A Wildcat Fall 7

Smith stood there, listening to Gina and Teri discuss how the Cats had become so popular, and decided to jump in to share his own experiences. “Yeah, I know that I’m ancient history, but twelve years ago, when EBR left high school, we were content to just play in Texas. Back then, that seemed big enough for a four-piece punk band. A year later, we were in demand and needed a manager just to keep track of the bookings and handle all our money.”

Smith smiled. “And after three years, we were ready to stop talking to each other. When we broke up, nobody talked to each other for a long while.”

Gina was smiling. “When we were eighteen, the Wildcats did our bookings, and for four years we took every gig we were offered. No one was coming to us, so we learned the hard way. We played any joint that would pay us. It became us against the world, and we loved what we did.”

Gina shook her head. “The Cats become tighter. We really believed we were at our peak. But after four years of dragging around and butting our heads against the wall, we couldn’t get any recognition. That’s when Teri rehearsed her original songs and played with us for a weekend at the Rendezvous. Richard and Phil came down from New York, and they convinced us that Teri was the missing piece of the puzzle.”

Smith shook his head. “Yeah, you guys got to take it slow and get it right. When we began to blow up, we were seriously blindsided. We were totally inexperienced, and our manager left, saying he didn’t want to go full-time. So when our music climbed the Billboard charts, we had no idea how to handle it. A record company signed us and took over the management duties. The band got popular, and it got crazy. We discovered we’d signed this terrible contract, and they owned us. And that’s when they started to take advantage of us. They made the real money, and we did all the work. You've had it so differently.

Teri shook her head. “We’ve been really lucky to have so many experienced and generous people watch over and guide us. Seriously, since I joined the band, I’ve witnessed amazing people reach out to help us. Robert Davis from the Rendzvous always booked the band. He introduced us to Phil and Richard. They gave us our first check and paid for the studio demo. Conor paid for our website. DJ Blank started playing our club song and introduced us to Ellen. After that, Bill Wiggins signed us and personally directed our production and distribution, moving us into the stratosphere.”

Smith was grinning. “Yeah, we were totally the opposite. One day we’re playing a rock club in Austin, and the next, we’re reading all this made-up stuff about us in Tiger Beat. We couldn’t stop laughing after seeing our faces on school lunch boxes.”

Lisa patted her boyfriend on the back. “Well, I know two Wildcats that each had one of those lunchboxes and still get all wet thinking of you eighteen-year-old hunky guys. I think that Eaten influenced them to become punk rockers.”

Teri was laughing. “It’s hard to think of Zoe and Tiffany as impressionable teenyboppers.”

Lisa shook her head. “I met them later when we were in high school and on the same varsity volleyball team. But those young women still loved their EBR tunes.”

Smith shook his head. “After three years, we were ready to stop talking to each other. Once we finished our three-record deal, we didn’t want to be Eaten By Raptors anymore. We really felt isolated and alone. No one reached out to help us.”

Lisa pointed her finger. “Yeah, the past six months have been crazy for us. After the Ellen show, Ellen referred us to The Tonight Show, where GLOW was sponsoring the band, and Barb and Jersey Girl have been treating us to great clothes. Everybody’s been trying to help us.”

Teri smiled. “Did you ever wonder why they love us so much? Is this like a reverse sexism thing, where it’s good for everyone supporting beautiful women playing rock?”

Lisa hugged her sister. “Well, that would be a big change. We’ve had record companies tell us that we didn’t fit their profile. They’ve turned us down, saying girl bands don’t sell albums. Until William Wiggins came along and forced Warner Records to support us, we were out on our own. But, it’s cool, girl, to see that you’re lumping yourself in as a beautiful woman. I like your show of confidence.”

Teri blushed. “Well, kinda. I mean, I’m not fishing for compliments, and maybe I don’t hold a candle to the rest of you, but I do kinda blend in. I still think it’s weird to have morphed into who I’ve become. But it’s okay.”

Smith laughed. “Stop, Teri. You’re just as beautiful as the rest of the Cats except for maybe…”

Lisa had already made a fist and was winding up.

Smith stepped back out of reach as he snapped his fingers. “Yeah, you know that blonde lead singer, whatshername? Now she’s a fox!”

Teri watched, then turned to her sister. “You know, I noticed that you like to smack Smith a lot. I mean, you don’t hold back.”

Lisa smiled as she pulled her boyfriend into her arms and kissed him. “'Cause he’s just so darn cute. And honestly, he’s fun to punch! Kinda like sex.”

Teri hugged her sister. “Hey! Speaking of that, I haven’t asked yet. How was Nashville? You guys start any babies?”

Teri had to laugh when she saw her sister and Smith suddenly look at each other and blush. She realized that her comment had pushed a button. Knowing she was suddenly in on their secret, she smiled and said in a hushed voice, “Hey, did I guess right? Are you pregnant?”

