I’m with the Band

By Melanie Brown
Copyright © 2006

 

Part 16

“Don’t go that way!” said Chad as he tightened his grip on my hand and stopped me from heading for the front door.

“Why not?” I asked, annoyed at having my arm pulled.  Even if it was Chad Dumont doing the pulling.

Leading me down another hall, towards the back of the building, Chad said, “Too many cameras and thrill seekers out the front.  There’s a service entrance out back that the beautiful people like us aren’t supposed to use.”

While not exactly running, Chad, with his longer stride, was walking at a brisk pace I’m not used to and I had to walk fairly fast to keep up.  As we turned towards a storage area, Chad glanced over at me and asked, “So.  Where are you from, Michelle?”

Jeesh, hasn’t he read any of the mountains of propaganda that Mr. Winters has been flooding the media with?  I’ve gone over it so much; I think I’m believing our own cover story.  I said, “I’m from Oklahoma.”

He looked at me and said, “I’ve been there.  It’s very flat.”

I had to take his word for it, since I’ve never been there myself.

We zigged and zagged through rows of God knows what.  I saw a sign that read ‘Employees Only’.  I asked, “Do you know where you’re going?  Are we going to get in trouble?”  I have to admit, that even though the person holding my hand was quite famous, he was still a guy I didn’t know and we were deep into the bowels of a building that obviously didn’t get many visitors.

“Don’t worry about it,” said Chad.  He was pulling me towards a large metal door. He reached up and pounded on a red button near the door.  He looked at me and said, “Disables the alarm for a few seconds.”  He then whacked the latch and pushed his shoulder against the door.  With a metallic groan, the door swung open.

A moment after we stepped outside the building, the door slammed shut with a clunk.  “Do you always go this way?” I asked as we descended some concrete steps into a somewhat narrow, cluttered alley. 

“Usually,” he said.  “Unfortunately, we can’t get back in that way.  Come on!  I’m hungry!”

*   *   *

 

The slice of pizza was huge – as big as a whole pizza at Pizza Hut.  Chad found a table towards the back and we sat down.  As soon as he sat down, Chad took a bite of his slice.  He closed his eyes and moaned softly.  “Now that’s pizza!”

Conscious of my figure, I took a nibble from the end of the slice.  I said, “So, where were you before you became a big star?”

Chad laughed and said, “Just like you. I went from being a nobody little punk breaking windows in old buildings in Long Branch, New Jersey to what I am now.”  He took another bite of his pizza and chewed for a few moments.  “I hope it lasts a while, but I’ll tell you right now I have no intention of winding up singing for little old ladies in Branson, Missouri. No, not me. I’m the kind that likes to live fast and play hard.”

Frowning after nibbling more on my pizza, I said, “Well, I’m the last person you want hanging around you.  I’m actually a very quiet, private person.”

Chad laughed and said, “You’re too funny!  You splash your dates all over the media and break up with one of the biggest names in Hollywood and then to the world media you practically accuse him of rape!  That’s real quiet and private!”

I put my pizza down and scowled at him.  “Are you making fun of me?  It wasn’t like I paraded Tommy around so the media could see us together!  And I never accused him of rape!”

Chad didn’t say anything.  He just got up and held up his index finger to suggest I remain seated.  He went up the cashier, took a gossip newspaper from the rack and paid for it.  He returned to his seat and held up the front page of the newspaper.

Screaming across the page in huge typeface were the words, “’I WAS RAPED BY TOMMY KINCAID!’ says teary-eyed song bird Michelle Grayson.”  An enlarged, and fuzzy picture of me running and crying through the hotel lobby was next to the picture.

“You were saying…?” Chad gave me a wry smile.

I snatched the paper from his hands and looked it with my mouth gaping open.

"I never said that!" I sputtered.  "How can they print that?" 

I scanned the article, catching a few sentences here and there.  One paragraph stated that an appearance of Tommy in NashvilleTennessee this week had been canceled because of the 'scandal'.  The story continued with a quote by Tommy about the cancellation, "If it hadn't been for Grayson, I'd been in Tennessee."  I started thinking of Tommy's career going down the toilet and it was all my fault!  Cancel that, I thought.  Stop thinking like a girl!  He came on to me, not the other way around!  Still, I didn't say these words to any reporter.

I slammed the paper down and announced, "Well, as soon as we're through with lunch, I'm marching right over to their office and give them a piece of my mind!"

Chad laughed and said, "It's going to be a long march.  Their office is in New York."

I settled back into my chair and said, "Well, I'll go see Mr. Winters. He has lawyers and stuff.  He'll know what to do."

Chad shook his head. "Maybe Old Man Winters wants all this publicity.  After all, every one is now talking about you and Tommy."

"It's not good publicity!" I said.

