Music of the Soul 1, 2, & 3 Starter Bundle

by Erik Schubach

  Then that magnificent bastard swung the partition door open with one hand looking back at me as we pulled out of the parking lot. I don't think I had appreciated him more than at that very moment. “What airline?” he asked like we were in the middle of a conversation. I shook my head “No time for that, charter a private jet. Sarina can't get to her.”

  He was on the phone again, invoking my name, then invoking my wrath, a look of determination on his face. What? Four seats? Minutes later he looked back at me with a smile, “Okay, they'll be waiting on the tarmac in thirty minutes.” I was shocked, awed was more like it.

  His phone rang, he answered quickly. “Nick? Yeah... No, it's Anabella. Yes. Already done, Cessna Citation X booked at St. Joe's private airfield, twenty nine minutes.” then he hung up and sighed.

  This man was a machine!

  He looked back at me all leisurely, like we were just taking a pleasant afternoon drive. He held out an opened can of peanuts back toward me. “Snack?” I snorted back a giggle, stifling tears that I didn't realize were there.

  “Thank you, Mr. Big Ears, that was, well, amazing.” I half smiled through my fear. He winked “I did my part, now it's your turn. Get back on with her sister, we'll be there in a little less than five hours. 3:00pm their time. Terrance Memorial Field.” He winked and slid the partition closed.

  I was glad someone knew how to think in a crisis, because I certainly couldn't. I stood and grabbed my phone from the table and dialed a number I never thought I ever would again, my friend from a better life, when I was happy. Sarina hoarsely answered on the first ring. “Mandy?”

  I took a cleansing breath, letting some of the fear melt away. “I'm on my way, I'll be in the air in a few minutes. Our jet will be wheels down at 3:00 your time, at Terrance Memorial Field. Have Tammy book a car on the household account. I have stowaways.”

  “Bullshit, little sis, I'll be there with the van,” she snapped at me. Little sis? I spoke slowly and carefully “Sar... Why do you keep being so nice to me? After the way I destroyed Anabella?” My voice hitched as I said her name. “I heard her that day. I had completely broken her, and she thought it was her. She blamed herself when it was my damn life that ruined hers.”

  I sat back on the couch my brows knitting “I didn't deserve anything, anyone, yet you kept sending daisies, kept sending texts, kept calling at the same time every day. Even though I ignored you, abandoned you, never listening to them. But I lived for those calls it gave me a lifeline to the happiness I could never get back.” I took another ragged breath.

  “Then Bella called... her midnight calls. I listened to her voicemails a hundred times each. I don't know why she still cares. Those calls kept my heart beating when I didn't deserve hope. My life revolved around midnight each day. I just want to know why.” I finished with a whisper, my voice wavering.

  Sarina actually laughed, this took me aback. He voice sounded almost amused “You only heard part of what Ana said that day, I tried to tell you that night but you wouldn't listen. Yes, she went off about how her life was ruined and how everyone would hate her because she was in love with a woman. She thought she needed to be 'normal' whatever in the hell that means. What is normal?”

  She paused for a second for the first part to sink in. “But then she took a deep breath and exploded again. About how it was worth it to be with you and she didn't care what anyone else thought. That she would weather the storm, because you taught her about true strength and weathering her scars. That if that is what it meant to be broken, then she would chose it over being 'normal' any day.”

  I was crying again, I seem to do that a lot. Maybe I should see someone about it, like a plumber. But then it hit me, I ran for nothing. My blood ran cold. “I ran, for nothing? My God I hurt her anyway.” I said terrified. I squeezed my eyes shut.

  She continued simply, saying, “No. We almost laughed at her thought that we could ever hate her, and how dense the two of you were. Everyone knew how you felt about each other, and I do mean EVERYONE. Even Mrs. Wellington. You two were not subtle, and it couldn't have made us any happier!”

  “We all kept trying to push you together, but you two were too lost in each other to notice.” She giggled at the memory “But when you left, and I spoke with you that day, we knew you didn't know the whole story. You were in so much pain, that showed how much you loved her.” I opened my eyes again, taking deep breaths.

