Part 4: Eighteen
Saturday night, Jude and her band, Spiederman Mind Explosion, had a gig at a local coffee shop called Java Fix that they frequented. The sweet, old man that owned the place was probably Jude's biggest fan, which made it so easy to play shows there. The die-hard fans also knew to always look for SME there if nothing else was planned prior.
The band played a couple of their popular covers, followed by some Jude 'originals'. Before anyone knew it, the night had quickly come to an end. As Jude was about to announce that they would be playing their final song for the night, Speed, her guitarist, cut her off. "Alright, everyone. For those of you that don't know, Jude's birthday is tomorrow." Jude bashfully smiled as an eruption of cheers engulfed the coffee shop. Speed consulted the watch situated on his left wrist. "It is now 11:58, which…hold on? Does that mean our little miss Jude turns the big 1-8 in two minutes?" Speed raised his eyebrows and held a goofy grin on his face as he looked at Jude.
Jude rolled her eyes at Speed's idiocy. "How about we just play one more song for the audience, okay Speed?"
"Or…how about we all sing a special song for Jude?" At this remark the crowd got even louder. Before Jude had a chance to oppose this idea, Speed and the rest of the band began playing the intro to "Hey Jude" by the Beatles. Anyone in the coffee shop who knew the words were singing along. Jude felt a rush of embarrassment, but at the same time, she did appreciate the gesture.
Once finished with the song, SME did another Beatles tribute that fit the occasion by performing the ever popular "Birthday". The audience was dancing and having a great time, and the owner of the coffee shop even brought out a cake with lit candles to celebrate. By the time the shop had to close up, and everyone was leaving, Jude didn't care because it had already been the perfect start to her birthday. She fantasized about what other surprises would be in store for her.
After getting approximately five hours of sleep, Jude was bombarded by an excited Sadie. Sadie jumped on Jude's bed, crushing Jude in the process. "Ahhh!"
"Come on sleepy head, don't waste the day away. It's your birthday, so you should make the most of it." Sadie ruffled Jude's hair, and Jude slapped her hand away blindly.
"What the hell is your problem?" Jude mumbled loudly. She adjusted her eyes to the light pouring into her room. "And what is it with people lately telling me to make the most of my days…do I have a rare disease that I don't know about or something?"
Sadie was glad to see Jude's sarcasm wasn't affected by her grumpiness. It gave Jude character. "Or something. Now get out of bed so we can go get breakfast and plan all the fun stuff we're going to do today."
Jude sat up and noticed her sister's cheery disposition. "I swear you get more excited about my birthday than your own. It's not like you get anything out of it."
"Not true. I get the satisfaction of seeing my sister in high spirits." Sadie started going through Jude's closest, probably finding a 'girlie' outfit for Jude to wear.
"Are you saying I can't be happy any of the other 364 days out of every year?" Sadie rolled her eyes at Jude's persnickety attitude and chose not to respond. Jude turned to look at her clock and noticed that it read 7:35 a.m. "Woman, are you crazy? It's way too freaking early, and since it is my birthday, I choose to sleep in." Jude fell back onto her bed with a thump.
"I know it's early for a Sunday, but it's a special Sunday. Plus, people have birthday surprises for you, and if you're gonna fit them all in today, then you need to get up now." Sadie threw some clothes at Jude. After debating her options for two minutes, Jude reluctantly got up again and started to get dressed. Sadie did say 'surprises' which made Jude a little curious as to what they were.
Jude always used to love to go to a quaint pancake house called Butterfield's, so that's where Sadie decided to take her this morning. They, apparently, already had a table waiting for them, and when the two sisters walked over to their seats, Jude saw three other people sitting at their reserved table: Jude's mother and father, and…Tommy?
Jude tugged on Sadie's arm, stopping them from reaching their destination. "What the hell is he doing here? Did you plan this?" She gave her older sister a questioning, but fierce, look.
Sadie turned her back toward their guests so they couldn't hear the conversation. "Jude, just give him a chance, okay? He was just trying to do what he thought was best for you. And, to be honest, I agree with him. You have way too much talent to waste on a 30 person maximum capacity coffee shop." Jude started to walk toward the exit, but halted when Sadie said, "And he's got a really great present for you."
