Take Me As I Am (25 page)

“He boasts? Really? About what and to who?” Thea smiled at the change of subject. Daisy was going to feel however she wanted, and she could do nothing about that.

“Anyone who wants to know and some who don’t. When one of her songs starts playing, he’s there telling them that she used to play in the bar before her big break. Mind you, we are all proud of her and you, Thea. It wasn’t easy leaving town and now, look at both of you now.”

Thea felt the genuine warmth and sincerity in every word Lucy said. She knew that Joanna was going to be so embarrassed when she heard that John-Henry spoke so highly of her.

“We’re doing well, now. We’ve had our moments, but somehow we can’t stay apart for long,” Thea whispered to herself.

“Your mother mentioned that Jo was quite ill for a time and that you helped to nurse her back to health?”

“Yes, it was a shock. She nearly killed herself with the workload and other things. Now she’s more careful.” She wondered if Joanna was being more careful or if she was on her behalf. Whichever it was really didn’t matter, as long as the outcome was the same—Joanna remained healthy and happy.

†

Lucy heard the tenderness in Thea’s voice and smiled inwardly. Karen was right when she said her daughter loved the singer. It was in every nuance of her speech and facial expressions when she mentioned Jo’s name. It would be interesting to see her body language when she was around Jo.

“I’m glad for you both. Shall we get back to John-Henry? I’m sure by now he’s had an earful from Daisy. Unless of course he went to the men’s room, leaving her on her own. I’m not sure any one of us could take that.” The two friends laughed and left the restroom.

“Oh,” Lucy said, as they were making their way back to the table. “I completely forgot to tell you.”

“What?”

“George Andrews was arrested this morning for fraud and embezzlement.”

Thea laughed. “That is truly good news. Tell me all about it.”

“Don’t know much more than that. They were arresting him as we were leaving.”

“I hope they take him to jail and throw away the key.”

†

“Anyone seen Thea?” Jo asked sharply as she scanned the corridor outside her door. The usual coffee break had arrived on time except one very important aspect was missing. Thea. They would normally chat about insignificant items for an hour and then Thea would leave her to the final preparations for the evening performance. Where was she?

A young roadie, who she’d never seen before, shrugged then turned quickly, immediately running into Pete.

“Where’s the fire?” Pete asked.

Jo watched with interest.

“She wants to know where the blonde is,” the young man whispered.

Pete smiled. “Didn’t take her long,” he mumbled. “Get back to work.”

Jo glanced at him before fixing him with a glare.

“Hi, Jo. I hear you’re looking for Thea?” Pete swallowed hard.

“Yeah, have you seen her?”

“About three hours ago she went into town on an errand and said she’d be back before you missed her.”

Jo frowned at the gentle giant of a man who appeared to be trying not to grin.

A sense of relief filled Jo’s heart. “I think she mentioned something about seeing me later. I didn’t realize she meant that much later.”

She pursed her lips. Jo’s mind was reliving the fragment of conversation she’d had with Thea earlier. Nothing about the conversation raised a red flag. Knowing Thea, she was probably tracking down a decent place for them to eat after the show. That was in keeping with her nature. That must be the reason she wasn’t there. Still, not having her there was a bit unsettling.

“Since you’re here, Pete, is everything going okay with the equipment?”

“Like a dream. The guys love working with you.” Pete smiled.

Quirking an eyebrow at the comment, Jo gave him a sardonic look, “Bet they never said that a year or so ago.”

Pete grinned before winking at her. “Things change. Go have your coffee and I’ll tell Thea you were looking for her when she returns.”

“Okay. Oh and, Pete?”

“Yep?”

“Are we employing younger roadies these days or is it that I’m getting old?” Jo asked absently as she opened the door to her room.

“A bit of both.” Pete laughed while walking away.

Jo went back into her room and sank into a chair, poured herself some coffee, and sighed. The coffee smelled good and always did because Thea ensured that a particular brand always traveled with them. Pity her friend wasn’t there with her. She enjoyed the peaceful hour before the show as they chatted. Sometimes she couldn’t believe that life was so good and in the past, she would half expect her luck to change for the worse. Nowadays she didn’t feel so negative about things, probably because Thea told her if she constantly thought on the black side, it was bound to happen. Thea often said, ‘you have to make your own luck in this world’. Jo felt that together they were doing just that.

