by Linda Opdyke
Chapter Twenty Six
The emcee smiled and scanned the audience. “Lilly Malone loves old movies, especially Bette Davis movies. With no further ado, here’s Lilly, reenacting her favorite scene from Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte.”
Intrigued in spite of himself, Jack waited for the spotlight to pick up the thirty-something woman dressed as Charlotte. When she turned to face the audience, they gasped at her resemblance to ‘Charlotte’. Unfortunately, Lilly’s skill with makeup, wig and costume was the highlight of her act. Her affectations and physical movements during her scene had the audience tittering behind their hands long before her dramatic closure.
Jack’s was almost the only polite applause.
Still, the woman beamed with happiness at the crowd and curtsied sweetly before hurrying back behind the curtain.
The emcee blinked in her direction several times before saying, “Ah…thank you, Lilly Malone.”
Next, the curtain raised for sixteen-year-old twin boys dressed as hobos singing, “Me and My Shadow”. One was excellent. One was far from it. Neither could dance. Both had a ball. So did the audience and the laughing boys danced off stage to thunderous applause.
Then came Marko the Magician. Or, more to the point, the wannabe magician.
After him came two high school seniors doing a Saturday Night Live “Weekend Update” skit, one that came to an abrupt halt when the curtain dropped after the second obscene word proved the first one was no accident. The audience was quiet as the emcee lectured them behind the curtain, then reappeared, looking flustered, back at his corner of the stage.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we now have fourteen acts from which to select our winner. The ‘Weekend Updaters’ have been disqualified from the competition.”
A chorus of boos greeted that announcement, but the emcee ignored it and announced the next performer, an extremely proficient female tap dancer.
Not bad, Jack thought as he watched her bound, bounce, tap and snap around the stage in perfect time to the band’s Give My Regards To Broadway. Then, like everyone else, he was totally caught up as the dancer finished and a young man came out and sang a heart-rending version of Spanish Harlem.
The skimpily clad double baton twirler, who sang “Let Me Entertain You” while she twirled, was the last performer before intermission. The cheers, wolf whistles, foot-stomping and raucous cheers told Jack that this was the sister the group beside him referenced. Jack knew it was a good thing they’d decided to cheer instead of boo her, despite that she dropped her batons four times.
Wylie leaned toward Jack and whispered, “When is Kelly Jo on?” just as the lights came up and intermission was announced.
“She’s last,” Jack told him, not without a little chagrin. “So you might as well get comfortable and enjoy the show.”
They stayed in their seats during intermission and about three minutes into it, the emcee, carrying something, came down the stage steps and headed toward them.
“Are you Jack?” he asked.
“Yes,” Jack answered and rose to put the black jacket on. Finally. He’d be ready to take the stage as soon as Kelly Jo gestured to him, winging a song if he had to do so. He just hoped she’d give him enough time to get to the side steps to join her without it being too disruptive.
“I’m supposed to give this to you,” the emcee said.
Confused, Jack said, “Give me what?”
The man held out a black garbage bag and when Jack had taken it from him he walked back to the stage.
“Hey,” Wylie said. “Isn’t that the bag I gave Kelly Jo?”
“Yeah,” Jack said slowly, and knew opening it wasn’t a good idea.
But he did it anyway.
Inside was the black jacket Kelly Jo had been wearing. And the backless heels.
“I don’t get it,” Wylie said quizzically. “She isn’t coming out buck naked is she?”
Jack put a hand up to rub his forehead. Why did anything that had to do with Kelly Jo automatically give him a headache?
“I’m sure she isn’t,” he told Wylie, then added, “And don’t look so disappointed.”
Wylie grinned.
Jack sat back down and put the bag on the floor between his feet. “What all did you give her as a costume, Wylie?”
“The jacket, the shoes, the pants…oh, yeah, and that little top. Hangs off the shoulders.” He grinned, then grinned wider. “I’ll bet it’s looking real good on her.”
Jack shook his head, stumped. It looked like Kelly Jo’s solution to being too modest to parade on stage in the tight, sexy Grease outfit was to take off even more of it. That made no sense. Not even for Kelly Jo.
