“Don’t Tell Me Twice”: Chapter Sixteen

Buck stood on stage and squinted through the bright lights, trying to find Olive. However, the light was too bright, and she could only see shadows of faces. Buck beckoned to a nearby security guard to escort her into the crowd and signaled for the band to begin playing before she left the stage. Buck walked through the crowd, looking for Olive amidst the thousands of screaming fans.

Eventually, she spotted the other woman standing in a back corner and walked over to her. Olive’s face instantly turned into one of surprise as Buck approached her, and Buck sang the lyrics of the song loud, determined to grab the other woman’s attention. As Buck sang, she thought that she saw a compassionate countenance overcome her former flame. Buck wanted so badly to get Olive’s attention and to show her that she was still in love with her, but as Buck got to the middle of the song, Olive grimaced and turned around to walk away, causing a chaotic response from the crowd of people around them. Buck started after her, but security stopped her, and she was escorted back onto the stage.

Buck was devastated at Olive’s reaction, and to make matters worse, she had stopped singing, which resulted in confused responses from the crowd. Buck was back on stage now, and the crowd was roaring for the band play their next song, but somehow, Buck couldn’t find her voice. She looked back at the band, not knowing what to do or how to handle her defeated state.

Ziggy looked back, noticing her discomfort and walked up to her, handing Buck her guitar. “I got this,” she said, a sympathetic look on her face. “Just play. I’ll sing.”

Buck nodded and began to play the next song, listening as Spike and Jemma followed suit. She was in no condition to sing after her rejection from Olive, and she was thankful that Ziggy had stepped in.

Buck finished the set, using the guitar to express the painful emotions that she was feeling. She thought that she knew Olive, and she thought performing the song for the other woman and confessing her love in front of the crowd would make Olive run back into her arms. When it didn’t, it left Buck broken and hurt. The gesture was her final attempt to win Olive’s love and get her back. She had promised herself that. Now, it really was time to move on. The band, currently backstage, tending to their instruments, was getting ready to board the bus and journey to another city, and Buck was going to use that trip to let go of the past and move into the future.

“Ready to board?” a security guard asked the group, only to be followed by a series of agreeable responses.

Buck followed the band as they exited the concert venue and crowd outside. Though she was sad, she managed to force a smile and wave to her fans as she walked through the mass of individuals, but once she had boarded the bus, she let down her guard and traveled to her bunk. Buck took out her phone, noticing a series of missed calls displayed across her screen, all from her mother. She hit call back and waited for someone to pick up on the other end. The phone didn’t even get through one ring before her mother answered, asking her a series of questions as she did.

“Mom, slow down,” Buck replied. “What are you asking me? Is everything okay?”

“Yes, all is fine here, but what about you?” her mother inquired. “I saw the concert on television, and they replayed the part where you were singing for Olive, and she left in the middle of the song. How are you? You must be crushed. I told you I didn’t like her.”

“Mom, I’m fine,” Buck replied.

“Don’t lie to me,” her mother said. “Beatrice Alice, I’m your mom. I know you.”

“Really, it’s fine,” Buck insisted, embarrassed that her mother had used her full name. Most people just called her Buck, and not many people knew her real name.

“I hope so,” her mother continued.

“I am,” Buck confirmed. “I don’t want you to be worried about me.”

“I’m always worried about you,” her mother responded. “That’s just what moms do. They worry.”

“Well, stop,” Buck laughed.

“It’s not that easy,” her mother replied. “Anyway, I have another question for you. I saw in the magazines that you were dating another gal. She looked like a cutie. Who is she, and why didn’t you tell me about her?”

Buck slapped her hand to her head. “That’s Ziggy, mom,” she replied. “And we’re not dating. She’s the new lead guitarist.”

“Well, if I were you, I’d give that woman a chance. She can’t be any worse than Olive. Besides, it wouldn’t hurt you to get out and have some fun. You’re young.”

“Well, you never know,” Buck said, rolling her eyes. “Maybe, I will.”

“Good, honey. Good for you,” her mother said, perking up. “Maybe, going out with somebody new will help you move on.”

“Maybe,” Buck said, shaking her head.

“Well, I have to go fix your dad some supper, but try to feel better. There’s a lot of beautiful things in life, so don’t let the one bad situation with Olive get you down.”

“I won’t,” Buck said. The two exchanged goodbyes, and Buck hung up the phone.

Buck laid back on her bed and closed her eyes. The situation with Olive had been hard on her, and her life was changing so fast. She needed a moment to ponder her current situation.

“Who was on the phone?” a familiar voice asked.

Buck jerked up suddenly, hitting her head on the top bunk. When the stars had left her eyes, she blinked a couple of times, bringing Ziggy’s face into focus. The other woman was hovered over her at this point, carefully looking at her head.

“Are you okay?” Ziggy asked, concerned.

“Yes, I’m fine,” Buck said.

“Who was on the phone?” Ziggy asked again, giving her space.

“My mom,” Buck said. “You know you’re kind of nosey. No offense.”

“Sorry,” Ziggy blushed. “I came to check on you after what happened at the concert, and when I heard you laughing on the phone, I was curious.”

“It’s okay,” Buck told her. “I’m just in a bad mood.”

“I get it,” Ziggy replied. “What Olive did to you was low. She could have at least let you finish the song.”

“She made her choice,” Buck said. “Now, it’s time to move on.”

“Fair enough,” Ziggy replied. “Why don’t you come dancing with us tonight?”

“Dancing?” Buck inquired. “Where did that come from?”

“Spike suggested it,” Ziggy told her.

“We have a gig in Seattle tomorrow. Who has time for dancing?”

“We all do,” Ziggy replied. “Besides, Portland isn’t that far from Seattle, and Spike says that she knows a cozy bar about twenty minutes outside of the city.”

“Well, I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to get out,” Buck admitted, thinking a little fun might be just what she needed.

“We might as well have a little fun while we are on tour,” Ziggy said. “We will be traveling for quite some time. Why not make the best of it?”

“You’re right,” Buck agreed. “It’s better than sitting her sulking, and it will give me a chance to show you my dance moves.”

“We’ll see,” Ziggy said, with a wink.