by Ilona Fridl
And I know you’ll always stay, Beloved.
It will always be that way, Beloved.
I didn’t know what I had found, Beloved.
But you turned my head around, Beloved.
I looked into your eyes,
And found to my surprise,
My heart was forever bound, Beloved.
And you’ll never let me down, Beloved.
I will never make you blue, Beloved.
‘Cause forever I’ll be true, Beloved.
Say that you’ll set a date,
Please don’t make me wait,
I will love only you, Beloved.
Can’t wait to say ‘I do,’ Beloved.
Teri gazed at him with awe. “Tim, that’s beautiful. Did you just write that?”
“I’ve been working on it for a few days. It’s a song that you inspired, baby.”
There were tears in Teri’s eyes. Tell me straight out, do you really love me or are you toying with me? Say it. Say the words I want to hear. Do you really want to spend your life with me? Say it, damn it. But Tim only cupped her face and kissed her. Her doubt grew like an undiagnosed cancer.
The next morning at work, Barb kept watching Teri. At noon in the lunch room, she plopped in a chair beside her. “Do you know all the members of the band?” Her eyes opened wide. “What are they like?”
“They’re like anybody else, really. And yes, I’ve met them all.”
“What’s Luke really like?”
A little overbearing and full of himself. But why burst Barb’s bubble? “He’s quite outgoing, with a unique personality,” she finally answered.
“Are you going to see him soon?”
“As a matter of fact, I’m going with Tim to a TV studio Saturday to watch them tape a piece for American Bandstand. Then everyone is coming to our apartment for a party.”
Barb bounced. “Oh, Teri, can you do something for me? Could you give Luke a note? I could send it to his fan club, but I’ll never know if he saw it, and this way I know he will.”
Teri thought for a moment. Well, why not? “Okay, Barb, but give it to me by Friday.”
Grinning widely, Barb shook Teri’s hand. “Thank you. I owe you one.”
Saturday morning, Teri got ready to go to the TV studio. “Tim, when are we leaving?” Standing in the bathroom in front of the mirror, she had just finished her makeup when Tim came to the door.
“You look beautiful in that green mini dress.” He leered comically.
“Thank you, but that’s not what I asked you.”
A twinkle sparked in his eye. “We’ll leave when the limo gets here.”
Teri’s mouth dropped open. “Limo? Really?”
“Cool, huh? They’re picking up John and Carol first, then us. Roy and Luke are coming in another one. Linda and Sue decided not to go, since they could be recognized. You and Carol can fade into the background with the other people and not be bothered. The two of you can stay in the green room with us, then go to the theater to watch the performance.”
Hearing the doorbell, Tim went to answer it. Teri came from the bathroom when Tim waved her over. “Let’s go. He’s here.” Checking her purse, she made sure the sealed letter from Barb was there. They locked up and climbed in the long, sleek, black limo. John and Carol greeted the two from the soft plush leather seat facing them.
Carol and Teri stared awestruck at each other. “A limo, wow!” they said together, then laughed. Carol was stunning in a pretty white eyelet minidress and a white mod cap to hold her hair back.
It was twenty minutes to the TV studio. The limo went through the gates to the rear of the building and the girls were escorted to the green room, while the guys were taken to the dressing rooms. Platters of different types of food and drink were on a large table. “Help yourself to anything,” the stage manager said.
Carol shook her head. “Teri, we could gain a ton in here.”
A half hour later, the fellows showed up in their band outfits, flanking Dick Clark, and the girls had trouble keeping their cool. John remarked as he walked in, “These are the girls we were telling you about. Will there be any problem getting them into the studio?”
“I don’t see any problem. I’ll alert the crew.” Their host turned to Teri and Carol. “I’m Dick Clark, and you are?”
“Carol Wehring...” “Teri Darden,” they said breathlessly. He shook their hands and then excused himself and left.
In a haze, Teri almost forgot her mission, pulling out the sealed envelope from her purse. “Luke, can I see you a moment?”
He gave her a sidelong leer. “Yes, my dear, what can I do for you? A date, maybe?”
