“Um, anything I can do for you? You just name it, okay?” he said.
She drew in a sharp breath and replied. “Yes, okay. I am okay. It’s been a rotten day, but, I am doing fine. I have a terrible headache, more than anything.”
“You took something, didn’t you?”
“Yes, but it hasn’t had a chance to kick in yet.”
“Well, here’s what you do. Turn on your best soft music, nice and low. Getcha a cold washrag and put in on your forehead and take a good, long nap. Then when you wake up, eat something and go right back to bed. By tomorrow, you’ll feel on top of the world, I promise.”
She laughed softly at his careful, loving advice. It was so like him to believe what he believed, completely, even if it was a headache remedy.
“I’ll do that, Billy. And I really appreciate your call, okay?”
“Sure thing. Feel better, Sugar. Goodnight.”
She put down the phone, smiling, and followed his instructions to the letter.
• • •
Billy and the band toiled through another week of long days in the studio, improving and polishing the new album. Billy was exhausted with the work, and though he thought about Serena when the music stopped, he didn’t call her again, letting the days roll by.
His feelings were jumbled. He thought she was the finest person in the world, and felt angry with her fiancé. Then his feelings would cool a little when he thought of how quickly she made it clear that there couldn’t be a romantic relationship between them, despite their mutual attraction. But what else could she do? She was in the middle of canceling a marriage and she was smart enough to not get involved with anyone else. He was wrong for wanting her come running to him when she had just broken up with Richard. And, like she implied, maybe they just weren’t suited.
He couldn’t figure out how to benefit her the most — to be a supportive friend, or someone who would respect her privacy and go away. He knew what he wanted. He wanted to be everything good for her — like a brother she could lean on, a father who could tell her to respect herself, a lover who could prove that love doesn’t have to hurt.
Friday afternoon was fun. The guys, worn out from so many hours in the studio, had started horsing around. Everybody was slaphappy. Yancy walked in the studio, and let out a loud whoop.
“Did y’all do a damn fine record, or what?”
“We did a gold — no, platinum — fine record, sir!” Charlie said, with a mock salute.
“Yeah, that may be, Charlie, but you know if they call out the name of that album at the big awards my daughter’s goin’ to go runnin’ up there cause she named the blasted thang!” A round of raucous laughter ensued, and Yancy went over to his brother and held out his hand.
Billy took Yancy’s hand and let him pull him to his feet, saying “What’s up?”
“I need to talk to you for a second.” Yancy said, grinning.
Billy was puzzled, and they stepped out into the hallway. Yancy just stood there, grinning for all he was worth.
“What is your problem, man?” Billy said, laughing. He hadn’t seen his brother act this way since he bought him a motorcycle for a Christmas gift three years ago. His “swallowed a canary” expression was rare.
Yancy folded his arms across his chest, savoring the announcement. “You’ve got a visitor. Just dropped in. Was in the neighborhood.”
“Huh?”
“From At-lan-ta.”
“You’re foolin’ Yancy, and that ain’t funny, now.” A streak of irritation burned through Billy. He was tired, and he didn’t know where Yancy was going with this.
“Billy, chill out, okay?” Yancy’s expression was serious, and he put his hands on his brother’s shoulders. “She’s as confused as you are, so cut her some slack.”
“What?”
“I am tellin’ you that Miss Georgia Peach is here, waiting for you in my office. I am telling you that she isn’t quite sure that she did the right thing by comin’ here, and I am tellin’ you to get yourself straightened out.”
“I can’t believe it! What did she say?”
“She just walked in with my secretary and says, ‘Hi, Yancy’ — No, she called me ‘Mr. Killian.’ Then she said somethin’ about likin’ the studio. And then she was ramblin’, about how she was in Dallas for the weekend, and did Billy happen to be here. And she’s waitin’ on you, right now.”
“I need a drink.”
“Deep breath. Let’s go.”