  I heard her inhale deeply. “Then you ran. But Ana told us to let you go, that you needed to repair yourself, just like she needed to repair herself. I couldn't believe how calm she was about it.”

  I just kept blinking, shocked as she went on, “She conspired with everyone to give you a tether to the people that love you, to give you some stability for the turmoil in your soul. To let you know we all cared even if you didn't believe it.”

  “We sent you a daisy each day from the family. She made sure that I called every day at 9:55am your time followed by Tammy at 10:00am like clockwork. We sent banana cream pie on your birthday.” That was a shock, I was so lost in my seclusion I hadn't even realized that day was my birthday. Holy crap, I'm twenty two! I shook my head unbelieving.

  “She wanted to try voice-mail herself at midnight your time, to both tuck you in and welcome you to each new day. She didn't think you'd listen to anyone’s messages but she was sure that seeing our names on your phone each day would remind you that we love you.”

  I was stuck with the urge to stand, or pace or sink deeper into the couch. I wasn't sure which. She did all of this? She knew what I needed to not lose my sanity, and she kept me strong. She is the other half of my being, she knows me better than myself. I caught myself smiling and falling all over for Bella.

  “But then you shocked her to the core of her heart and soul when you listened.” her voice wavered like she was fighting back tears.

  “She had so much faith in you, that you would find the true you that you thought you had lost, and heal. We watched every concert and every interview. She was sad when she saw the hurt in you with the first performance, you were so obviously drunk.” she paused for breath again. I gazed out the window as I sat there.

  I couldn't move, I was just listening to Sarina tell me about the girl who had more strength than anyone, enough to hold herself up, and me, when I couldn't do it myself.

  “She left that first voice-mail like a prayer, asking that you wouldn't drink anymore, because that would stop the healing. But you listened, you even told her that at the next concert when you complained about someone asking you not to drink, then again in the interview with that asshat Barry Reed.” she laughed. I was picking at a loose thread on the couch as I sat in amazement.

  “You say that you abandoned us, ignored us. You really are dense. You were talking with Ana nightly at every concert, with your songs and with your words. My God, 'Oceans Of Blue' has almost become a religion with your fans, it is so moving, and it was about HER!” she rattled off. I smiled as a tear rolled down my cheek. I shrugged my shoulder against my cheek to wipe the tear away.

  “You assured that my children, would have a worry free life. You selflessly donated to a charity close to all of our hearts. You saved the school that Ana loved, that Mrs. Wellington loved, making sure it was theirs forever. You took care of Tammy and June. You learned to SIGN God damn it! FOR HER! That made Ana cry tears of joy.” she snorted, speaking to me like I was the fool I was.

  “You showed again and again that you loved us all, and that you would fight to make sure we were all okay. You were here every damn day, if it weren't for the fact that you weren't here, it would have been hard to tell you weren't.” she finished with a grand flourish. I gasped.

  I did all that? “I did all that?” I whispered. She sounded like it was the stupidest question in the world with the “Duh.” she whispered back. I stood and replied, “I can't tell you how much I depended on all of your presences through my mental break here, well my second mental break. Your little conspiracy gave me streng
th, I guess I'm just a love junkie.” I ran my fingers along the hem of my shirt, looking down bashfully.

  “I'm scared for Bella,” I whispered with a lump forming in my throat. Sarina replied with a steadier voice than mine, “Me too, but I also know how strong she is. You're going to be a little surprised once the real world smacks you in the face. Once you get out of that damn bus. Anabella has become...well, quite the legend lately.” That statement confused me and I sat back down.

  Her voice had an amused lilt to it again “Watching you, we realized that all the rumors about you being shut off from the world in your little bus fortress were true, and that you had no clue what was going on over here. We all had a great laugh every time you put the smackdown on those dumbass reporters who kept trying to tell you. At one point I thing Ana giggled till she peed.” she laughed again. I caught myself imagining Bella doing that and had to stifle a laugh of my own.

