Rock Radio - By Lisa Wainland Page 0,37
several pitches.
“Larry to be straight with you, I haven’t had a lot of time lately to go through my mail.” It was true. Dana had a stack of fan mail piled up in the corner of her office.
Larry didn’t know how to respond. “Maybe I’ll re-send it,” he said, dreading the fact that he’d have to go and get another copy of the picture made, buy another card and write the same carefully thought out message. Thankfully, he kept a copy of the poem in his top right desk drawer.
“Okay, that’s fine,” Dana replied hoping to end this call.
“But how will I know that you’ll read it?”
“Well...” Dana thought quickly, “I’ll see your name on the return address won’t I?”
Larry hadn’t thought of that. “That’s true. I don’t think I ever told you my last name. It’s Carter like the president.”
“And the Backstreet Boy,” Dana joked.
Larry didn’t respond. This wasn’t funny, this was serious.
“You know,” she continued, “Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys?”
“I know what you meant I just didn’t find it funny.” He was angry at her for bringing up a boy band member at a time like this.
“Oh.” This guy was really creepy.
“So you’ll look for my card?”
“I told you I would Larry.”
“Larry Carter.”
“Yes, Larry Carter, got it.” Dana jotted down his name. She didn’t want to forget to have Jonny nearby when she found the letter.
“Great.”
“So I’ll talk to you later Larry, I have to get back to work.”
“I understand.”
“Bye.”
“Bye.”
Larry hung up the phone. Damn! These women were all alike, making promises they couldn’t keep. Now he had to go and repeat everything he’d already done.
What a waste of time.
He pounded his hand on the desk angrily, counted to ten, then got the negative to the picture and began the process all over again.
Chapter 24
Dana was relieved when her shift was over. That Larry guy was creepy, creepier than some of the other wacko calls she’s received over the years. She made sure to have George walk her to her car.
“Could you just hang out till I pull away?” she asked him.
“Sure...is something wrong?”
“Just a weird listener call today. Thanks, George.”
True to his word, George stood outside the station until she was safely out of the parking lot and on the road. George was older, grayer and probably not much of a match for an attacker, but he made her feel better.
Dana flipped on her radio and put in The Cody Blue Experience CD, which she had borrowed from Jonny, and listened to it on the way home. The lyrics to the songs touched her. They spoke of fear and loss, redemption and love. They were deeper than ninety percent of the songs she currently played.
She got home and brought the CD inside, poured herself a glass of wine and played it again, falling asleep on the sofa.
It had been a rough day.
*
Saturday came and went. Before Dana knew it, Jill and Jonny were calling to say they were on their way over to pick her up for the station party.
Dana dressed in a short red dress that hugged every curve and put on strappy sexy sandals that made her legs look endless. Her long black hair was piled messily on her head, long tendrils framing her face. Dana smiled at her reflection in the mirror, she looked damn good and she knew it. It made her feel great...and confident. She hadn’t felt this womanly in a long time. Not since Sam left, anyway.
Jonny and Jill arrived on time. They too looked great. Jonny had recently re-bleached his tresses, so his hair was white blonde and standing on end. He wore a tight dark black shirt and matching jacket with fitted black pants. Jill matched him in a black cocktail length sleeveless dress. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a tight French twist. They looked like a couple.
The ride to the boat was filled with gossipy station conversation.
“So I hear you’re working with Nick,” Dana said to Jill.
“Ugh, don’t remind me. He has the most leering eyes.”
“He does,” Dana agreed. “I think he’s slept with half the women at the station.”
“Really?” Jill turned to face Dana. “I thought he was married?”
“And that’s supposed to stop him?” Dana asked. Jonny grew hot under his collar.
“I wonder why his wife puts up with it,” Jill said, staring out the window. “I certainly wouldn’t.”
“Me neither. How ‘bout you Jonny?” Dana prodded.
“Huh?”
Jill looked at him. “Put up with your spouse cheating.”
“No way,” he answered. “So are they serving dinner at