Montana Wild

by Hall, Roni

  They went to the back of the bar and reviewed the sound system and lighting. Everything seemed in place and Ben could relax. Jamie and Ben sat at the bar with a few of the regulars who kept reminding him that it wasn’t too late to give it up so they could all keep their money.

  “No way. Susan said they’ve got big plans for the shelter with the money from tonight. I’ve got to admit, Jamie, I feel pretty good about that part of it.”

  “And you should. You worked hard practicing and seeking pledges for this. You did good.” Jamie was proud of her friend.

  “Well, it’s not over yet. It ain’t over till the fat lady sings!” They both laughed. “Don’t say that to Crystal, she’ll think I’m calling her fat!” They laughed again.

  It was after 8 and Crystal was supposed to have shown by 7. Ben kept scanning the crowd for her as the bar was getting packed.

  A short while later Kevin showed up . . . with Lola. They walked past Ben and Jamie, with Kevin nodding his greeting. Lola looked past both of them; she was all dolled up and had enough perfume on to dust crops. They sat at the bar close to the stage, near Rick and a few of the ranch hands.

  Jamie remembered what Ben told her on the trip in. Was that true? Of course it’s true, Ben would not lie to me. So what now? The news surprised her but more importantly, relieved much of the gnawing pain that had been in her gut the past few days. Every time she thought of Kevin with Lola, she felt sick. But what now? She didn’t want to be too hopeful. She had started to accept the idea that there was no us.

  Jamie worried for Ben’s sake; he looked nervous. His eyes searched the crowd every few minutes. He got dressed except for the big vest and wig which he had hanging behind the door. 8:30 and Crystal still was a no show.

  “She’s not answering her cell. I hope she didn’t have car trouble. I knew I should’ve picked her up. Damn!” Ben was sweating and even Jamie felt nervous now too.

  8:45 No Crystal.

  8:50 No Crystal.

  Ben was standing at the bar close to Kevin looking over the crowd when Jamie walked up to him.

  “I have to finish getting ready now. She may be waiting to make a grand entrance.” His eyes searched the room.

  Jamie started to walk away just as the bartender came over to Ben and handed him an envelope. Looking at it quizzically, he opened it and his face fell. With no expression, he laid the envelope on the bar next to Kevin and walked away.

  Kevin picked it up and read the letter. Eyes blazing, his face turned to stone as he threw the letter down and followed Ben. Jamie watched the whole thing unfold but didn’t have a clue. What was in the letter? She walked back to the bar, picked it up and read:

  Ben,

  You’re probably standing at the bar dressed in your silly bell-bottoms and stupid wig. You’re always so high and mighty doing the right thing which makes me feel small and humiliates me. I know you always thought you were better than me. You’re so gullible, I had you going the whole time. From the start my plan was to humiliate you. It’s a win-win. Either you sing alone and humiliate yourself or you cop out and let the shelter down. Good luck, sucker.

  –Crystal

  Stunned, she stood there frozen, but only for a minute. Kevin was now talking to Kenny who was shaking his head.

  Oh no you don’t biotch! Not on my watch! Jamie thought to herself, adrenaline flowing and she went into autopilot. Don’t even stop and think about it girl, because if you do, you’ll chicken out. Think of Ben, only Ben.

  Ben and Kevin were talking seriously near the stage. The place was packed. Kevin shook his head and headed back to his seat at the bar.

  Jamie went directly to Kenny at the back controls.

  “Kenny, what’s happening? I know about Crystal.”

  “That bitch!” Kenny muttered and took a swig of straight vodka from his bottle. “Sorry ma’am, excuse my French. Ben’s going solo.”

  “Oh no, he’s not. Where’s Cher’s costume?”

  Kenny looked at her blankly, then his eyes registered understanding and he shot up from his stool.

