Part 24.

With Haley and Britt occupying both the downstairs showers, I went to the one upstairs.  I had soap, shampoo, and towels up there.  When I got out of the shower to dry off, I realized what I did not have was a change of clothes.  Those were down stairs.  I had been so preoccupied thinking about the girls I hadn’t even thought about cloths.  I wrapped the towel around my waist and headed down the stairs and towards my bedroom. 

I was walking across my bedroom to my walk in closet when the bathroom door opened.  Haley stepped out.  She too was wrapped only in a towel.  We startled each other.  She regained her wits a hair faster than I did and said “heh you.”  I walked over towards her.  She was tugging on her towel.  Suddenly she dropped it as I approached.  I couldn’t tell if it was an accident or intentional, and I didn’t really care.  Standing in front of her I let my towel drop.  I leaned into her and said “fancy meeting you here” and kissed her.  I forgot all about getting dressed.

Forty minutes later Haley and I walked into the den dressed and ready to leave.  Britt was sitting on the couch.  She said “you two must have had trouble finding your clothes.  It sounded like you had to look under the bed several times to find them.  But it looks like you did.” I looked her in the eyes and replied “yeah, I couldn’t find one of my shoes.”  Britt responded “well, I am glad you found it. Because you owe us a shopping trip.”

Earlier I mentioned all of my neighbors.  And all but one I described who they were and what they did.  All but my buddy’s in-laws, the ones that lived behind me.  They own a little chain of boutique clothing stores.  As I drove the girls to their store in town, I couldn’t help but think about what a coincidence it was.  That I was taking my girls to a store owned by my best friend’s father in law; to buy swim suits; to go to a party at the same best friend’s house.  It seemed like such a coincidence.  Or maybe like fate was intervening.  Or that there was some plan that I didn’t know about.

I had seen and experienced a few amazing marvels in my life prior to taking Britt and Haley shopping for swim suits.  I had seen the Hoover Dam, the Las Vegas strip, New York City and all the Washington monuments among others.  Been to Chicago’s lake front, seen the plains of Wyoming and the buffalo in Montana.  Climbed the steps of ruins in the Yucatán, gotten robbed in Nassau, gotten in a screaming match with a monkey in Costa Rica.  I had experienced sky diving, scuba diving, snowboarding, white water rafting, being caught in a big storm in a small boat 100 miles from land, and had caught multiple blue marlin and other big, mean fish.  I even once punched a 10’ shark in the snout while diving when it started getting too bold, like it wanted a taste test.  But as I watched the girls try on swim suits and model them, I thought this might top all those.  Early on I tapped out of offering my opinion.  I thought they all looked incredible.  Eventually each of the girls settled on one; each the choice of the other.  Like I just said they ALL looked incredible to me. I was conflicted when they each settled on one.  I was happy they each found one they liked.  I was disappointed they were not still trying them on.  I could have sat there forever watching them.

As we walked back to my truck, the girls carrying their bags, I said “one more stop to make.  I need to buy something for me.”  Haley asked me “wah we goin nah?”  I wrapped my arm around her waist as we walked and told her it was a secret. 

Pulling into the only liquor store in town, I said “I need to get something for later.”  I darted inside and quickly found what I was looking for.  I walked out with a bottle wrapped in a brown paper bag.  Before I got in the truck, I opened the back door and handed it to Britt.  I told her “take care of this until we get back home” and winked at her.  As I got back in the driver’s seat Britt said “Patron tequila.  However did you know?  But did it come with a free set of handcuffs?”  I laughed and answered “no, they just ran out of the free handcuffs.  I bet you would love a pair.” 

My response was aimed at Britt.  But she didn’t respond.  Haley however did.  Looking down towards the floorboard she softly said, barely audible, “I would, I would like that.”   I turned towards her, my attention suddenly and completely focused on her.  I noticed the slight blush on her cheeks.  Oh shit….

Part 25.

As I turned into my neighborhood Haley asked “I tha we wah goin to a pahtee?”  I assured her we were, but I needed to grab a few things.  I backed down my drive and opened one of my garage doors.  Once to a stop, I told the girls “I need to load up a few things.  Would ya’ll stick that tequila in the fridge?”  They asked if they needed to go ahead and change.  I told them no, there was a changing room where we were heading.  But I added, if they wanted to, I certainly would not object to seeing them in their new suits again.  They disappeared inside.  I first loaded a plastic tote with electronics, cables, cords, mics, etc.  I then threw in a couple mic stands, speaker stand, and a guitar stand.  Finally I loaded one of my PA speakers in the bed.  I used it a lot for parties and events.  Not just to play through.  I could also use my ipad to do karaoke with it and it was also bluetooth enabled so I could link my phone to it and use it as a house stereo system.  I loaded a cooler in the back too.  I was going to stop and get some beer and ice on the way over.

