The Break - Chapter 21

Chapter 21 The signal changed to walk. The pair stepped of the curb and walked diagonally across the intersection. They turned left and walked to the west, the late afternoon sun glaring in their eyes. Being that both we long-term residents of the Denver metro area, they were prepared. Their squinting was quickly alleviated by sunglasses. Ron stepped ahead of Anita and opened the door to the bar. He stepped back holding the door, made a sweeping gesture toward the door and allowed her to pass in front of him. Out of habit, he eyes immediately focused on her bottom. “Nice ass.” He thought. “Really nice. With that rack and the face. She is quite a woman. Suddenly, Ron remembered why he was meeting this woman. With some difficulty, he managed to push the sexual thoughts from his mind. This wasn't a trivial matter for Ron. Since he could remember, he had always done a quick inventory of every woman he met. But he was trying to change that. Finally, he had come to realize that people, especially women, were more than a sum of their parts. “Two, please.” Anita said to the host. “A booth if you have one.” “Yes, ma’am.” The host said. “This way please.” The host turned and immediately began walking off at restaurant host pace that ensures that he will arrive at the table in time to turn back around and stare at you with the “Could you please move faster, I have things to do look”. The main objective of this look is to elicit a meek apology from the guest as they gratefully slide into the seat as if they had just been given the last seat on the last rocket off the planet just before the big meteor hits. Instead of bolting across the empty restaurant to the farthest table, the host stopped only two steps ahead and turned back to the pair. “Hey, didn’t you use to be Anita Sanchez.” He asked. “Why yes I am Anita Sanchez.” Anita responded flattered to be recognized for the first time in what seemed to be an eternity. Even if it was a less than complimentary statement, it was nice to be acknowledged. “I thought you left town, you cold-hearted bitch.” He said. “Excuse me?” Ron asked forcefully. “FUCK ME!” The host said noticing Ron for the first time. “They let you out of jail you mother fucker?” The conversation caught the attention of the bartender. Quickly, he walked around the end of the bar. “Yes, I have been released from jail.” Ron said calmly, even though he felt quite irratated. But he definitely did not want to escalate the situation. “FUCK YOU!” The host replied. “Get out! Get out! GET OUT! “Whoa, there Jeff.” The bartender said as he arrived on the scene. “What’s going on? Completely pale and trembling, the host pointed at Anita and then at Ron. The bartender stared at the pair for a brief moment. Suddenly, the flash of recognition replaced his confusion with anger. “The bomber and the bitch together?” He sneered. “He’s right, get the hell outta here before I lose my temper.” Completely taken aback by the two pronged assault, Ron began backing to the door. As he left, he reached out to Anita and tugged her firmly. Never one to back from a fight, Anita looked over her shoulder pulled back. The second time, Ron pulled more insistently and nodded towards the men. Anita turned her head back and looked at the men. Never before had she seen such hatred up close, personal and directed towards her. “I mean it, GET THE FUCK OUT!” The bartender screamed. “We had five friends at the Pepsi Center, you bastard. And you ... you ... ghoul.” Ron scanned the bar, they had begun to attract attention. Several of the others seemed to pick up on who they were. Although he was a big man, Ron’s health issues had weakened him significantly. Additionally, he did not come here to fight a mob. However, he did have enough strength to manhandle someone Anita’s size and that is exactly what he did. “You two deserve each other.” A voice called after them. They covered the twenty-five feet to the door in less than five seconds. But Ron didn’t stop when they hit the sidewalk. As a matter of fact, he hustled Anita four blocks before he stopped and allowed Anita to catch her breath. “Now that was interesting.” Anita said. “I’m starting to get use to the looks.” Ron said. “But that was the first time I ever experienced anything like that.” The two stood there for a moment looking at each other. Not really sure what to do since they had only know each other for about fifteen minutes. “I understand why they were pissed at me, but why were they saying that about you?” The question flew out of Ron’s mouth involuntarily. “You didn’t see