My first night back in my beloved Whittier and I already had plans. I saw that my old flame Rob had another gig, but this time in nearby Downey and there was no cover charge. I thought about the half a dozen shows I had blown off or had promised him I would go and then never showed. I figured I owed him one by now. I would be there for him in support as a friend, right?
He has a girlfriend, I know this. I don’t mess around with guys who have girlfriends. I do have a shred of morality left. I tried to resist the urge of peeping her FB page, but I caved. The last time I had seen her picture, she made me look like a bag of farts. Her name is Sunny and she had bright red hair…har har har. I knew I could never compete with that. Her recent picture though, revealed a pale faced, almost frowning fatty with purple hair. I guess she wanted to finally keep it real. So Rob’s girlfriend is ugly and fat! I can go to this show now with my head held high!!!
I showed up late and was surprised to see Robert tuning his guitar on stage of the Stardust Club. I walked right up and waved at him until he looked up. He smiled instantly and called me by name. He has never addressed me by my nickname. He leaned over and gave me a big hug and asked how things had been. I gave him the quick recap about moving back to Whittier and how I finally made good on my promise to be at one of his shows. I had watched him over the years go through three different other incarnations of this band, but here he was with the Black Verse and finally playing legitimate gigs. I remember the first time I saw him perform live he had played in someone’s backyard and I had filmed the show….with no sound: yeah, real smart. The bassist walks over and tells Rob they’re on next. I scamper back to my seat and enjoy my tasty White Russian as the Black Verse rips into someone of their original material and a couple of covers (Yardbirds “For Your Love” and Rage Against the Machine’s “Snake Charmer”). I must admit, they’re not half bad. I can quickly tell that Rob has improved his guitar playing. He’s always been good at it but now he’s really coming into his own. He actually looks like he’s having fun! I sit through their whole set and even their encore. I keep an eye out for Rob’s girlfriend but she’s nowhere in sight as far as I can tell.
The show’s over and the band starts to break down their equipment and use the restroom. I start to wonder what to do next. I really don’t want to see the next band. And then I see her, a great purple mass out the corner of my eye. I turn and see her there standing across from the bar, chatting with friends, wearing some ungodly wannabe Goth dress. I tear my stare away and panic. I think I need to leave. Rob is at the bar ordering some beers, so I know it’s now or never. I walk up behind him and give him a slap on the back. He turns around with a cold Newscastle in hand and asks why I’m leaving so early. I tell him it’s getting late and I haven’t had dinner yet and there’s other stuff I have to do. I hate lying but its necessary at this point. I wonder if his fat girlfriend is staring daggers at me as I talk to him. I tell him he’s really hitting his stride with this new band and that his new songs are real “foot stompers.” I tell him he looks like he’s finally having fun onstage. He’s very modest and thanks me. Apparently the band is going through a few more line-up changes as they find a new drummer and bassist. They’ll be taking August off to audition new band members and write more material. I say that’s great and that I gotta go now. He moves in to hug me but stops himself when he sees how sweat soaked his shirt is. I decline politely with a smile and instead shake his hand, like two buddies saying goodbye. I walk past his girl without so much as a glance in her direction and then practically run back to my car as soon as I make it outside.
I drive home, relieved you could say? Though I still like Rob a lot and find him very attractive, his lifestyle is not cut out for a girl like me. Some of my worst jealousies have stemmed from dating musicians. I always felt like I had to look over my shoulder when he and I dated. I never felt at ease, which is why it’s so easy to run away from him now. I can’t be in one place with him for very long without feeling like someone’s watching me, whether it be other people or just my own gnawing suspicions. I also forget that he’s perpetually broke and one of the reasons I cut him loose was because he never had time or money to do anything with me. (sigh) Oh well, at least I indulged my curiosity.
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