The next Saturday, Dani headed to the Rock Creek Festival. After the scene she'd caused the other night, she was surprised she'd been allowed out of the house. Daddy hadn't said much about it, really.
Dani hadn't told anyone she was coming here. Even the band wasn't expecting her. Wonder what Jon's gonna think?
The car parts she'd told Daddy she was going to LA to get were safely in her trunk already. She hated lying to Daddy, but there was no way he'd have let her come here. And she couldn't think of any other way to keep her promise to Kari and Shelly. This was the only place she knew for sure Bobby would be. Besides, it wasn't right to let Cal and Marc down.
"It's just one more time," she told herself as she turned into the fairgrounds. After this, no more lies. Inferno would have to make it or break it on their own. Vic and Daddy are right. Jon's no good for me, no matter how much it aches to admit. After this, my guitar is for the Lord and Him only. No more playing both sides of the road. Kari always said you only end up hurt that way. The fact that Kari was right stung almost as much as knowing she couldn't be with Jon anymore. No way I'll ever feel that special again.
"But it's undivided devotion for me from now on, Lord. Just get me through this one last thing."
Dani navigated around Warrant's tour bus behind the main stage to the pair of smaller stages where local bands and B-listers set up, tuned up, or waited with their gear. When she finally found Inferno's gear, Bobby leaned against the crates talking to Tom Basil. It looked like Basil was doing most of the talking, though it was impossible to tell with the two facing away. Not looking forward to this. Beyond them stood Marc and Cal. Cal looked fit to be tied. Where's Jon? She wasn't sure if she wanted to see him.
"Don't matter where Jon is," Basil said as she came into earshot and the first act ran their sound checks. "Shouldn't have to tell you people twice."
"C'mon, man, we're already booked." Bobby looked up and saw her coming. Shook his head. Spat.
"No girl, no show."
"Look, man, she quit."
"She quit hiding," Dani said, turning Basil on his heels. "Let's tune-up."
Bobby stormed off, muttering something about chicks and trouble.
"Knew you'd come," Cal said as Marc twirled his sticks and sported a mile-wide grin.
She tossed them her keys. "Gear's in the trunk."
Just the two of them now, Basil leered. "Let's hope Jon stays lost."
Dani rolled her eyes.
"You wearin' that?"
Her outfit didn't exactly scream heavy metal, but what was she supposed to do? Tell Daddy she was going to buy car parts in fishnets and a leather mini? As if I have anything like that in my closet anyway.
She walked away, finding the spot where Jon's gear was stacked. Plopping into his folding chair, she cocked her head. That a Bible on his amp? She reached over. It was one of Vic's old bibles, open to First Corinthians 13. Verse 7 was freshly highlighted: "Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." In the margins, in Jon's messy handwriting, her name was scrawled in a heart.
She set it back down. OKOkay, so he's reading the Bible. Great. Doesn't mean he's good for me. But what if he's really taking it to heart? Anyone can change. Kari preaches that all the time. Even Vic believes it. No. Good for him. Vic talked him into Jesus. That doesn't change what he did at the airstrip. Dani choked down the hollow ache spreading from her middle. Just do the show, talk to Bobby, and get out of here.
***
Vic strolled along the tree-lined path. It had taken a while for him to build up the nerve to reach for Julie's hand, and he was surprised by how small and warm it felt in his. The aroma of fresh-baked cinnamon bread wafted from the picnic basket on her other arm, mixing with fresh pine. The chirping of late morning birds was interrupted by the sound of a distant electric guitar being tuned.
Vic hadn't realized there was an outdoor concert here today or he'd have suggested meeting somewhere else. Julie assured him she didn't mind. They could hear the show without paying to get into the gated areas. Said she liked Warrant. That didn't exactly earn her any points. Ah well, that'll change when she comes to faith in Christ. Give her some time.
Vic tried to make eye contact with her as they walked and talked, but she kept eyes front until they found a shady spot in the picnic area. Perfect place for getting to know each other better.
"Wouldn't have pegged you for baking," Vic said. If possible, the cinnamon bread smelled even sweeter than Mom's.
"From scratch." He thought he caught a hint of a smile, though her eyes were as inexpressive as ever, her tone flat.
Brunch passed with small talk. Vic asked about her family. She changed the subject.
