Ellie was happy to hang up her guitar for a while and grab a hammer and paint brush to help out. Ellie always bought lunch for everyone, and on their lunch breaks or during a lull in the work she would pick up her guitar and sing a few songs.
The tightness in her chest and the knot in her shoulders that Ellie used to suffer from daily were gone. When she woke up in the mornings, she couldn’t wait to get down to the studio. Jazzie did such a stellar job overseeing the studio’s creation, from the first demolition to the paint colors on the walls, that the team gave her the title of studio manager. She refused to take a pay upgrade stating she was getting paid well as it was; instead Jazzie insisted on naming the place. Against Ellie's objections, the team agreed on the studio and recording label name of EJ's Way.
In mid-September, Dina and Jazzie pulled off a grand opening party. Ellie was amazed at the number of stars who came through her studio that evening. Several of them booked recording time in the studio. A few of them discussed possibly signing with her label when their contracts were up.
Ellie worked mostly from home, but came to the studio when needed. With the help of her team, Ellie spent her time combing the internet, having open mic nights at the studio, and traveling to small venues, throughout the United States, looking for new musicians. Robert called her several times with more and more offers to sign new contracts. Each time he called, the amounts of money increased. Ellie let all his calls go to voice mail.
It was Davie's idea to branch the studio out on the internet. They bought out a company similar to Live from their Living Room, and created a site solely for musicians. Ellie spent her nights watching those concerts and signing a few talented musicians.
One night in November, Ellie was in the studio recording a few tracks for her own new album. Tons of music had grown within her, and she visited her old notebooks full of songs. As she and some band members finished a set, Jazzie held up Ellie's phone from the sound booth.
“You have a text from Maggie. It seems important,” Jazzie said. Ellie put down her guitar, and walked out of the recording studio and into the sound booth. Her heart was in her throat.
Maggie's text read, There is a slight emergency and we need help. Please call. And by we, I mean Jessica and I. Jessica is my sitter.
Ellie called Maggie. Maggie quickly handed the phone to Jessica who explained that she needed to fly to Chicago because her mother was sick. She couldn’t contact Ria who was in surgery.
“What about Gwen?” Ellie asked.
“Who?” Jessica answered.
“Never mind,” Ellie said. “I'm happy to hang out with Maggie.”
“Oh, thank you,” Jessica said
“Maggie can hang out at work with me. Tell Maggie I'll send Jazzie to pick her up. She knows Jazzie.” Jazzie stood and grabbed her jacket off the back of the chair and nodded to Ellie.
“Okay, do you have the address?” Jessica asked.
“Yes, I have the address,” Ellie said. Ellie heard Maggie in the background tell her that Ellie had been there numerous times.
“Okay, I'll see you soon,” Jessica said. “How soon?”
“Jazzie is heading out the door right now,” Ellie said and turned to Jazzie.
“About fifteen minutes,” Jazzie whispered.
“About fifteen minutes,” Ellie said. “Oh and Jessica...”
“Yes?” Jessica said.
“Do you have a ride to the airport or a flight or anything?” Ellie asked.
“No, that's why I want you to hurry,” Jessica said. “I have to go to my cousins to get her credit card.”
“Don't worry I'll get you a ride to the airport and a flight,” Ellie said.
“No, that won't be necessary,” Jessica said.
“No, I insist. Any friend of Maggie's is a friend of mine. Chicago right?” Ellie said as Dina opened her tablet and started typing away. Ellie wrote down Ria and Maggie's address for Dina. “I'll send a Town Car for you and they will take you home if you need clothes or things, and Jazzie will be there beforehand to pick up Maggie.”
“Yes, Chicago, that's very kind. I'll pay you back,” Jessica said.
“She is rich,” Maggie said in the background. “She is EJ Way. She has a lot of money. Don't worry about it. Right Ellie?”
“She's right,” Ellie said.
“Thank you, bless you,” Jessica said.
“Okay, safe travels. I hope your mother is okay. I’m texting Ria to let her know that Maggie will be with me.” Ellie said.
