Rhythm in Blue Page 6

  Rick was relieved, glad she didn’t have the experience to know there was no difference. Seeing he wasn’t convinced, she said, “Trust me, I know.” But so did Rick. He knew exactly what he wanted last night, and it was more than her companionship. She paused for a minute, and then said, “I didn’t want to face you because I was embarrassed, embarrassed of the way you guys found me. Do you remember?”

  “Is that from last night?” he gestured to her cheek.

  She touched it and turned away, “No, I ran into my dresser this morning.”

  “What happened last night? With those boys?”

  “I don’t know, they just jumped me. Never saw them before in my life!”

  “Shelby…” he said, “I know one of them was Takis.”

  She didn’t reply, just stared at her feet. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “Nope.”

  They sat quietly for some time. He couldn’t force her to open up, but hoped she eventually would. He needed to work on some trust issues with Shelby – he seemed to be knocking her trust down as he went along, rather than building it up. The thought of confronting Takis and knocking some sense into the kid had occurred to him more than once, but Rick knew ending up in a jail cell for assaulting a kid wouldn’t improve the situation.

  Finally, she asked, “Why didn’t you want to be alone last night?”

  He shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. I sorta ended up on a date with this girl last night, and I really didn’t want to be, you know?” He lit a cigarette and offered her one. “She just wanted to get laid, and I wasn’t into it.” Shelby nodded and let him light her cigarette as he continued, “That’s what it’s like all the time back in the States. You tell yourself you must be the luckiest guy in the world, having your choice of beautiful women all around you, all wanting to…do you, all the time.”

  He peeked at her out of the corner of his eye to see if the information had any effect on her, but her expression didn’t change. He continued, “Every town has a new batch when you’re on the road. When you’re at home, they show up at your door with friends, they wait for you and pop out wherever you go. And it’s great, for a while, but at the end of the day, you come up feeling empty. It gets old, you know?” He finally looked at her, hoping the confession wouldn’t forever alter the way she saw him. The look she gave him was one of concern. “Even before we were famous, at the small clubs, the women always pounced as soon as the show was over. I’ve never been able to figure out why musicians are such a turn on for women.”

  Shelby was still nodding. Her silence made him wonder what she must think of him, admitting to a life full of meaningless sex and one-night stands.

  “Well, I’m not sure how to say this without sounding stupid or condescending, but, maybe you’re just growing up.”

  “Maybe,” he agreed, relieved to receive such a nonjudgmental response.

  “I’m not saying you need to settle down and start a family or anything, but, you say you want something more from a woman than just sex. Do you think you could settle for just one woman?”

  “If she was the right one, I think it would be great,” he said, but he was beginning to realize that being with the right one might not be possible. He stared straight ahead, into the bay, and wondered how his circumstances changed so quickly.

  “Because you have a lot to offer – you have a great sense of humor, you’re very sensitive to the people around you…” He felt himself color at her compliment, remembering his treatment of Eva. Rick could see that Shelby was blushing too, but the look of sincerity on her face as she turned to him was amazing. “When you look at someone, it’s like you try to see beyond what they are willing to show you, you don’t let them hide behind any false pretenses. You really listen when people talk, you’re smart…and handsome.” She had to look away at the end.

  “Wow. You’re making me blush,” he said, unsure of what else he could say. He didn’t deserve her glowing review, but it revealed just how strongly she felt.

  “Well, it’s true.” They were quiet again for a bit, and then she blurted, “I wish I could be your girlfriend.”

  Her honesty surprised him. It sounded like something a little girl would say. She was always so shy about the crush she had on him, as if she was trying to make sure he didn’t know. His own feelings had to be better disguised, feelings he didn’t want to admit he had. He was confused and in unfamiliar territory. He needed to be very careful in his response.

  “Too bad I’m not older,” she said finally.

  He put his arm around her and gave her a squeeze, “If you were older, you would be my girlfriend.”

