“What’s the next step?” asked Laura’s dad. It seemed as if he was getting into this, although her mom still looked a little reserved.
“Yeah,” I asked. “What do we do from here?”
“Eric wants to fly you girls out to Nashville as soon as school is out. You can each bring one parent or guardian with you. Then you’ll do an official audition in the recording studio, in front of the powers that be. After that they’ll have a meeting and decide whether they want you or not.”
“Do you think we really have a chance?” asked Allie. And I could clearly see the hopes of fame and fortune gleaming in her eyes. She’s always wanted to be rich and famous. I just hope this doesn’t go to her head.
“You know, I think we should put this whole thing into God’s hands,”—said Willy in a sober voice. He looked around at the small crowd of us gathered next to the Mitchell’s car—we three girls and Laura’s parents and James. “Why don’t we pray right now?”
And so we did. And to pray like that, out there in the June sunshine, felt like a huge sigh of relief to me. It felt as if the weight was suddenly lifted as we put the whole thing into God’s hands. “Your will be done,” Willy finally said. And we all said, “Amen!”
Then Willy offered to take Allie and me home and speak with both of our parents. “Thanks,” said Allie. “My mom acted all happy and everything, but she kinda sounded like she thought I was making it all up too. Like when I was a little girl and I got my hopes up that I was going to win this dirt bike in a drawing at the hardware store in town. Of course, I didn’t win. Anyway, it’ll probably help to have her hear about it from a grown-up.”
So I waited at Allie’s as Willy explained to Elise what exactly was going on. And it was really sweet to see little Davie climb onto Willy’s knee as he spoke. Davie sat there quietly playing with Willy’s cross (Willy always wears this cross made from two nails hanging by a leather cord), and every once in a while Davie would reach up and pat Willy on the cheek and just smile.
“Well, I guess that sounds legit.” Elise stood and shook her head as if it was all just sinking in. “Amazing though. I’m sorry, I don’t mean to rush you off, but I really have to be to work in about fifteen minutes.”
“No problem.” Willy set Davie on the floor, then ruffled his hair.
“And I hope they don’t expect me to pay for Allie’s plane tickets or hotel room or anything.” She frowned as she picked up her work smock and purse. “We’re barely scraping by as it is.”
He waved his hand. “No, no, you won’t need to worry about a thing. The recording company will provide two round-trip tickets as well as food and hotel rooms and any other expenses for each girl along with one adult to accompany her.”
Elise looked startled now. “Well, I can’t possibly go to Nashville with her. I have work—and I have Davie—and I—”
“Mom!” cried Allie. “You have to go.”
“It sounds fun, Allie, but you know as well as I do that it’s impossible.” Elise frantically dug in her purse for her car keys. “Maybe you should ask your father to—”
“No way!” Allie shook her head. “He’s the last person on—”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t have time for this right now. We’ll just have to figure it out later.”
Allie looked a little bummed now, but Willy assured her that it would all work out. “If it’s God’s will, you don’t need to worry about a thing. It’ll all fall right into place.”
Next we went to my house, but by the time we got there my parents had already left. A note on the breakfast bar said they were off playing golf with the Stephensens until four.
“Sorry, Willy,” I said as I walked him back to the door. Now I felt a little let down too. Here I am having the biggest event of my life and my parents take off. But then why should that surprise me?
Willy turned and looked at me. “You should call Josh.”
“Yes!” I nodded eagerly. “That’s what I’ll do.”
And so I called and actually got Josh, live, on the phone. He’d just gotten back from church and was changing his clothes to go jogging. He was so excited that he totally made up for Mom’s lack of enthusiasm. He whooped and hollered and even told his roommate that his little sister was going to be famous.
Then I told him about Mom’s reaction.
“Oh, you know how she can be, Chloe. Don’t take it to heart. It’s probably from working at the law firm too long. She thinks everyone’s a rip-off artist.” We both laughed.
And so, despite Mom’s ho-hum attitude, I am still excited. I think something big is in the works. And I’m not going to worry because, like Willy said, it’s all in God’s hands. If He wants it to happen, it will. If not, well, we’ll have to accept that as His will too. But just the same, I really, really want it to happen. I’ve never felt more alive or more in love with God than that night we did the memorial concert. It’s like everything in me was connected that night. It was so right on!
RIGHT ON, GOD
life with You
is so right on
connected
aligned
on target
in sync
together
with-it bull’s-eye
totally jived
right on, God
You are so right on!
amen
Monday, June 2
Willy came over to talk to my parents tonight. I can already see that my dad’s getting pretty excited about the whole thing, especially after talking about it to his friend Ron Stephensen (a music professor at the college who’s always believed in Redemption’s possibilities), but for whatever reason, my mom’s still holding back.
“This is quite an opportunity,” said Willy after he explained the basic deal to my parents. “No guarantees, but the experience itself is invaluable and could lead to something else.”
“And the music company is paying for everything?” my mom asked for what seemed like the sixth time.
