“Clubbing?” Teri was curled up in the back of the bus. She’d gotten up, put on comfy clothes, ate a yogurt parfait from their fridge, and was warming up with a cup of hot chocolate. She was happy that they had a good machine on board that made a fresh cup on demand. She’d slept in and simply moved from her hotel over to the bus to veg. They’d finished playing last night, but she was still tired when she woke. She’d gotten a hot shower and cleaned up but wasn’t ready for Prime Time.
“Yep. You know Travis, right?” Tiffany had a grin on her face and mischief in her eyes.
“Sure. Six-one, broad shoulders and chest, curly brown ponytail, and hazel eyes.”
“Uh, hazel eyes, huh.” Tiffany’s smile grew bigger.
“What?” Teri was not quite following Tiffany’s thinking and knew she was laughing at her. Her first impulse was to throw something at her just to get that grin off her face, but she held back, knowing that she was just tired.
“You’re paying close attention to those men, girly. And only girls describe eyes as being hazel. You’re getting girly, girly, girly.”
Teri stopped being angry and realized that she was being played. She shrugged. “If the high heel fits, ya gotta wear it! But what’s all this excitement about clubbing?”
Tiffany stopped and looked carefully. “Have you ever been clubbing?”
Teri shook her head. “The one time you initiated me into the Wildcats, and I got my tattoo. We went clubbing that night. But that was a hazy experience.”
Tiffany laughed. “Hard to believe that I was more sober than you were that night. So, we’re going clubbing after we play at the House of Blues in Detroit tonight. Your new boyfriend, Travis, is from Detroit and said The Bath House stays open until four in the morning! He was raving about it.”
Teri blurted out, “Is he going?”
“Ooh, we just got somebody’s attention. Who finally woke up on the right side of the couch. He is cute. Good body, too. But sleeping with the help is not good for an eighteen-year-old.”
Teri was shocked that the conversation went from idle thoughts to serious. “I’m not planning on sleeping with anyone. I’m meeting up with Jenn when we get to Chicago, and we have Sunday off. Maybe a little catching up.”
Tiffany was making herself a cup of coffee. “I know. Did you look at the schedule? We’re working four and five days a week for the rest of the month.”
“I saw that and asked Richard. He did point out that we have a whole week off from the tour at the beginning of July. That’s cool.”
Tiffany was nodding. “Sure. I’ve already told Mike to clear his calendar. We’re going somewhere.”
“Not hanging with family on the Fourth?”
“We decided to celebrate Independence Day another time cause this little darling needs to hump her boyfriend in an exotic location.”
Teri thought about Jenn's once-mentioned Tahiti. She decided to do a Google search and found that the flight was fifteen hours from O’Hare. She also realized that they could be in Hawaii in nine hours. After that, she had a big grin on her face and thought about surprising her. Maybe a call to feel her out was in order before she purchased first-class tickets and a hotel.
As Tiffany was walking away, another thought came to her mind. “Hey, Tiffany. What do you wear to go clubbing?”
Tiffany grinned. “Something tight, sexy, comfortable, and it’s gotta breathe. And hot shoes that won’t hurt your feet.”
Teri tried to think about that list. “Would you be changing after the show before we go out?”
Tiffany shrugged. “Nah. Stage sweaty translates to club sweaty. Probably not. Just picking something out that makes me the center of attention.”
Teri laughed. “Everything you wear!”
As Tiffany walked off, she looked, shook her hips, and said, “Duh!”
“Hey!”
Tiffany stopped and sighed. “What, Little?” She pretended to look at a non-existent watch on her wrist and tapped the non-existent face. “You get one more question, 'cause I’ve got places to go and people to see.” With that, she jumped on the couch next to her and snuggled in with her.
Tiffany looked her in the eyes. “You’re adorable when you have that sleepy look. Remind me to wake up next to you the first chance I get.”
Teri laughed and leaned in so they were touching. “What kind of club is named The Bath House?”
Tiffany nuzzled her neck. “The bad kind, honey. You gotta look up a bath house in your Google. No club is for church-going, God-fearing people. Clubs are for sinners. Kinda like Hell with air conditioning and better music.”

