CHAPTER 240: Let's Jam!

 

Bleargh!  The folks are being all soppy and romantic again.

"Darling, you're as beautiful today as you've always been!"

"Oh Colin, how romantic...what's brought this on?"

"Can't a husband pay his beloved wife a compliment as and when?"

They can keep this up for hours!  Sure, it's all genuine but I'm trying to concentrate on my homework here!

Actually, that's not true...I finished my homework and now being around romance has made me think about Lulu.  It's been a few days since our first date and I haven't seen much of her around school and we've only spoken on the phone once since then.

Is she still into me?  That date we had was amazing...I was nervous throughout but I let things flow naturally and we ended up holding hands and kissing...twice.  My rational side of my brain is telling me she's busy; we don't share many classes at school and the social tribes at break times means it's hard to try and find her and hang out.  We spoke on the phone last night but talk was mainly about The Bluestone's gig at Desert Bloom Park, which is happening today.  She told me she had bought an amazing new dress that would compliment the guys' suits and we talked a little about our date last weekend.  So the rational side says things are OK, no need to worry.

But the irrational side of my brain is telling me she's not into me anymore.  It was probably my kissing style or that she thinks she can do better or any other of the many reasons girls break up with guys.  I've heard most of them...'I really see you as a friend', 'it's not you, it's me' and the worst of them all 'I see you more as a brother'.

Anyway I have to put that out of my mind for the moment as it's showtime soon.  We contacted the local town council about booking the park for our first public gig but the only time they'd give us...which was in our budget of not much...was 11am for one hour.  We took it.  I made sure my guitar and picks were in its case and then I changed into my suit.  Unfortunately my official Bluestones suit hadn't arrived from the tailor's yet so I'm going with a blue-grey one with a blue shirt which is almost the same in cut as the one I was supposed to wear.

When I get to the park I see that Lulu's already there and she looks fantastic.  I see what she meant by the blue and white look.

"Lulu...wow!  You look...amazing.  That dress really suits you.  You'll wow the crowd that's for sure!"

"Do you really think so, Jamie?  Personally, I love it.  Got everything from Pack's Clothing...they're the best."

She gave me a twirl and right there and then I wanted to scoop her up in my arms because she looked so adorable but there was a lot to do before the show.  I had to tune my guitar and then wait for the others to do a sound check.

The others arrived not long after and Efrain tuned his electric piano whilst Rohan, like me, was bowled over by how Lulu looked.  I know he too has a crush on her and I feel bad for him that I...apparently...won her affection.  I still haven't had a chance to talk to her about where we're at.

We sound pretty good in the soundcheck and we're almost ready to go but Rohan needs an urgent bathroom break before we go on...as he walks past me he shoots me this look which I can't work out:  Is he upset about something or is it nerves.  I smile back and him and nod, trying to reassure him.

When he returns he stops to talk to me.

"So, are you and Lulu still...you know?"

"Yeah, I think.  Probably.  We had that date last week which went well but you know how chicks are...you're never 100% sure where you stand with them."  I'm trying to play it cool, not brag or rub his face in it.  He's a buddy and a crucial member of the band.  I'd hate for anyone to quit before we've even played a gig.

"Rohan, we need to focus on the gig right now.  We'll talk later, OK?"

He nods and goes back to what is our stage area, although it's more of a patio than a stage.  About six people have gathered around us, which is pathetic but we're due to go on at 11am and there's no time to waste in hoping more people will show up.  

I step in front of the microphone and make an announcement.  "Alright!  We're The Bluestones and we're here to play to you!  OK, let's hit it...and a one and a two and a three and a four!"

Lulu's voice sounds raunchy but she can certainly project and hold a note.  We hit the ground running but as I look out into the crowd...of six...I see someone I know only too well.  Actually, that's not true either; I know her but don't know her at all.  The mysterious, contradictory and self-proclaimed bad girl, Morgan Fyres.  It's hard not to notice her in a crowd of six people, with her long red hair which matched the colour of her boots.

