Free Whirlwind Love: Libby's Journey by DiDi Hendley Page B

long time...I haven’t even thought about getting involved with a guy since…high school. Not like this is the kinda guy any girl should get involved with. I wonder if he even knows how to be involved…for more than a night, anyway. Besides, he drinks too much.”
    Libby laughed the tears away, then shook her head and sat back as memories flooded her mind. After a few moments, and a deep sigh, she continued.
    “Scott and I were the couple in high school. Girls I didn’t even know used to tell me they wished for such a romance. Even though, looking back now, it wasn’t much of a romance. We were young…girls just don’t know what to expect when they’re young. I guess that’s when I decided boys were just too icky to mess with…ha!”
    Libby laughed, wiping her cheek, “Maybe I’ll tell ya’ ‘bout it sometimes.”
    “Don’t ever let a man take advantage of you, Muggs. Guys will say anything to get what they want. You make sure you know your mind. There’s nothing wrong with walking away if you’re not sure of a guy’s intention. Above all, show them they should respect you. Stick to your guns, my sweet girl! And if they don’t behave…tell them they’ll be dealing with my guns. The ones with the lead bullets,” Libby laughed as she blew into her index finger and “holstered” her hand.
    * * *
    Joe spent much of the night wrestling with the words she left him. In the beginning, he was angry. The more he thought about it, though, he considered her perspective. Hours passed before Joe found sleep.
    Joe and Chuck slept ‘til mid-morning. Over a late breakfast at the diner, Joe broke the silence, “So maybe I have lost respect for people. Ya know, I was thinking last night...how much I hate having conversations anymore. I have to put on a face to be gracious. But, that’s not me...when did I become such an ass? There was a time when I loved to interact with fans. Those people helped me become who I am today! But, I guess that’s not saying much. All this hassle with management, damn-it Chuck, I just…it’s not good for me anymore. I don’t know, man, maybe it’s just time for a break.”
    Chuck looked confused, then worried. He was used to seeing Joe angry, but this man wasn’t Joe. “Damn, Joe; she really got to you, didn’t she? What the hell did she say?”
    Joe didn’t acknowledge Chuck’s concern or comment. Instead, he continued his thought, “Look at it this way...A.HOLE management is as good as done. I have to go do this movie in South Dakota, and that’s just a vacation for me. Maybe you should think about…I don’t know, doing something different. Maybe you need to explore some new avenues for yourself. Grow, experience something that doesn’t have anything to do with me.”
    “Wait a minute, are you sayin’ you wanna break up the band?” Chuck asked cautiously, with a twinge of anger. “’Cause of something some chick said ?” Chuck stood abruptly and trudged away, muttering and shaking his head.
    Joe called after him, “I’m not saying that...exactly. But damn-it, Chuck, I need a break.” Joe placed cash on the table and followed Chuck out the door. “How many years have I been doing this? Fifteen? Sixteen! Chuck, I need a break. It’s all too damn...heavy. You don’t know how it is...walk in my shoes a while.”
    Chuck climbed behind the wheel and glared out of the window. As soon as Joe shut the door, Chuck peeled out of the parking lot.
    They rode in silence for hours on the road to Santa Fe, which gave Joe time to come to terms with other aspects of the conversation with Libby. Stopping for gas just outside of Clovis, New Mexico, Joe took the wheel for the last leg of the drive. They were staying with an old friend from their early days in the business, who traded his band days for a bar and a family. Joe arranged to sandwich two gigs in at Santa Fe around one of the state fair shows that management arranged, making his life somewhat easier and the money more