People, what a week. Luke and I spent the majority of our after-work hours rummaging through the various crevices of our apartment, dumping loads of crap onto the unsuspecting folks at Goodwill, continuing to mull over the pros and cons of a damn changing table (OK, that one's just me), and figuring out how many pizzas we'll need to feed the wonderful friends and family helping us move this Saturday. I also managed to (FINALLY) settle on a book list for my students and (FINALLY) follow through on the promise I made many moons ago to the winners of my TLF contest.
That's right. Not only is Silly Hily's first season of Beverly Hills, 90210 traveling to her office via Priority Mail as we speak, I also created, burned, and distributed limited-edition copies of the Love, Betrayal, and a Baby Original Soundtrack. Somebody give me a medal.
What's that? You want to see the playlist? Of course you do. You want to make your own!
"Cruel Summer," Ace of Base
First of all, right off the bat I have to thank Hilary for the hours of Gmail chat time she spent hashing out possible song choices for major plot points in the story. When debating a theme song for part one, she was the one who came up with "Cruel Summer," and I immediately agreed, because shit, if illegitimate pregnancy, infidelity, attempted murder, and prison time don't set the standard for a tragic time of year, what the hell does?
"Don't Rush Me," Taylor Dayne
This was chosen to represent what may have been at the heart of David and Kayla's relationship troubles: Kayla's unwillingness to put out. I so admire the sentiment here--a young girl wanting to "take it slowly, slowly" because their love is "well worth waiting for," but really, would a stroke below the belt have been too much to ask for?
"Ex-Girlfriend," No Doubt
The sequence of these last two songs is one of my favorites on the soundtrack; the cause-and-effect implication is priceless. It demonstrates to all those virgins hopeful for a more positive outcome that you better work to keep your man at home.
"Boom! I Got Your Boyfriend," M.C. Luscious
Enter Jenna and her role as the woman who had little trouble dating and then sleeping with her best friend's ex-boyfriend weeks after the man broke said best friend's heart. He was playin' her too hard, know what I'm sayin'?
FYI, I remember hearing a parody of this song on a Chicago radio station when I was a kid that had me in stitches every time: "Boom! I Got Your Boyfriend (and I'm a Man)." Classic Eddie and JoBo! It was second only to "I Gotta Go Pee."
"Strawberry Wine," Deana Carter
A tale about the loss of sexual innocence as told by a visiting farm girl not quite of legal age, these lyrics perfectly capture the sentiment behind the romantic night David and Kayla spent together. I really wanted to use "We've Got Tonight" and frantically searched for it on iTunes to no avail, until Molly pointed out to me that the version I wanted wasn't by Kenny Rogers, but Bob Seger, and she graciously sent me a mixed CD that included a live recording, but that version didn't seem to mesh with the rest of the soundtrack, so I picked this one instead, which was also on Molly's CD. Does this girl have good taste in music or does this girl have good taste in music?
Also, for what it's worth, I loved David and Kayla's chemistry, and part of me wishes I'd never killed him off. Based on this one scene, I truly believe they could've made each other happy for the rest of their lives.
"Mr. Loverman," Shabba Ranks
The soundtrack wouldn't have been complete without a little ditty celebrating David's philandering ways. I don't really care for anything about this song except the title and the random "Shabbas!" peppered throughout the chorus, but what more do you need?
"The Boy is Mine," Brandy and Monica
Again, another song I'm not crazy about, but what else nails the rivalry between Kayla and Jenna?
"One More Try," Timmy T
I downloaded this song around the time the cheesy love song swap was going on, so I'm delighted to put it to good use now, to reflect David's desperate attempts to win Jenna back once his act of indiscretion was revealed, though why he didn't just call it a day and go back to Kayla is beyond me. And I'm the damn AUTHOR.
"Livin' on the Edge," Aerosmith
Hilary and I debated over a song for Cassie for weeks. "There are plenty of crazy bitches in the world," I typed at one point. "Why has nobody written a song about them?"
So we decided on this one, because damn if this girl wasn't dangling her common sense over a ravine the size of the Grand Canyon.
(I Just Died) In Your Arms – Cutting Crew
No explanation necessary.
"Jailhouse Rock," Elvis Presley
Even better...
"Love Child," Diana Ross and the Supremes
...And best. Did you notice this is the second pro-abstinence song on the soundtrack? I originally thought this was just about some woman's fatherless past, but it turns out she's also discouraging a man's advances because she doesn't want to populate the world with another baby out of wedlock. Well done, Diana.
