“No place I’d rather be,” he grinned.
“You’ve got me thinkin’, how you take care of Megan. Sometimes I wonder if it’s all my fault, ya know, how Chuck has no respect…why he’s such a…hound dog, you know, with women.
“Long as I could remember, Chuck was bustin’ a gut to get on the road and play. That’s all he wanted to do: play guitar. He was so good, too. Better’n anybody else I ever played with. Like it was in his blood…so I wanted him just as bad, I guess. I’m the one who talked him into finishing high school early, just so he could hit the road with me. I pushed him…kept him motivated. Looking back, though, it was too much, too fast. Sixteen-year-old boy, surrounded by girls begging for attention, the alcohol, the glory; and well, he was pretty combustible. The one thing I couldn’t really teach him—because I wasn’t any more qualified—was self-control.”
Libby listened intently, nodding when it was appropriate.
“I can’t make excuses for Chuck, neither can you, Joe. He’s a man. He has to take responsibility for himself. Maybe you coming with me…might just be his chance to grow up.”
Joe nodded. “I hope so. Lately, I feel more like his conscience than his brother. I hate to say it, but I’m tired of that job, too.”
“We had some time to talk, after you left. He’s a different person when he’s not…’the guitar-god,’” Libby smirked. Too bad he doesn’t show the world more of the real Chuck.”
“Yeah. Boundaries can be a good thing. And knowing when to quit…or when to keep your hands and thoughts to yourself,” Joe looked out the window at the world passing by and sighed.
Libby smiled at him, “You can’t be responsible for him forever, Joe.”
Without looking at her, Joe nodded.
Libby turned back to the highway, leaving him alone with his thoughts for a while.
* * *
Over five hours into the trip, Libby turned onto Highway 29 at Sioux Falls. Joe was dozing off, but awoke as they changed highways. He looked at Libby “Hey, when’s it my turn?”
Libby laughed. “Well, I guess we should stop for some gas.”
At the next exit, Libby pulled into a station. She prepared a quick lunch and another pot of coffee while Joe pumped the gas. After eating, relaxing and kissing, Joe took the wheel while Libby sat co-pilot.
“Okay, Libby, what’s the first thing you’ll do when you get home?”
“This has been a trip of a lifetime, but I have to admit I’m ready to go home.” Libby confessed. “I’m so ready to see Megan, and to hear all about the life she’s got now. I feel like I’ve missed something.” she confessed to Joe. “So, I hope she’s there when we get home.”
“Just a couple more days, babe, that’s it,” he consoled her. “I’m bettin’ she’s missed you badly, too.”
Libby smiled in response.
Joe’s phone rang, with Chuck’s name on the display. “Hey, man, what’s happenin’?” Joe began to laugh. “Yeah, we’re gonna stay over in Missouri tonight. We’ll be goin’ by the house sometime tomorrow,” he looked at Libby. “Yeah, she’s here...hold on.” Joe handed his phone to Libby.
“Hey, Chuck! How ya doin?” Libby smiled. “I told you...she’s awesome. Laura will take care of you, man...no worries!” Libby smiled at Joe. “I’m so glad...see, things worked out. Take care, now. And Take care of my best bud!” Libby smiled, handing the phone back to Joe.
“Later, man,” Joe laughed and shook his head as he closed his phone. “Sometimes I feel like his father instead of his brother!” Joe laughed. “Promise me...daughters...can ya’ manage that?”
Libby blushed and laughed. “I’ll do my best...I guess,” she shook her head and looked back at Joe, her eyes dancing with delight.
“Uh...no rush!” Joe grinned, eyes darting at Libby.
After a while, Joe turned on the radio and sang along with the songs. Libby joined in from time to time, harmonizing or taking the lead. The rest of the trip went by quickly.
Just before arriving at the RV park, they restocked the fridge for a few days and picked up dinner. It was just before nine o’clock in the evening when they registered and set up their RV site. After dinner, they turned in early.
As Joe slipped into the sheets next to Libby, he plugged his mp3 player into Libby’s bedside alarm clock. Choosing “favorites” in the play list, the slow sensuous songs began to play as Joe turned to face Libby. He stroked her dark red hair and kissed her waiting lips. As the music played on, so did the passion.
