Mary and Alvin Ch. 09

The Roadhouse sat at a crossroads two miles west of town. It wasn't the kind of place tourists were interested in, so in the hectic summer months it served as a safe haven for locals who wanted to kick loose with a little elbow room. It was about half full when Alvin opened the door and gestured the three women inside.

Jennifer gave a loud whoop as they came in. A couple of middle aged women were on stage belting out a ragged version of Like A Virgin. They found a round table in the middle of the room and ordered beers for all except Danni, who did not drink and was therefore the permanent designated driver.

When the Madonna wannabes finished to moderate applause, a slender young man mounted the stage for a passable rendition of Wonderwall. The next singer was obviously drunk, and was roundly booed as he fumbled his way through Suspicious Minds.

A large woman in a sequined pant suit received a chorus of applause and cheers as she mounted the stage.

"That's Charleen," Jennifer told Mary, "She's a sheriff's deputy. She's really good!"

"A good deputy or a good singer?" Mary asked, but she was unheard as the music began and Charleen wowed the audience with a heartfelt edition of I Go To Pieces.

Jennifer and Danielle decided to go put their names on the list of performers. They urged Mary to go with them, but she waved them off.

"A bit later," she said.

"I hope you don't chicken out," Alvin said.

She patted his thigh. "Later."

They sat through horrific attempts at Happy and All About That Bass and Let It Go before Jennifer and Danni were called up to the stage.

Alvin and Mary clapped and laughed as the girls sang and giggled their way through a slapdash take on Love Shack. They were not very good, but they were obviously having so much fun that they got a good hand when they finished. Alvin stood and gave them both hugs when they returned to the table.

The DJ took a break and Alvin went to the bar to fetch another round of drinks.

Mary asked Jennifer and Danielle how much more they thought they would get done on the house before they went back to school.

"We got a lot done today," Jennifer replied. "Danni is going to try to get the furnace installed before we go, and I'm hoping to get most of the interior painting done."

"You know, I've got Monday off," Mary said, "It's Labor Day. I could help,"

Both girls smiled and thanked her. Alvin returned just as the DJ announced the next singer and they were treated to another, even worse version of Let It Go.

"I'll be right back," Mary shouted into Alvin's ear above the loud music. She got up and went over to the DJ's table and flipped through the song catalog. The DJ handed her a clipboard and she wrote on it, then returned to the table.

Alvin grinned as she sat back down. She winked and smiled, then leaned in and gave him a kiss. She gripped his hand tightly and sat, nervously, waiting her turn. A would be Tom Jones bungled Delilah and then the DJ announced, "Next up, Mary Winslow."

Jennifer and Danni cheered and clapped as Mary made her way to the stage. She stood at the mic and straightened her skirt, cleared her throat and in a voice that sounded very small said, "This is for Alvin, with all my love."

The crowd quieted as the sound of a piano filled the room and Mary began to sing.

Desperado, why don't you come to your senses

You been out ridin' fences for so long now

Her voice wavered, then grew stronger.

Oh, you're a hard one

I know that you got your reasons

These things that are pleasin' you

will hurt you somehow

Alvin swallowed hard. He watched as Mary raised her hands in front of her and let her voice rise.

Don't you draw the Queen of Diamonds, boy

She'll beat you if she's able

You know the Queen of Hearts is always your best bet

Well, it seems to me some fine things

Have been laid upon your table,

But you only want the ones that you can't get

Despite the glare of the stage lights, their eyes found each others as Mary turned her hands up and towards him.

Desperado, oh, you ain't gettin' no younger

Your pain and your hunger, they're drivin' you home

And freedom, oh freedom, well that's just some people talkin'

Your prison is walking through this world all alone

Alvin felt Jennifer take his hand and squeeze it. He glanced at his daughter and realized that his eyes were filling with tears. Mary took the mic from its stand and held it close to her face.

Don't your feet get cold in the winter time?

The sky won't snow and the sun won't shine

It's hard to tell the night time from the day

You're losin' all your highs and lows;

Ain't it funny how the feeling goes away?

The room had disappeared for Alvin. All that existed was Mary, her voice and his heart.

Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?

Come down from your fences; open the gate

It may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you

Mary's voice rose to a near shout.