“Thank you,” Jessica said. Ellie hung up
“So, a car is twenty minutes out for Jessica. I didn't have her whole name. So I put the reservation under our company.” Dina said.
“Wait, don't put her on a commercial flight. Book her a private plane,” Ellie said.
“Ellie that's a lot of money. There's a flight out in two hours. It's nonstop to—”
“Private jet, please. You can take it out of my allowance,” Ellie said as she rubbed Dina's shoulders.
“You'll be back to your pre-fame time of eating pasta if you keep skimming out of your allowance,” Dina said. “Okay private jet, under EJ's Way. I'm sending the itinerary to her driver. And before you say it, a car is waiting for her in Chicago, and she'll get instructions on how to set up a return ride and flight.”
“You're golden. That's why I keep you guys around,” Ellie laughed. Ellie texted Jazzie and told her to make sure that Maggie brought her guitar.
CHAPTER 41
Maggie arrived at dinner time when Ellie and the band were taking a break and eating some fried chicken and fries. Maggie greeted Ellie with a hug. That was their customary greeting now. Ellie felt honored to be one of only two people in the world that Maggie hugged. Maggie told Ellie about school, a friend she had made, and what she wanted for Christmas.
“He’s not really a friend,” Maggie said. “But I don't know what else you would call him. I think a friend is someone you like hanging out with, like you. James is annoying, but he sits with me. He doesn't make fun of me and he knows a lot about wars. He can name every war, and who was in it, and famous battles. It is kind of fascinating. He tells me the parts that the history teachers leave out. Like the torture and things,” Maggie said.
“That’s great,” Ellie said. “Not the part about his being annoying, though. But it bothers me that people would make fun of you. I think they are probably mostly jealous.”
“Maybe,” Maggie said.
She didn't say anything about Gwen, and Jessica didn't know who she was. I wonder if Gwen is out of the picture.
“You look different,” Maggie said.
“I do?” Ellie asked.
“Yeah, doesn't she?” Maggie asked Dina and Jazzie. They both shrugged. “Happy,” Maggie said. “You look lighter and happy. You look like Mom does after she gets a massage or has sex.” Jazzie spit out her soda onto the table and quickly grabbed some napkins to wipe it up.
“Maggie,” Ellie said. “Remember how your mother talked to you about times and places to talk about sex.”
“Because people might leak everywhere?” Maggie asked laughing as she pointed at Jazzie and the puddle of soda.
“Who knew you had a sense of humor Ms. Maggie?” Ellie said as she ruffled Maggie's hair.
“So, this is your new studio. What are you doing here?” Maggie asked.
“I'm laying down some new tracks, and fixing or messing with some old ones,” Ellie said.
“When are you going to let me play on some?” Maggie asked.
“Oh, we'll definitely do that. I've learned that your mother will have to sign for you to be able to play on a track,” Ellie said.
“Okay, that's fine. Finally something someone has to sign. Remember how when we used to say “sign off” on it, you used to think you really had to sign?” Maggie asked.
“Yes, finally something to sign,” Ellie said. “You’ve been playing? I saw you brought your guitar.”
“Yeah, and two sets of clothes, her
pillow, some books, and...” Jazzie said.
“I thought maybe we could have a sleepover,” Maggie said. “We haven't spent quality time together in a while. I have a lot more things to show you in my notebooks.”
“Probably not tonight, I moved and—” Ellie started and was interrupted by a band member walking into the room.
“EJ, I have to leave in a few hours. If you want me on any of your other tracks, we have to start up soon,” he said.
“Yeah, okay. No problem,” Ellie answered.
“You moved?” Maggie asked. “Why? To where?”
“How about we talk about this after I finish with the band?” Ellie asked. Maggie nodded.
Ellie and the band set up in the larger recording studio, and Maggie went to practice her guitar in one of the smaller studios. Ellie had a bass player, violinist, keyboard player, drummer, and second guitarist in the studio with her. The band did a few dry runs of the song My Way World. After the first run, Dina and Jazzie waved Ellie into the sound booth.
