| Savanna Kinly sat in the driver's seat of her 1999 Dodge truck. She sat looking at her key's and eventually started the ignition. She braided her long, straight, jet black hair. She turned up the volume on her stereo. Another pit stop for water on her long way to her next show. Her guitar sat in the front passenger's seat along with her lyric book. Another gig in God Knows Where, USA. Savanna pulled out of the truck stop and headed onto I-1084. In about an hour she reached East Falls New York. She and her band, Downfall, had a gig for the next few months at a club in town. She pulled into her first gas station. She jumped down into the warmth of an early June day. "Can I help you miss?" said a voice. A man in his early fifties, in a mechanic's overalls, stood at the pump. He had dark skin, wearing his hair in a similar braid. "Yeah, fill it uo with the mid-grade," said Savanna. "Can you tell me where the, uh, Down Draft Club is?" "Yeah, two blocks up and to the left, can't miss it. Only one in the county." "Thank you." "That'll be twenty dollars. Mind if I ask why you are headed there at ten in the morning?" "No. I'm playing there with my band for the next few months. Mind handing out these flyers?" "Not at all. When you get there, ask for my son, Ben. He's the stage hand there. He'll help you set up. Just tell him his old Jim said so. Even though it's his job." "Thank you." Savanna got in and drove to the club. She pulled in and parked by the stage door and back entrance. She got out with her papers, and banged on the door. "Who is out there?" yelled a voice from behind the door. " Savanna Kinly from Downfall, your new weekend band." The door opened and a short, solid man stood there. "Can you tell me where I might find John Jardinet?" "That would be me." he said. "Please come on in. Where is the rest of the band?" "They are coming. Most grew up south of Rome, 'bout three hours away. So they are stopping pick up gear and to see some friends and family." "They will be coming, right?" " As far as I know, they'll be here by seven." "Great. Well, I'll go get Ben to come and help you unload. I am guessing the pickup truck with the tarp on the back is yours." " Yes sir. Parked right by the back door." "Saw you pull in on the security monitors. I'll get Ben out there." "Thank you . I'll meet him by the truck. : Se headed out the door and propped it open. She walked over to the truck and pulled the tarp off. She turned to see a man of a similar age walk out. "You must be Ben." He was tall like his father at the gas station, and had the same skin and long, straight, black hair, like Savanna's. "Yeah, Ben Eagle." "Savanna Kinly. Well, we can talk later. Let's get these amps and wires out of the truck, and set up, first. "Sounds good." They worked for about an hour, getting all the stuff on the stage and into the right spots. Savanna brought in the box of cables, microphones and extension cords. "Thank you for the help. Usually when you get a gig, you are on your own. I gotta say this town seems pretty good. Better than Vermont." "You from there?" "Yeah, moved there when I was 13." "I take it you didn't like it there?" "It was different from New Mexico, but I did like it. It was peaceful." "Peaceful? That's what people call this place. I should know, lived here most my life. This side is all set up. You 'bout done?" "Yeah. Last one done." A cell phone rang. It was Savanna's. "Hello? ..... Todd! Where the hell are you? ..... You just got up? ..... Oh, ok. ...... As long as you only havethree hours to get here. Be sure to be here no later than 7:30. ..... You have the drum set, right? ..... Good. ...... Yes, look at my other jeans. ...... Fine. Size eight. be sure that they're cheap, and keep that bleach away from Paul. ...... He said he'd pay for them? ..... fine by me ...... Bye." She hung up and shook her head. "Gotta love it." "Something wrong?" "No, not really. I just have a few hours to kill. What is it, noon?" "Yeah. Want some lunch?" "Sure." Ben and Savanna headed off to get some lunch at the local diner and to talk, figuring it would be good due to the fact that they would be working at the same place. By two the had found out that they had more in common than being born at the same reservation in New Mexico. She discovered that he was a bass player and that he was just the type of guy this 22 year old was looking for. He found out that she was different and the type of girl he could see dating for a long time. Hell, even marrying, if that day should ever come. "Well the guys should have