Far Beyond Broken

January 30, 1987. Friday

After our gig, the girls and the rest of our group went to our normal hang out spot. We were having Phil one last party before he went back to Louisiana to pack his stuff.
There were a few other people there when we arrived. Rita, Tina, Carolyn (the Abbott's mother), Jerry, Terry, and we expected a few more people to show up.
I ran up to Terry and pulled him into the biggest hug possible.
“I've missed you, how have you been?”
He looked at me with a slight smile.
He let out a soft chuckle, “I've been, you know? I'm staying in a house with Vic's brother. We're trying to get a band started.”
“That sounds good, what does he play?”
“A little of it all. Guitar, drums, bass, piano. Primarily bass.”
“I wonder if he taught Vic how to play drum set?”
“Probably.”
“Well, she probably taught him.”
We both laughed a little.
Something was different about Terry. He wasn't as smart-mouthed. He seemed dull.
“You know if you need anything Glaze I'm here for you. We all are.” I waited a moment, searching for the right words.
I placed a hand on his shoulder. “Just because you're not with the band anymore doesn't mean you have to disappear from our lives. There will always be a lot of love here for you.”
“I know, I know. I've just been trying to get everything settled with what I'm doing now. I miss you guys like crazy.”
“You know where we're usually at.” I looked around and spotted Phil.
“Anselmo!” his eyes shot towards me, I waved him over.
“Phil, this is Terry. Get to know each other, I think you'll get along.”
They started a conversation as I walked away.
A few groupies showed up, I assumed either Darrell or Phil invited them. Darrell couldn't keep his mouth shut about parties. The more the merrier. Phil most likely just wanted to get laid. Or maybe Darrell invited the girls for Rex. Who knows.
I had a few beers and made my way around making sure to talk to everyone.
I stepped onto the front porch and lit a cig. A cool breeze blew past me which caused a shiver down my spine.
The front door clicked closed, Phil stood beside me.
“Almost scared me,” I passed him the cigarette. We often found ourselves in this situation.
He took a puff, “Terry's cool, very mellow. He doesn't fit in well with the guys.”
“He used to. Him leaving the band changed him I guess. He was a charmer, a real ladies man.”
He playfully elbowed me, “So I'm not a charmer?”
“I didn't say that,” he looked at me with a smirk on his face.
I turned away hoping he would too.
“You're gorgeous, you know that right?” I faced him again, he was still staring at me.
I felt myself begin to blush, “Shut up, you're drunk,” I said with a laugh trying to convince myself that he actually was drunk, even though I knew he wasn't.
“I'm not.”
“You're pretty Katie.”
“You're pretty too Phil.”
He rolled his eyes, “Well thank you K. I was waiting on the complement, I worked hard on my makeup for tonight.”
A few laughs filled the air. He put his arm around me and pulled me closer. He was warm and smelt nice. There was a small hint of pot on his clothes. His grasp was secure but not harsh.
“What are you doing?”
“You were shivering. I'm givin' you my body heat. Be grateful little girl.”
I crushed the cigarette and tossed it somewhere Carolyn would hopefully not find.
“I'm going inside.”
He followed me to the kitchen where Rita and Vinnie were.
We took a few shots, I walked around observing the scene.
Mad was chatting up a storm with Terry. Vic seemed to be enjoying herself with Darrell. They were goofing around as usual.
“Have you guys seen Rex?”
“Not in a while,” Vic said.
I nodded and walked around looking for him.
I opened the bathroom door and seen him making out with one of the groupies. She was sitting on the countertop with her legs wrapped around his lower back.
His head whipped around.
“Shit, sorry.” I quickly exited.
Phil and I ended up being alone again. At this point, he has already had a mix of alcohol. He was buzzed, I decided to not drink that much, so I could get the girls home safe.
He grabbed a beer from the fridge, pushed it towards me, and raised his eyebrows as if asking a question.
“I'll pass,” I went back to sorting through the brother's vinyl collection.
Phil squatted next to me, “What ya lookin for?”
“I'm not sure, I'll know when I see it.”
Van Halen, nope, Kiss, no, Metallica, not right now. Finally, I found one, Lynyrd Skynyrd
“Skynyrd huh?”
I gave him a smile.
I skipped the tracks till I heard Gimme Three Steps play.
Phil tapped my shoulder, “Stand up.”
He pulled me up and started to dance.
“I was cutting the rug, down at place called The Jug with a girl named Katie Lou.”
He grabbed my hand and spun me.
After the song ended we sat down and had a drink.
We talked until Free Bird came on. He took my hand once again, but this time we began to slow dance.
One hand laid on my waist while the other was holding my hand.
I placed my free hand on his shoulder and moved closer to him.
We moved around together slowly. I gently placed my head on his chest.
This felt good. I could feel his chest falling and rising.
“But, if I stayed here with you, girl. Things just couldn't be the same.
Cause I'm as free as a bird now. And this bird you cannot change,” he softly whispered.
I couldn't help but smile.
As the song began to speed up he dipped me. One hand supported my back while the other was tangled in mine. I almost fell, because the action was unexpected. I gave him a big cheesy smile, which he sent right back to me.
“Lord knows, I can't change,” I sang to him.
He cupped my face and placed a kiss on to my lips.
I was stunned, I didn't kiss him back.
He pulled back, a look of fear and regret flooded his eyes.
Before a word could come out, I took his face and returned the favor.