†

Thea, with a happy smile, glanced around the entrance for their car. She’d called the driver five minutes earlier and asked him to come back from wherever drivers go on such evenings. The limousine wasn’t around, but she expected him any moment.

As she stepped closer to the curbside, her heel caught and she tripped and fell into the road. A silver sedan squealed to a halt to avoid missing her, but the side mirror collided with her cheek, stunning her.

John-Henry quickly came to her aid and pulled her to the sidewalk.

The driver of the vehicle got out and rushed to them. “I’m sorry! Are you hurt? Do you need to go to the emergency room? I can take you.”

Thea looked dazedly at the middle-aged man. He appeared genuinely distressed at the incident. “I’m fine, thank you for the offer. Besides, it was my clumsy feet that caused the accident,” Thea said.

“Well, if you’re sure.” The stranger shook his head and slowly made his way back to the vehicle and drove away.

“Thanks, John-Henry. I’d never hear the end of it from Joanna if I’d been knocked down on the eve of a show and not been there.” Thea smiled and was shocked that her cheek still stung like hell.

“Oh, my, are you okay, Thea?” Lucy asked, her face concerned.

“I’m fine, just a silly accident. John-Henry came to my rescue.

“You need that taken care of.” Daisy sidled up to Thea and touched her cheek.

Thea bit her lip at the pain and grimaced.

“I’ll be just fine. I promise.”

The limousine arrived. As the car stopped, the driver quickly exited and came around to help them inside the vehicle.

“Hey, what’s happened?” He stared at Thea.

“I tripped and fell into the road and a hit a car’s side mirror. I’m okay and ready to go back.”

“Not on my watch,” the driver said. “A visit to the hospital is in order.”

Thea was about to protest but the throbbing on her face deepened and she was all of a sudden very weary.

“We won’t be long. I know the doc who’s on today.”

A few minutes later, they were on the way to St Luke’s Hospital, in the opposite direction from Joanna.

Chapter Twenty-six

“Where the fuck is she, Pete?” Jo turned scathing ice blue eyes in his direction. She knew her look was enough to wither the strongest spirit.

The giant of a man held up his arms, giving the irritated and upset singer a chagrined glance. “Truthfully, I don’t know. However, I know the driver of the car she used, let me call him. Why not see the guys for your usual sound check and I’ll get you an update when you finish the first set. Deal?”

“You know the driver, huh? Well, he’d better not be the reason she’s not here or so help me God, Pete, you’re a dead man.” Jo’s thoughts were churning away on every possible unfavorable scenario she could think of. It could be anything from a car accident, a mugging, or Thea being lost in a strange city at the mercy of some transient. After turning her back on Pete, she made for the stage and the waiting musicians.

“Any news, Jo?” Frank asked.

“No. Let’s get this show on the road,” Jo barked at the three men.

The lights in the concert hall went down and Jo’s signature hit single played as the intro. Jo heaved a sigh, picked up her guitar, and ran out on stage to thunderous applause. The others followed closely on her heels and within minutes, the first song was in full swing.

†

“Damn you, Sonny, pick up your fucking cell.” Pete spoke to the constant ringing tone of the cell in his hand. Just as he was about to give up and try again in a few minutes, a voice answered and he switched on the speaker.

“Sonny, God damn, man, where are you? More importantly where are your passengers?” Pete’s words echoed down the deserted hall.

“Pete, slight change of venue. There was an accident.”

“An accident! Thea?” Pete cast a worried glance toward the stage.

“Yeah, she tripped and fell into the road near the restaurant and a car almost hit her. Well actually she fell into the side mirror of an oncoming car.”

Pete closed his eyes at the comment. A cold chill swept through him as if someone had just walked on his grave. “How bad? What about the people with her?”

A snort of laughter followed his inquiry, “She’s in shock, but it will pass and she has a bruise on her cheek. The oldies are okay, but you could have warned me one of them talks constantly. She’s driving me mad.”

Pete heaved a sigh of relief. “Are you on your way back?”

A hearty laugh sounded. “Give me a minute.”

Several moments later, a female voice spoke. “Pete?”

“Thea. Wow, am I glad that you are okay. You know she’s gonna kill me.” Pete couldn’t help smiling. The sound of Thea’s voice meant that he would keep his balls intact this time around.

“She doesn’t know anything, does she, Pete?” Thea asked anxiously.

“Other than you’re not here and she’s worried sick about you. Will you be here for the interval?” That would ease the situation somewhat. No way was he going to tell the singer that Thea was at the hospital. He knew she would cancel the performance in a heartbeat and go wherever Thea was.

