They spent the next several days at the inn. They wandered downtown,
listened to live music at the local coffee shop, and spent a lot of time
walking on the beach and relaxing in the sun. On their last evening in
town they drove to a small bar on the edge of town. It was practically
empty save for a few couples in booths or on the dance floor and some
singles at the bar. They sat down at a table and ordered two beers. Rory
stood and held out his hand.
"May I have this dance?" he asked.
Jerrica took his hand in hers and let him pull her to her feet. "I would
love to."
They walked to the dance floor where the current song was just ending.
Rory walked over and put a quarter in the old jukebox, pressing his
selection. He walked back and took her in his arms as the music began.
"Wonderful Tonight" played as they danced slow and close.
"This song reminds me of you. You always look wonderful," he said.
"Now I just think your making things up. What about first thing in the
morning?"
"That is when you look your most beautiful. Before anything touches your
face and your hair is slightly disheveled."
"I think you look wonderful when you're sitting on my couch on a Sunday
afternoon, reading the paper, listening to the radio, dressed in your jeans
and a t-shirt with no shoes or socks on."
"I don't think anyone has ever seen me the way you do. I didn't let many people see the real me."
"Maybe they saw more of the real you than you thought, and just never said anything." Jerrica said as they continued their dance. Afterward they had a drink then danced some more. Later in the evening the stage opened up and the bartender announced a karaoke contest.
"Do it," he said.
"What? Karaoke? No, no way." she cried.
"Come on. You can win hands down."
"What if someone recognizes my voice?"
"Here, now? Don't be silly. I'd love to see you sing up there. I'm sure
part of you misses it."
"Yes, but...? She stopped when she saw the look in his eyes. "Okay." she
said, standing up and walking to the small table that was set up by the
stage. She looked over a book of songs and smiled as she recognized one she knew. After she had written down her selection and her name she went back to her seat. The place was beginning to fill up with people wanting to join in
the contest. The winner won tickets to a ballgame or a gift certificate to
a music store in town. The first few contestants sang well. One did a
classic rock song, another did a country song, and a young man who appeared
barely out of his teens sang a newer rock song. When it was her turn,
Jerrica took the stage. She was wearing black jeans, black boots, and a
red v-neck top along with her locket. She picked up the microphone and the
strains of "Love Is Here" began to play. Her voice carried
the tune perfectly. When it ended, people were stunned. They gave her a
standing ovation. She smiled at the sight of Rory standing on his chair, yelling and whistling. The last few singers took their turns. In the end the
manager took the stage.
"All right, I've consulted our panel of judges, which if you've been here
before you know is the drunks at the bar, and they have unanimously voted a
winner. Jerrica Benton." he announced. Jerrica walked up on stage. "Now,
not only do you win your choice of prizes but you get to sing us another
song. Congratulations." he said, handing her the microphone. She leaned
down and gave her song selection to the DJ.
"Okay, but I insist on doing this song as a duet. And there just happens
to be a celebrity in the audience to help me. Some of you may remember him
as Riot, lead singer of The Stingers. Please give him a hand so he'll join
me," she said, smiling at him. The place broke out into shouts and
applause. Rory graciously stood and met her up on stage where he was
handed his own microphone.
"You do realize this means war don't you?" he said into the microphone.
"Oh, hush. Give those pipes a workout. Ready?" she asked.
"Why not, " he said. The music started and he instantly recognized it.
The melody to "I Finally Found Someone" played as they sang. When they were through everyone hollered and cheered. When they were done they went back to their table.
A few women came up to get Rory's autograph and Jerrica laughed. A few hours
later they headed back to their room.
"That was amazing. We sing pretty well together." Jerrica said as she
slipped into her night shirt.
"Yes, we sing perfectly together. We should do it again." Rory said as he
climbed into bed.
"Sure, anytime you want to break out the old guitar."
"I'm serious. We should sing together. Maybe do an album." he suggested.
"Honey, I think that ship has sailed, but never say never," she said as they drifted off to
sleep. The next morning they left for home. They drove to Jerrica's
first. She checked her messages and found one from the state's attorney, a
guilty verdict had been given. Eric was to be sentenced in three weeks.
"We did it," she cried, jumping into his arms.
"You did it. He didn't win," Rory said.
"We should celebrate," Jerrica suggested.
"Sure, what would you like to do?" he asked.
