Rock and a Hard Place

by Angie Stanton

  “Well, it’s my pleasure, but how bout your room is on me tonight?”

  Libby wanted to refuse and say she could pay her own way, but a free room would save her almost fifty dollars. “Are you sure?”

  “Absolutely, we girls have got to stick together.” She gave a knowing wink.

  Libby warmed at her generosity. “Thank you.”

  “I don’t know how long you were thinking of hanging around, but Penny needs a waitress down at the Fork in the Road. It’s a café, nothing fancy, just a bunch of farmers and truckers coming through, but they’re good people.”

  “Thanks, I think I will.”

  Chapter 21

  Six months later.

  “Good morning Jerrold.” Libby poured coffee for the kind older gentleman who had become her closest confidant, even closer than DarLynn.

  “Morning, Jill.” Jerrold knew her true identity, unlike the rest of the town. He kept his knowledge private under client lawyer privilege. He called her by the name printed on the plastic name badge pinned to her waitress uniform.

  Shortly after she started at the Fork in the Road, Jerrold became one of her regulars. Five mornings a week he came in for coffee, eggs basted, wheat toast and a half grapefruit. They immediately hit it off. Jerrold retired two years before. His wife still worked the morning shift at the local hospital. Used to getting up early to work for the past forty-five years, he came in for breakfast each day. He always sat in Libby’s section.

  “Catch any fish yesterday?” Libby knew Jerrold struggled with retirement. He tried hard to keep his days full fishing, and puttering around his workshop, but his heart remained with his law practice. He spent his career working as a lawyer for Family Services.

  When she first learned of his legal background, Libby feared he could see through her facade and would send her back to Wisconsin. Instead he became her angel of mercy, guiding her through the mess of surviving as a teenage runaway.

  “Yeah, I caught a couple, but threw them back.” He drummed his fingers on the counter as if impatient. “I spent all evening reading.” His head tilted to the side and a smirk lit his face.

  Libby placed the coffee pot on the heating element behind her then returned to Jerrold. “Anything good? All I ever get to read are text books.”

  “Oh it’s very good. It’s a little something that arrived in the mail from Wisconsin yesterday.” He patted his pocket, where a white envelope stuck out. He grinned.

  “Is that my letter?” He had her full attention. “Don’t you dare tease me. Did my appeal pass?” She reached to snatch the envelope, but Jerrold blocked her move. “I’m not afraid to jump over this counter and take it from you.” She twisted the towel that hung from her apron in impatience.

  Jerrold took a slow sip of coffee. His eyes darted to everything in the diner except Libby. She slapped her hands on the counter in front of him.

  “Listen here, old man. Give it up. Am I free? You can’t withhold information from me. I’m you’re client.” Jitters fluttered through her stomach. Her future depended on that envelope.

  “Spill it!”

  In what seemed like slow motion, he removed the envelope from his pocket, methodically pulled out the papers, then patted his pockets. “Where did I put my reading glasses?” His stalling tormented her.

  “They’re on your head.” Libby pointed out in short, impatient words.

  “Ah yes, so they are.” He pulled the cheaters off his head, put them on and began to scan the document line by line. “Hmm. Mmhmm. Yup, looks good.”

  “Oh for Pete’s sake get to the point.” Libby wanted to strangle the man. “Give me the darn papers.” She snatched them out of his hands and read. Her hands shook as she scanned the pages looking for the magic words that would give her freedom.

  Then she saw it.

  Elizabeth Ann Sawyer is here by awarded emancipation and independence from the State of Wisconsin.

  It was over. She was no longer a runaway or a ward of the state. Jerrold had navigated the process of filing papers for emancipation of a minor. Now she could make her own decisions, and no longer need a parent or guardian to decide her future. No more Aunt Marge, no more fear of group homes or anything else. Better than that, she could start college in the fall. For the last six months Libby had worked her tail off getting her GED, taking the SATs and applying to graphic design schools. She’d been accepted to a school in Boston. For the first time in a long time, she felt her world glide into place.

  She looked up at Jerrold. “It’s done?”