He didn’t have time to dwell on how Kelly Jo’s mind did or didn’t work. The audience trailed back to their seats, the lights dimmed and the emcee announced the start of the second half of the Budding Star competition.
Chapter Twenty Seven
Jack made sure he applauded for each entrant, knowing all too well how it felt to perform from deep within your heart, with everything you had to offer, and then hold your breath and wait for reaction from a judgmental audience or concertgoers.
He clapped for them all: the ventriloquist ‘Mr. Kotter’ who moved not only his lips but his entire body when he spoke as his Vinnie Barbarino, his wooden partner; the high school girls that semi-gracefully whirled and swirled their way through Donna Summer’s “Last Dance” behind a lead singer who dropped too many notes to count. The local family friendly comic that Jack suspected would eventually succeed in show business if audience support and approval was indication. The older gentleman who played his accordion until the younger crowd members booed so loudly that he left the stage in exasperation. The twenty-something young man who sat on a stool in the spotlight, strumming his guitar and singing a fantastic rendition of Roy Orbison’s “In Dreams” with only a soft drumbeat from the band aiding him. Jack knew by the audience’s reaction that if Kelly Jo wasn’t up to the challenge that “In Dreams” would walk away with the two hundred dollar prize. If he’d counted correctly there was only one more act before she came out. A “street corner” type group of young guys who poured their heart into semi-proficient choreography and the tight harmony of “Duke of Earl”. Not bad. Not bad at all, Jack admitted as the group beamed at the audience’s loud appreciation.
Kelly Jo more than had her competitive work cut out for her and Jack had no idea how well she dealt with pressure. He smiled over at Wylie, wondering how he’d break it to the kid that their promise to pay him may have been an empty one.
Then the emcee announced that the next act was the final one and that, like last year, after the final act all the entrants would take the stage and the winner would be selected by audience applause rating.
Jack shook his head, keenly aware that as of right now ‘the winner is���’ was a tight race between “In Dreams” and “Duke of Earl”.
Then the curtain opened and Jack saw Kelly Jo, barefoot, standing in the spotlight. He shot straight up in his seat and stared, knowing immediately what the white thing was that she’d wrapped the black jacket and boots in and that her modesty hadn’t been as sudden as he’d thought. Somewhere in the vicinity of where she’d swiped the jacket and boots a backyard clothesline was missing a white bathrobe, a bathrobe too bulky to wear over the costume’s black jacket.
“Hey,” said a surprised female voice from a dozen rows behind him. “I have a robe just like that one! Cool!”
Strains of music hit the air and Kelly Jo walked forward, singing softly and looking straight at Jack.
Guess mine is not the first heart broken,
my eyes are not the first to cry
I’m not the first to know, there’s just no gettin’ over you
Despite himself, Jack was mesmerized. By the vision of the incredible, vulnerable beauty making her way toward him. By the sweet purity of Kelly Jo’s voice as she sang her heartbreak. By Kelly Jo. Why was his heart thudding?
Hello, I’m
just a fool who’s willing
to sit around and wait for you
But baby can’t you see, there’s nothin’ else for me to do
I’m hopelessly devoted to you
But now there’s nowhere to hide, since you pushed my love aside
I’m out of my head, hopelessly devoted to you
Hopelessly devoted to you, hopelessly devoted to you
Jack didn’t even notice the stunned silent audience. He only had eyes for Kelly Jo. So did they. Wylie stared at Kelly Jo and Jack knew the young man’s reaction was mirrored throughout the audience. The emotion on Kelly Jo’s beautiful face and in her unflawed voice held them all spellbound.
My head is saying “fool, forget him”,
my heart is saying “don’t let go”
Hold on to the end, that’s what I intend to do
I’m hopelessly devoted to you
But now there’s nowhere to hide, since you pushed my love aside
I’m not in my head, hopelessly devoted to you
Hopelessly devoted to you, hopelessly devoted to you
Kelly Jo soared on the final note, and as it died away the audience leaped to their feet, screaming approval. Except for Jack. His eyes locked Kelly Jo’s and his hands gripped the seat’s armrests. Why was his heart still thudding?