"So?  Publicity is publicity," Chad said.  "It's not like he killed someone or dangled a baby out a window.  He only tried to do what half the guys in the country want to do with you."

What a ghastly thought!

Chad finished off his slice of pizza and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.  “Well, I need to get back to the studio.”  He fumbled around in his pocket for a moment, and then pulled out a piece of paper and a pen.  He said, “I’d like to see you again sometime, if you want to.  Can I have your phone number so I can call you?”

He pushed the pen and paper towards me.  I put my still almost pristine slice of pizza down and picked up the pen.  I couldn’t believe it!  Chad wanted my phone number.  Wait ‘til Kayla hears about this!  I stared at the pen a moment while I asked myself if I really wanted Chad to have my phone number.  I looked up from the pen and into Chad’s face.  Oh, yeah.  I wanted him to call me.  I quickly wrote my number down and slid the paper and pen back to him.

*   *   *

 

Hal Winters’ secretary pushed the intercom button and said, “There’s a Michelle Grayson here to see you, Mr. Winters.”

There was a pause for a moment before a tinny sounding Mr. Winters voice said, “I have a few moments.  Please send her in.”

The secretary nodded towards the door.  I walked around her desk and opened the door, and then entered Mr. Winters’ office.

As I entered, Mr. Winters looked up from his desk and stood.  He gestured towards one of the chairs in front of his desk.  “Please, Ms. Grayson.  Have a seat.”

I sat in the proffered chair crossing my legs at the ankles under the chair. Mr. Winters returned his gaze to some papers on his desk as he sat down.

Finally he looked up at me and asked, “So, Ms. Grayson.  To what do I owe this pleasure?   Are you enjoying seeing Tommy’s career destroyed?”

My face reddened and I squirmed a little in my chair.  I said, “I…I really don’t think I…um…well, you know, destroyed Tommy’s career.  It might take a hit, but I don’t think it’ll be down long.  But that is one of the things I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Oh?  And what would you like to say?  That maybe you’re now pregnant with Tommy’s child?” asked Mr. Winters as he leaned back in his plush, executive chair.

I ignored his snippy comment as I opened my purse and pulled out a folded, wrinkled piece of paper.  I’d just taken the first page of the paper Chad bought. I handed it to Mr. Winters.

“I…I just wanted to let you know that I didn’t…I…well…say those things.  I don’t know where they got that.  I was hoping that you had some lawyers or something to threaten them about this lie,” I said as Mr. Winters studied the paper

Mr. Winters looked at me over the top of the page.  He said, “Are you sure you didn’t say these things?  I seem to remember you and Ms. Gray being quite upset about this.”

Frowning, I said, “I didn’t talk to any reporters.  I can’t help it if someone followed us around and took pictures.”

Mr. Winters touched the tips of his fingers together as he stared intently at me.  He said, “Knowing how this paper operates, I have to say I believe you.  But generally, it’s not cost effective to sue them.  Besides, it’s gotten you in the entertainment news.  You’d be surprised who is talking about you.  The phone has been ringing off the wall from the media, people and companies wanting access to you.  Tommy has been getting some bad press, but you’re right.  It’ll mostly blow over, probably before the weekend.  I do need something from you, though to make sure that happens.”

Hesitantly, I asked, “Like what?”

Mr. Winters leaned forward and said, “I’m going to call a press conference for tomorrow morning.  I want you to publicly deny that you were raped or attacked and that you and Tommy just had a misunderstanding.”

“Mr. Winters,” I said, trying to sound stern.  “Tommy did try to have sex with me.  It wasn’t just a misunderstanding!”

“You have to diffuse the situation,” Mr. Winters said as he stood up behind his desk.  “Tommy has apologized publicly for his lack of judgment.”

“He hasn’t apologized to me.”

Mr. Winters walked to front of his desk, and then leaned against it facing me.  “That can be arranged.”

I stood up, feeling my anger build as I said, “I don’t his apology arranged!  I want it to be sincere!”

Mr. Winters folded his arms across his chest.  Harshly, he said, “Well, Michael.  If Tommy was really intent on having his way with you, we’d be having a completely different problem on our hands.  If you know what I mean.”

True.  If Tommy had gotten my panties off, I guess I’d have to be apologizing to him for being such a big fake and leading him on.  And kissing him…

With some wind taken out of my sails, I said, “Okay, Mr. Winters.  You win.  I’ll do the press conference.  But I want Tommy to apologize.  Regardless of everything else, he shouldn’t have tried to have sex with me.  I’m only fourteen for God’s sake!”

Mr. Winters relaxed a little and said, “Done.  I’ll be glad when all this is behind us.  Now, what was the other thing you wanted to ask me about?”

I sat back down in the chair and I felt my face redden.  Speaking suddenly became difficult.  “I…well…you see…I…”

Mr. Winters frowned and said, “I’m not trying to be rude, but I am pretty busy.”