Teri watched her walk off, dancing as she went. She realized she didn’t know the first thing about dancing but knew she could bounce up and down with the music forever. She started flashing on being groped by strangers but took a deep breath knowing she wasn’t going alone.

Music blasting,
Lights flashing,
People jumping up and down

Music spinning
Non-stop dancing
Joy happens all around

Bodies crashing
toes get stepped on
Random hands start groping

Sweating, laughing
Spinning round
As alcohol clouds your mind

Next day headache
Bloodshot brain
Start all over again

“Hey!”
“Rock Star! How’s my baby?”
“Countin’ the days til I can see you.”
Teri heard a pause.
“Uh. I wasn’t going to say this over the phone, but there’s no easy way to break it to you.”
Teri felt her pulse quicken and the ‘what-ifs’ started her heart racing. She heard her voice crack and croaked out, “What?”
Jenn sounded concerned. “Uh, I decided to marry Tony. He came out to visit and swept me off my feet. I couldn’t help myself, Rock Star. You know. He’s so bright and caring. I’m sorry.”
Teri suddenly knew that this was Jenn’s tease and decided that two can play that game. “Oh, I guess I should congratulate the two of you and hope you find happiness together. I guess I’ll have to find somebody else to go to Hawaii with me, the first week in July. Maybe Don will want to go.”
Teri counted to five before Jenn shouted, “Hawaii!”
“Uh-huh. The band is off for a week and Tahiti is just too far to go for just a week. Shame I’ve got these first-class tickets and a place to stay and all. But maybe my boy will keep me company. Maybe we can double date when we get back.”
“Teri! Hawaii! Oh, wow!”
“Oh. You sound excited. Is that where you’re going with Tony on your honeymoon? I would have thought it would be someplace cheesier, like driving a rental car to Las Vegas.”
“Really? We’re going to Hawaii?”
“Yeah. The band’s still out in the Midwest so I thought Chicago to Hawaii in nine hours. But maybe I can get two more tickets and another room for you guys. Maybe that would be my wedding gift to the happy couple. I better cut this short and try to call the travel agency. Bye.” She hung up and wondered how long it would take to be called back.

