“Sunny.”
She turned around from the vanity and looked at me. “What?”
“I want to do something else here,” I told her. “I want to do something for the musicians.”
“Like what?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. But I can’t just leave here after only rebuilding one house. There has to be something else I can do.”
“Well look at you,” Sunny teased. “You didn’t even want to come. Now you don’t want to leave. What prompted this change of heart?”
“I just remember what it was like when I couldn’t play. Some of these guys don’t even have instruments anymore. There’s got to be something I can do about that.”
“Call Tracy,” Sunny suggested. “She’ll know what to do.”
I called my publicist right after I’d spent a few more hours with Fat Cat and Roy. When I woke Tracy up at two in the morning, she was not happy, but at least she listened while I retold the story of how Fat Cat and Roy used to play at the same club every other weekend for the last twenty years, and that the bar had been destroyed in the storm, along with everything else in the Ninth Ward. Even their instruments were gone. All they want to do is be able to make a living again.
“Aiden, you can just buy them new instruments,” Tracy said sleepily. “You don’t have to stay in New Orleans for that.”
“That’s not enough,” I protested. “I want to do something bigger and for more people. Help me.”
“You can do some sort of benefit or start a charity,” Tracy suggested.
“What kind of benefit?”
“You could get your musician friends to do a concert with you and use the money from the proceeds to build a new club and buy instruments or something like that. We could set up a website where people can buy tickets to the show and make donations.”
“I like that idea.”
“I’ll make some calls in the morning. You start thinking about who you want to perform and where you want to do it. We’ll brainstorm tomorrow.
“And Aiden,” Tracy added.
“Yeah?”
“If you ever call me at two in the morning again, your ass better be in jail.”
I laughed and hung up the phone. Sunny was already in bed with her pajamas on.
“Pajamas? You haven’t worn those to bed since we got here,” I commented.
“I’m tired. It’s been a long day. I just want to go to sleep,” Sunny answered.
“That’s cool. Go to sleep. I told you about mixing dark liquor with clear. That’ll fuck you up every time.”
“Don’t tell me how to drink, Aiden. Good night.”
****
When Tracy arrived in New Orleans to help with the benefit, Sunny began to keep her distance. I hadn't realized that she and Tracy don't see eye to eye on most things until we started planning this benefit. Instead of helping, Sunny often went off by herself.
She's depressed. I knew coming here wouldn't be good for her. I want her to go back to Atlanta, but she'll be alone there. She doesn't need to be alone with thoughts of her failed relationship and how Xavier broke her heart. She needs to be able to come to me when she needs a shoulder to cry on or something to take her mind off him.
I wish she would take more of an interest in planning ‘Songs after the Storm” with us. She'd be really good at helping me line up performers. She can talk people into doing practically anything. I've been doing okay on my own though. Tracy seems impressed.
“So Joey and his band are in,” Tracy looked down at her list.
“Of course,” I answered.
“BB King? Buddy Guy?”
“I reached out to them.”
“John Mayer?”
“He said he’s in and bringing a couple of people with him.”
“Good.”
We ran down the list of confirmed and unconfirmed musicians, comedians, athletes, and other celebrities that wanted to be a part of this. “Songs after the Storm” is going to be amazing.
“Have you invited your wife?” Tracy asked as we headed back to our hotel.
We’ve been in New Orleans for two months so people are used to seeing me walking down the street. Before they used to get excited, now they just wave and say “Hey, Aiden” and keep moving.
“Ramey better not show up here.”
“Yeah. You wouldn’t want her to see what’s going on with you and Sunny, right?”
I stopped walking. “Huh?”
“Don’t act surprised. Anybody can tell that something is going on here. Your divorce isn’t even final. At least get separate hotel rooms, especially when everyone starts arriving for the benefit. You know that when a bunch of famous people gather in one place, the paparazzi will be there in full force.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I told her. “I’ll handle it.”
****
I've never been this nervous before a show in my life. I need to talk to Sunny, in order to calm down, but she's in her room. She wasn't happy when I told her we needed to get separate rooms, like Tracy suggested. In fact, she's not happy about anything. I'm trying to be there for her, but this moment, this event, cannot be overshadowed by her messed up relationship. I can't keep worrying about her when she won’t talk to me about it. She knows I’m here for her but not today. The show is tomorrow and I have to be ready.
I chose the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the show. It’s a great venue that wasn’t completely destroyed by the storm. Tomorrow is going to be an awesome night. I hope that Sunny snaps out of her funk, at least enough to enjoy the day. She’s the reason I’m here. Even though she barely helped, “Songs After the Storm” wouldn’t be happening if she hadn’t convinced me to come down here.
After dinner I went to Sunny’s room to check on her. She was wearing the hotel bathrobe and looked like she’d been crying when I walked in. She took the container of food I’d brought back from the restaurant without even a simple hello or thank you. I sat on the sofa.
“What’s wrong?” I asked her.
“Nothing.”
“Then why’d you skip dinner?”
“Jesus, Aiden! It’s nothing. I just didn’t feel like being bothered with a bunch of people. I’ll see them tomorrow.”
