Far Beyond Broken

September 1, 1984. Saturday

We unloaded our instruments from Terry's truck and brought them backstage.
The girls and I stayed up late the previous night rehearsing. We had three songs picked out to play.
Take Me to the Top, Tomorrow, and Love Bites.
When we finished unpacking we hung out with the guys backstage. They were already drinking.
“You're not gonna save that for the after-party?” I joked.
Vinnie smiled at me, “We'll have something way better for that.”
Darrell came from behind and playfully elbowed me, “Definitely,” he said with a wink.
Rex through everyone a beer.
Darrell began speaking, “I wanna toast everyone before we go on. Let's rock tonight boys. Oh, yeah, and I wish you girls the best of luck. Better keep up with us. Cheers!”
The guys started to walk off but I grabbed Rex before he got all the way out.
“Hey, no good luck hug?”
He laughed at me, “My bad.”
“Have fun out there.”
“I will.”
He leaned in for a hug and rubbed my back.
Rex made me feel good. He was warm and sweet. His hair was as soft as cotton. I wondered how he didn't have a girlfriend.
I pushed the thoughts deep into my head and went back to Vic and Mad.
Pantera played for an hour, or maybe more. They were amazing. I stood backstage and watched them. It was amazing. Rex was so smooth when he played, it was peaceful in a way.
Vinnie absolutely killed the drums.
Terry, well, he was himself.
But Darrell, you couldn't put in words how good he was. You would have to see him play to understand. The energy he let out was like nothing else.
They ran back to us, more pumped up than ever.
“You guys did great!” Mad exclaimed.
I gave all the guys a hug.
“That was nothing, just wait till we get out there,” Vic muttered.
“Whatever girl, we just blew the roof off this fucker! You can't blow something that isn't there,” Darrel replied.
“Oh, you wait and see. I'll have this whole building in flames.”
He laughed at her.
Sheer Threat played for about forty-five minutes.
Before I knew it the guys were patting us on the back and watching us walk onto the stage.
We got into our positions. For the first time in a long time, I was nervous.
My eyes scanned the flood of people.
I nodded towards the girls and swallowed.
“How are y'all doing tonight!”
The crowd screamed back.
“Are you ready to rock?”
The crowd screamed louder.
“Let me hear you!”
They were screaming so loud I thought my ears were gonna hurt.
“We're Velum, and we're gonna tear this place down!”
Vic tore into her drums and off we went.
I could tell only some of the crowd was enjoying the music.
I wasn't sure if it was the song or us.
I noticed a few people leave and that's when I decided we had to change the set list.
I called the girls into a huddle when Take Me to the Top was over.
“People aren't enjoying this. We need something stronger. We gotta pull them in.”
“I fucking told you Mötley Crüe wouldn't cut it,” Vic whispered.
“But it's Mötley Crüe,” Mad added.
“Alright let's just do Shoot to Thrill and The Sentinel.”
“The Sentinel, I don't know if I can pull that off,” Mad added.
“Yes, you can. Come on we don't have a choice.”
“Fine.”
“We good?”
They nodded and we started again.
People were getting more into Shoot to Thrill.
I didn't see anyone leave.
Once The Sentinel started everyone was hooked.
Mad aced her solo. I was shocked. She never played it perfectly at rehearsals. That's why we didn't originally choose to play it.
I guess all the adrenaline got to her.
The crowd and clapping and whistling for us at the end of the show.
“Thank you!”
We ran backstage where the guys awaited us with drinks.
“That was amazing,” Terry said.
“I'm so proud of y'all,” Vinnie said as he pulled us into a hug.
Darrell was talking to Mad about her solo and Vic was drinking something. I went to talk to Rex.
“We kicked ass didn't we?”
“Hell yeah, you did. I wish things went that good the first time I played live.”
“I was losing them at first. I guess this isn't the Vince Neil kinda place.”
He patted me on the back, “You got them though. Nothing goes perfect the first time.”
“I hope there is a next time. It was great getting to play for people.”
“Getting to play in front of people is like nothing else.”
We all stayed and drank for a while.
Somehow Rex convinced me to let him take me home.
Both of us were feeling the liquor we had digested.
He helped me into his old truck and off we went.
Kiss was playing on the radio.
I took his hand off the stick shift and placed it into my palm.
He looked at me, “What are you doing?”
“What does it look like?”
“Why are you doing it?”
“Do you not want me too?”
“It's fine, I ju-”
“Stop asking questions just let it happen.”
Not one word was spoken until he pulled up to my house.
“Wait a second.” I grabbed my case and ran around to the driver side.
“Open the door.”
When he did I leaned up and gave him a kiss.
“Goodnight Rex Rocker.”
“Goodnight K.”