Ch 23
That Mr. Bach was assassinated made the news. The police even had a prime suspect, a Mr. Leonard who worked for Mr. Bach. There was a manhunt out to find him. It was feared Mr. Leonard had fled the area. A doctor Gavin was also assassinated just before hand, the police had found Mr. Bach was financing his research. It was thought Mr. Leonard was behind this murder also. With six murders he was suspected of, roadblocks were put up to find him.
As the police chased after a dead man, the concert was coming together. On a Saturday, Everyone (including Bob), met at the Saving Atlas studio to have their first practice session.
Bob was first. This wasn't canned music, he had a band behind him. In front of him was everyone not currently playing in the band. Damn near everyone he knew except for his parents and Charlie was here. He was a bit nervous.
Tod came up and gave him a one armed hug. "Got a case of nerves, huh kid?" he asked.
"Yeah," Bob agreed.
"OK, listen up. Ignore everyone except for Joan in the back there," he said, pointing to her. "You sing to her. Put your passion in it and sing to her like this is the first time. Focus on her, nothing else. You've got to get your message to her, loud and clear. Don't stand here stiff either." Tod bounced in place and moved his hands around. "Put your whole body into it! Let her know that this is for real! accentuate your words with motion"! He said, raising his fists. He pointed out and added, "Feel the beat! Let her know this is for her!"
Bob nodded, "Yeah OK."
"Alright, we play the opening, upon the drum roll, begin."
"Got it." Bob said firmly.
"OK, let' rock!" Tod announced. The music started.
Bob bounced a little to the beat. Hearing the drums, he started singing, looking at and focusing on Joan. Joan was his love, Joan was why he was here. He couldn't let her down.
Despite how nervous he felt, Bob sang loud and clear, ensuring Joan heard every word. He did motions as he did a bouncy dance in place as he sang.
After the song, everyone got up and cheered. Joan was bouncing up and down, fists in the air as she cheered. It mad Bob feel good.
Besides his song, Bob found he was part of the chorus for other songs as well, and he and Joan had a duet. He was also 'backup' for Tod on another song. They stepped through some songs to show people where they were supposed to be.
When Delilah played her guitar for 'November rain', Bob was stunned. She played just as well as a pro guitarist. She really did wail on the guitar. Musically, that was a complex song with everyone playing or singing. Not everything went well, this was their first practice after all. Still, in the day long music session, Bob was feeling pretty good by the time they called it quits for the day.
Going home, he swore music was still humming inside him.
.
When Jake Tanner heard his son had gone to band practice, he was happy Bob was doing something besides hanging out with that Joan. Coming home just before dinner, he asked his son, "How'd it go?"
Bob was all smiles as he said, "Great Dad! There was a real band there and they made me sing in front of people so I could get used to it. I know it was only a practice session, but it felt like a party!
"Who is the band?' Jake asked.
"The Hometown boys, is what they're called. A guy named Tod's the leader," he chuckled, "The drummer's George, he's a bit strange. He's got this major crush on Sonya. He only comes up to her mid-chest. Hector's the guitarist for the band, he's OK, but Delilah got up there and wailed on the guitar! She is really awesome! The keyboard player is a skinny girl, she plays fine though. Still, the best is Delilah. I mean, I don't think anyone is better than her."
Jake chuckled. "So, when's this concert?"
"I don't know exactly. We'll be playing many different songs and we really need the practice to get coordinated."
"How big is this band?"
"It's more than just the band," Bob said. He counted in his fingers, "Let's see," he mumbled to himself. "Twelve, if I'm counting right ... oh wait, fourteen."
"Sounds almost like an orchestra," Jake noted.
"Yeah, Dad. When everyone's playing or singing, it sounds like it too! We got practice again tomorrow and every day after school. "
"Well, do your best, and be sure you let your mother and I know when this concert is. We'll be eager to go to it."
"I will!" Bob beamed, happy to know his father was supporting him.
.
