Happy Bay by T. Stelma

Author:T. Stelma
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Publish Green

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE

ONE MONTH LATER

Jimmy took in the applause as the last crack of the snare drum ended the night. It had been a great gig. The crowd loved them, and the band was falling over themselves out of gratitude for his temporary comeback. Even the bar owner had taken him aside to tell him he was welcome on this stage anytime. He took his time shaking hands and offering thanks to his former band mates as they tucked their instruments into cases and headed to the bar for one last drink, and perhaps one last shot at overnight company.

Cindy was conspicuous by her absence. She had grown bored with the competition this place offered, and more than a little resentful of the attention Jimmy was getting on stage. So it was back to her old haunts; the yuppie restaurant-turned-whorehouse after dinner establishments that catered to her ilk. Jimmy actually preferred things this way. She usually drank for free in those places, courtesy of horny businessmen. The toll she was leaving on his bar tab early on was making the job pretty unproductive from a financial standpoint.

Dennis steered him towards a table, so they could talk before parting ways. “So, the kid says he’s ready to go…but we’re all afraid he’s gonna blow himself up again anyway. But that’s not your problem man, I’m not gonna burden you with it.” Dennis leaned forward and lowered his voice. “You know, if you don’t mind me saying so, I think you quit way too soon. All of us do. Your originals are great man. We made one demo, and nobody bought into it. So what? You just make another one then, you know?” Dennis sat back again. “We were never really mad at you for wanting to do the real job thing. I mean everybody has a time when they say that’s enough. We just didn’t want to be left behind. I knew it would be a struggle without you.” He waved his drink as if toasting the bar. “Don’t get me wrong, this place is fantastic. But when you look at it from my perspective, six hundred people are only a fraction of the number we should be in front of.”

“Don’t sell yourself short Dennis.” Jimmy was a little embarrassed by the idolization he was getting.

“I’m a realist,” Dennis replied looking down at his drink, “You filled out the equation for me. Sum of the parts, you know?” He raised his glass again. “Here’s to your new life. Just remember your old buddies when they name a building after you or something.”

Jimmy clinked his glass, “Thanks Dennis. Thanks for calling me. If I said I didn’t have a great time, I’d be lying.”

Dennis said, “The door is always open man.” He stood up and hugged him like a brother. “Remember that.”

Dennis was sincere in his wishes for success, but he had no idea how hard things had been for Jimmy since leaving the group. The lost income alone had taken its toll.

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