In 1970, the Texas honkytonks were rough and rowdy places. What a contrast for Darlina, from a strict religion to spending countless hours in the bars.
It was where you found the music, dancing, and often big drama.
Today, I’ll share an excerpt that authentically shows this. As with all the incidents in the book, this really did happen. I know. I was there.
EXCERPT – CHAPTER 6:
Glowing like Cinderella at the ball, Darlina walked into the It’ll Do Club on Luke’s arm. She felt comfortable at his side, as if it were the most natural place in the world for her to be.
He guided her to the band table where two women sat. “Rita, Julie, this is Darlina. I want y’all to take good care of her tonight.”
Darlina acknowledged the women with smiles as she joined them. Luke walked to the stage and tuned his guitar.
Darlina quickly got lost in the music, her eyes glued on Luke. Occasionally, one of the other women would lean over and say something to her, but she wasn’t interested in conversation. She watched every move Luke made.
He wore a custom-made suit with music notes down each pant leg, a matching bolero jacket, shiny black cowboy boots, and a black cowboy hat. She had never seen anyone so handsome, not even in pictures of movie stars.
As the night rolled on, she became aware that the people in the club were a much rougher crowd than she normally saw and made a mental note that she never wanted to work there. Suddenly, someone jostled the table, almost spilling the drinks. Startled, she looked up to see a very drunk man.
He put his hand on her shoulder, slurring his words, “Wouldja’ like to dance?”
Darlina removed his hand from her shoulder and shook her head no.
He persisted, “Awww, come on. Dance with me.” He touched her again.
Again, she shook her head and said, “No, thank you.”
In a split second, the drunken man was hurtled across the dance floor, with Luke following, kicking him with the sharp metal tip of his boot. “The lady said she didn’t want to dance, hoss.”
Darlina jumped to her feet, feeling a bit sorry for the man but at the same time not wanting Luke to get hurt.
The man tried to get up, but Luke held him down with his foot.
“Shit man, let me up. I didn’t mean no harm,” he slurred.
Luke lifted his boot off him, and the man attempted to get to his feet. Luke shoved him toward the club bouncer, who escorted him out the door.
Luke returned to Darlina. “You okay, sugar?”
She nodded, but her voice trembled, “How about you? Are you Okay?”
“Of course. I don’t think any other sonofabitch will bother you now.”
“It’s okay, Luke. I’m fine, really,” she said.
He kissed her on the cheek and headed back to the stage to rejoin the band. They had not stopped playing nor missed a beat.
She sat stunned at what had just happened.
Rita reached over, patting Darlina’s arm. “Don’t worry, sweetie, these things happen.”
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That scene describes it in a real way.
What about you? Ever been in a situation where you felt like you caused an altercation?
Let’s talk.
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