Finally Getting Love Right

by Jamie Nichols

  “Actually I was thinking you could help me out with it?” Sam asked.

  “How so?”

  “I was thinking that you could have her meet you there. You could tell her to be there half hour earlier than the time it’s going to happen. She will think you are standing her up and that is when we will appear on stage. We will sing to her and then you can call her up and ask her to marry you.” Sam said. “What do you think?”

  “It is a brilliant idea!” Max said excitedly.

  “Good I will meet up with you Saturday at o’clock. Then we can arrange the final details and you can learn the song while you get a sense of where you want to be on the stage.”

  “Ok, See you then. Have fun on vacation.” Max said hanging up the phone.

  Sam walked into her house to find that the girls were all peeking out the window. She had to laugh at how nosy they were being. They usually tried to at least hide their curiosity. Sam guessed that they were just over excited about the vacation. She walked into her house with a smile on her face.

  “So?” The girls said in unison.

  “We are going to take it day by day.” Sam said still smiling.

  “Let’s go then. We are going to be late.” Kylee said.

  They four of them got Sam all packed and double checked all the locks on the doors. They jumped in Liz’s’ SUV and headed for the airport. After getting through security, they went toward their terminal. The plane was on time according to the flight board. They got to the gate just in time to board. Sam still couldn’t believe that they were heading on a spur of the moment vacation, however, She was going to thoroughly enjoy every second of it.

  .

  CHAPTER 4: MAX PROPOSES

  When Sam arrived home from her vacation she walked into her house. It was nice and peaceful. She dropped her bags onto the floor inside the doorway. She walked over to the answering machine that was blinking at her. She had 2 messages. ‘Message one’ the answering machine began ‘Hi this is Betty the clerk of courts. Your court date is set for 2 months from today. If you have any questions, would like to file a notarized agreement, or would like to drop the charges feel free to call me. Thank you. Message two: Hey it’s Max. I figured that you wouldn’t have your cell phone on you because I know Charlee did not bring hers. I just wanted to remind you that we are meeting at 2. See you then.’ The answering machine stopped and prompted her to save or delete the messages.

  She walked into her room and passed out onto her bed. When she woke up it was sunny outside. She decided to go for a run. Sam usually tried to get in some type of exercise at least once a month but it did not always work out the way she intended it to. She ran for half an hour. When she got home she got showered and ready for the rest of her day. At 1:30 she grabbed all of her songs and headed out the door to Tj’s.

  Sam got to Tj’s and was surprised at how busy the restraunt was today. She had not been here much at this time of day. The last time she was, there were maybe 20 people there. There had to be at least 100 people here this time. She guessed that it was a good sign that more people knew about Tj’s now.

  Sam walked right into the VIP lounge without telling anybody she was there. The lounge was pretty big as far as lounges go. There was room for 150 people and there was a stage on the back end of the room. Sam walked to the stage and opened the curtain. She walked backstage and grabbed 2 stools, setting them in the middle of the stage.

  “You are here early.” Tj called to her from the lounge doorway startling her.

  “Yea I know. I am getting ready for tonight with Max.” She said looking toward him.

  “So what is this big event?” He asked.

  “Oh.” Sam started realizing that she hadn’t told anyone about what the purpose of tonight was. “Max is asking Charlee to marry him tonight.”

  “Finally.” Tj said chuckling.

  “I know right.” Sam said with a slight smile.

  “You booked the whole lounge for that?” He asked.

  “Well yes. This is a special occasion.” She said “Max will be here any minute. We are going to sing a song for her and when it is over he is going to ask her.”

  “That sounds good. I will leave you too it then.” Tj said as he turned around and headed out the door.

  Sam pulled the piano out by the stools just as Max arrived. He looked tired. Max walked slowly up to the stage where Sam was waiting.

  “What is wrong with you?” Sam asked her voice mixed with concern and excitement.

  “Nothing, I didn’t get much sleep last night. I am so nervous.” Max said.

