Tiger Moths (24 page)

“I just can’t believe I’ve waited this long to receive this gift. So many things my grandma used to tell me make sense now.”

“Well hey, you two.” Laura walked closer, her smile changed to concern. “What’s wrong? Are you two okay?”

“Laura, we are perfect.” Dale wiped away a tear and continued. “We have never been better, although I’m sure we both look a mess. Johnny just accepted Christ!”

“That’s fantastic, Johnny!” Laura hugged him warmly. “There is nothing in the entire world like it, brother. You know, Gracie has been asking a lot of questions about creation lately; I think her heart is being prepared too.”

“Mommy, why is everyone hugging Johnny?” Gracie had stolen away from the children’s group to join them.

“Come here, Gracie. I have been saving my biggest hug for you, my girl.” Johnny scooped her off her feet and she giggled her unique Gracie giggle. He loved hearing her innocent glee. He loved everything God had blessed him with. But most of all he loved his Lord and Savior, and he knew joy beyond compare.

Johnny continued, “Now how about we all celebrate this glorious day with a grand tour of the magnificent island God has given us. I’ll drive, if Dale is willing to be our tour guide.”

“I’d love to!” Dale responded.

It was the best day he had had in years. The sense of freedom that had eluded him for so long now filled him. But he knew the day had to end. Finally, Johnny drove them to Dale’s apartment to drop them all off. He hugged Laura and Gracie goodbye with warm and genuine affection. Then he turned and looked at Dale.

“I cannot thank you enough for sharing with me the joy of salvation, and for letting me spend this day with you. It was fantastic! Dale, when you all get back stateside please don’t hesitate to call me.”
I don’t want to lose you.
He took a scrap piece of paper and scribbled his private number on it. It was something he only shared with his closest of friends. He deeply hoped she would use it. Somehow he felt like he needed her, and she needed him.
Do unto others.

“I know you will probably be around, you know, hanging with Jason, and all, but if you ever just want to have a cup of coffee when he is busy … just to stay in touch.”

No Johnny, Jason and I are not going to work out.
She wanted to tell him that, but how could she say anything when she had not even broken the news to Jason? Yet, something about Johnny’s availability excited her. He was just so easy to be around, so familiar, and he made her laugh like she thought she had forgotten how to laugh.

“Johnny, it was my pleasure sharing our day with you. And the angels in heaven are celebrating this day with us. You have been so kind to entertain Gracie, and to be our most gracious driver today. You take care, and have a successful and safe tour. I’m pulling for you on that entertainer of the year award. And Johnny, keep Him always close to you.” I wish we could get to know each other more.
I wish I could be there to help you grow in Christ. I will pray for you, Johnny Clark – that you will always feel the love of our heavenly Father.

“I will. I know I have a lot more to learn, but my heart is His.” When he reached over and kissed her lightly on the cheek she could hardly conceal the reaction. Not since Jason had anyone made her feel this way. She leaned back and smiled. Gazing into his beaming face she knew she had looked a little too long.

“Don’t drown; don’t let them pull you down,” she whispered.

He stared with equal intensity into her eyes. “Stay true to who you are, Dale. Stay in touch.”
I wish we had a shot, but you are with Jason. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Dale walked back to the apartment with Gracie singing “Smoky Sunset” at the top of her voice. Laura just looked at Dale and rolled her eyes. Dale winked back and they both laughed. It had been a day Dale had not predicted, and she had no complaints, except when she thought about Jason. Last night had been a mistake; she never should have kissed him, but she had no idea he would leap at that one moment the way he had.

It was almost eight thirty when they arrived home, so dinner was quick and Gracie was asleep within the hour. She had been bouncing all over the place for the entire day; it was no wonder that she was exhausted. Having put her to bed, Laura joined Dale on the patio for lemonade and one of her favorite things – girl talk. She had been itching to talk to Dale all day.

“All right, girl, time to tell Laura what’s going on in that pretty little head of yours. I saw you and Jason last night, but today, I’m just not feeling it. What gives?”

“I never should have let last night happen. Jason and I have lost what we had. It can’t be restored, and it’s not because of fear, it’s because I just don’t love him anymore. And he seems different. It was almost frightening how demanding and possessive he was with me today. I don’t even really think he loves me; I think he wants what got away from him, like he has something to prove. I don’t know, but whatever the case, don’t place any bets on that relationship.”

Dale sighed and sipped her drink. She looked out over the ocean and watched the remaining portion of the sun sink into the water.

“I didn’t think that was going to work out for you two. Although last night I was happy, but a little concerned when I saw how close you were. And that kiss just blew me away. Don’t get me wrong, you know I like Jason, just not you and him together again. That would be way too much pressure on you, especially with all the baggage. But here’s my big question - anything going on with Johnny?”

“Johnny? Goodness no, I mean I have no doubt that today on that beach he became a new man and I am thrilled, but look at his life. It must be crazy travelling from town to town every week and living in a fish bowl. I don’t see how he does it. And all the pressure he has with the press and with performing all of the time. No, no, I’m not about to step into a minefield like that, but I will pray for him every day, that he will be able to overcome all of the temptations he is bound to face.”