She noticed that I was about to take my shoes off and stretch out on the couch and shook her head.
“Don’t get comfortable,” she stated. “You’re not staying.”
I didn’t even argue the subject. I gave Sunny a quick peck on her cheek and went into my own suite. Whatever is bothering her, she’ll tell me eventually. Sunny doesn’t keep secrets from me.
****
“Don’t be nervous, man,” Joey said. “Things are going well.”
He’s right but my palms are still sweaty. How the hell am I going to play my own guitar if I’m worried about what everyone else is doing?
“You did a good job, Aiden. Stop stressing,” Erica commented.
I have to calm down. We take the stage in ten minutes to close out “Songs after the Storm”. Tracy came backstage and pulled me to the side.
“What?”
“The silent auction is done,” she told me.
The auction was actually the participants’ idea, not mine. Each band or performer brought something to be auctioned off. Most of the items are autographed instruments. We have guitars, horns, saxophones, drums, and keyboards. I actually want the autographed B.B. King guitar but I’ll get one another way.
“How much did we get?” I asked.
“Fifty thousand,” Tracy answered. “We’ve raised another two hundred thousand from donations. You really came through for these people, Aiden. You should be proud of yourself.”
I am happy, but not for myself. I just wanted to help some good musicians get back on their feet now that I’m back on mine.
When I stepped on stage, wheelchair free, with Dee-Dee in my arms, I knew exactly what I wanted to say to the audience.
“Back when Hurricane Katrina hit, like most people, I had no idea
of what I could possibly do. I donated money and thought it was enough. It wasn’t until I stepped off the plane here that I knew that I could do so much more.”
“I’ve met some cool ass people since I’ve been here,” I continued. “People who don’t know the meaning of giving up. People who lost everything and still find something to smile about every day. I don’t know what it feels like to lose everything, but I do know what it’s like to be a musician who can’t play. Music is the heart and soul of this city. It’s what keeps the city going. That’s why it’s important to me to make sure that any musician, who lost their livelihood due to that bitch of a storm, is able to make great music again.”
The audience began to cheer. The musicians and their families in the front rows of the theater cheered the loudest.
“Don’t thank us for this,” I said. “Because it’s you that I should be thanking. My friends and I have had an awesome time here, helping out and doing what we can. New Orleans has been a great experience for all of us and being here and meeting you guys has changed my life. Thank you!”
****
“Aiden, your lawyer emailed me and said that he needs to meet with you soon,” Delilah announced from her spot on my bed.
I was in the middle of packing the last of my stuff for our trip home tomorrow. As much as I hate to leave, it’s time to get back to work.
“Maybe I should just go back to L.A. instead of Atlanta,” I suggested. “Joey wants me to work on his new album.”
“Oh please, can we please go home?” Delilah pleaded. “I want to go back to L.A so bad!”
“Yeah, let’s go home.”
“Thank you, Jesus, we’re going home!” Delilah smiled. “I’ll call and change our tickets.”
“I guess I should tell Sunny there’s a change of plans. She might want to get an earlier flight or something.”
That’s not the real reason I’m worried. Sunny is not going to be happy when I tell her I’m not going back to Atlanta with her. Despite the funny way she’s been acting, I know she’s looking forward to us finally living in the same city and having a chance at a real relationship. She hasn’t said so but I know. This trip has been too perfect for us to go back to just being friends.
Sunny was taking a nap when I walked into her suite. I sat on the bed and kissed her forehead. Her eyes fluttered open.
“What?”
I hesitated. Sunny closed her eyes again.
“What, Aiden?”
“I’ve decided it go back to Los Angeles instead of coming back to Atlanta with you,” I told her.
Sunny sat up on the bed and rubbed her eyes.
“You weren’t coming back with me anyway,” she said with annoyance. “We’re not a couple, Aiden.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“You’ve been acting like we’re together since we got here. But we’re not. I’m not your girlfriend so please stop with the sentimental bullshit. I’m surprised you’re just now figuring out that you need to go back home.”
“How can you say that?”
“What’s really changed, Aiden?” she asked. “You’re still the same guy and I’m still the same girl. We agreed to be friends. Sex doesn’t change that. We made that mistake before, remember.”
“Do you remember what I told you when I was in the hospital?” I asked her. “I’m through pretending with you.”
“I remember,” she answered. “But I also remember that we agreed that we’re better off being friends. That’s just how I want to keep it, Aiden. Don’t be mad.”
I’m not mad, well, I’m not very mad. I’m disappointed that she doesn’t even want to give us a shot, but I won’t force her. No one can force Sunny to do anything she doesn’t want to do anyway. If she wants to pretend we’re “just friends”, fine. I’ll go back to my life in Los Angeles.
As long as she’s happy, I’m happy.
Chapter 47
Los Angeles; the city of palm trees and beautiful people. It’s good to be home. I’ve missed this place. Atlanta is a great place to be when I’m making music but L.A is where I want to be when I want to have some fun. Since the “Songs After the Storm” benefit, the media is back on my side.
Ramey has avoided me like the plague. According to the rumor mill, she’s been dating some heir to all the vineyards in California. She hasn’t said or written a word about me in weeks.