“Okay,” I said.  “I…I want to know if you…if you were, uh, serious about what you said the other day?”

Mr. Winters folded his arms again and said, “I say a lot of things, young lady.  And I’m always serious.  Can you be a bit more specific?”

“Sorry,” I said.  “I was wondering if you really meant what you said about…uhhh…about…about me getting a sex change?”

Looking surprised, Mr. Winters said, “Uh, well, actually yes.  I thought you’d spend more than a couple of days considering it.  What do you think about that?”

I looked at the floor and I suddenly felt sick just thinking about doing something crazy like that.  I said, “Well, I’ll never really be fully a man, even with HRT.  And lately, being a girl just feels so…well…normal to me.   Right now it’s fun, but I’m not sure if it will be fun six months from now.  I want to know what you really think the future has to offer me.”

Instead of sitting behind his desk, Mr. Winters hesitated a moment, looking thoughtful.  He then sat down in the empty chair next to me and rolled it closer.  He tapped his fingers to his lips a few times before speaking.  He said, “Michelle, in all honesty, I have to say that I truly believe that you possess that rare mix of talent, looks and personality that will propel you right to the top and keep you there for years.  There’s no doubt the camera loves you.  Tampax has told me that since your campaign started, they’ve seen an almost fifteen percent growth in sales.  They want to shoot more commercials.  I’ve got companies that make everything from soft drinks to shoes wanting to use your image in their advertising.

“And let’s talk about music.  While your brother’s band is outperforming the studios expectations, most of the calls for interviews are aimed just at you.  Since we’re promoting the band, I’ve been turning down most of those requests.  However, coming up on your schedule are teen award shows, both as a nominee and presenter.  It’s all but assured that you will get nominated for best new country female vocal and your song will be nominated for best country song.  The Japanese can’t get enough of you.

“And most surprising is all the interest from movie producers.  You haven’t been famous all that long; yet those producers are calling.

“And lastly, I think you’ve got staying power.  Long after you stop being a teen idol, I think you’ll continue on with adult audiences and I see you doing more movies.  Does that cover it?” 

“Snap!” I breathed.  “Are you serious?  You’re not just saying that, are you?”

Nodding, Mr. Winters said, “I’m very serious. I really do believe that a young girl called Michelle Grayson is going to be a huge star.”

My head was spinning.  John would shit bricks and his brain would explode if he heard what Mr. Winters said.  That would be so sweet.  Okay, it’d actually be kinda gross and messy…but still! 

“I…I don’t know what to say, Mr. Winters.” I said.  “I’m very flattered and…”

Interrupting, Mr. Winters said with annoyance in his voice, “Miss Grayson, I don’t waste time flattering teen girls.  I think you have potential and I’m here to help you achieve that potential.  Having said that, I urge you to spend a little more time considering this sex change thing.  If it’s right for you, then I think I can help you to greater success.  If it’s not right, then no amount of success will end your misery.”

“Thanks Mr. Winters.  I’ll give it a lot of serious thought.”

“Good.” said Mr. Winters.  “I know a therapist in Canada who can help you with your self-evaluation.  Now, I have a thousand things to do.  I’ll see you here tomorrow about nine.  Wear a dress, make-up and all that and make sure your hair looks nice.  This is a public appearance and you’re representing the studio.”

*   *   *

 

“Oh, God!” gagged John.  “Just look at this!”  He waved a magazine in the air for a moment.  My picture – a close-up -- was taking up a full page.  The facing page contained the ad copy and a picture of a couple of bottles of foundation.

Stifling a laugh, John continued in a mocking tone, “'Michelle is wearing make-up for normal/dry skin in natural beige.'  If someone had told me a year ago I'd be seeing my brother's picture in a magazine selling make-up..." His voice trailed away as he shook his head.

John was over at Mom's and my house for dinner.  He sat on the couch looking through some magazines.  I didn't realize it until John started making comments about my appearances in the magazines that almost every magazine we had in the house was for teen girls or women.

As Mom was laying out the plates on the dinner table, she said, "Now John, you know that's all part of her job now.  Because she has that fresh, girl-next-door look, she's in big demand."

Picking up a teen magazine, John said, "Yeah, whatever, Mom."  He thumbed through a few pages and started laughing again.  "Oh man, here he is giving beauty advice!  And...and...advice on boys?!  I can't believe it!"

I snatched the magazine from John's hands and looked at the page he'd been reading.  I said, "I didn't write this.  Mr. Winters had this sent to the magazine.  They were going to want me to start a monthly advice column until...until my break-up with Tommy."

John looked over at Mom and said, "And you know what really pisses me off?  Just about every guy me and the other guys run into always asks us stuff about Michelle."

I sat down at the table and smiling at John asked, "Oh?  What kind of stuff?"