Another two weeks went by before notices appeared on phone poles and Bob brought one home. The free concert was April 10th, in the city park. A stage was going up at the lower end, complete with a roof and stage lighting.
Bob left the house an hour early, he had to go get ready. Wanting to get a good place to sit down, there would be no chairs, Jake and Carol left fifteen minutes early. Going to the park, they found a crowd was already assembling. They did get a spot to stand only fifty feet from the stage.
Jake was impressed, this looked like a real concert with instruments all over the place. In the group on stage setting set up he locked onto a blonde in a black halter than laced up the front, not quite coming together. Damn, was she ever stacked! A black shirt wrapped her hips and hid only a small portion of her long legs. She picked up an electric guitar and put it on with a wide, multicolored strap. The next one he looked for was Bob. He found Bob talking to a girl who put her violin in place on a stand.
Jake looked again. It was Joan Connor. They talked, she giggled. Jake frowned.
Cameron Connor came to the middle of the stage to the mike. "Hello everyone!" she called and waved. many waved back and cheered.
"I know many of you have been supporting the yearly Charity festival, and we thank you for it! To show our appreciation, this concert is free! I also have to sadly admit, this is our last one. Everyone, please enjoy yourselves! Now, let's get this party started!"
Applause erupted as the extensive band began to play with drums the blonde playing the guitar. Bob came towards the front as did the band leader and another man. They all sang.
We're Sargent Pepper's lonely hearts club band
We hope you will enjoy the show
Sargent Pepper's lonely hearts club band
sit back and let the evening flow!
They were good. A single man sung 'With a little help from my friends'
The large crowd applauded, people on stage shifted positions. Jake noticed Bob by another mike making "Ohh wah" sounds in his cupped hands as the drums rumbled and the blonde joined in with her guitar as they began 'Living on a prayer'. Cameron and Tod sang this. The crowd went wild. Many in the crowd sang with them.
Next, Bob come up to the mike as others re-positioned. Bob looked back and when the music started again, more applause sounded as most people recognized this song. Bob bounced to the rythem and sang.
If there is anything you need
All you have to to is say
You know you
Satisfy everything in me
We shouldn't waste a single day
so don't stop be falling.
it's destiny calling
A power we just can't deny
It's never changing, can you hear me
I'm saying, I want you for the rest of my life
Together forever and never to part
Together forever we two
And don't you know I would move heaven and Earth
to be together forever with you!
if they ever get you down
there's always something I can do
because I wouldn't ever
want to see you frown
I'll always do what's best for you
There ain't no mistakin
It's true love we're makin
something to last for all time
It's never changing,
can you hear me I'm saying,
I want you for the rest of my life
Together forever and never to part
Together forever we two
And don't you know I would move heaven and Earth
to be together forever with you!
During the instrumental, Bob raised his hand out to the side. Joan ran up to him, they danced fast bouncy waltz as the instrumental played. Bob was right back at the mike to keep singing.
So don't stop me falling
It's destiny calling
A power we just can't deny
It's never changing, can you hear me
I'm saying, I want you for the rest of my life
Together forever and never to part
Together forever we two
And don't you know I would move heaven and Earth
to be together forever with you!
Bob got another rousing round of applause. Jake's fists tightened. Bob was way too friendly with that cyborg freak! He watched as Joan came back over to the mike. Another snappy tune was struck up.
(Bob) Looking in your eyes I see a paradise
this world that I found is too good to be true
Standing here beside you want so much to give you
the love in my heart that I'm feeling for you
(Joan) let'em say we're crazy. Don't care about that!
put your hand in my hand baby, don't ever look back.
Let the world around us, just fall apart
Baby we can make it if we're heart to heart!
(Both and some of the crowd) And we can build this dream together
Standing strong forever
Nothing's gonna stop us now!
and if the world runs out of lovers we'll still have each other
nothing gonna stop us,
nothings gonna stop us
NOW! oh,oh oh,
(Bob) I'm so glad I found you I'm not gonna lose you
Whatever it takes I will stay here with you.
