Blood of the Rainbow (52 page)

Kaye threw her hands up. “Sure Sara, I can leave you alone. I can let you do whatever you want to. Do you have no more respect for me or your father than to rebel against everything we’ve
ever
taught you?”

Sara was near tears, she turned away. “I’m not doing this with you Mother! I’ve got too much on my mind right now. I have a performance tonight, in a strange place that could house up to ten thousand people, and I’m so nervous I could throw up. I don’t need this! Jared and the rest of the band are counting on
me,
and I can’t – no – I
won’t
let them down. So, could we just postpone the grilling until after the concert, or better still, after the weekend?”

Kaye stared at Sara over the top of her glasses with foreign eyes.  Sara met her gaze with confidence she wasn’t aware she possessed. For a long time, they stared each other down. Finally, Kaye sighed. “All right Sara. Have it your way. It’s your life, but until you either leave, or marry this man, don’t expect my blessing. Do
not
bring him to my house until he’s changed your last name – understood?”

Kaye’s tone was venomous, and her words cut like a knife. She was forcing Sara to choose between her and Jared. The man she loved. Sara’s eyes filled with tears.
How dare she force me to choose between them?
It’s not fair
. Sara knelt in front of Kaye and took both her hands. “Mother, don’t do this, please. I love Jared, more than you could ever know.”

“Good, I’m happy for you,” Kaye replied curtly. Sara knew Kaye’s words weren’t sincere, she was mocking Sara. She wasn’t going to budge, but neither was Sara.  For once, she was as determined as Kaye was!

“Well, can we at least get through this weekend?”

“Of course…your father and I will be going back to our hotel shortly, and as soon as the performance is over – we’ll go away, and leave you to get on with your sinful ways. After all, it is
your
choice.” Kaye stood, and went back inside.

------------

“James – we’re leaving!”

James and Jared stood. Jared was staggered. “Leaving? I thought you were spending the weekend with us….”

Kaye glowered at Jared. “I wouldn’t stay with you if the world was ending, and this house was the last safe place on Earth. Don’t think because you’ve put a ring on her finger, that excuses you from normal Christian behavior! I did not raise my daughter to shack up with a savage!”

James gasped. “Kaye!”

Kaye turned her murderous stare on James. “You do
not
want to go there! I’ll wait for you in the car. If you’re not there in five minutes, I’m leaving without you!”

Jared took Kaye’s wrist. Kaye glanced down at it and back into Jared’s eyes. Jared felt his anger rising. He quickly let go of her hand, and shut his eyes. “Leave Mrs. Foster – leave now!”

“I don’t need you to tell me!” She spat at him. “Two minutes now James! Be there or walk!” She stormed toward the door. Out of nowhere, Gerald appeared, and held it open. He bowed slightly. Kaye brushed past him and went straight to the car.

James stood with his mouth gaped. “You and Sara are getting married?”

Jared took a deep breath and turned – his eyes now their normal color. “Yes Sir, Mr. Foster, but if you feel the same way as Mrs.....”

James sighed and held out his hand. “No Son – I don’t. I don’t feel the same, and I don’t understand this hatred Kaye has for all Native Americans – especially Navajo. My daughter seems happy. If she’s happy with you, that’s good enough for me. I trust my daughter’s judgment – I always have. Kaye thinks she’s too immature – but she’s not.”

Jared sighed and smiled. “No Sir – she’s not. Tonight was very important to her, and she had hoped her mother would be there.”

James drew in a deep sigh and forced it out. “I doubt she will, Jared. Sometimes I wonder why I put up with it – especially now that Sara’s all grown up.”

Jared chuckled. “Probably the same reason I deal with Sara’s mood swings and temper. Because you love her.”

James smiled. “Yeah – I guess you’re right. But sometimes… it still makes me wonder. Look, I’d better go before she carries out her threat, and I have to call a taxi. Welcome to the family Jared – such as it is,” he chuckled. “Kaye may not come to the performance tonight – but I will, unless I end up in a pine box before it starts.”

Jared sat back on the couch, exasperated. Trying to figure out how he was going to break the news to Sara. Between now and curtain time, he had to find a way to calm her. He decided he wouldn’t jump to conclusions, and hope James managed to convince Kaye to come. It would be a miracle if he did, but if he told Sara now….

