The Gemini: Emancipation

18 - Blue Hazel

December 24, 1996

"Tan?"

"It's the best I could do."

Scanning Jody over, Roger enjoys what he sees. Particularly the dipping décolletage.

"Fascinating."

The flattered expression she displays is a touch stiff. Mindful of it, she speaks mimicking casual.

"What'd I miss?"

"Nothing wild. I think Lenny and I talked each other into jamming. So we gon show off a little bit."

Jody didn't even notice the setup on the stage, her mind's so busy. An auto response, "That's nice."

Hand settling on her back, Roger's hopeful, "You wanna come up?"

"There? No. Uh-uh, I'm good."

"Why not? It'll be fun. We haven't been on stage together in a long time."

True and she misses it. But this timing... Right now it's —

"Just do one song with us. Pretty, pretty please?"

It's going to take her mind off matters.

"Alright."

A kiss on her temple, "You're the best." His hand slips down her back, making an unnecessary but completely intentional pass against her ass in its travels to clasp her hand.

Roger guides the way along the outskirts of the compacted room, up to the platform where Lenny and the NPG settled in. Background playlist eases into a halt bringing their guests to partial attention. The ones who hadn't responded to the new silence perked up when Roger tapped against the live mic.

Guitar strap over head, he borrows a twangy southern lilt, "Gather round children. We gon sing us here a song." Resuming normal, he surveys the crowd. "Requests? Fifty dollars a song. Just put ya money on the stage."

A handful of choices were given. One person projected with enthusiasm, "Do Adore!"

Roger might as well have yawned. "Next."

Another batch of titles are popcorned at varied volumes. And comes another rallied call. This time it's from Nikki whose hands bracket the sides of her mouth.

"Wooo Jody!" she cheers.

"Not in front of y'all," said Roger, proud of his own pun. The woman mentioned simply shook her head at it all. "Tomorrow's a merry day. How 'bout something festive?" he suggests, starting to pick out an altered version of a holiday classic. "Cool?"

A positive buzz generated from the people.

Nothing but guitar and voice, Roger crooned a few lines.

"Merry Christmas, baby. Sho did treat me nice.
Merry Christmas, my baby. Sho did treat me nice.
Bought me a diamond ring for Christmas. Darlin', I feel like I'm in paradise."

Everyone oozing into swing, this Otis Redding favorite got the funk treatment. Jody coupled up with Roger, sharing his mic, harmonizing with him wherever she felt complimented. A line about a mistletoe prompted him to place a sweet little smooch on her cheek. The doing gave her a much needed pickup. She smirked at his twinkly eyes.

Trilled to be duetting with his love again, Roger wanted her to shine. From one oldies hit to another, he effortlessly bled the funk into Santa Baby, telling Jody, "That's you."

This one is her solo song. For the first time in two years, the spotlight's on she. Nervous? Not so much. Feeling rusty? A little. Brie's been her only audience these days. Without cheery hazels and bubbly smiles to inspire, it takes a moment for Jody to get her mojo in full. Roger provided a confidence boost by playing off of her, adlibbing jokes and witty quips here and there between her lines.