“Be serious. My co-worker at the bank wanted me to give you this note, so I said I would.” Luke went to the couch to read it. The stage manager called the band a few minutes later. Teri kissed Tim for luck as he passed by.
“Catch you later, Teri,” Luke threw over his shoulder.
What was that for?
Carol laughed. “I think I’d better warn you about those two.” They headed to the audience seating. “You’ve walked into a noted rivalry.”
“What do you mean?” Teri slid into one of the seats next to the wall, and Carol sat beside her.
“In high school, those two fancied themselves the studs of Encino. Luke was the one girls most often latched on to, but Tim had a following, as well. Many times, Luke had an ego problem if Tim happened to get a girl Luke had never dated, and he would be relentless until he got her away from Tim. I’m afraid you’re a challenge.”
Teri chuckled. “I never was attracted to Luke. He’s too overbearing.”
Carol laughed. “Good. That’s going to drive him crazy.” They turned their attention to the stage as Virgin Ram was introduced. They watched the rest of the show except for the last ten minutes, when they had to get back to the green room because the limos were leaving before the show was over, to cut down on problems with fans.
The four of them were quiet as the limo headed back. Tim put his arm around Teri and she put her head on his shoulder. Is this really me? I’ve never lived a life like this. I’ve read and dreamed about it, never thinking I would be in the middle of it so quickly. I don’t know if I’m the old Teri anymore. Sighing, she gazed at Tim and he smiled. I’m happy as long as I’m with him.
Carol was dropped off at Tim’s apartment to help set up for the party. Tim made sure the bar was stocked while the girls created the snacks.
The party started about seven o’clock, with twenty-some people there: band members, roadies, and girlfriends. The booze, pot, and food flowed freely. Teri couldn’t remember ever having this much fun before. She was positively giddy.
Luke followed Teri around all evening, annoying her. Sue, his girlfriend, didn’t look happy, and Teri saw Tim scowling a number of times. Four hours into the party and, after many joints and drinks, Teri was tired and dizzy. Noticing that the snacks needed to be replenished, she wandered in a gray fog to the kitchen, leaning against the sink in an effort to steady herself. She heard a faltering tread behind her, and someone thumped into the drainboard. Whirling to see who it was, she gasped. Luke was making an attempt to grab her dress and had his pants unzipped with a large erection coming through.
“Oh, Teri, I want you.” Lunging, he tore her dress.
“Luke, no! Stay away from me!” she screamed and was knocked to the floor with Luke on top.
Tim dashed in a second later. “What’s going on in here?” Grabbing the smaller man by the back of his collar, he hauled him up until Luke’s feet barely touched the floor. Luke tried and failed to grab his jeans and briefs, which were now past his knees and his erection a distant memory.
“Wait a minute, Tim. You don’t understand.” Luke radiated panic.
Tim shook him by the collar. “You’re on top of Teri with her dress torn and your dick hanging out. What am I not understanding?” By now, most of the guests who could move were congregated at the door.
Stalking i
n, Sue slapped Luke across the face while Tim still held him. “Roy, could you take me home?” Her voice quivered with repressed rage.
“Sure, come on,” Roy said. She followed, and Teri heard people exiting the apartment. The ones who were mobile must have managed the ones who were too out of it to walk. The party was over.
Tim threw Luke out of the kitchen. “Get out of my apartment!” he yelled going out the door after Luke. Teri heard a scuffle, and the apartment door slammed again. Curled up in a ball by the kitchen cabinets, she sobbed. Tim returned and picked her up, carrying her to bed, holding her close until they fell asleep.
Tim made Teri stay in bed the next day while he cleaned up the apartment, although both were suffering extreme hangovers. Midafternoon, she came out of the bedroom, showered and dressed in jeans and a pullover sweater. On the couch in the living room, Tim appeared tired and pale, but he managed a smile. “How are you feeling?”
“Like hell. How are you?”
“Same.”
Snuggling up on the couch, she kissed him. “Thank you for cleaning up the apartment.”