John frowned and asked, "Why would you care?  They're guys."

Exasperated I said, "Because I'm a girl!"

Shaking his head, John said, "No you're not.  You're my little dick-head brother."

Mom slapped the tabletop and said sternly, "John!"

John slouched back into his chair and said, "Sorry, Mom.  But still...it's true!  It doesn't matter how much make-up he wears, or tampons he buys, he's still Michael!"

"I'm a girl!"

Mom looked at the ceiling briefly and then said, "John, will you please stop this?  You have to stop calling Michelle 'Michael' or 'your little brother' and so on.  If you don't get to where you refer to her automatically as a girl, you're very likely to accidentally say something you shouldn't when in front of fans or the media, and that would be the end, wouldn't it?"

John held up his hands and cried out, "Okay!  Okay!  I surrender!  Michelle, you're a girl. There!"

John took a few bites of dinner and said, "I just don't understand how you switched to liking guys so quickly. It ain't natural."

I swallowed the bite of dinner I was working on and then answered, "I don't completely understand it myself, but some of it I'm sure is due to the indoctrination I got at the hands of Kayla and also because...it, well, to me it feels so...natural."

Seemingly oblivious to my comments, John scarfed down the dinner from his plate and then lifted the plate in an obvious gesture to have it refilled.  He said, "This is really good, Mom.  I'm going to have to get one of your Tupperware things to take some back to my pad."

"Thank you," I said simply.

John looked annoyed at me and said, "I was talking to Mom, not you, Freak."

"I made dinner tonight, John.  Mom only helped a little." I said, with a touch of pride in my voice.

John looked genuinely surprised.  He said, "Really?  I'm surprised.  It's really very good.  You'll make someone a really great wife."

I thought about that a minute...me, walking down the aisle in a long, white flowing gown...  I think I've really lost my mind.

Suddenly the phone rang.  Mom got up to answer it. She called out, "Michelle, it's for you." She shrugged and said, "It's some boy, but I don't know who."

Mom handed me the handset and I said, "Hello?"

"Hey, Michelle!  It's me.  Chad," said the voice on the other end of the line.

I felt my face begin to flush.  I said, "Chad!  Hey!  You called."

Chad chuckled and said, "I said I would.  Thanks for coming to lunch with me.  I enjoyed getting to know you a little better."

I wandered away from the dinner table and the questioning glances from both Mom and John.  Sitting on our brand new leather couch, I said, "Me too!  Thanks for inviting me!  I enjoyed it."

Chad said, "I can't talk long. I'm meeting some friends here in a few minutes.  I just wanted to ask you if you'd be interested in coming with me to Julia Briggs' big party this Saturday?"

Julia Briggs was that really weird chick with the hottest bod in Hollywood.  I'd heard some strange things about her parties.  I wondered if I should go or not.  Julia scared me a little. Okay, maybe a lot. But then, Chad would be there to protect me.

I said, "I'd better check with my mom first."

Chad said, with a touch of annoyance in his voice, "Oh, okay.  I keep forgetting you're several years younger than me."

"Okay, hold on," I said.  To Mom I said, "Chad Dumont has inviting me to go to Julia Briggs' party this Saturday?  Can I?"

Mom looked at me with a shrug.  She said, "Chad who?  And I don't like that Julia Briggs."

John just looked at me wide-eyed.  "Are you shittin' us?  ChadDumont...the Chad Dumont is asking you out on a date?  I don't freakin' believe it!"

I looked back at Mom and said, "Well, he's waiting for an answer."

Mom asked, "Do you know who all is going to be there?"

"No."

Mom frowned and said, "Can you ask him?"

Into the phone, I said, "Do you know who all is going to be there?"

Chad sighed, "Just the usual list of Julia's friends.  Mostly other celebrities like moi..."  He then rattled off names of various actors and punk rockers and other celebrities with less than stellar reputations.  Some of them actually scared me.  Chad completed his comment by saying, "And Tommy Kincaid is definitely not invited."

Well, that settled it for me...

To Mom I said, "It's just a bunch of other celebs, Mom."

Mom continued to hesitate.  She asked, "How old is this Chad guy?"

I shrugged.  "Just a little older than me," I lied.

Mom said, "That's good.  I think Tommy was probably a little too old for you."  I guess I shouldn't tell Mom that Chad is a year older than Tommy...

To Chad I said, "Yeah, I can go.  Just tell me when you'll be here."

*   *   *

 

I couldn't believe it.  There were a ton of reporters there.  I thought only a few would show up for the press conference where I was going to apologize for Tommy trying to rape me.  A large crowd of people armed with a variety of cameras and bristling with microphones sat in front of a podium on a small stage in the pressroom of the studio.