been past the Bluff by now. They just left me a voice message saying that they had just made through all of Rome. Todd sounded serious. Neve good. I am gonna kill em if they are late." "Just chill. Traffic should be good. They'll be here." Savanna nodded. "Well, I have some stuff to do. If you need me for anything, I'll be backstage." Ben said. "Sound good. Likewise to you. I'll be in my truck. Better write home before my mom sends out the FBI on a manhunt. Women worry more than a politicial on election night." Savanna went out to the truck and got in. She sighed and picked up a notepad. She put it in an envelope, addressing it to home. Sacanna hated her mother for many reasons. "Savanna felt that this Ben was a great guy. Why not ask him to join the band for dinner after the show. Why not hangout with him? She made up her mind that she was going to get to know him. Sooner than later, a couple of cars and a big van pulled up next to her truck. The band jumped out. Savanna got out and walked over. "Bad news," said Todd. "Doug quit. I mean he just got up and quit." "What?!" yelled Savanna as loudly as she could. "Yeah, so we need to find a bass player in about two hours." "I have one. Come on." She led the crew to the back door and pounded on it. John Jardinet opened it and they dashed in. Ben was sitting backstage. "Savanna?" he asked. "How good of a bass player are you? Ours just quit so I'm asking you to fill in for him. I know you don't have too much time, but you could please learn the chords?" Savanna stood with the look of one last hope in her eyes. "Sure. Meet me back here in ten minutes." He ran off, out the main door. Savanna went out to talk with the band and explained what had happened to Mr. J. In about ten minutes she went to work with Ben on the bass chords. All was well. She would get the whole story after the sow. Ben was great on the bass. After the show, the band sat in the back room, coming off their adrenaline rush. "So Doug quit?" asked Savanna. Yeah, he said that he didn't want to be bogged down by a whole group of guys and a female lead singer. He yelled a couple of sexist things about you and stormed out. We headed for here as fast as the van could go. Thank God you found that Ben guy. You seem to know him a bit. Anything we should know," said Ted. "If you mean you want to know if this is the end of the non-dating era, possibly." she replied. The door opened and Ben walked in. "Holy crap man! I have never had so much fun." "Got a rush?" asked Ted. "Yeah, a little. Wow. Anybody up for some dinner, good dinner around the corner. Savanna and I went there for lunch today." All the guys in the band turned and gave the "father" look to Savanna. "What, I can't go to dinner with a guy. I'm 22. Get off my back." "Sure. Who is riding with me? Savanna, you driving?" said Todd. "No, I'm walking. I'll be there in a few. Anybody else walking there?" "I will." said Ben. "Alright. See you boys when we get there. Ben and I will put the gear in the back, and be along." Savanna and Ben headed for the stage while the five guys went to drive to dinner. All Ben and Savanna had to do was move the speakers back a couple of feet, wires and all. In about fifteen minutes they were done, partly because the house was still packed. "Savanna, you ready?" "Uh, yeah. Let me get my bag. You all set?" "Yeah." The two of them headed to the stage door.Ben held it opened for Savanna. She smiled and walke through. "So you like it here?" "So far. What are Mr. J's apartments like? Good or bad." "Good, best in the county. Let me guess. You all are staying there." "Yeah, why?" "He always gives homes to his bands, usually lakeside too." "There's a lake? I didn't see one." "I'll showyou after dinner. The apartment and the lake. I know you didn't see it, all you've seen is the gas station, club, and diner." "True. Come on, the guys are probablyeatingthe counter by now." The two of them broke into a run. The got to the diner and walked in. "Hey guys!" "Savanna, you get the stuff moved?" "No we left it dead center, what do you think?" "Sorry. Let's eat and find the apartment. I hope it's a good one." "It's great," said Ben. "I live there. Mr. J really cares about people. I'm on the second floor, by the lake. I think he put you all there. I saw them cleaning out six rooms that are right in a building on the lake. Good spot. Wouldn't be unusual if that' were you guys are at." They all ordered and decided to have Ben become the new bass player. Now the band was back to the toatal of seven. By the time they were done