“Last thing then, so you really don't know what's been going on in the outside world then? You haven't heard about the commotion over in Vancouver?” All of my muscles tensed as I started to stand, anger rising, but I caught Nick over by the curtain motioning me to stay frantically. I stopped and bit my lip to force back my anger, then sat back down, grabbing the arms of the chair tightly with white knuckles.
I shot daggers at Kelly with my eyes and responded coldly, I wanted this to be over now. “I'm sorry, but I'm uncomfortable speaking of other people's personal lives. Some things should just be left alone.” Why the obsession? What the hell is everyone's problem with wanting to pull Bella's life through the gutter?
Kelly looked disappointed, but looked to the crowd then back to me with an unreadable expression “Understandable Mandy, I'm sorry if I overstepped. Looks like we are out of time. Thank you for taking the time to speak with us today!” We both stood as she offered a hand and I took it, not wanting to touch the snake. She shook my hand warmly again, just a tad too long. “My pleasure, Kelly, thanks for having me.”
[[Cut! And Commercial!]]
I immediately turned and stalked off the stage, ready to strangle Nick, who made a speedy exit. Kelly followed me offstage calling to me “So, Mandy.” I steeled myself and calmed, unclenching my fists, then turned to her as she continued looking down shyly, her voice sounding nervous, “This may be very forward of me, but I find you fascinating. And since you are currently unattached, I was wondering if you'd possibly like to go out for a coffee or something else before your gig tonight.”
Whoa! That came out of left field! Like I'd go for someone who tried to smear Bella! I opened my mouth to voice my real opinion, but then decided sugar is always better than venom and smiled. “I'm truly sorry, Kelly. You are an attractive woman, but truthfully I belong to someone else even if we can never be together. Until they say otherwise, I'll endure the pain and be faithful to the memory of us.”
Kelly's shoulders dropped in disappointment, but then she locked eyes with me, what I saw conveyed that she was genuinely moved as the corners of her eyes creased slightly. “Well, don’t sell yourself short. They are a lucky person. Can't blame a girl for trying.” She chuckled and gave a warm smile. “Well, have a great tour. And, Mandy,” she added with a closed mouth smile, “do yourself a favor and pick up a newspaper sometime. I think you owe it to yourself.” Cryptic, but, pass slapped down! Yay me! What could possibly be in the papers that I would care about? Kelly turned away and made her way back through the curtain to the stage before the commercials were over.
Nick walked back up to me and we started walking down the hall toward the doors. He turned to me and looked through his curtain of hair grinning “See? That wasn't too bad now was it?” I think I did a Godzilla roar, well fine, I probably just said “Grrr!” but my eyes roared. “She went too far like the last jackhole. Why do they gotta try to push it. Nobody is really asking about the music, they just want the scandal and my breakdown.” I punctuated with animated motions of my hands. I was feeling so frustrated.
He shook his head at me with sad looking eyes for some reason. “It's their job to do that, shock journalism and all that. She's right though, you need to rejoin the world, things are happening that you need to know about.” I shook my head. “Things are always happening, the world keeps on spinning. I just need to finish what I have to do. Only a few more days.”
We exited the building, flanked by security to get us through the crowd, and made our way to the to the waiting cab. Once we were settled inside, I spent the ride back ignoring Nick's attempts at smalltalk and working on my finger spelling, yearning for midnight. That would relive the tension building up inside from that damn interview.
We arrived back at the bus, and was escorted into the barricaded corridor by security, the crowd was already gathering for tonight's concert and more news crews than ever were swarming around yelling out ignored questions to me before I stepped up inside and shut the door. Glancing over to see Nick making his way to one of the other buses before it closed.
I wandered into the kitchenette looking at the fruit bowl greedily. I grabbed my notebook and a pen off the counter to finish up some lyrics as I snacked on some grapes. After a while I leisurely checked my phone. Delete, delete, play. Tammy gushed about June, making me smile thinking about my sweet baby as I heard her cooing and giggling in the background. The sound of my daughter relieving a lot of the gathered tension from my shoulders.