  “You have nothing to be nervous about.” Sam said trying to sound reassuring.

  “Yes I do. I don’t sing for people. I teach singing.” Max said looking as though he might vomit.

  “I know that can be scary Max. You decided to do it this way. I will try to help you through it.”

  “Ok. I do want to do this. I am just not sure if I can pull it off.”

  “Do you realize that I don’t do this either?”

  “You have before though.”

  “Yes I have. That is why I know you can do this.”

  “Why did you stop performing?” Max asked curiously.

  “I opened the store. After that I just didn’t have time anymore.” She answered.

  “Oh. Ok let’s do this then.”

  Sam and Max spent the next hour deciding on what song they would do. They ended up choosing a song called The Love of my Life. It was a song that Sam did not take lightly. She had written it when she thought George was going to eventually ask her to marry him. Sam really hoped he didn’t realize it tonight. They rehearsed for an additional hour until Max had almost perfected it. When they had finished Max had a big smile on his face.

  “I take it that you like the song.” Sam said with a giggle.

  “Yes. It makes me feel like it is something I would have written for her.” He said still smiling.

  “That was the goal.” Sam said. “Shall we go finalize the details?”

  “Yes, but first I want to show you something.” He said as he pulled a ring out of his pocket.

  “It is beautiful!” Sam exclaimed. It was a gorgeous silver sapphire ring. The main stone was a dime sized sapphire. It was surrounded by a ring of tiny diamonds. “She is going to love it!”

  “I hope so. I know she loves sapphires. That is why I chose this instead of the traditional diamond.”

  The two kept talking about how much they both liked the ring as they headed into the office Tj was using this week. His office was average sized, bigger than Liz’s and smaller than Sams.

  “Hey Tj” Sam says as they entered his room.

  “Hi guys.” Tj answers back as he looks up from his computer.

  “We want to finalize all the details for tonight.”

  “Ok, Let me pull up the file real quick.” Tj says clicking his mouse as he moved the cursor over the screen.

  “I want tonight to be perfect.” Max chimed in.

  “Ok, Looks like the only things that are not finalized are the lighting, the food, and dessert.”

  “I already have the dessert covered.” Max said.

  “How?” Sam asked.

  “When I asked Charlee’s father to marry her, He offered to pay for the whole party. So we went down to the bakery by his house and ordered the cake. We figured that since tonight everyone is going to be here anyways, we would just have the engagement party right after.”

  “That’s good.”

  “What colors for the lighting?” Tj asked interrupting them.

  “How about red, blue, and like a fuchsia type color?” Sam asked.

  “I like that idea.” Max said.

  “Ok then,” Tj said as he started typing. “Which color do you want on who?”

  “You know me too well” Sam said. Tj had done lighting for sam before. He knew exactly how she liked it.

  “Blue on Charlee.” Max said.

  “So then red on you and fuchsia on me?”
Sam asked.

  “Yea that sounds good.”

  “Then the only thing left is food. Your options are chicken parmesan, lasagna, or steak?”

  “I think we will stick with the steak.” Max said decidedly.

  “That should do it then.” Tj said.

  Sam and Max headed for the door. When they got outside Sam turned to Max and said “Ok. Now go home and don’t let her eat! Tell her to be here by 6:30. You be here by 7. Oh and bring a sliced lemon with you.”

  “A sliced lemon?” Max asked.

  “Yes, a sliced lemon. You will understand later.” Sam said getting into her car.

  “Ok see you in a couple of hours then.” Max said waving after her.

  Sam got home rather quickly. She got herself some tea and enjoyed it on her deck. When she was finished she put her cup into the sink and got ready for the big night. Sam picked out a floor length black dress paired with silver heels. The dress had small crystals lining the neckline. Making sure her make-up was pristine, she headed back out the door to Tj’s.

