I stood in the dark, my left hand on the neck of my guitar, my right hand resting at my side -- pick in hand. I watched as the emcee, a DJ at a local radio station, walked towards the mike. It had been a long time since I had graced the stage at Madison Square Garden. It was over 20 years ago that U2 opened for my band, Leadline. Now I was opening for them. "Ladies and gentleman, welcome back to Madison Square Garden, James Gooooold."
A smattering of applause echoed through the near empty Garden. It would be more than an hour until Bono and the boys took the stage. Most people kept talking, were milling about in the hallway, or were waiting in line at the concession stands. As the spotlight glared on me, I took a deep breath and started to play. I began with "Life Without Reason", our only #1 hit. Of course it's difficult to make hits when your band self destructs and vanishes into oblivion after only 2 years in the spotlight. Egos, drugs, poor management, you name it, we had it. Unlike many of bands in the VH1 "Behind the Music" specials, we never rebounded.
I fell into a deep depression, which was mixed with bouts of anxiety and self-loathing. I spent the last 15 years working one crappy job after another. I barely made my rent. I had stopped writing music. As a matter of fact I hardly even played any more. Occasionally I would scrape together some cash by giving music lessons to 10 year olds who though they were the next John Mayer. I had just about hit rock bottom -- okay almost hit rock bottom again -- when I ran into Harry Stennick.
Harry was Leadline's manager when we hit the mainstream. Just like any good band we fired him as soon as we made it big. I always regretted the decision. I finally had the chance to apologize to him.
"No need to apologize kid. It was actually the best thing that happenedto me." Harry had become a big shot executive at A&I Records. "You look like you could use a vacation kid." Harry always called me kid even though he was only 2 years older than me.
"I could use a lot more than a vacation Harry", I responded.
"That may be, but tell you what. I've got a little place in the Caribbean; it's a very small island right off of St.Croix. My jet will take you there."
"Your jet?", I practically gushed out.
"Like I said kid, everything has worked out well for me. I ask one favor of you."
"What is that?"
"You take your guitar with you and you try writing. You don't have to come up with anything, but just try. I'll have the plane ready for you in 2 hours." It was impossible to turn down an offer like that. I quickly said, "yes", before he could change his mind and packed a beat up old suitcase. I grabbed my guitar, some pads and pencils, and before I knew it I could see the New York skyline fading in the background.
We landed around 8 PM. It was dark out, but the temperatures were still in the upper 80s. It felt fantastic. A jeep took me to a small, smartly decorated house about 2 miles from the airport. The driver wished me well and told me he would see me when it was time to return in a week. I muttered, "don't bother", but he either didn't hear me or didn't think it was that funny. The refrigerator was fully stocked with freshly cooked seafood. I took out a lobster and opened a bottle of chardonnay I found in the small wine cooler that was in the kitchen.
I looked through a large collection of CDs before putting on some jazz. It always helped me relax. "I could get used to this", I said to myself as I looked around the house. I couldn't see the ocean, but I could certainly hear it, the waves crashing on the shore. I laid back on the couch, taking it all in.
Before I knew it was 7 AM and the sun was piercing through the back windows. I hadn't been up that early in ages. I decided this was the new me or the old new me, and I was going to take a walk along the shoreline. I slipped into a pair of shorts and a tee-shirt and headed out. I had walked about a mile and a half, when I saw something red in the distance. There were large grey rocks marking the end of the beach and something bright red in front of them - but I had no clue what it was. That was until I got to within about 100 feet. It was a strikingly beautiful redhead. She was completely naked. Her long limbs relaxed on the smooth rocks as she stared out at the ocean. She was smiling, and apparently, unaware of my existence.
I startled as she turned towards me, but she didn't flinch. She just smiled and looked back at the ocean. I was so transfixed I hadn't even realized I was now standing about 10 feet away from her. A rise began inside my shorts as I gazed at her gorgeous breasts. They were nice handfuls that I craved to have in my mouth at that moment. As if she knew what I was thinking, she looked towards me again and motioned for me to come closer. I took a couple of steps before she gave me a sheepish grin and descended gracefully from the rocks. Everything about her exuded sex and passion. Without saying a word she reached out towards me, grabbing my t-shirt and helped lift it up over my head. She then proceeded to lower my shorts down to my ankles. As I stepped out of them she grinned broadly at my bulge. Again without saying a word she climbed back up onto her perch on the rocks. I didn't wait for another signal and quickly climbed up, sitting beside her.
For the next hour or so she just sat there staring out at the water. A complete vision of relaxation. My eyes darted back and forth from her to the water. For whatever reason, I didn't utter a sound either. Suddenly she turned towards me, smiled, and descended from the rocks. Before I could get down she strode into the water and began swimming away. I finally yelled out, "Wait", but she never looked back and disappeared from sight.
That night I kicked myself for just sitting there and doing nothing. Now here I was in the shower, my stiff cock in my hand, taking care of my own business. The orgasm was a good release, but was nowhere near satisfying. My only hope was that the raven haired girl would reappear tomorrow.
