Whirlwind Love: Libby's Journey

by Hendley, DiDi

  “That’s absurd!” Libby stepped forward, glaring at Bret.

  Joe replied, “Gordon, let me assure you these allegations are false, and you have my word on that.”

  Fisher added, “Mr. Puckett has some compelling evidence against you. I have to ask you, how long have you two known each other and what is the nature of your relationship?”

  Libby and Joe looked at each other, then back at Fisher. Libby responded, “I met Joe and Chuck in Lubbock – what’s it been – not quite a week ago?” She looked at Joe. Libby thought to herself, wow, just a week? She shook her head and turned back to Fisher.

  “What proof can he possibly offer to substantiate such a ridiculous claim? The competition was judged by five judges, not one; and they couldn’t see the contestants,” she waited for his response.

  “We have you on video when you arrived earlier today, holding hands and looking, well, cozy.” Fisher pulled a torn piece of paper from inside a leather notebook on the desk and handed it to Libby.

  “How did you get this?” Libby was angry. It was the note she tacked to the column for Joe. Joe stepped forward and took the paper. His face turned red as his temper began to flare.

  “You son-of-a-bitch,” he glared at Bret, who sat smugly glaring back. “Gordon, the night I met Libby in Lubbock, I misunderstood her name—I thought it was Lily, and I didn’t even catch her last name. I had no clue who was standing on the other side of that partition. I voted on the best – and this guy clearly wasn’t it. She offered HIS band the recording contract! What the hell has he got to complain about?” Joe barked.

  Fisher looked at Bret, “Do you have anything to say?” Bret smugly crossed his legs, replying, “I think they’re not telling the truth. And, I’ve decided to retain legal counsel. I’m suing you...and them! We’ll just let all this come out in court! They conspired, I don’t have all the answers, but it was just all too convenient! You saw them on the video camera—holding hands—you can’t tell me it wasn’t rigged! I’d like a copy of that videotape before I leave,” he announced to Fisher.

  Joe checked his watch, realizing he was due on stage any minute. Seeing his concern, Libby stepped forward and pulled out her cellphone. She put the phone on speaker for everyone to hear.

  A sleepy, male voice answered, “Hello?”

  “Will...Libby. I’m so sorry to wake you, this is kinda urgent. I want to tell you you’re on speakerphone, and I need you to answer a question simply. I’ll call you tomorrow and explain it all—but when was the last time you calculated my net worth and what was the value of that sum?” Her authoritative tone sobered Will.

  “Libby, please don’t ask me to do that on a speakerphone! Are you okay? Is everything alright?” his tone turned urgent.

  “Wouldn’t ask you if it wasn’t necessary, Will.”

  “Libby, are you certain? You’re not under duress, are you? Oh, dear God, tell me you’ve not been taken!”

  “No, Will…really, I’m fine. I just need a ballpark of that number, NOW, please.”

  After a long pause, Will replied, “Last week, before you left. Libby, in all good consciousness, I can’t give out that sum. Can I just say you’re worth…millions? If you need an exact amount, I can get my laptop, but I can’t advise…”

  Fisher’s eyes widened as he looked at Libby. The corner of Joe’s mouth turned up ever-so-slightly, and he stood a little taller as he relaxed from fight mode. Puckett glared at Libby, his eyes narrowed as he clenched his teeth.

  “No, that’ll do. Thanks, Will. Oh, by the way, gentlemen, this is my attorney, Will Dixon. Will, go back to sleep, and I’ll call you in the morning.” With that, Libby ended the call.

  “Will was being cautious; I guess that’s what I pay him for. But, you see, Mr. Fisher...if I wanted a recording contract, I’d just create a company. If I wanted exposure, I’d hire a well-paid publicist. This ridiculous accusation is completely unfounded by a spoiled, whiny, child who isn’t getting the attention he thinks he deserves!” Libby directed her final thoughts directly to Bret, “If you wanna go to court, have at it. When I’m done, you’ll not only never see a penny, I’ll see to it you lose everything, including that ugly shirt.”

  Joe looked at Libby with a newfound admiration and chuckled to himself. He looked at Fisher, “So...we’re done here? I’ve got someplace to be.”