Kelly Jo smiled at the audience and bowed graciously, then blew them a kiss.
They went crazy, clamoring for an encore.
The emcee hurried out and made continuous ‘sit down’ gestures to the crowd until they complied. He thanked Kelly Jo, then called the rest of the performers from backstage to join them and line up on stage.
The emcee reintroduced each act and then, from behind, held his hand over the performer for the audience to show their choice by applause.
Jack chewed his lip, knowing nothing was for certain, especially with a fickle audience. Would they choose Kelly Jo, “In Dreams” or “Duke of Earl”.
The audience exploded with approval when the emcee declared Kelly Jo the winner and handed her the two hundred dollar prize.
The audience chanted, “Encore. Encore.”
Kelly Jo smiled at them and held up a finger to indicate one sec! She hurried back to the band, then came all the way to the edge of the stage, directly in front of Jack.
Kelly Jo smiled at Jack, but waved Wylie to come to the front. Wylie looked at Jack and Jack smiled his okay, not really sure what Kelly Jo had in mind, but knowing she wouldn’t do anything to embarrass or harm Wylie.
When Wylie reached the stage and looked up at Kelly Jo she bent down and handed him the prize money. Jack heard her whisper, “I’ll get the costume back to you as soon as I can. You can go and sit down again.”
Wylie looked confused, but nodded, shoved the money into his pocket and went back to his seat.
Jack looked at Wylie, and when he looked back at Kelly Jo he got a jolt like he’d never expected. She was staring at him, her eyes smoldering, inviting.
What the…???
Kelly Jo crooked her finger at Jack and told the audience. “I’d like my other half to join me up here.”
The audience hooted and hollered and Jack considered ignoring her, but there was something about that smoky look that drew him despite what he wanted.
He rose to applause and started to walk to the stage steps, but Kelly Jo stopped him. “No, just hop up right here.”
Jack tried to smile, but failed. He went to the stage, gripped the edge and pulled himself up onto the stage floor. He was about to rise to his feet when Kelly Jo’s foot pushed him over and he lay at her feet looking up at her.
Then the music started and Kelly Jo whipped the bathrobe over her head and tossed it to the side, her tousled blonde curls falling back over the shoulders bared above the skimpy black tank top. The audience howled and roared in delight when they realized what was coming.
When Kelly Jo put her hands on her hips and offered a sexy, “Hey, stud,” down to Jack, fortunately, he also caught on.
The music started pounding and Jack, still on the floor looking up at Kelly Jo, sang,
I got chills, they’re multiplyin’, and I’m losin’ control
Cause the power you’re supplyin’, it’s electrifyin’
He rose to his feet and Kelly Jo, her finger poking his chest, moved him backward while she sang,
You better shape up, cause I need a man, and my heart is set on you
You better shape up, you better understand, to my heart I must be true
Nothing left, nothing left for me to do
She spun and laid back into Jack’s arms while they looked at each other and both sang,
You’re the one that I want (you are the one I want), ooh ooh ooh, honey
The one that I want (you are the one I want), ooh ooh ooh, honey
The one that I want (you are the one I want), ooh ooh ooh, honey
The one I need (the one I need), oh yes indeed (yes indeed)
She spun out again and this time while she sang she walked backward, beckoning him to follow.
If you’re filled with affection, ‘n you’re too shy to convey
Meditate my direction, feel your way
Jack was having a ball and used his hands to “air” comb his hair back, Travolta style, then sang to Kelly Jo,
I better shape up, cause you need a man
She answered,
I need a man, who can keep me satisfied
Jack was loving it.
I better shape up, if I’m gonna prove
Kelly Jo’s eyes sparkled with the same enjoyment.
You better prove, that my fate is justified.
Are you sure? Jack crooned.
Yes I’m sure down deep inside, Kelly Jo sang.
