“Gramma, tell us more about some of the people you’ve met over the years. It’s fun hearing about them,” Lola said.
“Maybe later. It’s time we concentrate on getting to Ginnie’s house. Andy, do you have the GPS set for the art collector’s address?”
“Yep, and you’re right on track,” Andy said.
“What’re you looking to buy, Gramma?” Lola asked.
“She has an Edgar Payne landscape I want to purchase. Payne is one of the best painters ever and I’d love to have something of his in my home.”
“Is it expensive?” Andy asked.
“Yeah, but I won some lottery money recently so thought I’d invest it in a Payne.”
She was smiling from ear to ear. So glad I played the lottery with those numbers Jamie needed.
Inside the Collector’s Personal Home Gallery
“Gramma. It’s so good to see you.”
“Good to see you, too, Ginnie. It’s been awhile since we’ve gotten together. How’ve you been?”
“Okay. You know. Taking it one day at a time.”
Introductions to the grandchildren were made and Ginnie showed her guests around her gallery.
They made appropriate, appreciative noises in all the right places.
“Here’s the Payne I have for sale. I saved it just for you, Gramma,” Ginnie said. “You’ve always loved his work.”
There was silence as the four of them stared at the magnificent landscape with tiny figures in the foreground. Its breathtaking beauty was unmistakable, even to those unschooled in art.
“I’m in awe of those who skillfully put brush to paint and paint onto the canvas,” Gramma said.
A deal was made and Gramma paid for the painting in cash. Her heart was racing at the thought of the honor of having it in her home. I’ll be looking at it day and night.
“It’ll go out today by special courier, Gramma and will be delivered to you shortly after you return home.” Her voice broke with emotion.
“Are you sure you want to sell it, Ginny?” Gramma asked. “I know your daughter, Tammy, loved this painting, and since it was hers, you may want to keep it. I’d understand.”
“I can’t afford to keep most of these now. With the economy the way it is and me on a fixed income. My Tammy could afford it, but I can’t. I’m happy it’s going to you. Tammy would be happy, too. I’ll never forget how you did something special for her before she died. She wouldn’t tell me what it was, but she said it changed her life and enriched her final days.”
“Thank you for thinking of me,” Gramma said. “Your Tammy was more than rich, she was wealthy. She knew how to use what she earned for the good of others, and she lived life to the fullest. I loved her, too.”
“Thank you for that, Gramma. I have one more thing to ask of you before you leave,” Ginnie said. “Can we speak in private?”
“Of course.”
“We’ll go into my office. Andy and Lola, if you don’t mind, you can stay here enjoying Tammy’s gallery.” She hastened Gramma through a door.
“What’s up, Ginnie?” Gramma asked. She gave her friend a hug.
“I’m hoping you can help me. After Tammy died, her estate was probated and everything came to me as her next of kin. As you know, her father Edgar was killed in Vietnam before she was born.”
“I know. I looked for his name when we were in Washington and found it on the Vietnam Wall. What a hero he was. His death was so very sad. He deserved every accolade he received.”
“I appreciate your remembrance of him. You knew him longer than I did.”
“Yep. He lived on the other side of the railroad tracks from us in Riverside. A nice young man,” Gramma said. “And a good friend.”
“What’s happening with Tammy’s estate?” Gramma asked.
“After she died, she was deep in debt so most of her properties were sold to pay what Tammy owed. When I went to her L.A. home, there were some items missing. One in particular. As you know, she was a passionate art collector and could afford it with her acting success. She had an amazing original sketch of a panel by Ghiberti of his ‘Gates of Heaven.’ Ghiberti called it his ‘Gates of Heaven Sketch.’ It was gone from her house. I was told by her lawyer she sold it to Johnny Gazzoor, lead singer of the rock group, Blacklit Days. I don’t believe it. Tammy would never have done that. She loved that sketch. Do you think you could look into this for me? I’ve tried other ways to find what happened to it, but haven’t been successful. Some of her personal photographs, high school yearbooks, all her jewelry, her complete Star Wars collection and I don’t know what else, are all gone, too. I’m left with some items, but most must be sold to settle her estate.”
