Sequel Book Excerpt: Cole Bay Band

They both listened to the track without saying anything else. When it finished, Jimmy drained his glass; his departure was imminent. Lori tried to think of something to say to get him to stay here with her longer.

“Why do you drink so much?” she said, instantly realizing it was the worst come-hither line in the history of womanhood.

He set the glass down and leaned on the counter. She did the same, hoping his response would not be too brutal and scathing.

“I have dreams,” he said, “and demons too. When I’m asleep, the demons fade and the dreams come alive. Most days I prefer the world of my dreams. That’s why I’m always a little anxious to get there at the end of the night. Someday my dreams will become my reality…that is the plan anyway."

.

“How can you not enjoy every waking moment in a place like this?” she said incredulously.

“Oh, this…this is just a place. Geography alone doesn't do it for me.”

“What does do it for you Jimmy?” Lori surprised herself with this comeback.

This is where you are supposed to kiss me Moron! Don’t make me do it!

Jimmy leaned even closer and Lori let her lips part slightly so she could exhale quietly. He looked deeply into her eyes without blinking.

“Recognition,” he said simply, “I want to go all the way…and by the way, that is exactly what I should be doing right now. My master calls.” He started to stroke her hair, but thought better of it and gave her head a playful rub.

“G’night Star.” Daddies got to go back to the office now.”

“Good meeting,” she said. Jimmy stopped in his tracks, turned around, and smiled.

“Yeah, it was, wasn't it?”

He closed the door behind him and Lori emptied the last of the wine into her glass

.

Could’a been a lot better Jimmy-boy. If only you knew.

She left her robe on the stool and walked towards the patio door to look out at the rain. The droplets created circular mini-waves that spread the underlying lights out like rings of florescent fire. She closed her eyes and listened to the rhythm of the storm, taking in the tranquility of the night. When she opened them again, she saw herself in the reflection of the glass, blackened by the night. Lori was surprised at how different she looked from that day upstairs in her mother’s house just a few weeks earlier.

“And he thinks I’m gay!” she said to herself as she went into her room and crawled into bed.

A half-hour later, Jimmy reopened the front door and went back to where they were previously seated. He spotted the robe and lifted it from the stool. Looking over at Lori’s closed door, and hearing no sound of movement or music, he quietly set it down and went back to the guardhouse.

You are such a dumbass! he lamented as he flopped into bed.