Unplugged (A Portrait of a Rock Star) Read Online Free PDF Page B

had me young and I guess he chose to not stick around.  Whenever I’d ask about him, my mother just said he was a young boy who didn’t know any better.  Uncle Frank tried to be like a dad to me, but once my cousin Francis was born, I kind of felt in the way.  They never wanted me to; they definitely treated me like a daughter, but I knew better.  They went on to have five other kids.  I did baby-sit for them eventually.  It was all good.  I just ended up quiet, that’s all.”  Mara looked back up and smiled at me. 
    “How did you get into fitness?” This, I really wanted to know.
    “Uncle Frank did that.  He was, and still is, a power lifter – one of the best in the world.  He travels the country competing and usually takes first or second place.  It’s pretty cool.  I used to hang out in the gym he had in his garage and watch.  Eventually, I started working out and found I was good at retaining what he had taught me.  So, I studied hard and got my certification.  Before that, I graduated with a degree in Public Relations.
    “Do you have many clients?” 
    “Currently, I have about ten.  Sometimes I have more, sometimes less.  I’m also a group fitness instructor; I teach Spinning classes and Kickboxing and stuff.  It’s okay.  It pays the bills and keeps me in shape.  I used to have a more professional job, but it wasn’t really me.”
    “Ah.  Interesting.”  Being with Mara was interesting.  I really enjoyed her company.  Our walk ended way too quickly; before I knew it, we were back at my Corvette.  Once again, my chivalry kicked in and I opened the door for Mara to get in and closed the door after her.  I circled around to get in to my side of the car, excited to be sitting so close to her again. 
    After I got in, Mara ran her hand across the dash, “I like the white interior, very sophisticated, Tagg.  Your car is amazing.”
    “Thank you.  I bought if for myself after our first album went Platinum.”  I suddenly felt nostalgic for my performing days.
    “You have good taste in cars; very classy.”
    “Thanks, Mara.”  Just like my car, Mara was the epitome of class.  She was refined and polished, yet unpretentious.  I wanted to get to know her better.  No, I needed to get to know her better.

Chapter Four
    Mara wasn’t coming to train me until tomorrow.  I didn’t know what to do with myself for a whole day without her.  It was only yesterday that we took our stroll along the boardwalk, but I was itching to see her again.  My self-induced suffering had seemed to take a back seat in my mind when I was with Mara.  She was easygoing and easy to be with, and she made it easy for me to forget that I had been a recluse for the past seven years.
    I decided to forgo my accustomed dismal routine of sulking in my recliner all day to go get a new cell phone and a haircut.  Now that I felt a bit more cheerful, I couldn’t stand my appearance.  My long hair was unruly and my beard was just offensive.  Mom had already had coffee made by the time I got out of the shower, and she was in the process of making a vegetable omelet when I entered the kitchen.  It was apparent by the smile on her face that she was pleased to see me up and showered so early.  I kissed her on the cheek and got a mug out of the cupboard for my coffee.  “Mom, I’m sorry about the other day. You really don’t have to stay and be my personal chef.  I can fend for myself, I am a grown man.”
    “Well, you haven’t been acting like one.”
    “I deserved that.  I’m sorry.”  I poured my coffee and refilled my mom’s cup.  I took out two plates and I split the omelet she made into two.  “Sit down and eat breakfast with me today.”  We sat.  “Mom, I’ll really make an effort this time to move on from what happened.  I guess I did let it go on too long.”
    Mom looked surprise.  “What brought this on all of a sudden?”
    “I think I just decided that my sulking wasn’t