Sheet Music - A Rock 'n' Roll Love Story

Practice was uneventful the first two days without Michael.  Communications were tense and unyielding.  By Wednesday, Gary’s stubbornness had softened and the band slowly began to gel.  It seemed that without Michael hovering, Gary was free to relax.  Sammy had quickly fallen into place and everyone appreciated his efforts, including Gary.  Annie’s confidence began to blossom and the laughter had reappeared amongst them.

It was raining heavily when practice ended on Wednesday and Sammy offered to drive Annie home.

“I only live a mile down that road,” she protested.  “I won’t melt!”

“Suit yourself,” he shrugged.  “I’ll be leaving in five minutes, if you change your mind.”

Annie stuck her head out the front door of the Play House.  The wind had picked up considerably, blowing the rain sideways.  Gary had already left and Buzz and Ivory were about to.  She pulled her head back inside and caught Sammy just as he was about to exit the back door.

“Sammy,” she called to him.  “I think I’ll take you up on that ride offer.”

“Then, come on, girl.  Get your ass back here!  We’ll make a run for my car.”

Together they made a mad dash for Sammy’s car but the doors were locked.  In the seconds it took for him to unlock them, they were soaked to the skin.  Inside the car, Sammy shook his head and sprayed more water at Annie.  They laughed so hard the windows quickly fogged.

“I’m drenched,” Annie giggled.  “Even my feet!”

“It’s only water!  I’m not going to melt,” Sammy replied in a girlish voice.

Annie gave him a playful shove and smiled.  She really liked Sammy.  In the short time she had known him they had become good friends.  She felt safe with him.  Somehow he knew just what to say to make her smile.

Sammy started his car and headed down the main street toward Annie’s apartment.  The rain pelted the windshield with such force they could hardly see the road.

“That’s it,” she shouted.  “That’s my driveway on the right.”

Sammy drove his car up onto the grass to get as close as possible to Annie’s back door.

“Why don’t you come in and dry off a bit and wait until the rain stops before you head home,” Annie suggested.

“Actually, that sounds good,” he replied, smiling broadly.  “Get your house keys ready,” he said.  “On the count of three.  One, two…”

Annie bolted toward the door before Sammy had finished the count.  Behind her she could hear Sammy yelling about her foul play.  A second later he was beside her on the steps as she fumbled with the slippery keys.

“Sounds like your phone is ringing,” he said.

“Oh no, I think you’re right,” Annie answered, struggling to get a good grip on her wet keys.

Finally, the door burst open and they both fell into the kitchen, wet and laughing.  Annie ran to the phone, attempted to pick it up, then roared with more laughter when it slipped from her hand and fell to the floor.

“Hello,” she finally called out, placing the receiver against her slick face.

“Annie?”

“Yeah, who’s this?”

“It’s me, Mike.  Don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten the sound of my voice?”

Annie’s heart immediately began to thump harder in her chest.  She took the phone into her bedroom and sat on the bed.  All it took was the sound of his voice and she was at attention, her whole body on full alert.  Sammy was still in the kitchen laughing, standing in the puddle his wet clothes were making.

“What’s all the noise?  Are you having a party?” Michael asked.

“No, it’s just Sammy.  Wait a minute, Michael.”  Then she called to Sammy.  “The bathroom is over there.  Grab some towels and dry off,” she directed, putting the phone back up to her ear.

“What is he doing there?” Michael asked, hating the tone of his own voice.

“He gave me a ride home from practice because it’s raining pretty hard here,” she replied.  “We’re both soaked to the skin.”

Sammy returned from the bathroom with towels in hand and tossed one to Annie in the bedroom.  Then he disappeared into the kitchen.  Quickly she began to dry off while pinching the phone between her face and shoulder.