The picnic area started to fill as some local band scratched out what passed for music in the distance. By the time noon rolled around and the second band took the stage, the rolling sea of teens and twenty-somethings made real conversation impossible. The stage was out of sight from here, but that didn't stop the sound from assaulting them.
Julie didn't seem to mind, twitching her shoulders in time to the music. She glanced at him from time to time, the same look she'd given when she pulled him over.
Glad she doesn't have her radio.
She hopped up, grabbing Vic's hands as the band wrapped up their set with a lousy cover of Van Halen's "Dancing in the Street."
I don't even listen to this kind of stuff. But Vic got up and rocked, stiff-legged, more or less in time to the music as she swayed closer, further away. She's done this before. She's good.
"Vic?!" A familiar voice.
He looked over his shoulder and let go of Julie's hand as Kari wove through the crowd.
***
Bobby returned with Jon just in time for sound check. Dani tried not to look at him. Her heart sank every time she glanced, only to see him looking away. Just as well. Only make it harder anyway.
Basil lumbered over, motioning the band to huddle up as the emcee worked the crowd. Dani stood apart as the others gathered. She turned away, but the hair standing on the back of her neck told her Basil was still leering.
"Don't care what else you play, close with the chick's version of "Mind in the Gutter."
"I'm not asking her to…" Jon sputtered.
"Got three other bands I can book."
Bobby grunted. "Who cares if she don't like singing it? Make her sing or go home."
"She don't play, you got nothing. Just a dime-a-dozen garage band with a Vince Neil look-alike."
When Dani looked back at the band, Jon was still looking away. Cal stood behind him, shaking his head while Marc clasped his hands. Praying? Pleading?
Bobby slammed the rest of his beer and walked over to Dani, "Look, I know…"
A knot formed in her stomach. Jon still wouldn't look at her.
"Let's just get it over with," she said. "We need to talk after the show."
I just hope no one in the crowd knows me.
***
"What are you doing here?" Vic asked.
Kari's eyes fired the question back at him as she waved a handful of cartoon gospel tracts. Her eyes darted to Julie. Vic couldn't remember the last time he'd seen Kari without her trademarked smile.
"Didn't know there was a show till I got here." Vic looked back and forth between the women. Why am I feeling guilty? I don't owe her an explanation. If he hadn't known Kari, he probably wouldn't have noticed her eyes narrow. Julie maintained eye contact, not appearing to think much of it.
"Join us." Julie's voice was as neutral as ever, but Vic couldn't help thinking she hoped the invitation would be turned down. "There's plenty."
Conversation stopped as the emcee announced the next band—Inferno. Vic was no audio expert, but he noticed the sound quality coming from the distant amplifiers had improved markedly. Less garbled. Also louder.
"Let's go." He knelt, stuffing leftovers back into the picnic basket. "I know another spot across town. Quieter."
Julie gave half a shrug, still appearing to size Kari up. "I wouldn't want my sister hanging out with them, but they're not a bad band. Think I'll stay. You two can go if you want."
Vic caught his breath, felt his eyebrows raise. Is that a glimmer of hope in Kari's eyes? He'd dared to believe Julie was starting to like him. So she listens to this stuff. That'll pass. Just need to get her saved. But if Julie cared whether he stayed or went, she wasn't showing it. Wish I could make myself like Kari like I like Julie. Be a lot more convenient.
Offering a strained smile, Kari stashed the tracts in her purse. "Guess it won't hurt to stay awhile. I didn't get your name last Sunday."
Vic's head throbbed as he sat back down between the two. He rubbed his temples as Jon's distinct scream pierced from the distant speakers straight to his brain, singing Van Halen's "And the Cradle Will Rock." Vic did his best not to bob his head to the song. He'd known every word to everything Van Halen sang before he came to Christ.
As the song continued, Julie and Kari danced around the pleasantries. He silently prayed for Jon. How anyone could listen to this stuff, much less sing it, after they'd been saved was beyond him. He knew Kari felt the same. They'd talked about it often enough. At least I don't have to come home to hear Dani blasting it and turning it off when I get home like I'm some kind of idiot who wouldn't notice anymore. Not since Dad came home.
Vic strained to hear better when the band hit the chorus. For a second, he thought he recognized one of the backing voices. Impossible.