I pretty much struck out. Every one was either playing or out of town. I was thinking I was going to have to disappoint Sam until I called Jim back.
“Jimmy, I hope you had better luck than I did. Give me some good news.”
I could hear the laughter in his voice.
“I lined up one, a pretty good singer and guitarist. Maybe we could do a three piece. Think that would fly?”
“Well, he’s desperate, at this point I think he’ll take anything. Who did you get?”
“Moira.”
I was quiet for a moment.
“I don’t know about that. It’s been what, ten years since she played in front of an audience. This is a festival, it’ll be a pretty big crowd. Think she can handle it?”
“If I didn’t I wouldn’t bring it up. You’ve never seen her perform, she can really work a crowd.”
“All right, I’ll make the call.”
Sam was happy, a three piece would be fine. I told him he would have to include lodging, of course. At this late date we couldn’t do it ourselves. When he asked what we needed, I told him it would be four adults and four kids, a cabin or something along that line would be nice.
He called back Tuesday and had us a house, but it was fifteen miles out of town. It did have a pool, though. That should make Jim’s kids happy.
We practiced Monday night, twice Tuesday, and once Wednesday morning. We packed and left Wednesday afternoon.
Sammi was not happy, not at all. When she found out Moira was going she almost lost it. They had met, and the mutual dislike was obvious.
“What! I’m working my ass off this week while you shack up in the mountains with that red head! Bullshit, Wiley, bullshit.”
I didn’t understand her logic.
“In the first place, I’ll be working too. And do I need to remind you, Moira is married and we’re engaged. Also, Jimmy and Crystal and their kids will be right there with us. If it bothers you, take the rest of the week off and go with me.”
“You know I can’t do that” she snapped, “This is our busy time too. I have responsibilities, I’m trying to get the assistant manager position that’s opening up.”
It took a lot of discussion, but we both recognized we were letting our careers get to us. We made up, and I promised Sammi I would keep the house another few days. She would come up Saturday night and we would stay until Wednesday.
…………………….
The house was great. Secluded, with a great view of the mountains. Everyone loved the pool. We settled in quickly. Jimmie and Crystal took the big bedroom, Moira and I got the smaller ones. The kids slept in cots on the screened in porch. They loved it, it was a big adventure to them. We expected the smallest, their four year old, to sleep with Jimmy and Crystal, but she insisted she was big enough to sleep with the others. Mom and Dad had big smiles, Moira and I wondered how much sleep they would get.
We grilled burgers and dogs after the kids had a chance to play in the pool. I was put in charge of the grill while they played with them.
Moria had been in the house putting sodas in a cooler. It’s a good thing the cooler was closed when she brought it out or the ice would have melted.
She barely had on a bikini. I looked at her and could hear Buster Poindexter singing “Hot, Hot, Hot” in my brain. God, she was so beautiful.
Everybody thought it was funny when I burnt the first burgers.
Jimmy saved me.
“For Gods’ sake girl, put on a tee shirt before he loses consciousness from lack of blood to his brain! It’s not nice to tease like that.”
We both blushed and she did put on a cover. After we ate Jim and Crystal started yawning. The kids wanted to stay up and roast marshmallows. Moira and I volunteered to stay up with the kids so they could ‘rest’. They almost ran to the bedroom.
We had a ball, helping the smaller ones. When we had them stuffed full of sugar we sat around and told ghost stories. I was starting to tell some really scary ones when Moira nudged me and pointed at the small ones. Their eyes had gotten huge, so I toned them down.
We had to get out the acoustic guitars and sing our small charges to sleep. I think we enjoyed it as much as they did.
After everyone was asleep I made coffee and we sat on the loveseat, enjoying the half moon over the mountain. She was cold, so I put a blanket over her.
For awhile, we just sat, enjoying the quiet. I picked up my Martin, picking out melodies and snatches of songs. It matched our mood.
I nodded towards the children.
“They’re great, aren’t they?”
