Henry’s star was rising. The Scuffling Scrappers were about to
embark on their first national tour, and it was all due to Henry’s
outstanding efforts. Their first major label LP, The Scuffling
Scrappers Scrap Along was getting airplay at many stations across
the country on the strength of its single “All I Need is a Guitar
and You.”
Arlen “Buddy” Jones, the group’s steel guitar player was one of
Henry’s best friends, and an outstanding musician. Henry initially
met him though Buddy’s brother-in-law Sam and befriended him after
Buddy’s wife Deborah died in childbirth a couple of years back,
leaving him with a young son, Adrian. Buddy would often be invited
to dinner, and Adrian and I would play together.
Juliette would occasionally invite one of her girlfriends over when
Buddy was visiting, in an effort to “fix him up” with someone. She
didn’t think it was a good idea that he should be alone. Buddy
didn’t seem to be all that interested in most of her friends,
though, and poured his spare time into the band instead.
Henry and Buddy were down at the Stomping Grounds when Annette
Samson walked in. A strikingly beautiful woman, many of the men
watched her as she strode up to the barkeep. Even Henry couldn’t
help himself, and Buddy was especially taken.
“I’d like to apply for the waitress position,” declared Annette to
the bartender. “Is the manager in?”
The bartender stammered a bit before responding, “Len’s office is
over there,” indicating the door to the left.
Annette headed toward the door and at least a dozen eyes followed
her as she disappeared into the manager’s office.
Henry and Buddy took a look at each other, and Buddy broke into a
smile. “Now there’s someone I could be interested in.”
“She seems to be a little too highfalutin for you,” Henry replied.
“I’d bet she wouldn’t even stop to give you the time of day.”
Buddy looked longingly at the door of the manager’s office, and
then returned his attention to his bottle of beer. “I guess you’re
right. It’s just a dream.”
A few minutes later when Annette emerged, the scene replayed
itself, but this time her eyes lit on Buddy, and she gave him a
smile as she left the bar.
When Len emerged from his office, all eyes turned to him as he
announced, “OK boys, I’m sure you’re probably wondering what that
was all about.” A murmur went up. “Quiet down, everyone. Annette
starts her new job as waitress tomorrow.”
A cheer went up, along with a few whistles, and a number of the men
clinked their bottles together. Buddy beamed a little more, and
considered his chances.
By the next day, word had passed throughout the town about the new
beautiful young waitress. The bar was full as Annette began her
first shift at 4 P.M. Even a few curious wives were present, if
only to keep an eye on their husbands.
Henry and Buddy were at their usual table when Annette approached
them to take their order. Once again, she smiled at Buddy and
spoke. “You’re Buddy Jones, aren’t you?”
Buddy was speechless for a moment before he finally blurted out,
“Yes, miss, that’s me.”
“I thought so,” Annette continued. “I’ve seen you on the Country
Corner Show and was surprised to see you in here yesterday. I’m a
big fan of the Scrappers.”
“This is where it all started,” he swept his arm indicating the
bar, “just a few years ago. A lot of the guys that started the band
aren’t around anymore, but even Henry here,” indicating Henry, “was
a part of it at one time.”
Annette nodded at Henry and returned her attention to Buddy.
“What’ll it be this afternoon, boys?”
“Just a couple of beers,” replied Buddy, “and then we have to be on
our way. The band is getting ready to go on the road, and Henry is
going to go over the schedule with us tonight.”
Annette left and returned with the two beers, and then began taking
orders from the other patrons. Henry and Buddy still couldn’t help
but watch her as she moved from table to table.
“Just my luck that a beautiful thing like that would come into town
just as I’m ready to leave,” Buddy groused.
“You’ll only be gone for a month. I’m sure Len will keep her around
for a while if the bar fills up like this every night,” replied
Henry.
“I think that’s the girl I’m gonna marry,” observed Buddy.
“Now you’re sounding like me, a few years ago,” agreed Henry. “She
would be a good catch, I tell you.”
Henry and Buddy finished up their beers and headed over to Henry’s
office. Henry had worked out of his home until the Scrappers
popularity began to soar, and finally had to rent a storefront
office on Main Street.
Buddy had a hard time concentrating on the upcoming tour while he
was thinking of the encounter at the bar. Henry caught him
daydreaming and gave him a friendly punch in the shoulder. “C’mon,
Buddy, we’ve got work to do here.”
“Sorry, Henry, I’m not sure I can go on the road. I’m just too
caught up in the possibility that Annette is interested in me. What
if she takes to some other guy while I’m gone?”
“It could go the other way, she could take to another guy if you
don’t go. Remember, she said she’s a fan. What would she think if
you dropped out?”
“Yeah, I guess so. I can’t think right now. I’ve gotta go back and
ask her something.”
Buddy rush back up the road to the Stomping Grounds and caught
Annette between customers.
“Hey, Buddy,” she said. “Back for another beer already?”
“Not really. No,” he said as he looked at the floor and rocked on
his feet. “I was just wondering. We’re going out on the road in a
few days, and I’d like to call you on the phone. Would that be
OK?”
“Why certainly, I’ll look forward to it,” she replied.
Buddy practically floated out of the bar on his way back to Henry’s
office. “I think I have a chance with her,” he explained to Henry.
“Let’s see that schedule!”