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.”
FLOWERS AND STONE PURCHASE LINK
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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Another great excerpt, Jan. I’m really enjoying this anniversary celebration and hoping your book is discovered by many new fans!
Thank you, Mae. I truly appreciate your support! Hugs!
Based on a true story! Those stories are the most interesting and sometimes most unbelievable onces because they are true.
Truth is often stranger than fiction, Erika. I never had a goal to be an author, but I had a true story that had to be told. Flowers and Stone is the beginning. It took four books to tell it all. I am often asked how much of the story is truth and how much fiction and my answer is always the same 90% truth and maybe 10% fiction for scenes where I was not present. Thanks for stopping by!
I understand what you say here. Also, true stories carry so much more energy. On one hand from the writer and on the other hand in the reader because they know its true. About 12 years ago, I wrote a manuskript that is based on a true story, but mixed with a lot of fiction. However, writing it, was very emotional.
There always seemed to be one out of control drunk making issues with the females. Luckily they got kicked out.
A pretty common scenario I came to realize later. At the time, it shook me. It was the first. 🙂 Thanks for visiting! Hugs!
Loved the excerpt, Sister! Rick was something. When I went to hear him sing, I never saw anything like this happening and nothing similar ever happened to me that I can remember. My red hair always drew unwanted attention and comments though. Love you so much.
I’m so glad nothing like this ever happened to you, sister. And I’m certainly glad it never happened when you came out to hear him sing. And all this time, I thought you were coming so we could visit. 🙂 Love you so much and thank you for putting Flowers and Stone in your newsletter today! I appreciate it! See you Friday!
Fortunately, I haven’t been in a situation like that. As a teenager, a couple of friends and I went to a boy’s house. When we knocked on the door for him, his drunken father came to the door, told us he wasn’t home, and said something about all of us pretty girls. He started to come outside. We jumped off the porch, ran to the car, and got out of there!
Yikes! Poor kid. I’m sure he was totally humiliated. I can’t imagine growing up with alcoholic parents. Good idea to hightail it out of there! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
I thoroughly enjoyed Flowers and Stone and wish you all the best with its new release. Bravo!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Gwen.
In my twenties I had to deal with a stalker situation and ultimately I had to get the police involved. Fortunately there was no physical altercations.
Oh dear, Jill. That sounds like a terrifying nightmare. Glad it didn’t turn physical. Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment.
I was not directly involved, but I have seen a band member leap from the stage and throw down.
Yep. A common occurrence in the world of music. I recently saw a video clip where Cody Johnson stopped the show and refused to keep singing until the fighting stopped. 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
Way back in my teens and twenties I caused some shoves and fusses, but nothing too serious. Thanks for the giveaway, Jan!
Men and their egos, huh? Thanks for visiting, Vera!
Hi Jan, certainly this would be quite a shock for someone from a conservative and religious background.
And it was. Thank you for visiting, Robbie!