[Note: Rated PG. The ‘film story’ doesn’t happen in this tale.]

A hot and sunny Saturday evening. I am sitting in a bar with my boyfriend of 8 months, Elwood and his brother Joliet Jake Blues. They are due to perform their R’n’B show later this evening and for some reason, I begin to look back over our time together in my mind.

We’d met one night after I’d been sailing on Lake Michigan with my chums Lizzy and her husband Timmy. Afterwards we had retired to the open-air bar on the beach and they were the entertainment. This is our story.

I was getting another round in when two guys marched up to the bar. Everyone turned and looked at them for a second before returning to their conversations and drinks. Well they did look rather odd, dressed in black suits and hats!!

They were standing right behind me, although I was too absorbed in my conversation to Lizzy to pay too much attention at this point.

“You’re on at 9.30pm!” boomed the bartender over the din of voices. I turned round, somewhat stunned by his outburst. “OK” replied the chubbier one. He caught my eye and smiled at me. I returned the smile and turned away.

Lizzy and I collected our drinks and walked over to where Timmy was sitting. “I think they’re tonight’s band” Timmy said. “Oh are they?” I replied, looking back to the bar. “We can stay and see them if you like” Lizzy added. “Yeah, OK, got nothin’ else planned for tonight!” I replied.

Presently the two guys came over and sat slightly to one side of me, mind you it happened to be about the only free space left by now. I noticed the other guy at this point. A tall and handsome looking fellow. I thought he was rather cute, but in order to save embarrassing myself I gradually shifted my chair so I had my back to them!!

About another half hour went by and while Timmy went up to the bar, Lizzy went to inspect the plumbing, leaving me on my own!! I just sipped at my drink and kept a watchful eye on Timmy.

“You got the time?” came a voice from nowhere. “Huh?” I said, realising it was the chubby guy talking. “Oh, 8.45pm” I answered and looked back to the bar, awkwardly.

“Thanks” he replied. I just looked at him, then back to the bar. Hurry up Timmy, I thought!

“I’m Jake and this is my brother Elwood,” he said, moving back in his chair to let me see him. “Hello” I said. “Hi” Elwood replied, in a very soft voice. I gathered he was a tad shy straight away.

“Clare” I said. Jake shook my hand. “Nice to meet you Clare” he answered. “We’re playin’ here tonight,” he added. “Yeah?” I replied, trying to break off the conversation.

Suddenly Elwood got up and walked off. Jake looked round, then back to me.

“He likes you” Jake said, gesturing in the direction Elwood had just taken. “What?!” I exclaimed. “It’s true, he said so after you walked away from the bar.” “He needs his eyes tested then!” I laughed and rather embarrassed.

“Oh come on!” Jake chuckled. “Give him some credit!” He put his arm on my shoulder, making me feel very awkward. “He’s very shy though, so don’t expect too much too soon,” he added.

“I’m not expecting anything!” I replied. “I don’t make a habit of that sort of thing,” I added.

“What do you mean?” Jake asked. “Well, I try not to ‘stick out’ as it were.” “I spend most of my time trying not to be noticed!” “Didn’t work this time, did it?” Jake giggled. “No, I guess not!”

Just then Timmy came back with some more drinks. “Well you took your time!” I laughed. “Yeah, hell of a queue over there!” he replied. Lizzy re-joined us a few seconds later.

Five more minutes went by and Elwood came back, then he and Jake wandered off in the direction of a large caravan on the Promenade, which I guessed were the dressing rooms. “See ya later?” said Jake as they left. I looked at them but didn’t give a response.

“New friends?!” Lizzy asked, giggling. “Wha…oh, no, he asked the time and just started talking to me!”

We spoke no more of them until the show started. A plinth of concrete at the base of a slipway served as a stage, with a generator behind the bar providing the necessary power for the amps and speakers etc. The show was really good and lots of people were dancing. Ourselves included.