Hours passed before blissful sleep carried the two away. Even in their separate dreams, they were clinging to each other in love.
Nashville, Tennessee, Day 39 – Friday
They awoke around nine o’clock and lay in the bed, talking and planning their day. A half-hour later, Libby got up to put on coffee and a pot of water to boil for grits, as Joe jumped in for a quick shower. She took out eggs and bacon and put them on the counter. Once he finished, she took her shower while he stepped in to finish breakfast. By the time she was out, breakfast was ready. They ate leisurely, while simply enjoying each others company, sprinkled with kisses. By half-past ten, they were on their way to Nashville.
Just before seven o’clock, Joe pulled in front of his home in Nashville. No cars were in the drive. “Hmm, they must be out.” Joe offered Libby a hand stepping out of the RV, then secured the door. He walked, hand-in-hand, with Libby to the door. Once inside, Joe was relieved to see that Rick had made an effort to clean the house.
After a quick tour, he brought her into his modestly furnished room. “As you can see, I’m not exactly an interior decorator. I’m just not here enough to...do much,” he offered, looking around his room. “Mom put some touches on the living room, God bless her. I guess I always meant to...”
Libby stood and put her finger on his lips before he could finish the sentence. “No worries,” she smiled and kissed him. Tossing his mail onto the bed, he grabbed her arms and laid her down, kissing her as she landed. “God, you’re perfect.”
Libby giggled as he kissed her neck.
“Hey, you two up to somethin’?” Rick called from the entranceway.
“Damn,” Joe muttered. “Jus’ when it was gettin’ good.” He and Libby sat up. “We’re in here.”
Rick cautiously stepped into the doorway, “Am I interrupting?” he laughed. “ ‘Cause I could come back,” he laughed as he leaned on the frame of the door.
Libby stood and hugged him, “Hey, Rick. Good to see you.”
“You too, Libby,” Rick laughed. “This old fella treatin’ you right? ‘Cause if not...” Rick pulled a fist back behind his head, as if to strike Joe. Joe quickly popped his abdomen, laughing. Rick stumbled back, holding his stomach. “Hey, no fair!”
Joe laughed, returning to his stack of mail, now scattered on the bed.
“Hey, I picked up takeout on my way home from class. Hope you guys are hungry,” Rick said, walking into the dining room.
“I could eat,” Libby replied, walking to Joe. She leaned over and kissed him. “I’ll leave you to your business,” she said as he flipped envelopes on the bed.
“I’ll be right in.”
Nodding, Libby followed Rick’s pathway to the dining room.
Joe came out a few minutes later, with a letter in his hand. “Now, I see why the jerk wanted us to sign the contracts so badly. Seems we’ve been getting a lot of play in the UK. They wanted to schedule us for a tour and some performances on a few television shows. He wouldn’t get a cut unless we signed the contracts. He also wouldn’t permit them to contact us...apparently.”
“How about now?” Rick asked, eagerly.
“Nope...we’re gonna have to wait. The letter says they booked somebody else, but if we’re interested to let ‘em know, and they’ll keep us in mind. Man that just burns me,” Joe shook his head, although his voice was very
controlled. He walked over to Libby and put his arms around her shoulders, pulling her back next to his chest. He handed the paper to Rick as he hugged Libby.
“Well, nothing we can do about it now. Now you see what a sleazoid he is,” Joe said. “That’s just one more reason why I refused to sign with him.”
Joe looked at Libby, “He would’ve gotten more than half of what we earned for a tour like that under his contract, and we would have to cover our expenses. MORE than half. Marty got twenty-five percent, plus bonuses when there were special situations and circumstances. I was happy when he earned bonuses, cause it meant we were making above and beyond. This chump waits for people to ask for us and wants to take half of what we work for, and he does nothing! Please! I’m glad to be rid of him.”
“How long you two hanging out?” Rick asked as he helped himself to more of the ribs, beans and potato salad on the table.
“Just tomorrow. Libby’s ready to get home. I can understand that,” Joe said, smiling at her.