  “Yes.” He nodded. “It’s done.”

  “Woo hoo!” She tossed the pages in the air.

  Penny, owner of Fork in the Road, peered around the corner. “Jill, what’s all that racket about?”

  Libby rushed to her side and hugged the plump woman and plastered a kiss on her cheek. “Penny, I just got the best news of my life.”

  “You win the lottery hun?” Penny asked.

  “Better than that. I’m free.”

  Penny’s eyes moved to Jerrold, she nodded some unspoken words and the two older people smiled. Apparently Jerrold hadn’t kept her situation entirely confidential after all.

  # # #

  After her shift ended, Libby returned to the motel with a box of cupcakes tucked under her arm. She all but floated down the street thinking of her new found independence. Now she was free to start college in the fall. She couldn’t wait to get there. It was her life long dream. Between all the money she’d saved since landing in Pebble Creek and the financial aid package Jerrold said she’d qualify for, no more obstacles stood in her way. She could do anything she wanted. Heck she might even get her driver’s license.

  She entered the office and hollered out to the boys. Their sweet little heads popped around the counter. “Look what I’ve got.” She opened the box to reveal five yummy cupcakes.

  “Are those for us?

  Their lovable little faces warmed her heart. “Sure are. One for everybody.” She smiled at her little buddies.

  “Mom too?” Jimmy, Jr. asked.

  “Absolutely, you want to pick one for her?” She held the box out while he carefully selected a pink cupcake with a flower on top. “Good choice.” Libby ruffled his hair.

  “Hey Mom, look what Jill brought us.” Damien ran around the front counter to the living quarters where DarLynn folded laundry. After one look at Libby, DarLynn bit her lip. She wore an odd expression on her face.

  “Is something wrong?” Libby set the box of cupcakes on the table.

  DarLynn examined Libby as if she’d never seen her before. “Jill, where did you live before you came here?”

  “Why do you ask?” She evaded the question, even though she no longer needed to hide her past, thanks to Jerrold. Libby couldn’t imagine why, after all these months, DarLynn would ask about her background. DarLynn had accepted Libby on face value and they’d been great friends.

  “You know how I like to watch all the entertainment shows.” DarLynn pulled out a tiny hoodie from the laundry basket and attempted to straighten it. “Well, today there was a special interview with that Rock group, Jamieson.”

  Libby, stopped in her tracks. She had tried not to think about Peter too much. It was difficult, because she’d often come across Jamieson on magazines DarLynn subscribed to. Peter was her secret love; she’d never forget him. Whenever she became scared or lonely, she allowed herself to linger over each moment they shared and savor their magical time. Sometimes she got carried away and daydreamed they were still together planning their futures. But those thoughts wouldn’t help her move on with life. Peter was best left in the recesses of her mind.

  “Oh.” She set the cupcakes on the table. She wanted to hear what DarLynn had to say, but also wanted to keep her memories of Peter private. Libby faced her friend, whose eyes scrutinized her.

  “Yeah, it was really interesting. They have a new album out. They’re doing a concert tour, but it’s different than anything they’ve ever done b
efore.” DarLynn’s voice sounded strained, as if something else occupied her mind.

  “That’s nice, what are they doing?” Libby tried not to care. Learning too much about Peter’s life would only make her heartsick for him all over again. She worked hard to push away all the loss in her life and move forward.

  “They’re looking for a girl.” DarLynn twisted the tiny shirt.

  A stab of pain hit Libby in the heart. “Oh, what for? Their next video?” She gazed out the window and hated the idea of some strange girl in a video with Peter.

  “No, actually it’s a girl one of the brothers used to date.”

  Libby’s head snapped up. DarLynn’s eyes blazed. Libby’s mouth went dry. She didn’t know what to say, so she returned her attention to the trees outside.

  “In fact, they showed a couple pictures of her.” DarLynn stepped closer.

  Libby’s gaze swung to the darkened television. Her heart felt heavy as she fought back emotions. Part of her worried about discovery, but then again, why would Peter want to find her? She was insignificant in the world of a rock band. This must be a promo to sell more CD’s. It hurt to even hope.