eating, they had gotton to know that they would all get along. Looked as though Downfall was all counted for. The group drove over to the van, cars and Savanna's truck, and then all drove to the apartments. Ben ran to Mr. J, getting the keys. Savanna entered her apartment. It was huge. The rooms all ha a full bath, kitchenette, AC, and cable. Savanna was in awe. It was the best place that she had ever been able to call home. Ben lived at the apartments, because it was part of the contract that he had with Mr. J. He had a smaller room but all the same features. The group unloaded their bags and settled. Ben went up to his place, saying that he would be back in an hour. Savanna sat on the bed and picked up the phone. She dialed home. "Hi, mom?" It's Savanna." "Hi dear. How are you?" her mother replied on the other end. "Great. I have a really nice apartment, it came with the job. You should see this place. It's beautiful." "I'm sure. How is the band?" "Better, But Doug quit. This new guy in the band is very special, and I'm gonna say this. I am not gonna marry a rich lawyer, as much as you want me to. I am going to follow my heart like dad taught me to. I know you want what is best for me. And following my spirit guide and my heart will give me that." "Savanna, we have discussed this. You will eventually outgrow this and see things my way. Love isn't everything." "Yes it is. You left a life of riches to marry Dad, and now it seems as though you completely resent it. If you resent that, then you must resent me. If I hadn't come along I know that you would have left Dad and gone to beg your parent's forgiveness and money. So leave me alone and get the life you always wanted." Savanna slammed down the phone and pulled the cord out the outlet. She took out the letter she had written and put it in the sink. She grabbed the matches from the counter that were left behind and burned the letter, then quickly put it out. Ben was waiting outside. He finally knocked on the door. "Hey Savanna. Looks like you found the lake. Beautiful, eh?" "Yeah. What are you, Canadian?" she asked. They laughed and went into Savanna's apartment. "Todd and the guys went to get some beer. I told them I'd hang around." Savanna walked over to one of her bags and got out a bottle of coke. "Want some, isn't beer, but its good. I don't drink so thats probably why the guys took off. " Ben took the bottle. "Thanks. You ok? You seem really distant, almost asleep." "Well, it's almost midnight. Look, I'll see you in the morning; I need to get some sleep." "Alright. If you need anything, I left my number by the phone, or you could come over, apartment 6A. Night." "Night." Ben left and walked over to his apartment. He walked in and sat on his bed. "You stupid ass! Should have said something a bit more, God, orginal than, 'if you need anything.' God!" Ben decided he'd see her soon enough and went to bed. He didn't sleep long, because there was a loud knock at the door. He got up, put on a pair of jeans plus a shirt and opened the door. Savanna was standing there. "Ben, can we talk?" "Yeah, sure. Come in." He walked over, pulling out a chair around a small table. "I hate to wake you up, I'm really sorry. I'm just really upset over the fact that my mother resents the fact that she married my father, and that I was born. She's Irish and it seems she only maried my father to upset her parents. When they got over it, it was around my one month birthday. My father loved her, but she hid her true feelings from him. He died when I was 13. That's why I moved. I never believed it untill I got older. She thinks I should marry a person for money, nothing but money. Leave my music, my band, and my life, just so that I can live in a big mansion, have a fleet of BMWs and never worry. But I can't." Savanna started to cry. "I'm sorry. How stupid it this. We just met and I'm already spilling my guts out." "Hey, no, it's ok. Here, have a tissue. Money is nothing. I hate money, causes more pain than good to more people. I mean, she should care enough to see that you are different. Isn't she glad you're away? "I have no idea. That's why I'm so upset over this. I've had to put up blocks for years, and now, it gets to me. Great way to be when things start to look up for you. I mean, God. We just got this job, I have my own place, and I am farther away from my mother." Savanna stood up and got a glass of water. "I wish that I had never called her. I have no idea why I did." "Who cares what she thinks. As long as you do what you want, and thatyou are