Read Online Painted Black by Greg Kihn - Free Book Online Page A

that Erlene punched out Brian Jones at that fancy nightclub last night and he doesn’t even remember.”
    Clovis laughed.
    â€œShe don’t take no shit, man. She told me she thought Anita was a witch and Brian was a warlock.”
    â€œShe might be right.”
    Number One Courtfield Road was dark in the afternoon. The windows were drawn and the house appeared closed.
    When Bobby rang the doorbell, he felt a slight electric shock and pulled his hand away from the button quickly.
    â€œDid you get a shock?” Clovis asked.
    â€œYeah, as soon as I touched it.”
    Clovis rang the doorbell, too. He received no shock.
    â€œNothing.”
    Bobby touched it again and got another shock.
    Just then, Brian opened the great door and peered at them through red squinty eyes. He’d been crying.
    â€œCome in, come in,” he said. “Hurry, before they see you!”
    â€œBefore who sees us?”
    â€œThem …”
    â€œWhat the fuck?” Clovis said. “There’s nobody out here, Brian. You’re just paranoid.”
    He pulled Clovis and Bobby inside and shut and locked the door with multiple locks.
    He led them into the living room where they had been getting high the night before. The remains of the merriment were still there.
    Bobby was surprised to see Skully and Acid King Leon sitting on the couch. They must have returned to Brian’s some time during the night. Clovis saw them at the same time Bobby did, and they shared a frown.
    â€œWhat are they doing here?” Clovis asked, nodding toward the couch.
    Clovis made no attempt to hide his distrust of the two Californians. They knew hardly anything about them other than the unofficial connection to the Monterey Pop Festival, but something about them made Bobby uneasy.
    Brian was apologetic.
    â€œI’m sorry. I was lonely. Anita’s gone. She took her things.”
    Clovis put his hands on his hips.
    â€œWell, somehow that doesn’t surprise me.”
    â€œOh, shit. … I must’ve been crazy.”
    â€œNo argument there.” Bobby looked around. Yep. Crazy as a shit-house rat , as old friend and R&B philosopher Preston Washington used to say . The place was a mess. It looked like the lair of a madman.
    He asked, “Do you have a cleaning lady?”
    Brian, distracted by thoughts of Anita, mumbled something to the affirmative.
    â€œThen I suggest you call her. Let’s get both you and this place cleaned up. Take a shower and I’ll make some tea.”
    â€œI don’t have time for that. I have to find Anita.”
    Bobby said, “You don’t want her to see you like this. You have to wash your hair.”
    That comment struck a nerve. Brian was incredibly vain about his hair and washed it meticulously every day.
    â€œYes,” Brian muttered. “You’re right.”
    Bobby led Brian back to the shower, turned it on, and made sure the temperature was right. He left the room and heard Brian enter.
    Clovis looked at Skully and Leon.
    â€œWhat are you guys here for? Planning some kind of a party?”
    They looked at each other.
    â€œWe’re here for Brian.”
    Clovis, a Baltimore boy from the wrong side of the tracks, pulled no punches. He spoke his mind in every situation. He put his hands on his hips in a cocky, defiant stance.
    â€œYou’re here for Brian? That’s a laugh. What the fuck have you guys ever done for Brian? The best thing you can do right now is leave.”
    â€œBut Brian invited us!” Skully protested.
    â€œHe doesn’t need you anymore, man. Why don’t you take a hike?”
    Leon shook his head. “Why don’t you let Brian decide that for himself?”
    Clovis bristled.
    â€œWhy don’t you fuck yourself? You heard me. Take your acid and get out! That shit is scrambling Brian’s brain and making him unable to work.”
    Acid King Leon looked incredulous. His mouth hung open as if to reply but no