Whirlwind Love: Libby's Journey (25 page)

Lead,
South Dakota, Day 32 – Friday

As usual, Libby joined Joe on the set. She was sitting in a chair just outside the RV, across from the “town” and the film crew. She twirled the diamond around her finger without thought. Occasionally, she’d find herself dazed, staring at the ring, remembering the beautiful sunrise they shared, the words he said, how he made her feel. Forever with Joe. That sounded like heaven to Libby as she smiled down at the ring.

Libby jumped when her phone vibrated in her pocket. Glancing around, she saw motion and conversations between the crew and decided it was safe to answer Megan’s call.

“Muggs! It’s about time! I’ve been trying to reach you since yesterday!”

“I know, I know. Things are...busy. I’m glad you called though. How’s the trip?” Megan replied.

“Aw...Megan. It’s amazing. I’m on the set with Joe right now...watching all this has given me a new appreciation for movies. I have news, but you HAVE to keep it a secret!”

“What? Are you coming home?” Megan asked with excitement.

“Soon...not yet though. Are you sitting down?”

“Do I need to be?”

“Joe proposed!” Libby’s face radiated her joy.

“
Seriously
?”

“Promise, you won’t tell anybody...okay? I’m not ready to deal with it all yet. I just want to enjoy this for now. There’ll be time for explanations later.”

“Okay. So, when are you guys comin’ home, so I can meet him? Honestly Libby. It was just for BALLOONS. I never dreamed you’d be bringing back a husband! HEY...WAIT. You’re not gonna elope though, right? Cause...”

“No baby, you’ll definitely be there,” Libby smiled.

The production assistants echoed, “quiet on the set.”

“I’ve gotta go now Meg, but we’ll talk soon. Love you!”

“Love you, too...be safe. CALL ME!”

Libby closed her phone and held it to her chest. She smiled as she watched Joe in the distance. For just a moment, he glanced her way; and she could see his brilliant smile.

Louie, the screenwriter for the movie, happened by as Libby was lost in her thoughts.

“Wow, wish I could make a woman look like that!” Louie said quietly as he leaned over her.

Libby glanced up sideways at Louie, but the sunlight blinded her, causing her to squint at him. She couldn’t contain her huge smile.

She motioned for him to sit in the chair beside her.

“Ah Louie...have a seat. When I think back on my life.”

Taking a long pause, Libby again glanced at Joe before she continued.

“This has to be the happiest time—ever.” She beamed at Louie.

“Wow, you really are in love, aren’t you?” he smiled with envy.

“Yes, I am.” Libby stated, matter-of-factly.

“Hey Louie, I need a favor...” Libby glanced back at the film crew and Joe as he moved into his fight scene. Leaning over the arm of her chair, she whispered to Louie as filming continued.

* * *

Joe was intently discussing his upcoming scene with the next actor he was to fight to make sure everyone was clear about what actions to expect. He was so intent on his moves; he didn’t see Louie go into the RV with Libby.

Lead,
South Dakota, Days 33-37 – Saturday-Wednesday

Desperately trying to stay on schedule, filming continued until the wee hours for the last few days. Joe was exhausted each night he returned to the lodge, and Libby did all she could to keep him going. She would talk to him about laying on the beach at Folly, the seagulls crying in the wind as the waves lapped on the shore, while the dolphins jumped offshore.

He seemed amused by her painted images, “I can’t wait to be a Carolina beach bum with you,” he said, half-asleep.

* * *

Finally, the last day ended, and the wrap party was in full swing. Libby and Joe were eager to pack up and hit the road, but stayed long enough to celebrate a job well-done and make proper goodbyes.

Lead,
South Dakota, Day 38 – Thursday

Early Thursday morning, Libby climbed behind the wheel of the RV as Joe finished checking out of the lodge. Libby set the GPS in the RV for a trip to South Carolina.

Joe climbed into the copilot seat, “You sure you don’t want me to drive?” he asked.

“I’ve got the first leg, you can take the second. I’ve set the GPS to South Carolina—just sit back and enjoy the ride...for now,” she smiled.

“So, what’s the plan. How long ‘til we get to South Carolina?”

“It’s over a day. If you want, you can get online and find someplace to stay over.”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Keyboard’s behind the sofa.”

Joe moved back to the sofa and turned on the big screen to find their route. After a few minutes he slipped onto the floor beside her chair. “Hey, Lily, my love, how about a side trip to Nashville? We can stay over at my place for the night. I can pack a few things, too. I haven’t been home in so long...I probably need to deal with some things.”

“Sounds good.”

“I need to let Rick know to clean the place up...and to be sure everything is...presentable, when you arrive,” Joe laughed. He reached for the GPS and kissed Libby on the cheek as he pulled it off the holder.

She smiled as she continued to watch the traffic.