it?” She asked in a surprised tone. “See what?” Ron asked. “Wow, I thought everyone had seen it.” Anita said. “Apparently, they even played it on national news.” “Played what?” Ron asked getting a little impatient. “My news cast the night of the explosion.” She said meekly. Puzzled, Ron just stood there staring at her. Completely unaware that his gaze was causing her nervousness, it actually surprised him to see her fidgeting. “Well, looks like neither one of us have a bunch of friends. In public anyway.” Anita offered. “So, I have an idea.” “I’m listening.” Ron said. “You probably should see the tape, so you understand why people are not thrilled to see me.” Anita explained. “I have a copy at my apartment. If we go look at it, then you can decide if you want me to be the person to tell your story.” Ron paused for a moment, considering his alternatives. Anita was right. He didn’t have a whole lot of friends right now. It had been difficult for him to even find a lawyer. Having money definitely had helped in that regard. He was able to assemble a team from New York and California. Absolutely no one in Colorado would even consider taking his case. He needed some good press. Maybe this Anita was the person to do it. “Sure, let’s take a look.” Ron said. “Live far from here?” “Actually, my apartment is right there.” Anita said as she pointed to a building on the next block. “How convenient.” Ron said with a smile. Anita led Ron to her apartment. Once they arrived, Anita showed Ron to the living room and asked him to have a seat. “Nitti?” Elena asked meekly as she opened her bedroom a crack and peered through with one eye. “Yes, Lena.” Anita replied. “This is Ron Harrison.” “Ron Harrison?” Elena responded her voice betrayed her mistrust. “What’s he doing here?” “It’s okay, Lena.” Anita responded in a reassuring tone. “Really, it is.” The eye looked Ron up and down. Although he did not actually see the motion, Ron knew that he crossed herself as she shut the door. “That’s validating.” Ron said sarcastically. “Don’t mind Lena.” Anita said. “She’s an old hen. She always has been. Even in high school, she acted like that when I brought boys home.” “Oh, so I am a boy?” Ron asked in a cocky tone, that was just right mix of humor and flirtatiousness for the situation. “Actually, she is probably more worried about that than the fact that you’re an accused criminal.” Anita said a touch more harshly than she meant to. Both paused uncomfortably for a moment. Ron was a little self-conscious that his hunter instinct took over at the first opportunity to flirt with her. Anita was a little nervous that she would take her tone as a rebuff to his flirting. “The tape?” Ron finally asked. The two watched the tape from the painful start to the excruciating end without saying a word. Anita picked up the remote control and turned of the power on both the television and the VCR. “Jeez, all I did was blow up a building.” Ron quipped after a moment of silence. “Ouch, that’s going to leave a mark.” Anita responded good-naturedly. Ron was happy to see that Anita had a sense of humor. Subtly, he had kept an eye on her while the watched the tape. He saw how she cringed every time her face came on the screen. Additionally, he saw how she was looking at him, trying to gauge his reaction. It was very pleasing to Ron that despite her unease, she did not respond defensively to his comment. “Okay, so here’s the deal.” Ron said directly. “There was this guy named Schnieder that was like a roadie in my son’s band. But that was his nickname, his real name was Frankie. That’s the guy I shot. That’s the guy that planted the bomb.” “Hang on. I need to get a tablet.” Anita said. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Abruptly, the song ended. The four boys ran off stage left. Ronnie was the first to arrive. “Damn, dude.” Ronnie said to no one in particular. “Where’s Schnieder with our drinks?” “Who cares, dude.” Pete said excitedly. “Did you see the titties on that girl in the front? Holy shit!” “Yeah, I saw ‘em.” Ronnie replied. “She’s into you, totally.” “Yeah, I need to get a pass.” Pete said as he walked quickly past Ronnie. Ronnie looked over and saw Ass and Ben entwined in a very intimate hug. A warm glow overcame him. The adrenaline combined with the love he felt around him was all encompassing. “Got it!” Pete said as he slapped Ronnie between the shoulder blades almost totally destroying the feeling. “Dude” Ronnie yelled over the noise. “You gotta quit doing that.” “Let’s rock, boys” Pete screamed at Ben and Ass jolting them out of their moment. With