After the show finished a few folks started to drift away, though most sat on the sand and watched the final rays of sunlight disappear. “You ready to make a move?” I said to Lizzy. “Sure” she replied. We walked up the slipway and towards the marina car park a short distance away.

On the way we had to pass the caravan-come-dressing room and I glanced inside the open door. I could see Jake and Elwood standing there. Jake looked at us as we walked by.

“Hey?!” came a voice from behind us. None of us took any notice, not realising that we were being addressed. “Hey! Clare!” the voice called again and we all turned round.

Jake came trotting over to us. “How did you like the show?” he asked. “Very good, really enjoyed it” I replied. Elwood came up behind Jake and stood there with his arms crossed impatiently.

Jake stood next to Lizzy and I could see what he was up to. Not that he’d get very far with Timmy there!! Timmy glared at Jake and he backed off. I looked at Elwood, but he was staring into the sinking sun over the lake.

“Right, well, we must get going” I said, yawning and breaking the lull in conversation. Jake looked at me as if to say, what about Elwood, come on give him a chance!! Lizzy stepped in to my rescue. “Yes, we’ve had a long day.”

Just at that moment one of the guys in the band came up to Elwood and said something to him, though I couldn’t hear what. “Jake, Steve wants a hand with the gear” Elwood said rather harshly to Jake.

“Oh, OK” he replied. He walked towards the caravan, but whispered something to Elwood before continuing. Lizzy, Timmy and I turned and started to walk away slowly.

We had to turn back on ourselves at one point to get into the marina car park and I looked back across at Elwood who was still stood there and staring in our direction. Then he turned and followed Jake.

I was chatting to Lizzy when I heard a raised voice coming from the direction of the bar. “Go on!” rang out and echoed across the boat yard! Both Lizzy and I turned round, somewhat confused. “Dunno what that was all about, but it sounded like it came from the heart!” I said in jest. All three of us laughed and carried on with our conversation.

I was facing the beach and saw Jake and Elwood re-emerge. Jake looked around frantically for something. He spotted us, and taking Elwood by the arm walked purposefully in our direction. “Uh oh” I said to Lizzy, gesturing with my head.

She turned round and smiled at me. “Looks like you’re in luck” she giggled. “If that’s what you call luck, I’d hate to see what you call fate!” I chuckled back.

I looked at Jake and Elwood as they came up to us. “Clare, Elwood wants to ask you out” Jake said slightly frustrated. I think he thought Elwood was being too soft!! Elwood clouted Jake on the arm and tried to walk away, but Jake still had hold of him and wouldn’t let up!

“Come on man, let go!” Elwood said, hitting Jake again. Lizzy looked at me and said, “Go for it Clare!” I glared back at her. “Thank you!” I looked at Elwood awkwardly.

“Right, I’ll see you next week then?” Lizzy said suddenly. “Yeah, OK” I replied. “Lat’r!” She turned and walked with Timmy to their car and drove off. Jake followed them on foot and headed back to the caravan.

I yawned and looked at Elwood, hoping he would know what to do next. He just looked back at me, obviously thinking the same thing.

“Sorry about Jake” he began. “Oh don’t worry about it” I replied. “Mind you don’t let him bully you though!” I laughed. He just smiled at me.

I turned round, looked at my car and looked back. “Right, well, I must be on my way, don’t like driving at night very much!” I turned and walked away. I felt safer when I got out of sight behind a large boat that was hauled out on shore.

For some reason when I got to my car I looked back and Elwood was standing just in front of the boat, looking at me. “What’s the matter?” I asked, slightly unsure of myself.

“Just wanted to make sure you’re OK” came the reply. “Oh” I said, quietly. I unlocked my car, opened the door and a blast of hot air came out! “Phew! It’s like an oven in here!” I laughed. I wound the window right down and stood to let the breeze waft through before I dare get in.

“Yeah, so is ours by now I expect” Elwood answered. “Did you like the show?” he continued. He’d missed my response to Jake earlier.

