Rock and a Hard Place

chapter 15

Peter slid his room key in the door, a soft click and a green light appeared. He let himself in the hotel suite to find Garrett alone with a satisfied smirk on his face.

“What’s up?” Peter asked.

“Taking care of some business,” Garrett stared at Peter and didn’t look away.

Peter looked around the cluttered desk and dresser. “Have you seen my phone, I thought it was in my coat, but I can’t find it.”

“It’s probably on the bus.”

“Yeah, maybe.” Something about Garrett seemed odd, but Peter brushed it off. He wanted to find his phone and cal Libby.



# # #

Huddled against the barn, huge gulping breaths racked Libby’s body. Locked in her private misery she didn’t hear Aunt Marge approach.

“What are you doing our here?” Aunt Marge held a shotgun at her side.

Libby looked up from the frozen ground. Her lower lip shook as her tear-filed eyes rested on the weapon. What was Aunt Marge doing with a shotgun? For a split second she thought about using it on herself; certainly the pain would be less than she felt right now.

“Speak up.” Her aunt’s piercing words brought Libby back around. “You should be on the bus to school, not lurking around my barn. What are you looking for?” Aunt Marge’s eyes narrowed.

“What did you see?”

“Peter broke up with me,” she uttered, her voice breaking. A new onslaught of tears and hiccups erupted.

“Good. Now maybe you’l pay attention when I tel you something. He was a snooping rich boy nosing around where he didn’t belong. I knew this would happen. You’re too damned stubborn to listen to me, you think you know everything. Wel I’l tel you, little Miss Know-It-Al, you haven’t got a clue about life.” Libby barely listened as her angry aunt ranted. Her words meant nothing. Without Peter her world was empty. Tears overflowed anew.

“Now move your lazy ass up off the ground and get to school. I have work to do and you’re interfering.” She waved the gun in the direction of the road.

Libby fumbled with her book bag and rose, her body trembling with emotion. “I missed the bus.”

Aunt Marge looked her up and down. “That was stupid.

Looks like you’l have a long walk to think about how to avoid that mistake again.”

Libby’s eyes widened. “It’s four miles.”

“Then you better get started.” Aunt Marge stood steadfast like the vacant farm buildings, ugly after years of neglect. Would Libby turn out the same way?

This confrontation was more than she could handle. Libby gulped. No option but to go. Resigned, she walked around the dilapidated barn; the wide door hung open on rusted hinges. She automaticaly glanced inside.

She shouldn’t have been surprised at what she saw.

Now she couldn’t turn away from dozens of smal plastic bags that sat in tidy rows. She stepped into the barn. Piles of dried plants and weight scales filed a table. Grow lights shined over large green plants that Libby knew to be marijuana.

She turned to face her aunt and laughed at the irony. The woman who restricted Libby’s every move in the guise of good behavior was growing pot.

Rage etched the haggard woman’s face. “You think you’re so smart. Wel, you’re an ignorant self-absorbed child.” Aunt Marge stalked closer. “How long ago did your weak spineless father dump you here? A year? More? And you finaly get curious? You’re as brainless as your idiot mother.”

“Don’t talk about my mother like that! She was amazing!” Anger replaced her sorrow.

“Your mother was a fool. She never accomplished a damned thing in her life. She spent years raising you and your bratty sister and for what? To get splattered on the highway like bug? Not much of a life.”

The cruel words horrified Libby. “How dare you. You bitch!”

“Watch your mouth little girl. I’m al you’ve got left in this world and you’d be il-advised to screw this up too.” Libby bit back her words. Things were happening too fast.

She needed to tread carefuly and sort things out. She stepped back, away from her aunt, away from the pot, and away from the site of her break down. Without another word, she turned towards the road.

“That’s more like it. Get yourself to school and if you know what’s good for you, you’l keep your mouth shut.” Libby started her long trek down the country road, glad to escape her aunt’s insanity. The pea gravel crunched under each step like the touch of sandpaper rubbing her raw nerves. After a while the sound became a soothing anthem, luling her distraught mind into a murky haze, where she could rehash the happenings of this morning in a distant detached way.

