He still tried to convince us now and then, always saying it was never too late. It technically was, however. The other members of the band had been playing together for a very long time, and I just joined a couple of years ago. I was twenty-eight years old, and I felt that I was no longer at the age where I thought dreams were still possible. It was a cynical way of looking at life, but it was how I felt lately.
“Sorry, John. I was thinking about things.” I sighed.
“What about?” John asked curiously. Besides Lily, our keyboard player, and backup vocals, John was the only other person that I had known for years, and he was the glue that kept the band together.
He told jokes often and made everyone laugh, often regaling the crowd with stories of the dates he went on. Often being perfect for the premise of a network television pilot. Situations you did not think would ever happen, always happened to John. If he ever decided to drop his pickiness when it came to women, he would be Mr. Right for someone.
Every three-day weekend, Plus One practiced for any upcoming shows that we had, at John’s father’s studio and the following week we had a performance at the Sutton Hill Country Club again. This time it was for one of their biggest events of the year, their Fourth of July Gala.
We couldn’t practice as often as we wanted due to our careers and some also had families to spend time with. Besides John, I was the only other band member without a significant other or child to raise. I wasn’t sure how long the others would continue being interested in having the band, and as much as I loved performing, it seemed like everyone’s priorities were starting to slowly change.
“Oh, about the upcoming Gala. I must admit, I’m kind of nervous, but I’ll be alright, I always am.” I sighed as I strummed the strings of my black Ibanez acoustic guitar. I was proud of my guitar, Ricky, and I went to the extreme in how I took care of it. I never allowed anyone to play it but I lied to John, I had been thinking about Sam.
Normally I would not be so hung up on a guy that I had just met, but he intrigued me like no one ever had. I wasn’t sure if it was also because of his calm and easy going personality or his raw masculinity that clinched it, but he was drop dead gorgeous. At first, my lust for him was purely physical, but after getting to know him a little, he was becoming more appealing than ever.
Not only was I finally glad that I met someone in the dojo that was at least around my maturity level but someone that did not seem like he had only one thing on his mind. I was a hypocrite. However, that was all I thought about at our practice session two weeks ago. The difference between the men that picked up women in bars and me was that I was looking for something other than a one night stand. Although, Sam would not be bad person to have a one night stand with but I wanted more than that.
“There’s nothing to worry about, it’s just like any other gig we have had,” John chuckled. “But then again, it is one of the town’s biggest events of the year, and we can’t let them down. Otherwise, they may rethink us playing at their future events.”
“Thank you for the vote of confidence,” I said sarcastically.
“Sorry, but it’s true.” John shrugged.
“We are reliable, and the committee has had nothing but a great experience with us. I don’t think failing one gig will harm us, not that we would. You worry too much, John.” I said.
“We haven’t played the Gala before, besides worrying is what I do best.” John laughed.
As John proceeded to continue his extraordinary story about his most recent date, the rest of Plus One arrived, and we practiced well into the evening and came back the rest of the weekend and several weeknights in a row. The Fourth of July Gala seemed to be approaching faster than we expected and we had to be ready.
The Fourth of July Gala was Sutton Hill’s annual Independence Day celebration, and it was attended by all of the active members of the country club, the town’s elite and their families. Anyone who mattered went to the gala – politicians, local celebrities, wealthy retirees and any residents that came from old money. Anybody who was anybody lived in Sutton Hill, and you just didn’t become a part of their society, you were either born or married into it.
Born into Sutton Hill life was as rare as winning the lottery but even worse odds was falling in love with Sutton Hill elite and being lucky enough to live happily ever after with one of them. Sutton Hill residents stuck together, and that included who they socialized with. If you didn’t live there, they usually did not give you the time of day no matter how attractive you were. It was almost as if they were trying to keep their bloodlines controlled, as if they were royalty, except they weren’t.
The night of the celebration, we loaded up our van with guitars, mic sets, amplifiers, drum kit and the rest of the equipment. Before we took off for the half hour drive to the country club’s banquet hall, we made sure our outfits coordinated in the same colors of crème and tan.
When we arrived at the club’s parking lot, it took us a few moments to do some final readiness checks before we went inside to set up. By the time we arrived, the Gala had already begun. Most of the affluent residents were already there, and the wealthiest and most endowed the city had to offer were also some of the richest in the country. Sutton Hill was labeled as one of America’s most expensive cities to live in. They had a lot of influence, so it was imperative that we impress the crowd. It could mean so much more opportunities for use in the future.
The celebration was in full swing, and the lively ecosystem was a sight to be remembered. Waiters and waitresses floating around carrying trays of hors d’oeuvres that couldn’t be pronounced, bottles of champagne and wine and background music with an upbeat tempo echoed throughout the building. The event was followed by the town’s annual fireworks display when the sun set and the stars came out.
If the rumors were true, the country club spent more than one hundred grand on this event alone. Anyone who had attended the event in the past would have not been surprised as the venue always looked beautiful and mesmerizing for its events.