Keep playing, Jamie,  I tell myself.  Just focus on the music.  I look over at Morgan and she's smiling and laughing along.  Is she into the music or mocking us.  Her attention is solely on Lulu.

Another familiar face in the...ahem...crowd is Yuki Behr.  I like Yuki, she's a nice person but she's often miserable and that's largely due to her being the younger sister of a pop starlet and model, Candy Behr, who is a pin up for so many guys at school so Yuki's always in her shadow plus she has a terrible boyfriend who treats her like dirt.  I notice he isn't here today...

Before I realise it, our hour is up and that's the end of the gig.  We get a polite round of applause from the crowd...which had gone up to nine by the time we'd finished.  I thank the crowd, put down my guitar and shake the hands of Rohan and Efrain before going to congratulate Lulu.

"So, was I OK?" 

"Lulu, you were an absolute star out there, a natural."

"Thanks Jamie.  I know there weren't many people but I felt good up there, singing.  I've never done anything like this outside of school choirs."

"Well, we have to start somewhere.  Onwards and upwards"

"The only thing that bugged me, Jamie, was the snarky looks Morgan was giving me."

"Oh her, you know how much of a flake she is"

I take Lulu's side 100% on this but she also knows I went out with Morgan a couple of times so I'm wondering if there's an element of jealousy here.  

"I think hecklers are part and parcel of performing live.  Remember Dylan going electric and this guy in the crowd yells out 'JUDAS!'?  Don't sweat it, Lulu.  Morgan's probably jealous that you look way better than her in that outfit.  And that you've shown your talent to people who came to hear us."

"Awww, Jamie, you always know the right things to say!"

I do?  Yeah, I must do.  I don't plan this stuff.  Anyway Lulu throws her arms around me and gives me the tightest hug I have ever received off of anyone...and I have a few adoring aunts!

It feels amazing but that's not the best part.  We eventually break out of the hug but she's still holding both my hands.  She looks me in the eyes, smiles and then leans towards me to kiss me!

She's standing on tip toes and puts her arms around me again but this isn't a peck on the cheek, this is a full blown kiss on the lips and neither of us let go for...I don't know how long, you don't bother to count at a time like that.  So...I guess we're still on as an item.

However, this kiss isn't done in private and I become aware, out of the corner of my eye, that Rohan has seen us and is less than impressed.

I want to say something to him but a) I don't know what and b) Lulu hasn't stopped kissing me and I don't want her to stop either.  Fortunately help is at hand to break him out of his mood by none other than Yuki, who has enjoyed our show and is now grooving out with us, watching the clouds.

"Say, Rohan, do you like cloud gazing?  You know, just lying down in the soft sand and letting your mind drift along with the clouds?"

"What?  Clouds?  Erm, no.  I haven't tried that"

"You should.  But I don't want you to dirty your nice suit.  Yeah, you guys were fab today.  When's your next show?"

"I don't....I don't know...." 

His voice falters and he strides off.  Man, he must have it bad for Lulu and he must hate me now.  I'll have to catch up with him later and try to reassure him.  I guess he didn't take Yuki's hint that she wanted to hang out with him.

So Rohan has gone and Efrain's packed up his kit and is preparing to head home which leaves Lulu and myself alone.  

"Thanks for that kiss.  It was appreciated" 

"You deserved it.  So...."

"So indeed.  Say, what are you doing later on?  Would you like to go on another date with me?  Get a coffee?  Perk you up a bit, perk me up a bit."

"Pick me up from my place, 5pm" she says, giving me a coquettish smile.  Well, we've made it to a second date!

I'm the last to leave and I thank the park warden before I head off but when I go around the corner to collect my bicycle who should I bump into but Morgan!  I just glance her shoulder but she takes the opportunity to gently grab my hand and stroke it.

I recoil slightly at this as it's unexpected.  As always with Morgan I can't work out what her game is.

"Ah, Morgan, you caught me by surprise.  Erm, are you well?  You look well...did you enjoy the show?"