  Chapter Eight

  Erin’s big day finally arrived. Rick watched for days as she frantically ran around, certain something would be missed and the whole thing would be a disaster. Little things sent her into a whirl, like misplaced sunglasses, or a chipped fingernail. No matter how hard he tried to get her to calm down, she couldn’t escape the stress.

  Through the entire process of preparing, it seemed Erin felt as though she was carrying the show, and success rested entirely on her efforts, but as things progressed, it became apparent, to everyone but Erin, that Kostas’s mother, Maria, was truly running things. She let Erin think she was in charge, probably as a test to make sure she was taking the whole thing seriously, but Maria made sure nothing was left to chance, was no possibility of embarrassing the family.

  Being a distant relative of the owner, she managed to have herself let into Rick’s hotel room, took his suit, and had it pressed. He couldn’t believe it when he walked into his room to find it wrapped in plastic, on a hanger and his shoes freshly shined. She even went as far as to coach him on his duty of delivering Erin to the church, which was comical as Maria spoke almost no English. That was his only job, and Maria seemed convinced that somehow, Rick, the stupid American, would screw it up.

  It was tradition for the bride to be delivered to the church by a male relative, preferably her father. When Rick walked her into the courtyard of the church, arm in arm, they found Kostas waiting just outside the main doors. Rick gave Erin’s hand to an equally nervous Kostas without hesitation. She smiled anxiously at him, then turned and walked with Kostas to the main doors, where the priest awaited them.

  Rick joined his friends and Shelby, and they waited to follow the couple into the church. The priest asked Erin and Kostas if they were there of their own free will, and if marriage was their intent, Shelby translated. When both agreed, the priest led them into the church and to the altar, while the guests filed in behind them.

  Throughout the long ceremony, the priest sang prayers for the couple and burned incense. Shelby told them that every part of the ceremony was symbolic of the union. “The blessing of the rings symbolizes the selflessness, sacrifice, and devotion of the couple, and when he crowns the bride and groom, that’s to show that they share the power in their home.”

  Erin and Kostas drank wine from a single cup, and Kostas wiped a stray drop from Erin’s chin before it found its way to her wedding dress. Erin smiled at him with tears in her eyes.

  “Drinking from the same cup symbolizes the sharing of joy and sorrow for them from now on – their joy is doubled, and any sorrow is cut in half,” Shelby told them in a hushed voice. “Now, they walk around the altar together,” she said as the priest led them in a circle. “It symbolizes their journey through life together.”

  As the priest separated the couple’s hands and raised them in the air at the end, Shelby said, “He’s showing that only God can separate them now.”

  ~

  A reception followed the wedding at a small taverna on the outskirts of town. It began with a luncheon, abundant with Greek cuisine and delicacies, most of them swimming in olive oil. The wine and ouzo flowed freely.

  After the meal, the music and dancing began. Maria, relieved that everything had gone well, thus far, complimented Rick on his job of delivering Erin to the church with a simple, “Very good, Ricky!”
It was silly, considering what a small part it had been, but he knew she was sincere with her praise.

  Out on the dance floor, Randy was learning some of the traditional Greek dances with Shelby as his teacher. A special relationship had formed between the two – he constantly tried to seduce her, and she constantly made him look stupid. He couldn’t seem to get enough. As soon as his wounds healed, he’d go back for more, and she was ready.

  Rick sat with Devon in the shade of the grapevine-covered arbor drinking wine and watching the celebration all around. It was an interesting combination, the crowd in attendance. The majority was Greek, but there was also an impressive international presence. Larry and Judy were there, of course, but there were a host of others, most of whom Rick had not met. At first, Erin tried to introduce him to everyone, but finally gave up. “I’m sorry Ricky, I have to go to Kostas. You’re on your own.”

  “You go do what you have to do, I’ll be fine.” Rick pulled her close and hugged her. “I’m so happy for you, sweetie. I’ll admit, I was worried at first, but Kostas will take good care of you. Just make sure you hold up your end of the deal.”