  “I DVR’d it and just got a chance to watch it.” DarLynn picked up the remote and clicked on the television.

  A couple more clicks and DarLynn brought up the program. Peter appeared frozen on the screen, where DarLynn had paused the show. She hit play and Peter’s voice filled the room. The sight of him tugged at her heart. He still wore the pendant she gave him. She’d forgotten how handsome he looked. He explained that he and his brothers dedicated this tour to finding a girl he fell in love with and lost.

  She moved toward the television, unaware of everything around her. She knelt before the screen and watched Peter explain his futile efforts to find this girl. A photo of Libby and Peter sitting on the giant rock at Parfrey’s Glen flashed on the screen. She caught her breath. There they sat, young and innocent with yearning in their eyes. She remembered the moment clearly. It took place when Peter almost kissed her, but Adam interrupted. She smiled at the memory, reached up and touched the screen with her fingertips.

  DarLynn paused the image of Libby and Peter, their dreamy expressions focused on each other. Libby remembered every essence of Peter; the way his hair lay heavy across his brow, the deep color of his eyes, and the tilt of his mouth. Lost in thought, a few moments passed before DarLynn’s words brought her back to reality.

  “He says the girl’s name is Libby.” Kindness shone in DarLynn’s eyes. “That girl in the picture is you.”

  The veil of secrecy lifted. Libby nodded to DarLynn as tears welled in her eyes.

  Chapter 22

  The next morning, Libby and DarLynn crowded in front of the library computer. Fifteen more minutes before they must surrender the computer to the next user. Jamieson had created an internet survey to help screen fans and find Libby. Displayed on the screen were ten questions.

  “What if I don’t know the answers? I’ll never get the free passes to the concert and I’ll never get to see him.” Now that Libby knew Peter wanted to find her, winning these tickets became her sole mission. She missed out on the earlier concerts, because she didn’t know he was searching for her. The deadline for the Chicago concert ended last night. The only concert left was in Red Rocks, Colorado, more than a thousand miles away. She didn’t know how they’d get there, but one step at a time.

  “Of course, you’ll know the answers. He wrote the survey for you.” DarLynn grabbed the mouse and scrolled to the multiple choice questions listed below. “Okay, Jill, I mean Libby.” DarLynn tilted her head to the side and aimed an annoyed yet friendly look at Libby. DarLynn wasn’t quite ready to let Libby off the hook for lying about her identity these past month.

  Libby shrugged, what else could she do? At the time she needed to be someone else.

  “First question. Where did Peter and Libby meet?” DarLynn read.

  Libby almost blurtted out the answer when DarLynn shushed her. “No, no, let me see if I can get it right. A) a concert, B) a restaurant, C) a special appearance, D) a nature preserve, E) on their tour bus, F) a theme park.” DarLynn squinted at the screen as she mulled over the choices. “This is trickier than I thought. I’ll say a theme park. That makes sense. Plus, a concert is too obvious.” She moved to click on the theme park box.

  “Bzzz.” Libby gave her best imitation of a game show buzzer. “Wrong. It’s D) nature preserve.”

  DarLynn shifted the mouse and clicked on ‘nature preserve.’ “Interesting. I’d have never guessed. Next question. ‘What was Libby doing when they met? A) talking, B) eating, C) drawing, D) texting, E) singing, F) sleeping.’ That one’s easy, C) drawing.”

  “Ding, ding, ding.” Libby grinned. Even when buried in work, Libby always kept a drawing pad, her lifeline, nearby.

  DarLynn read through the next couple questions, and guessed wrong each time. It gave Libby hope that all the random girls out there who wanted to meet Peter would guess wrong as well. She moved to the next question.

  “What is Libby’s sister’s name?” DarLynn looked back at Libby, sadness in her eyes. “I’m sorry honey. I still can’t believe you lost both your Momma and your sister.” She reached out and gave Libby a quick hug.

