Whirlwind Love: Libby's Journey (8 page)

“Wait a minute, are you sayin’ you wanna break up the band?” Chuck asked cautiously, with a twinge of anger. “’Cause of something some
chick said
?” Chuck stood abruptly and trudged away, muttering and shaking his head.

Joe called after him, “I’m not saying that...exactly. But damn-it, Chuck, I need a break.” Joe placed cash on the table and followed Chuck out the door. “How many years have I been doing this? Fifteen? Sixteen! Chuck, I need a break. It’s all too damn...heavy. You don’t know how it is...walk in my shoes a while.”

Chuck climbed behind the wheel and glared out of the window. As soon as Joe shut the door, Chuck peeled out of the parking lot.

They rode in silence for hours on the road to Santa Fe, which gave Joe time to come to terms with other aspects of the conversation with Libby. Stopping for gas just outside of Clovis, New Mexico, Joe took the wheel for the last leg of the drive. They were staying with an old friend from their early days in the business, who traded his band days for a bar and a family. Joe arranged to sandwich two gigs in at Santa Fe around one of the state fair shows that management arranged, making his life somewhat easier and the money more worthwhile.

Joe finally broke the silence, “You know, Chuck, I’ve been dreading these shows for so long. I’ve completely forgotten the reason I’m doing this.”

Joe gave a long look at Chuck before pulling onto the highway. “And do you realize how often you ARE drunk when you get behind the wheel? Man, we’ve been lucky that we haven’t taken someone out! She’s right...I’m no prize. Man, we really gotta start living life like it matters! Can’t be too soon, either.”

Chuck gave Joe a blank stare, laid back his seat and closed his eyes. “Yeah, man...whatever you say.”

Joe stared down I-40 as his mind drifted through the faces of the women he’d known. “Yeah, things have gotta change.”

L
as Cruces, New Mexico, Day 4 - Friday

Libby drove all night and arrived in Laura’s driveway just before noon. She was exhausted and angry at herself for her actions with Joe: She was never one to blow up, much less lose control. No sooner had she pulled in when Laura came running out.

“I was getting worried!”

“I left you a voicemail this morning around 9:00,” Libby replied relieved to see her best friend as the two embraced in the front yard.

“You look exhausted! I was up early this morning to get the bar’s bookkeeping done so we can hang without my worrying about it. I didn’t realize my phone was dead until ten minutes ago, when I realized I hadn’t heard from you. It’s on the charger – I didn’t get your message!”

As Libby stepped back, Laura’s face displayed her shock. “Must’ve been SOME party last night!” Laura’s hearty laugh faded quickly when she caught the sight of Libby’s bruised hand. Taking the swollen digits carefully into her hand, she inspected them and held her arms out to her friend for another hug.

“Talk!”

Hugging her friend as if her life depended on it, Libby replied, “Yeah, SOME party,” she choked back tears. “Oh! Flarflebloo! I’m such a...girl!”

“Okay, details! Did you deck somebody or what?” Laura carefully reached again for Libby’s hand to lead her up the stairs to her house. Libby yelped. “So...what happened? Do you think it’s broken? Let’s get some ice.”

Settling into Laura’s sofa with an ice pack on her hand, Libby recounted the music on the radio, stopping to take photos, the drunk who broke her lens and mangled her hand, and how Joe heroically stepped in. Then, hesitantly, she talked about the angry man, the diner, the drinking, and the fit she threw before leaving so abruptly.

“Libby, it’s not like you to overreact, but given your Dad...it’s understandable. Besides, you sound like you
like
this guy! What happened? Hey, we need to get you to a doctor!”

“Nah...I think I can move the fingers a little, so let’s just wait and see what happens. Besides, what’ll they do? Tape ‘em up? And, well, as far as him liking me…he compared me to a cactus.”

“A cactus?” Laura laughed.

“Yeah. He called me…
prickly
,” Libby replied, sheepishly, causing Laura to howl with laughter.

“You don’t have to enjoy that so much, you know,” Libby smirked. “I’ve had seven hours to think about what happened. I reached the conclusion that it’s...
all of it
. I mean, these guys live on the road. Women are always throwing themselves at them...they’re gorgeous. Joe with his big blue eyes; sexy, southern voice; ah…those curls; such a bod! He’s just a great package…if you can get past the anger and the alcohol.

“Chuck…well, what can we say? He almost deserves to have an ego. Chiseled cheekbones, hazel eyes, legs that don’t stop. No doubt he has a different woman in his bed every night, and you could tell that’s just the way he likes it. I figured Joe’s the same way, although he denied it.

“Did
you
call Joe a
hoochie-man
?” Laura laughed.

“Hey, I asked! But, there
was
something about Joe. I can’t explain it. Maybe that’s how all his groupies feel. He kept singing and talking about some woman—called her by name—I forget, now. Then, he hit on me! Sleazy, right? Then he asked
me
to join them for breakfast.”

Laura hugged her friend. “Well, it’s over now. Right?”

“Of course! How could it not be? The drinking and driving...nobody stops to think about consequences until it’s too late. They live a life different from anybody I’ve ever known, but much like the one I detest. I can’t fall for somebody like that Laura. I gave him my card; but only because he kept after me about seeing my pictures. I’m pretty sure I’ll never hear from him again, especially after the things I said.” Libby laid her head on the back of the sofa and closed her eyes with a heavy sigh. “I just don’t understand…why’s this guy getting to me so much? Why do I feel so
bad
this morning? Laura, I just don’t
do
this kinda thing…ever. You know that.”