“I’m just waiting for some painkillers. Let me check on the progress. Joanna wasn’t too anxious, was she? I know what she can be like if she’s upset. The performance doesn’t always go according to plan, does it?”

“Listen.” He held the phone out and the echoes of the performance filled the phone. Pete heard her sigh.

“Good, I’ll be right back,” Thea said.

Pete shuffled around for a few minutes until he heard Thea’s voice again.

“I have the drugs and a prescription so we can leave now,” Thea said.

Pete heard Sonny’s voice next.

“I‘ll have them back soon, Pete.”

“Sonny, hey man, don’t drive too fast and end up in another accident,” Pete said.

“Got it, man. Catch you later.”

Pete glanced down at the cell in his hand. Thea would be back before intermission. Thea needed to explain the situation to Jo. He knew she wouldn’t take it well from him.

†

“Thank you for all your help.” The driver helped Thea out of the limo, stopped by the side entrance of the concert hall.

Within seconds of entering the building, Pete greeted them.

“Hi, Pete, are we in time?”

Pete gave Thea a grin and unexpectedly hugged her close. “Yep, she’s on her last song before the break. Why don’t you go to the side stage? I know she’ll want to know you’re here.”

Thea grinned at him. “But—” She turned to her friends.

“I’ll take care of them,” Pete said.

“Thea, you go on, I’m sure your friend here will see us to our seats. One thing I know is that I could do with a stiff drink after all this.” John-Henry smiled warmly at Thea.

“Yes, Thea, go. I’m sure Jo wants to know you’re in the building.” Lucy hooked her arm in Daisy’s and winked at John-Henry provocatively.

“Don’t you let her bully you, Thea.” Daisy said with a frown.

Thea chuckled. “Oh, she won’t do that, Daisy. What an imagination you have. I’ll catch up with you when she goes on for the second half. I promise.” Thea smiled brightly at them all before going through the side door.

†

For a little while, she pushed the shock and fatigue from the accident into the background while walking as fast as she could toward the side stage. A wonderful sense of peace overwhelmed her when she saw Joanna with mic in hand, singing the last refrain of a poignant song reminding her how fragile life was. Her eyes glimmered with unshed tears as she watched the performance and the face of her beloved. Thea saw the cynical curve of Joanna’s lips and knew she was responsible for it. The next session would be easier for them. She was there now.

As the applause rang out, Jo waved to the crowd and turned toward the stage. Her expression did a remarkable U-turn and flashed Thea a gigantic smile.

Rushing off the stage faster than she would normally, she tripped on a cable and Thea’s hands went out to steady her—much as John-Henry had helped her—preventing her falling on her face. Were they mirroring one another?

“Hey, I didn’t know you missed me that much.” Thea grinned playfully. She experienced a stare that seared her soul and lit a flame inside her that would never perish. It always happened when Joanna looked at her in that way.

“You’ll never know how much. Where have you been?”

“If I told you now, you’d never get back on stage. Come on, let’s get you your fluids and then later at supper I’ll explain.”

Jo frowned and stared at her. Thea was so grateful that Lucy had done a great job at disguising the bruising on her face.

“Okay, let’s go get those fluids. I have a feeling the next session is going to be more upbeat than the last one was.” Jo grinned happily and slung an arm around Thea as they walked off to her dressing room.

†

The concert was a hit, if the playfully raucous crowd was anything to go by. Joanna certainly knew how to play to the crowd and get them involved. She had a confidence level that stuck her up there on a pedestal. It was probably why Jack predicted such great things for her if she wanted it badly enough. Funnily enough, it was hard to judge exactly what Joanna wanted to achieve these days.

“She’s even better than she was back at the bar.” Lucy spoke loud enough for them to hear above the noise below them. Having a personal box at the concert had been a great idea. John-Henry had given up the idea of the side stage area for the luxury of sitting with them and having a drink as he watched the performance. Thea had watched the pride move across his gnarly features as Joanna performed for the audience. He had every right to feel that way. More than anyone else, he was instrumental for her being on stage, performing to the masses, rather than in a small town bar.

“I’d say she would be wonderful any place she sang,” John-Henry remarked as he hummed along to the song Joanna was singing.

Thea smiled. Did the bar owner have a crush on Jo, too? It wouldn’t surprise her. She knew all too well how that worked. Grinning at Lucy, they both turned to Daisy and asked in unison. “What do you think, Daisy?”