I closed the garage door and went inside the house.   First I went into the master bath to check on the hot tub.  Everything looked good.  I felt the water temp and felt confident it would be ready by that evening.  I went down the hall, looking for the girls.  They weren’t in the kitchen, but I could see the back of their heads sticking up above the back of the couch.  As I walked in I asked “what do you girls want to drink this afternoon?  Is beer ok, or do you want to mix up something fruity?”  Haley stood up and turned towards me.  She was wearing her new bikini.  My heart fluttered and I stopped in my tracks.  She looked amazing.  As Britt stood I saw she too was also only wearing her bikini.  They were gorgeous.

Haley walked up to me and said “we decided to go ahead and change.  We will throw sundresses on over the top.”  I was a little bit speechless; I guess I get that way sometimes.  I simply told her “you look incredible.  You both do”.  I leaned in and gave Haley a quick kiss on the lips.  They hadn’t answered my question on drinks, so I told Haley “I will make ya’ll a jug of margaritas for the road.  That will be a good warmup for the tequila shots later tonight.”  I winked at her as I turned and headed for the kitchen. 

A few minutes later, Haley and Britt stood in the den, each having thrown a dress over their suits, and each wearing sandals and sunglasses perched on top of their heads.  They were very appropriate poolside outfits.  Haley was holding the jug of margaritas, and a towel.  Britt had a couple of tumblers and a towel as well.  I had one last thing to do.  I grabbed my Taylor guitar and zipped it up in a gig bag.  I looked at my girls and said “let’s hit it.”

As we pulled up my drive Britt was looking at the guitar case in the backseat beside her.  She asked “so you play?  I saw the guitars, but thought they might just be for decoration.  I mean, I see a lot of people with guitars that have no idea what to do with them.”  I answered honestly “well, i kinda play.  At least I try really hard.  You will hear later and can draw your own conclusion.”  She asked “wait, so you are going to play at the party?  In front of everyone?  I would say that qualifies as playing.”  After a second of silence she continued “so, let me get this straight.  You have a hot tub, and you don’t mention it?  You play guitar, and you don’t mention it?  You know, you really aren’t very good at the whole ‘impressing girls thing’.  What else do you do that you haven’t told us about?  Design Saturn rockets on the weekend?”

I laughed and answered “no, no weekend rockets.  And look, I am not trying to impress you.  No, that is not true.  I am trying to impress you, both of you.  But I am not trying to do it with magic tricks and false illusions.  I am not big on trying to trick someone.  I am what I am, and am who I am.”  Haley responded with “that is pretty different.  And actually pretty refreshing.  You seem almost too good to be true.  Please tell me you don’t have bodies buried down in that crawl space.”  I laughed again.

I told her, both of them, “no, no bodies.  I promise.  And as far as the whole impressing girls thing.  I have never used it much.  And when I did, it didn’t work.  I am better off just being honest and myself.”  I then got a little cocky and said “and so far it has worked ok.  I have the two prettiest, sexiest girls I have ever seen riding in the truck with me.  And I didn’t even have to tie them up like usual.”  I looked in the rearview mirror with a big smile on my face , made eye contact with Britt and winked.

As I stood in line at the convenience store waiting to pay for my beer and ice, I sent a group text to some of the guys I knew that would be there.  A couple of them knew about Haley, for some it would be news.  But none had met her yet.  I told them I was bringing my new girlfriend Haley, and her friend Britt over.  I typed that Haley had gotten some orthodontic appliances the day before and was having a little trouble speaking.  I told them to be nice to her.  That everyone had better be nice to her.  They could give me hell I typed. But if anyone was mean or demeaning to Haley there would be hell to pay.  And not long after I hit send, I started to get replies.  And yes, most of them were giving me hell.  I smiled.  If you can’t be mean to your friends, who can you be mean to? 

As we pulled up the long gravel drive I counted 6 trucks and SUVs already there in addition to our host and his wife’s vehicles.  I pulled into the grass, parked and shut the truck off. I saw the crowd, all of whom I recognized, around the pool.  A few waved in our direction.  There was smoke coming out of the grill, and several of the kids were in the pool splashing and playing around.