  When she arrived at Tj’s Charlee was standing there almost in tears. Sam quickly stopped the car and jumped out, all but throwing the keys at the valet. When she got to Charlee she asked “What’s wrong?”

  “Max has to be standing me up. He told me to be here at 6:30 and he is at least 20 minutes late.” Charlee said sounding angry.

  “I am sure he is just running late. Max would never stand you up. Let’s go into the VIP lounge and wait for him ok?” Sam said trying to calm her friend.

  “Why the VIP lounge?” Charlee asked looking confused.

  “Because for one night only I am coming out of retirement. I am singing tonight.”

  “Oh! I can’t wait. You haven’t sung for a long time.” She exclaimed.

  “I know. I have to go get ready. I will be right back.” Sam said as she left the lounge.

  Sam walked back toward the front door. She was looking for Tj. She needed him to do her a favor without telling anyone else. When she found him he was talking to a customer. She patiently waited for their conversation to end.

  “Sam, Is everything ready?” He asked her when he turned around.

  “I need a favor.” Sam replied.

  “Anything.”

  “I invited a guy named George here tonight.”

  “The same George as before?” He asked stunned.

  “Yes. When he gets here can you please personally escort him to his seat? Without telling anyone?” She asked hopefully.

  “I can do that.” He said just as the rest of the gang walked into the door.

  “Hey guys.” Sam said. “Charlee is in the VIP lounge waiting. She can fill you in.”

  “Fill us in on what?” Kylee said but Sam was already gone. The group filtered into the lounge and all sat down next to Charlee.

  Five minutes late Max finally arrived. He was trembling. Sam took his arm and they walked the back way to the stage. They were careful not to get caught as they snuck up the stage stairs and ducked behind the curtain. When they were safely behind the curtain Max turned and stared at Sam.

  “what are you staring at?” Sam said.

  “Are you going to tell me what the lemons for?”

  “The lemon is to suck on.”

  “What?” Max asked confused.

  “It’s for your nerves.” Sam said laughing at the twisted look on his face.

  “Again I ask. What?”

  “It has always helped me.” Sam started as she placed the mic on her head. “thirty seconds before show time, you suck on a lemon wedge for ten seconds. Then you throw it away and step on stage. It takes your mind off of what you are about to do.”

  “Ok, I think I get it.” Mas said as Tj appeared.

  “Everyone is here. Are you two ready?” Tj said.

  “Everyone? The parents are here too right?” Max asked.

  “Yes, even the parents.” Tj stated.

  “It’s show time.” Sam said. She took a deep breath and walked out onto the stage. “Hello everyone. This song is dedicated to Charlee from Max.” Charlee’s face contorted from anger to curiosity. She still thought Max wasn’t coming.

  Sam walked to the piano and sat down. She paused for a moment to steady her breathing. Turning to the audience she said “Ladies and gentleman, I have a special guest for you tonight. Please welcome my special guest Max Hughes.”

  Sam began playing the song on the piano as Max walked out on stage. Eight bars into the song they both started singing. When they concluded the song there was a round of applause. Max put the microphone up to his mouth and waited for it to stop.

  “Charlee, Can you please come up here and join me.” He said as sam walked off stage and took a seat in the front row. Everyone watched as Charlee slowly made her way up to the stage.

  When Charlee got about two feet from Max, he knelt down on one knee pulling the ring out of his pocket at the same time. Charlee gasped.

  “Charlee” Max began “I have loved you since I first laid eyes on you. You are my Soul mate. I would be so honored if you would be my wife.

  “Yes. Yes. Of course I will.” She said taking the ring and putting it on her finger. Max stood up and kissed her. There was another round of applause.

  Tj stood up and said “Dinner is served.”

  Everyone scrambled to the long table that had been set up. They looked like a bunch of scavengers. Sam spotted George still sitting in the same spot. He wasn’t in a hurry to get to the table like everyone else was. Sam walked over to him with a smile.

  “Not hungry?” She asked.

  “Oh I am. I thought I would wait for my date to arrive.” He said.