The attendees were mainly networking and chatting away with each other about their investment portfolios, a number of their charitable contributions and their golf handicap numbers. Sometimes they even mentioned where their vacation homes were and what they did in the Hamptons or Martha’s Vineyard. They occasionally listened to the music playing and would dance under the dim lights. Plus One’s only job was to provide the musical entertainment whether or not the attendees heard.
As the afternoon into early evening wore on, the Gala was active, and our band rocked. Lead vocals were the perfect role for me, and although I did not grow up with a natural vocal ability, with years of hard work and practice, I was able to improve and identify the type of music that enhanced the quality of my voice. It also helped my confidence in getting accustomed to being the center of attention and in the limelight.
During my first show with the band, I had a panic attack, and Lily had to be the lead singer that night instead of on keyboard and backup vocals. As time went on, it got easier for me, and I started to have fun doing it. It became therapy for me, and I eventually developed an excitement in performing, and I couldn’t stop thinking about upcoming gigs. The adrenaline I felt while we performed was an addiction that I constantly craved. It was such a rush when I finally realized that I could be great and known for many things.
‘Parents with children,
Husbands with wives.
People who dream,
For the rest of their lives…’
Paradise Lost was a song I personally wrote, and I was glad that the rest of the band was able to identify with the lyrics and incorporated it with our usual set list. I wrote the lyrics during one of the darker moments in my life, and the song had a special meaning to me more than anything else we performed. It reminded me of Sutton Hill, it was a place where I could be free if only I belonged.
After I had hit the last high note of Paradise Lost, I strummed the final chord on my acoustic guitar.
We heard faint clapping throughout the venue that was quickly overtaken by conversations that must have been far more interesting. We decided to take the opportunity to call for a 2nd intermission and announced to the audience, the ones that actually paid attention that we would return after a fifteen-minute break.
I made a beeline for the refreshment table to quench my thirst and alleviate my mild dehydration. I needed to cool down, I was drenched with sweat. I grabbed a bottle of water and chugged it down quickly. After feeling refreshed, I took the opportunity to look at the banquet hall, and background music played while conversation and laughter could be heard throughout the room.
Words like a bear market, portfolio, and hedge fund were constantly echoing and these were terms that I had no familiarity with. A lot of vibrant activity continued to give life to the event, and I relished in the thought about how I loved being a part of something with purpose instead of my usual humdrum life even if it meant I had to watch it from the sidelines. I wished I had a way to be a part of the conversations and excitement but I couldn’t. I didn’t know anything about what they talked about. I wouldn’t fit in their conversations.
It didn’t matter that I worked in business consulting, working with non-profits was an entirely different animal. Besides, I was just one of the administrative support staff, I wasn’t the one consulting companies.
Groups of people were animated in their behavior, and I wondered what else they discussed. Was it about some big merger? I doubted I even knew what a merger was, it was some word that I heard somewhere. I did not know what it was, but I was fascinated by it and wanted to find out. I loved being surrounded by the hustle and bustle of conversation, debates, music and the dancing. I loved it all.
“Tough crowd.” a familiar voice said from behind.
Surprised, I turned around quickly to see the man I recognized all too well standing there with a slight smile. His eyes were the same mesmerizing color of blue I last remembered it to be.
“I, uh yeah. Hi, Sam.” I said. My confidence was instantly replaced with the all too familiar mix of stuttering and flustered behavior. I pushed the runaway strands of hair away from my face. Fixing my hair was an uncontrollable habit I had developed whenever I was uncomfortable or nervous.
“Jamie, right?” Sam asked.
“Yeah, you got it.”
“I like your hat.” Sam smiled and grabbed the brim gently with his fingertips. I loved my brown, wide brim boater hat. It had a white lace band wrapped around it, and it made me feel stylish and sexy whenever I wore it.
“Thank you, it’s my favorite,” I said taking it off self-consciously and fiddled with the brim before putting it back on.
So, is there more to your name Jamie or do you go by one name like a lot of the other celebrities.”
“I’m far from being a celebrity but its Winters, Jamie Winters.” I laughed and awkwardly held out my hand to shake his. I instantly regretted doing so.
“Mine’s Ellis. Sam Ellis.” He said smiling in return as held out his hand to shake mine. He continued to look directly into my eyes, making me feel all too self-conscious again. I was getting tired of feeling awkward in my own skin. I needed to learn to be able to handle a man’s attention. I never had this much trouble before.
I couldn’t help but notice that Sam was several inches taller in height and he had a natural maleness and athleticism that contrasted his toothy grin. He seemed like the kind of man that was completely unaware of how attractive he was. Sam wore a white button down dress shirt like the one I spilled alcohol on - I winced at the memory. He also wore a black suit and matching dark gray and black striped tie. Entirely different from the outfit he wore at the dojo but made him just as attractive. I believed it definitely was a small world but never imagined I’d run into him here.
Maybe it was the law of attraction where the power of positive thinking can lead to happiness, wealth or health. If you were lucky enough, all three happened to you.
“It’s very nice to meet you again.”
“Nice to meet you, as well.” Sam smiled.