She had a slight catch in her voice when she answered.
“Yes they are, but that might be the proud aunt talking. What about you, any children in your future?”
“I hope so, at least two. I worry though, wondering if I will be a good parent.”
There was conviction in her answer.
“You’ll make a great father. I’ve watched you with Jims’, and others you come into contact with. You have a natural empathy, children trust you. It’s a great quality to have.”
Her opinion held a great deal of importance to me.
“What about you Moira? Ready to add a few more red headed beauties to the world?”
The depth and weight of her sadness when she answered was obvious.
“I don’t think I’ll have children.”
I wanted to know why, of course, but a small voice in my head I had learned to trust told me to drop it. A cloud had been over the moon, but as it cleared I could swear there was tears tracks on her face. Even If it was wrong, I knew she needed a hug.
“Moira, I’m about to freeze. Share the blanket, please?”
She unwrapped and I slid underneath and snuggled her under my arm. I felt her stiffen.
“Jimmy, what are you doing?”
“Trying to get warm, and giving a hug to a friend I feel needs it. Okay?”
She sighed, leaned into me, and said okay.
We sat like that for awhile. I could feel her shaking slightly, I knew she was crying and trying to hide it. I hugged her tighter, stroking her hair.
“Whatever it is, hon, let it out. I’m here for you.”
That broke the dam. I don’t know why she was so sad, but she cried, quiet sobs that went on for a bit. Gradually her sobs abated and turned into quiet even breaths. She was asleep.
I should have wakened her for bed, but I selfishly held her, wondering what could cause her such pain.
It was odd. I was holding one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen, and I didn’t have the first sexual thought. All I felt was love and compassion for someone who was becoming important to me. Sleep overcame me, and I gradually reclined on the loveseat, pulling Moria with me. That’s where they found us the next morning.
We awoke to giggling. All the kids were watching us, Jimmy and Crystal were behind them, smirking.
Moria gave a cry and ran into the house.
I sat up and started trying to explain. Crystal laughed and held up her camera.
“Don’t try to deny it. I have proof. You were sleeping with my sister in law.”
She let me squirm and try to explain before relenting.
“Relax, Wiley. We know you, and we know Moria. All you did was sleep. But you should see the pictures, you two looked awfully comfortable. Like you belonged together, you know?”
I couldn’t think of anything to say when Moira came back. She had showered and changed. No makeup, hair in a ponytail, jeans and a tee shirt. She looked even more beautiful than before.
“Come on, give him a break. Wiley, go shower and get changed. Breakfast in twenty, you get to wash up.”
It was fun. Jimmy cooked while Moira and Crystal critiqued his skills. The kids ate like they were starving, I lost count of pancakes that came off the griddle. Judging by the dishes, at least a hundred people ate breakfast with us. Moira relented and helped me finish.
“We’re on a clock, got to go get set up.”
She couldn’t keep the excitement out of her voice.
Crystal stayed behind, promising the kids they would walk down to the river later, then come into town for the show.
Moira, Jimmy, and I piled into the cube van that held our equipment and went to set up. We had the dubious honor of being the very first act to perform early that afternoon.
It didn’t take long to set up, years of practice from Jim and myself helped.
I was on the left, Moria was on the right. She had her/my Squire. I had my Ampeg and EBO for bass. I also had my SG and Martin, just in case.
I also set up a couple of keyboards for a few songs we may or may not do.
The look on Jim’s face was priceless when he saw we had packed the Ludwig kit and left his regular set at home. In the end, Moira gave me half what the drums were worth so we could share the gift.
“Happy birthday, brother mine. And this is from both of us, so don’t bitch about it, all right.”
He hugged and kissed her, then did the same to me, whispering “Asshole” in my ear.
…………………….
We hadn’t officially named ourselves. When I called back to confirm with Sam he asked what we were called so he could have some amended flyers printed. I hadn’t really given it much thought.
“Well, we’re two thirds Irish, so I guess we need to come up with…”