The auditorium doors being kicked inward stopped the song. A large group of disheveled and unkempt bikers entered and the audience immediately went silent. The bikers scanned the room and then one of them pointed to the stage.
“That’s her. That’s the girl that stole Rattler’s jacket and boots.”
“Uh oh,” Kelly Jo said under her breath.
A huge hulking biker, chains hanging from his jacket and belt loops, took another step forward. This time the pointing finger landed on Jack.
“He’s wearing Rattler’s jacket. Get him.”
Chapter Twenty Eight
Stunned, the only part of Jack that could move was his head, and it swiveled toward Kelly Jo. “Another of your well-planned ideas,” he hissed, knowing the bikers would be neither kind nor gentle when they ripped him limb from limb.
Kelly Jo’s smile was weak and when her eyes closed Jack thought she might be fainting. Fainting so she didn’t have to witness his blood hitting the stage?
Within a split-second, the audience gasped and Jack’s attention spun back to them. The bikers had stopped in their tracks three rows from the stage when a mountain of a man, dressed exactly like they, rose to his feet from an aisle seat to face them.
Robert.
Jack wavered between knee-buckling relief at Robert’s intervention and laughing at the sight of the usually no-nonsense, stoic, by-the-rules angel decked out in full biker garb, including a leather cap with a small link chain draped above the visor.
The biker who’d pointed his finger at Jack stared at Robert. “Who the hell are you?” he demanded.
A hush filled the auditorium and Robert’s deep voice boomed through the room. “They call me Big Bob.”
Jack clamped down on a grin. This was no time to find humor in anything.
The biker stepped closer to Robert and his voice dripped menace. “Move.”
Robert returned an icy, unblinking stare and it didn’t waver when he jerked his thumb over his shoulder toward Jack. “You want him? That path is through me.”
The biker shrugged, then laughed. “Whatever you say.”
Robert disappeared beneath the pile of bikers who charged and leaped on him.
Jack’s jaw dropped.
Screams
filled the audience and families hustled their children toward the exit, children who tried to pull back and watch the excitement.
Jack knew the right thing to do was to help Robert and he brushed Kelly Jo’s restraining hand from his arm and took a step forward. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind that he’d severely regret it, but he would jump into the fray to help Robert.
He heard “Jack!” twice before he realized the harsh whisper called him. He turned to find Robert standing at the rear of the stage gesturing to him.
Jack looked in shock from Robert to the still brawling group, then grabbed Kelly Jo’s hand and hurried to Robert.
“Drop the jacket,” Robert ordered, “and get out of here quick.”
“But…but…but how did you…” Jack sputtered.
Robert’s smile was amused and he cocked his head toward the still-fighting group of bikers. “They haven’t yet noticed I’m gone.” He sighed. “Such is their love of the fight.” His amusement turned to sadness when he added, “Unfortunately, a love that is the ultimate undoing of some of them.”
Kelly Jo looked puzzled as her gaze studied Robert, and her question floored Jack. “Who are you?” She turned to Jack for explanation.
Robert’s gaze met and locked with Jack’s. In Robert’s, Jack saw that Kelly Jo’s transformation and memory loss was complete.
“A friend,” Robert told her softly. He nodded to Jack. “Get to the address I gave you before, without delay. It’s started.”
Robert’s hand raised and Jack swallowed hard. Robert held the sneakers that Jack had lost in the cold water of Covey’s Creek. Bone dry and showing no signs of their dunking.
Robert’s low voice cut through Jack’s reverie. “Go!”
Jack pulled the black leather jacket off, tossed it and the boots he tore from his feet to the floor, grabbed Kelly Jo’s hand and jerked her toward the back door and into the deepening dark of night. He ran back to grab his sneakers from Robert’s hand. No socks.
Robert’s somber dark eyes met his but neither man said a word.
Jack barely gave a thought to the people swarming outside, their chatter still excited as police cars pulled to the front of the building. His hand tightly around Kelly Jo’s, they began running in the opposite direction, staying well in the shadows away from the moonlight until they’d put several blocks between themselves and the high school.