After Gabe and Tom left to return to work, Dick and Michael made their way back to the limo and left the parking lot while countless fans all waved and took pictures while they left. Dick was all smiles and waving from an open window as he left. He couldn’t but help but laugh at it all as the limo drove away from the establishment they just ate at.
“Do you have any idea how badly your school is going to freak out when the find out I was there, and no one noticed?” Dick asked the young man.
“Yeah, pretty bad.” Michael said as he looked back at the crowd behind them still standing by the restaurant.
“You alright, kid?” Dick asked, sensing something.
“Was it like this for Jenny?” Michael asked. “When she was growing up?”
“It was worse,” Dick confessed.
“How could it get worse than that?” Michael asked.
“Try going to sleep when there are people camped outside your house.” Dick answered as he thought back to those days. “We had a massive fence but that never stopped anyone from camping outside of it. We had to have the cops come by almost every night to take care of it. Think about that the next time you ask why so many celebrities have homes that are more secure and locked down almost as much as Fort Knox.”
“How do you put up with that all the time?” Michael then asked. He only got a small taste of the swarming fans and Dick could tell he really found it disturbing.
“It’s easy for me,” Dick replied, “I volunteered for this gig. I was aware of the good and the bad things going in and I was willing go with it. Jenny and the boys however, they were born into it. They never had a choice, which doesn’t seem very fair. You almost can’t blame her for running away to a small town like this, just to get away from the life.”
“But why are you here then, bringing the life back to her?” Michael asked. He actually felt for Jenny considering she was here in his hometown to get away from the chaos that Dick brought to town with him.
“I’m her father,” Dick said rather forcefully, “I have every right to see her. If she wanted to avoid all this, all she had to do was pick up a phone and arrange to meet at a neutral location. She wasn’t talking to me, so I had to travel here just to spend time with her. I don’t like that I have to force myself on someone, but I missed her. Wealth and fame only do so much, Michael. Family is the real treasure everyone should strive to possess.”
“Coming from the man who had three wives?” Michael countered.
Dick smiled and sighed. “Good comeback.”
“What happened then?” Michael asked.
He paused for a moment to ponder the question. “I was young. I was naïve and foolish. I thought I could handle anything, and I rushed into my first marriage. More like I cannon-balled into it. I was too young at the time, and I should have just partied a little longer and got it out of my system before trying to settle down. Despite all the success I had with the band, I was a failure as a husband and a father. All I can do now is throw myself down at Jenny’s feet and hope she has enough love in her heart to forgive me.”
“Is that the only reason why you came here?” Michael asked.
“No,” Dick honestly answered. “I also came here to meet your Dad. I have people watching all my kids, just to make sure they don’t get themselves into trouble. I heard she moved in with him and felt it was time to get to know him before things got anymore serious.”
“I don’t get it.” Michael admitted.
“What don’t you get?” Dick asked.
“You said you came here to meet my Dad.” Michael replied, “But according to my Dad, you guys already met long before you came to town.”
Now it was Dick’s turn to be confused. “I don’t get you. When did I meet your father?”
“He said you guys met during one of your concerts.” Michael said. “He had a sign and you invited him on stage.”
“I’ve invited a lot of people on stage over the years,” Dick confessed. “Any way you could narrow that down for me?”
“Well, Dad said it was his first Horseman concert.” Michael said. “He was only twelve when this happened. You invited him on stage because he had a sign that said Evel Dick. He says the crowd started chanting that for the rest of the night and that was when it became your permanent nic-name.”
Michael looked at Dick to see any signs that he remembered it. Tom had confirmed the story a few days after his Dad had told him, so he really didn’t need Dick to authenticate it.
The old man smiled. “That was your Dad?”
“Yeah, so it really did happen?” Michael asked.
“It did,” Dick confirmed. “Did your Dad ever tell you what happened after that off stage?”
“No, he only talked about what happened on stage.” Michael answered. “Why do you ask?”
Without answering Michael’s question, Dick dug into his pocket and pulled out his blackberry and dialed a number. After waiting for it to ring a few times he started to speak.
“Hey there, it’s Dick calling.” Dick said into the small device. “Listen, I need you to do something for me. I want you to go to the vault and get me a few things and have them shipped to Jenny’s place. I’m going to text you a list and the address in a few hours. Make sure it’s sent express and is fully insured. Thanks a million, man. I’ll send the info later today after I confirm the address with Jenny.”
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“What’s up?” Michael asked, curious to what was going on.
“It’s a surprise,” Dick said with a grin. “So, how about we hit a record store and get some music.”
“Jenny has a record player.” Michael said. “I wouldn’t mind getting some new LP’s to play on it.”
“My man,” Dick said with a respectful pat on the shoulder. “It’s talk like that gives me hope for the future. Driver, is there a good shop here in town we can get some LPs?”
“I know a good one, Sir.” the driver called from the front of the limo. “Family run establishment, could really use the press.”
“Say no more, I’m sold.” Dick replied. “Let’s go there right now.” He turned back to face Michael. “You pick out a handful of records for us to listen to back at the house while I sign a boatload of autographs for whoever comes in. You cool with that?”
“You don’t want to help me find a few albums?” Michael asked.
“I should have a few moments to help out until all hell breaks loose.” Dick admitted, “But after that, you’re on your own.”
It took about ten minutes for the driver to make it to the small shop that was located in the heart of the small town. It was a small shop as the driver had indicated, but it was perfect. It had music in every medium, but they also had a vast record collection for clientele to select from. As the limo pulled to a stop in front of the small shop, people who were walking by slowed down to see what was going on. The driver came out and walked over to open and hold the back door for Dick and Michael as they emerged from the vehicle. Dick held the door into the shop open for Michael and they both walked into the amazing little music shop. There were instruments, tons of music and even some special editions behind the counter for safe keeping from thieves. As they walked up to the counter, the cashier who was in her mid-thirties was tempted to pinch herself to see if she was dreaming. Dick walked up to her with his mischievous grin.