  Fisher’s face was bright red, “Yeah, we’re done.” He turned to Bret and added, ”I guess you’ll just have to decide what you want to do. If I were you, I’d drop it, ‘cause I don’t see where you have a leg to stand on.”

  Joe opened the door and held it for Libby as he slid her note into his pocket. She sighed as he closed the door. “I didn’t want you to find out this way, I’m sorry.”

  Joe laughed, “Yeah, cause THAT’S gonna change my opinion of you.”

  As they made their way quickly back to the stage, Libby struggled with the idea of telling Joe all she wanted to say. “It was an inheritance. Well, it’s more complicated than that…but…I’ll tell you about it sometime. You should go...they’re waiting for you.”

  “Libby...” Joe glanced at the stage and back to Libby. He smoothed the unruly curls at her temples, kissed her forehead, then her lips. “I’ll be back. We’ll talk more then. I’m so sorry…about all of that,” Joe stepped away, his hand on her arm. He slid it down to her hand and led her closer to the stage. His firm grip was comforting.

  Rick King was standing just offstage, scanning the crowd for Joe. He was younger than Joe and Chuck, with short brown hair, a thin frame and piercing blue eyes. Seeing Joe approaching the stage, Rick waved to the stage manager from backstage as he slipped Chuck’s shiny black guitar’s strap over his head.

  “Great Big Colorado welcome for...The Brothers King!” was announced on the stage, and Rick took Chuck’s place amidst a roaring welcome.

  Joe quickly stepped back and hugged Libby one more. He kissed her nose and whispered in her ear, “I’ll be back soon, Lily,” he grinned, turned and trotted onstage. The crowd screamed twice as loud when Joe took the stage. Libby smiled after him, noticing the crowd go insane with his arrival. Libby walked to the edge of the stage. The adoration of the crowd was overwhelming as the brothers began to play and sing.

  “And he picked me,” she said, smiling at Joe.

  * * *

  During the second set, Chuck joined Libby backstage, looking like he’d been in a fight. Joe was constantly watching for Libby backstage as he moved around on the stage. Noticing Chuck, Joe offered to the crowd, “So, I guess you folks may have heard that we sorta made an entrance in Walsenburg this afternoon. [The crowd screams.] Well, I see brotha Chuck is here…if you’re nice to him, he might come out, and say ‘hi’…but only if you’re nice!” The crowd went into a thunderous roar that sounded like a stampede.

  Chuck looked at Libby and shook his head. “Aww, man…did ya hav’ta? I look like hell!” Chuck drew a deep breath and walked out on stage, and there was a gasp of the crowd, followed by thunderous applause. Chuck waved his good hand at everyone—the other was in a sling. He approached Rick’s mic, and shook his hand. “Thanks, folks…thanks. I’ll live!” There were massive screams from women across the fairgrounds in response. Several managed to be heard offering to nurse him back to health. Chuck nodded and acknowledged a couple then waved to the audience. “So, you met my baby brother, Rick? Ain’t he sweet?” Chuck cajoled. Women screamed their approval in the audience. He bumped into Rick’s shoulder, then waved goodbye on his way offstage. Libby could see the pain in his face from that gesture as he walked toward her. Gone was the strut…he was clearly in pain.

  When the set was over, Joe and Rick exited the stage where Libby and Chuck were standing. “Bro,” Joe laughed, as he extended his fist. Chuck bumped with his good fist, “I hope the other guy looks worse...how’re ya makin’ out?”

  “I’m cool...glad to be among th
e living,” Chuck replied. At this point, his face was one large bruise.

  “Some might argue that, man,” Joe laughed, then offered, “I don’t know ‘bout you folks, but I’m ready to get the hell outta here!” A crew of fair roadies helped put their guitars into their cases backstage as the next act began to set up.

  Once reloaded, the group climbed into the RV. “We’re staying at a motel not far from here. We’ll figure out a plan along the way, okay?” Joe said, climbing into the passenger’s seat.

  “Sounds good,” Chuck replied from the sofa, and Libby and Joe laughed at him.

  The equipment was stashed more carefully, so more floor space was available. “Hey, I could get used to this,” Rick announced as he claimed his spot on the sofa.

  Libby was behind the wheel, and Joe said, “I’ll be your GPS,” as he began fingering his phone for the address.

  Chuck asked, “How long you had your RV, Libby?”