Willy nodded. “You bet. Eric Green thinks these girls have the right stuff. And he’s fairly high up there at Omega. Still, it’s a joint decision, and the president has the final say.”
“Let’s say that Omega does like the band,” continued my mom. “What does that really mean? What kind of a contract are we talking about? Is it really worth all this fuss?”
“Do you know much about the music industry, Mrs. Killer?”
She smiled politely. “You can call me Joy.”
“Joy.” He smiled back. “Do you know much about the industry?”
She shook her head.
“Well, the girls won’t be instant millionaires, but it’s not peanuts either.”
“It’s all a little overwhelming,” said my dad, then he grinned. “But if Chloe can handle it, then I suppose we can too.”
“Like I said—” Willy shook his head as if still taking it in himself—“it’s an amazing opportunity. And even though the odds are still stacked against them for making it really big, those odds are still a whole lot better than winning the lottery.”
“So, who wants to go to Nashville with me?” I asked.
Mom frowned. “That’s not a very good week for me to be gone from work, Chloe. There’s a big case and—”
“No problem,” said Dad. “I’d love to go!” “Really?”
He nodded. “School’s out next week. And I’ve got vacation time.”
“What exactly do you do, Stan?” asked Willy. “I know you work at the local college.”
“He’s the dean of admissions,” I said proudly.
“It’s not as if I have the whole summer off, but I can certainly take some vacation time off for this.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“Thank you, Chloe.” He reached over and squeezed my shoulder. “I’m looking forward to it.”
And for the first time since I scored the winning soccer goal back in seventh grade, it felt like Dad was actually proud of me. Really proud. And that was so cool. Still, I c
an’t figure Mom. It’s as though she’s not even excited. It almost feels as if she’d like the whole thing to just blow over. It’s weird.
LESS THAN PERFECT
life’s not supposed to be perfect
i know this
there’s always something…
like your cool new shoes
wear a blister on your toe
or your bike has a flat
when you’re ready to go
or you get a big zit
before your first date
or fall on your face
after doing something great
there’s always something
i know this
i just wish that sometimes
everything would be perfect
cm
Thirteen
Thursday, June 5
It’s funny. Last week I didn’t really want school to end. But then we learned about this recording thing, and suddenly it’s like I can’t get out of there quick enough. Like adios, amigos, see ya in September! Just the same, I did really make an effort to stay connected to my friends and not appear as if I was overly eager to just blow the joint. Even though I was.
It’s amazing how fast the word spread about our audition. Thanks to Allie, I’m sure. Not that I blame her exactly. And not that I even mind. It was actually kind of fun having kids treat us like celebrities.
“You guys are lucky,” said Torrey as we were leaving choir today.
“Yeah.” Cortney made a face. “You’ll probably get so rich and famous that you won’t even remember the little people anymore.”
I had to laugh at that—“the little people”—everyone knows that Torrey and Cortney are at the top of the Harrison High food chain, at least in our class. And even though there was a time I could barely stand them as well as their somewhat preppy ways, I must admit I kind of like their attention now. And this bothers me a little. But I could tell that Laura and Allie liked the attention too.
“It’s not a done deal,” Laura reminded them. “It’s just an audition. The recording company might hate us.”
“Or Allie might barf on my guitar.”
The girls standing around us laughed. “Did she really do that?” asked Torrey.
I nodded.
“That must’ve really stunk,” said someone from behind us. I turned to see Tiffany and a couple of her friends listening.
“Yeah, it did.” I glanced at Laura. “Speaking of Allie, didn’t we say we’d meet her for lunch?”
Cortney patted us both on the backs. “Well, you guys stay in touch. Let us know how it goes. We want to be the first to hear if we know someone who’s becoming famous.”
I laughed. “Even if we do get a record deal, that hardly means we’ll be famous.”
“Around here it does,” said Torrey. “Nothing like this ever happens around here.”
“Tell you guys what,” I said as Laura and I moved toward the door. “If we actually sign a contract, we’ll do a special gig at the Paradiso to celebrate. I’m sure Mike won’t mind.”
“Cool,” said Cortney. “Let us know.”
“Yeah,” said Tiffany from behind her. “Let me know too.”
I nodded. “Yeah, or maybe you’ll just see us on MTV.”
This made them laugh, then Laura and I started heading to the cafeteria. Since it was the last day of school, Allie and I wanted to sit with Cesar and the others, but Laura really felt she needed to sit with her old friends.
“It’s okay,” Allie assured her. “We’ll be spending plenty of time together in practice next week and then off to Nashville.”
“Yeah, and LaDonna got seriously mad at me yesterday,” Laura explained. “She keeps saying I’m going to leave them all behind now that we’re almost famous.”
“Yeah, that’s what Spencer’s been saying too,” said Allie. “It’s like suddenly he’s our best friend.”
“And when I think of the bad time he’s given me over the year…” I said. “Then again, he was the first one at high school who actually tried to be friendly to me,” I lowered my voice, “even if it was to offer me a hit.”