“I’ll get on it, Ginnie, when I return from some trips I have to make. I have to tell you, though. I already know something about this.”
Gramma got a text message and excused herself to read it.
“If that’s Boogie or Yehuda, tell them I’m still waiting to hear from them about Michelangelo’s David miniature,” Ginnie called over to her.
“It’s neither of them,” Gramma said. “But when I hear from them, I’ll give them your message.”
Gramma read the text from the Pope. She smiled and answered, telling him she can be at the Vatican in a few weeks. She sent him a photo of Sweetums.
The Pope texted back a smiley face.
“Tell me all you know about the Heaven Sketch and the other items,” Gramma said. “I have some ideas about what happened, but I need to do some research and get the time frames and particulars.”
Back in Gramma’s Mini Bus for the trip Home
“I love Johnny Gazzoor,” Lola said. “He’s dreamy. And I love the Blacklit Days, too.”
Gramma smiled.
“Andy, get me all the latest information you can about Gazzoor and his group. Especially where he is right now.”
“Lola, pick your chin up, close your mouth and get the stars out of your eyes. This is work we’re talking about. There may be some important decisions for Gazzoor to make soon. I sure hope he makes the right ones.”
Chapter 16
Rock Groups and Groupies
Laguna Beach, California
The drive up the Pacific Coast Highway was everything Gramma and her grandchildren thought it would be.
“I’m so glad we landed in San Diego so we could take this drive north to Laguna Beach,” Gramma said. “Torrey Pines State Reserve. Del Mar. Oceanside. All of it’s gorgeous.” She sighed.
Andy told her how long it’d be until they reach their destination.
“If you’re tired, I can drive,” Andy said.
“Nah,” Gramma said. “I got my four hours sleep last night so I’m raring to go. Why, I’m so rested, I could do deep knee bends and run a couple of miles. How about you?”
Andy yawned.
“I read somewhere that scientists did a study and determined that people with high I.Q’s. need less sleep than those who are average,” Lola claimed.
“Now there’s a study I can relate to,” Gramma said. “Makes perfectly good sense to me.”
Andy yawned again.
“Look at that sunset,” Gramma said. She adjusted her black leather driving gloves. “I’m rarin’ to go.”
Fatigued, Andy’s head nodded down to his chest.
The bright red-orange sky was lit like a Fourth of July firecracker. Gently lowering into the ocean, the burning orb conceded the day to the moon.
“I’m so excited we’re going to see Johnny Gazzoor and the Blacklit Days,” Lola said. “That’s awesome. Are you sure about this, Gramma? You really got us all free tickets?”
“I’m sure,” Gramma said. “We’ll get to go backstage and meet them before the concert. Do you think you’ll like that?”
“Aaaahhhhh,” Lola screamed. “I’m gonna meet Johnny Gazzoor and the Blacklit Days. Sorry. I couldn’t help myself. Aaaahhhhh,” she screamed again. She began texting all her friends. She messaged Buddy.
Andy
was briefly awakened by the screaming, then yawned again.
Buddy messaged back to Lola. ‘Tell Johnny and his band I said Hi. Tell them I have all their albums. Tell them . . .’ and the message went on and on.
Gramma received a message from her boss saying the frontman’s fingerprints lifted from Gramma’s purse in Ecuador belong to exactly who they thought it was, Rory, a contract killer-for-hire by anyone willing to pay his price. But what was he doing at the same hotel we were in?
The boss reminded Gramma that Poppy Gold was still on the loose.
Gramma frowned.
Andy slept, Lola talked, and Gramma drove until they reached their oceanfront rental just in time to turn in for the night.
Johnny Gazzoor and the Blacklit Days
“Now, when we meet Johnny and the band, don’t go drooling or fainting or anything like that, Lola,” Andy said. “It’ll be so embarrassing. You just gotta deal with it. Pretend he’s just like a regular friend or neighbor or something.”
“Oh, please. Like I’d do that. Give me some credit here. I’m in graduate school for goodness sakes. I’m a grown up. I'm mature.”
Lola hyperventilated until Gramma helped her relax.