"Yeah, it was neat.  You've really come on as a guitarist, Jamie.  Some cool licks there.  I enjoyed watching you play."

"Well, you know, the way to get to Carnegie Hall is practice...ha ha."

"Yeah, you're good...as was Rohan and the other guy.  But you're definitely the stand out."

She's smiling at me in that alluring way that attracted me to her in the first place.  Is she trying to hit on me again?  Time to deflect...

"I thought Lulu sang well, did you think she sang well?"

"Meh, Lulu.  Alright...but she does scream a lot.  So no change there from how she normally is.  Is she right for your band, though?"

"I think so.  She has a good, powerful voice and adds a lot of stage presence."

"I heard rumours that her singing isn't what got her into the band."

"Now wait a moment, Morgan, that's out of line!  She joined the band on merit!"

Morgan's really making me lose my cool and I was about to give her a dressing down but Yuki emerged from the rest room and saw that things were getting heated between me and Morgan.  I smile sheepishly at Yuki and Morgan just turns around to leave.  I take my cue and go to retrieve my bike.

I go home, get changed into some casual gear, grab some lunch and help my dad with a few chores before heading off to Lulu's house to pick her up.  She's changed into some casual clothes as well and we take the bus into town to go to one of the fancier coffee shops.

Since the time I picked her up from her place she's been buzzing about the gig.  One of the things I like best about Lulu, apart from her big blue eyes and pert figure, is her enthusiasm for almost everything.  I don't say much on the bus, I just listen to her recounting what she liked best about performing today.

"It's like when I get to the end of the verse and you come in with your solo...we didn't plan it to be that tight but it was perfect!"

"OK, Lulu, I love to hear more but I'm thirsty...let's get those coffees!"

We take a seat near a large window that looks out over the harbour and that is away from most of the customers.  As I get the coffees in and Lulu takes a seat I still have this fear she's going to walk out.  Silly, I know, but I've experienced being let down many times before.

But she stays and she's keen to keep talking.

"I got such a buzz, a thrill from the gig this morning, Jamie....I hope I didn't freak you out when I kissed you"

"The kiss?  No, on the contrary Lulu...It was appreciated, very appreciated.  I had missed seeing you at school and we haven't had any time to really talk since our date last weekend.  I was wondering if things...I mean, you and I...were OK."

"Oh Jamie, things are really fab!  I missed seeing you too; at school it gets difficult because of all the cliques and the rumours that go around.  If I had seen you, I would have said hello.  As it was I didn't and when we spoke on the phone my dad was close by and I....haven't told him yet about us."

"You haven't?  That's OK, I haven't told my folks either."

"Once we go public then...BAM...we will be under the microscope with everyone so I just like it being us in the loop..."

"Although the rest of the guys in the band have figured it out.  I've told them not to blab for now."

And with that Lulu smiled but then she caught me off guard by standing up and indicating I should too.  OK, what's going to happen next, Jamie?

"I get giddy during the early days of a romance, do you?" she said, fixing me with those big blue eyes of hers.

"Me?  I guess...I mean, it's natural, isn't it?"

"That sofa over there's just become vacant...shall we grab it before someone else does?"

I'm not going to say no to that!

"Do you know they call these 'loveseats'?"

"I didn't, Lulu...I do now"

"Psst...do you think anyone's looking our way?"

"Hmmmm, I don't think anyone cares"

"We can steal a moment..."

"No one will notice..."

"Like a pair of thieves..." I say when we eventually break the kiss.  What's great about being with Lulu is that she responds to and even initiates the romance without me having to worry about what and when to make a move.

"Phew!  That was....well, amazing!  How about another coffee?  Maybe a Danish, I'm getting hungry"

"Great idea, Jamie.  I'll come with you to see what they've got"

We get up and I'm still spinning with excitement and Lulu's all bouncy and fired up as well.  Nothing can ruin this day for me, nothing...

We go and order our drinks plus get a couple of cupcakes to keep us going but when we return to the loveseat, someone's taken it and it's not someone I want to see.

