Days of Darkness

Chapter 56

Actually," I said, making sure my smile accented the words, "it was nice. I like your family." Teegan laughed unexpectedly.

"I think they liked you better than me," Teegan joked. I started the car, pleased with her humor. It wasn't true, but it was good to know that they liked me.

We traveled with few words. My brain was seizing up on discussion topics beyond school. After we had discussed the study group coming up, I turned on some music to fill the void. Teegan was comfortable with the silence. Asking her to the prom was the only thing in my head, and I was at a loss on how to bring it up. I knew we needed more conversation. Going to the prom together would require that we could hold a conversation. I decided to be honest, which was probably stupid.

"I can't think of anything to say," I said, looking ahead down the road. At least my eyes had something to do.

"Do you think we need to talk?" Teegan asked.

"Yes," I replied, "the silence seems wrong." I began to wish I had stuck with the silence.

"Maybe, I don't want to talk with you," Teegan said. I looked over in shock. She wore a large smile that went all the way to her eyes. I looked back to the road feeling my lips curling.

"You had me for a second," I admitted. Why did I enjoy her playing with me?

"You're easy to tease," Teegan said nicely. "You'll get better with practice." I looked over to find that smile aimed at me again. There was pride in it.

"You plan on teaching me?" I asked.

"Every chance I get," Teegan laughed. "Your cheeks blush, and you get a panicked look on your face. It shouldn't be fun, but it is."

"I guess you're right," I said, attempting humor, "it's hard for me to understand the weaker minds." I looked over and found her looking away, her hand near her eyes. I looked back at the road in a panic. "I...I'm sorry," I stammered, "I was trying to be funny." I couldn't believe I started this conversation. I looked back to find her trying to stifle a laugh.

"You're way too easy," Teegan said. This time, I laughed.

"I am driving, you know," I pointed out. "You're one heart attack away from a hospital bed."

"Are you threatening me?"

"Absolutely," I replied. "This is a tease-at-your-own-risk zone." I loved the way she smiled. I wished it were more for me than the humor.

Teegan did something I would have trouble duplicating. She changed the conversation without it feeling weird. We moved into movies and harmless gossip. It was effortless for her. Once done, it was easy to build off what she had started. I played with steering the conversation and she flowed along with me. After a while, I forgot that I was trying to talk and just talked. Time flew by and we arrived at the club before I had a chance to ask her to the prom.

"So this is where you're going to play," Teegan said as we walked toward the front door. It was a small venue called 'Tangerines.' It had an orange awning over a double glass front door. Probably an old factory, it had a solid brick facade with alcoves where windows once resided. On each side of the entrance stood bars as thick as my arm that ran from the sidewalk and curved into the side of the building. Mounted along the bars were small orange ball lights as if tangerines grew on vines. It must be impressive at night.

"This is it," I agreed. "I hope you're not too bored while we practice. The start is still a few hours off."

"I'll be fine," Teegan said with a smile. I could see some excitement in her eyes. She was enjoying the idea of the concert. I hoped the reality was as satisfying as the dream. Politely, I got to the door first and opened it for her. I received a timid 'thank you' with an equally timid smile. I maneuvered myself and my violin case in behind her. Our eyes needed time to adjust to the darkened lighting inside.

"Caleb!" was shouted from across the room. I smiled, recognizing Tom's voice. Without thinking, I took Teegan's hand in mine and swerved between the many tables toward the voice. I could feel her hand adjusting in mine, settling in like the last time. As we neared, our vision improved and I saw Tom and the rest of the band sitting at a table right in front of the small stage, just to left of an equally small dance floor. I reluctantly released Teegan's hand when we neared. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were being followed.

"They're with us Matt," Tom said. I turned around to see a rather large black man dressed all in black, his shirt sporting the Tangerines logo. He smiled which turned his ominous presence into a friendly one.

"Walk away from the front for just a second," Matt said, "and the whole world sneaks in." He moved closer. "You two have ID?"

"Yes," Teegan answered, unfazed by the man's size, "but we're not 21. I just came to see Caleb play." I liked how she smiled at me when she said it.

"Not a problem," Matt said. "I just have to put white bands on your wrists. Got to stay legal." It took him a moment to fix the bands around our wrists. We received a quick lecture about being thrown out if we were seen with alcohol or attempting to acquire it. "That small bar over there," Matt said as he pointed off to the side, next to the restroom sign, "is alcohol-free. That's where you go for drinks and snacks. No white bands are allowed at the main bar, only red bands." He pointed to the other side of the room where a bar stretched along almost the entire wall.

"I think we have it," I said. Teegan nodded in agreement.

"Good," Matt said, "then you two have fun. It's a great night for a date." He turned away before I had a chance to correct him. Teegan smirked at me. At least, she wasn't opposed to Matt thinking it was a date. I shrugged my shoulders and let him go unaware. If Teegan didn't mind, neither did I.

Tom introduced his band. The drummer Alfred had hair and beard like ZZ Top. A Native American beaded band was wrapped tight around his beard at his waist. I guessed it was to keep it out of the drums. The lead guitarist, Zachary, was tall like Gene, but bald and skinny. When he smiled, there wasn't a tooth hidden. He reminded me of an Igor-like character. The bass guitarist was heavy like Tom. Not fat, just carrying extra weight that announced a lack of exercise. Unlike Tom, Ray had all the color in his hair, a bright red that curled naturally. Tom's was a silver gray that fit his face well.

"This is Teegan," I said, as we were all making the rounds shaking hands.

"Hi," Teegan said excitedly. She was impressed with meeting the band. I was impressed with myself, bringing her here the first time we were alone together. Normally, I would have fumbled through a cheap dinner and a movie. Of course, then it would have been a date. This was infinitely safer.

"Caleb," Tom said with surprise in his voice, "you didn't tell me she was a stunner." Teegan lit up and my face heated. I tried to remember what I told Tom on the phone about her. I was so excited that Teegan was coming, I might have said more than I intended. "When he asked about a ticket for a friend, I never thought it was a woman. I must say, you brighten this place up like the sun."

"Stop flirting, old man." Teegan and I turned to see an older woman, contemporary to Tom, dressed in jeans with her hands on her hips. She had a smile on her face that contradicted her tone. Her eyes were younger than the crows feet at the edges of them. Her hair was laid long in blond waves whose color also defied her years. Tom laughed and walked around us.

"Caleb, Teegan, this is the most beautiful ball and chain in the world," Tom announced. "Wendy, my wife and flirt detector." He wrapped his hands around her waist and kissed her cheek.

"Nice to meet you, Wendy," I said. Teegan followed suit and we pulled up a few more chairs around the table. Wendy sat next to Teegan, and they started chatting as Tom and I started talking about the song we were going to do. The rest of the band was curious about the tune; Alfred even offered some percussion. The song would fail with drums, but I didn't need to decline. Tom was adamant that only he and I would perform it.

"You want to practice a bit?" Tom asked. "We can nail down the timing." It was a question, but I knew the only answer was yes. It's why I had come early.

"Hell, yes," I replied. I looked to Teegan, "You going to be alright for a bit?"

"Sure," Teegan replied.

"About two blocks down," Wendy interjected, "there's an old merchant district. It's got some unique stores. Why don't you and I go window shopping while these guys practice?"