“Hi there,” Dick said, flashing a crude smile. “I’m Dick Mitchell.”
“Oh my gosh!” the cashier said as she couldn’t believe what was going on. “Evel Dick; what can I do for you?”
“We’re here to browse for some records.” Dick replied. “But while we’re doing that, call all your friends and tell them I’m here. I’d be happy to sign autographs for the next hour or two.”
Dick and Michael walked over to the record section and started to look through the stacks, looking for anything. Michael held one up, “Check this one out.” He was holding one of the Horsemen’s earlier albums from the eighties.
“Not bad.” Dick said, “Not our best, but I was pleased with the results considering the state we were in when we made it. Do you want to go get it?”
“Jenny has one at her place.” Michael replied.
“She does?” Dick asked.
“She got a ton of them, some signed by the whole band.” Michael answered as he kept looking through the stacks.
“That’s cool.” Dick said as he appreciated the fact she never got rid of the albums he gave her. “Get that one too. We’ll use that so that we don’t risk damaging Jenny’s copy.”
Michael and Dick had about twenty minutes to browse around for stuff to listen to before people started to flood into the small shop. There were fans of all ages, eager to meet a rock legend who happened to be in town. Moments later, the owner of the shop came back after being told what was going on.
“Mr. Mitchell,” the owner started, “What brings you here?”
“I’m in town to visit family.” Dick replied. “And you can cell me Dick.”
“Thank you, Dick.” The owner said. After speaking with Dick for a few moments, Michael watched with awe as they created a little order and gave Dick some space so he could sign stuff for anyone who was there. He didn’t charge anything for his signature, but many fans didn’t have anything on them to sign, and bought Horsemen CDs, records and even cassettes to have something for Dick to sign for them. Many fans went home first to get their own personal albums and bring them in for Dick to sign. Michael had about a dozen good albums already picked out, and just stood there behind Dick watching him interact with the fans and sign stuff for them. Michael recognized a lot of beautiful women who had been hanging out at the restaurant where they had lunch were now there too. Even their waitress had taken the time to leave work and come over to get something signed. He was simply stunned by how adored Dick was and the popularity he was bringing to a small shop as countless items were being sold that day. Everyone who was a Horseman fan flocked to the small shop, but things seemed to get interesting when one fan came up with a record for him to sign. It was a kid around Michael’s age, but there was something that caused Dick to stop what he was doing and stand up. The kid seemed nervous.
“Hello.” The young man stuttered.
“Hey kid,” Dick replied as he walked up. “That’s one hell of a bump you got there. What the hell happened?”
The kid was nervous but finally answered. “Someone broke my nose.”
“I know,” Dick informed him. “Your name is Bobby, right?”
“Yes, Sir.” Bobby answered, somewhat surprised.
“So, that means you know my friend Michael over there?” Dick pointed to Michael who was ten feet away with his albums. He was still angry at Bobby for what he had said that day.
“He’s the one that broke my nose!” Bobby called out.
“I know that too, Bobby.” Dick confirmed for him. “I also know why he punched you in the nose.”
“Oh.” Bobby said, “I’m sorry.”
“Not good enough squirt.” Dick said as he took the record from him. “I’m going to sign this, but on one condition. I want you to write a full apology to every woman in your class who heard what you said. I also want you to read it to the class and mean it.”
“Yes, Sir.” Bobby said.
“Good boy,” Dick said as he took the album and signed it. “It takes a lot of maturity for someone to admit when they make a mistake. So, learn from this and move on from it. Alright?”
“Yes, Sir. Thank you.” Bobby said with sincere smile. He took the album and looked down to see what Dick had written:
Next time I’ll wash your mouth out with soap.
Sincerely, Dick Mitchell
After Bobby left the shop, Dick stayed for another two hours, which Michael didn’t mind because just to watch Dick interact with his fans was like watching a politician at a party convention. Every person who came up for something was his best friend, someone he was genuinely happy to see. Dick treated all his fans like gold, and for good reason. Without them, he wouldn’t be anything and one could tell that Dick never forgot that by the way he treated his fans. Dick signed albums, photos, artwork, even breasts when asked to by some very attractive ladies. It was all so unreal to Michael, but he had a lot of fun hanging out and taking it all in.
After Dick was finished, he had a good talk with the store owner who couldn’t believe how lucky he was to have someone like that enter his store and provide so much business and free press for his shop. Dick wasn’t finished as he grabbed Michael’s albums and put them on the counter to purchase.
“I can’t charge you for those.” The owner said, “Not after all you’ve done this afternoon.”
“Nonsense,” Dick replied as he pulled out his wallet. “I do more than just talk about supporting small shops. I put my money where my mouth is.” He then pointed to something behind the shop owner, “How much is that guitar over there?”
“Which one, the electric or the acoustic?” the shop owner asked.
“Both.” Dick replied.
After buying the instruments and the records, Michael and Dick went back to the car and decided to call it a day. Dick had promised Gabe that they would be back to the house long before Jenny got home, and it was one promise he was determined not to break. There were still many fans outside who were cheering as they came out of the small shop and went back into the limo. Michael was still taken by the the mobs that seemed to follow Dick wherever he went, but the rock star was more than used to it by now. They limo pulled away and started back for Gabe’s house to get back before curfew and hang out there to wait for the Jenny and Gabe to come home.