  “It was Mom and Dad’s. I had it overhauled and got it a couple of weeks ago: This is my first solitary road trip.” She flipped the camera in the middle of the coach around backwards and turned it on. “Okay...for posterity...we’re recording live!”

  “Hey, pretty cool!” Rick commented. “So, what, you into porn?”

  Everyone laughed.

  “No!” Libby laughed, looking in the rearview mirror. “I wanted my niece to come along, but she’s off following her dreams, starting a college career with big plans for her future. This was my way of ‘bringing her along’ I guess you could say. Maybe someday she and I will get to take a trip together...but it’s also good for recording memories and thoughts. I’ve really enjoyed having the cameras...helped me fill the hours while traveling alone. I hope to make a video diary for her.”

  “Cool idea,” replied Joe.

  A few miles up the road they left the interstate; they found themselves at the Guesthouse Motel. While not very impressive, it seemed clean enough on the outside. Rick and Joe went in for room keys, while Libby turned off the cameras and sat with Chuck as he struggled to find restaurants online. With several choices in walking distance, they decided on a nearby sports bar.

  The brothers all retreated to two hotel rooms to clean up. Libby also took a short shower and changed her clothes. Just as she finished dressing, Joe knocked on the RV door. Showered and changed, he stepped into the RV. She noticed his sexy cologne: slightly musky, slightly spicy, and stepped in closer to put her nose into his neck. She breathed, “MMMM....you smell good,” into his neck before laughing as she stepped back.

  He smiled as he flipped her and backed her into the wall. He planted a passionate kiss on her lips. “That’s what you get for sniffing me,” he whispered in her ear.

  “Hmmm...I’ll have to do that more often, then,” she laughed back. A few seconds later another knock on the door.

  “Come on you two...let’s EAT!” Rick called out.

  “Yeah...you’ll have time for that LATER,” Chuck added, then he and Rick laughed.

  Joe smiled at Libby, “Well, shall we go eat?”

  * * *

  They took a booth near the back of the sports bar, which only had half-dozen customers. The waitress passed out menus and took drink orders. Libby opened her menu, and Joe put his arm around her, pulling her closer. She slid the menu between them, smiling as they cuddled.

  Conversation was lively around the table, with topics of everything from music to girls, recent experiences and upcoming plans. “Hey, yeah, about that...what’re you guys doing this week—since we have almost a week before your last gig? Are you going home or what?” Rick asked.

  Chuck answered, “Man, I’m happy to find a pool someplace and just veg.”

  “Now, that sounds good to me too: I could use a break,” Rick added.

  Joe added “Let’s just go home to Mom and Dad’s, the fresh air, peace and quiet sound good to me. Maybe we can even do some writing. I guess we also need to talk about our next move, after the movie, I mean. I haven’t had time to think about management, but I guess I need to figure something out.”

  The food arrived and conversation slowed.

  When the meal was over, Rick asked, “Who’s up for pool?” as he rose from the table.

  Chuck picked up his beer, slid out of the booth and headed over to the pool tables. He shot a raised eyebrow in Joe’s direction as he purposefully cocked his head toward the tables.

  Joe shook his head slightly. “What d’ya say we go watch some TV or something?” he whispered into Libby’s ear.

  Libby nodded, then followed Joe out of the booth.

  As they were leaving, a road-weary blonde entered, with a duffel bag over one shoulder and a guitar case over the other. Joe held the door for her. As Libby waited for her to enter, she smiled.

  Nodding her appreciation to Joe, the weary blonde returned Libby’s acknowledgment with a slight smile. The stranger surveyed the room before heading toward a booth past the pool tables, near the restroom. She dropped her belongings on the seat with obvious relief.

  Chuck watched her every move, then strolled over, “Hey, how ya doin’?”

  “Fine,” she replied flatly.

  “I’m Chuck, that’s my little brother, Rick. You look like a road warrior.”

  “Yeah. Heading to L.A. Got a gig there...but no ride. Hey, you fellas wouldn’t happen to be...”

  “Nah...sorry. Wish we could help you out. You play?” Chuck smiled and nodded toward the guitar case.

  “Yeah...you fellas locals?”

  “Nah,” Chuck laughed, “Like you, we’re just passing through.”

