“I don’t think so, thanks, but juice sounds good. He pulled a bottle of juice from the refrigerator and poured her a glass, handing it to her before continuing his task.
“Hungry? You haven’t eaten in days now...you’ve gotta be starving.”
“I had a yogurt this morning while you were asleep. Maybe we can go get something,” she offered. He looked back at her, sizing up whether he thought she was seriously up to such a task.
She managed a smile, “I’m fine...really. Joe said you didn’t have your phone charger, we can go buy one if you want.” Chuck nodded. Libby noticed the bruises under his eyes were gone, and he seemed to be using his hand better. “Have you played? Is your hand better?” she asked.
“Yeah, better. Not perfect yet, but I’m workin’ on it,” Chuck flashed the handsome grin that won over his girls.
“Chuck, I’m sorry if I’ve ruined plans...really. I didn’t mean to.”
“Stop! I didn’t have anything to do. I’ve been putting off figuring my next move. I’m sure Joe’s talked to you about the whole management BS situation. I’ve been trying to talk to him about finding an agent for months now.” Chuck sat on the sofa with his sandwiches and coffee.
“A while back, Marty, the guy who’d been managing us, had health problems and sold out to his partner. Marty’d been sick for the better part of the year before that. Joe tried to keep things going, but without Marty it wasn’t easy.
His partner really didn’t like our kind of music and didn’t like workin’ with Joe. He’s not done anything to promote us, book us or keep us. So, when we reached the end of the contract, he was spiteful and booked us on these state fair tours, which are fine, but his backroom deal didn’t include much money for us. He sold our bus and booked us in fleabag motels but only for certain dates. What were we to do in the meantime? The ass…then he had the nerve to hit Joe up for money -- said WE owed HIM. I think that’s about the time we met you,” he looked at her and laughed. “THAT’S what was happening in the parking lot that day in, where was it...Texas?”
“Ah,” Libby smiled.
“He was pissed, wasn’t he?” Chuck laughed, “...to say the least. Joe’s always been the one to deal with the contracts, business and bookings. In the beginning, before he and I started TBK, he was with another band. A friend of his was acting as ‘leader,’ I guess you could call him, and made a deal with this producer. He signed papers without talking with the other members and the rights to songs Joe wrote, or co-wrote, were signed over with this ass’ name on ‘em. Joe got screwed royally, and didn’t really know how bad for a few years. That was a very dark time for him. He was angry all the time...he was really drinkin’ then. He was wild and raw.
“He quit that band, and he and I started playing together. We had a company representing us that was just as bad in the beginning—but he caught the problems sooner, and they never stole our rights, just tried to rip us off and thought they could tell us what we could and couldn’t do. We had to take them to court to get out of the contract, and it was nothing but a pain in the ass the whole time. Joe more or less quit then...that’s when he really got into acting. A friend offered him a role as a singer in an indie film he was part of.
“I’ve always been happy to let him handle all the business stuff, but now I find myself with nothing to do and no income...again. The guys have been working with a studio to make the rent—filling in for artists, playing on demos, working with other bands, and shit. Joe’s made a lot of movies over the years, which makes it hard to hold on to guys who really know what they’re doing and fit. Egos are pretty big in our kind, as if you hadn’t noticed,” Chuck laughed.
Libby smiled, listening intently.
“Lucky these guys are willing to do gigs with others when there’s downtime for TBK.
“I’ve done a couple solo gigs through the years, too, but right now there’s nothin’ goin’ on. I’m gonna have to make some phone calls soon. We barely broke even on this fair tour, thanks to A-Hole. Thankfully, we know folks—a good friend set us up on the side-radio tour that really helped a lot. I don’t know, sometimes I wonder if I shouldn’t just find a nine-to-five,” Chuck laughed. “Nah, that sounds like hell to me,” he laughed harder.
“Maybe I’ll do some writing. I’ve worked up a few tunes that need lyrics. I know I need to call some friends—a few of them have things goin’ on, maybe we can work somethin’ out ‘til things get settled with Joe.”