Take it to the good times, seeing through the bad times
Whatever it takes is what I'm gonna do!
(Joan) Let'em say we're crazy, what do they know?
Put your arms around me Baby, don't ever let go.
Let the world around us, just fall apart
Baby we can make it if we're heart to heart!
(Both) And we can build this dream together
Standing strong forever
Nothing's gonna stop us now!
and if the world runs out of lovers we'll still have each other
nothing gonna stop us,
nothings gonna stop us..
(Bob) Ohhhh, all that I need is you
(Joan) and all that ever need
and all that I want to do..
(Both) Is hold you forever, ever and ever!"
(Tod off to the side) "HEY!"
Delilah came to the front of the stage, playing her guitar with the instrumental. Jake stood stoned face. Bob had been doing all the practice with Joan? He then got it. Football, all the bike rides and now this. He'd been doing it all with Joan. He was falling in love with a non human girl, a cyborg, a mutation!
Carol asked, "Hon aren't they good?"
"It's over. He's way too close to that ... abomination!" Jake spat.
"Jake, I think we should talk about this when we get home," Carol told him.
"We certainly will!" He growled. He heard the rest of the music, but he really wasn't listening to it. He was watching Bob. While they played 'Sultans of Swing', He saw Bob was near Joan as she played a trumpet in quick notes matching Delilah's wailing guitar. Bob and Joan stayed in the background, holding hands as the band Played ZZ top's Legs.
The entire band set up then. Bob helped Joan put on a dark, loose top as did a few other girls. The violins and flutes were taken up. Bob was by Joan as they played 'November rain', Cameron singing. They sounded very good and Delilah's guitar solo was fantastic.
The applause after that was thunderous, and went on for a while. As the applause died down, Cameron stayed at the mike and seemed to look directly at Jake as another song began. It was another favorite of the crowd, people cheered.
Oh, life is bigger
It's bigger than you and you are not me
The lengths that I will go to
The distance in your eyes
Oh no I've said too much
I set it up.
That's me in the corner.
That's me in the spot light, I'm loosing my religion
Trying to keep up with you
and I don't know if I can do it.
On no I've said too much
I haven't said enough
I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I say you try
Every whisper of every waking hour
I'm choosing my confessions
trying to keep an eye on you
like a hurt lost and blinded fool, fool!
Oh no I've said too much
I set it up.
consider this
consider this,
the hint of the century, consider this, the slip
that brought me to my knees failed!
What if all these fantasies come flailing around
Now I've said, too much
I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I say you try
but that was just dream
that was just a dream
That's me in the corner.
That's me in the spot light, I'm losing my religion
Trying to keep up with you
and I don't know if I can do it.
On no I've said too much
I haven't said enough
I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I say you try
but that was just a dream
try, cry, why try?
but that was just a dream
Just a dream, just a dream
dream.
.
For some reason, Carol thought about Cameron telling her how far along their house was. Jake said the house was inexpensive for what they got. Cameron knew how far along the house was. She told Carol she kept a watch on things. Now singing and looking right at them, Carol though about some of the lyrics. 'I set it up'. Had Cameron set that sale up? She didn't seem be bothered they were moving. Bob wasn't either after his initial distaste for finding out. To think Cameron had arraigned it was mind blowing. How could she do that?
The concert was over, she wanted to stay and talk to Cameron, but Jake was eager to leave. Carol went with him. Once they were clear of the crowd, she said, "Jake, Joan has done wonderful things for Bobby. He was just on stage, singing with a band in a concert."
"Yes, probably dragged into it by that cyborg," he grumbled.
"Even if he was, have you ever seen Bobby attempt anything like that before?" she asked in a plead. "Since Bobby has gotten close to Joan, he's been out and doing things!"
"And sucking face with that cyborg," Jake added in a grumble.
Carol frowned at him. "That cyborg has a name. It's Joan Connor. SHE has been very good to Bobby. Why don't you like her?"
"They kill people!" Jake spat. "I bet her metal mother has killed people, hasn't she?"