Per instructions from Mr. Winters, I was wearing a dress – a very pretty and feminine summer dress with a bright floral print.  To go with the pink in the print, I wore pink sandals with three-inch heels.  I started to feel that I might have over done the pink when I thought about my pink nails, pink lipstick and pink earrings.

“Are you sure you have all the points on this sheet down?” Mr. Winters asked as he waved a sheet of paper in front of me.  Instead of memorizing a prepared statement, he wanted me to memorize specific points instead and say them in my own words so I would sound like I was speaking from the heart, not from a prepared statement.

"For the third time yes, Mr. Winters." I said, getting a little flustered.  "I'm just nervous about going out there in front of those reporters."

Mr. Winters gave me a wry smile and said, "You knew the job was dangerous when you took it.  I mean, you had to have known you were going to have to get up in front of a crowd."

I brushed my hands down the front of my dress to make sure I didn't have any wrinkles and said, "I know.  But it was all academic before."

Mr. Winters put a gentle hand on my shoulder and said, "You'll do fine."  He glanced at his watch and then looked over my shoulder and made a circular gesture to someone behind me.  He said, "Time to go out and meet the press.  I, along with some other execs will be standing behind you."  He made a shooing gesture to me. "Scoot."

Brooklyn was standing there with us.  Bless her heart.  She had gotten up early to get me to the salon.  Mr. Winters had been afraid I'd show up with bed hair.  After the press conference, she was going to take me shopping.  On Friday, I was scheduled to be a guest at some luncheon that was raising money for some charity.  My closet is already so full of dresses; I don't know why Brooklyn thinks I need one more.

To Brooklyn, I said, "Do I look okay?"

She smiled and said, "Sweetie, you look gorgeous.  You're such a girly-girl!"

I could feel my cheeks flush as I turned to walk out on to the stage.  I sucked in a deep breath and took my first few steps.  I was a mix of emotions as I walked across the small stage to the podium.  As soon as I walked out, dozens -- maybe more -- cameras flashed all at once and the air was filled with the sound of those cameras clicking.

It was all I could do to keep from turning around to run screaming from the place.  All those people staring intently at me, cameras flashing and my own high heels clicking.  I became overly aware of the fact that I was wearing make-up and earrings and a dress.  I was aware of the skirt of my dress gliding over my legs.  My bra seemed to be digging in a little extra today.  It was all so surreal...

I walked up to the podium and just stood there a moment -- frozen.  I looked out at the crowd of expectant faces and camera flashes.  Finally I managed to say, "Good morning!"

I was surprised when they actually said "good morning" back.

I gave them all a nice friendly smile and said, "Thank you all for coming this morning.  I appreciate the opportunity to clear the air on a few things and I promise not to keep you long."  I looked over the sea of faces.  My stomach was tying itself into knots.  Sweat trickled down my back.

"So having said that..." I continued, "Let me go ahead and just cut to the chase.  I don't know how the rumor got started, but let me just say that there's absolutely no truth to the story that Tommy Kincaid tried to rape me.  Trust me.  Otherwise we'd be having this press conference outside his jail cell.  Rape is a serious issue that affects women the world over.  But having someone falsely accused of rape is also serious.

"Yes, Tommy got carried away and acted like any other teen age boy.  Like all guys, it seems Tommy just wasn't thinking clearly.  And that's really all I have to say about that.   Any questions?"  I didn't want to invite the press corps to ask me questions, but Mr. Winters told me I had to.

  A chorus of "Michelle!" and “Miss Grayson!” erupted from the reporters in front of me.

I pointed to one of the few women reporters.  Before I walked out, I really thought most of the reporters would be women.

The woman reporter said, "Thank you.  Michelle, the big question on my readers' minds is, are you two still together?  There's a rumor that you're now dating Chad Dumont."

How does this stuff get around so fast?

I said, "It's not like Tommy and I were on the verge of marriage!  We were just dating.  I'm only fourteen.  It's not like I'm going to get serious with anyone!  And not that it's anybody's business, but Chad invited me to go to lunch with him the other day when we both happened to be up here at the studio.  It's not something I'd call a date."

A few more questions were all about specifics of the last date I had with Tommy.  The questions were way too personal and I told them so. I was getting annoyed by them so I said, "Just one last question.  You." I pointed to a cute guy with a camera. 

"Two questions.  Are you and Tommy still friends?  And are you free Saturday night?"  A chorus of laughter spilled around the room.

Before I could answer, a voice behind said, "Of course we're still friends, aren't we Michelle?"  I turned and there was Tommy, dressed all sharp in a suit.  A mix of emotions washed over me.  I was still angry, a little, with him but I have to admit, I really like him.  And the way he was dressed, standing beside me, he was absolutely gorgeous.