I hopped out and bellowed “Hey!” in the crowds direction.  I then opened the door for Britt.  As she got out I walked around the back of the truck, dropping the tailgate as I went.  I then opened the door for Haley.  She didn’t get out.  She just sat there looking at all the people inside the fenced in pool area.  I asked her “what is it babe?  See someone you don’t like?”  She said “na, I am ja scared.  Wha ah they gah say abou my lischp?  It is sho ehbarashin.”  I leaned in and hugged her.  And as I held her I assured her “I promise it will be ok.  I bet a bunch won’t even notice it. And if they do they won’t think anything about it.”  I knew this was a white lie, you couldn’t not notice her lisp. “Come on, we will have fun.  All anyone is going to think is ‘damn, she is gorgeous’.”  I released Haley.  She slid out of the passenger seat.  I could still sense her nervousness.  I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and said “come on let me introduce you to some of my friends.”  I dropped my arm from around her shoulder and grabbed her hand and asked “what do you say?”  She looked at me and said “plea jus protec me.”  I wrapped her in a hug “that is all I want to do, as long as you will have me.”  She tried to put a smile on her face, and hand in hand I walked with her towards the gate.

So, I have had an idea for a while.  Probably a really stupid idea.  But, the idea is a sort of multimedia story.  I don't know how to embed videos in a post, or if you even can here.  So, these imgur links will have to suffice.  And imgur seems to cut videos off at the 1 minute mark.  So this is far from perfect.  And this may completely jack the flow of the story up, I don't know.  Let me know if it is horrible or not.  You will need to click on the link and open it in a tab; click on the little speaker icon up in the top right; and hit play.  And yes, it is a black video, so not really a video at all.  I'm not really comfortable showing myself on here.  And for the record, I know the only thing weaker than my playing is my singing. So TRY to enjoy, but I make no promises.

Part 27.

I shut the music off and turned the volume all the way down on the PA.  I slipped my guitar strap over my head; I prefer to play standing up; and plugged in my guitar.  I turned the microphone on, then turned the master volume back up on the PA.  I tinkered with knobs on the back of the speaker, and my guitar, trying to get volume and the mix right.  I said "check, check" into the mic; played a chord; then asked the guys over by the grill what it sounded like.  They said a little more mic.  I finally got a thumbs up.  Everyone here had heard me play except Haley and Britt.  Some turned their attention towards me; some just kept on doing whatever they were doing; tanning, talking, drinking, splashing in the pool.  That is ok, I have played many times when I was just background noise.  At least then, the nerves aren't as bad.  Heck, as long as you don't really butcher it, nobody even realizes when you get a chord progression or lyric wrong.

Since it was just me playing, there was no set list.  I was going to make it up on the fly.  And since I was only going to play an hour, maybe two, I did not need a ton of songs, 20 or 25 would be more than enough.  I did know that today's list of songs was going to lean hard into love song territory.  And I was going to avoid any of my long list of songs about killing someone over a woman or having to kill your woman.  No, today was going to be good ol' sawdust on the floor country songs, love songs and ballads.  This was a decidedly country music listening crowd I knew.  I would also throw in a couple of comedy parody songs, those were always fun and popular.

I started off with a few staples; Long Haired Country Boy, The Ride, and Holy Water.

https://dereferer.me/?https://imgur.com/a/mGNWom8
https://dereferer.me/?https://imgur.com/a/Ejl6l4H
https://dereferer.me/?https://imgur.com/a/uOLvVlv

By the end of the third song, there was a little crowd listening in.  Haley and Britt had both broken off their conversation and had moved chairs over to listen.  So had Holly and Donna.  People that don't play guitar but want to, especially guys, think that a guitar is a magic elixir that will make every woman in the world instantly get naked.  I have found this is far from the truth.  But it does make some of them.  It is much like my interest in braces.  Braces won't make someone instantly attractive to me.  For instance, I give not one care about a guy in braces.  None, regardless of how complex the orthodontics are.  Because I would never be attracted to the guy to start with.  But it does increase the attractiveness of a woman I would be interested in anyway.  It is the same with guitar.  A girl is not going to throw herself at a man because he picks up a guitar.  But for some, like me and braces, it does increase their interest

I don't have many groupies, but Holly and Donna were two of them.  The problem was that they were both married.  I did have a feeling, just from past experience, that I could have had Holly.  But as I said earlier, she was married and I didn't want to be that guy.  Even though I knew her husband had cheated on her in the past.  They had worked it out and stayed together for their kids' sake.  But she had let it be known she would be glad to pay him pack for that past transgression.  With me.  But no matter how lonely I might have been, I had managed to resist.  Now, with Haley in my life, it would be easy.  But I hoped that things wouldn't get awkward, especially as there was a good bit of alcohol flowing this evening.  I tried to put this out of my mind and concentrate.  I need all the concentration I can get when playing.

