Rock 'N' Roll Singer

𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡

     I picked up the receiver after much hesitation; I stood over the telephone as though doing that would keep others from hearing our conversation.

     "Hi, Mum. How are things?" I started, pretending that I couldn't sense that something was wrong.

     "How do you think things are? I've been hearing stories about you, missy. The neighbourhood's been talking."

     I swallowed hard.

     "Marianne Ruth Albright, did you or did you not get into a fight at one of your rock and roll shows?"

     "Mum, you don't understand-"

     "I understand what I've heard. You jumped off the stage and punched a boy. Nancy O'Brien's boy said you knocked the guy's teeth out."

     I rolled my eyes and wondered how much more mangled this story could get.

     "I didn't knock his teeth out. He was a right bastard anyway-"

      "Watch your mouth. I thought I taught you better, but evidently not. What could've gotten into you? You've never acted like this before."

     I covered the mouthpiece with my hand, sucked in a breath, and lifted the receiver back to my head. I didn't want to throw Bon under the bus; if only I could truly explain how sweet and funny he was to her so she didn't villainise him.

     "I've been seeing someone. He knows that I want to be a rock and roll singer, and he's been helping me out and supporting me."

     I waited for what seemed like forever until I heard her voice again.

     "I want to meet him."

     "You do?"

     "Yes. I want to meet the man that's been getting my daughter into fights and making herself out to be a brute."

     "Bon didn't get me into it!"

     "So that's his name? Bon? If he's a bloody hippie or a thug, you can tell him that he's not welcome."

     Well, his hair wasn't too long, and maybe he'd ditch the earring if it would make her feel more comfortable.

     "Alright, I'll bring him for dinner over tomorrow." I hung up and picked up the receiver again to ring Bon. I leaned against the wall, letting my hair fall across my face at what Marie Quinn has become.

     "For what it's worth Marie, darling." An accented voice chimed. "I don't believe those stories."

     Mrs. Davies took my hand in hers and rubbed it gently with her thumb.

     "That Bon fellow seems like a nice boy, and I'm sure your mother will love him."

     "You actually met him? I thought he waited out in the car."

     "No offense, dearie, but you do take a while to get ready, so he's bound to come in for a drink, isn't he?"

♫

     Bon pulled up in front of the house beneath the setting sun that next evening. His warm smile put my nerves at ease. I stuck my head through the passenger side window.

"Bon, I'm sorry I blew up at you. I-"

"It's alright, Marie. You don't have to say anything."

"Sorry, but I've been interrupted far too much lately. I'd like to finish," I grinned.

"Go ahead, then, m'lady," he put the car into gear as I lead the way to my neck of the woods.