“Bathroom.”
Laura retrieved bandages and wrapped Libby’s fingers together, then grabbed some frozen veggies from the freezer and placed it on Libby’s hand. The two women sat back in the RV and giggled over the pictures like schoolgirls. The conversation was sprinkled with memories. When the photos began repeating, Laura snatched the keyboard and hit the Internet for a list of Joe’s movies.
“Let’s go get some! I wanna check this guy out!” Laura gushed.
Libby eyed her friend cautiously. “I don’t know, Laura, what’s the point?”
Seeing the mischief in Laura’s eyes, Libby felt the warmth of their lifelong friendship and smiled. “I miss you so much! Why did you have to get married and move so far away?” Libby stood and hugged her friend.
* * *
A short time later they were in the local mall’s video store, shopping for movies. Libby bought every one they had, although they didn’t have all of his movies in the store. The two friends proceeded into the mall to shop for clothes. Just as in their school-days, both giggled as they rekindled their friendship, marred by distance but not by adoration.
As they walked down the mall, Libby spotted a camera store, “Oh, I need to go there! That jerk broke my lens. I’ll need one for the balloons.” Libby said, as she rushed into the store to look over the lens selection. After a brief conversation with the clerk, she decided to add a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens to her arsenal, along with a replacement for the one that was broken.
“I’ve really been enjoying this camera Laura. You’ll have to see the pics I took of Megan a couple weeks ago at the beach. We really had such a blast! And you won’t believe how grown-up she is. ‘Course, I still don’t know how to use all the stuff...but it’s been so much fun just playing!”
“Sounds great! Hey, Jimmy and I have a surprise for you tonight. Let’s go home, get dolled up, and go to the bar. I hope you’ll…like it!” Laura exclaimed, although with some apprehension.
“Okay, but is there time for a nap?” Libby replied, laughing as they walked back to Laura’s car.
“Sure, we can arrange that. Why don’t you nap while I fix dinner?” As much as Libby considered offering to help, she didn’t have the strength.
When they returned, Jimmy was unpacking grocery bags of fresh produce and graciously greeted Libby and his wife. Even though he didn’t know Libby much beyond the wedding and reception, Laura always spoke highly of her friend.
“Libby, every time my wife gets off the phone with you, I swear she’s ten years younger!” Jimmy laughed. “We’re thrilled to have you visit, and it’s about time you got out here.”
Libby’s eyes grew heavy as the soft sofa cushions cradled her, but she tried to hold up her end of the conversation. Noticing her heavy eyes, Laura insisted, “Libby, darlin’, please go take a nap in the guestroom. We’ll get dinner on, and I’ll wake you when it’s ready.”
Libby knew she couldn’t fight it any longer and followed Laura to the bedroom.
After a delicious meal of sizzling fajitas with margaritas, Jimmy went back to Renegades, the bar and grill that he and Laura owned. Libby and Laura dressed while listening to one of Joe’s movies.
Libby didn’t normally wear much makeup, but Laura insisted, “Oh, no! We’re pullin’ out all the stops!” She insisted on adding touches to Libby’s face when she felt Libby didn’t live up to her idea of fabulousness.
Perfectly coiffed and dolled for the evening, the friends took Laura’s car to Renegades. Laura was giddy in anticipation of showing Libby the bar. “We’ve seen a 20% increase in business since the changes and have several promotions lined up to keep the momentum. We’re talking about adding a house band! Libs, thanks so much for your investment. I can’t begin to tell you how much it means to Jimmy and me. I’ve gotta say, that we don’t argue as much as we used to…now that the pressure’s off.”
“Laura, I’m glad you’re happy. You and Jimmy deserve all the success. You’ve done a great job, I’m sure,” Libby was excited by her friend’s enthusiasm. The thought crossed Libby’s mind of how grateful she was for a distraction over last night’s drama.
