The Gingerbread Boy

by Lori Lapekes

My Earthbound Angel waiting there on the ground.

  Earthbound Angel I long to make you happy

  Earthbound Angel I long for you to fly away with me

  Earthbound Angel, tell me that which we already knew

  And share my feathers; they belong to you, too

  If I were a spirit, soaring through whispering leaves

  It’d be terrible to see you alone without me

  I would fall hard and painfully, it’s true

  To gladly become earthbound with someone like you.

  Earthbound Angel I long to make you happy

  Earthbound Angel I long for you to fly away with me

  Earthbound Angel take these feathers, it’s I who’s alone

  With you, Earthbound Angel, the Earth is my home.

  Catherine closed her eyes, absorbed in Daniel’s words.

  She could sense Beth reading over her shoulder.

  “Good Heavens!” Beth finally exclaimed. “It sounds like Daniel is thinking of giving up his career, Sealey. Just to be around an ordinary girl like you. Is that what you want? Really? How selfish of you!” Then she stalked out of the room.

  Chapter Eight

  Joey glanced behind him to see at whom the stunning blonde was really staring as he stood alone in the rear room in Elderly Instruments, a famous music store in Lansing. He feigned being lost in thought while she worked her way nearer, glancing occasionally at guitars with little interest. By the time she was within several feet, she was approaching rapidly. It was odd, Elderly’s wasn’t on the campus beat.

  Joey felt his stomach clutch. Beautiful girls rarely confronted him. And as much as he hated to admit it, they scared him.

  The next thing he knew, she was standing directly in front of him, gazing his way with the loveliest blue eyes he’d ever seen. Her hair, swept elegantly back on her head, tumbled in golden ringlets against a handsome blue coat which accented her eyes. Joey faked a look of surprise, as though he’d just noticed her.

  She raised a finger and smiled. “I’ve seen you before,” she said, her voice low and sultry. “Do you work for Daniel LaMont and The Front?”

  Joey relaxed. He should have known this wasn’t about him.

  “In a way, they work for me. I manage the band.”

  “Oh, you’re a southerner,” she gushed. “I love that accent. How long have you lived up north Mr….”

  “I’m Joey Thayer.” He stretched out his hand, and she shook it briskly. Her hands were cold. “I’ve lived here many years, but never lost the accent. I like to think it holds a certain amount of charm, Miss…”

  “Shaker. Beth Shaker.”

  They released hands.

  “What can I do for you, Miss Shaker?”

  “Call me Beth.”

  “What can I do for you, Beth?”

  Beth shrugged, glancing sideways at nothing in particular.

  “I don’t need you to do anything for me,” she replied, “I just wanted you to know that I think your band is the best I’ve ever heard, and the singer is especially talented. Didn’t he use to play lead guitar?”

  Joey nodded glumly. As usual, the conversation was reverting to his buddy. If he didn’t love Daniel so much, he’d hate the guy’s guts. Any notions of romantic possibilities for himself and Beth faded, and he settled into his more comfortable promotion mode.

  “Daniel can play just about any instrument he’s ever laid his hands on. He still plays, occasionally for his own pleasure. But he’s devoting himself entirely to vocals now. Don’t you think the new guitarist is holding his own with the music?”

  Beth batted her eyes. “Oh yes, he’s fine. All of the band members are extremely talented, and they all seem dedicated. I love the interaction between them and Daniel. They seem to actually enjoy what they’re doing on stage, and respect the image Daniel wants to maintain.”

  Joey’s invisible antennae raised. “The image?” Beth sounded as though she knew Daniel.

  Beth gave Joey a coy look and clenched her hands together in front of her.

  “Yes. The image. A clean, upbeat act. The world needs more music like that, and your band certainly isn’t afraid to provide it.”

  Joey rubbed his chin. “Do most of your friends feel that the same as you?”

  “They do.”

  “Daniel will be happy to hear that.” Joey cocked his head at her, grinning slightly. “Or have you told him? You seem to know him.”

  Beth sighed. “I don’t know him. Not yet. It’s hard to talk to him whenever they play in the area now. He spends so many of his breaks sitting with some little brunette that it’s difficult to approach him. Lots of other women feel the way I do.”

