Blind Love

Blind Love

By

GiAnna Moratelli

COPYRIGHT 2013 GiAnna Moratelli

SMASHWORDS EDITION

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Chapter One

Tiger Man we love you! a teenage girl screamed, her voice rising above the other screaming female fans. Their voices filled the auditorium as they crowded the stage, held back by five guards as the singer, his drummer, guitar players and three back-up singers exited the stage.

Move, move, don’t waste time, the body guard ordered as they came off the stage.

They’re my fans, A.J.! the singer exclaimed.

I don’t care, get to your dressing room, A.J. ordered and hurried them down a long corridor before anyone could find them.

A.J.’s right, Tiger Man. They get a hold of ya and they’ll tear you to pieces! a short man with blonde hair exclaimed. He slapped the young man on the back. They love ya, Sonny.

We keep goin’ like we are and you’re gonna be big as Elvis, one of the men, wearing a white cowboy hat laughed. I can see it now in bright lights, Sonny ‘Tiger Man’ DeWitt and his Rolling Rock Band, he said, making a motion in the air with his hand as if reading a star lite bill board.

Sonny’s blue eyes flashed and he smiled as he looked at his bass player. Don’t we wish, Tex?

Give it time, Sonny it’s happening, the blonde haired man said smiling. He rubbed Sonny’s light brown hair, which was soaked with sweat.

Managers dream, ain’t it, Johnny? Johnny Hall, manager of the Tiger Man and Rollin’ Rock Band. Sonny laughed as A.J. opened the dressing room door.

You make it that big and we’ll be flying all over the world, Johnny said walking into the room.

Sonny stopped before he entered the dressing room, looking at his band members as they continued down the corridor. We’ll meet ya at the car and whatever ya do don’t be late, or you’ll be mobbed by all them girls.

I can’t think of a better way to go, one of them said and laughed.

A.J. shut the door of the dressing room; his dark brown eyes scanned the room. looking for some girl that had managed to get in while no one was looking, or some crazy fan that wanted a piece of Sonny DeWitt to take home for show and tell. He looked in a closet.

So what’d ya think of the show, A.J? Sonny asked, looking up at the body guard, whose five-eleven shadowed over him, as he unbuttoned the sweat soaked, white shirt.

Brunetti’s from Chicago, it’s a jazz town, Johnny said and smiled.

They like rock and roll in Chicago, don’t they, A.J?

A.J. nodded, Yeah, it was a good show.

The telephone rang.

Who’d that be? Sonny asked. Ain’t no one knows I’m here.

A.J., running his hand over his thick, dark brown hair, walked over to the phone, after some hesitation, he picked up the receiver. Brunetti, he answered. He nodded at Johnny that the call was all right. Hold on. It’s your dad, he said holding the receiver out to Sonny.

Sonny smiled as he took the receiver. Hey, Daddy… Just finished doin’ a great show! Man you should of seen the crowd we had, girls screamin’ their heads off, it was unbelievable!… Say what? Sonny’s smile faded as he listened to his dad. Looking at the floor he nodded, then looked up at the ceiling.

What is it? Johnny asked. What’s wrong, Sonny?

When did that happen? Sonny asked. Where’s Sissy now?... Sonny listened to his dad. You do that, Daddy. You and Aunt Mamie go over there and get her if that’s what you want to do. I don’t care if ya bring her to the house. Michelle’s not gonna say anythin’. Sonny shook his head. We’ll be home in a few days…. There’s a bedroom beside A.J.’s she can have that, it’s on the ground floor; she won’t have to worry about any stairs… Yeah, we’ll see ya soon, Daddy. Love ya. Sonny put down the receiver, leaning on it.

Problem? A.J asked.

My sister. They’re wantin’ to put her in a county home.

I didn’t know you had a sister, Johnny stated, taking the wet shirt and putting it in a cloth bag.

Well she ain’t really, Sonny said unfastening the black, bell bottom slacks he was wearing. Sissy and I grew up together and we vowed to be brother and sister. She never had any brothers or sisters, and my brother died when he was a few weeks old in the hospital, so we kind of adopted each other.

Why do they want to put her in the county home? A.J asked.

Sissy’s daddy died years ago and her momma just passed away a couple days ago. He looked at A.J as he threw the slacks to Johnny. Sissy’s blind. She has been since thirteen."

What happened to her? A.J. asked as Johnny threw Sonny a pair of jeans.

Her daddy had some kind of chemical in the garage, and when she opened the container it blew up in her face, Sonny explained pulling up the blue jeans. Doctors said she was lucky it didn’t distort her face, it just blinded her.

What’s Michelle’s going to say about you bringing her to the house to live? Johnny asked. We don’t need any bad publicity comin’ from a jealous live-in girlfriend. And people frown on that livin’ together the way it is.

Sonny shrugged. She ain’t gonna say anythin’. Besides there’s twenty rooms in that damn house, she can go all day without seein’ her. Grabbing up everything, Sonny shoved it into a suitcase and closed it. I’m hungry. Let’s get somethin’ to eat and get out of here. Ya flyin’ back tonight?

Johnny nodded. I have to fly out to Los Angeles for a few days. See how one of my other new stars is doing. He smiled. She’s a lot prettier than you are.

* * * *

A new shiny red 1958 Cadillac, pulled up into a long driveway. Get out and close the gate, Tex, Sonny ordered.

Tex jumped out and swung the heavy, black, rot iron gates closed. As he ran up to the car, it pulled forward ten feet and stopped. He ran up to it again, and it again pulled up ten feet. Damn it, Sonny.

Sonny laughed. Get in!

Tex got in the backseat of the car and Sonny drove up the long driveway, passing the front of a two-story white plantation style house, with white pillars in the front.