Billy followed his brother through the hallway, crossed the atrium, smiled at a receptionist as he walked by. A minute later, he was face to face with Serena. Yancy excused himself, a beaming canary, saying he was due at a meeting.
“Billy, I know this is a total surprise. I hope you weren’t busy.” She extended her hand, and he grasped it, shook it, but didn’t let go.
“I can’t believe you’re here. Sit down. Can I get you anything? Is everything all right?”
“Everything’s fine. I just needed to get out of town. I’ve never really fled like that before. It’s very self-indulgent, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. I’ve done it a lot, only we call it touring.”
She laughed at the joke. Then they laughed together again, self-consciously.
He couldn’t think of anything he wanted to say, except to ask her what she really wanted from him. She spoke next; she’d had time to rehearse.
“Things with Richard are all worked out. I mean, we are totally broken up. Everyone knows, and I let my mother cancel everything. It was her that I had to get away from.”
She took a deep breath and paused, but he waited for her to go on. If he wasn’t on the same couch with her, he would’ve felt like a therapist. Yancy’s big executive office was a safe-feeling place to dump things. He’d done it before, himself, sitting opposite his brother.
Serena gazed towards the desk and continued. She was talking to herself as much as she was informing Billy about the last week. “Richard traveled a lot, and wanted to golf when he was home. Most of our time together was with other people, with my parents at the club, or at a party. So, we weren’t a cozy couple to begin with. It was easy to let him go, after what he did. But my mother, she is humiliated.”
“Humiliated?” Billy was lost here. If a woman had screwed around on him, his mother would have felt only compassion for his hurt. He didn’t understand Mrs. Berquist.
“Yes, you know, as though I’ve been stood up at the altar.”
“Oh, I see,” he said, when he didn’t. Billy smiled, embarrassed that he had interrupted.
“Well, she doesn’t say that she blames me, but it feels like she does.”
“What were you supposed to do different?” Billy was lost again.
“I don’t know. Nothing. I mean, she knows it’s not my fault, but Richard isn’t there to be mad at, so she’s taking her frustration out on me. Saying, ‘oh, that caterer had the perfect menu for your special day. It’s all just a shame.’ Or, suggesting that I need counseling. Not Richard, just me.”
Billy shook his head. He hadn’t met Serena’s mother, but he’d seen her type. “She really loves you, and you know that. But she’s actin’ like you ruined her party plans, instead of feelin’ bad that you’ve lost your whole life with the man you was gonna marry.”
“Exactly.”
Billy sighed, and was glad he was following this confusing business.
“Did you leave your little dog at home?”
“Yes, with Mrs. Duchak who lives on the corner. She loves to keep Taffy, and she has a dog just like her. They’re friends.”
Billy smiled. She was so pretty. And she was here, with him, because she didn’t want to be anywhere else. Or, at least, she couldn’t think of anywhere else to go.
“Are you at Turtle Creek?”
“No. I don’t want to go back there. I’ve got my suitcase in that closet over there. I guess your brother’s secretary thought someone would trip over it.”
Billy took a minute to size up the situation. “What would you say to seein’ if my Mama will put you up while you’re here?”
“Oh, that would be sweet, but I don’t want to put her to any trouble.”
“She wouldn’t think a thing of it, but I don’t know if she’s already got plans or company. I can call her and find out, if you are okay with it?”
“If you really don’t think she’ll mind, then please call her.”
Billy smiled at her and then leaned over and kissed her lightly on the lips. Her mouth was soft and willing, and kissing her was as heavenly as he’d imagined it would be. “Mama’s gonna love you as much as I do. I am glad you came. It’s a compliment to me that you’d come here when things are goin’ bad for you, do you know that?”
“I guess on some level I must, because I didn’t have to think twice about coming. I knew it would be okay … if I could just get … here.” He could see that the truth of her own words moved her.
Billy leaned in and kissed her again, slow and tenderly. She put her arms around his neck and held him tightly, drawing strength from him.
