a flurry of activity for the next few minutes as people moved around the hall, either to view the items on display or to replenish their glasses. A couple of members of staff came over to talk to Jake and Rich. Having been seated all evening, Lori took the opportunity to stretch her legs and wandered to the back of the hall to browse the display of lots. Her own two small drawings were on display and appeared to be attracting a lot of attention. Some of the senior pupils were eyeing up the signed Silver Lake guitar.
“Are you going to bid on anything?” a voice asked from behind her. It was Jim Marrs.
“I think so,” she replied. “Are you?”
“Maybe,” he answered with a shy smile. “I love your pieces. Different.”
“Thank you,” she blushed. “I didn’t think they were ready for some of my “rock” pieces.”
“Seriously. Those are stunning.”
From the stage, Dr Jones called out a five-minute warning and asked for all bids to be placed in the red, plastic crate sitting on the stage. When bidding closed, and the box had been taken away to be sorted, the principal announced a special musical extra from a newly formed super group. Excusing themselves, the four members of Silver Lake headed off towards the stage. A few minutes later, the lights dimmed in the hall and the stage lit up to reveal the two student bands plus Silver Lake lined up and ready to play.
“Folks, this is genuinely unrehearsed,” called out Jake. “Tonight wouldn’t have been possible without “A Little Help from My Friends”. Feel free to join in.”
It was the perfect song choice for the impromptu musical finale and the audience lapped it up, singing along from the start to the finish. The professional musicians were happy to take a back seat and let the
students finish the song off.
While the applause from the crowd was still echoing round the hall, Dr Jones came back in, clutching two sheets of paper.
“Ladies and gentlemen, our very own super group!” he yelled. “Fantastic!”
The cheering continued, along with some rowdy whistling from Gary and Scott.
“Now, we’ve the winners of the silent auction to announce then I’ll reveal the grand total raised this evening.”
Quickly he rattled through the list of winning bidders. Lori listened out to see who were the new owners of her two drawings but she didn’t recognise the names. The autographed guitar went to the head of the music department, while Kate’s dad won the one-hour lesson with Rich. The singer/guitarist with Candy Apple was awarded the lesson with Jake, thanks to a generous bid by their parents. One of the maths teachers won the lesson with Paul, while the school secretary won the lesson with Grey for her son. When Dr Jones saw the winner of the studio slot, he raised an eyebrow towards the Silver Lake table and nodded approvingly. Lori had submitted the winning bid in the name of Hunt ‘Em Down. At the side of the hall, the young band looked stunned by the generosity.
“Thank you, ladies and gentlemen,” said Dr Jones, folding the sheets of paper. “We set our target for the evening at ten thousand dollars. Our final total is an incredible twenty-one thousand four hundred and thirty-three.”
Impossible Depths (Silver Lake series Book 2) Page 8