"Well, well; I guess the rumours are true...Jamie McGregor and Lulu Strang are an item!"

"Morgan!  What the hell are you doing here?"

"I live nearby.  In fact, I was about to call you.  Wolfgang Munch is having a party this evening and I was hoping you'd be a plus one with me...after all, it was a buzz seeing you again this morning and word's got out that you're a pretty neat guitarist. But I see you're preoccupied right now."

"Morgan, you and me were never really on.  And, yes, Lulu and I are dating so no...no plus one this evening."

Morgan raised her eyebrow in a cynical manner and muttered

"Well, there's no accounting for taste.  It's a shame, Jamie, Wolfgang knows some people in the record business...you could have made an impression but....well...if you're with her you can't be ambitious."

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean!"

"Morgan, you and me...OUTSIDE!  I'm sick of your cattiness!"

"Lulu, she's just trying to get a rise out of us.  Don't fall for the trap!"

"You know, it's always the same with Lulu Strang...the moment a relationship is struggling she's always there to pounce on the guy afterwards.  She's like a dating vulture, always circling around vulnerable guys."

"Right that does it...come here you BITCH!"

"Lulu, no!"  and I quickly reach out to grab her arm before she launches herself at Morgan.  Morgan gets up and fixes Lulu with a look of hatred.

"Hmmm, I'm leaving!  There's this stench of rotting fish around here."  and with that Morgan's gone.

"Oh Jamie, I'm so sorry...I'm embarrassed but I can't stand her and her cronies.  Thanks for stopping me from doing something real stupid."

"She's a psycho, Lulu.  Always trying to throw people off balance."

We also leave the coffee shop and decide to take a walk down to the harbour.  I can't get the reason for all this hatred directed at Lulu.  She says it's because of a misunderstanding that happened a few years ago in 7th Grade but it's persisted.  I don't know any girl at high school who likes Lulu...mind you, I don't know many girls at high school other than their names and what they look like.  I'm not going to pry, though, my time with Lulu is amazing and I want to leave the social politics out of it.

"Jamie, you don't think I'm a vulture, do you?"

"No!  Why do you think that?"

"Well, we got together not long after you and Morgan broke up and what she says is kind of true:  My last couple of boyfriends had just broken up with their girlfriends...but it's just coincidence!  I didn't know the relationship history when I went out with them!"

"Lulu, relax.  I'm not bothered"  I give her a kiss on the cheek to reassure her.

"Jamie, you're the best!  So....I'll see you at school on Monday?"

"I'll find you at break time for sure"

Despite Morgan's efforts, I've had an amazing day.  Lulu and I had made it to a second date...a second date!  This is a milestone for me.  I don't care about the social crap, Lulu's my official girlfriend and I ride high on the buzz all the way home.  OK, Morgan's going to tell everyone at the party that Lulu and I are seeing each other and that will have knock on effects at school on Monday plus I'm going to have to smooth things over with Rohan because I know he's jealous as heck but...but...that's all to deal with on Monday.  Today, I'm a rock n' roll star with a cute girlfriend and that's all that matters right now.

I get home and my folks are still up.  Dad's watching TV but he sees me out of the corner of his eye and there's this look on his face as if he knows something.

"So, a great day eh son?"

"Who, me?  Yeah, a pretty good day"

"Did the concert go well?"

"Yeah, I mean not a huge crowd but it was fun to do"

There's a pause.  He looks at me and smiles.

"There's something else, isn't there, Jamie?  You look too happy; OK, what's her name?  It's not that Morgan I can tell...she leaves you looking frustrated.  You got another girl?"