  “Everything’s over here.” He led her into the small back room and helped her with the costume, turning his back as she changed. Crystal was smaller than Jamie so she had to struggle to get into the bell-bottoms. He helped her situate the long black wig since there was no mirror. Patting herself down to check that everything was in place, she felt a lump in her jeans pocket, reached in and retrieved Cher’s fangs. Jamie laughed to herself. Hell, why not? They exited the backroom and the bar was dark. Everyone was cheering for the show to start.

  “Now listen, Kenny. Stall Ben for a minute; don’t bother telling him at this point, it’s too late. Shine the spotlight on him on stage to get him set, but once the music starts, put the light on me back here and I’ll come through the crowd like it’s part of the act. And one more thing - crank that music up loud, especially for Cher’s solo parts because I need to hide my voice. It’s awful!”

  Jamie grabbed Kenny’s bottle of vodka and took a long hard drink.

  Kenny kissed her on the forehead, “You’re an angel!” Jamie took another swallow of vodka, applied her fangs, walked 10 feet away from Kenny at the controls, and nodded. All those years as a pre-teen singing in front of the mirror with my hairbrush better pay off!

  Kenny shined the spotlight on Ben on stage in his get up and the crowd howled. Ben was in character; he had his back to the crowd and his arms up in the air. As the music to “I Got You Babe” started, the light dimmed on Sonny and spotted on Cher in the back corner of the room as she began to sing. The crowd applauded and whistled as they parted so she could make her way up to Sonny.

  It was a good thing the light on Sonny was dim, because his mouth dropped open as Cher appeared in the light. She walked a path alongside the bar and glanced at Kevin whose eyes were open wide in obvious disbelief to see Cher. As she passed him she deliberately and firmly nudged his knee which caused him to look closer.

  Kevin shouted above the crowd to Rick.

  “That’s Jamie! It’s Jamie.” Rick nodded and grinned broadly.

  As Cher neared the stage, Sonny came down the steps to offer his hand. Cher smiled at Sonny exposing her canines which made Sonny hoot. He winked at Jamie and squeezed her hand.

  The two alternated their lines flawlessly, exaggerating all the Sonny and Cher moves and mannerisms. Luckily, the crowd was loud so you could barely hear Cher’s voice. Sonny and Cher swayed to the music, held hands, and playfully interacted like they had back in the day. As the music and singing climaxed the crowd stood up. Finally it was over and they received a standing ovation. Sonny hugged Cher and swung her around.

  Above the crowd, Ben leaned over, whispered in her ear, “I love you!” and kissed her hard on the cheek. Jamie laughed with relief that it was over, finding it hard to believe that she pulled it off. Sometimes you just have to kiss life in the face!

  Lola stole all the fun out of the night. A look of bored apathy coated her face the whole evening and every word out of her mouth was negative. She was sucking the life out of Kevin.

  “Man, it’s so hot in here. Kevin, can’t you ask the owner to crank up the AC?”

  “No, I’m not going to ask Kenny to turn it up. The place is packed and his cooling system is probably working overtime as it is.”

  “The martinis are terrible here; they taste like Kool-Aid.”

  “You’re at a country bar that serves mostly beer and whiskey. I suggest you switch to one of those.” His patience with her grew thinner by the minute.

  “These chairs are not comfortable, and I’m hungry. Is there a classier restaurant where we can have dinner?”

  “Order a burger if you’re hungry. I’m not leaving.”

  Kevin was in a fouler mood, if possible, after reading Crystal’s letter. But on
ce he saw Jamie on stage, his eyes never left her, and Lola sitting only inches away did not exist.

  As the show ended, Kevin stood and applauded, hooting and hollering. Lola sat at the bar looking uninterested, inspecting her nails. As the applause started to quiet down, Lola leaned over to Kevin and commented, “Doesn’t that woman have any pride?”

  “Better than that,” he answered, “she’s got class.”

  The applause tapered, and the crowd sat down. Sonny and Cher descended from the stage but were stopped at every table. They stayed in character and made the rounds. Everyone was in a jovial mood and the party continued. Kenny was elated; it had been a long time since he’d had business like this. Kenny hugged Ben and Jamie.

