"It was just a few weeks after they graduated from high school. Chris and Val were on the double date from hell." Andy started. "They were about to leave the club they were at when Chris bumped into me on the way out." Mike could sense his smile on the other end of the phone. "After that it was basically history. Valerie was outside looking for a ride home..."
"Where were you?" Mike asked Andy.
"Lets just say other arrangements occured. Anyway she started walking and halfway down the road a stranger picks her up. It was Elijah Cunningham. Like we had, they hit it off right away. They even talked double wedding with us but the baby sped things up for both me and Chris." Andy said. "So Elijah and Val started on a long engagement but at the same time she was spending a lot of time with us. 'Elijahs out of town again' she would say. No idea when she would see him again. We suggested the idea that she go surprise him in San Bernadino, where he was going to a local college." Andy said. He took a drink. "She caught him with another friend of hers in high school, Mary Sue, in bed together. She said they were over, he tried for months to get her back but it didnt work. She went on a I hate men kind of thing, that lasted till about the time she met you. Course there was a whole other thing with a guy named Sam and thats not even worth mentioning. Mary Sue ruined that too." Andy said.
"What kind of relationship did they have?" Mike asked. Another song started to play. The shortened set of Riverbends songs was already halfway over. The lead singer was now crooning "I know you're coming home with me." though it was hard to tell what he said with the combination of liquor and his already heavy cockney accent.
"There were good times and some bad times." Andy said. He thought for a minute. "It like you and Val at first but after the cheating thing, it just got worse. He waved it like a flag in front of her face and like a bull she always went after it." Andy sighed. "Then it was just over, he up and left and she started healing."
"Sounds like fun." Mike sighed, though the part he said about that what was going on with him and Val now stung him a little. "Answer me a question though before I let you go."
"Sure." Andy said, though it sounded like someone else wanted to get his attention. "What?"
"I think I made a mess Andy." Mike judged that to be Chris's voice.
"Is there any chance that Val still has some feelings for him?" Mike managed to ask.
"How did she react to him?" Andy asked.
"She socked him." Mike replied.
"Then you won't have to worry about feelings,at least not romantic ones." Andy said. Mike vaguely heard the next exchange.
"Andy, honey, I'm in labor now!" Chris said. Mike heard Andy swear lightly.
"I gotta go now. It looks like someones coming to meet us soon." Andy said. "It'll be all right." Andy said. "Nothing is going to happen."
"You don't know Valerie." Mike laughed.
"Hmm you're right." Andy laughed and hung up. Mike hung up his end of the line and went to stand by the stage. From his vantage point he could see Valerie and Cassidy. Elijah was also trying to eye-ball her but Valerie shot him daggers with her eyes.
"So you dated him?" Cassidy asked. Valerie nodded. "Tell me why I don't see this happening."
"Me neither. I still can't see how I dated him." Valerie said. "It'll be a period of my life I'm glad to forget."
"It'll be tough." Cassidy sighed. "You never forget a first love."
"Oh don't say that." Valerie said.
"Sorry." Cassidy shrugged.
"Things will be fine, as long as I stay away from him as much as possible." Valerie said. "What happens after the gig?"
"We pack up and head to the next gig." Elijahs voice came from her right. "No rest for the weary, or possibly overhung." Elijah said pointing to the stage as Nigel promptly passed out mid song. "Okay thats not good."
"You think?" Valerie laughed. "I guess we leave early."
"Not quite." Elijah said. "There is still time for one song."
"So who are you going to get to sing?" Valerie asked. "Last I knew you were tone deaf. Why are you managing a band anyway?"
"The chicks." He said with a smug smile.
"Tell me something I don't know." Valerie cracked.
"We'd be here all night babe." Elijah said. "Besides I've got a job for you to do."
"Doubtful." Valerie said getting up.
"You have to sing." Elijah said with a smile.
"What?" Cassidy and Valerie said together.
"Our deal with the club is that anyone that came with us will sing, and you are with us doll." Elijah said with an even smugger smile if that was possible. "Pick a song, and go onstage."
"I can't play an instrument." Valerie said.
"I can." Cassidy sighed. "I'll help you."
"This is wacky as all get out." Valerie said. She saw Mike in the wings. "Ok I will do it if you promise one thing."
"What?" Elijah asked.
"No more favors." Valerie said. She held out a hand. "Deal?"
Elijah shot out a hand to shake hers then at the last minute it flew up to the side of the head. He patted his hair with it. "No promises."
"You never changed Elijah." Valerie muttered.
"Ditto." Elijah said. He went off to the stage where they will still cleaning up after Nigels spill.
"Oh my god, what do I sing?" Valerie moaned. "I'm beginning to think I shoulda stayed home."