The phone on Yancy’s desk rang once for another line, and both of them laughed. Billy got up from the sofa in search of her suitcase, punching his mother’s number on the speed dial of his cell phone as he crossed the room.
“Mama, what are you doin’ this weekend? … Uh-huh … Oh, really? Well, because that nice girl from Atlanta is back in town, and I was wonderin’ if she could stay with you?” Billy turned to smile at Serena, just as Yancy’s secretary came to the door of the office. “Okay. Yeah, we’ll plan on eatin’ with everybody here. What time? Okay. Love you, too.” Billy ended the call and said, “It’s cool. She’s excited.”
He turned to Yancy’s secretary. “Hey, Sandy, how are you hon?”
“Doing great, Billy. I’ve got a call for you on line one. Some fellow from England.”
“England? He probably wants Yancy, but I’ll talk to him for a second. Thank you. Oh, and Sandy, if you don’t have plans tonight, Mama’s cookin’ for everyone, okay?”
“Thanks anyway. Hot date,” Sandy said, fanning herself. She smiled at Serena and turned to go.
“We can eat here with everyone, if that’s cool with you, and then go on to Mama’s house later. Okay? Excuse me a second while I see what this guy wants.”
Billy sat in Yancy’s chair and picked up the line.
“Billy Killian here. Can I help you?”
A measured voice, with an English accent, greeted Billy across the line. “Good evening, well, I suppose it’s still afternoon for you there. I am called Harold Beacon, and I am a solicitor for the Membry family. Does that name mean anything to you?”
“Uh, let me think. Nope, I am sorry, I don’t believe I’ve heard of y’all before. I can’t really think of anybody I know in England, except some musician friends of mine. What’s this about, Mr. Beacon?”
“Mr. Killian, I have some news that you may find rather shocking. I hope you’re at a place where you have some privacy, in case you’ve any questions?”
“Yeah, I can talk. Go ahead.” Billy’s face became serious, and Serena leaned back on the sofa and crossed her arms.
“You see, a number of years ago, you had a short-term relationship with a young lady in London. Her name was Lydia Membry.”
Billy said nothing. He couldn’t recall. There were more than a few girls on every tour.
“Mr. Killian, perhaps it might assist you to know that you were with this young woman the evening you were taken to hospital.”
“Mr. Beacon, do you know if she was really pretty and had dark hair?” Billy replied, a distant memory bubbling under the surface.
“Yes, yes, that’s right. Quite a beauty, in fact.”
“I am sure I remember her, but I never saw, uh, I never saw this girl, Lydia, again after that night. And you’re calling because of her? Is everything okay, I mean, how is she?”
“She’s deceased, Mr. Killian.”
“Oh! Well, um, I am really sorry to hear that Mr. Beacon. I hardly knew her, well, except in the Biblical sense, if you get my meanin’, sir, but I sure feel bad about her passin’ away.” Billy and Serena exchanged looks. Serena looked sympathetic, though she didn’t have a clue who died.
“Actually, that brings me to my next point, Mr. Killian. Miss Membry was a decent sort. As far as anyone knows, she never even had another relationship with a man after you. But she did have a child. Yours. And you’ve just indicated to me that you remember your affair that evening. I should think you would require proof, but of course we can do tests if that seems necessary. I am sure you’re quite surprised, sir, and I am sorry to be speaking to you about such intimate things over the telephone, but you understand the circumstances.”
“Are you sayin’ that I am a daddy?”
Serena’s hands flew to her mouth. She got up and walked towards the window, as though looking out would provide answers.
“Yes, Mr. Killian. That is what I am relating to you. And he wishes to come to you, now that his Mummy is gone.”
“He?”
“Yes, sir. You have a son. His name is Jackson. I am told by his uncle that he was named for someone you admire, though I never knew who that was. I’ve wondered if it wasn’t your American hero, the one on the note, perhaps, Andrew Jackson — ”
“No, Jackson Browne. But you’re sayin’ he wants to come here? Like to visit me or somethin’?”