I do have a bit of stage fright or performance anxiety.  No, it isn't bad in front of a small group I know like this.  But, just like public speaking, it sometimes helps to just focus on one or two people until you get into the groove.  This was easy with Haley sitting in front of me. I might have been playing for everyone, but I was singing to her.  I was planning on taking a little break, so I ended with a little up beat love song, Deeper Than the Holler.  As I sang I maintained eye contact with Haley the whole time.

https://dereferer.me/?https://imgur.com/a/lMAbanH

Finishing the song, 45 minutes and 11 songs in, I told everyone I was going to take a little 5 or 10 minute break.  I unslung my guitar and set it on the stand behind me.  I then hooked the music back up to the speaker so we still had music. I then walked over to get a beer.  Britt and Haley stood and joined me.  Britt was animated as she usually is "DUDE!  You are good!  I can't believe you have hidden this from both of us."  Haley rubbed up against me and said "cah we tah a walk and tah?"  My first thought was 'uh oh, what did I do wrong'.  But I answered "sure babe!"  She took my hand and led me out the gate and toward's my friends house.  I had no idea what was going on.  I asked her "what's up?  Is everything ok?"  She answered "yesh" and then went silent again.  I was still confused as she led me around the backside of the house.  Once out of sight of the pool she stopped.  And she then pinned me against the wall and started kissing me.  As she did she slipped one of her hands up my shirt and rubbed my chest.  We made out for several minutes.  She finally released me.  Then without a word, she turned and walked back towards the pool.  I stood there just a second trying to process what happened.  No, I thought, I don't think I messed up.  And I knew right then what songs I was going to finish up with.

I hurried to catch up with her.  I reached down to take her hand.  She let me grab hold of it and we walked back through the gate hand in hand. 

Once by the pool, Haley disengaged from me and went to Britt.  Britt started animatedly talking, gesturing with her hands, but I couldn't tell what she was saying.  I went and picked up my beer and continued to work on it.  I was thirsty after 45 minutes of singing.  I polished it off quickly and grabbed a second.  As I popped the top one of my married buddy's slid in and said "she is hot.  And sexy.  And she likes you.  What is wrong with her?"  I laughed and said "I don't know.  But I hope I don't screw it up." I took another big gulp and told him "I really like her.  And we seem to click."  As I turned to head back to play he hollered "good luck with that!" and let out a laugh.

As I walked back to my guitar I polished off the beer and tossed it in the trash.  Once I was ready to go again, I launched into a song that always gets a reaction.  Everyone thinks they are about to hear "Amarillo By Morning", but it is so much better than that.  Because who doesn't love to hate armadillos?

https://dereferer.me/?https://imgur.com/a/8AtChYt

I followed that up with Baby Shark.  I LOVE playing that song.  It is mean to do though, because so often it gets stuck in peoples' heads.  And that is why I do it.  But it always gets lots of laughs.  As I played on, I kept a watch on Haley.  She was riveted to me.  And I was riveted to her.  After 7 more songs, I thought it was time to wrap this thing up.  It was getting late, I knew the girls needed to get home to their headgears. 

For my next to last song I played her "A Life Where We Work" out.  Originally it had been a song about two people who's lives didn't work out, the singer contemplating how things would have been different if they had.  But I had changed the lyrics around some so it actually was a song about two people who did spend their lives together, growing old and watching their kids grow up.  It was bold, but I felt it was appropriate.  It matched what I was feeling inside my heart.

https://dereferer.me/?https://imgur.com/a/CKLPgMh

My final song was one that I don't sing particularly well.  But the words and story it tells are amazing.  "If We Were Vampires" contemplates love and mortality; of spending the rest of your life with someone; a sad song but one of eternal love.  I sang it to Haley.

https://dereferer.me/?https://imgur.com/a/mxMK7E9

Once I finished I saw a tear roll down her face.  Yes, I think it is time to go home.

I actually like the new additions of the audio. I read it all and then listened to it all and enjoyed it. When I did it that way, I felt it added too much. I then ended listening it as I came across it and it was less enjoyable, purely because it slowed down the scene.

PS: is that you? The voice sounded similar in all of them. Because if it is, you’ve got a damn good voice, and play the guitar well too. I also liked the changes to that one song.

This is the real “If We Were Vampires”.  My little butchering of it was to keep it under 1 minute.