“Things’ll turn around soon, I’m sure of it.” Libby replied. “Sounds like you’re due. And I KNOW you guys are great,” Libby tried to console him.
“Thanks,” Chuck replied. “You’re very easy to talk to...I can see why Joe’s so into you.” Chuck shifted in his seat. “I gotta tell you, I’ve never seen him act like this before. He’s liked girls...but this is different. He’s so...at peace: so content. It’s killing him to be away from you, I can tell. He’s been calling, like, five times a day. I think you’ve captured yourself a King, ma’am,” Chuck laughed.
“Joe...settled down…with one woman. It’s just so...weird. Joe’s always been about the music. Well, except when he’s screwed by managers and producers, that is.” Chuck stared out the open RV door, deep in thought. “Damn, I’ve never dated a woman more than a week!” Realizing he spoke out loud, Chuck shyly glanced at Libby, his eyes almost apologetic as he bit his lower lip.
The look of shock on his face surprised Libby. “Are you serious?” Libby asked. To her surprise the words came out a bit too loudly.
“Well, monogamy isn’t my strong suit...I suppose.”
Libby burst into laughter, “No, I suppose not!”
Chuck joined her with an embarrassed smile.
As Libby composed herself, she thought for a moment. “Well, Chuck, maybe you just haven’t met the right woman yet. I hope someday you do.”
Chuck nodded, not daring to meet Libby’s gaze.
“At least you can tell her you sowed those wild oats when you do.”
They both burst into laughter.
“You know Chuck...” Libby began pensively, “…that night in the diner—in Lubbock—all your talk of conquests made me think Joe was...well, like you.” I don’t know if he told you about my…fit in the parking lot.”
“Oh, Libby, I’m so sorry! NO! Joe’s not like me. Well, he is a man...but no! I admit…I have...issues. Hey, I like women! And they...like me back! It’s not a bad thing! I mean, they’re all so...eager. And willing. I can’t say ‘no,’ can I? They would all be so hurt!” There was actually a pout to his lower lip as he spoke.
“Chuck...I’m not judging you. You live your life—nobody can do that for you. But what decent woman is going to tolerate all that skirt-chasin’? You have to stop and think, you reap what you sow! Not to mention...well, petri dish, Chuck.
“I hate this fiasco had to mess things up for Joe and me…and you, too. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to move on. I wanted to ask you about that though...would you mind helping me drive to South Dakota? I would be happy to buy you a plane ticket to wherever you want to go. I’m not so sure I’m up to fighting traffic right now; I’m still a little tired and still very sore. My back is killing me. I remember falling back against the RV, but I’m not sure how I got there,” Libby confessed.
“After you tossed your coffee on the guy’s face, you were kicking and struggling to get away from him, you took him out at the knee—it was great! He went down like a sack’a soggy sand, screaming like a school girl. I think that’s when you stumbled back, maybe you hit the RV. Funny to see such a big man scream like that.” Chuck was trying to make light of the event. “So, really, you okay?”
“Yeah, really, I’m fine. I’m just tired. Well, that and the backache. And, well, whatever…I’m fine. I’ll live,” she laughed.
Chuck retrieved the aspirin bottle, tossing it to her as he passed to the kitchen. “Her
e, maybe these’ll help.”
She smiled, “Thanks.” He tossed a bottle of water her way as he headed toward the door.
“I’ll go unhook everything if you’re ready to get going.”
Libby nodded as she took a long sip of the water. When Chuck returned, Libby was looking on the Internet for the map to South Dakota.
“I hope you know where we’re going,” she said.
“We can head in that direction and call Joe on the way. We’ve got a good twelve hours’ drive,” he responded.
“Hey, let’s go get you that charger, and maybe something to eat. I’m sure you’re probably ready for something substantial,” she added. She climbed in the passenger’s seat. As he made his way out of the park, she fumbled in the dash for her old GPS. Remembering it was gone, she checked the GPS using her phone for the nearest store, then settled in for the ride.