"Maybe, Dad....just maybe"

CHAPTER 239: The Intern Blues

 

"Why is there so much evil in people?" Julia thought to herself.  She hadn't been at work long and today's list of patients showed the dark side of life in the city.  A stabbing victim, a woman who had been beaten by her pimp until her face was unrecognisable and a young man who had overdosed on heroin had required her attention either fully or in part with other doctors.  And they weren't much source of encouragement either:  One of the senior surgeons seemed to have a callous indifference to these patients as he kept muttering about how dealing with the dregs was preventing him from operating on better, more wealthier invalids.  Other junior doctors cracked bad taste jokes about the sick.  Her work colleagues weren't as nice or friendly as those she had known and worked with since she started at this hospital:  Harper was now on nights, Francesca took on a senior administrative role which paid better and she needed to earn more money to look after her daughter on her own.  And as for fellow doctors, she was still haunted by memories of Vincent Bledsoe...

She took a moment to calm herself down in the bathroom mirror; she was a professional and she had to put her feelings to one side in order to do her job properly.  She left the bathroom and grabbed a medical chart for a Mr J.J. Gotcha.

James Jefferson Gotcha, age 46, resident of Sim City, profession:  Businessman.  Symptoms:  Spiral warts, coated tongue, bowel moths, torpid liver...eugh, this sounds rough, thought Julia.

When she entered Mr Gotcha's cubicle he managed to stir himself slightly from his bed.

"Well helloooooooooo nurse!" he muttered.

"Not nurse.  Doctor.  I am Doctor Julia Epstein and I will be dealing with your case.  Now I have a list of symptoms but I would like to perform some tests on you."

"You can perform any test you like, Doctor" he said, trying to sound flirtatious but with a raspy wheeze to his voice.

"Please, Mr Gotcha, try to take this seriously and less with the attempts at a witty come-on.  There are strict rules about doctors and patients fraternising; rules which I adhere to 100%."

"Now you're just playing hard to get..." he replied, forcing a smile on his face.

"I think your wife might object" she said, pointing to his wedding ring.

"Dang!  I keep forgetting to remove that!" 

"OK, now sit up, Mr Gotcha...I'm going to do an examination which might hurt you more than it hurts me..."

After her shift Julia made her way home.  All the while she kept thinking about all the sleazy men she had encountered at work since she started at the hospital.  It was mostly patients who were trying to hit on her but by now she had heard every cringeworthy pick up line that was out there, endured some pinched bottoms and even some gropes.  It made her seethe inside and she had even complained to her boss, Dr Murakami.

"I know it is unacceptable behaviour and we have strict rules but we must treat patients, no matter how leery they get.  Goodness knows how many comments and inappropriate physical contact I have had over the years, Dr Epstein, but we can't go running for help every time a louche man tries his luck with female staff.  It's just the way some men are."

"But there has to be a deterrent, Dr Murakami!  Something that will make men think twice!"

"What, call security?  A waste of their time.  No, you have to learn to brush the minor annoyances of these patients off...it's what women have been doing for all time."

"But if these men cross the line....I mean, there's got to be a word for this kind of activity...sex discrimination...."

"If you feel truly threatened, and your safety is at risk yes, call security.  But those same leery men are looking for weaknesses in women...they resent us being doctors, lawyers and scientists and they'll try to make us look weak.  Don't give them that excuse!"

Julia was annoyed at how blasé Dr Murakami was, but given her older age and growing up in a more traditional Japanese-American environment, she had accepted her role and limits in a way Julia hadn't.  Well, sex pests was something to bring up at the next League of Decency meeting.

Julia had decided to play host for the next meeting and had made some cookies for everyone.  Then she got changed into her League uniform...she knew George and Edna were sticklers for detail so she made sure she cut no corners with looking smart.

The first guest to arrive was the newest recruit:  Vance Mannero.  

"Hello, Vance, you're the first here...would you like a sugar cookie?" she asked, being the perfect polite hostess.

"I would, thanks.  It's been a while since we all met together for League business" said Vance, gruffly, as he took a cookie.

"It has.  I suppose with Geoffrey Landgraab's death and him being our benefactor we haven't had much time to get together.  Do the police still think it was an accidental death?"

"As far as I know, yes.  They haven't ruled out suicide either...anyway, it's not my case; Homicide are on it."

Julia looked shocked at the word 'homicide' and tried to find something else to talk about.