  “Ah. Hey, you fellas wouldn’t steal my stuff if I stepped into the ladies room, would ya? It’s been a hard night already. Don’t think I could…” she looked pensively around the room.

  Laughing, Rick returned to his solitary pool game.

  “Nah. We get it. It’ll be fine.” Chuck smiled at her, bruised face looking rather impish.

  Flashing a weary smile, “Thanks. You look like hell, by the way. I’m Hollie, Hollie Hayes.”

  * * *

  Joe and Libby walked quietly, hand-in-hand, through the night. At the RV, Libby pulled the keys from her pocket, and Joe took them from her, unlocking the door. Snickering, she walked through as he held it. “Chivalry...nice,” she laughed.

  “Manners my Mama taught me,” Joe grinned.

  “Good for her! And...thank you,” she smiled back.

  “I haven’t had the chance to get to a store, so I’m afraid my supplies are getting low. I can offer coffee or tea?” Libby offered, peering into the refrigerator.

  “Whatever you’re having is fine,” he replied, reaching for the remote control. As the TV came on, he spotted the movies in the glass cabinet and made his way to her collection. Opening the cabinet, he laughed.

  Libby turned to see the object of his amusement, “Oh, flarflebloo!” she laughed.

  “No, I’m flattered, I think. What was that...you said?”

  “I haven’t had the chance to watch ‘em yet,” she stepped beside him an coyly replied, “Flarflebloo. There was no such thing as cursing around Mama. So, I made up a word,” Libby laughed through her blush

  “Where’s your player?” he asked, laughing. “Flarfle....”

  She smiled, “Bloo. Really? You’ll watch them with me?”

  “Sure, why not?” he replied. “I might be terribly embarrassed, but, flarflebloo, I’ll suck it up,” he laughed, “I can’t believe you bought ‘em.”

  Libby loaded the movie, then poured the coffee as Joe turned down the lights and settled into the corner of the sofa. Setting the cup down, she warned, “Be careful, that machine knows how to heat a cup of coffee! Sugar, milk?”

  “Nope, perfect the way it is,” he smiled. She sat next to him and folded her legs beside her, leaning into him. He turned his body
toward the TV and to her, placed his arm behind her. In unison, they both contentedly sighed as the movie began.

  “Aaagh! Da...flarfle-foo!” Joe exclaimed as his first scene appeared on the screen, hiding his face.

  “No, don’t do that! I’m sure you’re brilliant,” she replied as she shot him a glance. “Don’t be so critical! And please don’t do that every time you’re on screen!” she laughed. As the movie played on, the two became more and more settled together.

  Joe studied her while sipping the coffee, “Hot!”

  Libby laughed, “You were warned!”

  “As if I could be,” he smiled.

  Half-way through the movie, both were sound asleep in each other’s arms.

  Several hours later, Libby awoke with a sharp pain in her neck. Stretching herself upright, she noticed how contorted Joe’s body was on the sofa. Tiptoeing back to the bedroom, she changed into a pajama shorts and pulled the bedspread down. She returned to the sofa and kissed Joe on the forehead. He sleepily opened his eyes as she flipped the TV off with the remote.

  Noticing her PJs, Joe straightened with a groan. “Sorry, I fell asleep.”

  “No, she said softly, we fell asleep.” She took him by the hand and led him to the bedroom. She noticed the smile on his face, “SLEEP,” she said, laughing.

  Nodding and smiling, he lay on the covers of the bed as she slipped between the sheets. She looked at him curiously.

  “Sleep,” he said as he shifted the pillow under his neck and put his arm above her pillow, inviting her into his shoulder. She snuggled into his side and smiled at the faint scent of his cologne. Very soon, both were once again sound asleep.

  Pueblo, Colorado, Day 9 - Wednesday

  The sound of a car door slamming in the parking lot woke the two from their cocoon. Groaning, Joe rolled onto his side snuggling close to Libby. “This is nice,” he murmured. He felt her nod as she turned onto her side, and slid into the curve of his body. It was barely daylight, and the two drifted back to sleep.

  A few hours later, faint voices and splashes in the pool awoke Joe. He smoothed a few strands of her hair from his chin. He rolled the dark red curls around his finger, then smiled at the way they bounced when he shook them. He slipped his arm around her and smiled.