Darren explained to Ronny how to get to one of the campsites around the creek.It was private enough for Jesse not to be spotted.“Thanks.This town is a great place for Jesse to blow off steam.As long as you guys keep your mouth closed about his whereabouts, he will be safe,” Ronny said like he was attempting to convince himself more than anything.
“Do you guys all live in this tiny peach town?”Jesse asked.
“Everyone except Penny.She comes in the summer with her family,” Darren said.
“This town has charm, that’s for sure, but it is just a getaway.Living here would be too quiet for me,” Jesse remarked.
“Sir, I'm trying to stay cool.We know who you are.I cannot lie to one of my idols,” Darren admitted.
“Ah, that’s too bad.Sometimes it’s nice to be a nobody.At least you have good taste.If you dig music, we live for the same reason.People who live for music are different.”
“I, for one, don't know much about you, Jesse.I listen to pop more than rock.Darren and Penny love rock, though.They obsess over your songs all the time,” Betsy said.
Thomas gave her a side look.He understood subtlety, even when Betsy did not.
“Darren loves the drums on your tracks.He plays pretty well when he practices,” Thomas added.
“Really?Drummers can be great, but sometimes they can get on your nerves.Keith, our drummer for the Matches, was great until he got an ego.The asshole thinks he deserves more.Ron, he gets me.He told me to pack up my stuff and come here so I could think.Do you ever just need to get away to think?”
“I do all the time.I am the oldest of seven siblings, and my dad’s a preacher.The chaos keeps me alive.Penny taught me how to live in the quiet, though,” Darren revealed.
“I don’t talk much about my personal life to the magazines or the fans.I will give you the inside scoop, since you are helping me out.My old man was a hard ass, too, so I can relate.”
Betsy and Thomas started talking to each other in muffled, flirtatious voices.
Jesse motioned toward them.“New lovers?”
We nodded.“I got one, too.I picked her up before we left the city.”He hollered, “Hey, Sweet thang in the back.Come on out here and meet my new friends!”
The woman stumbled down the hallway onto Jesse’s lap.She had darker skin, black curly hair, and bright green eyes.“Hello, beautiful babies.It’s nice to meet you.I am glad Jesse invited you to camp with us.The more the merrier,” she said, kissing him passionately.
The airstream stopped with a screech.
I pulled back the curtain and saw the familiar campsite.Darren had directed them to the spot where James and I liked to go fishing and where I had met my friends all those years ago.It had a fire pit, two picnic tables, an outside grill, and a small dock to swim or fish from.
Jesse jumped up and kicked the door open.He drank a generous amount of air and said, “This is a superb location to plant our roots!Thank you, Darry!You folks have to stay here for a while.Ron!Start a campfire.”