  Kevin laughed as he heard Ben try to convince Jamie that they should take their show on the road but she shook her head vehemently. Sonny and Cher stayed in costume and hung closely together. He wished he could celebrate their success with them.

  Lola continued to look bored. “I’m hot and tired. I’d like to get out of here.”

  Kevin looked at her and nodded in agreement. “Good idea. I’ll be back in a minute.” And with that he got up and walked toward the back of the bar, searching for someone.

  “Jimmy, how’d you like to make a day’s pay right now?”

  “Sure, Kev, you know me, I’m always looking for extra work. What’s up?”

  “Can you drive?” Kevin asked. Everyone knew that Jimmy was not a big drinker.

  “Sure, this’s my first beer and I’ve been milking it. Why?”

  “I need you to take Lola back to the ranch. Take my truck. You can come back or not, I don’t care, just get her out of here. I’ll ride home with Ben.”

  “That’s all? Sure. That’s easy.” He seemed eager.

  “Okay, here are my keys. You know my truck, it’s right out front. Get in and I’ll bring her around. I’ll warn you that she may not be happy about this, but that’s okay. Her options are going to the airport or going back to the ranch. Got it?” Kevin explained.

  “Yep. Understood.” Jimmy left.

  Kevin went to the bar to get Lola. “Ready?”

  “I’m so ready to blow this place.” She stood up eagerly and grabbed her purse. Kevin took her elbow and escorted her through the crowd, out the front door and to his truck. He opened the front door and she climbed in with a smug look on her face.

  Kevin hit the lock on the door before he closed it. “Jimmy will take you straight home.”

  Lola looked at the driver, and then back at Kevin, beginning to protest. He nodded to Jimmy and he took off, as Kevin exhaled with relief.

  Jamie saw Kevin escorting Lola out without even a good-bye and her heart sank. So much for what Ben had told her on the ride over about hearing him out. She was warm and this wig was hot. Distracted by Kevin’s departure, she went into the single stall women’s restroom, removed her hair piece, and leaned over the sink to freshen her face.

  Hearing the door open, without looking up, she offered, “Oh, excuse me. I’ll be out of your way in a second.”

  “Oh hell yeah, bitch!”

  Chapter 17

  The voice was familiar, but Jamie wasn’t sure she’d heard right. Grabbing a paper towel to dry her face, she turned around only to find Crystal and two other women barely in their twenties.

  “Crystal, what are you doing here?” Jamie asked in total surprise.

  “I set him up for total humiliation, total failure, and you rescue him? Oh, no! I don’t think so.” Crystal waved her finger in front of Jamie’s face and then without warning brought her clenched fist up and landed a punch to Jamie’s right eye.

  As her head jolted back with the surprising force of the hit, Crystal’s two sidekicks each grabbed one of Jamie’s arms and Crystal then sucker-punched Jamie in the gut causing her to double over and gasp for air. What the hell? She stayed down for just a minute to gather her wits. Jamie then leaned forward as far as she could and the girls on each side eased their grip, probably thinking she would pass out. Instead Jamie brought both arms forward and jabbed her elbows back quickly with as much force as she could muster into each girl’s upper gut, hard enough to cause them both to go down.

  Crystal watched in disbelief and before she could gather her wits, Jamie sent her booted foot hard into Crystal’s gut and when she bent over, Jamie grabbed her long blond hair and directed her head into the toilet for a swirly. Jamie paused for just a nanosecond. Did she really want to do this? Oh hell yes! She didn’t let her conscience weigh in at all.

  “First flush is for me and the second flush . . . is . . . for . . . Ben.” Stringy wet hair and all, Jamie pushed the dazed Crystal to the floor. The other two were still blubbering. “I guess your mommas didn’t tell you young girls not to mess with a woman from Brooklyn.” With that Jamie exited the restroom. Those self-defense classes paid off after all! Jamie smiled to herself.

  A couple of guys outside the ladies room must have heard the commotion, but looking hesitant to come in, they stood at the door. Ben was there too.