“Hey, you guys’ll have to come down to Johns Island—where I live. I’ve got plenty of room at the house. It’s not far to the beach. Maybe this summer?” Libby happily extended the invitation.
“I think I can arrange that in my schedule,” Rick added, mischief clearly on his mind.
Joe looked at Libby and shook his head. “See what I mean.”
Libby laughed as she added another rib to her plate. Lively discussion over events the past few weeks filled the table. Libby smiled, watching the brothers interact.
Johns Island, South Carolina, Day 40 – Saturday
An hour from home, Libby called Megan. “Muggs! We’re almost home!” Libby loudly expressed to her cellphone. “When are you gonna come see us? Yes us...Joe’s with me. I can’t wait for you two to meet. Tell me you’ve got time in your busy schedule for your ol’ aunt! Okay, then, we’ll see you tomorrow afternoon. I just can’t wait to see you!” Libby exclaimed again before ending the call.
Eight hours after leaving Nashville, Joe and Libby pull into Libby’s driveway. Five large ivy-covered oaks stood in front of the large yellow-sided house with a wrap-around porch. “Let’s unpack tomorrow...” she said to Joe, weary from the journey. The long days had taken their toll on Libby, she craved her bed, “I’m tired of moving!”
“Great house!” Joe said in awe.
The quaint, two-story home had dormer windows on the second floor, surrounded by woods of live oaks draped with moss and ivy, long-needled pines, and fragrant magnolias. Joe stood in awe, looking around the property. Palmettos lined the rear semi-circled drive next to the house, and in the distance he could see a dock and creek.
Libby smiled sweetly, “Come on, let’s go inside. I’m really beat.”
Joe nodded as he put his arm around her shoulders and walked her up the stairs. Libby unlocked the door as Joe continued to survey her home. Whitewashed swings hung randomly around the large wrap-around porch, and whitewashed rockers shared the random spaces for seating companions. “I can see you sitting out here in the evenings singing with your family. This must’ve been a great place to grow up.”
“It really was. We struggled to keep the place after Dad died. It wasn’t easy, but we did it. I love this house.”
Libby found a take-out menu and ordered dinner for delivery. After showing Joe around the house, the two settled in the den in front of the TV until dinner arrived.
Libby happily crawled into her bed with Joe. With Joe...she thought as she looked over his handsome face. She laid her hand across his chest and the diamond sparkled reflections of lamplight. Libby smiled as she closed her eyes. Joe covered her hand as he sighed, sleep was close by.
Johns Island, South Carolina, Day 41 - Sunday
It was late morning when Joe awoke. He looked around the feminine room, not exactly sure where he was for a moment. The morning sunlight slipped through the white wooden slats of the blinds. The pale blue walls held little distinction to the stark white furniture scattered around the room. Across the room the orderly white desk was contrasted above by the cluttered, colorful homage of Grand Canyon and hot-air balloon images that extended well beyond the bulletin board edges.
Libby looked so peaceful next to Joe; he quietly made his way off the bed without disturbing her. He slipped into yesterday’s shorts and out of the bedroom without a sound.
He studied all the family photos and mementos as he made his way down the hallway, stairs and foyer. Arriving at the kitchen, Joe put on a pot of coffee, then studied the photographs and books that lined the bookshelves across the cozy kitchen.
Joe poured his cup and stepped out the back door onto a deck. A sparsely wooded area surrounded the acreage that probably he assumed was part of Libby’s house. In the distance, he saw what appeared to be a creek with a dock.
Joe sat in a swing on the deck, enjoying the birds, squirrels and Atlantic breeze. Half an hour later, Libby joined him with her coffee. “I’ve been spoiled by the coffeemaker in the RV. This doesn’t seem hot enough!”
“I’ll bring it in, if you want,” Joe whispered as he kissed her temple and snuggled her next to him. “This place is amazing. It’s so peaceful!”
Libby smiled at him, “It’s home.”
* * *
News of Libby’s return spread like wildfire. As the two tried to unpack the motorhome, Libby was routinely answering the phone with well-wishers and friends excited about her trip and homecoming. “You planned that, didn’t you?” Joe teased her. “It’s alright...I’ll do the heavy lifting,” he said as he brought in the supplies and clothes.