Mile after mile she walked, oblivious to the occasional car speeding by. When Mom and Sarah died, she’d been in shock.

This was different. Their deaths were tragic, horrible accidents.

Today, the people ripping her life apart knew what they were doing.

It emotionaly exhausted her. She was tired of being nice, tired of doing what people told her, tired of being let down. Aunt Marge’s words stung. There was no one left for Libby, and she refused to think of her aunt as a guardian. The woman was a monster. How could her dad leave her with this lunatic?

A car passed her, slowed, then puled over and stopped.

Libby plodded forward, eventualy reaching it.

“Libby, is that you?” Miss Orman leaned across the front seat and peeked out the open passenger window.

Libby stopped next to the window.

“Why are you walking? Get in.” Miss Orman reached across to open the door.

“It’s been a bad morning.” Libby climbed into the car and set her pack on the floor. Her left hand stil gripped her phone.



# # #

Julie took in Libby’s disheveled appearance. Her face, blotchy and pale with streaks from falen tears. Her coat and threadbare pants bore dirt stains. Worst of al was the desolate look in Libby’s red eyes.

“Are you okay?”

Libby nodded, but her blank expression remained.

“Do you want to tel me what happened?”

Libby shook her head and stared straight ahead seeming fragile as a porcelain dish. Julie checked for traffic and puled back onto the road.

After a minute Libby spoke. “My aunt is growing and seling pot.”

Julie’s head snapped to Libby. “What did you say?”

“She keeps it in the barn, I saw it this morning. I always wondered why she spent so much time out there.” Julie knew Marge Swanson was odd, but she never suspected her to be a drug dealer.

“Peter broke up with me.” Libby spoke without emotion, and held her phone up as confirmation.

“Oh Libby, I’m so sorry.” She reached across and patted Libby’s arm, wishing she could wrap the girl in her arms and protect her from the painful realities of life. She didn’t know which was harder for Libby; the confession about her aunt’s ilegal dealings or the break up with a boy who no one had ever seen.

“It’s okay, I’m used to people leaving.”

Julie fought back tears. Libby’s honesty broke her heart.

“This is going to be okay. I promise. Someday you’l look back and this wil be a smal blip in your life. You’l be happy and successful and no one wil hold you back from great things.” Libby didn’t respond.

“Listen, I’m going to help you through this. I’m leaving town for Thanksgiving weekend, but as soon as I get back, we’re going to make al this ugliness go away. I promise. Okay?” She watched Libby for a reaction, needing the girl to know someone cared.

“Okay,” she said, her voice dul.

Julie knew one thing for sure. Marge Swanson was going down. Her treatment of Libby was appaling and it was time things changed. Libby needed to live with a loving family again. Julie would make damned sure it happened. She puled into the school parking lot and parked in the staff section.

“Why don’t you come to my office and we can talk for a while, or have a little something to eat.” Libby always looked like she needed a good meal.

“I’d rather just go to drawing class.” Already out the door, her pack hung heavy on her smal shoulders.

“Al right, but I’m here for you, whatever you need.” She watched Libby disappear into the mass of students.

Julie grabbed her bag filed with papers and picked up her purse. She swung the car door closed and entered the building.

Once in the main office, she knocked on the principal’s door.

“Mr. Harried, I need the number for Rockvile Child Welfare.

We need a meeting as soon as possible.”



# # #

“Garrett, what the hel is this?” Peter stood in the hotel suite exhausted from a long day packed with interviews. In his palm lay the pieces of his broken phone.

“What are you doing messing with my stuff?” Garrett’s face turned red and pinched.

“I was looking for your phone so I could cal Libby, but found mine instead. What gives?”

“Oh yeah, that. Wel, ya see, your phone had a little accident.

