Free Apprehended by Jan Burke Page A

taken while trying to make headway with his music career—including once being hired by a Washington socialite to play piano for her dog’s birthday party.
    We spent more time talking to Mack than to Buzz, whose attentions were taken by another guitar player, a young man who had stopped by to hear the band and now had questions about Buzz’s “rig”—which Mack explained was not just equipment, but the ways in which the guitar had been modified, the set-up for the synthesizer, and all the other mechanical and electronic aspects of Buzz’s playing.
    â€œNone of which will ever help that poor bastard play like Buzz does,” he said. “Buzz has the gift.”
    â€œHe feels lucky to be in this band,” I said. “He has great respect for the other players.”
    Mack smiled. “He’s a generous guy.” As Joleen walked over to Buzz and handed him a beer, Mack added softly, “He’s a little young yet, and I worry that maybe he has a few hard lessons to learn. Hope it won’t discourage him.”
    â€œHow do you two manage to work together?” I asked.
    He didn’t mistake my meaning. “You mean because of Joleen’s temper? Or because we used to be together?”
    â€œBoth.”
    â€œAs far as the temper goes, I’m used to her. Over the years we’ve played with a lot of different people; I’ve outlasted a lot of guys who just couldn’t take her attitude. Great thing about Buzz is that he’s not just talented, he’s easy to get along with. He’s able to just let her tantrums and insults roll off of him.”
    â€œAnd Gordon?” Frank asked.
    â€œOh, I don’t think Gordon is going to put up with it much longer. The musician’s lot in life, I guess. Bands are hard to hold together. Talk to anybody who’s played in them for more than a couple of years, he’ll have more than a few stories about band fights and breakups.”
    â€œBut from what Buzz tells us, you’ve worked hard to reach this point—the CD, the tour, the gig in the Netherlands—”
    â€œYeah, I’m hoping Joleen and Gordon will come to their senses and see that we can’t let petty differences blow this chance. And I think they will.” He paused, took a sip of beer. “You were also asking about how Joleen and I manage to work together after being in a relationship, right?”
    I nodded.
    â€œWell, she and I have always had something special. We write songs together. Musically, we’re a good fit. When we were younger, when we first discovered that we could compose together, there was a sort of passion in the experience, and we just assumed that meant we’d be a good fit in every other way. But we weren’t.”
    â€œStill,” I said, “I’d think it would be painful to have to work with someone after a breakup.”
    He smiled. “I won’t lie. At first, it was horrible. But what was happening musically was just too good to give up. The hurt was forgotten. Over the years, we each found other people to be with. And like I said, we have something special of our own, and we’ll always have that.”
    He glanced at his watch. “Better get ready for the last set. You two want to come out to dinner with us afterwards?”
    â€œThanks for the invitation,” Frank said, “but I’m wearing down. Irene, if you want to stay—”
    I shook my head. “Thanks, but I’ll have to take a raincheck, too, Mack.”
    â€œSure, another time. I forget that other people aren’t as wired after a gig as the band is. I’ll check with Buzz—I can give him a lift home if he wants to join us.”
    I toyed with the idea of heading home early if Buzz should decide to go out to dinner with the band. But my mental rehearsal of the excuses I’d make on my way out the door was cut short when Buzz stopped by the table and said,