Jude knew Tommy had a tendency to trump everyone else in the birthday department. That Tommy album is still one of her favorites…and not because it's called "Tommy" since that would just be…neurotic. Jude began maneuvering her way to the table. "Whatever. Let's get this over with." Jude hugged her mom and dad as they wished her happy birthday, and when Tommy made the same congratulatory remark, Jude didn't respond. He knew she was giving him the cold shoulder, but he wasn't worried. She would hopefully forgive him soon enough.
Jude's mom asked the chef to make a special order of J-shaped pancakes, which was a nice surprise for Jude. What was most surprising was the fact that her mom had that much influence over café cooks.
Breakfast was scrumptious, and the birthday gifts were even better. Jude's parents gave her a couple of albums that they knew were missing from her collection, along with a vintage t-shirt with Pete Townshend on the front doing his signature Pinwheel move.
Sadie suddenly waved her hands in the air frantically. "Okay, okay. My turn!" Sadie handed Jude a rectangular, wrapped present. Jude looked at the gift intently, trying to use her telepathic abilities to discover what was inside.
"Sadie, this better not be your tap dance recital from when you were 13, because I already told you that I have a copy."
Sadie glared at Jude. "Just open it, Punky Brewster." Jude thoughtlessly ripped off the colorful paper and saw before her a digitally re-mastered version of Godzilla vs. Mothra.
"Holy crap! You found it! Wow, I never thought this day would come. I think I might cry. Thank you so much." Jude hugged her sister forcefully.
Tommy finally got a glimpse of the DVD Jude was holding. "You're gonna cry over a Godzilla movie?"
Jude shot Tommy a menacing look and decided that now was the time to break her vow of silence toward him. "For your information, pal, this is no ordinary Godzilla movie." Jude turned the DVD box so it faced Tommy, and pointed at the cover numerous times. "The original Godzilla vs. Mothra, made in 1964,is the mother of all Godzilla movies. It is the reason classically tailored B-movies exist, in my personal opinion."
Tommy put his hands up in mock-defeat. "Whatever you say; you're the corny, Japanese film expert."
Jude didn't like his tone. "You know, Quincy, one day circumstance will find you watching this movie, and do you know what will be going through your head once it's over?" Tommy raised his eyebrows in response. "You'll sit there and ask yourself, 'why didn't I listen to Jude Harrison? She's so smart and always knows what she's talking about. Shame on me for being such an ignorant fool.'"
Tommy burst out laughing at this comment. "Yes…you're right…that is exactly what I'll say if that day ever comes."
When the bill arrived, Tommy snatched it before anyone else could, insisting he pay for everyone's meal. The Harrisons argued it, but it was to no avail. They all left the restaurant, as Jude's parents hugged her goodbye and wished her "happy birthday" one last time, and were beginning to disperse to their respective cars when Jude suddenly remembered something. "Hey, Quincy," Jude yelled at his retreating back. Tommy spun around to face her. "What about your gift?"
Tommy just smirked and replied, confidently, "You'll just have to wait and find out." He turned his heels around again, and continued walking to his viper.
So, Tommy had a secret birthday present for Jude. This was going to be an interesting day.
Most of the afternoon consisted of Jude's friends, band mates, and sister playing laser tag for three hours. Jude was astonished that her sister even wanted to go laser tagging in the first place, because, to be honest, shooting people with toy guns is not on Sadie's list of fun things to do. Nevertheless, Jude was happy they could spend more quality time just goofing around together.
After laser tagging, Jude's band members gave her a gift bag that contained a book with instructions, and supplies, on how to make balloon art, so that occupied them for another hour.
"Look, Jude, the sword's not that hard to do. You're just thinking about it too much. A couple of simple twists and you're done." Speed was trying to motivate Jude to make her first completed balloon object.
"It's obviously not that simple if I've managed to pop 23 balloons in the past 45 minutes." Jude was getting grumpy over her helplessness. "Let's just face it…I have no hope in the balloon art profession." She looked at all the balloon shapes surrounding her friends. "Although, you assholes don't have to rub it in my face by making airplanes, monkeys, and…holy shit! Wally, is that a ninja turtle?"