I didn’t want to tel you, cause I know how you over react whenever your little hottie is involved.”

Peter straightened. Garrett was too cocky, even for him.

Something was up. Whenever Garrett got like this it was because he’d screwed with other people’s business. Guarded, Peter asked,

“What happened?”

“Nothing realy.” Garrett’s beady eyes stared him down.

Peter knew he lied. A bad feeling sat in the pit of his stomach.

“You son of a bitch, what the hel did you do?”

“Actualy, I did you a favor. In fact, you should thank me for cleaning up your mess. You won’t have to deal with your Midwest farm girl anymore.”

Peter dropped the broken pieces of the phone on the side table. He stalked across the room and grabbed Garrett by the front of his expensive shirt and shook him, tearing the shirt in the process.

“Listen here, smart ass, you better start talking and fast.” He tightened his grip and lifted Garrett off his feet. Fabric ripped beneath his hands.

“Chil man, wil ya? You’re ruining my new shirt. See what I mean? One mention of your little girlfriend and you go postal.” Peter was about to respond when Adam walked in, futzing with his camera. He took one look at Peter and Garrett. “Dude, what are you doing? Mom and Dad are like ten feet away.” Peter shoved Garrett away, disgusted, but his piercing glare remained. Garrett shrugged and fixed his colar back in place.

“Geez, what’d you do to piss off Peter? Hit on his girlfriend or something?” Adam plopped onto the couch between the two.

“Adam, shut it,” Peter said through clenched teeth.

“More like something.” Garrett puffed up his chest.

“Oh shit, I gotta hear this.” Adam put his feet up on the couch and grinned ear to ear, camera at the ready.

“Peter’s little stalker friend won’t be bothering him anymore.

Turns out she got dumped today.” Garrett crossed his arms looking satisfied with himself.

“Peter, you dumped Libby?” Adam lowered his camera, confusion on his face.

Peter spoke slowly, his words measured and jaw clenched.

“No, I haven’t talked to Libby today. Garrett, you better tel me what you did right now or so help me I’l break your frickin’ neck.” He forced his fisted hands to his sides, not trusting himself.

“This morning, while you were on your run, I gave your little friend a cal.” Garrett loved an audience, even if it was only Adam.

“I told her how bored you are with her and that you want her to go away. Forever.” Garrett raised an eyebrow, an open chalenge to Peter.

Adam’s eyes grew wide with shock. “Garrett, you’re a dead man.”

“Peter doesn’t have the cajones. Plus, he’d rather go write a song about it than risk breaking a fingernail on his playing hand.”

“You’re lying. You wouldn’t dare cal Libby.” Hot rage overcame Peter at the thought of Garrett’s interference.

“I did more than dare, I was quite convincing. I even had the phone company cancel her service!”

Peter dove across the coffee table and sent a flower arrangement crashing to the floor. He slammed into Garrett and knocked the breath out of him as they hit the floor. They roled around on the hardwood floor as Peter struck out and tried to pin his brother down. Garrett plowed into a teak side table knocking it over along with a decorative lamp that shattered on impact. Deaf to everything other than his malicious brother, Peter heaved each breath. He grabbed Garrett by the shoulders and slammed him against the floor. A loud thud sounded at the impact of his head to hardwood. Garrett was unable to avoid Peter’s powerful blows any longer. Peter pinned him and blind with rage delivered direct hits.

His body hummed with an unseen drive. He noticed the taste of blood in his mouth from one lucky shot Garrett snuck through. But nothing mattered other than the fact Garrett had gone after Libby and hurt her. It was unforgiveable. She’d suffered too much, and this time it was by the hand of his egotistical, power hungry brother.

He went for another hit when he felt himself yanked off the struggling Garrett. His dad and Roger did al they could to restrain Peter. His mom watched in horror.

“Peter, what the hel is going on in here? Are you out of your mind?” his father roared.

“Jett, calm down. It’s not good for your heart,” Peter’s mom pleaded, taking his father by the arm.