  “The Front’s followers aren’t all women,” Joey said.

  “Maybe not, but, women still make up over half of the audiences. They love Daniel. They want to imagine he’s, well, that he’s free.” Beth paused, gazing straight into Joey’s eyes. “Is he?”

  Joey made no comment. This girl had a point as disturbing as it was. Daniel was not one to enjoy groupies, yet the business side of Joey recognized they were a factor in the band’s continued success. This was tricky. Talking to this woman was like walking on eggshells. Tiny, little eggshells.

  “Daniel’s not married.” He finally replied.

  “Not yet.” Beth said.

  There was an uncomfortable silence.

  “Most girls hope that girl is his sister,” Beth finally said. “They do kind of look alike. And I’ve never seen him kiss her. It should probably stay platonic don’t you think?”

  Joey lowered his forehead into his hand. What should he say? He had never seen Daniel as happy as he was in Catherine’s presence. And Joey wanted Daniel to be happy. Although Daniel had had only a few serious relationships in the years Joey had known him, Joey sensed it was going to be different with Eastie. He felt it. He approved of it. He liked Catherine, and it was fun to give her a hard time on occasion. She was as much of an epitome as Daniel. Something wonderful was growing between them, something that Joey envied and hoped one day to find for himself. He was glad for Daniel.

  But for the sake of the band as a whole Daniel’s involvement with someone could hurt sales.

  Sales!

  Joey hated putting a price on Daniel’s emotions. Still as the band’s manager, he had a duty to consider what this ‘fan’ was telling him.

  “Don’t you think it would be wise for a handsome lead singer like Daniel LaMont to remain unattached?” Beth asked, pulling Joey from his thoughts. “I realize it’s not what their image is supposed to be based on, but what about the fantasy factor? Daniel attracts women. Women with money the band needs to continue its advancement and success.”

  Joey looked directly into Beth’s face. Her eyes were icy and determined. He towered over her, yet she made him feel small.

  “Just think about it – really think about it.” Beth said, narrowing her eyes. Then she turned and strolled away, leaving Joey feeling like he was sinking.

  ****

  When Calvin drove by the large white house for the third time that day, he couldn’t believe what he saw. His jaw dropped as his foot let off the accelerator. The gorgeous blonde had stepped into the black German sports car in the driveway. He rubbed his chin with delight, watching in the rear-view mirror as the luxury car backed out.

  So apparently one of Cathy’s roommates owned that vehicle – not that flashy singer she was seeing. How stupid of him to assume the man was living there! Catherine hadn’t changed that much, after all. She lived with a few female students, and that was it.

  Not that Calvin was afraid of Daniel. But the guy had knocked one of Calvin’s front teeth loose, and had an awful mean buffoon as a friend. He had to be cautious.

  His eyes narrowed as he thought of the blonde in that luxury car. He’d met her that first day when he’d first asked if Catherine was home. Apparently the girl was loaded. An interesting tidbit of knowledge.

  Then he thought of the cold look in her ey
es. She obviously wasn’t as naïve or trusting as the girls he was accustomed to. There was something almost dangerous about that woman that he was afraid of even if she had money.

  Then his previous thoughts of how Catherine had embarrassed him re-surfaced, and Calvin pounded the steering wheel with his fist. Catherine owed him. She’d embarrassed him in front of hundreds of people, and she had to pay for that. Somehow. And soon. And the haughty blonde might just be the ticket.

  ****

  Catherine stood alone on her front steps, nervously bouncing up and down on her feet, her hands tucked in her jacket. She was much too excited to fully absorb the splendid warmth of the March Sunday. Daniel had said he had a surprise to show her this morning, and she expected to hear the sputter and clunk of Bruiser climbing up the nearby hill any time. She tipped her head, smiling, allowing the balmy air to caress her face. Somewhere overhead, a robin chirped in a maple tree.

  The morning was fresh and ethereal. A perfect day to spend with Daniel.

  Suddenly the door squealed open behind her.

  “I can’t wait to see the surprise!” came Joanne’s voice.

  Catherine turned, stunned to see Joanne sauntering up next to her, wearing a thick pink sweater that accented her cheeks, making her look like a china doll. She swung her hands with glee and stood by Catherine’s side.