The ladies stepped into the bar, where ambiance and music enveloped them. The entry opened into a makeshift corridor with the wall on the left and a shoulder-high wall of booths to the right that faced the dance floor and dining room. At the end of the walkway stood the bar, which completely filled the back wall of the bar and restaurant, with stools positioned strategically for small groups and openings for walk-ups.
“One of the enhancements was the new sound system. It’s state-of-the-art and the only one like it anywhere around here,” Laura excitedly announced over the music “We can do a programmable light show and all these neat special effects.”
Approaching the bar, Laura added, “We added this custom-built bar, with the lighting and lighted bottle-nooks…looks great, right?”
The massive bar was very impressive—a highly polished dark wood with southwestern wooden inlays, and cutouts with frosted glass that were lit from within, each cutout displayed beautiful bottles of varying liquor bottles. A wall of shelves with multicolored bottles of liquor and beer as decoration glowed behind the bar. Pinpoint LEDs hung across the ceiling for the bartenders, lighting the area where the real magic happened, while maintaining the impressive glow of the bar and liquor lights.
“What’s your pleasure,” Jimmy smiled as he arrived behind the bar, tossing bottles and shakers like the best professional bartenders. Libby laughed, “Ginger ale,” she laughed as she took in the entire bar and restaurant. In front of the bar was a walkway that lead to a doorway. Across from the bar were tables and booths against the farthest wall.
“I’m impressed!”
Laura pulled out stools for herself and Libby. She reached for a menu and shared it with her friend, “We also upgraded our food selections, because we were able to get a new grill and dishwasher.” The menu was extensive, offering much more than the typical bar-fare. “Marco Salazar applied for a job as a barback about four months ago, but when Jimmy burnt his hand on the grill one night—and we had a room full of folks and a list of orders long as your arm, Marco stepped in and blew us all away with his creations and his artistry. Jimmy decided to let him have the grill, and he went back to workin’ the bar after that night. Marco has a ball! It didn’t take long for us to learn to let him decide our specials, either. Seems anything we asked him to make paled in comparison to the things he created on his own, and he’s usually doing it cheaper and with fewer ingredients! If things keep going like they have been, our silent partner should see a return on her investment by the first of the year!”
Libby smiled at Laura, then looked around noticing the banners that hung around the dance floor and the make-shift stage, “Renegade’s Singing Contest this Friday! Winner goes to Regionals at NM State Fair-win a recording contract!” A separate banner placed above that banner read “Last Chance! Don’t Miss It”
Laura turned to see Libby’s face as she read the banners. “So, you’re gonna sing for us, right?” Libby looked startled at her friend’s suggestion.
“No!” she laughed, “isn’t that like a conflict of interest or something? Besides, I don’t have my guitar—and even if I did, my finger’s mangled.”
“Why?” asked Laura.
Jimmy joined in, “I hear you’re an amazing singer, you have to! Laura’s talked so much about spending time at your house when she was a kid…I’ve been dying to hear you, really. Come on! I’m sure we can work something out,” he winked at Laura.
Libby smiled at his compliment. “I don’t know...we’ll see.” Libby really didn’t feel like singing in public, but she didn’t want to be a killjoy either.
“You have to try out our new stage, Libby! We’re hoping to start auditioning bands next month,” Laura insisted. “Or, maybe we’ll just get a house band...I haven’t decided yet.
”
Laura led Libby to a reserved table and insisted she look through their new karaoke book. While they sat, they caught up on all the gossip from home.
The night brought a big crowd, with five new participants in the big contest. Laura snuck Libby’s name in at the last minute through a waitress. The past three weekends each produced two top winners coming forward to tonight’s competition. Around 8:00 the DJ announced the first contestant, the runner-up from the first weekend’s contest. The contestant brought his music selection up and stepped behind the microphone.
By 10:30, the crowd was feeling no pain and happy to lend their support to their favorite singers. The DJ announced “The twelfth, and final contestant for the evening, Libby Morgan!”
Libby was shocked to hear her name, and shot a hard glance at Laura.
“Come on!” Laura urged. “You need to do it! Do it for me...please!”