Lisa shook her head vigorously as she grabbed Teri by the arms. “No, no babies. But we’ve both talked about it, and it’s out on the table. But remember that we’re still talking, not starting.”

Teri was smirking. “Yeah, it’s the Zoe effect. I overheard Mom and Gina back in the hospital, and Mom thinks that Zoe’s baby is going to create an avalanche with you and Tiff. She said something about having to need a nursery for the tour.”

Lisa laughed. “I can picture tiny little tots with tiny little passports.”

Smith frowned. “And cases and cases of diapers. We’ll need a box truck just to carry all the paraphernalia: the strollers, the playpen, the rockers, cribs, and so many toys. Just thinking about all those babies is too much!”

Teri smiled. “Smith, you seem pretty familiar with all that baby business. Do you have a secret family you’re not talking about?”

Smith looked pained as he shook his head. “No, I’m not the family man. But I’ve got eyes, and my band guys all have big families. Actually, that’s a great idea. If we’re going to take care of one, why not three? These junior Wildcats can grow up together.”

Tiffany poked her head in and laughed. “Mike will have a heart attack when I tell him we’re getting pregnant. I’m already driving him crazy being around him twenty-four seven.”

Teri shook her head. “Nah. The guy is in seventh heaven having you sexing him up all the time. He’s loving it.”

Lisa laughed. “Oh, Teri! You’re too much!”

Tiffany grabbed Teri and kissed her hard on the lips. “Nah, the little shit is right. I’m turning Mike into an old man with my demands. I never realized that once I opened that spigot, I couldn’t shut it off. Maybe all those years on tour left me with my needs unfulfilled. So now I’m filling that tank.”

Mike came up and squeezed her. “Uh-huh. She’s got the libido of a nineteen-year-old boy. But I’m having fun trying to keep up.”

Lisa turned to Mike. “You missed the conversation. Tiff and I decided to both get preggers and have three little Wildcats go out with us for our European tour.”

Mike’s eyes widened. “Oh.” He turned to Tiffany and watched her nod.

Teri was impressed by his recovery when Mike said, “Uh, sure. I’m up for that.” He turned to Tiffany and said, “So we can throw the protection out and just knock a few out of the ballpark tonight, huh?”

Smith stared at Lisa. He grinned. “I guess this old man is in, too.”

Teri howled. “And just like that, peer pressure wins. Just don’t tell Jenn. She had this crazy notion a while back to be a teen mom. I think she’s forgotten all about that.”

Suddenly, Jenn called from near the food tables. “No, I have not forgotten, Teri Nelson. I figured if I could go to school and nurse you back to health, then I could take care of an infant.”

Smith shook his head. “How's that possible? I mean, you’re both women.”

Gina laughed. “Hey, cowboy. Wait until you hear Jenn’s plan.”

Jenn grinned and shared the story. “Amy used the same sperm bank donor for both Lisa and Teri. So my reasoning is to use the same sperm for our baby. That way, the baby would have the same sperm that fertilized Amy, and our baby would genetically be linked to both of us.”

Smith paused to digest what Jenn had said. Then he stared at Jenn. “That’s genius. So this baby will genetically be from the two of you.” He then turned to Lisa. “I never heard this story before. Now I have even more respect for your mom and know where you get all your independence from.”

Lisa kissed him and then turned to her sister. “We’ve gotta work on finding out who is this sperm donor guy. You know, track him down and see what makes him tick. Even though he doesn’t know we exist, he’s still our baby daddy.”

“Nah. Baby daddies are there. This guy has no idea where his sperm went. But I agree. We need to find a private detective who can be discreet. I don’t want to find the guy and suddenly introduce him to the family. I grew up with a mom and did just fine.”

Smith shook his head. “Yeah. You don’t need the scandal sheets suddenly connecting this guy with the two of you and the Wildcats. I can’t see any good coming out of it unless it’s for medical reasons. You know, hereditary deficiencies and that kind of stuff.”

Teri looked at them. “Did his sperm cause me to be intersex? Is this all genetic? Will our baby be all right?”

Grace was nodding. “I think that bears some research. Lisa had no problems, but it would be a shame if his DNA produces problems.”

Lisa was smiling. “All the more reason to find a good detective, you know, one who is great and can keep it all hush-hush. Of course, we’d always worry about whether some guy could be trusted not to spill the beans.”

Teri laughed. “A guy, huh? How about a Super Woman to do the job?”

Lisa blushed. “Oh, my gosh. I never thought of Jessica Jade helping us out.”

Jessica hugged Lisa. “I heard the conversation and would be happy to track him down. If he’s a bad guy, we can arrange to make him disappear, right, Teri?”

Teri's eyes grew wide. “Uh, no. We aren’t going to go all Ninja on him. But maybe some long-distance watching. I guess it all depends. But can we keep ourselves out of all of this? I don’t want another stalker.”