“Step right this way, ladies and gent,” Sam from Security said. “You have five minutes. Five minutes. That’s all you got. Then you groupies have to move on.”
“Groupies,” Gramma huffed. “I beg your pardon, young man.”
“Gee. I'm sorry. I didn’t mean you, Gramma. You know that,” Sam whispered. “I was talking to your granddaughter. She looks a bit frazzled. She’s not gonna faint or throw up on us, is she?” He eyed the shaking teenager. “Is she? I hate it when they faint or throw up. That’s always so messy.” He moved back a couple steps.
“Not my granddaughter. She’s advanced for her age. Almost out of grad school. Yes, sir. My Lola wouldn’t do that.”
Gramma whispered into Lola’s ear, “Get a grip, honey, it’s only Johnny Gazzoor and the Blacklit Days. It’s not like it’s Elvis or anything. Close, but no cigar.”
Lola gasped when she spotted the star.
“I’m digging it,” Andy said.
Johnny Gazzoor, in all his rock splendor, was sitting at a table eating a baloney sandwich. Mustard ran down his fingers. His tight, black leather pants, with zippers to the max, shined in the glare of his dressing room lights. Chest hairs and muscles were framed in a black tank top. An exposed right bicep displayed the words ‘Super Rock Star’ tattooed in fine line black and gray. During baloney bites, he looked at his tattoo with obvious pride. He licked the mustard off his fingers.
“Gramma,” Johnny said. He embraced her gently, lifting her small frame including her black-booted feet, off the floor for a swing and a hug.
Gramma was in the air, being twirled around, sporting a big smile.
The rest of the band crowded around, greeting Gramma and reminiscing about the last time they were all together. The banter was friendly and warm.
“Look at you,” Johnny said to Gramma. “And you’re wearing your leather work boots. Me, too.” He cocked his foot on a chair for her to see his footwear. “They’re awesome, aren’t they? I love 'em. You brought those to me when we were in Ireland. Remember?”
“I sure do. How could I forget? They look cool on you, Johnny,” Gramma said. “I never go anywhere without mine. You know that.”
“I didn’t know you knew him,” Lola hissed in Gramma’s ear.
Gramma looked at Lola like she didn’t know her.
Andy rolled his eyes for his sister missing the boat on that one.
“And this must be your favorite granddaughter, Lola,” Johnny said, looking her up and down. “She looks just like you.”
Lola reached forward to shake Johnny’s hand, but instead, like a gentleman, the rock star gently pulled her arm toward him and planted a wet kiss on the back of her hand. He soon released her.
Lola stood there immobilized, her arm remaining outstretched in the air. Her eyes glazed over. She kept trying to say something, but nothing understandable came out.
Gramma touched her shoulder and guided her arm down.
“Lola. Lola. Lola. Remember your manners now, dear,” her gramma said.
“Th . . . th . . . thank you,” she stuttered.
“And this is Andy. Now him I remember,” Johnny said. “What’s up man?” Johnny leaned in for a hug and touched shoulder to shoulder to Gramma’s grandson. They shared a couple remarks about when they were last together. Johnny showed Andy his Irish tattoo he got when they were all there.
“That’s dope, man,” Andy said.
“Where does he remember you from?” Lola asked Andy.
“We’ll talk about it later,” Gramma interjected.
“But where does he know you from?” Lola repeated to her brother.
“Listen to Gramma,” Andy said.
“We’d better let you finish your snack, Johnny, so you can be on time for the show. I’ll be needing to talk to you later about something,” Gramma said.
“Sure. We’ll meet after the concert. Sam’ll let you through.”
The Beginning of the Concert
The curtains went up and Johnny Gazzoor and the Blacklit Days were in the dark onstage. As moments ticked away, the tension and drama of the crowd increased.
Colored screens in the background projected fish, birds and other wildlife. The creatures faded away to a volcano erupting, followed by earthquakes, tidal waves, tsunamis and hurricanes. The music and visuals, coupled with the expectation of seeing the star and the band, caused the audience to scream.
The manipulation of sound and contemporary rock music and rock lighting brought the crowd to its feet.
When the spots finally rested on Gazzoor and his band loudly playing their signature song ‘Rock Johnny Rock,’ pandemonium ensued.