Peter’s breath came in quick heavy bursts, as adrenaline coursed through his body. He resisted the urge to pummel Garrett into oblivion. The last thing he wanted was more heart problems for his dad. He shrugged away their grip.

“Karen, I’m fine.” His father looked from Peter to Garrett, waiting for an answer. “Garrett, you want to explain why Peter felt the need to fight with you just minutes after a camera crew left the room?”

The sound of Adam’s camera clicking filed the void. He lounged on the couch, not a care in the world. A carefree grin on his face, he snapped shots of the action, enjoying the drama.

“Adam, put that damned camera down! The last thing we need is evidence of this debacle,” his father said.

Garrett lay on the floor, his carefuly styled hair a mess, and the beginnings of a fat lip growing. “He’s just a little bent out of shape that I caled Libby and broke it off for him.”

“You didn’t!” His mom turned on Garrett in disbelief. “What is wrong with you!”

Why it surprised any of them, Peter couldn’t say. Garrett did whatever served Garrett best.

“Someone had to do it. It’s not like we haven’t talked about how messed up Peter’s been ever since he started going out with her.” Garrett stood up, his torn shirt untucked and wrinkled, a bruise beginning to form on his face. “I’m just the one with the guts to folow through.” He touched his swolen lip and flinched.

Peter couldn’t believe what he heard. His family talked about his relationship with Libby? He pushed his hair back in frustration.

“Heck, Dad even agreed. He said the band would be better off if you lost the dead weight.”

“Garrett, that’s enough.” His father’s voice was stern, but Peter noticed his guilty eyes.

Peter realized it was true, they were talking behind his back.

He turned to his dad. “How could you do this to us, to me?”

“Peter, calm down.” His dad ordered as if Peter were stil a smal child who didn’t get his way, yet he wouldn’t look him in the eye.

“No, I’m not going to calm down!” Peter yeled. “You let Garrett do this! You cut us off!” Of al the manipulative things Garrett had done over the years this was by far the worst. His family was interfering in his life. He couldn’t believe they would turn against him. They’d crossed the line.

“This little thing with you two has gone on long enough. It’s time to get serious with your music. We have a lot coming up,” his father said.

“What do you mean it’s gone on long enough? You’re putting a time table on my relationships?”

“It was hardly a relationship, son. You’re young, you’l date lots of girls.”

“I don’t want lots of girls, I want Libby, and YES, it IS a relationship. She gets me. She doesn’t care about al this.” He waved his hands around at the fancy trappings of the room. “And since when am I not serious about my music? Don’t you dare use that as an excuse! We’ve never been as good or successful as we are now.”

“That’s right, and now you boys have the chance to take this thing to the next level. You don’t need any distractions.”

“Oh, and Garrett’s booty cals after every show aren’t a distraction?” Peter accused.

His mother shot a surprised and disappointed look at Garrett.

She shook her head. “We’l deal with you later.”

“What? The ladies love me.” Garrett bragged.

“My God, Dad! Libby’s not a distraction, she’s my sanity.” He’d been happier these past couple months than ever before.

“You have your family for sanity. That’s going to have to be good enough,” his dad said, pointing a finger at him.

“Are you kidding me? This family is pushing me over the edge! I’m surrounded by you day and night.” Peter paced in the smal area. “If we’re not holed up in a recording studio, we’re on that damned bus. I never get a moment to myself, a private phone conversation or chance to write without someone interrupting or sticking in their two cents!”

“Peter, that’s enough.” His mother stepped in trying to soothe his anger.

He let out a deep sigh. “I love her, Mom.” He looked from his dad, who stepped away and roled his eyes, and then to his mom who offered a look of compassion.

“Honey, she isn’t what she seems.” She placed a hand on his shoulder.

“What are you talking about?” He shrugged her hand away.

“Libby’s mother has a police record,” she said.

