Chapter 12: The Cowsills
The boys continually went downtown and had their fun. On one particularly warm Sunday morning the boys went to Hemisfair. It was early and no one was around. They walked through the work gate before the park was open. They were able to walk around and see what was getting ready to happen. This Sunday the car show was in the Hemisfair arena. The car show was a big festival. It was a circus atmosphere. There was food, drink, and entertainment. The boys walked in with no problem and began to look around at all the new shiny cars on the floor. It was fun because no one else was there. The boys had the whole car show to themselves. It was quiet and there were new cars for the next year and concept cars of the future. The boys ran around looking at everything and got separated.
Joe wandered up to a stage where a band was going to play. Electric guitars were set up and a drum set. He looked around for a minute and left, continuing to look at the new cars. It was fun running around sitting in the cars. Since no one was there Joe was able sit in all the concept cars. They looked amazing. He came to the Dodge exhibit. The concept car was on a pedestal that rotated. It was futuristic looking. The car almost looked like a Corvette. It was bright red with a long front end that came to a point. The taillights were big futuristic red lights which went all the way across the rear end. It made for a great display. The best thing was the car had an entire top which lifted up for people to get in. It was open. Joe got in and sat in the driver’s seat. He imagined himself driving the car on the highway. Blowing past the other cars. The driver’s seat was like a cockpit in an airplane. The seats were comfortable, and the steering wheel was small. Joe did the whole acting like he was driving thing. He seat belted in and pushed the accelerator. He imagined himself turning corners by grabbing the steering wheel and working it back and forth.
Joe went to several different displays and decided it was time to hook up with Dave and Mike. He started back towards the entry point. He passed by the stage on his way to the entrance. The arena was still empty but there was a girl sitting on the edge of the stage about Joe’s age. She was small and gorgeous. She had short blonde hair and the cutest face.
He walked up, “Hi. I’m Joe. You seem comfortable on the stage.”
She was kicking her legs back and forth as she smiled, “I’m Susan. I’m with the band, the Cowsills. We’re going to play in a little while.”
Joe liked rock and roll but didn’t know many song or band names. He said, “So you’re just hanging out until show time?”
“Yeah, I guess. There’s nothing to do so I come out and sit on the stage looking around. Do you live here?”
“Yes mam. If you want, I can show you around. I know all the good places to have fun. Are you staying long?”
“We play today and tonight, then we leave. I’m from Ohio but we live in Los Angeles. They keep me under a strong watch. Sometimes I can get away for a while but not often.”
Joe looked at her and was infatuated, “I could take you just across the street to have fun later if you want. If somebody wants to come with us that’s okay.”
She had a big smile, “That sounds like fun. Check back here during the afternoon show. I’ll see what I can do.”
Joe acknowledged and went to tell the guys. As he left, he checked the time of the show, so he knew when to come back. The show started at 11:00AM and lasted an hour. Joe was moving quickly through the arena looking for Mike and Dave. He saw them heading for the hot dog stand. He ran up and said, “Hey guys. I just talked to this girl; she was outta sight. Do either of you know the band The Cowsills?”
Mike said, “Yeah. I’ve heard of them. They play some good songs. What about them?”
Joe was excited, “The girl I met plays in the Cowsills. They’re playing here in about twenty minutes, and she wants to meet me afterwards.”
Both Mike and Dave looked at Joe. Dave said, “Get out of here. Why would she talk to you?”
Joe was still ramped up, “Not only that, but she also wants to meet me after the show.”
Now both Mike and Dave began laughing. Mike said, “After the show? What are you going to do, take her out to eat?”
Joe hung his head in defeat, “No. I was going to take her over to the pinball gallery across the street.”
Now the two boys were roaring with laughter. Dave said, “You think a music star is going to go with you to play pinball? Man, you got shot down.”
Joe bowed his head again, “I don’t know but I like her. She said she would meet me after the afternoon show. I’m going to watch it. You guys want to come?”
The boys all agreed and headed for the stage. They got there and talked for a while when the show started. The Cowsills were a family band of brothers and a sister headed by the mother. They played songs that Joe had heard on the radio. They were great songs. The car show was now filling up and became quickly packed. Susan kept looking at Joe. At one point she managed a little wave. The boys went crazy when she waved at Joe. It was a good time. The band finished and they left the stage. It was starting to get late, and Dave said, “We need to get this done with her because we need to go home.”
After she waved at Joe, he was adamant, “Just wait here a few minutes and she’ll come out. I know it.”
Mike looked at Dave, “We can wait a few minutes to see what happens.”
Dave acknowledged, “Yeah, okay, we’ll wait.”
The boys stood around a while looking at some of the cars and then decided to take matters into their own hands. They walked onto the stage and went down the stair’s backstage. There was no one there. Everyone must have immediately left. Joe ran back up to the stage and looked around the area. No Susan. Mike and Dave came up on stage and put their arm around Joe. Dave said, “Come on man. Let’s blow this place.”
The boys left with Joe in tow to head home. It was a bad day but at least they got an airconditioned bus home. Joe was having a tough time but never saw Susan again. It was one of those things that wasn’t meant to be.