  “I see. Well has your date arrived yet?” Sam asked.

  “Perhaps.”

  “Well I am going to eat.” Sam said starting to walk away.

  “Wait a minute.” He said standing up.

  “What can I do for you?”

  “You can give your date a hug.” He replied holding out his hand.

  “I can do you one better.” Sam said leaning over and kissing his cheek. Blushing she walked over to join everyone else. George followed behind her trying to catch up. “Everyone this is George.” She said sitting down.

  “Hi” Everyone said through mouths full of food. Sam noticed the looks she was getting. She was grateful that she had her friends though. They never questioned her in front of him. She knew there would be questions later when he wasn’t around.

  Sam spent the rest of the evening enjoying herself. She flirted shamelessly all night with George. They decided to leave before the cake came. They walked around the table saying goodbye to everyone. When they got outside the air was chilly. George told his limo driver to follow them back to her house. He grabbed the keys to the Lamborghini and hopped into the driver’s seat.

  When they arrived at her house he walked around the car and opened her door for her. George took her hand and escorted her to her door.

  “I am going to call it a night.” George said staring into her eyes.

  “Ok. Call me later?” Sam said smiling.

  “Of course.” He answered. He decided to take a chance and leaned in to kiss her. She leaned into him and kissed him back.

  “Goodnight Sammy” He said pulling away and walking down the sidewalk to get into his limo.

  “Goodnight.” She said as she walked into her house.

  Sam was happier tonight than she had been. After battling with herself she decided that she was going to give it a real chance. She felt like she just had her first kiss ever. She walked into her room and lay in her bed staring at the ceiling. Eventually she drifted off to sleep.

  Sam woke up Sunday morning with a smile on her face. She was still filled with glee over last night’s events. She was happier than she had been in the past few weeks. Sam danced around her house as she got ready to go to the store. There were finishing touches that had to be done for tomorrow’s grand opening. It was more of a sign-up for classes, but she liked
the sound that ‘grand opening’ had.

  When Sam arrived at the store, she was surprised to see Kylee, Max, and Clare waiting for her. Kylee looked like she was hung over with the bags under her eyes. Max looked like he was happier, if that was possible, than last night when Charlee said she would marry him. Clare, Sam’s cashier, looked plain tired. Clare was a shy, mousy girl that was in college with Pepper.

  “You guys look horrible.” Sam said unlocking her door.

  “We may look horrible but we have things to do.” Max said smiling.

  The group walked into the store and set their bags, coffee cups, and phones down on the front counter. They chatted for a while about the previous night’s events. Everyone was so excited. They were all looking forward to getting to teach what they loved. You could feel the electricity in the room.

  Sam headed to her office, Clare in toe. They grabbed the stack of boxes that were in the closet. Sam had been gathering sheet music for a few years. Her plan had always been to teach eventually. She was glad she had planned it out so far ahead. Sam had accumulated enough music to teach all ranges of talent from beginners to pros.

  After all the boxes were upstairs, Sam headed into the last door at the end of the balcony. Kylee had chosen to take this room because it had the most plug-ins. She was the guitar teacher and was just a tad obsessed with amplifiers. Sam was glad that she had requested that all four rooms upstairs be soundproofed.

  “It looks good in here.” Sam said walking in.

  “Thanks.” Kylee said.

  “I have sheet music for you in my room. They have your name all over them.”

  “Thanks. I will come get them in a bit. I just want to take it all in.”

  Sam looked around the room impressed. Kylee had left the walls white with painted on music. If Sam had to guess, she would guess it was Pachelbel’s Cannon in D. That was always Kylee’s favorite. There was a dry erase board on the far wall. Spread randomly around the room were chord charts. In a line across the back of the room were six differ kinds of guitars. Kylee had transformed this room into a learning haven.

  “I will see ya later then. Sam said walking out of the room. She walked to the next door and said “Hey Max. What was your concept in here?”