"Invisible Man," 98 Degrees
Had Nick Lachey formed this slammin' boy band just two years earlier, this is the song that would've played through Michael's head every time he shot a load in his pants over the thought of getting to first base with Jenna. Proposed by David.
"Born to Run," Bruce Springsteen
It was either this or "On the Road Again" to represent the kidnapping, and I can only take so much of Willie Nelson before I want to plug my ears with cottonballs.
"Fall to Pieces," Avril Lavigne
This is the only song on the soundtrack that has a respectable chance of receiving airplay on a contemporary radio station, which is why I almost kept it off, but in the end I thought it served an important purpose, a musical background to the montage of Kayla making piece with Jenna, Jenna and Michael being carried away in squad cars, and all of them realizing the love they feel for one another. I wouldn't call myself an Avril fan, but she really earned my trust with this one. It almost makes up for "Sk8er Boi."
"Save the Best for Last," Vanessa Williams
Picture this as the song of choice for Jenna and Michael's first wedding dance, and it totally works. Plus, very en vogue for the time.
"How Can I Help You Say Good-bye," Patty Loveless
The second country song to sneak its way onto the CD, I could think of no better way to honor the short time Kayla and Katherine had together as mother and daughter. It's one of those songs that's guaranteed to pull a tear from my eye, right up there with Reba McIntyre's "The Greatest Man I Never Knew." (I love you, Dad! Sob.)
"Graduation Day," Vitamin C
OK, so technically the gang didn't graduate together--hell, David wasn't even alive to walk across the stage--but the "friends forever" theme still stands, because by the end of the story, they've pretty much figured out how to co-exist in the same universe without fighting over past mistakes. Deep down, these characters are all connected, all care about each other, and I think that holds true for the sequel, too, even if it's not yet obvious.
I debated skipping out on this week's actual excerpt, partly because things are insanely busy around here, partly because this entry is already long enough, and partly because we're fewer than fifty pages from wrapping up the sequel and I'm all for dragging this out as long as possible. However, since I hadn't given prior notice, I didn't think it would be fair. So I've decided to compromise by finishing up Kyle's chapter from last week. Next Friday is when the wheels really start to turn.
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CHAPTER TWELVE - KYLE (CONTINUED)
Snow was falling and the wind was blowing as I walked through the streets. It was pretty isolated, except for a handful of people milling around, running in and out of stores, doing last-minute Christmas shopping. The big day was only a week away. I sat down on a bench and let my mind ponder on everything.
My mother was pregnant. God. I liked being the only kid around. I certainly didn't plan on having brothers or sisters. And she's not even married! It really bothered me that she was sleeping around with some guy. Especially since she didn't introduce her family to him. That hurt. [I can see his point. He never would've raped Katherine without a proper Mom introduction.] Some guy was the father of my soon-to-be brother or sister, and I had no idea who he was. [To be fair, you don't know your own dad, either. Why break the cycle now?]
And then Mom said Katherine was a part of this whole mess. Did she know something I didn't?
Katherine. My God.
I had hurt her, I could tell. In school she kept to herself, and she wouldn't even look at me. She looked lost. I imagined she felt out of place with the world.
Not that it mattered, I told myself firmly. It was her fault that shit happened. That night... Damn. She made me be forceful, teasing me like that. I wanted it to be special. Instead, she ruined it and made me hate her. I DO hate her.
It doesn't matter that I fell in love with her.
Not at all.
[Poor Kyle. Don't you hate it when the girl you force into sex doesn't hold herself accountable for her own actions?]
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That's a wrap, kiddies. Wish me luck as I supervise all the heavy lifting this weekend. It's a rough job, but someone's gotta do it.
Good luck with the move!
How surprised am I that I am still awake and happen upon TLF so early in the morning!?
I love the song choices and Kyle's demented little brain.
Posted by: Elizabeth | June 29, 2007 at 01:41 AM
I love how Kyle is so judgemental of his mom, but he's perfectly ok with his own actions. Nevermind that his actions would be considered worse by any outside parties.
Don't forget to keep drinking water - all that supervision is hard work and you don't want to get dehydrated! I hope everything goes smoothly...no matter the distance, moving is a pain in the rear.
Posted by: VirginiaGal | June 29, 2007 at 09:25 AM
Good luck with the move. Be sure to stretch that finger good before you put it to use pointing here and there.
When I got my CD, I didn't read what songs you had finally decided on. I just popped it in and started listening. Strawberry Wine? Classic. It's one of my favorite songs. I cranked up my radio and sang as loud as I could on my home yesterday. Thanks for having that on your CD Molly! Once again, I knew there was a reason I adore you. Ex-Girlfriend is an awesome pick too, Frema. The soundtrack is perfect and I love it with all my heart! Thank you so much. Also, The Complete First Season of 90210? Swoon. The case alone is like eye candy. I can't wait to watch Brenda and Brandon try to adjust to life in Beverly Hills.