  I'm so confused. “I'm so confused.” Hey me, stop repeating everything I say! She snorted “Pick up a newspaper and get yourself educated woman. I'm sure I'll hear the face-palm from over here. You think you hurt her, but you did the opposite, you actually released a vengeful phoenix.”

  Then Sarina softened her tone letting compassion slip in, “I miss you lady, and so does everyone else. Zoey want's to know where her favorite seat went. At least Tammy comes over every day so the kids can play.”

  I smiled at the thought of the little freckled girl, and Tammy sneaking around my back like that. I must put it in my schedule to plot her doom for being part of the conspiracy. Somewhere between lunch and world domination I think. “I miss you all too. Gotta jet Sar. I mean literally, I got a jet waiting. We just arrived. See you at three. Bye.” I said as I prepared to step off the bus. I had a tinge of excitement bubbling up through my concern. I'm going home.

  I grabbed a box from the table and Darryl started leading me toward the small jet plane sitting on the tarmac, where Terry and Nick were waiting with concern etched on their faces. Darryl handed the bus keys to a man that ran up to us. For being alone, it sure seems like there are a lot of people around helping me. Even that soulless vampire, Terry. Now all that is left is to worry about my Bella, and pray that all is okay.

  Chapter 15 – The Unstoppable Force

  We were in the air less than ten minutes later. The guys were in the front of the cabin with me staking out a claim in the far back, behind a heavy royal blue curtain that divided the space in half. I needed my seclusion. The phone in my hand rang, I glanced down at it and I saw that it was Sar again, I almost answered till I saw the time blazing away on the phone 9:55. I swear I shocked the guys up front when I snorted loudly. Delete. I couldn't get the smirk off my face, that woman was great.

  At 10:00 it rang again, it was Tammy, I let it go to voice-mail giggling like a mad woman. Play! “Okay weirdo, here goes. Golly what a wonderful day, June is doing wonderful, especially since she'll see her wonderful mother on the tarmac in five hours. Isn't that wonderful?” Tammy's voice was full of mirth and sarcasm. She blew a raspberry and hung up. I dropped my arm, letting the hand holding the phone to rest in my lap.

  God, I love these girls. They are almost as mean as me and... I froze mid thought when I looked at the table beside my seat. It was stocked with all the current publications. On top of the stack was a magazine with Bella's picture on the cover, the headline read “Anabella West, the Unstoppable Force.” Next to it was a copy of the Times, again Bella was there “The Girl Who Took On a City”.

  I placed the phone on the table and I fanned out the magazines, another one with her picture on the cover read “One Woman Army”. I sat motionless for a minute, in a state somewhere hovering between shock and confusion. What the hell is going on?

  I finally reached slowly forward with a large degree of trepidation, and grabbed the first magazine. I found myself biting my lower lip and getting a little warm looking at her picture. Gawd I'm shameless. Then I opened the publication and thumbed through it until I found the article.

  [[In Vancouver, Washington, a storm has been raging over the past few weeks, and nothing seems to be able to withstand the torrent as it sweeps through the city. This storm's name is Anabella West. She has grown to be an unstoppable force in the city. Pushing for reform, and championing various causes in her multi-pronged assault.

  She is bringing about change in discrimination laws, LGBT education, teen suicide help lines, and handicap awareness. What makes her different than everyone else that has tried? What makes her so special? This young woman has experienced the injustices associated with of all of these issues.

  You see, Anabella was born deaf. Her life became more difficult as she got older, pushed by the prejudices of society, and prodded because of her handicap. Ultimately surviving a suicide attempt as a young teen... a direct result from such treatment and bullying. She, however, came out of it stronger.

  She dedicated her life after that, to doing good in this world. She could see the good in people, and found beauty where others couldn’t see. She volunteered for many programs, including Vancouver's Story Time Project with the public library.

  Then it all went wrong when she fell in love with the most unlikely person, her apparent polar opposite. It was at that time Anabella determined that she was a lesbian, for that person who captured her heart was none other than Mandy Harris, bad girl rocker.