  “So… when’s Daniel going to get here?”

  Catherine’s eyes widened, and her heart sank slightly. She didn’t realize Daniel had asked Joanne to spend the day with them. And as much as she adored Joanne, the idea was disappointing. She’d rather hoped Daniel’s surprise was more personal.

  “I’m amazed Daniel wanted me to come,” Joanne added, grinning. “The way he looks at you, Cath, I thought he’d want to be alone with you.”

  “He doesn’t look at me in any way,” Catherine said quietly, “Don’t be ridiculous. We’re just friends.”

  Joanne stopped swinging her arms. “Friends? If a hunk like Daniel looked at me like that with those gorgeous browns, I’d melt right into the floor, my wide world of sports and all.”

  Catherine grinned shyly, “You think he looks at me funny?”

  “Not ‘funny,’ girl. More like he wants to sweep you off to some enchanted land and keep you there forever.”

  Catherine shook her head and looked at the ground. “I don’t see how we could ever be more than friends.”

  Joanne crossed her arms and made a face. “Why? Come on, Cathy. What seems to be happening between you two is a rare and wonderful thing.” She leaned in close, her eyes huge as saucers. “You, my dear, are in denial.”

  Catherine looked closely at her best friend. How could she explain something hidden so deep in her heart? Something she was terrified to fully consider because it became too painful and confusing to bear: How could it ever work out long term between a rock ’n roll star and a veterinarian? The complications of it, as well as the seeming absurdity of it, were staggering. Daniel would be traveling almost constantly, and she’d be left alone with her veterinary practice. Her fondest dream was to help heal the suffering of the animal kingdom. Daniel’s dream was to help heal the suffering spirit of the human kingdom.

  How could those two dreams merge?

  But, for now, she refused to let it trouble her. As long as she and Daniel were merely friends, the problem wouldn’t manifest.

  Sounding far away, she heard Joanne ask, “C-a-t-h-y. Can you look me straight in the eye and swear that all you ever want to be to Daniel LaMont is a friend?”

  Catherine gazed at the ground, brown and spongy from melting snow. At times her relationship with Daniel felt that way also, brown and spongy. Because he was only a friend. She hadn’t even been able to be with him at Christmas, for the band had been out of town. Thank goodness she’d been able to go home with Joanne and spend some time with her and her family, which helped dilute the loneliness. Maybe Daniel treated her like a princess… when he was around. Maybe he wrote her beautiful, romantic songs. But he hadn’t tried to kiss her, besides a peck on the cheek or forehead, in the months she’d known him. And she couldn’t drive Beth’s taunting voice from her mind. It’d never work… never work… never work. Maybe Beth had Catherine believing it so much that Catherine’s own countenance frightened Daniel. Maybe she was acting just a little too stand-offish around him.

  “Beth thinks the idea of Daniel and me together is a joke,” she finally sighed. “Sometimes I wonder if she’s right, Joanne. I’m afraid to think about it. I just want to let it be, and see what happens.”

  Joanne took Catherine’s wrist and gently squeezed it “I don’t know Daniel like you do Cathy. But I pick up feelings from him when he’s around. It’s like he’s a little mixed up. He’s complicated and intense but still trying to shake off that little boy inside and grow up. But he wants to grow up, because of you.”

  “I’m not sure I want him to ‘grow up.’” said Catherine. “I like him the way he is. He’s the most intelligent, talented… and wonderful man I’ve ever known, And he’s so good-hearted, Joanne. I do think he knows who he is. I don’t think he’s mixed up at all. He knows what he wants, and where he’s going.”

  Joanne arched an eyebrow. “And that’s not the kind of guy you’d consider marrying one day? You want to be stuck with another Cave-Pig?”

  “Marrying?” Catherine exclaimed, pulling her hand out of Joanne’s grip and bringing it to her forehead. “I’ve got years left of school. I still want to pay Hazel back thousands of dollars. Joanne I can’t even make a decent meal. I burn water. I turn cookies into doorstops. I…”

  “Lame excuses Sealey,” Joanne interrupted. “Lame, lame, lame. You even thought of marrying that loathsome Cave-Pig at one time. You told me so yourself.”