“Just don’t look in the kitchen sink. I couldn’t stomach doing dishes.” He caressed her cheek. “Teri, John and Carol are coming over this evening. They drove Luke home, and he showed them a letter you gave him yesterday and said it was an explanation of what happened. John sounded upset on the phone. Seems like there’s a misunderstanding on Luke’s part.”
“Tim, I don’t even want to think about it. Or him.”
The rest of the afternoon, Teri drank white soda and ate crackers to settle her stomach. John and Carol came over as the sun was setting. Coming to the couch, Carol sat next to Teri. “How are you doing?”
“I’m feeling better,” Teri replied as Tim and John plopped into the two overstuffed chairs on either side of the couch. John looked angry.
“Teri,” John began, “we took Luke home last night, and he showed us a letter you gave him yesterday.” Handing her an envelope. “Is this it?”
Taking the envelope, Teri scanned it. On the front was “Luke Knoll” in Barb’s handwriting. “This is the envelope, but I didn’t know what was in it.”
He seemed surprised. “Where did you get it?”
“From a woman I work with who is a big Luke Knoll fan. Why?”
John’s mouth tightened. “Read it.”
She did, with a gasp. It read:
Dear Luke,
My life with Tim is getting dull. I’m really attracted to you. Let’s find a place where we can be alone.
Love, Terry
Clamping a hand over her mouth, Teri ran into the guest bathroom, where she was sick. Carol and Tim were at the door when she came out and walked her to the couch.
Teri cradled her face in her hands. “I’m sorry. That was a shock to me. I didn’t know Barb would do that.”
“She didn’t.” Tim compared the note with the envelope. “At least, not by herself. If you look at the way ‘Luke’ is written on the envelope and in the letter, they’re different. And that isn’t the way Teri spells her name. I think someone played a horrible joke on you.”
John softened. “I’m sorry, Teri. I thought you might have written this for some reason, but Carol said that wasn’t like you and it must have been a prank. I told Carol this morning and I’m going to tell you, too, something we were told by our agent. When you get to be well known, people who are jealous may try to take advantage of you or hurt you in some way. Don’t trust anyone. I think that ought to extend to you and Carol as well. Going with us to special outings, you two will be recognized. Be very careful who you talk to.”
Teri sighed. “I guess I had to learn the hard way. Thank you for the advice.”
“By the way, don’t be too hard on Luke. He was drunk and high and thought you were willing. He may be a jerk, but he’s not a criminal.”
She frowned. “Just tell him I’m not interested and to stay away from me.”
Monday morning, Teri decided to face Barb and find out why she had played that trick on her. Reaching the bank, she was surprised Barb was nowhere to be found. Peeking in on her boss, Teri asked, “Mrs. Costello, where is Barb today?”
“Didn’t she tell you? Her husband was transferred to Hawaii. Her last day was Friday.”
Teri gasped in shock. “I didn’t know she was married. Looks like there was a lot I didn’t know about her.”
Carmen Costello looked at her steadily. “Is there something you want to tell me?”
“No, I guess it doesn’t matter now. Thank you, Mrs. Costello.” Teri went to her teller’s station and had time to think as she counted out the money in her drawer. Seems to me, all she told me was a lie, but what did I do to her to make her play that awful trick? Was it jealousy? She thought back to what John had said. I guess I can’t trust people anymore. If that’s the price I have to pay to be with Tim, it’s going to be a hard one.
The next week, Tim came home with a fistful of envelopes. “Babe, we’re getting invitations to charity parties. It’s swank stuff and we have to dress formal. I want you to go with me.”
Putting her magazine down, Teri frowned. “But I don’t have anything fancy to wear, and what I make at work is too little for a gown.”
He sat next to her on the couch, hugging her. “That’s the beauty of making all this bread. I’ll give it to you. All you have to do is go and get it made.”
“But—”
He kissed her. “No buts. I insist.”
She sighed. This may be fun.