"Other people kill people too. Just because Joan has metal bones does not mean she's not a person!" Carol said firmly. "Joan is just as much female as I am. She just happens to be born a little different."
"We have to move to separate them before that Joan decides she's going to take away our son. We need to go where they will never find us," Jake stated.
Carol let out a huff. "That ship has sailed, hon."
"That's right, we're moving away."
"I don't think it will do any good," Carol said to herself. The first verses of the last song Cameron sung while she looked at them stuck in Carol's mind. It was almost like she was telling them she'd set everything up, and not long after they settled in, Joan would be close by to continue her relationship with Bobby.
.
High on being in the concert, Bob got a moment with Joan for some serious hugs and kissing. While many people hung around after to talk and help put things away, he noticed his parents had gone home. He stayed until the instrument were packed up and on the trucks. It also gave him time to grab a little more sweetness from Joan.
Bob got home to find his mother home, but no sign of his father. Not thinking much about it, he asked, "Mom, you say the concert?"
"We did! Bobby, you were fantastic! You sang well, we're very proud of you," she assured him.
"Thanks. I really tried hard! Where's Dad?"
"He went out for a walk, he'll be back soon."
.
Although she didn't drink, Sonya agreed to go out with George 'for a couple'. Going to a local bar, they got a table. So she wasn't looking down on George, she squatted down on the corner by George's seat.
George frowned at her. "Sonya! Why are you crouched in the corner like that?"
"So we can talk eye to eye." she said.
George smiled and put his arm around her. "That's my Goddess, thinking of others before herself." He then kissed her. It was easier like this.
Tod had come with them. "Sonya, you're moving to Texas?"
"The whole family is. John researched it. Living in Texas is less expensive. We get more for our money."
George felt the back of Sonya's head. "Are you OK now? That guy busting the board over your head, that's all healed?"
"I'm fine George, that whole thing was staged."
George eyed her. He shook his head. "I saw it happen. The guy broke the board on your head, you fell flat, face down!"
Tod laughed. "I had to tackle him to keep him from running out to kill that guy."
"He hurt my Goddess!" George said firmly.
Sonya put an arm around him. "George, it was staged, fake. Like on TV or the movies. I had a blood pack to slap on my head. That board was already broken. We practiced all the moves three times before we went out in the ring."
George looked at her. "That was faked?"
"The whole thing was. We knew what was going to happen when in every event," she explained.
"Wrestling is fake?" George asked again.
Tod chuckled helplessly.
"It is George. Do you think I'd let someone whack me in the back of the head and get away with it, for real?" Sonya asked.
George looked at the table. "It's all faked," he said weakly.
Sonya held him close. "Marcie, me, Jerry, all of us, even Pretty Boy Benny who broke the board over my head sat around and had a party after the show." She grinned and added, "The Mad Scotsman is really funny once he has a few."
"They tricked me!" George said with a frown.
Head down on his arms, Tod was having a good time chuckling at George's disappointment.
Across from them at the bar, a man was telling the woman beside him. "Yeah, we're moving to Texas. Once we get settled, I'll call you."
The blonde frowned at him. "You better not be lying, Jake. You've said for months you were going to leave your wife. Is that a lie too?"
"No!" he insisted. "It's just that right now, my boy is mixed up with this ... cyborg POS. I have to get him straightened out!" Louder, he announced, "Cyborgs will be the ruin of us all!"
George looked over at the man. "Hey! Don't you talk bad about my Sonya!" he barked.
"George, leave it be," Sonya said quietly.
"Screw you, fur face!" Jake spat back. "Just go screw your ... animated mannequin!"
George tried to get up. Sonya held him in place. "He's not worth it, George," she said firmly.
Pointing to Jake, George said to the woman, "I've seen his kind. He's never going to leave his wife, he just likes screwing you on the side!"
Jake got off his stool, "You better shut up, punk!" The woman that was with him stomped off, flicking Jake the finger.
