Troll Bridge by Jane Yolen Read Free Book Online Page B

their father had been getting ready to book them for eighteen more after two months in the studio. Sometimes a dream can become a nightmare. Well, they now had one week free. It was more than they’d expected. Their father had never fallen for Galen’s charm before.
    Galen pulled the car over to the side of the road. “Your turn, kid.”
    â€œI’ll get my full license in two—” Erik began.
    â€œTwo more months and five more days,” Jakob broke in. Two more months and five more days . Like a lot of musicians, he was mathematically inclined. Erik was nearly seventeen. Two more months and five more days. He liked the rhythm of that and a new tune snaked into his head. He liked it even better than the first one.
    Meanwhile, Galen got out of the driver’s side, Erik out of the passenger’s side, and they changed seats.
    â€œHey, hold on,” Jakob called, swinging open his door and jumping out after them. “I’ve really got something.” He ran to the back of the car, then leaned around it and called, “Erik—pop the trunk.”
    Erik reached down by the driver’s seat and pulled up on the little handle. Once the lock clicked, Jakob lifted the trunk door, then dug around, tossing duffels and sleeping bags aside until he found his guitar. Only the one instrument. His brothers had left theirs at home. “This is a vacation,” Erik had said. “Why would I want to bring my work tools along?”
    But Jakob was never without his guitar any more than he could be without one of his limbs. Pulling the Taylor from its case, he sat on the back bumper, strumming chords, searching for the right key.
    Erik got out again and strolled around the car. “All right,” he said. “Let’s hear it.”
    Jakob didn’t respond. He had found the key, and was playing what was in his head. Six-eight and major, the melody danced on the high strings while he plucked a walking baseline on the low E with his thumb.
    â€œThat’s really good,” commented Galen. Jakob hadn’t even noticed him come up. “Sounds kind of old timey.”
    â€œYeah.” Erik cocked his head to one side, thinking. “Needs some contemporary lyrics to set that off. Something out of the news.” He listened for a minute more.
    Jakob changed keys for a bridge, then drifted back into the main theme.
    â€œI’ve got it!” Erik said. “That news story we just heard on the radio.” He began to sing to Jakob’s tune.
    Twelve dairy princesses, where did they go?
    Twelve dairy princesses, I’d really like to know.
    The Devil snatched them from thin air
    So they couldn’t make it to the fair
    And now’s he’s gone and taken them below.
    Erik’s voice had just finished its change, and it sounded pretty rough. But Jakob knew Galen would probably be the one to sing this song, anyway. The lighter, funnier songs were his. He couldn’t carry a really beautiful ballad but was perfect with the humorous tunes. Jakob honestly liked the words so far. They were topical—but had imagery, too.
    And he was singing:
    What’s better than a butter girl?
    Badder than my better girl.
    Best when I’m not buttered up as well.
    What’s better than a butter girl?
    Badder than my better girl.
    Best that I just take them all to Hell.
    Jakob sighed. So much for liking the lyrics, he thought. But that’s probably the part of the song everyone will sing along to. It’ll be our next big hit: “The Badder Better Butter Girl.” Especially if the girls are found. His dad would probably do a deal with the Dairy Princesses and get them to dance on the video in their tiaras and long dresses and …
    Galen had caught the melody now and was roaring out the butter girl chorus with Erik who had shifted to harmony, which, even with his rough voice, sounded pretty good.
    And then, Jakob thought, I’ll hate it. Hate it