Carol and Teri decided to go to one of the exclusive shops on Rodeo Drive, glancing at each other as they walked in. No clothes were on racks like they were used to and, in fact, it looked like a small lunch room with a table of food. An impeccably dressed woman came out from the back and glared at them.
“What do you want?” she asked coldly.
Carol hesitated a moment. “We want gowns for a party.”
“There’s a Sears on Olympic. I suggest you go there,” she sneered.
“It’s a celebrity function,” Teri countered.
“Oh, are you two celebrities?” She dripped with sarcasm.
“No, but we’re going with some,” Carol said with venom. “Are you going to help us or not?”
“Who, of any note, would be seen with you?”
“John Simon and Tim Olson of Virgin Ram,” Carol’s blue eyes started to flash.
The woman laughed at them.
“We can call them up and have them talk to you,” Teri said.
The woman wiped her face with a handkerchief. “Anyone could tell me anything over the phone. Get out of my shop before I call the police.” Teri angrily slammed the door as they left.
Sitting in Carol’s red Dodge, they looked at each other. “Well, what do we do now? Who in this snob crowd is going to believe us?” Teri drummed her fingers on the armrest.
Carol slowly smiled. “I think we can use two big guns. What would Snobby Bitch say if we brought our two celebrities in with us?”
“Probably that they were a figment of her imagination.” Teri snorted.
Teri talked over their problem with Tim that evening. “Carol and I were wondering if all the formal wear shops on Rodeo were like that. Maybe we should just go to a department store to get our dresses.”
Tim was silent for a minute. “I think this is where we can start throwing our weight around. This could be fun. I always wanted to cut down some of those snobs. I’m going to talk to our agent tomorrow and see if he can help.”
The girls, through the agent, received appointments at one of the dressmakers. They arrived a couple of days later at a small shop a short distance from the one they had visited earlier.
A fashionably dressed young woman at a desk turned to greet them as they came into the shop. “Hello! You must be Carol Wehring and Teri Darden.”
Nodding at the friendly greeting, they said, “Yes.”
“Come with me.” She led them to a room with large mirrors, several
modern chairs, and a couch. “Wait here. I’ll get Miss Lamont.”
The girls glanced at each other. “What a difference,” Teri said, and Carol nodded.
An attractive older woman with gray eyes and salt-and-pepper hair came in, checking a list, and studied them. “Let’s see, you’re going to a charity event with John Simon and Tim Olson. You’ll need something trendy and hip.” Miss Lamont walked around them, looking them up and down. Teri shuffled her feet. “I’ll need your measurements. Nancy! Vicky! Come in here with your tapes!”
The girls were measured in every conceivable way, and Teri wondered why her arm had to be measured straight out, down at her side, and with the elbow bent. Miss Lamont made sketches as her assistants brought out several kinds of fabric, holding it up to the girls’ faces. Teri expected Miss Lamont to ask her which one she wanted, but before she could say anything, Miss Lamont barked, “I want the dark emerald silk for Miss Darden and the deep azure blue velvet for Miss Wehring.” The assistants disappeared as fast as they had appeared.
“May I say something?” Teri ventured.
“No. Now I want the two of you to come back next week, same time, for a fitting. We can talk about shoes, hair, and jewelry at that time.”
The girls seemed to have stepped out of the eye of a hurricane as they left the shop and stared at each other. “I wonder why she wouldn’t let us say anything. Didn’t she want our thoughts?” Teri remarked, leaning on a concrete wall.
“I know I tried several times. Come on,” Carol said with a wave of her hand. “We’re supposed to meet the guys for lunch at the fish-and-chips place across the street.”
In the lunch room, they saw Tim and John in a back booth with a busty brunette waitress hovering over them. She eyed Teri and Carol, giving them a sardonic smile. “These must be the ones you were waiting for.” The girls slid into the squeaky booth seat beside their fellows. The waitress picked up the menus and left. Carol and Teri studied each other, then the guys.
“We’ve already ordered for all of us,” John said before they asked.
“What did you order for us?” Carol said sharply.
“The regular fish and chips, why?”
“I guess we’re tired of being told what we want.”