Jake watched her go then turned on George. "One more word out of you, and I'll beat your ugly face in!"
George tried to get up again, Sonya pulled him back down. "Don't," she warned.
"What, you're pissed because your girlfriend left because she knows the truth about you? Your WIFE doesn't know about your girlfriend does she" George asked loudly.
"Why you," Jake cocked back and sent a fist at George. Sonya caught it and slammed it down on the table.
"Go away," Sonya stated. Tod got up and moved side.
"You better listen," Tod warned.
Sonya pushed his fist away. "Go, before there's trouble," she said.
Jake frowned at her. "What the hell are you? an fuckin orangutan?"
"She's the Goddess Sonya!" George snapped. "You're just a cheater! Get lost!"
"Probably one of those misfit cyborgs," Jake growled.
Jake!" the bartender called over. "Time to go home, buddy."
Jake turned to the bartender. "It is, I don't wanna be seen with the likes of her!" he said, pointing back at Sonya.
Sonya made the mistake of letting go of George. George shot up with a wail of anger. Sonya grabbed for him and missed. "Shit!"
George raced over and plowed into Jake, carrying him over to the crash into the bar. Sonya was quick enough to get up and run over before they got untangled. She grabbed George by the collar and pulled him back. Jake went to punch George and landed it square on her boob. He gaped at her, she slapped him across the face, knocking him onto the floor.
"ENOUGH!" Sonya roared. "Jake, get your ass home or I'll drag you there!"
Jake got up. Everyone in the bar now was watching. He touched his face. "You assaulted me!"
The barkeep said, "Jake, I saw you punch her right in the breast. If I have to call the cops, that's sexual assault. You want that on your record? Go home, Jake!"
Jake barked at Sonya, "I'll get you!"
"Go home before you get hurt," Sonya replied flatly.
Jake left, shoving the door open on his way out.
Sonya turned George back towards his seat. "He was mean to you!" he complained.
"It's OK George, I'm big enough to take a little insult from a little man. Sit down and calm down. I'll get the beers."
Sonya went over to the bar, got three beers and paid for them.
The barkeep said, "Thanks for stopping that fight. You're a TV star, aren't you Red Sonya?"
"I am. I just didn't want anyone getting hurt."
He passed some of the money back and told her, "You probably saved a bar stool or two."
"Thanks." Sonya went back and squatted down by George again.
"I could have taken him," George insisted.
"Now, you don't have to. Drink your beer, George."
.
Louise was buzzy happy after the concert also. She joined the other kids in the foyer as they skipped along and sang out "Whoooaaaa, we're half way there, Woooa ooo! Livin on a prayer..."
That was the most fun thing she'd ever done in her life! The music, the crowds, and when they applauded, it was for her and her new family! She really wished her parents could have seen her. She stopped singing, slowed down and stopped mid floor.
Her parents were dead. Through being in the hospital, being adopted and the fun crazy things she'd been doing here, she knew it, but never realized it. It just hit her that her parents were dead and buried, never to come back. They were gone. Her knees felt weak. Here she was having the best time of her life while her parents would never do, or know anything, ever again.
Delilah saw Louise collapse to the floor, sobbing. Going over, she knelt down by the sobbing girl. Placing a hand on her shoulder, she looked at Louise. Louise saw her and dove in to hug her as she cried.
"They're gone!" Louise sobbed into Delilah's shoulder. "I had a great time today, but my parents are dead! They will never know!"
Delilah held her a moment then said, "How about if we go tell them?"
"What?"
"Well, it's said people have souls, so just because your parents died, doesn't mean they are totally gone. We can go to their graves, it will give you a point of reference, and you can tell them all about what you've been doing."
"They will still be dead," Louise replied.
"Yes. You can't fix dead. What you can do is talk to them. You can get these feelings out. What do you say?"
Louise was quiet for a moment then said, "OK. Can we go now?"
"I'll go tell John and Cameron where we're going. You might want to go put something a little heavier on. We'll meet back here. OK?"