After they stopped at a phone store for a phone charger and a GPS, they ate a filling meal at a nearby restaurant. They once again hit I-35 heading toward Nebraska. Libby napped on the sofa while Chuck pushed onward.
Several hours later, Chuck stopped for gas, and Libby called Joe. After assuring him she was fine, she plugged his address into the new GPS and went to the bedroom to lie on the bed and catch up with Joe.
When the call was concluded, Libby climbed back into the passenger’s seat. “Chuck, if you need me to drive...”
“Nah, I’m good, really. This thing is great to drive, plenty of room...nice ride. I’m used to the bus, so it’s not a big deal. We had an RV for a while, when it was just Joe and me on the road...it was a step up from the car, and it was nice to have the on-board facilities...not to have to worry about if the sheets were buggy,” he laughed. “We’ve been in some hotels the roaches refused to stay in,” he laughed. “One place last year, I swear, there were bedbugs!”
The two stopped for a late dinner after crossing into South Dakota. Libby saw that Chuck was tired. They had been traveling for almost ten hours, and it had been dark for a while. “Chuck, we can stop or I can drive...you don’t have to keep pushing yourself.”
“Chuck smiled, “I’m good, really. We have a couple hours to go. I think I can make it.”
“But...”
Chuck waved her thought away. “I promise, if I need to pull over, I will. Besides, I’ve talked with Joe...if I don’t get you there soon, he’ll have my hide,” Chuck laughed.
Libby smiled. She was anxious to see him, too, but not at Chuck’s expense. “Let me drive then. You get some sleep...I’m good to drive, I promise.”
“We’ll see,” was his only response.
He watched her throughout dinner; she seemed to be holding up pretty well. As they climbed back into the RV, her slow movements were obvious. When she turned for the keys, he shook his head. “I’ve got this.” He climbed behind the wheel and started the RV. They stopped to fill the gas tanks, then drove on to the last leg on I-90.
Lead, South Dakota, Day 17 - Thursday
It was just before 3:00 a.m. when the RV pulled into the parking lot of the Spear Canyon Lodge. Joe texted messages every hour, asking for updated locations. After stretching the kinks, Libby went to her bedroom to pack an overnight bag. Chuck collected his bags and guitar, and they disembarked for the lodge. The air was crisp and fresh when she and Chuck stepped out. They pressed the buzzer by the lodge door and waited on the night clerk to release the electronic doorlock.
As they walked through the door, Libby’s phone buzzed with a text from Joe. “Where?”
Libby replied “Lobby!” Just as Libby and Chuck greeted the clerk at the front desk, Joe ran into the room with a huge grin on his face. He grabbed Libby, spinning her around, then planted a big kiss on her lips. While holding her with one arm and her feet dangling, he extended his other hand to Chuck in a gesture of appreciation.
“Joe, put me down,” Libby winced in pain, a bit embarrassed but laughing all the while as she glanced at the clerk. The front desk clerk was delighted with the distraction. He smiled, then pretended to shuffle papers on the desk.
“Are you full?” she asked the clerk, a little breathy.
“We have a couple vacancies for the night. But I’m afraid we’re booked for the weekend. I’d be happy to put you at the top of a waiting list for any cancellations.”
“One night’s great, what time is checkout?” Chuck asked, approaching the clerk and reaching for his wallet.
“Oh, no! I’ve got this,” Libby walked quickly to the desk. “His money’s no good here!” She handed the clerk her credit card and shot a glance at Chuck. “Really, I’ve got this!” she demanded, daring him to argue with her.
Chuck looked beat. The clerk handed him a keycard and explained directions to his room. “Oh, checkout is usually eleven, but since you’re getting in so late, I can extend that until...” he glanced at his computer, “...how’s one o’clock?”
“Great, thanks,” Chuck replied with a half-smile.
Joe took Libby’s bag, then her hand and led them out of the lobby. The group stopped at Chuck’s room to say goodnight. Once inside Joe’s room, he dropped her bag on a chair, pulling her close.
“So, you really okay?”
“I’m fine,” she replied, smiling at him.