Wally beamed satisfactorily, "Yeah. It's Donatello!" Everyone laughed while Jude acted uninterested to mask her jealousy. The doorbell rang, so Jude took it upon herself to answer the door since she could use the distraction. She opened the door to find Tommy standing on the other side.
"Oh."
"Wow, Jude. It's great seeing you too." Tommy's sarcasm was not appreciated at the current moment.
Jude changed the topic. "So, is it time for me to get my present from you."
"You're especially greedy today, aren't you?"
"Well, gluttony isn't exactly the best of sins, but you gotta commit at least one of them on your birthday, right?"
"I guess. As for myself, I would choose pride."
Jude sniggered. "That's because it comes so naturally to you."
Tommy didn't want to bicker anymore. "Anyway, I am here because of your present, but it doesn't look like you're ready."
"Why do I have to be 'ready' for it?"
"Because we're going out." Tommy eyed Jude up and down. "Yeah, you're definitely not dressed appropriately for where I'm taking you. Go find an outfit that you'd wear if you wanted to be noticed."
Jude was thinking many things in her head at the same time. "You mean, my present involves going somewhere…with you?" She sighed. "And, also, I'm sorry to bust buttons, but I don't have many clothes that scream 'notice me!'…unless I raided Sadie's hooker closet."
Tommy just looked at Jude and shook his head. "Stop being a smart ass and go pick out something you'd wear to one of your shows." Jude started to walk away, leaving Tommy in the arch of the front step. "And don't call your sister a hooker. After all, she did buy you that 'fantastic' Godzilla movie." Jude turned around to glare at Tommy before entering her bedroom.
Jude was sitting in the passenger side of Tommy's viper, unable to sit still because it had become increasingly difficult to control her antsy state. Tommy kept stealing glances at her, noticing this behavior. "Will you stop moving around? Every little thing you do distracts me from driving."
"Well, maybe if you just told me where the hell we were going, I wouldn't be so freaking anxious!" Jude paused, hoping it would provide Tommy enough time to give her an answer, but he didn't respond. "Please tell me where we're going. I can't take it anymore!"
Tommy thought about it for a minute, and decided telling her wouldn't hurt. "Alright, we're going to a venue in the city to see a Pixies tribute band perform."
One of Jude's favorite bands was Pixies, but there was a slight problem. "That's cool and all, Tommy, but the thing is…I kind of hate tribute bands. They tend to ruin the songs for me. To this day I can't listen to 'Stairway to Heaven' because of a moronic Led Zeppelin tribute band." As mad as Jude still was at Tommy, she felt bad chasitzing him for getting her a lame present.
"That's because the ones you've seen were not up to par. This band plays the best Pixies covers I've heard yet. Just give them a chance."
"Well, it's not like I have anything better to do, tonight. And I did get all dolled up so people could 'notice me', if you catch my drift."
"Ha ha," replied Tommy, unenthusiastically. He parked the car in a parking garage across the street. They got out and made their way toward the discreet concert hall. It was small. Small enough to pass by and not think much of. Jude liked venues like that.
Tommy's name was on the list, so they got in with ease, not like Jude was expecting it to be difficult in the first place. Jude followed Tommy down a flight of stairs.
"Ooh, the stage is underground? How very 'London, England'." Reaching the bottom step, Jude noticed the walls were covered with writing and graffiti. The room was dark with fluorescent light bulb scattered around; the only real light was being used to accentuate the stage. From what Jude could tell, the band was just now setting up. Jude was admiring the vintage feel of the place when she noticed who she thought was the drummer of the band stand up and wave at Tommy. Tommy acknowledged the wave. She looked at him curiously. "Friend of the band?"
"Possibly." Tommy turned to face Jude. "Would that surprise you?"
Jude huffed. "Please. Nothing you do ever surprises me."
The band played a couple of the classics: "Monkey Gone to Heaven", "Hey", "Wave of Mutilation", and "Here Comes Your Man". They weren't that bad, but Jude knew in her heart that no one could play it like the originals. Jude hoped the show wasn't going to end soon though, because that would mean they wouldn't be playing some of her favorites.
"They're gonna perform 'Where is My Mind?', right?" Tommy just shrugged his shoulders. Jude continued. "Tommy, you don't understand. Not playing 'Where is My Mind' in a Pixies tribute band is like making cookies without sugar: bitter and pointless."
