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“Wait. Aren’t you playing tonight at Dirty Coyote? What about your aunt and uncle? Do they know about this? How can they get a band to play on such short notice?” My mind swirled with all sorts of shit that didn’t make any sense.
“Our manager doesn’t want us to play anywhere other than our studio in Nashville until our first concert,” he said. “Seems we have a signed agreement that says… anyway, we can’t play at Dirty Coyote. They have a popular local band that’s agreed to step in for tonight. No one knew we were playing tonight, anyway. It was never announced anywhere, so it’s okay.”
“Dustin and Gabe are okay with this?”
“They don’t have a choice. It’s all arranged.”
“What’s all arranged?”
“We’re leaving tonight. Now, actually. Bernie booked us a private jet. We’re going to Nashville for a week or so. Bernie and Nat will be joining us. Our parents will go on to Houston. Bernie has a lead on a dance hall in Nashville. We might go in on it with him and Nat if they decide to buy.”
My head spun with all this information. “I don’t understand any of this. We spent all day rehearsing… and now you’re telling me that was all bullshit?”
“No. None of it…”
Natalie walked past us. “Everyone’s waiting for you, Cody. You can text her the rest of the information from the car.” I watched her walk back to the Mercedes and get in. Then I noticed the SUV parked several feet behind Natalie’s car. Gabe sat in the passenger seat, with Dustin in the backseat, and a driver I didn’t recognize behind the wheel. This had to be a hired car.
“I’m sorry, Em. I really am. We all are, but things aren’t working out. They can’t work out. Not the way we thought. My family… my parents… I can’t. I’m sorry, but I just can’t.
He turned then and walked to the SUV, and I watched as they all drove off into the night.
Emotion welled up inside me. My heart was getting trampled on; only this time, I’d tried so hard to protect it. I’d thought for sure there was a path forward. That Cody, of all people, wouldn’t break my heart.
But once again, I was dead wrong.
AFTER SPENDING THE rest of that night bawling, and most of the next two days packing, then unpacking, then packing again between more bouts of bawling, somewhere around eight at night, I wandered over to Dirty Coyote just to get out of the cabin. I knew Tammy would be working the bar, and even though I’d phoned and told her that I’d be driving back to LA in the morning, I decided that I’d like to say goodbye and thank her for everything in person. She and Jimmy had gone over and above to make me comfortable, despite Natalie’s obsessive quest for perfection.
Much to my surprise, when I arrived, Tammy wasn’t behind the bar. She was sitting on a stool, up on the stage, strumming a guitar, and Cody’s mother Martha sat next to her on her own stool. They were singing Why Not Me, by The Judds. The place was packed, and everyone was either dancing to the song or simply enjoying it. They sounded even better than they had in Tammy’s living room two days ago. I didn’t understand what the heck was going on, and why Martha wasn’t home in Texas, but whatever the reason, I was thrilled to see her up on the stage.
They both looked so damn happy and beautiful, I couldn’t help getting emotional just watching them.
When the song ended, the place went crazy with appreciation. My hands hurt from applauding so hard for them.
“Thank you. Thank you,” Tammy said. “You’re more than kind, but we spotted someone in the audience that we’d be pleased if that person would come up and sing with us during this tribute to The Judds.”
I looked around to see if maybe one of the guys was there, but I couldn’t spot them. Everyone kept clapping, waiting. When no one showed up, Tammy said, “Emily Jennings, we’re talking about you. I think you know this next song, and we’d love it if you’d join us onstage.”
Of course, I instantly looked around for the nearest exit but knew I couldn’t very well leave when a spotlight fell right on me.
“Will you come on up?” Martha asked this time, and I could hardly say no to her. For one thing, I couldn’t believe she was here. How the hell did that happen?
I didn’t have time to think about that now… the whole place was cheering me on. I had no choice.
As soon as I stepped on the stage, someone brought me a stool and a microphone. I handed my purse to a stagehand who placed it on a small table behind the keyboard player. There were also several unopened water bottles on the table.
“I can’t believe this,” I said, and it was picked up on my mic. “I never expected anything like this to happen.”
“Life is full of surprises,” Tammy quipped to the audience.
“That’s for damn sure,” Martha answered. “How ‘bout we sing one of our favorites?”
“And what would that be?” I asked, shrugging to the audience.
“You don’t know?” Tammy asked, as if this were all rehearsed. She gave my awkward moment levity, and I could feel the tension leaving my body. I simply ignored the massive crowd standing before me and focused on these two amazing, talented women.
“I just walked through the door. I know nothing.”
“All the better,” Tammy told the crowd.