------------

Sara stood there for a few minutes, fighting angry tears. Kaye was being unreasonable as usual. Scared of what Kaye might say to Jared, she hurried inside. Fearful, despite what he said about not needing Kaye’s acceptance; that she might say something to offend him. Jared may come to realize Sara wasn’t worth the drama. Sara couldn’t live with that, not even if it meant never seeing her mother
or
her father again.

When Sara got back in the lounge, Jared was sitting alone. Sara was half expecting this, but she was still disappointed. “Where are Mom and Dad?”

Jared’s tone was dry. “Gone. I was wrong about your mother. Please forgive me for saying this, but she
is
a bitch.”

Sara smiled. “I tried to tell you.”

“I can’t understand how she can be so callous and so… so…,” he groaned as he ran his hand through his dark hair. “I’ve never come across anybody with such a
closed
mind.”

Sara sat on the couch beside him. “Well, at least your parents accept
me
.”

Jared slid closer, and gathered her in his arms, kissing her. “What did you and she talk about?”

“We didn’t. She yelled. I listened.”

“She wasn’t even glad to see you or anything? She seemed so much nicer when they first got here.”

“That was to your face. She was just waiting for an opportunity to pounce on me. You’ll never believe what she told me.”

Jared kissed her hair. “What’s that?”

“She said, until you either married me or I left... she said I couldn’t bring you to
her
house. She called me a harlot. She was so mean and hateful. I knew bringing her here was a mistake. She never planned to stay with us.”

“I know. She said they had a hotel room.”

“Did she say whether or not they were coming to the concert?”

“I gave them the tickets and told them how to get to the coliseum. At least I’ve done my part. Your father is ok. I think he and I could get along quite well, your mother… that’s a different story.”

He took Sara’s hand and stood, “Let’s go upstairs and take a nap. We’ll need to start getting ready for the gig, soon. I think a nap will do us both good….”

------------

Sara and Jared took a hot shower and slept for a couple of hours. Sara felt better when they got up; apart from the fact the butterflies in her stomach were back, and they’d brought company.

Steve and Carl came over and brought Lucy with them. But, for some reason, Steve and Lucy weren’t as chummy. They hardly looked at each other, and when they spoke it was short and sweet. Jared and Sara couldn’t help but notice.

After the performance, Jared had planned on taking everyone out to celebrate, but now it looked like Kaye and James might not be there. Thanks to Kaye’s stubborn and prejudiced ways, James would be lucky if he convinced her to come to the concert – let along having a meal with them.

Jared decided before leaving for the coliseum, they’d get in one last practice session. Time ticked on. The closer to time to leave, the more nervous Sara got. She was up on her feet and pacing again. Lucy followed her with her eyes. “I heard things didn’t go well with your mother….”

“Did you expect it to?”

Lucy laughed. “Not really. I hope you prepped Jared.”

Sara sighed. “I tried. He believes me
now
. I’m just afraid it’s going to become more than he’s willing to bear Luce.”

Lucy laughed again. “Are you kidding me Sara? Jared loves you. Nothing Kaye
or
James could say can change that!”

“Thanks Luce….”

“He could still lose you, though.”

Sara was shocked. “What – how?”

Lucy stood up, grabbed Sara by the shoulders and sat her down on the couch beside her. “Because, if you don’t stop pacing, I’m going to have to kill you myself,” she joked. They laughed.

“Lucy, why couldn’t Mother be more like you?”

Lucy smiled. “Because your Aunt Lucy is one-of-a-kind, Kiddo, and my stubborn, old worn-out, old-fashioned sister can’t stand it!”

Sara smiled and hugged Lucy. “Don’t I know it!”

“There’s just one thing that’s bothering me….”

“What’s that?

“What’s going on with you and Steve?”

Lucy turned. “Nothing Sara – why do you ask?”

Sara chuckled. “You can’t seem to stand to be next to each other. Is there something you’re not telling me?”

Jared, Carl, Steve, and the rest of the band entered the room. “Ok, let’s go,” Jared said. “Everything is locked up.”

------------

If Sara thought she was nervous before, this would have to mean she had gone insane now. They were all dressed, sitting in the dressing room, waiting for their turn to go on stage.

The crowd outside were
extremely
active and judgmental. They cheered for their favorite bands, but weren’t hesitant to scream shouts of criticism for their not-so favorite bands. Sara hoped she didn’t fall in the last category. If she did badly, it would reflect on the entire band, and Sara didn’t want to let them down.