"Follow me and I'll show you," she said, taking his hand and leading him
upstairs.
listened to live music at the local coffee shop, and spent a lot of time
walking on the beach and relaxing in the sun. On their last evening in
town they drove to a small bar on the edge of town. It was practically
empty save for a few couples in booths or on the dance floor and some
singles at the bar. They sat down at a table and ordered two beers. Rory
stood and held out his hand.
"May I have this dance?" he asked.
Jerrica took his hand in hers and let him pull her to her feet. "I would
love to."
They walked to the dance floor where the current song was just ending.
Rory walked over and put a quarter in the old jukebox, pressing his
selection. He walked back and took her in his arms as the music began.
"Wonderful Tonight" played as they danced slow and close.
"This song reminds me of you. You always look wonderful," he said.
"Now I just think your making things up. What about first thing in the
morning?"
"That is when you look your most beautiful. Before anything touches your
face and your hair is slightly disheveled."
"I think you look wonderful when you're sitting on my couch on a Sunday
afternoon, reading the paper, listening to the radio, dressed in your jeans
and a t-shirt with no shoes or socks on."
"I don't think anyone has ever seen me the way you do. I didn't let many people see the real me."
"Maybe they saw more of the real you than you thought, and just never said anything." Jerrica said as they continued their dance. Afterward they had a drink then danced some more. Later in the evening the stage opened up and the bartender announced a karaoke contest.
"Do it," he said.
"What? Karaoke? No, no way." she cried.
"Come on. You can win hands down."
"What if someone recognizes my voice?"
"Here, now? Don't be silly. I'd love to see you sing up there. I'm sure
part of you misses it."
"Yes, but...? She stopped when she saw the look in his eyes. "Okay." she
said, standing up and walking to the small table that was set up by the
stage. She looked over a book of songs and smiled as she recognized one she knew. After she had written down her selection and her name she went back to her seat. The place was beginning to fill up with people wanting to join in
the contest. The winner won tickets to a ballgame or a gift certificate to
a music store in town. The first few contestants sang well. One did a
classic rock song, another did a country song, and a young man who appeared
barely out of his teens sang a newer rock song. When it was her turn,
Jerrica took the stage. She was wearing black jeans, black boots, and a
red v-neck top along with her locket. She picked up the microphone and the
strains of "Love Is Here" began to play. Her voice carried
the tune perfectly. When it ended, people were stunned. They gave her a
standing ovation. She smiled at the sight of Rory standing on his chair, yelling and whistling. The last few singers took their turns. In the end the
manager took the stage.
"All right, I've consulted our panel of judges, which if you've been here
before you know is the drunks at the bar, and they have unanimously voted a
winner. Jerrica Benton." he announced. Jerrica walked up on stage. "Now,
not only do you win your choice of prizes but you get to sing us another
song. Congratulations." he said, handing her the microphone. She leaned
down and gave her song selection to the DJ.
"Okay, but I insist on doing this song as a duet. And there just happens
to be a celebrity in the audience to help me. Some of you may remember him
as Riot, lead singer of The Stingers. Please give him a hand so he'll join
me," she said, smiling at him. The place broke out into shouts and
applause. Rory graciously stood and met her up on stage where he was
handed his own microphone.
"You do realize this means war don't you?" he said into the microphone.
"Oh, hush. Give those pipes a workout. Ready?" she asked.
"Why not, " he said. The music started and he instantly recognized it.
The melody to "I Finally Found Someone" played as they sang. When they were through everyone hollered and cheered. When they were done they went back to their table.
A few women came up to get Rory's autograph and Jerrica laughed. A few hours
later they headed back to their room.
"That was amazing. We sing pretty well together." Jerrica said as she
slipped into her night shirt.
"Yes, we sing perfectly together. We should do it again." Rory said as he
climbed into bed.
"Sure, anytime you want to break out the old guitar."
"I'm serious. We should sing together. Maybe do an album." he suggested.
"Honey, I think that ship has sailed, but never say never," she said as they drifted off to
sleep. The next morning they left for home. They drove to Jerrica's
first. She checked her messages and found one from the state's attorney, a
guilty verdict had been given. Eric was to be sentenced in three weeks.
"We did it," she cried, jumping into his arms.
"You did it. He didn't win," Rory said.
"We should celebrate," Jerrica suggested.
"Sure, what would you like to do?" he asked.
"Follow me and I'll show you," she said, taking his hand and leading him
upstairs.