“Yeah, it was great.” “I like that kind of music myself” I replied. Elwood nodded. “Yeah, I saw you guys dancing away there.” “I hope you didn’t look to closely!” “We’re not that good!” I chuckled.

“Neither am I!” he smiled back. “Oh now come on, you’re a lot better than us, that’s for sure!”

All of a sudden I felt more at ease. And I think Elwood did too as he leaned on my car door and seemed less tense. Our impromptu chat appeared to have ‘broken the ice’ so to speak.

We embarked on a lengthy conversation about music and he told me that he and his brother always seemed to be down on their luck, never getting any breaks.

“Life’s like that unfortunately” I said, reassuringly. “Some hit high and some fall by the way.” He looked at me like an awestruck child.

“You strike me as the sort of person who doesn’t let the grass grow under your feet?” he said, hopefully. “Well, you know what they say, ‘A rolling stone gathers no moss’.” “Hmm, yeah, I know what you mean” he empathised.

“I only wish Jake and I had a little more stability in our lives.” “Being on the road is fun, but sometimes I wish we didn’t have to keep one step ahead of the cops!”

“Ever tried going straight?” I asked. “Yeah, but it never seems to work out” he replied. “Well you have to work at it and keep working at it until you get there” I added.

“Kinda difficult when we got the band to think of as well.” “Yeah!” I agreed. I decided not to push that subject any further.

My car seemed a bit cooler so I stood up straight and said, “Right, well, I’d better make a move.” “Nice talking to you.”

Just as I went to take my hands off the top of the car door, Elwood anticipated my move and put his hands on top! “Do you have to?” “I mean, just yet?” He looked at me and smiled in a boyish manner.

I felt a rush of adrenalin pulse through my body. “Well I should really, plenty of jobs waiting for me back home!” Elwood’s smile vanished and he looked a little forlorn. I’d obviously disappointed him.

“Look, I’m sorry, I’m just a little backwards in coming forwards sometimes!” I handed him my card. Give me a call and we’ll sort something out if you like.” Elwood’s face lit up. “Thanks, I will!” We said no more and parted company. I didn’t expect to hear from him.

Six weeks passed when he called me one evening, quite unexpectedly. We arranged to meet at 8pm in a local bar. I was a little nervous to say the least. I asked Lizzy if she would accompany me. “Sure, I don’t mind” she said. “Better to be safe than sorry.”

The night arrived and we turned up well on time. “If we sit with you until he turns up then we’ll move to another table, OK?” Lizzy said. “Yeah fine” I replied. It got to 8.10pm and I was beginning to wonder if he was going to turn up.

Suddenly there was a screech of tyres outside and I saw an old Police car pull up sharply across the street. “Ah, here we are” Lizzy said. “Told you not to worry!” I was shaking like a leaf at this point!! “Wish me luck!” I chuckled. Lizzy and Timmy got up and sat at a table across the room. Near enough to keep a look out, but not so close that they’d get in the way.

Elwood came in, looked around and I waved to him. He sat down, “Hi.” “Hello, you found the place OK then?” I asked. “Yeah, didn’t get lost, which makes a change, cos I often do!”

We chuckled over that and chatted for a while. Lizzy and Timmy stopped looking at us and seemed satisfied that I wasn’t likely to be in any bother.

“How’s Jake?” I asked. “Oh, fine.” “He’s gone out with one of the guys from the band tonight” he replied. “He’s let you off the leash then?” Elwood smiled and laughed. “Yeah!”

I tried to uncross my feet and inadvertently tapped Elwood’s foot. “Oops, sorry, did I kick you?” “No, no, it’s OK.” “I don’t mind you touching me” he said, smiling. I smiled back and chuckled a little.

Later in the evening as the place began to empty, “Do you want to come back to my place for a coffee?” I asked. “Sure” Elwood replied.