  “Don’t go in there, it ain’t pretty.” Jamie warned as she walked out the door. Ben looked at Jamie’s face and showed instant concern.

  “What happened to your eye?” She almost forgot about the fist she’d taken to her eye that was already beginning to swell. Ben looked past Jamie and saw Crystal and her two friends on the floor of the bathroom. He smiled and closed the door.

  “Jamie, are you okay? Come over here, let me take a look at you.” Ben looked worried and sat her down at one of the tables near the bar.

  “Kenny, we need some ice here,” Ben yelled toward the bar.

  “You, my dear, are going to have a shiner. What happened in there?”

  “Crystal wasn’t happy that I bailed you out.”

  “Bitch!” Ben muttered angrily, then laughed. “But how did you get the best of three of them?”

  Jamie looked at Ben surprised at his question. “C’mon Ben. I’m from New York!”

  “What the hell happened?” Kevin asked, taking a seat next to Jamie. He lightly fingered her cheek under the swollen eye.

  “I guess Crystal didn’t care for the fact that Jamie helped me out tonight. But the best part is that there were three of them and Jamie was the only one that walked out on her own two feet.” Ben laughed.

  “Ben, this isn’t funny! Where are they?” Kevin started to get up but Jamie grabbed his arm.

  “No, let it go.” She looked at him. “It was my battle and it’s over. Let it go.”

  Kevin shook his head no, but Jamie met his eyes.

  “I’m okay. It’s okay. Let it go,” she said more softly, and he sat back down. “I thought you left.”

  “No, I just arranged a taxi for Lola.”

  His response confused her but she didn’t ask for details. Kenny brought the ice pack and Jamie applied it to her eye a little too roughly and flinched in pain.

  “Kenny, do you have a towel or something to put this in? And crush the ice so it’s not so sharp.” Kevin was quick to notice.

  “Sorry about that.” Kenny looked apologetic.

  “No problem. Thank you.” Jamie looked at Kevin and thanked him too, surprised and touched by his attentiveness.

  Ben, Rick, and a couple of the ranch hands sat around the table with them and began rehashing and humorously critiquing the night’s performance. Jamie forgot about her eye and laughed till her gut hurt. Kevin joined in on the laughter too, adding his own comments. It was wonderful to be able to sit comfortably and enjoy his friendship once again. They always did have fun together. Maybe I’m past all that and we can go back to just being friends. I’d hate to lose that. She caught Kevin’s eye and he winked at her. Smiling back, she couldn’t deny the tingle that traveled down her spine when their eyes met. Stop that!
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br />   Ben bought her a couple of rounds of brandy, for medicinal and healing purposes. She didn’t believe a word of it but it felt good going down and she was not feeling any pain now. A few more guys and gals joined the table so they had to scoot their chairs closer together. Kevin physically sat very close to Jamie now and more than once their arms and shoulders touched. Even though she was feeling no pain, she was very aware every time her arm touched his. However, now instead of scolding herself, she decided to enjoy the sensation for what it was.

  They all sat there talking, laughing, and enjoying the night. Jamie got up to use the restroom but locked the stall behind her, a little gun shy from her altercation earlier. She washed her hands and looked in the mirror.

  “Oh my gosh, I look horrible!” Her eye was nearly swollen shut and an angry purple bruise surrounded it. Touching her eye softly, the flesh was tender but still cool from the ice. Jamie was embarrassed to go out there looking like this but reminded herself that she had been out there for two hours and everyone had already seen her. No wonder everyone had thrown her looks of shock and sympathy. She returned to her table a little sheepishly.

  “What’s wrong?” Kevin must have picked up on her mood change.

  “I didn’t realize I looked so horrible.” Jamie pointed to her disfigured eye.

  “You don’t look horrible. Think of it as your badge of courage for what you did for Ben.” Kevin winked.

  “Well, if you put it that way. Thank you for putting my vanity in check.” She laughed. The group sat at the table for another hour before people started to leave. Tomorrow was a working day.