I hesitated a moment, because of the shock of seeing him.  I had no idea he'd been standing there.  I wondered how long he'd been there.  I just stared at him a moment before turning back to the reporter.  I couldn't stop if from forming.  I knew I had a goofy smile spreading across my face as I said, "Yes.  Yes, we're still friends."  I paused a moment, looking at the really cute reporter.  I continued, sounding too apologetic considering he was probably just joking, "And sorry!  I have something already planned for Saturday."  Another round of a few laughs.

Over the noise, I could barely hear the reporter laugh and then say as he started to put away his camera, “I was just kidding…”

Mr. Winters walked up to the podium and announced, "And that concludes the press conference. Thank you ladies and gentlemen for coming today."

Tommy gently took my arm at the elbow and escorted me off the stage.  An awkward silence followed.

"Did I surprise you?" Tommy finally asked.  When I nodded, he said, "I wasn't going come out there with you at first.  But I thought you might want some moral support. I hope you didn't mind."

I looked at Tommy and had to force myself not to melt.  I said, "No, I didn't mind."

Tommy’s eyes locked onto mine.  We just stared at each other for a few seconds. Tommy swallowed audibly and then said, “Michelle.  I just want to say how incredibly sorry I am for the other night.  I got carried away…you were so beautiful and the moon on the beach…did I mention you were beautiful?  Please accept my apology.  I’m so very sorry.”

I thought about making him say he was sorry at least two more times, but I said, “Apology accepted!”  I just smiled at him, lost in his eyes.  No…I wasn’t going to let him suck me in again.  I averted my eyes.

Tommy looked at his feet for a few moments.  He said, "So, were you just making a joke with the reporter, or do you really have plans for Saturday night?"

I glanced over to where Mr. Winters was telling Brooklyn something.  I was afraid to look Tommy straight in his eyes.  I had to keep my resolve.  I said, "Actually, I do.  Just some Hollywood party."

Tommy looked thoughtful for a moment, and then said, "I haven't been invited to anything and the only big party I know of is Julia Briggs' party."  He paused a moment as a look of concern crept across his face.  "You're not going there, are you?" he blurted.

I pulled myself up a little straighter and said, "If you must know, yes.  That's where I'm going.  Chad Dumont is taking me."

"Chad is taking you to Julia's party?" Tommy said with much concern in his voice.  "That's definitely not a good idea, Michelle."

I wanted Tommy to take me into his arms and kiss me as he did on the beach the other night, only with more self-control.  Instead, I said, "Already getting jealous, Tommy?  I can date anyone I want to, you know."

Frowning, Tommy said, "Yes, I'm aware of that. But I'm also aware that Chad is a real bad apple.  Trust me on this one.  You don’t want to go to that party.”

I folded my arms and said, “Why?  Because you’re not invited?”

“No.  I wouldn’t go even if I was invited.  Michelle, I think I know you fairly well.  You’re a very sweet girl.  The people who go to Julia’s parties are a rough and wild bunch.  I honestly don’t think you’ll be safe there.”

“Chad seems nice enough to me,” I said.  “He doesn’t seem all that rough and wild.”

Now Tommy folded his arms and asked, “And how long have you known him?”

“We had lunch together.”

Tommy laughed.  “An hour.  You’ve known him for a whole hour!  I understand that just about every teen girl on the planet wants to go on a date with Chad Dumont.  Girls, for some strange reason, are always attracted to the bad boys.”

Glancing at my watch, I interrupted saying, “Look, I don’t have time for this.  Thanks for your concern, Tommy.”  I started to walk over to where Brooklyn and Mr. Winters were still talking.

Tommy touched my arm and I stopped and turned to face him.  He said, “Please think about what I said.  I know what I’m talking about.”

I gave him a weak smile and said, “I will.”  I turned once again to walk away.

“Michelle?”

I turned back to Tommy and said, “Yes, Tommy?”

“I uh…I just wanted to tell you how beautiful you are today.”

I smiled at him and said, “Thank you, Tommy.  You look pretty wonderful yourself.”  He smiled and I turned to walk away.

*   *   *

 

I felt a little over dressed.  I was wearing one of my “little black dresses”, hose and heels and I’d had my hair done that afternoon.  Chad was wearing a pair of jeans, a t-shirt with an unbuttoned regular shirt over the t-shirt.  

He jumped out of his pimped-out Hummer and tossed the keys to the waiting parking valet at Julia’s apartment building.  I waited a moment, but Chad didn’t come around the car to open my door for me.  I opened the door and climbed down.

At least he held the door open for me.  We walked down the short hallway to the elevators.  Chad punched the button for the twentieth and top, floor.  I was excited.  I was going to a big Hollywood party with the hottest rocker in the world.  I wished Kayla could see me!  I was wearing her necklace.

The elevator door opened revealing another short hallway with only a few doors.  I could only imagine how huge each apartment was judging by the size of the building.  My guess was that only the top floor had this few apartments.

Anyway, at the end of the hall stood a longhaired, bearded guy dressed in leather jacket, pants and large boots.

