"I'll miss you too." She smiled as she pulled away. Valerie picked up her two small bags and got on board the bus. She picked a window seat on the right side of the bus. She spotted Andy and Chris holding on to each other. She waved at them as she felt the bus starting to move. They waved back at her. Valerie turned and watched them vanish behind the bus, and she watched them till she no longer saw them. She then settled into her seat and pulled out a book to read. It was two hours to the gig she was joining Mike at, some good alone time before going into the madness of what was a local tour.
It was going to be the first time she went anywhere without her good friend at her side, it was definately going to be a different experience. Chris would have surely wanted to go along with her hadn't she been 9 months pregnant with the new baby. Since it was so close to the due date, Chris had been staying home getting bed rest. As Valerie was thinking this, the soft sounds of the music on the bus eventually led her into a light sleep.
Two hours later
Valerie felt a light shake as she woke up. She sat up and turned to the window. She was at her stop. She then turned and looked up at the rest of the bus, it was empty. She was the only passenger on. She looked around and got startled slightly as she noticed the bus driver was standing beside her.
"God, I thought you were dead." He said.
"What if I was?" She asked gathering her things.
"Probably drop you off at the next bus stop. Set you on a bench and hope for the best." He shrugged.
"You are a great humanitarian." Valerie smirked.
"I could have either woke you up here or at the bus garage." He said moving from his spot so she could get out. "I figured I would be nice." He held his hand out.
"Are you expecting a tip?" Valerie asked.
"Your legs are asleep. I'd rather not have someone sue me for not helping them out of their seat after a long ride." The man explained. Valerie gave him her hand and he helped her out of her seat. He then helped her down the stairs of the bus.
"Thanks." Valerie said. "Your welcome." The man said. He left the bus after her and walked away. A minute or so later Valerie entered the small bar where the gig was taking place. She didnt see Mike right away but she did see a shockingly more familiar sight, a man in a bus uniform.
"Werent you on the bus just now?" The bus driver said as he walked over.
"Yea, weren't you?" Valerie asked with a raised eyebrow. The man shook his head.
"I've been in here the last half hour." He said. "What are you talking about?"
"I was sleeping on the bus and was woken by who I thought was the bus driver." Valerie said. "He even helped me out of my seat." The bus driver laughed and shook his head. "Whats funny?"
"I'd check your pockets if I were you." He said. "There is a guy going around as a bus driver, but hes really a pick pocket thief."
Valerie patted herself down. She had no wallet, but she had a wad of small bills in her bra. She turned and tried to look inside of her own shirt without appearing to be a pervert. It was still there.
"Just the same be careful." The bus driver said putting on his hat. "There are a lot of weirdos out there."
"I get that impression." Valerie said softly. "Thanks." She said. The bus driver nodded and went on his merry way. "Clearly loaded, I hope he doesnt try to..." Valerie made a small yelp as two hands covered her eyes. "Whos there?"
"Who do you think?" The familiar Texas twang said softly in her ear. Valerie felt a huge smile cross her face, something that people hadnt seen on her in years. She then turned to see who had blinded her. "Mike." She sighed.
"Hey beautiful." Mike said kissing her on the lips. "You're just in time." He put his hand in his jeans pocket. "I got something for you."
"What?" Valerie said. "I'm not too big on presents." She said as Mike dangled a cord in front of her. "Or rope for that matter." He showed her a piece of plastic on the end of it.
"This is a backstage pass and a pass to our bus." He explained. "You can go anywhere I go."
"Anywhere?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Just not the mens room." Mike smirked. "The shows going to start in half an hour. I should show you around backstage, meet some of the people. Mickys got a new girlfriend on this tour, so you will meet her first."
"He didn't have one when he was in town." Valerie said as she followed him back.
"Yeah, but she knows everything there is about being on tour, she dates a lot of musicians." Mike said. "But shes not a groupy." He pointed out. "Shes more like a den mother to the rest of the gang."
"Gang? How many people are on this tour?" Valerie asked.
"Theres us, and you, and then theres the band that we play with each night...Riverbend, so theres about twenty people on this tour." Mike said adding it up in his head.
"Wow, talk about a commune on wheels." Valerie muttered. "So when do we meet this den mother?" Valerie asked.
to be continued...
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