Now I’m thinking it’s funny how “friends” start getting really chummy when it looks as if you’re coming into something big. I’m starting to understand how people might feel when they win a bunch of money. Suddenly everyone’s your new or old best friend. And it’s confusing. How can you be sure who’s sincere and who’s not? And even though Torrey and Cortney have been nice to me lately, they pretty much thought I was invisible when school first started last fall.
But the fact is, I used to hang with them as well as my old friend Jessie back in middle school. And all three of them dumped me just when I needed them the most. I guess I’ve mostly forgiven them for that. But then there’s Tiffany. After everything that girl’s put me through, she’s suddenly acting as if it’s all hunky-dory between us, as if nothing was ever wrong. And I know I said I forgave her. And God knows I’ve tried to forgive her a bazillion times. But sometimes I just don’t feel like it. And I really don’t feel like being her “friend”—ever! For that reason alone, I am so relieved that school is over.
GROW UP
help me to grow up
to move on
to forgive and forget
to be more like You
help me to love others
despite their flaws,
and not to judge
lest i become
just like them
amen
Friday, June 6
First official day of summer break. Ahhhh. I slept in until ten, then dropped by the Paradiso to say hi to Mike as well as tell him we might need to postpone our next gig since it looks as if we’ll be in Nashville that week.
“Yeah, I heard the news.”
“You’re kidding? You already heard?”
He nodded as he wiped down the counter. “Jill heard it at the grocery store a few days ago. Don’t you know that Redemption is the talk of the town right now?”
I laughed. “Well, this week anyway. We’ll see what they say when we come back.” “It’s too bad too.” He sighed loudly. “Too bad?”
“Yeah, I was going to offer you a job for the summer.”
“Really?”
“Yep. I need someone to help out around here.”
“That’d be cool, Mike.” I considered this briefly. “And if I was going to work, I can’t think of anyplace I’d rather be. But right now I feel like I should focus on my music more.”
He looked me in the eyes. “So do I, Chloe. I’m just giving you a bad time. The fact is, I wouldn’t even let you work for me. It’d be morally wrong.”
I laughed. “Well, I don’t know about that.” Then I thought of something. “Allie says she still wants to get a job this summer.”
“Isn’t she going to be pretty busy too?”
“It’s hard to say. We don’t really know what’s going to happen after the audition. They might just send us packing, and it could be business as usual after we get home from Nashville.”
He brightened. “Then, by all means, tell Allie to drop by and see me.”
“So we’re okay to reschedule the gig for after we get back?”
He grinned. “You’re on. We can use the business since the coffee business seems to diminish a little in summertime. Hopefully, it’ll be a celebration night.”
“Or else a consolation concert.”
“If anything big happens, why don’t you guys call me from Nashville? We’ll put something in the paper about it, and that way we’ll get a little free publicity for the Paradiso at the same time.”
“Right on.”
So I called Allie tonight and told her about the job.
“That’d be cool,” she said. “Guess what?”
“Let’s see…” Allie knows I hate this game, but I tried to be a good sport. “Hollywood just called and offered you a movie deal?”
“Yeah, you bet. No, Willy offered to go to Nashville in place o
f Mom.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, first he offered to babysit Davie so Mom could come with me, but she said she couldn’t afford to miss that much work.”
“That was sweet of him.”
“Yeah, he’s so cool.” She lowered her voice. “I think Mom thinks so too.” “Really?”
“Yeah, but don’t breathe a word to anyone—I mean it.”
“Speaking of Willy,” I continued on a new note. “I was wondering if he’d be interested in acting as our manager. I realize he’s got his plumbing business to take care of and everything, but he knows so much about music and he’s been so helpful already. What do you think?”
“I think it makes perfect sense. But we better talk to Laura first.”
“I’ll ask my dad what he thinks too.”
“Is your mom still acting weird about it?”
“Yeah. I don’t get her. She acts almost as if there’s nothing unusual going on in my life. Like deals like this happen to everyone, all the time. I’m so thankful that Dad’s excited.”
“Yeah. He’s cool.”
“Did you tell your dad yet?”
She groaned. “Don’t remind me. What a mistake.”
“What’d he say?”
“Oh yeah, he was excited all right. It’s like I could imagine these dollar signs flashing in his eyes—like he’s thinking, ‘Hey, my little girl’s gonna make me a rich man.’”
“That’s too bad.”
“Yeah, and he was acting like he wants to go to Nashville with me. That was before Willy offered. I still haven’t even told him. The truth is, I don’t want him along. I mean, how do you tell your dad that you don’t want him? And besides, shouldn’t he just know that? It’s not as if he’s done anything to help us out lately. He misses most of his child support checks lately, and Mom’s threatening to take him to court and have them garnish his wages.”
I swallowed. It’s always hard to know how to respond to things about this guy. On one hand, he is Allie’s own flesh and blood. But on the other hand, he’s like the scum of the earth.
She sighed. “I guess I better just tell him about Willy, maybe say it’s because he’s managing us too.”
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