“Uh-hum. Well, to be more precise, to trial a living situation with you. Of course, we’re moving on the assumption, sir, that you are free from drug use and could act as a responsible parent?”
“Yeah, I guess so. I mean, I want to be. I’m clean. Mr. Beacon, you got me really shaken up here. But, yes, I want him. I am just so shocked, ya know?”
“I understand.”
“Why, he must be goin’ on, what? Five or six years old already?”
“Yes, sir. He’s quite attached to his pony, and we’ve promised that you’ll look into arrangements for having him sent over. You wouldn’t mind to do that, will you?”
“A pony? Oh, okay. Yeah, I’ll try to find a place to put one. I better be findin’ a place to put a kid, too!”
“Very well, then, Mr. Killian. Let’s allow this revelation to sink in a bit over the weekend, shall we? Then we can speak again next week about further arrangements. I can call you at this number on Monday, if you’d like?”
“Yes, sir, that would be great. Thanks, Mr. Beacon. I’ll talk to you next week.”
Billy hung up the phone and looked at Serena. He started laughing, and then stopped. He was a father, and he didn’t know what to do with that.
“I guess I have a son.”
“You’re sure he is yours? Didn’t I hear you say that he is six years old or something, yet you never heard about him?”
“I know he’s mine. I just know it’s true. Maybe she tried to let me know somehow, but, well, if I think about it from her perspective, I didn’t deserve to know. I was half-dead at the time, and not exactly the marryin’ type, back in those days.”
“And he wants to come here? Isn’t there someone else over there? I mean, more family?”
“I don’t know. I don’t care. I am just so, I don’t know what I am.”
“Well! I thought I had a surprise from Richard, but this takes the cake,” Serena cried. “Did you say something about a pony?”
“Yeah. I guess he has one, and wants to bring it with him or something.”
“I see. Do you know his name?”
“No. Oh, you mean the boy?” Billy rubbed his hands across his face. “I am so
rry, I am an idiot right now. His name is Jackson.”
“Jackson. That’s unusual.”
“Not to me. One of my heroes is Jackson Browne, and somehow she knew that. That’s really cool, isn’t it? I mean, it was nice of her to remember that. Or maybe she read it somewhere. I dunno.”
“Jackson what?”
“Huh?”
“Well, I mean is his last name Killian? Does he have a middle name?”
“I don’t know. I am only his father.” Billy laughed a big booming laugh, joy coming from his gut. “You like kids, Serena? You gonna stay around for this?”
“Yes. To both questions.” She came over to him, leaned over him and kissed him. “And, I even like ponies.”
“Oh, good. ’Cause I am gonna need help with that one. I am gonna need help with a lot of things … . ”
“You’ve got it, Billy.”
“Thanks, baby. Is it too soon to tell you that I love you?”
“Not soon enough. I’ve been waiting to hear that ever since I left you last weekend.”
Chapter 14
Serena knew that she had to move fast if she was going to be part of Billy’s life. As much as he needed help as a single father, he could get too preoccupied with that role and forget her. Already he was talking about going to England to pick up his son, and staying for a few days so that they could get used to one another. She was not invited.
They sat on the patio of a nice restaurant, enjoying the falling temperatures as night began to close around them. A waiter walked by their table, pausing to light candles that were staked in the ground. Soft conversation and music drifted on the air, and Billy was still laughing about some joke someone had made about his sins coming back to haunt him.
Serena was getting irritated. The man had a one-track mind, and right now there was no one allowed on that path but he and his kid. He wasn’t thinking at all about how she would fit into this. She was puzzled that such monumental things in one’s life could change so quickly, and already she was ready to get serious with Billy. Perhaps that made her a flake? Or maybe one just needed to grasp happiness when it was offered, instead of waiting for the perfect timing.
Heart to Heart Page 30