Two minutes later, her phone rang. “Well, hi Jenn. How ya doin'?”
“Dammit, Teri. You’re no fun. All I’ve been thinking about for the past four days is how much I miss you. I don’t like sleeping by myself.”
“Me either. And when Tiffany and I were talking about our week off, she said that she and Mike were going away. I immediately thought of treating you to Tahiti, but like I said, a week won’t cut it. I was thinking that maybe after Labor Day and the Central Park concert, we could take some serious time away. By then, I’ll have money to burn and be burned out, too.
“Uh, Rock Star, how about my college classes? I’m supposed to start Freshman orientation at the end of August.”
“Okay. I guess I could ask Don. I don’t know what his plans are.”
“Stop it. My classes end early in December and don’t start up until February. Plenty of time to shower me with love.”
“I like showering you with hugs and kisses. And you know, I’ll have a hotel room when we get to Chicago.”
“I was hoping to fool around with you in your big bus. Close those curtains and do it while everyone is walking around.”
“Hmm. Got some long weeks ahead in the Mid-West. I can smuggle you aboard, and you can live in my little bunk. Sneak out when everyone is gone. You can be the bus ghost.”
“Now you’re talking. Groupie on a bus. Like that movie, “Almost Famous.”
“My favorite is “Streets of Fire.” I own a DVD of that. It’s so good.”
“You could afford a whole collection of DVDs now.”
“Uh-huh. I’m doing that with vinyl.”
“Wish I was rich like you.”
“You can be. Do you have a checking account?”
“Yeah. A little one that my mom opened for me.”
“I’ll write you a check when I see you in Chicago and you can be rich, too. How much do you need to be rich?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never thought about it.”
“How’s fifty thousand?”
“What? You’re crazy!”
“That’s less than a quarter of what I’ve got. And in September I’ll have a million dollars more. Then you can be richer.”
“Teri, I’m looking forward to seeing you. It’s so weird that I just can’t be with you. That makes me want you more.”
When they were done saying their goodbyes, Teri called their travel agent back in Allentown and got round-trip first-class tickets on a direct flight to Hawaii. They’d fly out of Chicago on July 1st early in the morning. After the lady on the phone confirmed the return date and said she’d get the best ocean view and optional activities to take advantage of during the day.
Then, Teri went to find Richard who could tell him about their venue.
“It seats five thousand, and you sold out two nights. Because this is a long week and you’re performing for five nights, you’ll get an opening act. They’re called the D City Band. Bill Wiggins wants them to open both nights. I think he’s thinking about signing them for Warners. They go on at eight and play until nine-thirty. You go on after that and stop at eleven thirty. A two-hour show only. You have five shows this week and four next week and four the following week. I’m not keen on stretching you and the band. I don’t want to see fatigue and remember you’ll get July 1st through the 7th off. No tour for a week.”
Teri saw all the Cats for dinner at six. She was all excited because their chef had grilled portobello mushroom burgers with all the fixings. Naturally, they all poured Heinz Ketchup on their burgers and sweet potato fries.
Lisa watched her sister add red onion, local tomatoes, relish, and a touch of mayo then stare at the results. Lisa laughed and grabbed it off of her plate. “Thanks, little sister. That’s just the way I like it.”
Teri watched her sister take a big bite out of the burger and smile. Without losing a beat, she turned and smiled and said, “Can I fix anyone else a burger?”
When no one else said a word, they all watched as Teri made her sandwich and ate it quietly. She smiled and acted like she’d made that burger all along for her sister.

When they were all done eating, Tiffany cleared her throat and quietly asked, “What are we doing tonight? No one’s said a word about playing, set lists, or what’s going out afterward. Why is everyone so close-mouthed?”
Everyone shrugged and looked at Teri and Lisa sitting and nibbling on their fries. They’d made a pool of ketchup and were both dipping together. Teri looked at her sister and shrugged. “Lisa’s all about the set lists and really, we’ve been playing like a well-oiled machine. I don’t see a point of messing around when we’re doing so well. I don’t know anything about our opening act. I’m looking forward to hearing them. And Tiffany said we might go clubbing afterwards.”
Lisa smiled and continued to nibble on her fries. “I pretty much go along with Little. We sound good and everyone seems to enjoy the show. I’m a bit concerned about how much we’re working over the next three months. I think working five nights a week is tough, maybe too much. Since it’s our first touring experience, I guess will keep playing until the wheels fall off.”
Zoe stood up and shook her head. “Yeah, I know I can handle the guitar parts, but I’m more concerned about vocals and Gina pounding away. Those are the parts that I’m worried about wearing out. We’ve played four nights at the Rendezvous, and we’ve played weeks at a time on the road. I’m worried we might burn out.”
Gina smiled. “Sure. A lot of drummers have hand problems as they age. I think it might be good to talk to a doctor and maybe a physical therapist now rather than wait until I crack. But I want to know the story with the hamburger tonight. I’ve never seen Lisa behave that way. I expected Teri to strike back but nothing happened. I mean, what gives?”
Lisa smiled. “It’s kinda like a sister thing. Just between us.”
Teri sat back and smiled. , so it
“No. That’s not an answer. Seriously, what’s going on?”
Teri looked at her sister and watched her shrug. “Okay, so it’s her birthday. And I’m supposed to do something for her and she gets to chose. It was a growing up thing.”
Everyone started singing Happy Birthday which devolved into Old MacDonald and the e-i-e-i-o.

