“I have the perfect dedication: ‘Walk All Over You’ by AC/DC. Can you play that one for him, Lori?”
“That’s ridiculous. I’m not going to dedicate that song to him. I can come up with something much better.” I searched the database for the song.
“I don’t think I want to know. Good luck, Matthew, you’ll need it.” Ben disconnected the call. “Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s get this torture over with.”
I found the song and loaded it into the play position, which meant Ben could see it on his screen as well.
He jerked his head back. “Oh, please, for the love of all that is decent, no. Anything but that song.”
I smiled. “You’re hyperventilating and it’s not pretty. This song is perfect for Matthew and anyone who comes across a minor bump in the road of their relationship. Focus on the positive qualities of the other person, focus on the love, because in the end that’s the only thing that can keep you together.” I clicked the button on my screen to start the song.
“Love Will Keep Us Together” by Captain & Tennille.
Ben took off his headphones. “Have younomercy? Have younotaste? I’m dying a slow death over here.”
“Good. Everything is going according to plan then.” I crossed my arms. “And if you don’t like it, you can cover your ears or leave the studio.”
Ben eyed the door and then made a run for it, straight out of the studio, surprising me.
I didn’t care.
I sang along, enjoying every minute of it.
Then I got worried, eying the clock and realizing there were just thirty seconds left on the song and Ben still wasn’t back.
I glanced at our producer, Jim, who was in the studio directly across from our studio, looking in my direction through the glass.
I threw my palms up and then tapped on my watch, letting him know Ben was running out of time and I was getting worried.
Jim pointed behind me.
I twisted around as the studio door flew open with ten seconds left on the song.
Ben moved swiftly by me, sat down, slid his headphones on, and turned on the microphone just as the song ended. “You’re listening to Dr. Tough Love, here with my sidekick, Lori, in all her glory.”
“Cohost.”
“I would like to thank the paramedics at the San Diego Fire Department for coming in to resuscitate me during that song. I almost didn’t make it. Let’s take another call.” He pressed line two on the control board. “Pablo in Mission Valley, welcome to the show. What’s going on this morning?”
“I have an embarrassing problem with my neighbors,” Pablo said. “They have this desire to live curtain and clothing free.”
Ben chuckled. “Your neighbors are exhibitionists?”
“Big time.”
“And where are you seeing this from? The street? The backyard? If you tell me that you have binoculars, I’m hanging up on you.”
“No, no. Nothing like that. My home office is on the second floor and it looks right into their family room and kitchen. I can see everything.”
“They’re naked in the kitchen with utensils and everything?”
“They’re naked everywhere.”
I jumped in. “There are worse problems to have with your neighbors, Pablo.”
“Well, well . . .” Ben said. “It sounds like Pablo needs to add an extra chair to his office for Lori and have a bag of popcorn waiting.”
“Can I make a point?”