“OK...here’s a decent looking RV park. I’ll see if they have any openings and book it...it’s in Columbia, Missouri on the river. That’s a fourteen-hour day today. Let’s break it up, Sweets, really. That’ll leave about an eight hour trip to Nashville tomorrow, then about eight hours to South Carolina from there. How’s that sound?” Joe asked.

“Great! Especially since we left so early today; we can sleep in a little tomorrow. You want my credit card?”

“Nah...I got this. Want some coffee?” Joe asked as he began to dial.

“Sounds good!”

After he made the reservation, he called his house. While waiting for someone to answer the phone, he put on a pot of coffee.

“No answer. Hey Rick. Libby and I will be there sometime tomorrow. How about make sure you and the house are presentable, would ya? See ya.”

After leaving a message, he returned to the passenger’s seat with a cup of coffee for each of them.

“You’re good...right?” he asked Libby.

“I’m great...right,” she smiled at him. “Sure is nice havin’ you here.”

“No place I’d rather be,” he grinned.

“You’ve got me thinkin’, how you take care of Megan. Sometimes I wonder if it’s all my fault, ya know, how Chuck has no respect…why he’s such a…hound dog, you know, with women.

“Long as I could remember, Chuck was bustin’ a gut to get on the road and play. That’s all he wanted to do: play guitar. He was
so
good, too. Better’n anybody else I ever played with. Like it was in his blood…so I wanted him just as bad, I guess. I’m the one who talked him into finishing high school early, just so he could hit the road with me. I pushed him…kept him motivated. Looking back, though, it was too much, too fast. Sixteen-year-old boy, surrounded by girls begging for attention, the alcohol, the glory; and well, he was pretty combustible. The one thing I couldn’t really teach him—because I wasn’t any more qualified—was self-control.”

Libby listened intently, nodding when it was appropriate.

“I can’t make excuses for Chuck, neither can you, Joe. He’s a man. He has to take responsibility for himself. Maybe you coming with me…might just be his chance to grow up.”

Joe nodded. “I hope so. Lately, I feel more like his conscience than his brother. I hate to say it, but I’m tired of that job, too.”

“We had some time to talk, after you left. He’s a different person when he’s not…’the guitar-god,’” Libby smirked. Too bad he doesn’t show the world more of the real Chuck.”

“Yeah. Boundaries can be a good thing. And knowing when to quit…or when to keep your hands and thoughts to yourself,” Joe looked out the window at the world passing by and sighed.

Libby smiled at him, “You can’t be responsible for him forever, Joe.”

Without looking at her, Joe nodded.

Libby turned back to the highway, leaving him alone with his thoughts for a while.

* * *

Over five hours into the trip, Libby turned onto Highway 29 at Sioux Falls. Joe was dozing off, but awoke as they changed highways. He looked at Libby “Hey, when’s it my turn?”

Libby laughed. “Well, I guess we should stop for some gas.”

At the next exit, Libby pulled into a station. She prepared a quick lunch and another pot of coffee while Joe pumped the gas. After eating, relaxing and kissing, Joe took the wheel while Libby sat co-pilot.

“Okay, Libby, what’s the first thing you’ll do when you get home?”

“This has been a trip of a lifetime, but I have to admit I’m ready to go home.” Libby confessed. “I’m so ready to see Megan, and to hear all about the life she’s got now. I feel like I’ve missed something.” she confessed to Joe. “So, I hope she’s there when we get home.”

“Just a couple more days, babe, that’s it,” he consoled her. “I’m bettin’ she’s missed you badly, too.”

Libby smiled in response.

Joe’s phone rang, with Chuck’s name on the display. “Hey, man, what’s happenin’?” Joe began to laugh. “Yeah, we’re gonna stay over in Missouri tonight. We’ll be goin’ by the house sometime tomorrow,” he looked at Libby. “Yeah, she’s here...hold on.” Joe handed his phone to Libby.

“Hey, Chuck! How ya doin?” Libby smiled. “I told you...she’s awesome. Laura will take care of you, man...no worries!” Libby smiled at Joe. “I’m so glad...see, things worked out. Take care, now. And Take care of my best bud!” Libby smiled, handing the phone back to Joe.

“Later, man,” Joe laughed and shook his head as he closed his phone. “Sometimes I feel like his father instead of his brother!” Joe laughed. “Promise me...daughters...can ya’ manage that?”

Libby blushed and laughed. “I’ll do my best...I guess,” she shook her head and looked back at Joe, her eyes dancing with delight.

“Uh...no rush!” Joe grinned, eyes darting at Libby.

After a while, Joe turned on the radio and sang along with the songs. Libby joined in from time to time, harmonizing or taking the lead. The rest of the trip went by quickly.

Just before arriving at the RV park, they restocked the fridge for a few days and picked up dinner. It was just before nine o’clock in the evening when they registered and set up their RV site. After dinner, they turned in early.

