Johnny Greer’s Blues - Part 20

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Even though it was well after dark when Johnny pulled into the parking lot of the Rat Palace, the temperature was still hovering in the 80s. Johnny got out of his car and climbed the stairs to his third floor apartment. Inside the air was stale and hot. He turned on the old window unit, which clanked and rattled to life. It would provide some relief from the stifling air.

Johnny pulled a bottle of beer from his refrigerator, somehow surprised it was cold. He sat on his worn sofa and drank it down. Johnny looked around the dark apartment. He was glad to be back, but he didn’t feel he was at home.

After washing up and brushing his teeth he lay down on the bed and drifted off to sleep to the sound of the thunking air conditioner.

The next morning, Johnny received a call from the Hotel Tulip Poplar. The clerk told him that he had correspondence from Mr. Gold that he should pick up as soon as possible.

That morning, Johnny drove to the hotel and made his way through the large, empty lobby to the desk.

“Mr. Greer, it is always good to see you,” the clerk said. “I have an envelope for you.”

Johnny’s breath caught in his chest. Even though he knew that was why he had come to the hotel, there was something about the way the man said it that struck him with paralysis.

The man gave Johnny a smirk as he handed over a plain manila envelope with the name J. Greer written on the front.

Johnny’s breath released when he saw the envelope wasn’t red.

“Is this all?” Johnny asked.

“It is, Mr. Greer. For now,” the man said.

Johnny mumbled his thanks as he turned and hastily walked out of the lobby of the Hotel Tulip Poplar.

Johnny didn’t open the envelope until he was back at the Rat Palace. Inside was a letter from Mr. Gold and a couple of checks. It simply confirmed that TennGem Records wanted a second album, and that he was scheduled for several recording days at Delta Sounds beginning in early August. The letter suggested he write some original material, but that he lace that in with his reworked covers. The letter told Johnny he was free to use whatever backup musicians he wanted to, including Goose and Honi.

The letter informed him that his first royalty check was enclosed, as was an advance from the label. “Consider getting yourself a nicer place to stay. You should be able to afford it now.” Johnny looked at the checks. Although he recognized that this was by no means a fortune, it was enough to flee the Rat Palace and rent a much nicer apartment, or even a house.

He looked up Goose and Honi’s numbers in the phone book. He dialed Goose and asked him if he’d play on another album. The bassist simply said sure and said he’d see him in a couple of months.

He didn’t call Honi right away. He stared at her listing as he ran through every possible thing he could say in his mind, and reached for the phone a dozen times. He started to dial her number a few times and hung up. He told himself that he was worried she would be upset that he was calling her at all before the passage of a year. But, he knew he was lying to himself. He was scared to call her because he didn’t know what to say to her without telling her he didn’t want to wait that year; that he couldn’t wait.

Johnny walked outside and got in his car thinking a drive would clear his head. A summer sun shower kicked up shortly after he pulled out of his parking lot and onto Madison. The sun was shining, but the rain was heavy. He’d heard relatives say that this was a sign that the Devil was beating his wife. Johnny always thought that was an odd expression. Why would anyone get in bed with the devil in the first place?

Johnny’s head was in a fog and he found himself exactly where he knew he was going to end up, outside Honi’s house. Johnny got out of the car and walked up the concrete path to the small brick house. The sun shower soaked him before the got to her door.

He hesitated and then knocked. Honi answered. She looked at Johnny and smiled. “What brings you to my door, rock star?”

“I wanted to ask you if you’d do another album. We start in August.”

Honi laughed. “Of course. I look forward to it. You could have called me for that, you know.”

“I can’t wait a year, Honi. I know I’ve only been on the road for a couple of months, but I missed you. And I know deep down in my soul that you’re the one for me.”

Honi’s face grew serious. She looked him dead in the eyes. “Johnny, you sure that’s what you want?”

Johnny nodded.

“Look, music is a tough enough mistress. But I can cope with her. But I won’t tolerate a man who cheats on me and her. You hear me?”

“Yes.”

“If a man is with me and he cheats, there won’t be no screaming. No arguing. No tears and no second chances. I’ll just be up and gone.”

Johnny nodded again.

“You ready for that or you want some time to be a rock star?”

“I know what I want,” Johnny said.

Honi looked him in the eyes as they stood in silence for what seemed like an hour.

“Alright, Mr. Johnny Greer. Come on in out of the rain,” Honi said.

The next part will follow.

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