Suddenly I heard a high pitched squealing and giggling outside. I cracked the door and peeked my head out to see Darryl between the barricades, twirling around a petite squealing blonde woman who was hanging off the ground, draped off his huge 6'4” frame. God it felt great to see two people in love like that. It felt good to know I could help them have a happy moment like this.
I went to close the door with a huge smile on my face but the woman saw me and ran over to the door, with Darryl trying to stop her. “You must be Mandy!” she squealed, “Thank you SO much for this. It's a wonderful surprise for Darryl. And I've missed him these past few days! Oh, I'm Tina by the way.” She offered her hand up. Her excitement was dragging me in and I couldn't help but smile back at her. The noise level raising around us as fans and reporters were trying to get my attention.
I shook her hand, my smile turning into a huge grin. “It is truly my pleasure, he's a good man. Now you two shoo, go have some fun, you don't need to be hanging around speaking to the likes of me.” Tina giggled back infectiously. “Great plan! Thank you again, and it was great to meet you. I can see why Darryl raves about you.”
I smiled down at them and watched them go, then pulled myself back and closed my door. My dark mood was officially erased. I settled in on the couch and went back to my lyrics and finger spelling. Let me tell you, it is not as easy as it looks. I can't imagine how hard sign language is going to be for me.
Time marched on as it invariably does, after all, it is pretty obsessive compulsive as it just ticks past no matter what. Then before I knew it it was into a dress, and off to backstage. I skipped a little, happy I made Darryl and Tina's day, as security got me past the throngs of fans and reporters and into the building. I had even stopped for a couple of autographs for fans and ignored the reporters.
The venue was packed, and Nick asked again “Can you please do some meet and greets and issue backstage passes tonight?” his eyes pleading. He asks every night and I refuse every night. I snatched the single backstage pass in Bella's name from his hands, and placed it on its lanyard around my neck and tucked it in my dress, near my heart. My good luck charm. Nick thinks I'm crazy, and maybe I am. He wordlessly shook his head at me and I just rolled my eyes back at him, then turned to find my dressing room.
I sat backstage on the canvas chair in the tiny rough dressing room, which was obviously a small storage room they hastily converted for me to give me some privacy. I just stared at the daisy on my table as I heard the bustle of activity in the corridor beyond. Psyching myself up. Then at the five minute warning, it was off to the stage. I was oblivious to the people busily scurrying around in final preparation as I made my way to the stage, where a sound man handed me my earpiece.
Obviously I opened with the required 'Oceans of Blue', but opened my eyes part way through, hearing a good portion of the crowd singing along at the chorus. This gave me a weird sort of energy boost for some bizarre reason. I felt, I don't know, excitement? This was a new feeling. It was almost, pride? I closed my eyes and finished the swooping and tumbling melody, to the thunder of the crowd. I opened my eyes and felt a smile playing on my lips as I opened my eyes.
I brightened up, enjoying the energy the audience was sending me “Tonight I have something for you.” I pulled handwritten sheet music from my sheath and held it to the crowd. “How bout something new?” The cheering intensified as the churning mass of fans went wild. I passed out copies to the band, who didn't seem surprised at my changes to the lineup anymore. “T
his one is about hope, I call it 'We Shall'.”
I settled back down onto my speaker, closed my eyes and began. It's a ballad like 'Oceans Of Blue' but with a distinctly different flavor. Its a soaring melody punctuated by sustained power notes that rip through the subtle winding path of the chorus, which felt like the gentle caress of a lullaby. The song made a peaceful, almost safe feeling flow through me. It just felt... like home. I don't think I had ever heard a crowd so silent as I sang. I hope they can feel the emotion I am trying to convey.
I sustained the final vocal note long after the instrumentals stopped, like I was afraid to let it go, and I was. There was a long agonizing moment of stillness when I finished, I felt small, vulnerable in my anticipation as I opened my eyes. The crowd was silent, not wanting to break the moment. Then suddenly, they went insane, I had to cover my ears it was so loud. I glanced offstage to see Nick and Darryl high-fiving, Terry nodding, Tina with her hands covering her mouth. A lump was in my throat, and I fought the water welling up in my eyes. I didn't know why I was suddenly sad and happy all at once.