  “I know. I was nuts. But Cave-Pig didn’t have a career that would take him gallivanting all over the country. He didn’t…”

  “That’s your real fear,” Joanne said. “You’re afraid to love a guy who can’t be around much, right? And when he’s away on tour, girls flock around him.”

  Catherine’s shoulders slumped.

  “I’m right, aren’t I, Cath? C’mon – I know you. Who wouldn’t be afraid of that? But when two people have something this special together, anything can be worked out.”

  Catherine sighed as Joanne’s words settled in. Something in her own demeanor softened, and she leaned over to give her best friend a hug.

  “So when did you become such a good counselor?” Catherine asked.

  Joanne hugged her back. “Since I realized that I wanted to be maid of honor in your wedding with a music legend and borrow lots of money I never intend to pay back.”

  Both girls laughed, and hugged each other tighter.

  Catherine didn’t notice that there was someone walking up to the front steps. Her and Joanne’s eyes rounded as Daniel trotted up to them and enfolded his arms around them both.

  “Group hug!” he joked, pulling them all together. “ I want in!”

  “Oh you are in,” Joanne giggled. “You are in.”

  “I didn’t hear your van pull up,” said Catherine, as they broke apart. Then she looked toward the road and her eyes widened.

  Snuggled against the curb was a gleaming white classic Corvette.

  “Is that yours?” Joanne asked, taking the words out of Catherine’s mouth.

  “Like it?” Daniel said, looking at them both. “I’ve been working on it for years. It’s finally complete.”

  Joanne looked at Catherine with saucer-sized eyes. “Good grief, Cathy, Robin Hood is a gear-head!”

  Daniel laughed. “Just a little bit of a gear-head, and a lot of a tinkerer.”

  “It’s gorgeous,” said Catherine, peering closer at the vehicle, “What year is it?”

  “Nineteen fifty-four,” Daniel said proudly. “I’m not a true car fanatic, I just love to make beautiful things out of junk.”

  “Oh?” said Catherine slyly, “You must have given up on poor old Bruiser, then.�
��

  Daniel rubbed Catherine’s hair. “Bruiser is a classic just as he is.”

  “Oh rub my hair, too,” Joanne interrupted, leaning her head against Catherine’s.

  “Come on, let’s go for a spin,” said Daniel, obliging Joanne with a quick rub. Then he gestured toward the car, dangling the keys in his hand.

  “No, not me,” said Joanne. “I could only fit as an enormous hood ornament. Maybe some other time. You two should be alone.”

  Catherine looked at her friend in surprise. “Take a turn then! You’ve been waiting for this surprise, too.”

  Joanne backed toward the house door. “No, Cath, I wasn’t really invited. I was just teasing you. You two need to be alone. Really alone.”

  Catherine made a puzzled face as Joanne waved goodbye and went into the house. She stared after her a few seconds, then shrugged and went over to Daniel. He put an arm around her shoulder as they walked toward the car.

  “She was welcome to take a quick ride,” he whispered in her ear, “but I did have another surprise for you today. It involves a little ride in that car first, though. Do you accept this mission?”

  “Accepted.” Catherine said.

  ****

  Daniel took Catherine’s hand, and led her to a path that snaked down a damp and fragrant wood toward his mystery destination. The trees opened to a cliff about twenty feet high, and there, just ahead, was a fallen willow stretched majestically over the Looking Glass river, a river mostly unknown to the college students who were so familiar with the Red Cedar River on campus. The tree’s gnarly roots clung to the cliff like a giant’s fingers. The trunk was a good five feet wide at the base, narrowing into a labyrinth of limbs and branches. Below, the river gurgled and hissed over the rocks in the water.

  “This is incredible,” Catherine whispered.

  “It’s my horizontal tree-house,” Daniel said, staring serenely at it. “Look at all those great places to sit and read, or sing, or even take a nap, with no one around to bother you. I come here to get away from it all. In the summertime, the leaves close in and it reminds me of the Peruvian jungle.”

  Catherine stared down at the fast-moving river. The water appeared black in the great tree’s shadow as it spun in a torrent around the rocks.