“But you like him. Don’t you? I watched you both for most of the day. There was a little something there, and I know I’m not wrong about that. Go ahead and admit it to your best friend; I won’t tell anyone.”

Dale allowed a soft sigh. “Oh, I think Johnny and I will always be good friends. Under the surface we have a lot in common, and yes, I hope the three of us can see him again.”

“Yea, I saw him give you the phone number. I was just wondering if you were going to let me and the kid in on that little get together.” Laura laughed and slapped Dale on the leg.

“Okay, cut it out. You can be so juvenile sometimes.”
But that’s what I love about you, Laura; you never grow up and you never let anything keep you down.

“I like Johnny too, and my kid, well if Johnny said the word I don’t think she would be my kid anymore. And geez, she’s got him wrapped around her little finger. I guess you can’t believe everything you read.”

“Finally! I’ve been trying to tell you that ever since I have known you. But what do you mean by that anyway?”

“Oh, you probably don’t know. There was this big thing about Johnny being a womanizer and then out of the blue, just a couple of weeks ago, there was this article about him being gay. I, of course, didn’t let Gracie see it. That would have led to about a billion questions. But they had pictures and a big write up about it.”

“And it was in a tabloid, right?”

“Well yea, but it did enough to scare Jason into scheduling Johnny for this trip. It was supposed to be a big PR stunt, but now that I’ve met the man he seems real. I like him now almost as much as Gracie does. His concert was just awesome, and after today none of that matters anymore, even if it were true. Like you said, he is a changed man.”

“Yes, he is a believer now and his heart has changed. But you see, that’s what I am talking about. That’s why I would never date someone like Johnny. Who could put up with stuff like that? You could never have a private life with all of that fame. Still, I will allow that yes, I did like Johnny, and I wish I could know him better. But God will watch over and protect him now.”

“I knew it. I could see it in both of you. And I understand what you are saying, but look, you can’t let fear stop you from at least being open to the possibility.”

“We’ll see, Laura, but I have a feeling that once he gets back out on tour he will forget all about any feeling he may have had about me. The most important thing is that he has the joy of salvation now. Anyway, I have to deal with this Jason thing first. Oh, sister, I have to tell you, I am not looking forward to it.”

Johnny pulled into the parking lot and jogged up to the hotel entrance. He smiled to himself as he hit the elevator button to the seventh floor. He reached his floor still holding on to his thoughts of Dale. The sun was on the opposite side of the building, and the hall was dimly lit. His was the last room on the right. He keyed into the room and opened the door. Two tall figures appeared out of the bathroom and grabbed him. One pinned his arms down, while the other pepper sprayed his eyes.

He tried to fight out of the arm lock, to no avail. The spray burned his eyes painfully as he thrashed his feet out at the intruders. Suddenly he felt a deep penetrating punch in the stomach, followed by another, and a third. He tried to bend over in a defensive posture, but the first attacker held him upright. When he did manage to twist slightly, the intruder landed a solid punch to his kidney.

The thug released him after the damage was inflicted. Finally, he fell to the carpet in intense pain. He was kicked two more times in the ribs, and rolled over. His eyes still closed from the spray, he felt the sickening blow of a boot to his groin. He blacked out for a moment, and then all was quiet.

He lay there motionless for what seemed like an eternity. When he finally decided to move, he knew it would not be easy. It took him about fifteen minutes to muster the ability to crawl to the phone. Calling Jason’s room, he managed to mumble “Help me,” and again blacked out.

When Jason arrived, Johnny was in bad shape. “Well, Johnny, who have you pissed off this time?” he said without sympathy.

Johnny groaned. It was all he could get out.

“Okay, once again I am here to get you out of a mess. We’ll get the hotel doctor to come and take a look at you. No press, no police. We’ll keep it quiet. I’m not sure what you would do without me, boy.”

Half an hour later the doctor finished evaluating Johnny and heavily medicating him. He pulled Jason aside to give him a report. Johnny could only vaguely hear him.

“He has two broken ribs, a bruised kidney and a broken finger. I guess it goes without saying, but I can tell you he is in a lot of pain. He may need to get that kidney looked at to make sure there is not a tear. He really should not go back on tour for a couple of weeks, minimum. Maybe longer if that kidney gives him problems. Other than that he will be fine. It just looks like someone wanted to inflict a lot of pain on him.”

“Thanks, doc.” Jason handed him five hundred dollars as they shook hands. “No one needs to know about this little house call.”

“And no one shall.” The doctor took the money and quietly departed the room.

Jason turned and stared at Johnny groaning in the bed. “You had a very good doctor, Johnny; he was right on the money. Someone did want you to feel a lot of pain. No one will ever get between me and my girl again, no one, not even the great Johnny Clark. You punk!”

Jason walked over to the phone and called the hangar. “We are flying out first thing in the morning. Have the jet ready to go by eight o’clock. No questions; just file the flight plan and do what I say. Got it? Good, we will see you then.” He hung up the phone and looked with disgust at Johnny, then turned out the light and left.

Did I just hear Jason say he had me beat up because I spent time with Dale?
It was Johnny’s last thought before he drifted into blissful sleep. Because of his condition, it was a thought he would not recall when he came to later.