Louise nodded. Delilah helped her up off the floor. Louise went up to her room, put a sweater on and exchanged her skirt for a pair of jeans. She returned to the foyer to find Delilah waiting for her. Delilah took her hand and they went out.
.
It was dark by the time they got to the graveyard, but not black-dark. Getting out of the car, Delilah looked around and pointed. "Over there, hon."
She vaguely remembered her parents were buried on a gentle up slope. In the star lit night, Louise saw everything, but in a black and white way. Delilah went with her until they came to the bottom of the slope. Delilah stopped.
Louise eyed her. "Why did you stop?"
"This is very private, dear. I'll watch out for you, but I do not want to intrude."
Louise nodded and kept walking. Going up to the dual headstones, Louise sat on the ground in front of them, then thought about how to start. "Mom, Dad, I'm really sorry you're dead. It was an idiot truck driver that killed you. I was hurt bad, but my new Mom, Cameron, saved me." she smirked. "New Mom is ... something else. I do mean that. She's what she calls a Terminator. That's all armored metal on the inside. I mean with pistons and gear things, and everything. On the outside, she looks just like anyone else. She is, or was a warrior, made to combat the enemy. She's also pretty cool and she's nice. Delilah is one too. She's my second mom, and she's also nice. She also plays the guitar very well. Like John, my new Dad, says, she really wails on it." Louise paused and looked at the stones. "I'm so sorry your both dead. I'm sure Cameron would have save you both, but like Delilah told me, you can't fix dead."
Louise looked up noting very few stars in the sky, no moon. "You know, so much has happened, there's not many stars showing and no moon, but I can see everything. I think this is part of the change I'm going though. Cameron had to change me to be more like her so she could keep me from dying." Louise smiled briefly. "I'm heaver than water now, so New Mom has ordered me a mermaid tail so I can swim. Today I just played in a concert in front of a big crowd. I really wish you could have seen it. That was a ton of fun, as Joan puts it. Joan is Cameron-mom's daughter. She has a boyfriend, Bob. His father doesn't like her because she's a cyborg too. I think Joan's cool. She does do crazy stuff sometimes, and it's funny."
Letting out a sigh, she said, "There is so much I want to tell, so much I wish you could see. I feel really bad you're not here to see it. Stupid truck driver! Oh, JJ, the boy I wanted for a boyfriend? He's my brother now." she giggled. "I helped him finish a two seater bike. It's like a car, we sit side by side. It's got four wheels. We thought we had it done, and ran it around the yard, but coming back to the garage, we found we'd forgotten to put brakes on it. Now, it's kinda funny. It was a little scary at the time."
Louise paused again. "Delilah-Mom brought me here so I could talk to you, and it helps. We'll be moving to Texas soon, so I don't know if I can come back. I am very glad I came. I still wish you hadn't died, I probably always will. Just know that I'm OK, and now part of the ... weirdest family ever. Weird in a good way though. I feel safe with them. Come to think of it, I guess I'm a little weird myself now. That's OK though, at least I think so. I know I didn't say anything at the funeral. At the time, it just seemed unreal. You know, almost like I was just watching it on TV."
She paused to sniffle, then said, "I know it's real now. Mom, Dad, I really love you guys and hate the fact you're dead. I miss you."
Getting up, Louise put hand on each head stone and said, "Bye Mom, Dad. I better go, Delilah-mom is waiting for me."
Louise walked back down to where Delilah was waiting. Not saying a word, Louise walked up and hugged Delilah. Delilah returned her hug and petted her hair. After a moment of silence, they returned to the car.
Once in, Delilah asked, "How are you doing?"
Louise wiped a tear from her eye. "A little better. Thanks for bringing me, talking to them has helped."
Delilah offered her a smile. "I'm glad."
Delilah drove out of the cemetery. Coming to an intersection, the light was green. Delilah jerked her head to the left, spun the wheel right and hit the brakes. At the last second Louise noticed the car speeding at them with no lights on.
Then there was thunderous crash.