  Anabella's love helped change someone that most would have thought of as irredeemable. This is evident when we see the new Mandy Fay Harris on tour, who's name is now synonymous with emotional rock.

  The tempest began with a single photograph, when a photographer invaded her privacy and stole a personal moment, when Anabella kissed her girlfriend. An innocent kiss that shook the foundations of Vancouver. A kiss no different than any man kissing his girlfriend.]]

  They showed the picture of us, and I shivered at the memory of her sweet lips and her intoxicating scent. I raised a hand and touched my lips, I could still feel Bella's lips after all this time. God, I'm such a perv. My emotions were all over the board while reading this. The story continued.

  [[With what appeared to be less than honorable intentions, the photographer released the photo and allegedly attempted to sensationalize it into a scandal. A scandal that some people in a bigoted society clamored to, in order to get her removed from the volunteer programs that Ms. West was involved with.

  These public organizations, governed by anti-discrimination laws, removed her from the programs to distance themselves from scandal, against their own rules. They would never have imagined that this young woman would come out swinging like a leviathan. Leveling anything in her path.

  Her battle cry “You WILL NOT take my children from me!”, referred to the children in the Story Time program, and at the children's shelter, who love her with a vengeance. The same children she has dedicated her life to to helping embrace reading and literature and to have a better life.

  Her misguided detractors, tried to insinuate that her lifestyle was putting children at risk, never expected this girl to bring the fight to them. She is backed by city council member Jim Pratt and his influential family.

  She waded into battle at city hall, in front of the city council, and a room full of citizens, parrying every volley shot at her, and shaming the chairman for his uninformed and homophobic actions.

  She even used that as an opportunity to spotlight their lack of providing parity in the council chamber, by not supplying an interpreter to sign for her. Breaking yet another disability law that they are sworn to uphold.

  She walked out, her head held high, with her volunteer positions reinstated. Leaving a cheering crowd to rival those of her girlfriend.

  She is now championing multiple causes, with an army of young people petitioning throughout the city. Comprised mostly of students from the music school she works at. Her support network is growing exponentially.

  National organizations are clamoring for her to represent them, as news came that she is
turning her steely blue eyed gaze toward the state capital.

  When asked why she stood to fight a seemingly impossible battle, her simple response was, “It's what SHE would do.”]]

  I threw the magazine on the table in excitement and I felt a silly grin plastered on my face. Friggin idiots, don't mess with my girl! Holy crap, do I love this woman. She's unbelievable. Why do I know the name Jim Pratt? Besides all the babbling in my head, I was almost glowing with pride and I found myself gently crying. I'm happy? This is a strange feeling, but I do remember it. It usually arrives with her. I laughed nervously and wiped the tears away onto my sleeve.

  How stupid I felt, and then my guilt returned, knowing I hurt Bella anyway by not being here for her. To support her battle, her cause. I took a deep breath and reached for the stack of periodicals again.

  I skimmed some of the articles, which read much the same as that first one. I enjoyed all her photos, as I tore the articles out of every magazine and paper. Oh yeah, this one! Oh and that one for sure! Tearing more carefully around the photos of her.

  I reached for the large shoebox sitting on the floor beside my chair, the box I had brought from the bus. I stroked the lid lovingly and took a reverent breath before I opened it, then stuffed the clippings inside, with all of her backstage passes, all the music I wrote for her, Bella's rubber bracelets, and my two sign language books.

  I chuckled at one article titled “Anabella's Army” which depicted the kids who were out petitioning for her various causes. Two of them I recognized as Jimmy from Harmony and that kid from the diner. I ran my fingers across the cold, slick surface of the page before tearing the article out and placing it in the box with the others.

  At one point, I heard a noise and glanced over to see plate with a chicken salad sandwich, some chips, and a bottle of cranberry juice slide under the dividing curtain. I stood and strode over to retrieve it with a grin. “Thank you.” I said into space.