A Dark Gift

Chapter 5

He handed the beautifully carved instrument to me carefully. I ran my fingers over it and let my fingertips strum the strings. It was in tune. I smiled. "This ought to make you happy, Paul," I said. I sat on the edge of the fountain, and began to play, singing along.

It's all the same, only the names will change
Everyday it seems we're wasting away
Another place where the faces are so cold
I'd drive all night just to get back home

[Chorus:]
I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride
I'm wanted dead or alive
Wanted dead or alive

Sometimes I sleep, sometimes it's not for days
And the people I meet always go their separate ways
Sometimes you tell the day
By the bottle that you drink
And times when you're alone all you do is think

[Chorus 2x]

And I walk these streets, a loaded six string on my back
I play for keeps, 'cause I might not make it back
I've been everywhere, and still I'm standing tall
I've seen a million faces and I've rocked them all

'Cause I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride
I'm wanted dead or alive
'Cause I'm a cowboy, I got the night on my side
I'm wanted dead or alive
And I ride dead or alive
I still drive, dead or alive
Dead or alive [4x]

Paul's mouth hung open, his joint hanging limply from his lip. "That was AWESOME! Play something else!" he said, jumping up and dancing around. He got down on his knees in front of me and took my hands in his. "Have my babies!" he said, making me laugh.

"I don't think so, you over-libidinous marijuana fiend," I said teasingly.

He looked at Dwayne and Marko who were laughing hysterically. Even David was chuckling. "What did she say?" he asked.

"She called you a horny pot-head," Marko gasped between laughs.

Paul's whole demeanor changed and he was suddenly draping himself around me, one arm over my shoulders, the other hand high on my thigh, nuzzling into my ear. "Oh, Princess, you have no idea how very over-libidinous you make me feel," he whispered into my ear, before nuzzling into my neck and nipping at my earlobe. I gasped and jerked away, looking into his eyes and seeing that they'd gone dark with lust.

"Paul!" David admonished him. Paul pulled back just a little, but his arm was still draped over my shoulders and he was still leaning into my side. I yawned and blushed, covering my mouth. "Excuse me. One more song, before I have to get home, guys," I said. They all booed the idea, but I knew I needed to get home soon. "Any requests?" I asked.

Of course, Paul started throwing out songs there was no way I could play without a complete rock band. I heard Star speak up from the corner. "How about 'I love Rock 'n' Roll?'" she asked. The guys were immediately floored. "Yeah!" Paul said, lighting up and dancing around as I began to pick out the tune quickly on the guitar before I began to play. I used my foot to hold percussion as I started singing.

I saw him dancing there by the record machine
I knew he must have been about seventeen
The beat was going strong
Playing my favorite song
And I could tell it wouldn't be long till he was with me, yeah me
And I could tell it wouldn't be long till he was with me, yeah me

Singing, I love rock and roll
So put another dime in the jukebox, baby
I love rock and roll
So come and take your time and dance with me
Ow!

He smiled, so I got up and asked for his name
But that don't matter, he said, 'cause it's all the same
He said, "Can I take you home
Where we can be alone?"
And next we were moving on, he was with me, yeah me
Next we were moving on, he was with me, yeah me

Singing, I love rock and roll
So put another dime in the jukebox, baby
I love rock and roll
So come and take your time and dance with me
Ow!