Tommy rather liked Jude's analogy. "Just watch."
She did as he said, and sure enough the intro to Jude's favorite Pixies song rang in her ears. Something was odd though. She heard the constant "ooh" in the background, vocals normally provided by Kim Deal in Pixies, but she didn't see anyone on stage creating the sound. Jude looked around frantically, trying to find the person who was singing the haunting chords.
Out of the blue, a woman from stage left appeared before the audience. Jude squinted her eyes to get a better look at the female form on stage. She looked like Kim Deal, she sounded like Kim Deal…but there was no way she could be Kim Deal. When an abrupt applause swept the audience, Jude put two and two together. She darted her eyes toward Tommy and grabbed his left arm tightly. "That's…she's…"
"If what you're trying to say is 'she's Kim Deal' then you would be right." Tommy could see the happiness on Jude's face waiting to explode.
"Wait, wait, wait…are you telling me that the person I admire most in the world is in the same room as me right now?"
"Only if the person you admire most in the world is either me or Kim."
Jude glanced back up at the stage. The song was about half way through now. "Holy shit!!!! This is unbelievable…I can't…oh my god! I can't breathe." Jude put her head between her legs.
Tommy knelt down so Jude could hear him better. "Jude, you need to calm down. This is you're once in a lifetime opportunity. Don't stand back here with your head between your legs; you're gonna miss it all." Jude slowly stood upright again, and before she could process anything else, Tommy took her hand and brought her closer to the stage.
The song was all the more amazing because Kim was a part of it. When it ended, everyone clapped and roared loudly, Jude being the loudest of them all.
Kim began talking through the microphone. "Thank you. I bet you weren't expecting me when you decided to come to this show, huh?" The audience yelled in excitement. Jude was practically gawking at the famous bass player. "So, one of the reasons why I'm here tonight is because a friend of mine told me it was a very special girl's birthday today."
Jude smiled. "Aw, someone's celebrating a birthday too. How ironically cute."
Tommy leaned into Jude, his lips practically brushing up against Jude's ear. "She's talking about you, kid." When Tommy moved back, Jude couldn't do anything but stare at him.
She was brought out of her trance when Kim continued talking. "I was also told that this person is a fellow musician, so I was wondering if she'd like to help me out with the next song. What do you say, Jude?"
Jude's eyes got wider than they'd ever been before. If it wasn't for Tommy's nudging, she would've probably just stood there in shock for the next five minutes. Instead, she cautiously made her way up the small set of stairs to the stage. A roadie gave Jude a microphone as Kim was given a bass. Jude then heard the familiar tune begin.
And this I know
His teeth are white as snow
What a gas it was to see him
Walk her everyday
Into a shady place
With her lips she said
She said
Hey Paul, hey Paul, hey Paul, let's have a ball
Hey Paul, hey Paul, hey Paul, let's have a ball
Hey Paul, hey Paul, hey Paul, let's have a ball
Jude finally found the strength to join in because it was like Tommy had said, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Gigantic, gigantic, gigantic
A big big love
Gigantic, gigantic, gigantic
A big big love
During the brief instrumental section after the first chorus, Kim nodded her head for Jude to take the lead vocals. Jude still couldn't believe this was happening but decided to give it her all.
Lovely legs there are
What a big black mask
What a hunk of love
Walk her every day into a shady place
He's like the dark, but I'd want him
Hey Paul, hey Paul, hey Paul, let's have a ball
Hey Paul, hey Paul, hey Paul, let's have a ball
Hey Paul, hey Paul, hey Paul, let's have a ball
Gigantic, gigantic, gigantic
A big big love
Gigantic, gigantic, gigantic
A big big love
Gigantic, gigantic, gigantic
A big big love
Gigantic, gigantic, gigantic
A big big love
As the last chord was hit, the crowd found themselves in a frenzy. Everyone loved the duet between Kim Deal and this 'stranger' with a powerful voice. Kim walked over to Jude, and hugged her, whispering "Happy Birthday" in the process. Jude looked back to the audience, hoping to find Tommy. Finally spotting him, she gazed lovingly into his eyes and a huge smile made its way across her face. Today was definitely a day that she would never forget.