Some of the other bands that had performed before them were good, although they hadn’t been together quite as long as ‘Raging Storm’, excluding Sara, of course. Sara was the newbie here, and the person walking around with jelly for legs. She was certain she was going to mess everything up. She was so afraid she was going to get out there and forget the lyrics, she couldn’t think straight. Sara knew the rest of the band was trying to cut her some slack, but even Jared was getting edgy from Sara’s constant pacing.

“Could somebody see if they can find me a bottle of ginger ale or something?  I feel like I’m going to hurl,” Sara said.

Steve jumped to his feet. “I’ll get it,” he volunteered. “It will give me a chance to get my wits together.”
For more than one reason.

There was a knock on the dressing room door. Considering the coke machine was in the front lobby, it seemed a little fast for Steve. Sara’s fears took over when she saw who it was.

Andrea was at the door, clipboard in hand and a broad smile on her face. She looked at Jared. “So, is ‘Raging Storm’ all ready to bring down the house?”

Jared’s voice was sympathetic. “Will be. Steve went to get Sara a bottle of ginger ale. She’s feeling a little queasy.” He waited until Sara’s back was turned. “Stage fright,” he mouthed.

Andrea nodded. “I see,” she mouthed back, smiling. She walked over to Sara and put her arm around Sara’s shoulders. “Sweetie, you’re going to
knock
them dead. You’ve got nothing to be upset about.”

Sara smiled, but it never reached her eyes.

“You’ve got about ten minutes - break a leg!” Andrea ducked back out the door.

Sara looked at Jared. “Break a leg?”

Jared laughed. “It’s showbiz term.”

“I know!” Sara snapped. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way.” Sara was letting her nerves get the best of her. “I know what it means. I didn’t think anybody used it anymore.”

Jared put his arm around Sara’s shoulders and pressed his lips to her temple. “They don’t, but maybe Andrea was getting tired of your pacing too,” he joked. Sara glared at him.

There was another knock on the door, and Andrea poked her head in again. “Oh! I forgot to tell you. It’s a sell-out – standing room only. Good luck.…”

Sara glanced up at Jared with worried eyes. “She’s starting to remind me of Punch and Judy,” she sighed.

Jared smiled. “It’s all right, Angel. We’re going to do fine –
you’re
going to do fine - trust me.” He brushed her cheek with the back of his fingers. Sara wanted to believe him, but if Steve didn’t get back with her ginger ale soon, there was going to be a mess to clean up.

There was another quick knock, and Steve entered the room. He quickly glanced at Lucy, sighed and turned to Sara. “I’m sorry. The closest thing I could get you to ginger ale was 7UP. Will that do?” He held it out to her.

With shaky hands, Sara took the bottle, and struggled to get the lid off. Jared came to her rescue. She smiled as he handed it back to her. Sara guzzled down several large mouthfuls and took a deep breath. At least it was cold and fizzy. It should help after a few minutes. Sara hoped it wouldn’t take over ten minutes. That’s all the time they had before the band would be on stage. Then it would be either do, or die for Sara.

She started pacing again, shaking her hands nervously. Carl’s eyes followed her as she passed him several times. Finally, he reached out and grabbed her by the shoulders. “Stop – you’re driving me nuts!” He ushered her to Jared. “Here! Do something with this!” he said, as though she were a child with a dirty diaper.

“Gladly!” Jared held her, smiled, and then kissed her. “Better?” Sara nodded. He pulled her to the side and pushed her against the wall, pressing his body against hers. “After this is all over, I think you and I need to work on your stage fright. I think you could use some more,
calming
sessions,” he said, kissing her again.

Sara smiled up at him. “I think you’re right….”

After a light rap on the door, Andrea stuck her head in yet again. “It’s time. Five minutes before you go on.” She held the door open. “Follow me, please….”

Sara looked up at Jared again. He smiled at her and took her hand. “Let’s get out there.”

Andrea led them to the waiting area near the stage. The last band left the stage and hurried past them.

“
Ladies and Gentlemen, we’re proud to present to you, on stage for the first time in The Louisiana Hayride Reunion, ‘Raging Storm’ featuring lead vocalists, Jared Thundercloud and Sara Foster
.”