Laura sat quietly for a moment, watching her friend. “Libs, you’re long-overdue for love. You’ve sacrificed
everything
for your family: college, time, money, even your own freedom. I’ve never known anybody with such a big heart, as you. You deserve some guy who appreciates you, cares for you, and wants
just
you. You don’t need to settle for
anything
less. No matter how gorgeous he may be. Did you stop to think…maybe this isn’t about
the guy
? Maybe it’s about something deeper…unresolved, you know?

As she listened to Laura’s pep-talk, tears spilled down Libby’s cheeks, and she nodded.

“Yeah, maybe.”

“Then again, maybe it’s a sign.”

Libby looked quizzically at Laura through swollen eyes.

“Maybe, just maybe…” Laura picked at imaginary fuzz on the sofa, “Maybe it’s the universe telling you to just throw it all to the wind and have a ball…with no regrets in the morning! Do something that is just
so uncharacteristically Libby
, something that has not one ounce of responsibility, or afterthought, or….shoot, something that’s even a little
dangerous
!” Laura’s eyes sparkled as she delved deeper into thought.

Libby studied her for a moment, then burst into laughter; and Laura followed.

As the room fell silent, Libby closed her eyes as the smile faded, and a deep sigh released her agony. A couple of minutes passed, and her exhaustion finally won. Laura watched as Libby’s tense muscles melted into relaxation. She lifted the coffee mug from her hands and slowly rose from the sofa to finish Renegade’s paperwork.

Libby awoke mid-afternoon, confused by her surroundings. Suddenly, she remembered Laura and jumped to her feet. She found Laura sitting on her bed looking at a magazine. “Ah, you’re up!”

“I’m so sorry!”

“No...no problem! I knew you were wiped out. You drove over seven hours, nut! You deserved a nap! When was the last time you slept?”

Libby looked thoughtful, “Jackson, Mississippi,” and laughed.

“Can I bum a shower?”

“Would you,
please
! I wanted to tell you that you needed one!” Laura laughed, “Help yourself, doll.” While Libby was in the shower, Laura placed loaner clothes on the bed.

* * *

Libby found Laura sitting at her dining room table with her laptop. “Thanks, Laura, I really needed that. I feel more like myself now. Hey, got tape?” Libby held up her battered fingers.

“Libby, did you see all this?” Laura asked her friend as she turned the laptop toward Libby. As Laura went on a hunt for medical supplies, Libby sat in front of the computer.

Joe King arrested for assault
was the title of the first web article.

The next read:
King Brothers Win Court Battle
.

Before Libby could read the assault article, Laura quickly continued, “Apparently some girl said she was single, but her boyfriend disagreed. Joe was caught in the middle of their argument when the guy attacked him. ‘Course it reads like Joe started it, but the other guy was actually locked up, so you
gotta
see the slant in the article. They let Joe go when witnesses stepped up. Why do they have to sensationalize like that?” Laura shook her head. Seeing Libby’s worried expression, she quickly added, “Show me your pictures! I wanna see this guy!”

“Sure. Hey, come see the RV! You won’t recognize it.”

“The Baitmobile! Aw, I sure miss camping, like when we were kids. My folks didn’t believe in having fun together like yours did. All those trips to the mountains and beach, if it weren’t for your folks, my summers would’ve been so dull.”

“We did have fun, didn’t we? I gave her an overhaul, come see! You wouldn’t believe some of the things I found…stuffed in places…you just wouldn’t believe! I remember one summer when Mom reamed out Dad for losing a fishing vest the first time he wore it. I found it behind the sofa! I’ve loaded the pockets with gear for the Canyon. I found doll shoes, earrings, and playing cards! Somebody cheated!”

Both girls laughingly replied, “Tommy!”

“The motor was shot from sitting too long. So the engine was a complete overhaul. Haven’t had a bit of trouble, though,” Libby said, knocking on the wood panel beside her.

Libby showed Laura the cameras in the cab, the great stereo system, the overstuffed upholstery, the bedroom with custom cabinets and pedestal bed that lifted for more storage.

“I even have a fake wall built in behind the TV mount.” Libby pressed a hidden panel behind the television and it popped away from the wall. Her camera equipment was tucked into cubby holes, a small mounted LCD and computer were housed in nooks, as were other valuables.

“That’s a neat idea!” Laura exclaimed.

“The video cameras and the big screen in the living area are connected here, so everything is stored in a central location. The company that did the overhaul thought of this. It’s really been so much fun taking the Baitmobile out again. I miss those days, too.”

Laura hugged her friend, then Libby exclaimed, “Come on to the big screen, I’ll show you the pictures!”

Libby and Laura returned to the cushy sofa, where Libby pulled the keyboard from behind the sofa and put her shots of TBK at Jake’s on a slideshow. While Libby pressed keys on the keyboard, Laura took note of her fingers.

“Libs, okay, I really think you need to get your hand x-rayed or somethin’.”

“I don’t know...it’s a dull throb now. Let’s just wait and see. The ice helped. It’s probably just bruised, and I’d hate to have the fuss over a stupid bruise.”

Laura looked concerned, “Why do you always do that? Where’s your bandages?”

“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.