Part I
Part I: Thank You
JIMMY’S P.O.V
We had just arrived in a small town in California, on our first America tour. Although I couldn’t remember the name of the place I couldn’t help but feel how the atmosphere brought me back through memories of the town I grew up in.
The car drove up to a large hotel that didn’t fit in on the semi-busy downtown street. The venue we were going to be playing was in the city just 20 minutes away, but Jonesy and Peter insisted we needed a break from the cities.
I stared out the windows taking in the small town feel. I looked over to the others, Robert had his head resting on John Paul’s shoulder, who was squished by Bonzo who took up most of the backseat.
“Ey mates, wake up! We’re ‘ere.” Peter yelled into the backseat.
Bonzo jumped at the sound, sending a domino effect through the right side of the car. Jonesy was pushed over my way and Robert bounced up, smacking his head against the ceiling. I laughed at the reaction it had caused.
”You idiots.” I chuckled.
Robert punched my arm playfully, rubbing his head with his other hand.
I got out of the car, controlling my laughter as the boys made their way out behind me. I looked around the street in front of me, my eyes landed to the sidewalk across the street where a young girl with long dirty blond hair caught my attention. She was rushing along the walk toward the stores that embesled the street.
I watched with interest as her hips swayed. She was tall, her wavy hair went down to just above the small of her back, shining brightly in the sunlight. She wore pale blue, high-waist shorts with a black t-shirt tucked in.
Robert’s voice broke through my abstraction, “Ey, looks like Pagey’s found himself a pretty new bird.” He laughed pushing his hair back from his eyes as he nodded toward the girl.
”Come lads, into the hotel. We can look for your girls later.” Peter insisted heading for the door.
”Just one minute.” I blurted out. My feet had a mind of their own as they towed the rest of my body across the street toward the unknown girl. “Excuse me miss.” I smiled as caught up and stood beside her.
She stopped walking and looked up at me. “Yes.” Her big eyes asked innocently.
I was stopped short as I looked at her beauty. I took it all in wondering how it could be possible. When her expression turned to concern I finally spoke again.
”Are you in a rush?” I wondered recalling her fast pace.
She looked toward the stores. “Kind of, yes.” she bit her lower lip. “I’m late for work.”
”Oh well don’t let me keep you.” I smiled.
She looked at her watch, still chewing her lip. “I have a couple minutes.” She smiled.
”Good.” I laughed. “May I ask for you’re name?”
”Jade.”
”That’s quite the lovely name. I’m—.” I started but was cut off by Bonzo.
”Pagey! Come on man, we’re waiting on you!” He yelled from across the street.
”Looks like you’re in more of a rush than I am.” She teased.
I laughed. “They have no patience. I’m Jimmy, or as my dear friends over there like to call me, Pagey.” I rolled my eyes at the nickname.
She looked over at the boys who were crowding around the doorway of the hotel chatting.”Oh. You’re the guitarist for Led Zeppelin?” Her eyes widened slightly.
”Among other things.” I laughed at her expression. It almost looked embarrassed.
”Come on Page!” Robert called.
”Jade your late!” A boisterous man called from a doorway of a record store just two building down from us.
We both giggled for a moment before she started walking away. “I really dig your music!” She smiled before waving and turning away from me.
I watched her untill she dissapeared into the store. ‘Thank you’ I smiled to myself.
I walked back to the hotel, where the boys were waiting, arms crossed.
”Was that even worth the time?” Robert asked raising his eyesbrows skeptically.
”Yes it was.”
For a couple of hours into the afternoon, up in Robert’s suite, we arranged our next concert, going through songs and different stage placements until we finally agreed on the same thing. Usually I would join in on the arguing of what I wanted to play, when and where but I had something else on my mind. The boys seemed to notice my distracted psyche and expression but pushed it aside without caring, due to the fact that this was not the first time, a bird had caught my eye.
Once Peter and Richard released us from the prison of ‘work’ I ran to my suite, fixed myself up the best I could and made my way through to the lobby of the hotel where a couple small town groupies gathered. I glanced at them momentarily but looked away without interest. I had a mission, and I was going to complete it.
The sun was starting to set, leaving the sky shades of pinks and oranges. The warm breeze flowed through the streets with the sweet scent of flowers and earthy trees.
I crossed the road and followed the invisible footprints I had left in my mind earlier that day, to the record store I had seen her walk into.
I stood in front of the door for a moment and took a deep breath before entering.
