Mike checked the shed that had been converted to a shelter for Pearl Locker and breathed a sigh of relief. His serious expression relaxed to show expressive, intelligent eyes and a mouth that would light the room when it stretched into a smile. He strode back to the jeep where Micky and Peter were waiting.
"Well, Pearl Locker is gone, so we know he's okay. There's no point in our going out looking for him. He'll be home soon, probably breathless and engaged to be married."
"He better not be engaged. I'm waiting for him to get bored with her so I can show her what it's like to be with a real man!" Micky crossed his eyes and flexed his biceps for effect.
"For garden seed, Dolenz, can you for one minute be serious?" Mike scowled at Micky's antics. He just wasn't in the mood this early in the morning to be goofing around. He turned to Peter and declared, "We should have looked out here first before even waking up this clown. What is it, Pete?" Mike stopped at the expression on Peter's face.
"He may be out on his daily ride, but I still have the feeling that everything's not okay."
"Peter, your oneness with the universe is working overtime. Don't worry, man. Davy's fine and I myself am very happy about that. I'm going back to bed." Micky yawned and stretched luxuriously.
"That sounds like a plan, Mick. What about you, Peter?"
"I'm awake now. I'm just going to make some coffee." Peter watched as the other two walked back into the beach house. He wished this uneasy feeling would go away. He decided to skip the coffee for the moment and walked down to the beach. The tide was going out, which soothed Peter's spirit. As he strode down the beach, his mind wandered back over the past six weeks to the time when Davy first met Cherrie...
"Man, I'm beat." Mike wearily plopped down on the sofa after a long afternoon of rehearsing. "What do you guys want to do tonight? There's probably somebody good playing at The Troubadour."
"I'm up for it. Maybe we can sit in on a jam session." Peter's eyes sparkled. He lived for his music and the chance to draw energy from other musicians.
"Peter, aren't you even a little tired? Don't you want to just relax and let someone else do the entertaining for a change?" Davy never ceased to be amazed by Peter's total immersion in the music scene. He loved the music, he looked upon Mike, Micky, and Peter as brothers, and he was forever glad he had come to America. However, there were other things he liked to do.
"Sure I'm tired, Davy, but hearing what other bands are laying down makes me wake up. Y'know how you feel better after a brisk morning ride? I get the same feeling from jamming." Peter grinned just thinking about sitting in and making music with others.
"Yeah, it feeds the creative soul, babe," Mike said. "Have you tried writing anything lately? I haven't heard you mention it."
"Mike, you know that's not my bag. You guys are the songwriters and I'm the one who brings in the birds," Davy smiled slyly,"especially since Dolenz has got a face like a frying pan! He has to rely on writing and hiding behind the drums!"
Micky jumped up and flew through the air, tackling Davy and trying to land a punch. "The only birds you're gonna bring in are the buzzards `cause I'm gonna kill you!"
Peter calmly put himself between the two combatants. "Micky, violence never solves anything. Davy, quit bugging him. The Karma is very disturbed right now."
Mike rolled his eyes. "Okay, Pete. Whatever you say, Pete. I do agree that you guys should knock it off. You know Mr. Schneider doesn't like it when you wrestle. He's afraid of ending up a pile of firewood."
Micky snickered at Mike's joke. "C'mon, Peter. It's all in fun when Davy and I tease each other. The Karma understands that."
"Yeah, Peter. I like Micky just the way he is. I wouldn't change a thing about him, even if he does have table manners like a pig." Davy ducked and winked as Micky took a swing at him. "Just kidding, Micky. Just kidding!"
"I'm gonna get ready to go. You two can do whatever you want." Mike shook his head and walked into the bathroom.
Later, the four young men found a table at The Troubadour. Arthur Lee and Love was playing and the club was full of people digging the music. Davy noticed three girls sitting a few tables away. One girl in particular caught his eye. She had long strawberry-blonde hair and a beautiful smile. She turned and caught Davy staring at her. He just gave her an engaging grin and rose to go speak to her.
"Davy, are you in love already?" Micky followed his friend's gaze and gave a low whistle. "She's a stone fox, buddy. Maybe too much of a woman for a short Brit."
Davy didn't even reply. He was completely engrossed by the beauty of the girl. When he reached her, she said, "Aren't you Davy Jones of The Monkees?"
"I see my reputation precedes me," he joked. "Don't believe everything you hear, luv. I am not the love `em and leave `em type of guy." His eyes were warm as he spoke and he smiled at the other two girls.
"I'm at a disadvantage. You know my name; now I would like to know yours."
"I'm Cherrie Bennett. This is my cousin Judy," as she pointed to a cute brunette, "and this is my sister Karen." Karen looked in awe at the handsome singer.
"I'm so happy to meet you! I love your music. My favorite song from "Headquarters" is "Shades of Gray." I like the way you and Peter share the lead."
"Pleased to meet you, ladies. I'm glad that you enjoy our music. Peter will be so glad to hear how much you like "Shades of Gray." He's been writing a lot of songs lately, and we really hope he'll be singing lead a lot more." Davy was proud of how much confidence Peter was gaining vocally through his songwriting efforts, and his eyes reflected that.
Cherrie's green eyes glowed as she said, "You're a good friend, Davy."
His heart glowed when she said his name.
Chapter 3
Chapter 5
Back to Tina's Stories
Home