“I guess it’s a small world, huh?”
“Definitely is. I came over to tell you that you guys were great. I see that you’re a woman of many talents. Is there anything you can’t do?” Sam teased.
“Play the violin?” I suggested.
“Ah, you’ve got a weakness after all.”
“Shh, don’t tell anyone.” I teased.
Oh God, was I actually flirting with him? Was he flirting back? He started it.
“Have you guys performed a long time?” Sam asked.
“Most of them have, but I joined a couple of years ago.”
“I would have never guessed,” Sam said as he glanced around the room. “They definitely went all out with this event, it looks great.”
I looked around the room and smiled to myself. It was exciting, and I had a great time. I wanted more days like this. “I can’t take all of the credit, I had nothing to do with the planning. I’m just the entertainment. We are fortunate to be able to keep playing for the country club especially at today’s event. Everything seems so incredible.”
“Oh, that’s right. You guys are the musicians that the committee keeps referring to. I remember seeing you guys at other events before. No wonder you seemed awfully familiar when I first met you at the training center. I’m really sorry, I didn’t quite catch on quick enough. I’m not really at these events all too often. Just on the rare occasion and enough to keep my membership. Are you a member here too?”
“No, I’m not. Don’t you have to be a resident here to apply for membership?”
“Among other things, I think. I really don’t remember, I’ve had this membership for years. My parents signed all of us up a long time ago. So, if you don’t live in Sutton Hill, where are you from?”
“Oh, I live up in Cottonwood Beach. I’ve lived there for a few years now.”
“Oh, that’s not too far from here at all. How do you like it up there?” Sam asked.
“I love it there, especially because everything I need is always within walking distance. It’s no Sutton Hill, though. I love it here too.”
“Sutton Hill definitely has its unique charm. I’ve lived here most of my life. What do you do in Cottonwood Beach or is it just the band?”
Boy, he was inquisitive, I couldn’t imagine why.
“No, the band is just for fun. I work for a consulting company. We provide advising and remediation services for non-profits. I’m looking to get out of it; I don’t think I can deal with the politics anymore. How about you?” I inquired.
I was curious about what he did for a living as it must have been something over the top if he resided in Sutton Hill.
“I love knowing what’s going in the political arena but if you mean interoffice conflict, then I’m definitely not a fan, but I am the President of Jerry Ellis Enterprises and also the Director of the Jerry Ellis Foundation.”
“Hold it. The Jerry Ellis? As in the legendary Jerry Ellis?”
“Yes, he’s my father.” Sam laughed.
Jerry Ellis was a pioneer in the acoustic movement and was someone I grew up to admire even though he had already passed away before I discovered him. I remembered watching a documentary I recorded on a VHS tape over and over when I was younger about Jerry Ellis and his family. It was a documentary showing his old home movies that showcased Jerry, his wife, and their five kids.
There was one part of the documentary that I watched more often than the rest that struck a chord with me. It was a clip of Jerry singing his classic Marry Me song while his youngest son Samuel played the harmonica alongside him at some studio. I used to watch the documentary regularly until I accidentally left it behind when I packed up for college.
The documentary aired on television in one of those once-in-a-lifetime showings. If you missed it, you never saw it again. There was no way Sam was the same boy in that documentary.
I remembered looking him up once on one
of those random, dull nights several years ago because I wanted to find out what Sam and the rest of the family were up to. It was all old information primarily focused on the work of his father and also his death but nothing really about the rest of the family and what they or Sam looked like now. It was almost as if he disappeared into thin air and there wasn’t a way to get my old VHS tape back, and in the end, after I became occupied with college, I eventually forgot about Jerry Ellis, and my life had moved on.
I think it was Jerry’s death and the story of his life was what inspired my love for music, and I’d like to believe he was responsible for the person I became and the type of man I wanted to settle down with. Jerry was a great man and an even greater family man. He was the kind of father you always wanted to have and the kind of person you wanted to love.
What I loved most about him was how his performances gave life and soul to the lyrics he personally wrote. There was so much depth and forethought in the words he chose, and it wasn’t a wonder why he took so much time in putting out each album. I idolized the way he was able to express himself. It’s primarily the reasons why I love to write, it helps me get out what I can’t seem to communicate verbally.
In the past, whenever I wanted to explain to someone special to me how I felt, I always seemed at a loss for words or said the wrong thing, but with the right lyrics and through music, people always understood what hoped they would feel.
“He’s your father? I can’t believe it, he’s been my idol for as long as I could remember. He’s such a legend!”
“Well, thank you.” Sam chuckled. “Yes, he’s is my father, and I’ve been the head of the Foundation for a long time. I take it you’ve heard of the Foundation as well?”
I knew about the Jerry Ellis Foundation and corporation but not as much as I should have, but ever since I was preoccupied with college, my life was different after that. All I knew about it was that they were formed to keep the history of Jerry Ellis and all he had accomplished alive. He was also a local legend here in Sutton Hill and did a lot of charitable work in the community in his later years.
Break Away Page 17
