A Different Kind of Forever(48)
“Jackie needs a leash,” Michael said mildly. “Behave yourself, Bobby, this is Diane. And this is Bobby St. John.”
Bobby looked at Diane carefully. “You’ve been here before,” he declared.
Diane nodded. “Yes. A couple of months ago.”
“I remember. A bunch of women. A tall blonde got Will Richenbach to play ‘Happy Birthday’.”
Diane smiled. “Yes. You have a very good memory. It was my birthday, actually.”
Bobby pursed his lips. “I remember good-looking women. The blonde was hot.”
“Carol. I’ll tell her you said so.”
Bobby squinted at Michael. “What’s with the hat?”
Michael sighed. “Please sit, Bobby. I don’t want to deal with any more shit tonight.”
Bobby sat down heavily and signaled the waitress. “Sure, Mike. Jackie is just an *. Hey, Seth and the Irishman are upstairs doin’ lines with the boys. Why don’t we go up?”
Michael shook his head. “No, thanks. We’re here to listen.”
Bobby shrugged. “Sure.” To the waitress. “A shot and a beer for me and Tex, whatever the lady wants, and no tab, okay?” The girl took the order and left. Bobby leaned toward Michael. “Just one number, towards the end? Jonelle would love it. She sounds great. Been clean for almost a year.”
Michael shook his head again. “Seth will sing with her.”
Bobby shrugged his shoulders, resigned. The drinks arrived. Michael and Bobby took their shots together, talking. Diane watched them, and the crowd around them. No one even glanced in their direction. Suddenly, there was a murmur and Seth Bascomb came up to the table, followed by a very short, balding man. Both were grinning.
Seth grabbed a few chairs from the next table and sat down. He smiled at Diane and introduced David Go, who was clearly stoned and obviously enjoying himself very much. Bobby left after a few minutes, and then the band started playing.
They played old R&B covers, Motown, reggae. She and Michael danced. He was loose and graceful. She was having a wonderful time. For the third number, the guitar player who had been singing stepped aside and tiny black woman got up and sang, an old Staple Singers hit, in a deep, sexy voice.
“She’s great,” Diane said into Michael’s ear. He nodded, smiling, pulling her closer. Over his shoulder, she could see Seth. He had been dancing with a tall redhead, then had switched to a heavy-set black woman. Seth was the center of attention on the dance floor, grinning and happily putting on a show. No one had even glanced at Michael.
The music slowed, and she and Michael moved together closely. He was slightly taller now, and she had to tilt her head to look into his eyes, very blue and serious under the rim of his hat.
“You’re making me crazy, you know,” he said into her ear, his hands on her hips. He kissed her hair softly. “Let’s get some air.”
They went out onto the front porch. The air was slightly chilled, and the street was quiet. People were smoking and talking, and they found an empty space on the steps to sit.
“Having fun?” he asked, slipping his arm around her shoulders.
“I always have fun with you. You’re a good dancer. The band is great. Do you know them well?”
“Yeah. Jonelle has an amazing voice. We were kinda close. She got pretty f*cked up for a while. Seth is tight with the percussionist. They spend too much time stoned. They’ll never be more than a cover band, but they’re a great cover band. Lots of fun.”
“Have you played with them before?”
“Yes. They’re talented. It’s fun to play with different people. And they’re really into blues. I love playing blues.”
“So play with them.”
He shrugged. “We’ll see.”
“Seth is having fun.”
“Seth is always on. I don’t know how he does it.”
“Hey.”
“What?”
“Your hat really is sexy.”
“God, we need a room. Now.”
“Listen. About next week,” she looked sheepishly at him. “You’ve been invited to a picnic. The chairman of my Department, Marianne Thomas, who is also a good friend, asked me to ask you to her annual year-end extravaganza. I told her about us, and she wants to meet you. I also think she’s hoping to shock the rest of her guests, but I warned her that you’re very normal.”