Walking back through the den after his final load, Joe discovered Maggie’s guitar collection in the corner behind the piano. Amidst several beautiful and elegant acoustics, a Rickenbacher frying pan like Charlie Christian played with Bennie Goodman and an electrified acoustic Gibson ES150. Joe’s strum sent a harsh scream from the long-untuned strings. He chose Maggie’s favorite, a well-worn Martin guitar from the wall and retreated to the front porch swing. He tuned it, then picked a simple, upbeat melody, recalling Libby’s account of her family’s music sessions in the same space. Content with his modulated effort, Joe strummed the guitar.
“What a great way to grow up...so serene,” he mumbled to himself as he began picking a tune while he admired Libby’s home. It’d been a while since he’d had pappy in his hands; it felt good to play once again. The squeak of the screen door brought Joe out of his musical meditation as Libby joined him with another cup of coffee.
“You found Mom’s guitar...she’d approve. That one was her favorite—she loved the depth in the tone,” Libby smiled. After a kiss, she settled in beside Joe on the swing with her toes tucked warmly under his leg.
“I can see why…it’s great.” He played for her for a long time. Without words the two enjoyed the peace and tranquility of home…and the simplicity of being still.
Megan’s call broke their tranquility, as she called to announce her impending arrival. “Guess we better get dressed for company, you hungry?” Libby asked. Joe nodded, and the two went in to prepare.
An hour later, Megan burst into the house, screaming with excitement “Libby!”
“Kitchen!” Libby called out, and the two met in a crash/hug in the entrance hall.
“You’ve lost so much weight!” Megan frowned. “You’ve wasted away! What...you couldn’t find food out west?”
Megan shoved Libby’s shoulders away from her to offer her official unapproving glare, stopping only when she grabbed Libby’s left hand. “HOLY COW! What’s THIS?” Megan shouted.
Joe appeared from upstairs to see what the fuss was about.
“Wow,” Megan exclaimed loudly as she caught a glimpse of him. “Flar-fle-bloo-homina-homina.
Libby smacked her backside, “Behave!” she laughingly warned.
Joe was laughing as he joined the ladies, “Hey, Megan! I�
�m Joe.”
As he extended his hand, she walked past it and into him, throwing her arms around his neck in an exaggerated hug. “Ah, we’re southern girls: we’re huggers!” She giggled as she squeezed.
“Okay…” Joe laughed and hugged her back. “I’ve heard so much about you, I feel like I know you,” he mused.
“Well, that makes you one up on me, so we need to spend a lot of time together, I haven’t given my approval yet,” she winked at Libby as she wrapped her arm in his and walked him into the kitchen, chatting excitedly the entire way.
“Okay, Joe. Tell me your intentions…I want all the details, Joe. Like, when I’m gonna be an aunt…come on now, don’t be shy.”
As with most of Megan’s ideas, she squealed with excitement and raised the energy in the room even more as she turned back to Libby and announced, “We should have a cookout! Let everyone know you’re back in town! Maybe then they’ll quit calling me! Honestly! It’s like I’m your bloo-ey secretary or somethin’!”
Joe stood bewildered, eyes wide, with the most recent and sudden change in Megan’s demeanor. He looked helplessly back at Libby, who laughed at him.
“Sounds like a plan. Why don’t you call ‘em, Joe and I will go to the market and get some steaks and stuff.” She added under her breath, “He looks like he could use the break.”
“Nothin’ doin! I’m goin’ too! I can call ‘em from my cell. Come on, let’s go!” she replied authoritatively as she turned on her heels and grabbed Joe by the arm, pulling him past Libby.
Joe smiled and shook his head at Libby as he passed her, “She’s so meek,” he laughed out loud and grabbed Libby’s hand, pulling her along. Megan flashed him a grin as she opened the door. “There’s that family resemblance...now I see it—it’s in that smile,” Joe mused.
* * *
Around 7:00 o’clock, friends arrived at the house, most with dishes to add to the feast. Libby greeted each at the door with a hug. She was so glad to see her friends again. After introducing Joe to each new arrival, she joined him in the kitchen as he prepared dinner.
Whirlwind Love: Libby's Journey Page 25