A/N The concert mentioned in this chapter was an actual event, Bruce Springsteen played at Winterland in San Francisco, California on the date of December 15, 1978. I have an audio copy of the concert and he truly did put on an incredible performance! :)
Chapter Four
Their time together at the concert that night was enjoyable to both but also a little surprising. The surprise was running into Doug Sanders there and the first contact in a long while being made. Steve and Jeannie were both a bit leery as they knew his instructions were to never have contact again. Yet he was so civil they both felt it could not hurt to at least speak to him despite everything. Neither of them got a bad feeling from him and during the intermission time of the concert they at least listened to him but chose to reserve final judgment.
"Listen I know it is a bit overdue but I really am sorry for my actions on both of you. I was wrong to try to force you to do something neither of us were ready for, Jeannie. I regret that deeply. I also regret my attack on you at the reunion, Inspector. That act was very stupid I guess I thought I could make Jeannie want to be around me again but I know it was not meant to be. I hope you both someday can forgive me for what I did and what I said and that you both will be very happy."
"Thanks, Doug that means a lot to Steve and I actually. I hope you will be happy also."
"Yes, thanks for the apology. As they say better late than never and it's Steve."
Steve and Doug Sanders shook hands. Steve felt at least willing to give Doug Sanders the benefit of a doubt. He knew people could change and hoped that was the case this time that Doug Sanders really did feel bad about his actions. When the concert was ready to resume they parted company and headed back to their respective seats.
Later that night, after the concert Steve and Jeannie went by a coffee shop for a late night snack. They talk quietly together unaware that once again eyes were watching them from in a corner of the same coffee shop.
"Steve, did you think Doug meant what he said to us?"
"He sounded sincere, Jeannie. I mean at least he did to me. I am willing to give him the benefit of a doubt for now. I reserve total judgment until the future though as time will tell how genuine he was being."
"I guess if you can give him the benefit of a doubt then I can, too. I thought he sounded sincere as well, just was not totally sure about trusting him. Won't that get him in trouble making contact with us even if it was just to apologize?"
"Not if we don't make a big deal out of it, angel face. I guess Mike could be told but think that is as far as we really need to go at least for right now."
As they were leaving the coffee shop they ran into Doug Sanders and his date entering. They exchange pleasantries for a brief minute then Steve and Jeannie continued on their way to get Jeannie home.
They knew Mike had been waiting up by the porch light being on. Steve made sure Jeannie got safely inside after they exchanged a quick goodnight kiss than he headed home. Jeannie found Mike asleep in the chair and gently woke him.
"Mike, I'm home, you need to get to bed."
"How was the concert, sweetheart? You and Steve have a good time?"
"It was a lot of fun and yes we had a great time. After the concert we went to a coffee shop for a late night snack then Steve brought me home. We ran into Doug Sanders at the concert."
Mike gave her a glance to try to see her emotions about that than found his voice to speak as calmly as he could although he was wishing he had been there."
"He didn't try anything did he, with you or Steve?"
"No, he was fine. He just apologized to both of us for everything. Steve and I talked about it at the coffee shop and Steve felt he was being sincere. He was willing to at least give him the benefit of a doubt for now so I told him I would, too since he was able to. I mean, after all ,Steve got hurt worse than I did by Doug. "
"Physically yes you are right he was hurt worse but you got hurt in a different way as well. If you two kids felt he was being sincere and are willing to not pursue him making the contact I will let it slide as well, for now anyways. The first sign of trouble out of him though I want to know about it, Jeannie."
"I promise we will alert you at the first sign if there is any. Good night, Mike. I am going to bed and you should too."
"Going there right now, good night, sweetheart."
The next day on the way to work Mike sounded Steve out about the previous night's encounter with Doug Sanders.
"Mike, I can assure you that you are going to get the same thought out of me that you got from your daughter. I honestly felt he was very sincere." Steve assured Mike than anticipated his next words. "And yes, Mike, I promise if ever we do encounter him and there is any sign of trouble I will not hide it from you. I give you my solemn promise."
"Wise guy ,you spoke to Jeannie this morning I take it."
"No not this morning, but I know you and knew you would be concerned about any future encounters. I figured I would set your mind at ease ahead of time that you will be told if there should be any trouble."
Jeannie had arranged to spend that day at the Ripley's museum with a few friends from high school. They picked her up at ten thirty that morning as they were going to have brunch before heading to the museum. Over brunch they were inquiring about the concert as they knew she had plans to go to it with Steve.
"He was incredible! It was so much fun..."
"Now, we know Steve is incredible but we want to hear how the concert was," Anita teased Jeannie.
"I was not speaking of Steve when I said that, Anita." Jeannie blushed at her friend's teasing. "Although Steve is incredible too, actually more than incredible. But the concert was incredible from start to finish. He did several from his 'Born To Run' album. Steve enjoyed it as much as I did. He gave a great performance and he had the audience participate in some of the songs."
"I am glad you two got to go. I knew it was going to be an experience getting to see him. If Kyle and I hadn't already had other plans made, we would have joined you," Opal elaborated.
At the museum all enjoyed the exhibits taking their time as none had any prior commitments that day. Around four that afternoon at the Old San Francisco exhibit, all were brought up short as Jeannie stopped. They all saw Doug Sanders standing and he wore a tag identifying him as an employee.
"Hi Jeannie. Nice to see you again. Are you here with Steve?"
"Uh, no, he could not come with us today. You remember Anita, Rona and Opal?"
"Of course. Nice seeing you three again as well. Have a good time I better get back to work."
"I didn't know you were working here now."
"Started this past week, really enjoying it. My other job was part time; this one came up and was full time so I tried for it. Take care all of you."
They move on through the exhibit. All were curious about this development, considering what had happened with Doug Sanders and Jeannie and then with Steve and Doug Sanders. They force themselves to wait until they are away from the museum to make inquiries. Once back in the car Rona turned looking at Jeannie who sat in the back seat with her.
"Okay, Jeannie spill it. I thought Doug had worn out his welcome with you and then later with Steve. What was that about?"
"Don't worry nothing is starting up again, that is for sure. We ran into him at the concert last night and he apologized for everything that happened. Steve felt he sounded sincere and was willing to give him the benefit of a doubt. So I figured if Steve could I would as well, at least for now. We are being cautious, just not being impolite if we do run into him."
"Wonder what made him do the change. I mean it is great that he apologized and all but that does not sound like the old Doug that I remember," Rona recalled.
"Could be the date we saw him with last night maybe she is changing him for the better. I can't recall her last name but she was the redhead a year ahead of us. Her name was Christina; almost everyone called her Tina."
"I know who you mean, her last name was Farmer. She was on the tennis team my brother played doubles with her," Anita reminded them. "He said he was always glad she was on his side. He would hate to have her be his competition she was tough."
They had arranged to meet some other friends for dinner that night. Jeannie called Mike to remind him and Steve that she was going to be out with some girls from high school.
"You have a good time, sweetheart. Yes, I will let Steve know. Talk to you later."
"Let Steve know what?" Steve inquired as Mike hung up.
"She called to remind us she would be out with some high school friends this evening and for us to be careful. And if you think I am passing along any mushy messages you two better invest in some homing pigeons," Mike teased.