Life settled back into the regular routine for The Monkees. It was fortunate that Davy's hand wasn't broken since they began recording "Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, and Jones Ltd." soon after Davy broke up with Cherrie. He didn't talk much about her anymore after that night, and he wasn't seeing anybody else either. His morning rides on Pearl Locker began earlier than before, and he was not his same cheeky self with his band mates.
One morning when the guys arrived at the studio, Chip was waiting for them. "I have a great song that I think you guys ought to record, but I want to make sure that Davy is okay with it. Knowing what happened recently, if you don't want to do this I'll understand."
"Stop stalling and play it, Chip. A song isn't going to make me fall apart." Davy nodded at Chip to signify his consent. He didn't tell anybody how often he thought of "Early Morning Blues and Greens" in the sleepy dawning hours or "Forget That Girl" as he tried to convince his mind to rest in the dark of his room.
Chip played a demo that had just arrived. Everyone soon understood why Chip liked the song but was uncertain about how Davy would react to it. The song lyrics spoke of a girl who only liked a guy because he was famous. The guy knew what she was after and didn't respect her. It was very similar to what Davy had been through with Cherrie.
Nobody said anything right away as the last notes on the demo record faded. Davy spoke first. "It's perfect, Chip. I think you're right. We should definitely do this one. If everyone is agreed, I'd like to sing it."
"Absolutely, Dave. I was thinking the same thing," Mike said. Peter and Micky liked the idea, too. "Star Collector" was the latest song chosen to be on their fourth long-player.
The following weeks were full of recording sessions. The weekends were occupied with rehearsals and concert tour preparations. Mike, Peter, and Micky found time to write songs and often bounced ideas off of each other. Once or twice they asked Davy how the song he had started a couple of months ago was coming along. He vaguely replied that the song would never be finished, and he had no new ideas. The others knew better than to press the issue.
On a rare day off, with the album nearly finished and ready to be shipped for pressing, Peter, Mike, and Micky came home from the grocery to find Davy on the deck scribbling on a piece of paper. The drummer called out as he began putting the food away. "Hey! What's that you're doing? Got an idea for the show?"
Davy came in with the paper in hand to help the others. "No, actually I'm finishing a song."
The guys stopped and looked at their friend in amazement. "I had no idea you were even working on one and you've almost finished it? That's great! Would you play it for us when you're ready? I'm very proud that you're writing again," Mike beamed at Davy.
Davy smiled tentatively. "I just got the idea yesterday. It seemed to just flow right from my head down my arm onto the paper. Maybe it wasn't even from my head. I think this one came from my heart. You can hear it now if you want." He walked over to the chair and sat down. Mike, Micky, and Peter chose the couch opposite the chair and waited expectantly.
Davy pulled a guitar onto his lap and began strumming the strings. His eyes looked at the lyrics on the paper, but his voice came from a place of deep love, agonizing pain, and hopeful longing.
Naughty girls get me in trouble.
When I fly too high,
Something's bound to burst the bubble.
You say this is love.
Wonder if you're feeling lonely?
Tell me if you please,
Is this for this evening only?
Or will it be for a long, long time
Or just a passing fancy?
Will it be for a long, long time?
I feel as though it can be.
I'll just wait and see
What tomorrow has to bring me.
A love that is oh-so-true,
Or another girl who's free and easy.
Time and time again.
La da da da da, hmmmmmm...
Davy looked to his buddies for their reaction. Peter's dimple appeared as a broad smile crossed his face. "That, Davy, is a killer song. Really killer. You just started that last night? I'm impressed. You had something to say, and it came out when the time was right. I always knew you could do it. You just have to believe in yourself and let it out."
Davy registered relief and humility when he heard Peter's words of encouragement and saw the nods of approval from Mike and Micky. He regarded Mike, Peter, and Micky as fantastic, serious songwriters. He saw himself as a lowly beginner testing his talent. "Thanks, Peter. Thanks to all of you for putting up with me this last while. That means a lot to me. It helps that we're going to England next month. I think I'm beginning to feel like me old self again. Seeing the family should do wonders."
Mike said, "I'm sure it will. I'm looking forward to meeting all of them. I feel like I know them already! You've never told your dad what happened with Cherrie, have you?"
"Well, he knows we broke up, but I haven't told him the whole story. I wanted to wait until we could talk face-to-face. He somehow knew all along that Cherrie wasn't being truthful with me. He's amazing. I only hope that one day I can be half as good a father to my own son as he's been to me." Davy's eyes were shining with unbidden tears, thinking about his beloved dad so far away.
Just then there was a knock at the front door. Davy blinked the tears away quickly and rose to answer it.
"Hi, Davy! Are you ready?" Cherrie's cousin, Judy, entered the pad. Mike's eyebrow shot up. Davy laughed when he saw Mike's expression.
"Fellas, you remember Judy? We're going for a walk on the beach. I'll be out in a minute, Judy. Would you mind waiting on the deck?"
Judy smiled shyly at the men as she went through the living room and out on the deck.
"What are you thinking? Cherrie's cousin? Man, this isn't cool," Micky hissed as soon as the girl was outside.
"Slow down, Micky. We're not dating or anything. I ran into her the other day while I was in town. She told me how sorry she was about the way Cherrie had treated me. She had a big argument with Cherrie about her running around on me and doesn't speak to her anymore. She's a nice girl, and I don't hold what Cherrie did against her."
"Are you saying she knew what Cherrie was doing and she didn't tell you? What makes you think she's any different from her cousin? It could run in the family." Normally Peter saw the good in every person, but he didn't want to see Davy's progress in getting over Cherrie derailed. He didn't trust any of the girls Davy had met that fateful night at the Troubadour.
"That's not fair, Peter. You're treating Judy the same way Cherrie treated me. I can't let what one girl did keep me from ever trusting a girl again. Judy answered a lot of questions about why Cherrie is the way she is. She's always been popular with boys because of her looks. She fell hard for someone in a band a couple of years ago who cheated on her and laughed at her when she said she loved him. She's been confused and afraid of her feelings ever since. She deliberately seeks out musicians because that's where all of her hang-ups started. If she starts to care at all, she turns on her act and sees more than one. It's all a cruel game to her. If she had just opened up to me, I could have helped her see that all guys aren't like this other creep. She never even gave me a chance." Davy's eyes were sad.
Peter tried to console Davy. "Don't feel bad. She really was convincing. I can usually read people pretty well, but I never spotted anything phony about the way she behaved. You're not, uh, thinking about calling her, are you?"
Davy shook his head emphatically. "Even though I understand her better now, it's too late for us. On the other hand, Judy and I are friends that are going to enjoy the sun and the ocean. That's all. Y'know, if you come too, you just might see Nancy on the beach. She has a new bikini, and she looks smashing. If you're not interested..."
"Stop right there, Jones! You're not going to get your hooks into Nancy! No way!" Peter jumped up and followed Davy out onto the sun-splashed deck with Micky and Mike right behind. The group of young people made their way down the steps to the golden sand, joking and laughing happily.
THE END
Chapter 17
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