  “Oh, so now I’m not good enough for him?” she asked, pushing away from him in surprise.

  “Of course you are, I’m just teasing. Relax a little and enjoy your special day.” Erin turned and left him, but not without a dirty look.

  Rick was relieved the ceremony emphasized the equality of the couple. He recalled his misgivings of Greek marriage as a life of servitude for the woman, rather than the partnership the ceremony represented. He thought of the way each of them made sure the other didn’t work too hard, the way Kostas always worried about Erin’s happiness and well being, and she for his. He turned out to be a good man, just as Erin said, even if it was a little annoying how his command of the English language seemed to change to suit his immediate needs.

  “It’s going to be hard to leave,” Devon said, tossing an olive into the air and catching it in his mouth. He had finally managed to slow down and find a pace he could tolerate.

  Rick nodded. With just over two weeks left, the time seemed to pass more quickly each day.

  “We’re just gonna have to make time to come back every so often, ‘cause this place just gets under your skin.”

  Rick nodded again, aware that it was more Shelby that had gotten under his skin than the island. He didn’t mind leaving Erin so much – he knew she would be happy, and that was what mattered. Shelby was another story. They were spending a lot of time together, even outside of the lessons. She was a very good student, and Rick was confident she would continue to learn after he left.

  Rick tried to just see her for their lessons and stifle his feelings, but discovered he couldn’t keep his distance. He found himself watching for her wherever he went, and if he didn’t bump into her, he would seek her out, even though nothing could come of it.

  As he poured himself another glass of wine, Larry sat down in the chair beside him. “Quite the spread they’ve got here. Your sister and her mother in-law put on a pretty good party.”

  “I know I ate my fair share,” Devon said.

  “Rick,” Larry motioned for Rick to lean in closer. “Your friend, Randy…he really makes me nervous, the way he’s always sniffing around Shelby.”

  “I know, but you don’t have to worry. That’s just the way he is, he’d never do anything,” Rick said, shaking his head.

  “Well, that may or may not be, but he does worry me. Shelby’s not as grown-up as she likes people to believe, and he may forget that. Keep an eye on her for me, will you?”

  “I will,” Rick said, “But trust me, Shelby can handle Randy, it’s like a game they play, and that’s all it is.”

  “Just as long as he’s not trying to win the game,” Larry said, leaning back in his chair.

  Rick wagged his finger for him to come close again, and told him, “I think the person you need to keep an eye on is a young local guy that seems to be a little obsessed with Shelby.”

  “Huh? Who’s that?”

  “Some kid named Takis.” When Larry had no reaction to the name, Rick added, “I think I saw him here, I’ll point him out to you.”

  “What’s he doing?”

  Rick wasn’t sure how much he should reveal, but he knew that Larry should know something about the situation. “Shelby just mentioned that he watches her a lot, and there’s something about him that just gives me a bad feeling, but don’t tell Shelby I mentioned it. She thinks she can handle it, but I’m not so sure.”

  “Yeah, let me know when you see him,” Larry said, eying Randy as he approached, out of breath from dancing.

  “Ricky, just to let you know – they are going to start playing some rock ‘n roll now, so you better bust out your dancing shoes.” Randy said with a wink.

  “Ha ha, you’re very funny,” Rick said.

  Shelby followed Randy to the table and sat in Larry’s lap, leaning into his chest.

  “Why so glum, Shelby?” Devon asked.

  Larry looked down at her and answered for her. “I think it’s because her ex-boyfriend, Dimitri, is here. He’s Kostas’s cousin or something.”

  “No, I’m not glum, I’m just taking a break. Randy wore me out.”

  Rick held his breath, hoping that Randy would keep his tongue in check, but all he said was, “Trust me, I’m the one who’s worn out.” Rick let his breath out in relief, but Randy continued, “Now, if I were a few years younger, you’d be too wore out to walk.”

  Shelby’s eyes almost popped out of her head, and her face flushed as Larry’s eyes narrowed with a loathsome glare.

