Joe stumbled backward and shook his head, his senses were two cars back. “Now, wait a minute!” Before he finished his thought, the drunk again threw his body forward. Joe leapt aside, and the drunk hit a car, then the ground.
“Just give it up, man!” Joe stood over the man, rubbing his pained jaw.
The drunk threw dirt at Joe’s face as he struggled to stand. His hand still on the ground, the drunk’s attempt to lunge at Joe was more of a stumble. He caught Joe off-guard and grabbed his shirt. With no sense of balance, he fell on Joe, knocking him to the ground. They scrambled as the drunk tried to throw punches in any direction. Joe blocked most before they landed and threw in a couple of his own as he tried to get on his feet and away.
From the diner, Chuck glanced out the window to see the brawl and flew out the door. The few diners and crew followed. Chuck grabbed the man’s arm and shoved him backward, putting himself between Joe and the man hell-bent on fighting. George shoved the drunk back to the ground as he struggled to stand.
Sue called out, “You stupid old drunk, what are you doing here? I told you to stay away!”
“I just had to come see ya, Susie-baby, I missed ya so bad!” the drunk’s determination melted into a whine as he was confronted by the waitress.
“First of all, separation means I don’t have to put up with your crap anymore, Buck! Second, you’re too drunk to be driving! Somebody call the cops.” Sue turned back toward the diner, “This dumbass needs to be locked up!” Sue called out over her shoulder.
“Now, baby! Don’t be that way! I love you!” he exclaimed, as he scrambled to his feet and stumbled after her.
“Get out now, Buck, or I’ll call the cops myself,” George warned, sticking with the drunk as they made their way toward the diner.
The group dispersed. The two girls got into their truck and peeled out of the parking lot, dust and rocks punctuating their departure.
Chuck and Joe walked toward their motel room, and Chuck opened the door. “What was that all about?” Chuck asked.
“What’s it matter?” Joe replied with a sigh.
Chuck filled a towel with ice and handed it to Joe. “What happened to your girl?”
“Gone,” Joe replied in a flat tone. He reached for the card in his pocket only to find his pocket missing. “Damn!” Joe replied. He headed out the door before Chuck could ask. A short time later, Joe came back in the room and slammed the door, forgetting the hour and the sleeping guests.
“What?” Chuck looked irritated.
“He lost her damn card!”
“Well, she was too...wholesome...if you ask me. Not exactly a party-and-pass girl. More like what you’d take home to meet Mama. Good riddance, I say. Wait ‘til tomorrow, you’ll be glad she didn’t hang around.”
Joe was too busy abusing his overnight bag to hear Chuck. His thoughts were on the tongue lashing he’d just gotten. That, and the pain in his jaw. “Who the hell is she to presume to know me?” Joe said, slamming his bag onto the floor.
* * *
Libby sat for a while at the gas station, even though it was obviously closed. She had fought the tears as long as she could and completely broke down once the RV was safely off the highway.
As the tears subsided some time later, Libby’s thoughts drifted back in time. As she composed herself, she again turned on the camera.
“Muggs...you can’t possibly know how much I wish you were here.”
Libby wiped tears from her cheeks.
“I just met this guy...there’s something about him, Megan...I can’t put my finger on it. I’ve never felt like that before. He really got to me...and I can’t figure out why!
“I know it’s been a long time...I haven’t even thought about getting involved with a guy since…high school. Not like this is the kinda guy any girl should get involved with. I wonder if he even knows how to be involved…for more than a night, anyway. Besides, he drinks too much.”
Libby laughed the tears away, then shook her head and sat back as memories flooded her mind. After a few moments, and a deep sigh, she continued.
“Scott and I were the couple in high school. Girls I didn’t even know used to tell me they wished for such a romance. Even though, looking back now, it wasn’t much of a romance. We were young…girls just don’t know what to expect when they’re young. I guess that’s when I decided boys were just too icky to mess with…ha!”
Libby laughed, wiping her cheek, “Maybe I’ll tell ya’ ‘bout it sometimes.”
“Don’t ever let a man take advantage of you, Muggs. Guys will say anything to get what they want. You make sure you know your mind. There’s nothing wrong with walking away if you’re not sure of a guy’s intention. Above all, show them they should respect you. Stick to your guns, my sweet girl! And if they don’t behave…tell them they’ll be dealing with my guns. The ones with the lead bullets,” Libby laughed as she blew into her index finger and “holstered” her hand.
* * *
Joe spent much of the night wrestling with the words she left him. In the beginning, he was angry. The more he thought about it, though, he considered her perspective. Hours passed before Joe found sleep.
Joe and Chuck slept ‘til mid-morning. Over a late breakfast at the diner, Joe broke the silence, “So maybe I have lost respect for people. Ya know, I was thinking last night...how much I hate having conversations anymore. I have to put on a face to be gracious. But, that’s not me...when did I become such an ass? There was a time when I loved to interact with fans. Those people helped me become who I am today! But, I guess that’s not saying much. All this hassle with management, damn-it Chuck, I just…it’s not good for me anymore. I don’t know, man, maybe it’s just time for a break.”
Chuck looked confused, then worried. He was used to seeing Joe angry, but this man wasn’t Joe. “Damn, Joe; she really got to you, didn’t she? What the hell did she say?”
Joe didn’t acknowledge Chuck’s concern or comment. Instead, he continued his thought, “Look at it this way...A.HOLE management is as good as done. I have to go do this movie in South Dakota, and that’s just a vacation for me. Maybe you should think about…I don’t know, doing something different. Maybe you need to explore some new avenues for yourself. Grow, experience something that doesn’t have anything to do with me.”
“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.”
Las 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?”
Whirlwind Love: Libby's Journey Page 7