We got up and I as I followed Elwood out the door I nodded at Lizzy who did a thumbs-up. We walked outside and funnily enough Elwood had parked almost right next to me!

“I’d better let you go first” he said. “Err, yes” I replied, as we tried to cross the busy road.

It wasn’t far to my house, though by the time we arrived it was dark. There was a full moon and it reflected brilliantly on the pond in my front garden.

“Nice place” Elwood commented as we walked over the small bridge across one end of the pool and up to the front door. “Thanks, it’s taken a lot of hard work, but I think I’ve got it how I want now, more or less!”

We sat in the lounge sipping our mugs of coffee. Our conversation drifted all over the place, music and work, even politics. We talked about anything and everything! I finished my drink and took our empty mugs into the kitchen. When I came back Elwood motioned for me to sit next to him, so I did.

He put his hands on my knees and looked into my eyes. “Clare, I really like you…I’d like to spend some more time with you.” “If you want to that is?” “Yeah, I mean I enjoyed myself this evening, so why not” I replied.

At that point he removed his hat and shades. I thought he looked just as sweet without them. He nuzzled his forehead into mine and cuddled me gently. We clenched hands at the same time.

Before I realised what was happening, I was tugging at his shirt, trying to pull it out from his pants. He moved a little and I got what I wanted. “That better?” he whispered. “Yup!” I replied. I rubbed my hands over his tummy and back. While I was doing that he unbuttoned my blouse and did the same.

A short while later we got up and walked into my room. I put the light on and drew the curtains. Elwood came up behind me, put his arms around my waist and kissed the back of my neck.

“Hey, you’re tickling!” I giggled and sat down on the bed while he knelt in front of me. “I’ve never met anyone like you before” he said.

“Oh come on, you must have!” I replied. “No, I mean it, I’ve known other girls of course, but none of them made me feel like you do.”

I smiled at him and took my cardigan off and scooted further back on the bed. He stood up, removed his shoes and sat next to me with his feet tucked under him.

We lay next to each other and kissed for ages. Then Elwood got up and turned the light out. “I can’t see a thing now!” I giggled.

I felt him clamber back onto the bed. “Just use your other senses” he whispered. I smiled and chuckled.

He knelt beside me and removed the rest of his clothing apart from his underwear. I sat up and removed mine. I shivered a little with the change in temperature.

“Not cold are you?” he asked. “No, I always do that.” “Need to be kept warm, me!” In the dim light I saw Elwood smile.

“Better warm you up then hadn’t I?” I chuckled and smiled. “Yup!” I said as I held my hands out to him.

We lay down and kissed and cuddled each other tightly. We stayed like that for some minutes before I felt him tug at my panties. He got them off after a slight kafuffle with my feet! He removed his own and we crawled under the duvet.

I have to say it was much warmer in there! He pulled me on top of him and I kissed him as passionately as I could. He rubbed my sides and behind. I felt completely at ease, until he pinched my bottom!!!

“Cheeky!” I giggled. “In more ways than one!” he replied, laughing. I put one hand under my chin and propped my head up so I could look down at him. As I did so he rested one hand on my rear and stroked it seductively. I let my legs drop, one on either side of him and used my other hand to rub his shoulder.

After a while I was getting a bit uncomfortable, so I rolled off onto my side and just kept one leg over him. “I’ll get stuck if I’m not careful!” I giggled. “Too much gardening” he replied. “Yeah, probably!”

I caressed his side and chest. “You’re hands are so soft” he whispered. I smiled at him. “In spite of having green fingers!” We chuckled over that and kissed again.

He put his leg over mine and twisted his hips so he was propped up against me. I started to caress his side and tummy again, but this time I took my affections a tad lower. This he enjoyed tremendously! “Mmm!” he moaned softly. The more I did it, the more he got carried away!!

We made love more than a few times during the night. I’d not had a partner for some time and felt a bit rusty, but we soon overcame that minor hiccup!