Thea had watched the old woman tapping her feet to most of the songs. “I’m more of a Patsy Cline fan myself, but she’ll do.”

Lucy and Thea smiled. ‘
She’ll do’
sounded mighty fine to Thea.

As the song ended, there was a short silence while the singer pulled a stool forward, sat down and relaxed her body. “I wrote this song for some very special people in my life. We’ve never performed it before, so cut us a little slack if I forget the words.”

Laughter greeted the words.

Thea smiled slowly. Joanna had never forgotten the words to any song as far as she knew. Fascinated, she listened as the gentle guitar strains heralded the start of the new song… “There was a life to live, places to be and people to meet. I did it all and didn’t care how or who was hurt on the way “

The magic that called to Thea every time she heard Joanna sing sent out its tendrils and she was captivated once more. Was that song for her?

“That was a beautiful song. Is it someone you know of, Thea? Jo got a new beau?” Lucy asked, applauding the singer’s performance vigorously.

“A beau? No, I don’t think so. You can ask her later who she wrote it for,” Thea answered absently.

“Thea, she’s performing her last song. Are we going to surprise her by greeting her off stage?” Daisy asked.

“Oh, God yes, let’s go, she’s going to be so surprised.”

Thea’s mind turned back to her friends.

†

The small homey Italian restaurant that she’d chosen with Pete’s help earlier that day was a bonus at this time of night. During the middle of the week, few people frequented the place. In fact, they’d arranged for all the roadies and other support staff to join them on this last night of the tour. Many of them would be going their separate ways tomorrow until the next tour, and there would definitely be a next time. Everyone was raving about the performance.

As predicted, Jo had been pleasantly surprised when she first saw John-Henry. Her heartfelt hug and genuine appreciation at his appearance near the stage was something you took pictures of and hung in your house to reflect on later in life as one of life’s pleasurable memories. After that introduction, Lucy appeared from the wings then Daisy. Jo welcomed both of the overjoyed women at the same time before giving Thea a mock stern stare followed by a wink.

Within an hour, they were all out of the concert hall and ensconced in the friendly family run restaurant. Jo was visibly relaxing after the rigors of the concert and from her emotional upset when Thea hadn’t been at the start of the show.

As they settled down at one end of the long table, made up especially for the group that was twenty strong, Jo looked at the three special people who had joined them. They made all the difference in her and Thea’s friendship and for being where they were today. She knew that was no mean feat.

The waiter delivered the drinks everyone ordered. Jo picked up her glass of beer and raised it in the air. “Thanks to a marvelous team. I couldn’t do it without you guys. Special thanks to Pete and the crew for making sure Lenny’s equipment sounded so good, no one could notice if he was playing at the correct times or not.”

The drummer gave her a long-suffering glance before raising his glass.

“Next tour…me and the boys are going back to take Europe. I’ll gladly take anyone here who wants to travel with us.”

Thea gave her a sharp glance.

“Oops, I forgot I arranged that
.
”

“Does that include us?” John-Henry asked with a wicked grin.

“Anytime you want to join one of my tours, John-Henry, you got it. Wouldn’t that bar of yours go to rack and ruin without you polishing the spots off the counter?”

John-Henry gave her a comical grimace. “That was uncalled for, young lady. I see they haven’t drummed any manners into you since you left my place.”

“My dad would love to meet you, John-Henry. He says the same.” Happiness was bubbling in Jo as she teased the group around her.

When the first course arrived, everyone tucked into the food.

Thea gave a startled gasp as Jo leaned in and softly spoke to her in a tone so low only she could hear.

“Where did you get that bruise on your face?”

Thea covered her cheek with her hand and looked away.

Jo wouldn’t give up. “Maybe if you tell me where you went this afternoon and why you were late, that might shed light on the issue?”

“Joanna, we’re having supper, let’s enjoy it with our friends and tomorrow I’ll tell you all about it,” Thea replied in a strangled voice.

“Do you promise?” Jo knew that if Thea promised it was a sure thing.

Thea gave her hand a quick squeeze. “I promise. Now tell me, how is that fiery pasta salad?”

Jo smiled at the change in mood, picked up her spoon, and filled it before placing it close to Thea’s lips. “Try it and see.”

“Damn that’s hot, Joanna.” Thea gulped down several mouthfuls of water as a burst of laughter from those who had seen what had happened emanated from the table.