As Life Spins

DeAnna met Billy Dukes from a neighbor, Jerry who had two small children, she used to swap babysitting with so they didn't have to pay for baby sitters. Billy owned a bar and DeAnna mentioned how she could use a little extra money. So
DeAnna started working at Esther's which was a red neck and biker type bar. Everyone drank so heavily and bikers even rode their bikes inside the bar. It had the reputation if you didn't have a knife or a gun when you walked in the door. They would hand you one as you walked in. Billy Dukes had nicknamed her Martini. From her last name at the time. She really liked the nickname. She always dressed so classy. She had gotten into drinking rather heavy herself there. Most every night she drank Wild Turkey 101 and shots of Tequila. Guys would buy her shots all night. When she was feeling good she'd began to howl!!!! Everyone got a kick out of it. But she just loved doing it. Let the wild side out!!!!!!!!
Her dad got upset when he found out she was working with Billy Dukes. The one day when she was over to visit and they were sitting in his shed. He was busy building his planes. She would often sit with him out there trying to talk to him and get close to him. He told her she needed to grow up and quit drinking.
Boy, did that hit her hard. He's been living with his mom since she was 7. Never paid child support to her mom. Never came to visit, called them OR EVEN SENT A BIRTHDAY CARD! NOTHING!
Even now grandma cooked, cleaned, shopped and did everything for him. Did he even realize a loaf of bread was $1 now days? She wanted him to love her. She tried so hard to get close to him. He would never even give her a simple hug! What's wrong with that? He never even comes to visit her and the boys. He said if she moved down here he would help her out. Even if her car broke down she wouldn't have the money to fix it. Grandma would have to yell at him to fix it for her. He worked all his life on cars. He could do it. He just didn't want to. She got rather upset and left that day. And didn't come over to visit for 6 months.
Working with Billy Dukes she found out that her dad and him use to hang out and drink all the time. Billy even met her mom which she was only in Georgia one time to visit since her dad and grandparents moved here. Billy Dukes told her things her dad use to do when they were drinking. And she couldn't believe. Although she heard stories about him always getting so drunk he'd be kicked out of the bars for fighting.
On Friday and Saturday nights the boys would be at the baby sitters for the night. And she'd be so tore up she'd wake up on the floor next to her bed. FULLY CLOTHED STILL!! OR IN THE BATH TUB......... LUCKILY WITH NO WATER IN THE TUB!!!!!! Not remembering how she even closed up the bar and made it home.DeAnna was still in college and working at night bar tending at Esther's. Every night through the summer was like a Friday night. Standing room only. Cars would be parked way on down the road. She always dressed to kill! She loved dressing up and looking good. The juke box would be cranked so loud and she would kinda like dance and sing while working behind the bar. She'd have water fights at times with some friends always laughing and having a good time. She was bringing in so much money her boss started giving her $100 bonuses. Plus she made killer money in tips. On the weekends Ronnie Morris played. It has rock-n-roll.

Her birthday was coming up so they had a birthday party for her. Bobby Turner and Bobby Cargiel stayed up all night cooking a hog for the birthday party. It was on a Sunday but since they had food Billy Dukes could open the bar. They had a keg of beer with all kinds of food. Billy bought her a cake. And Ronnie played that night. Billy Day even showed up and sat in with the band on a few songs. Billy Day was in a really cool band and they traveled around a lot. DeAnna knew Billy Day and was talking with him about putting a band together. Hard rock Christian music. Similar to Stevie Nicks and Heart. DeAnna loved their music. She played them all the time at home and would light candles while she played them at night. She could feel their power in their music. It was spiritually mystical. Their music is what kept her going through life.
The party had started at noon that Sunday. Benjie bought her a bottle of Two Fingers Tequila. They always cut up together. DeAnna thought of him like a big brother. He was married but mostly went up there after work with his wife Lenna. They opened the bottle and had a few shots.
Donny Rozer showed up and bought her another bottle of Two Fingers Tequila. He was a good friend of hers too. They opened his bottle and drank a few shots.
The place got packed and DeAnna was having fun. She never had a birthday party since her childhood. She moved around so much through her life. Friends just kinda came and went. She got pretty tore up that night. She even ended up doing 6 qualoudes she got from Schoffer. She liked him and late that night they left the bar and went to the beach. They were standing on the beach kissing AND SHE FELL ASLEEP STANDING UP!!!!!!!! He managed to get her home and they crashed out. It sure was a hell of a birthday party! One she'd never forget.