When Libby didn’t look convinced, Laura added, “What song was it your Mom always asked you to sing?”
That broke Libby—she had no willpower to stand up against the “Mom” card.
“I don’t have it here! Come on, Laura, I can’t…”
“Well, I have to confess. Megan emailed me the song, I burned it to a CD last night. The one...with your Mom playing guitar. Please! Do this!”
Libby reluctantly walked to the stage and stepped up to the mic. As the familiar blues-styled chords of her mother’s guitar began to play.
Libby closed her eyes, “For Momma.” For a moment, she was back on the front porch with Mom, Dad and Tommy. Tears filled her eyes and she took a deep breath. As she began to sing, the first notes came out shaky.
Rainbows and moonbeams
Take me to dreams
down roads that never end.
Libby opened her eyes and brushed away tears. She heard her Mom’s voice in her head-teaching her students’ lessons. “If you don’t give it your best, who’ll ever know what you can do! Always give the best you have to offer, and they’ll love you for it, whether it’s perfect or not!”
Libby took a deep breath and looked across the bar and all the expectant faces. Libby straightened her back, tightened her diaphragm and sang out the next line with great conviction; it was as if her life depended on it. The crowd cheered.
Takin’ me places
I’ve longed to see
where I can disappear.
‘Cause I want to be
so far from here,
Where sunny days shed no tears.
This whisp’rin’ wind
that calls my name
tells me ‘just come on in.
Fire in my soul
Fly away
color me gold.
Sweet melody,
take my heart
everywhere it wants to go.
Libby gave a performance like she never had before. She could feel her mother’s presence, giving her strength and determination. As the song finished, she stepped back and said quietly, “Thanks, Mom.” Tears filled her eyes again as the crowd rose to their feet. The energy from the crowd made her step back in shock.
The DJ was beside her in an instant. “Folks, we have a unanimous winner here!” Laura joined her onstage with a big hug.
Jimmy met them at their table with a bottle of champagne. Libby was embarrassed by the fuss, but played along.
“Only for you, Laura. I don’t think I’d have done that for anybody but you.” She put aside her own misery and celebrated with her friends.
“So, you’re going to the regionals, right?” Laura asked excitedly.
“What? No! When?” Libby said sipping her glass of champagne.
“Tomorrow...in Albuquerque.”
Libby panicked. “I have to be at the Grand Canyon at sunrise for the balloon festival on Sunday morning! I couldn’t possibly make it. Could I?”
“Well, it might be tight, but I think you should be fine. The contest should be over by 8 o’clock – they have the professionals on stage at 8, so if you left then, you should be about...seven hours away, I think. It’ll mean another late night, though...are you game? Please say you are! You should do this! Jimmy and I’ll be there to cheer you on! You and I can leave in the RV – I can drive on the interstate, but you’ll have to take the streets. Jimmy can follow us in our car. Or we can make Jimmy drive the RV, and you and I can take the car!”
Libby laughed. “Okay...okay! If you promise I’ll be free to get to the balloon launch. After all, that’s why I came out here,” Libby laughed. Exhausted, Libby added, “Hey, how ‘bout let this weary woman go to sleep! Looks like it’s gonna be another long day tomorrow. Why do they call this rest and relaxation?”
Laura smiled apologetically, but happily obliged.
* * *
Libby followed Laura into the house. In Laura’s bedroom, Libby changed back into her borrowed shorts and tee. Picking up her belongings to leave, she winced as her broken finger disagreed with her actions. Laura was in the kitchen putting on a pot of coffee.
As soon as politely possible, Libby said goodnight and returned to the RV. She placed the movies on the shelf in the corner of the living area. She picked up one of the movies, read the description, then shook her head. A movie would be a nice wind-down, but her brain had been in overdrive for so long, she put it back and closed the glass cabinet door. Relieved to crawl into her bed that night, she was completely exhausted.
“Tomorrow’s another long day,” she sighed, “best to face it with a full night’s sleep.”