Johnny’s long orange, purple and red hair stood straight up from fans blowing up through gratings in the stage floor. Ablaze with bright neon lighting, his locks were flaming threads of color. It was a fearsome, yet compelling sight.
Blacklit Days’ lighting was advanced. Nothing but the latest and best was on stage for tonight’s gig.
On the back screen, the words ‘Hi Lola, Hi Andy, Hi Gramma’ crawled across in bright colors. Everyone was looking around to see who were the favored audience members for this performance.
Johnny put two fingers to his eyes and then pointed them out and back, out and back, to Gramma to show her he was watching her and her grandchildren.
Spotlights found the trio and shined on them while the band rocked on.
Throughout the concert, cameras photographed, videos videoed, and screamers screamed. Hands reached to the sky and swayed back and forth. Feet stomped in beat to the popular tunes, some of which, Gramma had no idea what the lyrics were.
During the finale before the final curtain call, Johnny blew a kiss to Gramma.
In Johnny’s Dressing Room
"Magnificent show, Johnny. You’ve outdone yourself,” Gramma said. "You're as talented as your mother was.”
“Thank you, Gramma. Your saying that means a lot to me.”
“You know why I’m here?” she asked.
“I think so. It’s the Ghiberti ‘Gates of Heaven Sketch,’ Right? And some other items missing from Mother’s estate. You want to know about that. I knew sooner or later someone would show and demand an accounting of it. I’m glad they sent you and not some bozo who wouldn’t understand. You and Ginnie are such good friends, so I was hoping she’d contact you about it. And you did that favor for my mother before she passed. I’ll never forget that.”
“How’d you get the Ghiberti, Johnny? Is that what was in the satchel Tammy had me deliver to you in Ireland? Your grandmother’s not only upset about it being missing, she thinks there was foul play. I want to know the truth, Johnny. Straight up. Okay?”
“Okay. But my grandmother might not like it. You see, after you located me for my mother, we only had a short time t
o start our mother/son relationship before she died. I can’t thank you enough for that. Mother insisted on giving me the Ghiberti ‘Gates of Heaven Sketch.’ I told her she didn’t have to give me anything. Getting to know her was enough for me, but she insisted. That’s why she sent it along with you.
“That’s not all, Gramma. Mother also gave me her high school yearbooks, photos and a few pieces of jewelry. The last thing she brought to me was her complete Star Wars collection. She had everything Star Wars anyone could possibly have gotten in their collection. It’s unmatched by any collector anywhere. She insisted I take it. Said she was sorry she didn’t get to raise me and be a real mother. She cried a lot about that. She also said she was sorry she never told her mother about me. She said she just could never get up the nerve to do it. So, even though I know who she is, Ginnie has no idea I exist.
“I never knew who my real parents were until my mother had you locate me. It was the best thing that ever happened in my life. I loved her from the moment she told me she was my mother. I’m just sorry we didn’t have more time together. It also made me happy to learn who my real father is. I hope someday to be united to his side of the family. My adoptive family were wonderful to me, and I’ll always think of them as my parents, but something was missing from my life until you brought my birth mother and me together.”
Johnny bowed his head in remembrance of his beautiful mother and her high school sweetheart, unselfishly birthing and giving their child up for adoption. He choked back a sob.
“I’m just sorry she didn’t let her own mother know about you, Johnny. Ginnie has no one else, and you are her grandson. Have you thought about telling her who you are?”
“I’ve thought about it. I’m just worried she won’t accept me or that she’ll not want to meet me. I don’t know what to do.”
“Well, I think she would love to meet her only grandchild, Johnny. She didn’t even know her daughter was going to have a baby. Tammy got pregnant with you by her high school sweetheart right before she went to France on a fellowship. She gave birth to you there, put you up for adoption, and came back home with her mother not knowing what happened. After your mother became a famous movie star, she was afraid it would ruin her career. So sad. I’d like you to give it some thought. If you want, I’ll break the news to Ginnie, er, your grandmother, that she has a grandson, and you can take it from there.”
The Amazing Adventures of Gramma Page 13
