Scratched

Twenty Nine

TWENTY NINE

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We had float time in Lechston after the release of my album. We had a couple days here before we moved onto another city again. We had a concert to play later that night, but that was it before we got back on the buses. I actually was happy to have this time. It felt like it had been so long since I'd been in the city. And I took full advantage of being back, even if it was just for a little while. I also needed any excuse I could to avoid Reed. He'd called me that morning but I ignored his call. Instead of waiting for him to confront me I slipped out of the hotel, and decided to pay a visit to Lark. I hadn't seen him since before I'd left for tour. It was about time I'd went over to the Rev.

I pushed the door open, hearing the familiar jingle of the bell over the door. I smiled, walking out into the center of the room. I didn't even expect to find Lark there. I slipped passed the shelves, heading for the back room. Sure enough I found him sprawled out across the couch with a jug of tea and a hotdog. His eyes snapped up to mine when I stepped into the room. His face instantly changed. He scrambled to stand, dropping his food onto the coffee table. He wrapped me in a huge, nearly squeezing the life out of me in the process. I laughed.

"I missed you too, Lark."

"I didn't expect to see you!"

"Well, I was in town," I said.

He pulled back a knowing look lighting his brown eyes. "That's right for your album!" he said excitedly. He hooked a thumb back in the direction of the store. "We just got an order in today. I've already sold most of them." He glanced around, raking a hand through his hair. "Come! Sit for a while." I dropped down on the couch across from the one he had been sitting on. "They're thinking it might even be in the running as the album of the year. That's something! Who ever thought, right? But you never told me! How's life as a rock star? Is it all drugs and women?"

I laughed, shaking my head. "I'm not sure yet. I think I'm still a little green for that," I told him. He took a bite of his hot dog, drowning it with his tea. "Really I've hardly had time to think. There's so much stuff in between it all that you just don't think about, but it's been great. I love it. I still sometimes miss the lazy afternoons here though. It seemed like all I did was sleep then." Lark finished off his hot dog and pushed himself up on his feet again.

"I got something I think you'd like."

I spent the next few hours with Lark, digging through records and talking. I had forgotten how much I had missed being around him, and just in the store in general. It was nice to be back in town and it was even better that I would be leaving several records heavier. I bid him goodbye and carried out my loot. I snagged a cab back to the hotel. I dropped my records in with the rest of my collection. I glanced at the time. I still had time before I needed to make my way to the concert. I grabbed up my new Ramones record and put it on. I set the needle and let it play.

♪          ♫        ♪

The venue was huge.

I guess that was to be expected though. They wouldn't book us unless they had a venue worthy of the groups playing it. At least in Love & Squalor's case. They only played big places now, and Lechston had some of the biggest. I leaned against the wall, peering out across the stage. Reed finished his song and tracked back for a drink of water. He shoved a hand through his hair, but did very little to change it. After a couple minutes he stepped back up to the microphone. "An old favorite of mine. There isn't anything quite like it," he said before he began to sing.

"Now I don't hardly know her, but I think I could love her. Crimson and clover," he sang out in a mesmerizing voice. I instantly recognized the song, and he played it perfectly. I was drawn in as he continued. "Ah. well if she come walkin' over. Now I been waitin' to show her. Crimson and clover, over and over." His eyes flickered over to mine and I involuntarily shuddered. "Yeah, my my such a sweet thing. I wanna do everything. What a beautiful feeling. Crimson and clover, over and over. Crimson and clover, over and over."