‘You mean – being nosy?’
‘I believe that’s the correct term, ma’am… yeah.’
Mary’s new smile was a relaxed one. ‘So… who’s playing tonight?’
The man’s face seemed to light up. He offered her a flyer once again.
This time, Mary took it. It was a simple piece of white paper, rectangular in shape, and printed in black and white. The photo showed the artist standing with his back pressed against a brick wall, his right leg bent at the knee… the sole of his right cowboy boot flat against that same wall. He was holding an acoustic guitar across his body, as if he was just about to start playing. His cowboy hat was tipped down at the front, but not enough to cover his face, while his long, straight black hair fell just past his shoulders. Mary recognized him straight away. It was the same man who was standing right in front of her.
‘Luke Jenkins,’ Mary read the name across the top of the flyer, before her gaze returned to the man. ‘It’s got a good sound to it. Is that your real name?’
The man nodded. ‘Luke Jenkins. Baptized and dipped in a bucket of holy water, ma’am.’ He offered her his hand. ‘Pleasure to make your acquaintance.’
Mary shook it. ‘Mary. Nice to meet you, Luke.’ Her chin jerked at the flyer. ‘Are you any good?’
‘I’m always trying to be better, ma’am,’ Luke replied. ‘But I can get a crowd going… the southern way.’
Mary looked back at The Whiskey Bent Saloon. ‘It doesn’t look too busy in there. Not much of a crowd to get going.’
‘Monday evenings are always slow,’ Luke explained. ‘That’s why most small venues, like The Whiskey, will book new,less-known acts on Monday nights. Artists starting out, like myself. The management then checks you out to see how good you are. If they like you, they might book you on a few more Mondays before giving you a shot at busier nights and bigger crowds.’
‘I see.’ Mary nodded. ‘Is this your first Monday playing here?’
‘No, ma’am. This is my second time playing The Whiskey. I was here last Monday too.’
‘So, they liked you.’
Luke gave Mary a cowboy nod. ‘It appears so, ma’am.’
Their stares locked and Luke smiled again, but this time it wasn’t shy or timid. It was just a smile – as genuine as before, but brighter. ‘So, what do you say, ma’am? Give a new artist a chance?’
Mary looked down at the flyer again. ‘Five bucks?’
‘It’s for a good cause, ma’am.’
‘And that cause would be?’
Luke pressed his lips tight together. The embarrassment was back in his tone. ‘Umm… food and board, ma’am. Nashville ain’t as cheap as Huntsville.’
Mary found Luke’s honesty to be quite attractive.
‘But I’m sure that I can get you on some sort of guest list, if you like. I get a free “plus one” that I don’t use.’
‘No, it’s OK,’ Mary nodded. ‘I think I can afford five bucks tonight, but on one condition.’
Luke bit back on a pleased smile. ‘And what’s that, ma’am.’
‘You’ve got to stop calling me ma’am. You’re making me feel old. Call me Mary… OK?’
‘Mary it is,’ Luke said, giving her another cowboy nod and gesturing towards the door to The Whiskey Bent Saloon. ‘And thank you very much. You ain’t gonna regret it.’
Thirteen
Luke was right – Mary did not regret stepping into The Whiskey Bent Salon for the very first time that evening, not even for a second. The decoration was maybe a little too ‘huntsmen’ for her liking, with a full-sized stuffed bear and a variety of animal heads mounted high on the walls amongst the many neon lights, but the atmosphere inside the venue was simply electric. Country music played through the ceiling speakers, while laughter and animated talk could be heard coming from just about every corner of The Whiskey. Two bartenders – both of them female – looked to be rushed off their feet, as they expertly mixed colorful cocktails and served beer and whiskey to a pretty busy bar. Mary simply couldn’t help being sucked into the party mood that lingered in the air.
‘Wow,’ she said, as she allowed her eyes to circle the room. ‘I was definitely wrong. It’s a lot busier than I thought.’
Luke smiled proudly. ‘Let me get you a drink,’ he said, leading the way to the bar. ‘Beer?’