  Rick jumped up and grabbed Randy by the arm. “You’d better come help me find those dancing shoes,” he said, pulling Randy away from the table. “What the fuck is wrong with you? You trying to get yourself killed?”

  “I just meant from dancing –” Randy stumbled as Rick pushed him into a chair at Keith’s table.

  “Yeah, sure ya did,” he turned to Keith, “I think it’s your turn to watch him.”

  “What’d he do now?”

  “Nothing, he’s just trying to make sure Larry has to follow Shelby around with a shot gun is all,” Rick said.

  Keith looked at him with raised eyebrows, “I thought that was your job.”

  Rick would have disputed the comment, but there were other people at the table, and no one heard, so he let it go.

  ~

  As the afternoon turned to evening, the party was in full swing. The music and guests grew louder, and Rick struggled to hear the conversations around him. An American expatriate artist who had adopted the Greek name of Tasos joined the table and began to relate a humorous story of the local police to the group, and his lively method and nature left no doubt that all at the table could hear him well.

  “So, I’m walking down the street one night,” he paused to make sure he had everyone’s attention, “and these two cops come up to me. I keep walking, and they start walking along with me, one on either side of me.” Tasos animated his actions as he related the story, pausing now and then to down a shot of ouzo. “And were walking along, and they’re trying to act all laid-back, asking me questions about my art and crap, and then, one of ‘em says, ‘We come to your house, we look for drugs.’ Right then, I stop walking, and I look back and forth at these assholes.” Tasos looked to his left and his right. “I tell them, ‘I don’t have any drugs,’ and the whole time, I’m wondering if maybe I do have something lying around they could find.” He stopped and downed another shot of ouzo.

  “I start walking again, and they stay right beside me. ‘We go to your house, we look,’ says the one guy. I stop again,” Tasos jolted in his seat to show his audience that he stopped. “Then I tell them, ‘Okay, but it’s dark, and I don’t have electricity. You’ll have to search by candlelight.’ I let them think about it for a minute, then I say, ‘Why don’t you guys come in the morning, when it’s light out. It will make searching much easier.’ They think about thi
s, and I can hear them telling each other that it would make more sense to do it in the daytime. They agree, and say, ‘Okay, we come search your house in the morning,’ tell me goodnight, and turn around and leave.”

  The table burst into laughter, and when Tasos shook his head and added, “They never did come the next morning,” the laughter turned to hysterics.

  Eventually, Tasos wandered off in search of more ouzo, anxious to entertain others. Soon, a woman had the table’s attention. A successful Australian artist, Morgan had been living on the island for two years. She intrigued Rick. Morgan was eerily similar to Shelby, and they looked like they could have been sisters. They had many of the same mannerisms, and they even had the same problem of their hair falling into their eyes. While she was very animated and colorful, Morgan’s personality was not as strong as Shelby’s, nor was she as quick-witted.

  However, Morgan had very large breasts, which she seemed eager to display, and they constantly threatened to escape the skimpy confines of her dress. Randy positioned himself beside her to get a better view, so she smiled and tilted slightly so he would. Despite her blatant inclination for exhibitionism, she was interesting to talk with. Having lived all over the world, she finally settled on Paros, she said, until she used up all the inspiration the island could afford her. “If that never happens, I guess I’ll never leave!” Rick scooted his chair closer to hear her over the music.

  Shelby was off dancing with Dimitri, apparently lured by his charms once again. Rick hoped she didn’t let herself get in too deep, knowing how badly he wounded her the first time. He wanted to keep an eye on her since Takis was lurking somewhere in the crowd. Erin told Rick that Kostas was friends with Takis’ father when he asked about the kid being there. Rick made a point to warn her about the young man, and his apparent obsession with Shelby.

  “My house is about a half hour’s walk outside of town,” Morgan said. “You’ll have to come see it. I live right on the beach. The morning light there is spectacular! That’s when I do my best work.”