“What's up?” Ellie asked.
“Listen to this,” Jazzie said. She pushed some buttons on the sound board and acoustic guitar music streamed through the speakers. It was had a unique, unpredictable rhythm to it.
“Nice, you should bring them in to record sometime,” Ellie said. “Can I listen to this after we’re done? We have some of the musicians who need to leave soon.”
“No, this is Maggie,” Jazzie said. “I turned on the audio in her studio, because I thought that she'd enjoy hearing you guys play, and she played along by playing this. Listen to how it sounds when you lay it down on top of your track.” Jazzie pointed to the sound board controller who mixed the tracks. It added a depth to Ellie's track. “She even knows your song. Listen.” Ellie, for the first time, heard Maggie sing.
Ellie said, “She has a beautiful voice.” Ellie walked to Maggie's studio door, knocked once and then entered.
“Hey, Maggie. How's it going?” Ellie asked.
“I'm good. You guys sound great. Are you done? What about that sleep over? Or why you moved? And to where?” Maggie rambled.
“We're not done, and I’m more than happy to talk to you about that after this,” Ellie said.
“How do you feel about coming in with the band and me, and playing on My Way World?”
“You said that Mom would have to sign,” Maggie said.
“She has to sign if we're going to use it. I'm sure she'll sign. If not, we’ll exclude your track from it. What do you say?”
“In front of all those people?” Maggie asked.
“Yeah, but remember what I said? You know more about guitar playing then probably all of them in there. What do you say?” Ellie asked.
“Okay, I guess I will try,” Maggie said.
Ellie introduced Maggie to the band. Ellie had Henry, the other guitarist, sit that track out. Maggie sat on a stool with her back to the band.
“Okay, ready, set, go,” Maggie said. The band started up the song. Maggie sat frozen on the stool. Ellie started singing. Maggie tapped her foot to the beat. Ellie sang the chorus. Maggie mouthed the words. The violin fell into the song. Maggie closed her eyes. It was not until the end of the song that Maggie played a few chords.
“You okay?” Ellie asked.
“Yeah, that was okay right?” Maggie said. “It sounded in key to me. All the chords were played right.”
“Yeah, what you did was great, but I have a feeling that you can do much better. Am I right?”
“Yes, you are right. It is just hard with all these people,” Maggie said.
“My fault. Let's try something new,” Ellie said. “Come back to the other studio.”
Ellie set up the band again and talked to the sound board controller briefly.
“Maggie, like before. You'll be able to hear them, but they won't be able to see you.”
“Will they be able to hear me?” Maggie asked.
“Well, it would be hard for them to play along, if not. Is that okay?” Ellie asked.
“Yes, I guess. We can try it,” Maggie said.
The band played through the song, and Maggie played along while Ellie sang in the studio with the band. She came back into the sound booth and listened to the track played back.
“Okay in a minute from the top,” Ellie said through a speaker to the band. The band members gave her thumbs up. Ellie walked into Maggie's room.
“A+ my friend,” Ellie said as she patted Maggie on the back.
“Nobody gives A+,” Maggie said as her face turned red.
“Okay then whatever the highest grade is,” Ellie said. “Do you think you can play the song again?”
“Sure, playing guitar is the only thing I don't mind doing over and over. Other than watching cartoons,” Maggie said.
“Okay, this time. I want you to continue playing until I tell you to stop, and no matter what, keep playing.”
“You are not going to tickle me are you? Mom does that,” Maggie asked.
“No, I promise,” Ellie said. “And if you want to, only if you want to, you can sing.”
“Okay, ready, set, go,” Maggie said. Maggie started strumming her guitar. The band followed Maggie's lead with drums lightly entering, and the bass perfectly complimenting Maggie's guitar. Ellie started singing. Maggie looked up for a half-second and then back down like a soldier obeying orders. She was not going to stop until told. Ellie's voice climbed along with the instruments. With each drum beat she seemed to step, the bass made her sway and Maggie's guitar fueled her.