You better let somebody love you,

You better let somebody love you

Then dropped to a whisper.

before it's too late

The crowd applauded as Mary put the microphone back on the stand. She quietly said thank you, and stepped off the stage. Alvin stood as she walked towards the table. He opened his arms and she stepped into them. She could feel him trembling as he squeezed her tightly against himself.

"Let's go outside and get some air," she said quietly. She took his hand and led him out of the Roadhouse. There was a picnic table under the trees on the far side of the parking lot. She guided him there and sat down. He sat beside her, his shoulders drooping, his head down.

"Mary, I...well, wow, you were wicked good."

She patted him on the thigh. "Thank you, sweetheart."

He took her hand in both of his. "I love you, Mary."

"I know you do, Alvin. But I need you to stop being scared of it."

"I just..."

"No, listen, you don't need to justify yourself or defend how you feel. I get it. But can I explain something to you?"

"Doubt I could stop you if I wanted to."

"That's true. Alvin, have you thought about me, about the risks I am taking here? My mother is freaking out about us. I think she'll be fine once she meets you, but maybe she won't. I am willing to risk losing my family because I love you."

"Well, she..."

"Let me finish. I like it here, I'm happy here. But do I want to live here forever? I don't know. I get homesick."

Alvin nodded. "Mary, I have actually given thought to all of that."

"How would I know that? You won't talk to me about it."

"I think people talk too much about their relationships, instead of just getting on with having them."

"There's a difference between too much and not at all, Alvin."

"Yes, that's so."

"Okay, I can't make you talk, but I can make you listen, so let's talk about the elephant in the room. You lost Bonnie and you have been afraid of falling in love again ever since. I really do get that. But Alvin, think about it. It's far more likely that I will attend your funeral than that you will attend mine."

Alvin chuckled. "Well, I guess that's so."

"If a car pulled into this parking lot right now and somebody jumped out and started shooting, I bet you would throw yourself in front of me."

"I like to think I would."

"Well, it seems odd then that you would let me be hurt in order to not take a chance of being hurt yourself."

"I never want you to be hurt, Mary."

"You know," she said, "your dad was wrong."

"How do you mean?"

"Well, maybe not wrong, but he only told you half of the truth. When he told you that there was a moment when you would choose to be a man."

"And what's the other half?"

"That it's not something you do and that's that. You have to keep choosing, over and over, for the rest of your life. Love or fear, Alvin, you have to choose which one rules you."

He raised his head and looked at her.

"I'm pretty fucking healthy, Alvin."

He put his arm around her and pulled her close to his side.

"Well," he said, "I guess I better let somebody love me, before it's too late."

Mary elbowed him in the ribs. "Well, alright, then," she whispered.

Jennifer and Danielle came out of the Roadhouse a few minutes later.

"We're over here," Alvin called.

"What are you, making out in the dark over there?" Jennifer laughed.

Alvin stood and held his hand to Mary. She took it and rose beside him. They met Jennifer and Danni at the car and they all piled inside, Danni behind the wheel. Alvin and Mary sat close to each other in the back.

"Now they are going to be swapping spit in the back seat" Jennifer said to Danni. She looked over her shoulder at them. "Are you coming back to the house or going to Mary's?"

Alvin hesitated, but Mary told her that they'd spend the night at her apartment. She rested her head on Alvin's shoulder and closed her eyes.

"We need more music," Jennifer said, snapping on the radio. She jumped from station to station, stopping when she heard Elton John singing Tiny Dancer.

"Blue jean baby, L.A. lady," she sang along. "Hey, Mary, a song about you."

Mary chuckled and burrowed her head against Alvin's shoulder. As they drove down the dark road, she could hear him, in a barely audible voice, singing along.

Hold me closer tiny dancer,

count the headlights on the highway

Lay me down in sheets of linen

you've had a busy day today

She draped her arm across his chest and squeezed him tight. He kissed the top of her head and looked out at the dark landscape, but all he could see was Mary, his queen of hearts, standing in the spotlight, her arms outstretched towards him. It's not too late, he told himself over and over, it's not too late.

Desperado @1973, by Glen Frey and Don Henley

Three Little Birds @1977, by Bob Marley

Tiny Dancer @1972, by Elton John and Bernie Taupin

This one is for Petey