Chad noticed my reaction and whispered in my ear as we approached, "Julia usually hires some biker gang dudes for security.  She doesn't want anyone crashing her parties. Don't worry about it."

That immediately gave me an uneasy feeling.  What was going on in these parties if she couldn't hire a regular rent-a-cop?

As we approached the biker guy, he and Chad did a high-five followed by a rather silly ritualistic handshake.  The biker guy said, "Hey, Chad, mi hermano!"

Chad said, "Barf!  Yo, man, like how's it hangin'?"

"Barf" turned his eyes toward me and I immediately wished I could shrink and disappear.  I felt dirty after his eyes touched me. He turned to Chad and gave him two thumbs up and said, "I approve!"

Another high-five and we entered the apartment.

All my senses were instantly assaulted upon entering the room.  There was loud, heavy metal music coming from speakers built into the ceiling.  A grating mix of various incense mingled together in the air.  The air was heavy with the smell of cigarettes and other odors I couldn't identify.

The crowd was large and noisy.  There were a lot of sleazy looking people here ranging from punk rockers and metal heads, to a few celebrities that surprised me, down to what I later learned were porno stars; mostly male ones, all the way down to a Congressman.

Chad surprised me first by pulling out a cigarette and lighting it.  He offered the pack to me.  I waved it away and said, "No thanks.  I didn't know you smoked."  I was immediately put off by it.

Chad said, "Sure.  Just about everybody I know in this town smokes.  My publicist makes sure that not many pictures of me with a cig get published.  Your Tommy-boy doesn't smoke."  Speaking of which, I was beginning to think I should have taken his warning more seriously.

"Chad!" called a female voice from our right.  I looked and it was Julia.  "Darling!  How wonderful of you to come!  And you brought Michelle!  How...mmmm...delicious!"  When her eyes scanned me from top to bottom I just wanted to scream and run.  I tightened my grip on Chad's arm.

Julia continued by pointing across the room, "Everything you can think of to drink is right over there.  And there are other...umm...party favors in the room next to the bathroom. Enjoy!"

Chad tugged on my arm and said, "Let's go get something to drink, babe."

Julia didn't exaggerate.  There was every kind of alcoholic beverage you could imagine there.  There were also some bottles of cola, I guessed for mixed drinks.

Chad started looking through the bottles and asked, "What'll you have?"

I said, "I'll just have a Coke or something."

Chad frowned and said, "Come on, girl.  Live a little.  I was hoping that goody-two-shoes shit was just an act."

With a worried tone in my voice I said, "We shouldn't be drinking this stuff! I mean, I'm only fourteen."

Chad frowned again and said, "Yes, I know.  You've told me."  He waved his arm in an arc and continued, "Look around.  Do you see any parents here?  Any cops?  That Congressman over there doesn't count."

Chad put some ice in a glass, poured a bit of some kind of alcohol into it, and then poured some cola into the glass.  He said, "Here, try this.  I put more Coke than booze in it.  Go ahead, drink it!  Don't worry about it!"

I took a little sip and my God it was nasty!  How do people drink this stuff?  I decided I'd had enough of the party and I just wanted to go home.

I coughed a couple of times, set the glass down and said, "Chad, thanks for inviting me, but this isn't my kind of party.  I brought money for cab fare.  I think I'll just go home now."

Chad furrowed his brow and said, "What? No pin the tail on the donkey?  Listen, no girl runs out on me, babe! No one!"  His tone softened a little as he said, "Michelle, please stay.  You need to loosen up.  Have some fun!"

Julia came up from behind me and patted my butt and let her hand linger there. She said, "I just love your dress, girlfriend."

I turned to move closer to Chad so that her hand fell away and I nervously said, "Thanks.  And that's an interesting outfit you're wearing."  I looked at Julia, really noticing her for the first time that evening.  She was wearing a sleeveless see-through skintight top and no bra, clearly revealing her nipples along with really tight silvery pants that left a very distinct camel toe. 

She leaned in real close, her breath stank of alcohol and tobacco and God knows what else.  She said, "I'm so glad you like it!"  She gave me an odd look and a smirk and then walked away.

To Chad I said, "She scares the hell out of me."

Chad laughed and said, "Don't worry about it.  That's just the way she is!  Here.  This only has Coke in it."  He handed me another glass.  I sniffed at it suspiciously.  Chad laughed and said, "Oh, just drink it!"

I tasted it, but couldn't detect any alcohol, so I took a gulp.  My throat was already intensely dry.  The odors in the air made it hard to breathe.

Chad tugged on my arm and said, "Come on.  You need to meet some of the other guests."

I started to feel a little dizzy.  At first I thought maybe Chad had slipped me what Dad would have called a "Mickey Finn" but after a moment I was okay.  I think the lack of oxygen in the room was the cause of the dizzy spell.