I cleared my throat and inhaled deeply then smiled to the fans, yelling into my microphone “Sorry about two ballads in a row folks. Let's hit some fun!” I picked a more upbeat song and we went to town with it.
Then we wound our way through about every emotion you can imagine throughout the rest of the song choices. I was completely exhausted when we finally finished. I trudged off the stage, dragging myself out the back, through the fans and reporters with my constant security companions and stumbled into the bus. I collapsed on the couch by my cellphone, waiting for my heartbeat.
I sat there staring at the ceiling, simply resting. I didn't need to look at the clock, I knew it is midnight as the phone rang and my heart started up again, beating in time with 'voice-mail' flashing on the screen. I pressed play “Wow... Just wow... Pleasant dreams M.” I sighed, with all that makes up what I am. Off to the saved folder you go.
Why doesn't she just let me go, and heal her own life? I'm glad she makes the effort, it keeps me going. I dragged myself up and showered and got ready for bed. This was a physically and emotionally draining day. I heard the drivers door shut behind the partition then the engine came to life. I laid down to a peaceful slumber, as we rumbled off to Raleigh, North Carolina.
Chapter 12 – Operation Save Harmony
The day started early, Tammy's call coming a lot sooner than normal. This scared the hell out of me. I dove on the phone and answered it instead of letting it hit voice-mail. “Tammy! Is June okay?” I sputtered out. She giggled a bit and quickly said, “No, no, no. She's fine, Mandy! She's great.” I numbly mumbled quietly trying to recover from the fright “But the time, it's, it's different.”
“What?” she asked. I blushed, glad she couldn't see me, I hadn't realized I spoke out loud. “I, well, sorta set my internal chronometer by my daily voice-mails. They let me know that the world is okay. Like the ticktock of a clock. I thought the worst when it changed. God, I sound obsessive compulsive. I'm sorry Tammy. Just call me spaz.”
“Well you shouldn't hole yourself up in that horrid bus. There are important things happening in the world.” the younger girl reprimanded me. I snorted, “Yes, mother.” Her bubbly personality was infectious, that's why I chose her as June's nanny over all the other, older, more experienced ones I interviewed. She bubbled on, “You took me by surprise when you actually answered. It is so nice to hear your voice instead of watching you on Pay Per View and those pushy TV interviews. Would you like to say something to June? She's right here on my hip.”
“Please.” I whispered almost inaudibly, and I could hear Tammy's distant voice “Here's mommy, princess.” Then I heard gurgling and bubbling, it sounded like she was trying to eat the phone. That let a warmth I haven't felt in a long time into my heart. I inhaled sharply with a grin. “Hello baby, mommy really misses you... I'll be home before you know it.”
I could hear a fumbling on the phone and Tammy was back. “She got the biggest grin from that! Now, let me tell you why I'm calling. You'll still get the daily June report in an hour so you don't pop a spring or start bumping into walls trying to figure out the time.” Which elicited a “Smartass.” from me starting her gigglefest again.
“I've heard some distressing news from... well I've heard some distressing news about Harmony.” This caused me to sit up straight, “What is it? Is Mrs. W okay?” She better be Okay!
She continued. “Yes, she's a tough old bird. But it seems that the school is in bad, financial trouble. She has been dipping into her retirement funds for months to keep it running and now that has run dry. So she is resigned to the fact that the school will have to close if she can't make mortgage this month.”
I verbally snapped at her while pacing quickly back and forth, “To hell it will! March your fuzzy butt down there and get that thing paid! Use the household account, there's plenty of slush in it.” I noticed I was nervously twitching my fingers together on my left hand as I paced. Why couldn't I be there to make things right for Mrs. W?
Tammy shot back “Hey! My butt isn't fuzzy! Or I don't think it is at least. Dunno, I can't see it. But I already tried, she says she won't take handouts.” I tensed up at that. Of course she wouldn't. I knew her better than anyone, and she is a very proud woman. I missed her strength.
My voice grew rough with emotion that threatened to overwhelm me, “That place and that woman are the last good things I haven't destroyed in my life, and I'll be damned if I let it fall. Fine, if she won't take money freely given by people who care about her, let's create our own little conspiracy. Shall we?”