He hugged her close, “Girl, I missed you!”
She was so happy to be in his arms she didn’t want to move. “That makes two of us,” she whispered into his neck.
After a few minutes she asked, “Mind if I hit the shower?”
“Only if I can watch,” he replied wryly, flashing a wicked grin. She laughed and picked up her bag, looking around for the bathroom door.
The shower felt so good, Libby almost didn’t want to get out. Her aching muscles relaxed under the heat. “Wish I actually had the strength and time for a bath...it would feel good to soak,” she called out to Joe in the bedroom. He waited impatiently at the end of the bed. Several times he started into the bathroom, but each time shook his head and forced himself to sit back down.
Libby came out wrapped in towels and dropped her bag on a low dresser beside the bathroom. Joe noticed the dark circles under her eyes and smiled sympathetically.
As she walked toward him, the lamplight showed the bruises across her chest and neck. Trying to hide his anger and frustration at not being there to protect her, he said, “You look tired.” He lightly ran his fingers across the marks with a frown.
She smiled at him, “I’m just happy to be here with you,” as she wrapped his hair through her fingers and kissed him. He laid his head against her stomach and held her quietly. With her arms around his head, she kissed the top of his head and continued to run her fingers through his hair. She breathed in his scent as she laid her cheek on his head.
He forced himself to let her go, “Get ready for bed, you need some rest.” She stroked his cheek, looking deeply into his eyes. She kissed his mouth, then walked over to grab a tee from her overnight bag. Joe scowled at the bruises across her back. He watched as she slipped a shirt over her head and down her back. As she returned to him, he rose, walking her over to the side of the bed and kissed her as he pushed her down to the mattress and pulled the covers over her. He returned to where he previously laid. Turning off the light, he turned to find her, and easily pulled her across the huge king-sized bed next to him. Another kiss goodnight and both drifted off to sleep, content in each other’s’ arms.
Lead, South Dakota, Day 18 - Friday
Joe tiptoed around the room shortly after 7:00, trying not to wake Libby. He wrote two notes, leaving one on his pillow for Libby. As he slipped out the door, he placed the “do-not-disturb” sign on the doorknob.
The second note was slipped under Chuck’s door just before he joined the crew leaving for the film location. It was a beautiful morning, and he was hoping the schedule would hold true. His shoot was scheduled to be free by 2:00, an
d he looked forward to taking Libby on a date. His life was never normal, dating was a foreign concept. Any woman who managed to stick around had to fit-in between gigs and his hectic schedule, very rarely had he actually participated in normal dating rituals. As the vehicle wound through the Black Hills, Joe’s mind wandered while he considered everything they could do together—normal things his crazy lifestyle didn’t afford him time to enjoy.
Fortunately, “scruffy” was the only description for his character in The Black Hills at Sundown, which left him with only a small obligation to the makeup chair most days. Even after chatting up the crew, he was on set, ready to go in a half-hour of his arrival. Extras were being placed and instructions being given. This morning’s shoot was an easy one for him, no lines, just show up and be placed. He was glad, considering his previous late night. Once the piano started, he was to walk into the saloon, survey the room, order a drink and wait for the singer to finish her song.
Dolly, the dance-hall singer, was late for her call-time and was just getting her direction. Makeup couldn’t improve her green complexion, and her hangover was hard to miss.
The director, Davis Wade, took his position, calling “Let’s give this a go...I want to run through for places and sound-check,” as Joe stepped outside the saloon doors.
“Once for marks and sound,” the assistant director called out. “Roll sound!”
The sound technician called, “Speed!”
“Hold marker,” the AD called out again.
“And…action background,” Davis Wade called out, and the background actors began laughing, drinking and moving around the set. A couple of dance hall girls appeared on stage and flirted with the extras standing in front of them.
“Action!” Davis called out.
The piano began to play, and Joe walked through the door with the swagger of the old west. On cue, he surveyed the room as Dolly began her song with trepidation. Seconds later, she ran off-stage to the closest garbage can.
Whirlwind Love: Libby's Journey Page 21