It hasn’t been all fun and games though. Joey and I have been working really hard. We’ve just completed a string of shows. That felt awesome! Nothing has been more exciting than standing on stage for two hours, something I wasn’t able to do a year ago. Now we’re about to start working on some new material for Joey’s next project. We’ve been in the studio all afternoon messing around with songs for the new album.
“Where’s your sister?” Joey asked me. I looked up from the soundboard.
“She claims she has a date,” I answered. “When I called her to see if she wanted to come she said she was getting in the pool.”
“With Paulie?”
“Is she getting in the pool with Paulie? Probably,” I shrugged. “I don’t pay much attention to my sister these days.”
“I can see that.” Joey shook his head. “You do know that Paulie is head over heels in love with your little sister, don’t you?”
“What the hell are you talking about? He’s never said that to me!” Shocked doesn't even properly describe the feeling that just shot through my body.
“You should open your eyes and pay attention. This has been going on since you came back to L.A,” Joey told me.
Paulie and Delilah...seriously? I can't even wrap my head around it.
“How's Sunny?” Joey asked, still laughing at the expression on my face after hearing about my little sister and my best friend.
“Huh?”
“How's my niece? You've talked to her right?”
“Sunny barely talks to anyone anymore,” I complained. “Whenever I call her, she's busy or going out of town, or has a bunch of other shit going on. What am I missing?”
Joey shook his head again. “You should probably drop in on Sunny.”
Apparently, Sunny isn't the only person I need to drop in on. I made a mental note to stop by Delilah's on my way home tonight. I know that I’ve been focused on my music, but how in the hell did I miss this thing with Paulie and Delilah? Is there even a thing with them or is Joey just messing with me?
I can’t even remember the last time I asked Paulie about any girls he’s been seeing. He hasn’t brought up any either. He and Delilah do spend a lot of time together. Man, I’ve been so out of it. This is crazy. I wonder who else knows about this. I called the best person who would be able to fill me in...Sara.
“What’s up, bro?” Sara sounded especially happy to hear from me.
“What do you know about Paulie and Delilah?” I asked, getting straight to the point.
“Huh?” Sara sounded so guilty that I had to laugh.
“Come on, tell,” I insisted. “What’s up with them?”
Sara took a deep breath. “You have to promise you won’t get mad at either one of them because they really like each other, Aiden.”
“They do?”
“Yes. Paulie told her that he’s liked her for years. Don’t ruin this, Aiden. They’re happy.”
“Are they in love?” I had to know.
Sara hesitated. “I wouldn’t say that. But they’re getting pretty serious. They didn’t want you to freak out. Just be happy for them. Please?”
I should be mad. The rules of friendship allow me to be pissed the hell off. A guy isn’t supposed to date his best friend’s sister. That’s against the rules. Paulie is almost like a brother to me. To find out that he’s in love with my baby sister...
Eww. That’s kinda gross.
“Aiden!” Sara scolded. “Are you listening to me? Don’t ruin our sister’s happiness.”
“I won’t,” I hesitantly promised.
But I will talk to Paulie. He ha
s to know that he’s walking a very thin line. I’ll do anything for my baby sister. Any guy she’s dated has always been one wrong move away from getting their ass kicked. Best friend be damned. Delilah comes first.
Halfway home, Joey’s words echoed in my ear.
“You should probably drop in on Sunny.”
Yes, I should...ASAP. She probably knows all about this thing with my sister. Instead of heading back to my house, I took the next exit and circled back, heading towards LAX. A quick weekend trip to Atlanta to check up on Sunny is definitely in order.
****
Sunny didn’t immediately answer when I knocked on the door to her townhouse. I felt a bit strange standing in her small walkway waiting for her to open the door. Her nosy neighbors kept looking at me. I waved to a girl that was staring in my direction. She started to cross the street when Sunny opened the door.
“What are you doing here?” she asked behind the glass storm door.
I looked at Sunny and raised my eyes to the sky.
“What the fuck!” I yelled. “Is this “Give Aiden a Fucking Heart Attack Day” or what?”
“Will you please stop hollering and come inside?” Sunny demanded angrily as she held the storm door open. She shut the front door behind me and glared at me like I’d done something wrong. I returned her gaze, unable to believe what my eyes were showing me.
“Don’t say anything,” Sunny warned.
“Fuck that!” I yelled. “You’re pregnant! Why the hell didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t find out until we left New Orleans,” Sunny yelled back but something in her eyes told me that she was lying.
“And what are you doing here?” she asked again.
I sat down on the large overstuffed sofa in Sunny’s living room. She sat on the love seat, not meeting my eyes. Sunny has to be about six months pregnant. I couldn’t take my eyes off her round belly, only partially covered by her ill fitting t-shirt.
Aside from being pregnant, Sunny didn’t look well at all. Her normally clear skin was pale and she even has worry lines. I should have known something was wrong while were in New Orleans. She had been acting so strange. Apparently, she had a bigger reason for wanting to get away from New York and Xavier. No wonder she spent all that time crying in New Orleans.
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