As Joe slipped into the sheets next to Libby, he plugged his mp3 player into Libby’s bedside alarm clock. Choosing “favorites” in the play list, the slow sensuous songs began to play as Joe turned to face Libby. He stroked her dark red hair and kissed her waiting lips. As the music played on, so did the passion.

Hours passed before blissful sleep carried the two away. Even in their separate dreams, they were clinging to each other in love.

Nashville, Tennessee
, Day 39 – Friday

They awoke around nine o’clock and lay in the bed, talking and planning their day. A half-hour later, Libby got up to put on coffee and a pot of water to boil for grits, as Joe jumped in for a quick shower. She took out eggs and bacon and put them on the counter. Once he finished, she took her shower while he stepped in to finish breakfast. By the time she was out, breakfast was ready. They ate leisurely, while simply enjoying each others company, sprinkled with kisses. By half-past ten, they were on their way to Nashville.

Just before seven o’clock, Joe pulled in front of his home in Nashville. No cars were in the drive. “Hmm, they must be out.” Joe offered Libby a hand stepping out of the RV, then secured the door. He walked, hand-in-hand, with Libby to the door. Once inside, Joe was relieved to see that Rick had made an effort to clean the house.

After a quick tour, he brought her into his modestly furnished room. “As you can see, I’m not exactly an interior decorator. I’m just not here enough to...do much,” he offered, looking around his room. “Mom put some touches on the living room, God bless her. I guess I always meant to...”

Libby stood and put her finger on his lips before he could finish the sentence. “No worries,” she smiled and kissed him. Tossing his mail onto the bed, he grabbed her arms and laid her down, kissing her as she landed. “God, you’re perfect.”

Libby giggled as he kissed her neck.

“Hey, you two up to somethin’?” Rick called from the entranceway.

“Damn,” Joe muttered. “Jus’ when it was gettin’ good.” He and Libby sat up. “We’re in here.”

Rick cautiously stepped into the doorway, “Am I interrupting?” he laughed. “ ‘Cause I could come back,” he laughed as he leaned on the frame of the door.

Libby stood and hugged him, “Hey, Rick. Good to see you.”

“You too, Libby,” Rick laughed. “This old fella treatin’ you right? ‘Cause if not...” Rick pulled a fist back behind his head, as if to strike Joe. Joe quickly popped his abdomen, laughing. Rick stumbled back, holding his stomach. “Hey, no fair!”

Joe laughed, returning to his stack of mail, now scattered on the bed.

“Hey, I picked up takeout on my way home from class. Hope you guys are hungry,” Rick said, walking into the dining room.

“I could eat,” Libby replied, walking to Joe. She leaned over and kissed him. “I’ll leave you to your business,” she said as he flipped envelopes on the bed.

“I’ll be right in.”

Nodding, Libby followed Rick’s pathway to the dining room.

Joe came out a few minutes later, with a letter in his hand. “Now, I see why the jerk wanted us to sign the contracts so badly. Seems we’ve been getting a lot of play in the UK. They wanted to schedule us for a tour and some performances on a few television shows. He wouldn’t get a cut unless we signed the contracts. He also wouldn’t permit them to contact us...apparently.”

“How about now?” Rick asked, eagerly.

“Nope...we’re gonna have to wait. The letter says they booked somebody else, but if we’re interested to let ‘em know, and they’ll keep us in mind. Man that just burns me,” Joe shook his head, although his voice was very controlled. He walked over to Libby and put his arms around her shoulders, pulling her back next to his chest. He handed the paper to Rick as he hugged Libby.

“Well, nothing we can do about it now. Now you see what a sleazoid he is,” Joe said. “That’s just one more reason why I refused to sign with him.”

Joe looked at Libby, “He would’ve gotten more than half of what we earned for a tour like that under his contract, and we would have to cover our expenses. MORE than half. Marty got twenty-five percent, plus bonuses when there were special situations and circumstances. I was
happy
when he earned bonuses, cause it meant
we
were making above and beyond. This chump waits for people to ask for us and wants to take half of what we work for, and he does
nothing
! Please! I’m glad to be rid of him.”

“How long you two hanging out?” Rick asked as he helped himself to more of the ribs, beans and potato salad on the table.

“Just tomorrow. Libby’s ready to get home. I can understand that,” Joe said, smiling at her.

“Hey, you guys’ll have to come down to Johns Island—where I live. I’ve got plenty of room at the house. It’s not far to the beach. Maybe this summer?” Libby happily extended the invitation.

“I think I can arrange that in my schedule,” Rick added, mischief clearly on his mind.

Joe looked at Libby and shook his head. “See what I mean.”

Libby laughed as she added another rib to her plate. Lively discussion over events the past few weeks filled the table. Libby smiled, watching the brothers interact.