In the morning when I awoke we were cuddled up in each other’s arms. I waited for Elwood to wake up before I moved.

After using the bathroom, we leaped straight back into bed!!! I lay on my side and propped my head up with my hand under my chin. I began to stroke his tummy as he lay on his back looking up at me.

“Gimme some more lovin’” I whispered in his ear. Elwood chuckled and said, “Boy have you got a healthy appetite!” “Must be all that fresh air!” I giggled back.

We stayed in bed all morning and made love more times than we had in the night!! I was thoroughly exhausted by the time 11.00 o’clock came around!! I couldn’t even find the motivation to get up and make us some breakfast!!

“I could stay in bed all day with you!” I whispered in a seductive voice. “So could I!” Elwood smiled back. Just then my tummy gurgled for food. “Oh, well, better get us some brunch I suppose!” I got up, dressed and fumbled my way downstairs.

Elwood joined me presently and we sat in the conservatory chatting over coffee and croissants!!!

“What do you do for a living?” he asked. “I’m a writer” I replied. “I write children’s stories, romantic novels and the like.” “It wasn’t easy to sell them to publishers at first, but I’ve found one who’s taken me on, so to speak.”

“It obviously pays enough?” he went on, looking around at my moderately well furnished house. “Yeah, I get by.” “I have to write about three stories every six months to keep things ticking over.” Elwood nodded approvingly.

It had been raining first thing, but now the sun was out and it promised to be fine for the remainder of the day. “Fancy a wander round the garden, blow the cobwebs away?” I asked. “Sure” Elwood replied.

I washed up the breakfast things and opened the Conservatory door. A refreshing waft of warm rose scented air drifted inside the house.

“Mmm, just smell that?” “Nature’s perfection” I enthused. “It’s lovely” Elwood said as we walked outside. I gave him the guided tour, not that I thought he’d be really interested, but I wondered if I could impress him a little!

We sat on a bench in the dappled shade provided by an overhanging Oak tree. “I can see why you live here and not in the city” Elwood said.

“I used to live there, but I could never feel at home.” “Too much hustle and bustle going on all the time.” “Not to mention the lack of fresh air!” “Yeah, it’s certainly not the place for that” Elwood replied.

I told him a bit more about myself and he told me about how he and Jake got started with the band and all. Then our conversation drifted to ‘us’.

“Clare, I’d like for us to stay together ya know” he began. “I wasn’t sure if you’d want me to hang around, but…” he paused, obviously unsure of what to say next.

I smiled, put my hands on his and said, “Of course I want to you to be with me.” “I wouldn’t have invited you back last night if I didn’t.” “No, I guess not” Elwood replied.

“I liked you from the first moment I saw you” he continued. “Mmm, Jake told me” I chuckled. We laughed over how Jake had rather ‘match-made’ us, but we were both glad he had.

“How do you think Jake will react to us being an ‘us’?” I asked. “I hope he’ll be pleased, though I don’t know quite what will happen on the gig front.”

“Well I don’t mind you carrying on with that, just as long as you tell me where you’re gonna be so I don’t sit here wondering where you are all the time” I said, hoping he wouldn’t think I was coming across like his ‘mother’!!

“Sure, it’s only fair I do that” he replied. We hugged each other affectionately and went back inside.

Later, I made us some dinner and we sat outside on the patio. It was gorgeous, tasty food and great company. I opened a bottle of wine to help things along.

Since that day, we have had many adventures together. I go to the gigs whenever they are playing nearby and Elwood always comes home afterwards. I think he regards my place as home now.

As for Jake, well he and Elwood are as close as ever they were. I was determined not to let my presence interfere with that or their music. Which I know is appreciated. He stays with one of the guys from the band and drops in to see us from time to time.

They have both thanked me for having a stabilising influence on their lives. In fact they haven’t had any trouble with the cops since Elwood and I started living together, which I am pleased about!

As I sit on the patio writing and watching the sunset, I hope that we will spend many happy years together.