* * *
As she lay in bed, she could hear the chords of her mother’s guitar playing in her head. Libby drifted off into a peaceful sleep, faint smile fading from her lips while a teardrop touched her pillow.
Albuquerque, New Mexico, Day 5 - Saturday
Libby and Laura climbed out of the RV to meet Jimmy, who parked his Jeep beside the RV. Libby stretched out the kinks of the four-hour drive, as Laura greeted Jimmy with a kiss. “Did you remember the video camera?” Laura whispered in his ear. Turning his shoulder bag toward her, Jimmy patted the bag and smiled.
The group made their way across the parking lot and approached a man standing next to a gate. After a brief conversation and a flash of their contest credentials, they moved into the fair’s grandstand area via a back gate specifically marked for contestants. The New Mexico State Fair was in full swing as the three made their way into the arena. Another door...another man. Jimmy asked the man the right question, and the three moved into the main outdoor arena. The girls sat and watched the stage setup in progress. A large screen divided the stage into separate units.
“Wonder what that’s all about?” Laura asked.
Libby shrugged as she glanced at all the activity around the arena. Several individuals were watching from the audience. She wondered if they were contestants too. “So, how many contestants are supposed to be here anyway?” Libby asked.
“I’m not sure; it’s six states, so maybe twelve? We won a drawing for hosting the contest, so I know that others probably did the same. The contest is scheduled to start at 3 o’clock, that’s a good five hours before the headliners.”
“You realize it took about two and half hours to go through twelve people at the bar. That was...five people per hour. Let’s hope they plan a nice long break before the headliners come on. I’d think they’d have a tighter schedule than last night...so they could be doing more than thirty contestants this afternoon!” Libby stated, looking hard at Laura, whose eyes widened at the prospect.
“I’m sure that’s not the case...right? Let’s think positively, Libs,” she chuckled. Seeing Libby’s worried face, she added, “You’ll be great! And…you’ll get to the canyon in plenty of time.”
“I really don’t want to miss tomorrow. You know my obsession. I’ve wanted to see the balloons for so long. Every year,
I searched for the calendars with the balloons overlooking the canyon – I framed ‘em when they were outdated! When things were...difficult, they were my inspiration. I just kept thinking—looking down at the world, with all the colors, in the quiet sky...you know? The colors were so…happy. Even though they teased me mercilessly at work about it being my shrine, I couldn’t have faced some days without those mental escapes. If I did all of this—and then missed it! I’ll never live it down.” Libby looked worried. “And...I’ll never forgive myself.”
“Or ME! Don’t worry...we’ll make sure you get there, even if we have to drive you ourselves!” Laura looked sympathetic, but her eyes pleaded.
Jimmy arrived with badges on lanyards for the three of them. “Alright, ladies, what now?”
Laura replied, “I guess we need to get this gal dolled up for her debut.” Jimmy laughed at Libby’s worried face, then gave Laura his raised eyebrow in reply.
The trio returned to the RV, and Libby dressed while Jimmy watched TV. Laura nervously went back and forth between the two, and made sandwiches for lunch.
“You’ll need this,” Jimmy handed Libby the CD of her song as they left the RV.
Libby locked the RV, then handed Laura her keys. “Hold these, so I don’t leave them somewhere.” The trio then proceeded to the arena.
“Break a leg, kid,” Jimmy beamed.
“Bring home that trophy, girl,” Laura cheered on Libby.
Libby managed a weak smile before she turned and walked backstage with regret written all over her face. “I’d rather be driving to the canyon right now. How did I get myself into this?” she muttered.
Libby stopped the first person she found, “I’m a contestant, where do I go?”
“Have you been to orientation?” the man asked.
“Not yet.”
He led her to a room behind the main stage where two people sat behind a table. A handsome young man was filling out forms in a chair opposite the table. Two others sat off to the side. Libby introduced herself to one of the attendants, who very nonchalantly handed her a clipboard. “Fill out the information and bring it back when you’re done.”
Whirlwind Love: Libby's Journey Page 8
