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“To Emily and Natalie,” Tammy said, holding up her flute of mimosa. “May they always have each other in a storm. Best Friends Forever!”
We both picked up our glasses and clinked. “Best friends forever,” we said.
And in that moment, I hoped that no matter what happened between Cody and me, or Cody, the guys, and me, Natalie would somehow find a way to accept it.
That alone gave me the confidence I needed to finally relax into this thing and enjoy the morning.
A COUPLE OF hours later, while the storm still raged, Jimmy announced that Dirty Coyote would be closed for the night due to the electricity being out in that area of town, and the roads were too dangerous. Cody and the guys made their music in the living room on the piano and picked up the guitars I hadn’t noticed before. As it turned out, the rest of their band, the drummer, other guitar players, and the backup singers, had driven into Napa earlier and were now stuck there.
We were all somewhat stuck. Even Bernard and Natalie couldn’t return home, nor did they want to chance it. Instead, Bernard made hotel arrangements in Napa for the band, so everyone would be comfortable for the night.
Cody played an older tune on the piano while they guys tuned the guitars before they started playing in earnest. Even though Dustin sometimes played a keyboard when they performed, Cody also knew how to play. Once that was done, they began with their latest hit, Putin’ Off Forever. I knew the words to this song, so I sang along, but on my own and not with them.
Cody signaled, and they stopped playing in the middle of the song.
“Are you ready now?” he asked me. I wanted to die right there.
“I don’t know all the words to this song,” I told him, lying.
“I already spotted you singing, so that’s not true,” Dustin said.
“Burn, Emily… burn,” Natalie chided. “Go on and sing with them.”
Everyone clapped and cheered me on, so I had no choice.
I took a seat next to Cody on the piano bench. Gabe said, “You remember this?”
He played the first chords of Rockin’ With the Rhythm of the Rain, by The Judds.
Cody joined in on piano.
“Sure do. It’s what we sang over and over that Christmas.”
“I know you didn’t forget it. Seems like the appropriate song, don’t you think?”
I couldn’t refuse, especially since everyone clapped and cheered. The Judds had been one of my all-time favorite country duo, and when I’d heard the sad news about Naomi, I broke down and cried.
I nodded, feeling the weight of the moment, but knew if I would ever do this, I had to start now… with this special song.
I wanted a new life, and this moment was my first step.
And just like that, without giving it another thought, I plunged into the lyrics that I knew so well. At once, the guys sang backup, with Cody singing Naomi’s part. Eventually, everyone clapped with the beat, and someone opened a door, and the sound of rain rushed in as if we’d orchestrated it that way. The way Cody and the guys supported me and urged me on, I wanted to kiss each one of them but knew I couldn’t… at least not yet.
It was one of those magical moments that come into your life with a strong purpose, and if you don’t hold on tight, you’ll miss the opportunity.
I held on tight with everything I had, and as I gazed around the room, I knew that even Natalie wanted this to work out.
When we sang the last note, I had a feeling my life would never be the same.
WE WERE HAVING such a good time, that when dinner time rolled around, and Jimmy announced that the meal was on the table, the rest of us couldn’t believe that much time had gone by. As it was, he didn’t make that announcement until well after seven at night.
Everyone ended up singing, even Cody’s parents and Natalie. I’d forgotten that his parents had had their own country band when they were young, before the babies came. His dad could play a mean guitar and could still belt out a Johnny Cash tune like a pro.
And when Tammy and Jimmy performed some of their own original songs, true country tunes that were reminiscent of early Dolly, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, and even Willie Nelson, it felt as if we’d been transported back in country music time.
But the best moments of the day came when Tammy and Martha sang together, with Tammy on guitar. They did a tribute to The Judds, namely for Naomi. When they sang Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Old Days, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
“How come I never knew your mom and her sister could sing like that?” I asked Cody after a beautiful rendition of Mama He’s Crazy.