the backstage pass clenched between his teeth, Pete ran to his guitar stand, picked up his guitar and flipped the strap. As Ben strapped on his base, Pete leaned down and handed the pass to the very pretty, well endowed girl at the front. “And bring your friend.” He yelled. They didn’t even wait for Ronnie to return. He’d be there when it was time. As soon as Ass sat down, he tapped the snare three times. That was the cue, Ben and Pete exploded into the encore. It was one of their favorites, actually their second favorite after Debbie. Ronnie was due in 10 bars. When the rest of the boys got there Ronnie’s guitar joined the fray. For three solid minutes, Pete and Ronnie played off each other. It was a raw, powerful sound that gave of an almost sexually vibe. The rhythm was strong, driving and tight. Then it stopped – no lights, no sound. The crowd went wild, after fifteen seconds they went nuts. The frenzy erupted when they kicked in and the lights came up again at the twenty second mark. They played the rest of the song to a crowd that never wanted it to end. Sweaty bodies slammed into each other with force. No matter what security tried to do, this mosh was not going to slow down. Not with the way the boys were playing. The energy continued to grow. Feeling it, they didn’t stop at the end of the song. It just ran into the next song. Caught up in the best performance they had ever delivered, they continued to play for forty-five minutes. Song after song, some how each one surpassed the previous in both feeling and intensity. Finally, Ronnie looked out at the crowd and saw that they were as tired as he was. He turned and walked towards stage left. Three staccato cymbal crashes and they all got up and followed Ronnie off stage. Looking around, Ronnie still didn’t see Schnieder. “Where the fuck is Schnieder?” Ronnie asked. As the local boys walked out to start breaking down, one of them stopped in front of Ronnie. “Dude, I’ve never seen anything like that.” He said. “You guys were laying it down.” “Thanks, man.” Ronnie replied. Ronnie was beginning to get a little worried about Schnieder. It was one thing for him to be gone right when they walked off stage. There was no timeline for Schnieder to get the itch for a smoke. But he was never gone for more than two or three minutes. Deciding to look for him, he was going to tell the guys. Looking over, he saw Ben and Ass fully engaged in a conversation. The girl from the front row bounded across the back stage area and squeezed her ample breasts against Pete. Looked like it was up to him. Ronnie walked around the whole backstage area. Not finding him there, Ronnie went to the service entrance. Opening the door, Ronnie thought he heard someone moaning. Stepping into the alley, he definitely heard someone in pain. Quickly, he walked around the dumpster and saw Schnieder lying curled up in a ball. “Schnieder, dude.” Ronnie said nervously. “What the fuck happened.” “Uhhhhhh……” “Dude, come on.” Ronnie said as he reached out and put a hand one Schnieder’s back. “Are you hurt?” “It’s the evil, man.” He replied weakly. “I seen it.” Dumbfounded, Ronnie was sure how to react. This was exactly like the last time. But then he just let it go and neither had mentioned it again. Ronnie wasn’t sure if this was some kind of flashback or what. “Can you sit up?” Ronnie asked. “I-I-I…think so.” He said Ronnie helped Schnieder up and let him lean against the brick wall behind him. Seeing the fear in his eyes really worried Ronnie. He hadn’t ever seen that look before. Suddenly, the fear was gone. Schnieder looked completely normal. “Man, what’s going on?” Schnieder asked Ronnie as if it was the first time he had seen him. “Schnieder, you’re in the alley.” Ronnie explained. “You told me you saw the evil.” “The what?” He responded. “You know, the evil.” Ronnie tried once again. “I have no idea what you are talking about.” Schnieder said. “Show over?” Ronnie just stared at him. “Show over?” He repeated. “Yeah, it is.” Ronnie told him as he shook his head. “Guess I better get to work.” Schnieder said. “Help me up.” Reaching out, Ronnie grasped Schnieder’s hand. Leaning backward, he used his body weight to pull Schnieder to his feet. “Let’s go, boy.” Schnieder said as he walked past Ronnie. Walking through the service door, Schnieder headed toward the stage and began helping the local guys tear down the equipment. Ronnie marveled as he set about working as if nothing had happened. <<< Chapter 20 Tags: Fiction, Online Book, Rebeleyeball, Paul Gavin Copyright (c) 2006 Paul Gavin. All rights reserved.