Feels good to be home, Steve said as Sonny pulled up to the garage

You always say that, Crawford, Pete replied.

That’s because it’s true. I don’t mind playin’ drums all day, Pickens but I like to be able to go home and sleep in my own bed.

You boys are hangin’ around for supper ain’t ya? Sonny asked, pulling into the garage. Aunt Mamie’s countin’ on it.

I ain’t missin’ no home cooked meal, Steve said. I don’t know about Pickens and Boswell, but I have time. Judy’s workin’ at the hospital tonight, so she isn’t lookin’ for me this evenin’.

I can’t, I gotta go, Pete said looking at his watch. I’m meetin’ Cathy and we’re goin’ out for supper.

Ya all gotta come in and say hi before ya leave, Sonny said, as he opened the car door. Aunt Mamie likes to see ya.

Pete nodded, I gotta few minutes, but that’s all. He looked at A.J. So when are you ever gonna find another gal? Ya can’t still be in mournin’ after two years.

A.J looked at him but didn’t say anything.

Tex closed the garage door then hurried to catch up with the other four as they went around the corner to the patio and pool area. Entering the house they discarded their shoes beside the door then walked past the double door entry to the dining room and hall across from it that went to a couple of bedrooms.

Aunt Mamie! Sonny yelled as they walked into the living room.

We’re in here, Sonny, a man’s voice called out from the family room.

Come on, Sonny ordered and led the way into the family room where his Aunt Mamie; a heavy set woman in her late fifties, his father Jeremy, and a young woman sat.

Tex quickly took off his hat in front of Aunt Mamie. Ma’am, he greeted.

Hey, how are ya, Sissy! Sonny exclaimed walked over to the young woman, who was sitting on the couch. It’s been a long time.

Sonny, she greeted as she stood, her five-seven equaling his height. Feeling his hand touch her arm she started to hug him, but he quickly moved away from her.

Good to see ya, Daddy, Sonny said hugging his father. We had a great show and -.

Aren’t ya gonna introduce Annie to your friends? Jeremy asked.

Oh yeah. Turning he looked at his band members. Sissy I want you to meet The Rollin’ Rock Band.

A.J. looked at her. She was a pretty girl with long, soft, golden brown hair and hazel eyes, outlined lightly with black mascara. A tight pink sweater she wore curved around her large bust and thin waist. The snug black slacks she wore fit nicely around her shapely butt.

Guys this is Sissy, Sonny introduced.

I’m Annie O’ Toole, she introduced herself.

Sissy, this is my drummer Steve Crawford, my electric guitar player, Pete Pickens, my bass player, Tex Boswell. And this is A.J. Brunetti, my body guard.

You have to have a body guard? Is someone trying to beat you up? Annie asked.

A.J. smiled as Pete, Tex, and Steve snickered.

No, but. I’m a rock star, Sissy, Sonny said. We rock stars all have body guards.

Nice to meet you, Annie, A.J greeted.

Annie looked toward him. You’re which one?

A.J., he answered.

It’s nice to meet you, Annie greeted. She waited for the others to say something but none of the others spoke to her.

Hate to run but, I got a hot date waitin’, Pete said.

You’re not staying for supper, Pete? Aunt Mamie asked.

Sorry ma’am, but I got’ta go, Pete said and opened the door of the family room, that led out to the driveway.

Well, we’ll see ya later, Aunt Mamie called out after him. She looked at Sonny. Where are the girls?

They parked the other car on A.J.’s lot. Ed picked up Kristin and I think Tanya and Melinda had some shoppin’ to do, Sonny answered looking around. Where’s Michelle?

Up in your room, sulkin’. Jeremy answered.

Sulkin’ about what?

You can talk to her.

Sonny nodded, I better go up and see what’s botherin’ her. I’ll see ya later, guys. He hurried through the doorway to the living room and up bounded up the stairs to the bedrooms.

Ya all must be starvin’ after that long trip back home, Aunt Mamie said looking at them. Supper’s ready and waitin’.

Yes ma’am, Tex nodded, we’re ready to eat. I’ve been waitin’ four days to get back to your good home-cookin’.

Why Tex, I do believe you’re flirtin’, Aunt Mamie said smiling.

A.J. watched Jeremy as he took Annie’s hand and placed it on his arm, walking her to the dining room as the other’s rushed ahead to find a place at the dining room table.

Thank you, Annie said politely as she felt the top of the chair back.

Sure you got it? Jeremy asked.

Annie nodded, I’m getting to know the floor plan, she said sitting on the chair and easing it up to the table.

A.J. sat across from her as Tex and Steve sat at the far end of the table.

So how was the trip back? Jeremy asked sitting beside Steve.

It went all right, A.J. answered looking at Annie. We didn’t have any problems along the way.

It was too long, if you ask me, Steve replied.

And Hall says we have another gig coming up next weekend, Tex said.

Where’s that at? Jeremy asked.

Tex shrugged and looked at Steve then laughed. I don’t know. Where’d he say we were goin’?

Atlanta, I think, Steve answered. He looked at Tex. Don’t ya ever listen?

I always hear when he says the word home, Tex replied.

Aunt Mamie sat a bowl of potatoes on the table. Jeremy can you get the platter of steak from the kitchen please, she asked as she sat a bowl of salad in front of Annie. You’re sure this all ya want?

I’ll get it for you, ma’am, A.J. said standing.

Thank you, A.J.

Yes, this is enough thank you, Annie answered. You have salad dressing?

What kind do you want? Aunt Mamie asked.

Something with vinegar.

Aunt Mamie looked at A.J. as he returned with the platter. She shook her head as he started to put a piece of the meat on Annie’s plate. Walking past her, he put the platter on