Incredible lyrics.  Written to his wife, who is the woman singing with him. 

https://dereferer.me/?https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ivYkyC8J29M&pp=ygUTaWYgd2Ugd2VyZSB2YW1waXJlcw%3D%3D

Your stories are great and interesting to read. It just takes me longer, because I have to translate everything into German first, so that I understand it better.

Part 29.

I walked across the room and said “Hello!  Heather?”  She looked up smiling around her facebows.  She asked “yes, may I help you?”  I said “Rob Dawson.  We went to high school together.  It’s been over 10 years.  Good to see you!  How have you been?”  For the next few minutes we caught up.  She told me about her husband and that she was now a stay at home mom caring for their two children, aged 4 and 6.  She then rubbed her belly and said “and number three will be here before we know it.”  I had not noticed early, but she was just starting to show.  She then asked “so, I assume you are a patient here?  You getting orthodontic care?”  I explained no, I was just here for a cleaning and checkup, and to see about getting an appliance for my snoring.  I told her it was actually my first time here.  As we spoke Heather seemed completely at ease and used to her headgear.  She said “well, I am sure they can fix you right up.  They have done wonders for me.  I didn’t wear my retainers and my teeth shifted.  Obviously I have braces.  And this super snazzy headgear.  I am hoping I get some good news today.”  She had just started to open her mouth to say something else when Emily stuck her head out into reception and announced “Mrs. Fortner?  Dr. Sanders is ready for you.”  Emily had her hair up and I noticed she was wearing hot pink headgear straps.  They looked really cute, much less boring than the black straps she had on when I had previously seen her.  Heather got up, saying to me as she left “it was great to see you!  And good luck with your appointment.  And wish me luck!  Maybe I can get this off” as she gestured to the Interlandi headgear encircling her head. 

I didn’t have to wait long myself.    Just a minute or two later Britt stuck her head out and said “Mr. Dawson, please come with me.”  I got up and walked over to her.  I asked “what is this Mr. Dawson business?”  She replied “hey I am the utmost professional here at work.  And yelling out ‘Hey Goober, get your butt back here’ might leave a bad impression with other patients.  So come on Goober, get your butt back here” and laughed.  As I followed her I asked “so, how you been?  And hows the whole headgear at work thing treating you?  Can Haley and I expect the complaining to lessen any?”  She lightly punched me in the arm and said “why don’t you try wearing it for 18 hours a day.  Then we will see how much YOU complain.”  I said “fair enough.  But you know some have it tougher.  I ran into Heather Fortner out in the waiting room.”  Britt replied “yeah, I saw her come by and I said hello.  She is having her adjustment now; Emily is actually assisting her.”

After Britt had taken my x-rays she led me to the treatment area.  It was a large area, with a dozen chairs aligned in a row; facing out towards a large window that ran across the room.  It appeared the facility used the same common treatment area for orthodontic and general dentistry treatment.   I drew that conclusion because 5 other chairs were occupied.  Britt had seated me in the first chair in the row.  In the furthest chair from me, Heather Fortner was reclined back while Dr. Sanders made some type of adjustments to her headgear.  Based on the grimace on her face it did not look like it was comfortable.  One other thing I immediately noticed was what was on Dr. Sander’s face.  While she was wearing a face covering her facemask was very visible; the silver bar emerging from behind her mask, anchored to the purple floral pad that rested on her forehead.  It trapped her thick lensed black frame glasses to her face; I wondered if she was able to take them off without removing the mask.

One chair closer to me sat another patient.  Hovering over her was my Haley.  She was intently working, applying a teal powerchain to the middle aged ladies upper arch.  Haley had not noticed me yet, and I did not want to interrupt here.  I was simply enjoying watching her work when Britt snapped me back to attention.  She said “Dr. Palmer will be with you in a minute” and walked over towards the sink and started mixing some kind of goop.  In other chairs between me and Haley were three other patients.  Two appeared to be having an orthodontic adjustment, the fifth appeared to simply be undergoing a scalling as I could hear the pick scraping across the man’s teeth.

I watched Haley as she finished up the powerchain.  Next she picked up a silver facebow and showed it to the patient.  She inserted the facebow into the woman’s mouth, checking the fit.  She pulled it out, made a few adjustments with her pliers, and reinserted it.  She left it installed in her mouth this time.  She next held up a selection of cervical headgear straps; pink, blue, red, white and black.  The woman picked black; it matched the color of her hair.  As Haley attached the strap, I noticed it blended in well, though the white perforated plastic strips coming off the release modules were very visible.  As I watched I thought ‘maybe going to the dentist isn’t that bad’.