"So....what do you think of men who pester women at their place of work?" she asked.

After getting Vance's opinion on the subject, which involved rubber hoses and alleyways to teach people a lesson, the others began to arrive for the meeting.  Julia hadn't put together an agenda or anything, this was more about getting the club together for a social gathering in preparation for something more serious in the near future.

The male members of the league gathered around the kitchen table to eat the cookies, the women sat of the sofa and George kind of went between the two groups, not sure which one to gravitate towards more.

Julia told Edna her thoughts and worries about men being sex pests and Edna nodded appreciatively before letting out a little chuckle and waving her hand dismissively.

"Oh I know all about that sort of thing, my dear" she said, heartily.  "I have a slap that's more powerful than my slight figure would suggest.  I recommend you develop a powerful slap as well...works wonders."

"Mind you, I don't meet many of those sort of men...and my George is never anything less than a gentleman, aren't you, dear?"

"Yes Edna." said George, meekly.

"If you can't keep a man in line verbally, you need to dissuade them with force" said Edna, emphatically.

"I'm not a physical person, Edna, and I dislike confrontation of that sort" said Julia.  "I just hate the way some men view me as a kind of object.  I mean, they just look at you and without getting to know you or your personality or mind they just lust after you!"

"I'm going to get some cookies." said George, uncomfortably.  His memory still fresh from Geoffrey Landgraab lusting after him when he was being Beulah.

"Julia, don't think I'm unsympathetic" said Edna, after they too grabbed a few cookies for themselves.  "I think what's going wrong with men is this permissive society.  I blame the war; everyone back then thought this would be their last time to...well...you know...have carnal knowledge so standards went woosh, straight out of the window!"

"I think one of our missions in the League is to make men gentlemen again.  We need fewer men like The Rolling Stones and more like Cary Grant.   I will add that to our next agenda." said Edna.

An idea was now percolating in her mind...yes, a new quest...and one that would take a swipe at Alan Cuffe and his pornography empire.

The amiable chatter went on and everyone agreed that a good plan to put into practice would be to encourage better gentlemanly behaviour from men which was in line with the League of Decency's charter.  One by one the guests left but Scott Urban volunteered to stay behind to help Julia tidy up.

"That's very kind of you, Mr Urban, but I can do this..." said Julia.

"It's Scott, ma'am, and I don't mind helping.  I sure did like those cookies and had more than my fair share so the least I can do is help you tidy up." he replied.

He grabbed some plates and coffee cups and took them over to one of Julia's two sinks in the kitchen area.  

"Those dishes go in the right hand one, Scott" said Julia.

"Yup, got it...I was forgetting you are of the Jewish persuasion and that y'all have two kitchen sinks" 

"That's alright, Scott, but I'm impressed that you know about that.  Not many people do and I'm always being asked why there are two sinks."

"I like to do my research, Miss Julia.  Anyways, I really dug what you had to say about men being gentlemen and I agree:  I was brought up in a small town where there were good Christian values...well, I mean, Jewish values are also in line with the whole...erm...godliness thing...I mean no offence."

"None taken.  Do you know, Scott, this morning I was down in the dumps about how men are just letches these days but this meeting tonight...you, George and Vance, have restored my faith a little.  George is always a courteous and faithful husband, you are always polite and respectful and Vance...well...I guess he's there for when men step out of line...."

"Yup, he sure is like that, nyuk" said Scott with a smile and a chuckle.

"Are you in a rush, Scott?  I can't face any more paperwork this evening and I was just going to have a glass of wine and relax in front of the TV but if you'd like to stay a bit more then you're more than welcome because I'm enjoying our conversation."

Scott gulped and nodded.  "That would be mighty fine, Miss Julia."  he said, his heart starting to pound faster.  He had a crush on Julia but he realised he was a working class boy from a small town and an army background whereas Julia was intelligent, well educated and sophisticated.  But just a few minutes in her company made him feel happy.  Maybe the divide between them was too vast but...then...maybe not if the stars aligned just right?