Sunrise after sunrise our walk begins, Ellie sang. Then something strange happened, as if it was an algebraic equation or a scientific experiment, it happened. At the chorus, Maggie joined in. Maggie's voice added color, smell, and a feel to the song. Ellie began to fade out and harmonized as Maggie took the lead, and then Maggie changed to a completely different chord rotation. The genius, she is improvising. Alison, the violinist, pulled in during the second chorus, and her violin sounded stronger and sweeter at the same time.
My way world nobody has been within. Pull my covers tight, and dreaming sets-in, Maggie sang. Understanding and hope that is what they are missing...
Maggie kept singing the song, and Ellie was hit with a realization. I can't believe I never heard it before. I can't believe it took me this long to figure it out why Maggie likes my songs. They sound like something Maggie would write.
The song ended and Ellie gave Maggie a big hug.
Maggie turned her head as she yelled into the microphone, “Hell yeah, we rocked! Cut and print!”
“Maggie Marie Diaz. Language,” a voice came over the speaker. To both Ellie and Maggie's surprise, they saw Ria standing in the sound booth. She was wearing a black leather jacket, and her hair was up in a ponytail. Ria was wiping tears from her eyes. To Ellie's disappointment, her heart did six back flips, a round-off, and collapsed back into her chest.
“Mom!” Maggie yelled into the microphone. “You made it! Did you—”
“Maggie stop yelling into the mic and go in there. You're making us all deaf,” Ellie said as she pushed the microphone away, took Maggie's guitar from her, and shooed her in Ria's direction. Maggie ran out of the recording booth and into the sound booth to Ria. Ellie slowly trailed behind carrying Maggie's guitar. When she walked into the studio, she hit the main studio audio button.
“Thank you, I think that we're done for the night,” Ellie told the band. The band members high-fived each other and started gathering up their stuff. Ellie avoided eye contact with Ria. Being in the same room as Ria made her chest tighten and feel like it was going to implode.
“Maggie you were... that was phenomenal,” Ria said.
“Thanks... and Ellie said if... wait, Mom, come meet the band,” Maggie grabbed Ria by her coat sleeve and pulled her toward the main recording studio. Ellie watched through the glass. Dina leaned forward, turned on the mics in the main studio and glared at Ellie. Maggie introduced Ria to every member. Maggie had remembered
everyone's name.
“She’s something else,” Dina said.
“Yeah, her singing was amazing,” Ellie said.
“Not her, Ria,” Dina said. “You might need to get a towel or something. I think you're drooling,” Dina said as she pointed to Ellie's chin.
“I'm not,” Ellie said as she touched her chin.
“You're still into her!” Dina asked.
“I didn't think so, and then I saw her. I see her there and...” Ellie said.
“I think the only solution is that I kill her,” Dina said as she walked out of the sound room. Ellie watched Dina enter the room. Ellie stared as Dina looked out toward the recording studio at Ellie and shook her head. Ellie saw Dina shake Ria's hand, motion to Ellie, and then handed Ria a piece of paper. Ellie couldn’t hear anything they said. There was too much ruckus going on in the room. Ria pulled a pen out of her purse and signed the form and handed it back to Dina. Dina walked back in the room with Ellie.
“The track contract for Maggie?” Ellie asked.
“Yup,” Dina said.
“Your bark is worse than your bite,” Ellie said.
“Yup,” Dina said as she sat and started typing on her laptop. The band left and it was only Maggie and Ria standing in the recording studio together.
“Ellie came in and we sang the song together,” Maggie said. “On the first time, did I tell you about the first time? On the first time, Ellie said, she said I know you can do better. And then I did. I did.”
“That's wonderful. What's the name of the song?” Ria asked.
“The title is My Way World,” Maggie said. Both of them walked back into the sound booth. Ria and Ellie watched Maggie as she snapped her guitar securely in its case. Ellie finally found the nerve to look at Ria. Ria was looking at Ellie. Their eyes met, and Ellie quickly looked away. Ellie's chest tightened. Months of self-care and anti-Ria thoughts flew out the window.
Love's Autograph Page 24