“What?” He shook his head. “No, no! She doesn’t.” He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Where was this coming from and why would his mother repeat such a horrible lie?

“Peter, Roger has a copy of the police record to prove it.”

“What? You had her investigated?”

“Wel, you were spending al your free time talking to her or going to see her. We’ve never met the girl. Even your brother thought the situation was a bit odd,” she confessed.

Peter looked at his brothers. Adam enjoyed the family drama, and Garrett sported a cocky look of superiority. “Since when do you listen to Garrett? He’s only doing this because he wants something. He can’t stand to see me happy.”

He turned back to his mother. “You’re wrong about Libby’s mother.”

His parents exchanged a worried glance.

Peter needed them to understand and to know the truth about Libby. “Her mother’s dead. She died in a car accident a couple years ago, so you see, she can’t have a police record. That’s why Libby’s living in Rockvile with her aunt. Libby isn’t even from Wisconsin.”

His mother looked at him with sympathy. “She’s told you some tal tales, she wanted you to like her. I’m sure she didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“You’re not listening, either one of you! Libby’s entire family was in the car. Her little sister died that day too. Libby’s got scars to prove it. After the funeral her Dad lost it and she got dumped at her aunt’s. It’s not her fault if her aunt’s a criminal. My God!” He threw his hands in air, frustrated beyond belief. He looked to each family member wiling them to understand. The regret on his mother’s face, told him she now understood.

“Roger got it wrong. Mom, you never should have let this happen.” Peter shook his head, walked over to his mother and spoke quietly. “I need to talk to her, I need to fix this. I can’t imagine what she’s thinking. I don’t even know how to get a hold of her without going to Rockvile.”

“No one’s going anywhere,” his father interrupted, crossing his arms. “The European tour is about to kick off and we’re behind schedule already.”

His mom rubbed his back. “Don’t worry, we’l get a hold of her. It’l be alright. I know it seems terrible right now, but you’l feel better tomorrow.”

“No, I won’t feel better until I can talk to her and make sure she knows we’re okay.” Thank God mom understood. He could always count on her in a crisis.



# # #

That night Libby, wearing a baggy t-shirt, wandered her bedroom, unable to sleep. She didn’t want to be at school and now she didn’t want to be here either. When she came home, Aunt Marge gave her the silent treatment, which was fine. The acrid stench of pot filed the air. A bag of pot sat on the kitchen counter like a huge elephant in the room. Libby supposed now that Aunt Marge’s business dealings were out in the open, she didn’t feel the need to hide anything anymore.

The evening inched by, a slow torture into night. More than anything, she wanted Peter. She didn’t care what Garrett said. In her eyes Peter would always be perfect. She would love him for the rest of her life.

She broke down and tried to cal him, in desperate hope that Garrett was wrong, but her phone had no service. Garrett had cut the phone service and as a result Libby out of Peter’s life. It was over. No going back. This flashy phone was no more than an empty shel. Al the life and love it held now dark and dead.

Her stomach growled with hunger, but she didn’t dare go downstairs in search of food. She didn’t trust herself around Aunt Marge. What she realy wanted to do was light the barn on fire and watch her aunt flip out as she lost the only thing she cared about go up in smoke.

Libby plopped back down on the bed, miserable, wishing she could sleep. It was after eleven p.m. and her body wouldn’t give in.

Some freakish adrenaline from losing Peter consumed her body.

She stared at the shadows the moonlight cast across her room. She tried to block out al the painful memories. Her Mom cover in shattered glass. Her sister hooked up to machines that couldn’t save her. Her big strong father crumbling before her eyes. His car driving away. The memories morphed into equaly painful thoughts of Peter; him singing to her at Parfrey’s Glen, the way he held her in his arms and his eyes gazed deep into hers.

A loud crash sounded downstairs. She jerked up in bed and heard another huge crash, then loud voices yeling. She sat paralyzed on her bed unsure what to do. Downstairs her aunt’s shrieks filed the house.

Someone was breaking into the house.