After everyone calmed down, Lisa sighed. “I’m kinda agreeing with Teri. I think it’s important to sound good and do well. I don’t want us to wear out. Teri and I were talking, and we thought maybe designing some spaces where each of us has a few minutes to catch our breath. But not tonight. I think we’re on a roll and since this is our first time playing in Detroit and Chicago, I think they’ll be press watching and writing reviews.”
Tiffany smiled. “Speaking about the press, I think we’d better talk to Gimli and have him look at this schedule. I think we should agree to cap things at four nights a week unless there’s some dire need.”
Zoe was nodding. “If we were playing four festivals for an hour each, we can juggle another show in there that week.

Teri was fidgeting. “Okay, so about this club thing. I don’t want to go with just Tiffany. I need protection. Is anyone else going?” She watched the rest of the Cats shrug, and Gina said, “If it’s Lisa’s birthday, we gotta celebrate, right?”
Teri sighed. “Good. I feel better if you’re going. Now that Mac and Jessica have disappeared while we’re in the mid-west, I’m shy going into a club with strangers. I kinda pictured myself dancing with Travis. He’s cute and maybe we could become friends.”
When everyone broke into laughter at the same time, she knew they were laughing at her.
“What?”
Tiffany grabbed her hands. “Little, you are so innocent. You think some hunky roadie will look at you and just want to be friends? C’mon. Like friends with benefits.”
“Huh?”
They stared at her. Gina whispered, “You’ve never heard of Friends With Benefits?”
Teri shook her head. “Should I know what that means?”
Lisa whispered in her ear.
Teri looked shocked. “No. Not that. Oh, definitely not that. Why can’t we just be friends? You know, laugh and talk. Nothing like that!”
Zoe shook her head. “Uh, since you’re playing on our team now, you need a lesson. Guys don’t understand just being friends with beautiful women. Uh, they only want to do one thing.”
“Seriously, one thing.” Tiffany was grinning. “But you can be in charge of that one thing, kinda.”
“So, there’s not dancing with Travis tonight and just having fun?”
“Sure. But you’re going to want to touch him. Like feel his muscles and have him hold you.”
“Uh. How’d you know?”
They all laughed. Gina put her hand on her knee. “Cause you’re obsessed. It’s all you can think about.”
“How come none of you think about guys?”
Lisa smiled. “I do.”
Tiffany raised her hand. “I do, too.”
Zoe was smiling. “Sure.”
“Why am I the only one who’s going crazy about this?”
“Cause you think there’s more to it. You’re like dreaming of Cinderella going with the Prince to his castle. He’s going to sweep you off your feet and adore you, kissing you and stuff. You’re not thinking about him being overcome with testosterone range and mauling you, kinda like your nightmare in Sea Isle City.”
“Does it have to always end up where I’m mauled?”
Tiffany was smiling. “Being mauled is fun with the right guy. I like it when Mike takes control.”
Teri looked all around, and they were all smiling and nodding.
Gina shook her head. “You love it when Jenn takes charge and mauls you, right?”
Teri was blushing. “Yeah. But we’ve worked all of that out. We know what turns each other on. It’s nice.”
“Well, guys can be tamed. Kinda like riding a stallion. That’s fun, too.” Lisa smiled at her sister.
Teri shook her head. “So just having a friend won’t work.”
Tiffany smiled. “Nope. Friends With Benefits means you both benefit. You know, like just having sex without all the relationship stuff.”
Teri found herself crossing her arms. “So let me get this clear. You can only have guy friends if you have sex with them. But Jenn shares my guy friends.”
Lisa shook her head. “Think about it. Does she act like one of the guys?”
“No.”
Gina smiled. “There’s only one kind of guy to be really friends with like you’re friends with us. Guys that aren’t interested in women.”
Teri’s eyes opened wide. “Oh.”