Sheet Music - A Rock 'n' Roll Love Story

From her bureau she selected a tight white Lycra half shirt with cap sleeves and laid that on top of the skirt.  She stepped back and viewed the combination displayed on her bed.  Not bad, she thought.  Her black leather boots with the three inch heels would match perfectly.  All she needed now was a coat.  But not just any coat.  She went to her coat closet and pulled out an old black leather biker jacket adorned with zippers.

“Perfect,” she sighed.  This would make the outfit work magic.

Annie slipped into a hot bubble bath and tried to relax.  She tried to think of anything other than Michael, but she couldn’t, tonight would tell her everything she needed to know without having to hear him say it.  His actions would speak for him, and whatever happened, she would have to accept it and move on.

At four-thirty on the dot, the limousine pulled into the Play House parking lot.  Annie was walking across the town common when she saw the long, sleek vehicle arrive.  Buzz, Ivory and Gary quickly took their places in the back seat.  Seconds later Annie, reached the car.

“Good afternoon, Miss,” the driver stated.  Annie noticed the quick once over he gave her with his eyes which made her beam.  The completed outfit was sensational.  She left her long blond hair down, wild and untamed on her back.  The coat finished her reckless look perfectly.  She felt like Cinderella on her way to a rock ‘n’ roll ball.

Annie slipped into the back seat and sat opposite Buzz and beside Ivory.  Her eyes darted nervously around the compartment and smiled proudly.  They all looked great.

“Whoa, Annie!  You are a sight for sore eyes,” Buzz commented first.

“Never mind me.  You guys look amazing!  You all clean up nicely,” Annie applauded in appreciation.  “Ivory, I've never seen you looking so good!”

“What about me?” Gary chided, with the ever-present hint of sarcasm evident in his voice.

“You too, Gary.  Handsome as always,” she sighed.

Buzz mixed drinks and Annie accepted one with reluctance.  She hardly ever drank liquor, but tonight was a special occasion.  The conversation was continuous until they reached the Boston City Limit sign on the highway, then they all became lost within their own thoughts.  Annie’s eyes drifted out the tinted window.  The liquor in her belly seemed to magnify her nervousness.

“You’re thinking about him, aren’t you?” Buzz asked in a hushed tone.

Annie jumped at the intrusion to her trance.  “Who?”

“Mike.”

“Maybe.  Why do you ask?”

“I don’t know,” Buzz paused, making sure Gary and Ivory weren’t listening.  “For the record, I think you two make a great couple,” Buzz whispered.

“It doesn’t matter.  We’re not a couple,” Annie replied.

“Oh, I thought…” Buzz’s voice trailed off to silence.

A few minutes later they were pulling up in front of the FleetCenter.

“Check this out!” Ivory screeched.

Before the limousine had come to a complete stop, an attendant was opening the door.  Light quickly spilled into the backseat.  All four occupants sat frozen in their places.  Outside, photographers waited along with hundreds of screaming Thrust fans.  Red felt ropes hung from brass supports in an effort to hold the crowds at bay.  A royal blue carpet ran from the entrance of the FleetCenter and down to the curb.  The scene was reminiscent of stars arriving at an Oscar Award Show.  Except they weren’t stars.

Gary stepped out first and camera flashes illuminated the night.  Ivory and Buzz followed with Annie at their heels.  All of them were speechless, mouths gaping in awe of what they were witnessing.  Nothing had prepared them for this - not even in their wildest dreams.

“This way please,” the uniformed doorman instructed, opening the door to the FleetCenter.

Inside the lobby there were more security ropes directing them down a gauntlet toward a greeting area.  They were being led to an area in which they were to meet Brian Lofgren and Michael before being directed into the press room to wait for the show.  Behind the ropes were more photographers.

The four of them clung together closely and waited in line with the other finalist bands.  Seven more people arrived behind them.  The line moved slowly.  Annie’s hands began to sweat.  Finally the line rounded a corner.

“Wow, that’s Brian Lofgren and Mike up there,” Buzz reported.

Annie’s heart began to pound.  She fought the urge to run back to the door.  Then she saw Sammy grinning ear to ear at her.  Two strides later and he was at her side, taking her by the hands and holding them outwards as if to dance.

“Ooooh, sweet Jesus, Girl,” he cheered, then pressed his face to her cheek to speak privately.  “When I suggested you dress sexy to drive Mike crazy, I didn’t mean dress to kill him!  That poor bastard won’t be able to perform once he sees you,” he said, chuckling loudly.