Kyle is seriously f-ed up in the head. Look at his mother though. And clearly he had no help from his father. He was doomed from the get go. I don't like putting blame on parents but really, it would be pretty miraculous if the kid was normal. Not that it excuses anything you RAPIST. You MONSTER.
Posted by: Silly Hily | June 29, 2007 at 09:56 AM
Oh Kyle, you're a little bit dumb.
Good luck with the move!!! (god I hate moving)
Posted by: Rachel C | June 29, 2007 at 10:56 AM
I knew you had mailed the cd's, but when it showed up in record time in my mailbox yesterday morning I was THRILLED to re-live the TLF drama as the kids and I crawled through traffic on our way to the zoo. After a minute I had to shut off Boom I Got Your Boyfriend when I realized that KJ was picking up the lyrics. Oopsie!
Also, I love the reference you made to Eddie and JoBo. I was not the only one so influenced by them in my youth, eh? Haha (I gotta go peepee, yeah you know me!)
Last but not least, Kyle - the hell?? He is one screwed up kid...
Posted by: Molly | June 29, 2007 at 11:44 AM
I am downloading my TLF soundtrack as I type this. I can't wait. Thanks for the time and hard work you put into making this for us. We heart you.
Since I'm now just downloading it, I haven't heard any of it yet. I do have to admit that I'm not familiar with too many of these songs. While the rest of the world enjoyed the Top 40 ditty's back in the day, I was busy braiding my hair and listening to The Beatles, John Denver, and Pink Floyd. I totally missed out on the popular music of my childhood days.
What I'm saying is this music is going to be all new to me and I'm going to love it.
And dude, I hear you on the Willie Nelson crap. He is playing in Washington next week with Rhett Miller's band (the Old 97's) and we are NOT going. Even thought I love Rhett like I do, I refuse to pay $50 to sit through Willie Nelson just to hear Rhett do a couple of songs.
Kyle...what has happened to you? When did you become the moral compass of Iowa?? Rape is okay, but having premarital sex is not okay? Do the math kid, you are messed up.
Posted by: Isabel | June 29, 2007 at 12:32 PM
Great song picks, and good luck with the move!
I have no words for Kyle. Well maybe I have one word -- Dumbass.
Posted by: Audrey | June 29, 2007 at 01:45 PM
I have a changing table, and I'm indifferent towards it. I only use it twice a day - if that, but when I do, I enjoy it. It's just one of those things you can do with or without, so I see why you're conflicted! I bought mine from a thrift store for $15 and painted it to match Callaway's room. That way if I didn't like it, it didn't put me out much $$$. You could always get a low dresser and attach a changing table pad to it. That way when Freke is older, you can remove the pad and the furniture is still practical.
Great job on the TLF soundtrack. You rock!
Posted by: Brittany | June 29, 2007 at 01:48 PM
I totally remember Eddie and JoBo - some other classics I adored include Trump's In a Jam and Blame it on Hussein.
"Trump's in a jam, pump him up, the guy's got lots, get the kids the homes and both the yachts. Ivana, her lawyers say, make him pay."
Okay. Got that out of my system.
Posted by: Michelle | June 29, 2007 at 02:04 PM
Kyle is kind of seriously messed up!
Also, I've got to say, as much as I'm loving this story, I'm so glad that your snarky, yet loving, asides didn't get the ax. I think that's really what keeps bringing me back. Well, that and all of the incest, adultery, and death.
Posted by: Angela | June 29, 2007 at 05:54 PM
I'm just salty I didn't get to listen to Eddie and JoBo back in the day.
Yes, "salty." I went there.
Posted by: Fraulein N | June 29, 2007 at 07:31 PM
LOVE that soundtrack- I mean, philadelphia is so close to NJ we're geographically obligated to like The Boss. And if that song one more try is what I think it is, thank you for taking me back to high school dances and sweaty boys dancing poorly while trying not to expose their chubs to us. Ahhhh. That was funsies. Those were the days.
And I always thought of Kyle as being a snotty rich kid name, but I will now forever associate it with hormonal rage and bastard children born and unborn. And I thank you for that!
Posted by: Professor Art Nerd | June 30, 2007 at 12:33 AM
I kinda feel sorry for Kyle. He is one super screwed up kid! But, with Kayla as his mom, he didn't have much of chance now did he!
Posted by: Rachel | July 02, 2007 at 06:42 PM