happy, that's all that matters. If she can't be happy with that then screw her." Ben got, walked over, and put his hand on her her shoulder. "I don't don't even tell the guys about this. They know. I just try to avoid it. I was going to go with them to Rome with them, but I didn't want to be around families having fun. I'm so messed up. Why do you even care, you don't even know me." "Sure I do. We were both born at the same place, I know that you love the guys in teh band and treat them like family. I know that you are a great person. I think that's good for now. I know that this will all work out for you somehow. Just do what you want and trust your heart. To know how to follow it, you must trust it. Don't fear your hopes. What people fear, people destroy and ignore." "My father said the same thing to me. I had forgotton. Thank you. I guess she is right in one aspect. I should date. Last time I had a boyfriendwas when I was 16, in my junior year in high school. Haven't had a date in 4 years." Savanna started to laugh. "I guess I'm hopeless as the rest of the world. Cheered up, but still as hopeless as the rest of the world." "You ok now? You can stay as long as you want. If I were you, I'd be so confused I might just waste my money on a shrink. All they do is piss you off and charge 150.00 dollars a session." "Do you mind if I spend the night on the floor? I really can't be alone right now. I'm tired; do you have a sleeping bag?" "Yeah, you sure you want to sleep on the floor?" "Yeah, why? I don't mind." Ben went and got the sleeping bag. Nothing more happened. The two physically and emotionally tired people went to sleep and woke up the next morning. Savanna went to her apartment long before Ben was awake. Paul was just getting back from a jog. "Savanna, what are you doing? Having an early breakfast with Ben?" "No, I just got up. I slept on his floor. Wipe off that look on your face, nothing happened. Well, something did. I called my mother and let the old sod have it. So I went crying to Ben. You were all getting beer." "Mom, huh? That makes sense. You are always depressed when you talk to her. Glad to hear you let her have it. Also that Ben didn't try anything. You know I think of you as family." "Yeah, the best I have. Look, I have a coffee pot and it's calling my name so I'm gonna go drink some. Then maybe I'll go for a swim. Bye!" Savanna went in, skipped coffee, changed, grabbed a towel, and headed fot the beach. Ben was coming out of his place when Savanna left hers. He had on his swim trunks. The burst out laughing. "Great minds think alike. You swim?" "Faster than you could, Ben" "You ok now? No mom issues to tell me?" "No, smart ass. Come on, I haven't had this kind of opportunity in ages." The two of them took off for the dock and jumped right in. They swam for a while, mostly in silence. Ben finally decided to ask this perfect girl to go out on a date. "Savanna, you up for a movie?" "You have a theatre in town?" "Yeah. Just you and me, lunch at the tavern too." "This a date?" "Yeah. I really want you to come. How 'bout it?" "Sure. See you when you come to get me. What time is it?" "9:30. I'll be by at around 11:45." "Sounds good." Savanna went in and showered. She then ate a small breakfast and turned on the TV. Sitting in her jeans and a tee, she flipped through the channels. Her now re-plugged phone rang. "Hello? ..... Todd, no I can't ..... Why? Ben and I are going to see a movie and have lunch ..... No, I don't need a chaperone ...... Yeah, see ya bro." Todd hung up the phone on his end. "Guys, you know Ben, Our new bass player. Savanna spent last night at his place, granted she slept on the floor. This morning, she and he went on a power swim together, and now, lunch and a movie. What do you all think? "Savanna has a date. So what?" said John." She has a date, with a guy who she thinks to be ok. You should just back the hell off. This is the same thing her bitch mother does to her." "Right, but Savanna, a date? Oil and water to me, won't mix. I'm just looking out for her," said Todd. Soon 11:45 came around. Savanna was ready to go, sitting in a chair, writing. There was soon a knock on the door. She went over to it, and opened it to find Ben Standing there with a single white rose. "Hey Savanna. You ready to go?" "Yeah. Oh, let me get my key." "You do know if you step out of that door, it's the end of an era, right?" "What do you mean?" "First date in how long? It's the end of an era." |
| The End of an Era |
| By Laura |
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