Read For the Love of a Lush (Lush No. 2) for Free Online Page B

thought I couldn’t write, and I never really disabused him of that idea, but I can. It’s the lyrics I wish I had him for. I know what’s in my mind when I write, but I can’t make it come out in words, you know?"
    "Yeah, I think I know exactly what you mean. Maybe you can get a lyricist to help out? I bet Dave could hook you up."
    Just then, our other roomie, Bart, comes crashing in. "You two seen that old jean jacket of mine? Leanne said she’ll sew up the tear in it if I get it to her tonight."
    Mike looks at me and shrugs. "No, man, but since you were over in the other bunkhouse so late last night, maybe you left it there?"
    "Good thinking. Thanks, Walsh," he says, and he goes out as loudly as he came in.
    Mike just shakes his head. "I swear, man. If I’m still that incompetent at fifty, just shoot me."
    I smile. "You will be if you don’t find the right woman to whip your ass into shape."
    "Fuck that," he answers, jumping down from the top bunk like a big cat. "I’m never settling down. You know that. I just have to find some uptight-librarian type to be my PA and that’ll take care of it."
    "No librarian would ever put up with your ass."
    "Yeah, you just wait. It’ll be like Moneypenny and Bond. I’ll find her."
    "Whatever. In the meantime you want to give me a ride into town?"
    "Let me guess—the Yellow Rose?"
    I sigh. "Yeah. I need to take care of this before she leaves town. I don’t think I should go alone though. The Bronco will be hopping tonight," I lament, referring to the town’s largest bar that’s only one block from the boarding house Tammy’s at. I know already that the temptation it offers is nearly irresistible right now. Who knows how much weaker I’ll be after ‘making amends’ to Tammy.
    "You got it. I’ll go check out The Bronco while you have your chat. Just text me when you’re ready to go home."
    "All right, brotha’. It’s a gig."
     
    W E GET into town about twenty minutes later, and Mike pulls up in front of the boarding house. It’s an old Victorian building, maintained immaculately, two stories tall, with a small yard surrounded by a white picket fence. The front porch wraps around two sides, and through the front windows I can see white lace curtains and bright lights.
    Tammy’s rental car is parked on the street in front of the building, so I feel confident that she’s here or nearby. I give Mike a handclasp before I hop out of the truck and make my way through the gate in the little fence, then up onto the big wooden porch with its ornate scrollwork and hanging baskets of flowers.
    I twist the large brass lever that rings a bell deep inside the house. Soon, I hear approaching footsteps and the large glass door swings open. A tiny elderly woman stands in front of me, her white hair up in a bun on top of her head and a pair of reading glasses perched on her nose. My mind immediately goes to Mike’s description of his perfect librarian PA, and I can’t help but grin at the little gnome in front of me.
    "Hi, ma’am," I say, using my best Texas manners. "I was wondering if Tammy DiLorenzo is here?"
    "So you’re the boy," she says.
    Boy? I don’t think anyone’s called me a boy in about ten years, but I’m not about to contradict her before she’s let me in the house.
    "Um, maybe? I guess so."
    "You are," she informs me as she motions for me to hurry up and come in.
    I step in and stand there while she gives the once-over.
    "I’m Mrs. Stallworth. You can come visit between seven a.m and ten p.m., but I don’t allow gentlemen callers on the second floor, and if you expect to have dinner, you’ll need to help clean up. This isn’t a restaurant."
    It’s all I can do to keep from patting her on the head. She’s tiny. And fierce. Like a Chihuahua I met once. In order to keep all of my fingers, I refrain from touching her, opt instead to give her my best rock-star smile, and say, "Yes, ma’am."
    She nods once then leans forward and says quietly, "And don’t go