Chapter 15: Cheeky Nini, Part 3

My mind drifted back to that night – where it all happened.

I was sitting in a hard and shiny chair at a youth detention center not that far from the high school I was in.

That was because I was waiting on the status of Tara Racy, a classmate of mine, who was detained for shoplifting hours earlier.

She was one of my most dependable classmates, and I couldn't believe she was slapped with a misdemeanor.

I was so angry, so hurt by this turn of events, that I became lethargic while waiting.

And then the phone rang.

Oh, it's from my dad.

I expected him to shout quite a mouthful over the line, that my phone's speakers would shatter.

But I had to answer the phone no matter what.

After asking permission from the ones in charge, I headed outside, and then pushed the "answer" button.

"Hello, Leigh! Where are you now?! Dinner time's almost near!"

I started to speak, but no sound would come out of my mouth.

It was as if my own fear robbed me of my own voice.

What was wrong with me?

I had never been so afraid of my dad before.

Yes, he could be a little strict, but that's because he wanted to instill discipline to my entire family.

"D-Dad… I… I'm at the youth detention center near the school. My… my classmate Tara is currently held here… because of shoplifting."

I anticipated him berating Tara, and…

"Then go home right away! Your classmate deserved it! You should cut off ties with her, right now!"

"B-But…"

"No buts! Go home immediately or you'll definitely get it!"

I knew my dad wasn't bluffing.

He was 100% serious.

If I failed to arrive home on time, it would mean my father would punish me… and at worst, disown me outright.

If he disowned me, I would be forced to leave school.

I would be forced to walk around the city with people talking about me.

I would be forced to live on the streets with only my tattered clothes and the clothes I would steal or acquire from dumpsters.

"Dad… please, just give me five minutes… I promise to get home on time. I need to talk to Tara first, OK?"

"Did you miss the memo? Tara deserved this. She's a bad influence on you!"

"But Dad, she's just falsely accused!"

"No. No, no, no. This is not the time to act selfless. She broke the law, and she deserves to get punished!"

"But… Dad…"

"5… 4… 3… 2… 1… Go!"

"W-What's with your countdowns?"

"This isn't your time!"

Not willing to escalate the argument, which could lead to worse things, I hung up the phone and headed back to the inside of the detention center.

And there, I saw Tara, doing nothing but sobbing as she was held by the officers on duty.

One of the officers quipped, "Come on, girl. What did I tell you several times so far? Don't ever, ever do this again!"

"This wasn't my fault. It's all a mistaken identity thing!"

"Nonsense! CCTV cameras and eyewitness accounts don't lie. You snatched a pack of peanuts at the convenience store because you were hungry and you suddenly forgot your money back home."

She just stayed silent as she calmed herself down and went back to her seat.

It was my turn to defend her.

I sat down in front of Tara and listened as she gave me her side of the story.

"You see, Leigh, I was in the convenience store just to buy a half-gallon bottle of soda.

"And then… another woman who looked much like me… and even wore the same clothes as I did… rushed inside, hoping to snatch some foodstuffs and get away with it scot-free.

"But then, I easily detected the shoplifter and got into a cat fight with her.

"That was the time where it all got messed up.

"Because I easily spotted the shoplifter, I forgot about buying the soda.

"Once the dust has settled, I ended up with the pack of peanuts she originally snatched. And thus, I was taken into custody. I'm sorry I got into this."

I consoled her...

"Tara, it's alright. You have nothing to apologize for. You only did what you had to do."

"Leigh… I am sorry... I let you down."

"Why are you putting yourself down? Look, that self-pitying will get you nowhere."

"I failed you, plain and simple…"

And then, someone broke into the detention center.

It was the snatcher herself!

And as expected, she was gloating that a fall guy, I mean girl, came at the most opportune time for her to get away with her shenanigans.

Naturally, my blood boiled.

It was all because of her that my classmate was falsely accused of shoplifting in the first place.

Therefore, I launched all my righteous anger at her by smashing her hideous face with my cellphone.

It was outdated, anyway, and I saved enough for a much newer phone.

This, of course, caught the eye of the officers in charge, and they all restrained me.

In the end, I was detained for a few hours alongside Tara.

She indeed was slapped with a shoplifting misdemeanor, while I was slapped with an assault misdemeanor (since the shoplifter's wounds weren't that serious).

And the phone I had was beyond repair, which meant that dad was worried sick.

The next morning, we were set free, as we readily admitted our crimes and regretted them outright.

And what happened to Tara afterwards?

She… just disappeared from my life.

***

Alright, enough of this sordid memory. Fred and I still have to perform!

And… in what can be called a miracle…

A voluptuous woman enters the bar, casually approaches us two, and says…

"Oh, so you two are the country singers I saw last night, right?"

***

That face, that demeanor, and that scent…

No doubt, it's the woman who gave us that letter with the kiss mark two days ago!

She happily coos, "I'd very much want to see you perform again. And before you wonder who I am… the name's Nini Hyacinth Sargent. Just call me… 'Cheeky Nini'."

We three just nod enthusiastically, as we realize that it's almost time for our performance.

Leigh and I head towards the stage pronto and prepare everything in short order.

And because we were so focused on that movie marathon, we forgot to have a set list ready.

But that's no skin off our backs!

We can just dish out love-oriented country songs we remember at the spur of the moment.

All for this sassy lady who has finally found love, and is not ashamed to tell the world about it.

Personally, I'd advise her not to have a lavish wedding, because she could turn into the infamous "bridezilla"…

Wait, what was I thinking?!

Let's get on with the show!

Since Nini's the distinguished guest for tonight, she sits alongside Aurora on the usual center-most table near the stage.

And we can spot Aurora getting so euphoric as she can smell the cherry wine-scented perfume Nini wears.

Leigh and I hypothesize that it's fine for us to play overly romantic songs because of you-know-who, and we fully know she's secretly looking forward to us playing "Just This Once in My Life".

Well, why not make that song the opening act?

As we play the song's opening notes...

Aurora is looking up from her seat while looking directly at the stage…

...when she realizes that Nini is not looking at her anymore.

Well, what is she looking at, anyway?

The answer can be found in the form of a man who has just entered the bar.

"Nini!"

"Reynard!"

Reynard? Most likely, that's the name of the guy Nini fell in love with.

And due to that unexpected encounter, we unknowingly mess up our performance, which is a signal that tells us to stop momentarily, as Reynard later guides Nini to Aurora's usual sitting position.

Aurora just shrugs her shoulder as she moves to a nearby empty table.

And on the stage itself, I declare to everyone in attendance…

"So, a slight deviation of plans. We not just have one, but two distinguished guests for tonight. So then, we'll restart our performance of 'Just This Once in My Life', which is dedicated to the budding love between our two guests of honor, Reynard and Nini! Give them warm rounds of applause, everyone!"

And thus, we play "Just This Once in My Life". Once more. With feelings.

As Leigh and I sing the song while our guitars provide the needed accompaniment, we can definitely feel the love tonight, and will definitely make kings and vagabonds out of the most love-struck of the audience members here.

The song eventually ends after the usual three minutes, and everyone's having that standing ovation.

To both us and them.

This woman named Nini is indeed cheeky, alright.

And I know she'll put her cheekiness to good use.

To stand up for the love she long sought for.