Chad introduced me some of the other inmates at the party.  I was shocked at some of the really big names there.  These were the types that wreck their hotel rooms and force airliners to land so they can be kicked off.  They just weren't local bad boys either.  There were a couple of British groups there, that new group from Germany and a Polish band that no one's heard of.  There was a wide range of actors there as well.

Julia was passing by when Chad grabbed the glass from my hand.  He said, "Could you get Michelle a re-fill?  She's just drinking Coke."  Julia hesitated a second and Chad said, "Snark here is in the middle of a story..."

Julia said, "Gotcha..."

I said, "I'm fine. Really."

Julia just smiled and said, "No problem, Sweetness." And she walked away.

When Julia returned with my re-filled drink, my head was starting to pound.  I needed some fresh air really bad.  I took a sip of the drink and it seemed to have a slight after taste.  I'm sure my sense of smell was pretty shot by then, so I didn't really think of it.

By the time I'd finished the glass, I was finding it difficult to stand.  Chad saw me wavering around and said, "Michelle?  Are you okay?"

I put an arm around Chad as I teetered on my high heels.  "I feel suddenly nauseous.  I need to sit down."

Chad started to lead me over to a chair.  I only made it as far as a nearby coffee table and I collapsed on it.  I couldn't focus my eyes.

Sounding far away, I heard Chad say to Julia, "Did you put something in her drink?"

Julia replied with, "Didn't you want me to?"

Chad said, "No, not really.  At least not yet."

Julia laughed and said, "Look, I guarantee you that girl is cherry.  Don't you want to be the first one in?"

The voices all sounded so far away and I couldn't bring myself to move a muscle.

I heard Chad say, "I don’t know.  This is statutory..."

Julia said, "So?  It's not your first time and she won't remember anything."  She leaned in close to me and said, "I'm not even sure if she's even aware of what's going on."

"Mind if I borrow your bedroom?" Chad asked Julia.

Before she could answer, Snark yelled out, "Do her here, man!  Right here, man."  A chorus of whoops and hollers filled the room.

Julia said, “If you don’t do her, I’m gonna do her!”

Chad pulled off his shirt and said, "I don’t know. Look at her.  She looks like a kid."  A chant started with the crowd saying in a rhythm, “Do her! Do her!...”

Just as Chad dropped his pants, there was the sound of the apartment door slamming open.  Everyone turned to look.

Angrily, Julia shouted, "What the hell are you doing here?”

“Oh my God!” I heard Tommy’s voice shout.  “Michelle!  What have they done to you?  Get away from her, asshole!”

I managed to turn my head in the direction of his voice. 

Julia shouted, “This is a private party, dick weed!  How did you get past security?”

As Tommy knelt beside me he said, “You shouldn’t hire criminals for security.  I just paid him more than you did and he left.”  He lifted my eyelids and checked me over.  He turned to face Julia and said, “You fuckin’ bitch!  What have you done to her?”  Looking over at Chad, who was standing there only in his underwear, Tommy yelled, “And just what the hell were you about to do?”

Chad just sneered at Tommy and said, “Nothing that you didn’t try to do, bucko.”

Tommy leapt to his feet and rushed towards Chad.  Chad tried to take a step backwards and tripped over the pants that were still down around his ankles, causing him to crash to the floor.

Yelling at Chad and pointing at me, Tommy said through clenched teeth, “I didn’t drug her and try to rape her!”

Chad lifted himself up on his elbows and said, “What are you talking about man?  We were just playing around.  It was just a little initiation to bring Michelle into our group.  You didn’t think that we were…man, how could you think that!? You perv!”

“Leave my apartment, Tommy!” shouted Julia.

“I’m leaving right now, bitch!” Tommy shouted right back.  In a lower, steady tone, Tommy added, “This is a new low, even for you, you worthless sack of shit.”

Tommy bent down and gathered me up in his arms and started to pick me up off the coffee table.

Chad was back on his feet and said, “Hey man, that’s my date!”

Tommy ignored Chad as he walked towards the door.  To me he whispered, “You’re okay now, baby.  I’ve got you.  Don’t worry.”

Tommy held me all the way down the elevator and then carried me out to his car.  He had the top down on his car and he tried to lay me down in the back seat as gently as he could.  As he was trying to lower me over the doorframe into the back seat, my panties and pantyhose caught on something and began to be pulled down.  Tommy didn’t notice that I was being exposed until he had all but my legs in the back seat of his car and my skirt had flipped up.

“What the hell?”

As small as he was, Mike Jr. was very noticeable as he slipped out over the top of my panties.

Tommy’s eyes were wide and his mouth hung open.  “You’re a…you’re a…Oh my God! You’re a guy!”

*   *   *

 

End of Part 16

 

  since 11/05/06