That got me an “Ooooo sounds fun, count us... umm I mean count me in!” Why is everyone always correcting themselves like they are talking in code around me lately? I didn't have time to dwell on the thought.
“Okay Tams, this is how it's gonna go down. Go over and make a 50/50 silent partnership proposition to Mrs. Wellington. We'll infuse the cash to clear the mortgage from the books, cover operations, renovation and staffing. She provides sweat equity, teaching and managing the place while we sit on the sidelines.” I pursed my lips for a second, not allowing emotion in as I continued to pace, my mind going into overdrive.
“Do NOT let her say no! Threaten her with an out of tune violin if she tries. My lawyer in Seattle can get it all drawn up today. I'll get him in on Operation Save Harmony. I'll hit up my publicist for contacts to get the word out to drive business. Get it? Got it? Good!” I finished in a flourish, slamming a palm down on the counter, to the sounds of a laughing nanny.
“I'm putting you in charge on that end. I'll get this all set up on my end within an hour. Contact Mrs. W now to get it rolling. I'll call you in two hours.” I'm speaking at three trillion miles per second.
Tammy remained silent for a couple seconds and she spoke when she's sure I was done. “It will only take a few minutes to get a yes or no from her, if you'll be done inside an hour. Why not call me then?” I could hear the slight confusion in her voice. I rolled my eyes.
“Ummm... duh! I get my June update voice-mail from you in an hour. Gotta feed the neurosis Tams.” I got nothing but laughter from the other end. “Okay, two hours.” We said our goodbyes and I was hitting speed dial for Frank my lawyer the moment I hung up. I wasn't feeling the anxiety I thought I would about this, instead it felt more like excitement.
“Mandy, how are you...” he started, just to be interrupted by me. “Frank, no time to chit chat, got an emergency here.” I managed to sputter out. He gasped, “Oh God, you need bailed out again?” I rolled my eyes to the universe. “No! Not that kind of emergency. A friend needs my help. Welcome to Operation Save Harmony.” I spilled the plan at warp speed, giving him both Mrs. W's and Tammy's contact info.
“Okay, you sure you don't want me to craft it for 49-51 so you have controlling interest?” he asked with a tinge of concern in his voice. “No.” I snapped a little too sharply, “Sorry, no. This is all about helping a friend,
in fact. To insure she has controlling interest, slash my interest down the middle and create a three way partnership. Maybe I can help three people at once here.” I was tapping a pen nervously on the counter in time with the clockworks in my head as I thought.
“50% operating interest to Mrs. Wellington, 25% silent partner interest gifted to Tammera Rosalind Shelton, and 25% operating or silent partner interest, at Mrs. W's discretion, gifted to Anabella Marie West. I need this to happen in the next five days or she is going to loose the place.” I rattled this information off in a staccato time. I noticed I was pacing again and let myself fall back onto the couch with a satisfying plop.
“All funding is through me, but in the other two girl's names. One time gift it, so we don't have to jump through any tax hoops. Use the 'party fund' account, should be a million or so still in it.” I zipped out. I was kicking in the air like I was riding a bicycle “If any of the ladies tries to refuse, kick them in the nuts!” I heard a stifled laugh at that statement.
“But that will leave you with no return on investment.” he said with no emotion in his voice. I shook my head in exasperation, wondering why he had to be all lawyer-y all the time. “What part of 'this is to help three people' did you not get? I have over ninety five million cash, plus a royalty income stream and investments that will outlast my grandchildren. I don't need any more cash flow, Frank. While I'm at it, add everyone involved to my retainer with you, make sure they know they have your services for anything they need, work or personal.”
I could hear the realization and understanding in his voice. “Okay, I can see this is important to you. When do we pull the trigger?” he asked. I was quick to respond, “If Tammy get's Mrs. Wellington to agree, she'll call you in a couple hours. Then just pull out all stops. Tammy has point on this, I don't want to hear from you unless it's an all clear.” I pointed my finger like he could see it, then started doodling in the air with it.
Music of the Soul 1, 2, & 3 Starter Bundle Page 13