  Libby avoided her eyes, took the mouse and clicked on the name Sarah. “Keep going, read the next one.” Libby didn’t want to think about Sarah right now and what a powerful question Peter left for her. No one could possibly know the answer unless they knew Libby back in Michigan. Everyone else would have to guess.

  “Last question,” DarLynn read. “Where was Libby when Peter’s dad suffered a heart attack?” DarLynn turned to her. “Holy moly girl, you’ve led a busy life.”

  Libby aimed a crooked smile at her. DarLynn didn’t know the half of it.

  “Let’s see, A) at school, B) at home, C) at a football game, D) at a dance, E) at work or F) with Peter. Hmm.” DarLynn focused on the computer and studied each answer as if it were a college entrance exam. She glanced at Libby, hoping for a hint. “With Peter. You were with Peter when his father had a heart attack.”

  “Bzzz. Wrong again. The answer is D) at a dance.”

  “Dangit. You won again.” She clicked the D box.”

  Music suddenly blared from the computer speakers and the screen changed to a banner that read, “Congratulations! You’ve answered all questions correctly. To redeem your two free passes for Jamieson’s Red Rocks, Colorado, concert, enter your email address.

  “I don’t have an email address.” Libby panicked that she was so close and yet another hurdle blocked her from Peter.

  “Don’t worry, we can open one for you. It only takes a couple minutes.” DarLynn clicked open another screen.

  “Excuse me,” the elderly librarian interrupted. “Your time has expired and you need to vacate this computer for the next person.”

  “We just need a few more minutes,” Libby pleaded.

  “I’m sorry dear. It will set back the whole schedule. If I give you extra time, then so will the next person and the next. No, your time is up.”

  The old bat had the guts to smile.

  “DarLynn, what do we do?”

  “Don’t get yer undies in a bundle.” She punched in a couple more keys and hit enter. “Got it!”

  A message appeared on the screen instructing them to print the pass for the concert from their email account. DarLynn hit print.

  “Thank you!” Libby hugged her tightly.

  “Shush.” The librarian waved them away from the computer.

  Libby and DarLynn eagerly watched the paper appear from the printer, paid their ten cent copy fee and rushed out of the library. “How did you set up an email account so fast? She didn’t give you even a minute.”

  “I didn’t. I knew Gertrude the rude wouldn’t leave us be, so I entered in my info. I used your name, just my email. It’s all good.”

  # # #

  “Hey Pete, we got another one.” Garrett yelled acro
ss the presidential suite of the Intercontinental Hotel.

  Peter braced himself and tried not to get his hopes up. Garrett took it upon himself to monitor the incoming “Libby” surveys. He still felt guilty for hurting Peter. Keeping track of the survey’s was not an easy job, Peter knew, since the site received thousands of hits a day. Fortunately the survey system only forwarded entries with all the questions answered correctly.

  “Yeah?” Peter crossed the plush carpet to the laptop. “I don’t know. This seemed like such a good idea a couple of months ago, but all it’s doing is turning our female fans into private eyes and code breakers.”

  When he created this contest to find Libby, it was like the flood gates opened in cyber space. Everyone wanted to win the prize. A huge network of followers worked the odds and figured out the right answers. The odds of randomly getting all ten questions, with six possible answers each, correct were slim. However, as the search went on, more girls got them right. There were even a couple fan sites that published the correct answers.

  “Why in the world should I think this one will be Libby?” His frustration at not finding her was beginning to get the best of him.

  Garrett grimaced. “I don’t know. All I can say is that if you stop trying, you’ll never find her. You have to believe. This could be her and when she shows up at Red Rocks and answers the final question, it’ll all be worth it.”

  He was right. Peter felt desperate to find Libby, and together the three brothers promoted the search contest everywhere. They did radio and television interviews, put it on Facebook, Twitter and their blog. Garrett even made sure it hit all the fan magazines, but time was running out. Only one concert remained.

  “Okay, where’s she from?”

  “Pebble Creek, Georgia.” Garrett scrolled down the screen. “Aw, shit, never mind. Her name isn’t even Libby. That was dumb. Why would a girl pretend to be Libby and then use a different name?”