Chapter Thirty-Four
An End of an Era
Song: Make Your OwnKind Of Music—Cass Elliot
August 1st, 1975
The band joined us on the stage by plopping their bottoms onto the smooth black floor.Tonya sat next to me, Keith sat next to Darren, and Jesse and Mason sat on opposite ends from each other.
“That was a great show.Thanks for playing all of James’s favorites,” I said.
“Keith put the setlist in order, so thank him,” Jesse replied.
“Well, everything you did was incredible.I can’t believe we will have over three thousand dollars.”
“We wanted to thank you.You helped us put some things into perspective, Penny,” Mason added.
I didn’t do anything other than write a stupid letter, get a job at a store, and barely get by.I couldn’t imagine that I actually helped the famous Jesse Young and The Matches.
“How did I help you?I think I did more harm than good,” I admitted.At the beginning of the summer, I didn’t know who I was.I wasn’t sure what was right or wrong.I still didn’t know how to approach things when they turned from black and white to gray.I didn’t know what to believe in.I knew I wanted to be nicer to people.I wanted to remind everyone I loved that they were worthy because I never knew what someone was going through.I planned to call my sister and grandma when I got home; they needed me, too.
“You helped me realize I have a problem and needed to return to my roots.We used to work so well as a band, and I lost that,” Jesse said as he twiddled his thumbs back and forth.Saying something out loud made it real, and I knew how grueling it could be.
“Everyone has faults,” Darren said, squeezing my hand.Squeezes were Darren and I’s secret language.We talked through the tiny pinches of our flesh.It was true.Everyone had their own issues and problems; sometimes, you just had to look closer to see them.
“So, what now?”Keith asked.
“Well, school starts soon for me, and my momma will get to go to beauty school, thanks to all of you,” I informed them.
“I have to head back to Moose Creek, but Tammy gave me a job at the Peach Pot to save money to come see you.She wants to spend more time with Paul, and I want to spend less time babysitting.These guys gave me a large chunk of cash from contributing to the song, so I will be back soon enough.”Darren grinned.
Regardless of Moose Creek not being my summer home anymore, Darren was.Wherever Darren was, I would be, and wherever I went, he went.Our hearts were intertwined like all the numerous parts of a song.
“I am retiring,” Jesse announced.
“Retiring?What do you mean you are retiring?”I asked.
“I need to step away from rock n’ roll for a while.I already talked to the band, and it’s a good time to take a break.”
“What about touring for your new single?You can’t give up,” I pleaded.
