Under the Spotlight

by Angie Stanton

“I guess it wasn’t meant to happen. Twenty-five years is all we got together. One second he seemed fine and the next he was gone.”

  Garrett pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to hold himself together. What did he need to do? He looked around the darkened room as if the solution would reveal itself. “Mom, are you okay? Where are you?”

  “I’m at the hospital, and I guess I’m as well as could be expected. Honestly, I’m probably still in shock.”

  “Is Peter there?”

  “He’s on his way now, so that’s good. But I don’t know how we’ll get ahold of Adam. He’s somewhere on safari. I’m not sure what to do.”

  The sadness in her voice broke his heart. He wished he were there and not a thousand miles away. “I’ll call Wally. He’ll know how to find Adam quickly, and I’ll be on the next flight to Boston.”

  Garrett pictured his kid brother, only seventeen, on his own in a foreign country, and about to get the devastating news that his dad had died.

  “Thank you. I’ll feel better once I have all you boys back home safe with me.”

  “Does Grandma know?”

  “I thought I’d wait until morning and have Uncle Steve go to her house to break the news. The poor woman.”

  His heart broke at the idea of Grandma learning her oldest son had died. “I wish I was there now,” he said.

  “Me too, but you’ll be here soon. Garrett, a woman from the hospital is here. I think there are some papers I need to sign. Call me when you know what flight you’re on.”

  “I will. I love you, Mom.”

  “I love you, too. I’ll talk to you again in a little bit.”

  Garrett hung up the phone, dropped it on the bed, and stared at the walls.

  His dad, gone. It couldn’t be possible. He’d never see him or talk to him again. And they had so much left to do together.

  He dropped his head into his hands and wracking sobs overcame him.

  51

  Garrett took a hired car service from the Boston airport. The only person from the Jamieson management team who lived in Boston now that the band had broken up was Wally, their manager for the past four years. Wally was at his parents’ condo with Peter and their mom.

  When Peter opened the door, the pain in his eyes matched Garrett’s. It seemed that only a few months ago it was Peter rushing home after their father’s first heart attack. Garrett had never forgiven Peter for not being there when it happened. Peter had been off visiting his girlfriend, Libby, in Wisconsin. But Peter possessed a kind soul and hugged Garrett, their embrace thick with grief.

  “How’s Mom?” Garrett asked.

  “She’s hanging in there. Wally located Adam’s team in Tanzania, and Mom was able to talk to him. He’s on his way home, but he has a four-hour ride to the nearest airport and twenty-two hours of flights before he gets here. I don’t think Mom will take a real breath until he’s home.”

  Garrett patted Peter’s shoulder. “I get that.”

  He left his hastily packed bag in the entryway and entered the condo his parents had bought a year ago when they relocated the band to Boston.

  His mom spoke quietly on the phone, but as soon as she saw him, she handed the phone to Wally and rushed to Garrett. Her eyes were red and she seemed to have aged years overnight.

  She hugged him fiercely. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  “There’s nowhere else I’d be,” he choked out, his throat tight with emotion.

  The day passed with many phone calls to family and close friends. Wally put out a statement to the media, asking for respect for their privacy during this difficult time. Garrett prayed the request worked, because he and his family didn’t need to be bothered at a time like this.

  They all moved in a fog, struggling to grasp that his dad had died. He and Peter accompanied their mother and helped pick out a casket. His father’s body would be flown back to their hometown of San Antonio for the funeral and burial. Even though the Jamiesons had all made Boston their new headquarters, his parents had still kept the family home.

  Adam’s plane arrived late the next night due to bad weather and rerouted flights. Wally offered to pick Adam up, but Garrett insisted he’d meet him. His brother had spent the past thirty-six hours crossing the globe, surrounded by strangers. The first face he saw would be family.

  Peter joined Garrett at the Logan International terminal, right outside of customs. Few people milled about at the late hour. Garrett spotted him first.

  Adam walked toward them, taller than Garrett remembered, his clothes and boots still dusty. His loose curls that all the girls loved were longer, and his weary face was deeply tanned.

  He reached them and dropped his duffle bag to the floor. Garrett grabbed his kid brother and hugged him. Adam held tight.

  “Good to see your ugly mug.” Adam spoke softly and with sadness in his voice. No words could express their true feelings.

  Adam hugged Peter next.

  “You bring half the Serengeti back with you?” Peter asked, trying to lighten the moment as he surveyed Adam’s clothes.

  “Sorry about that. They don’t have closed vehicles with air-conditioning in the village. Most of my clothes look far worse than this. I was going to buy something when I changed planes in Frankfurt, but the connection was tight. I wish I had a chance to clean up before seeing Mom.”

  Garrett picked up Adam’s bag. “She’d never forgive us if you were one minute later than necessary.”

  The three walked side by side to the exit. None of them spoke, but Garrett knew they were all sensing the deep void. Never again would they walk with their father.

  They were on their own.

  52

  Riley couldn’t get Garrett off her mind. Every second she wondered how he must be feeling with his dad gone. Her dad had never played a strong role in her life, and she hadn’t seen him in years. But Garrett had been close to his father, even going as far as referring to him as his best friend. He must be devastated.

  “Hey Riley,” Logan said, entering the live room.

  “Hi, Logan.” She was setting up equipment for a group of string instruments. Work seemed so one-dimensional now that she didn’t have to juggle rehearsals and recording with Garrett. Her life was quiet.

  “Are you going to have enough space in here with those Christmas trees?” He referred to the half-dozen decorated trees occupying the room.

  She laughed. “I think so. If I have to move a couple out, Jamie will be crushed. She takes her Christmas theme seriously.”

  “Listen, I wasn’t sure if you’d heard, but the funeral for Garrett’s dad is in San Antonio the day after tomorrow.”

  “No, I hadn’t.” And she hadn’t heard a word from Garrett, either. She’d called him as soon as she learned the news, but had to leave a message. Every time her phone rang, she hoped it was him, but it never was.

  She’d quit on him that night. He probably hated her. Oh, what was she thinking? The poor guy just lost his dad. Riley was probably the last person on his mind.

  “Barry is going to the funeral. He worked with Jamieson on their last two albums. I guess he knew Garrett’s dad pretty well.”

  She attached a cord to a mic and slipped it into its stand. “Garrett will be glad that he’s there.”

  “What about you? Are you going?”

  “No. I only met his dad that one day, and I don’t think he approved of me.”

  “Funerals aren’t for the person who died, they’re for the people still living,” he said.

  “I’m sure Garrett has a lot more important people in his world than me,” she said, connecting the cord to the wall.

  “I don’t know. You two looked pretty cozy the last few days.”

  Riley looked at Logan and then away.

  “Don’t believe everything you see. A couple of weak moments don’t make something real. Garrett isn’t interested in me. He only cared about the album.”

  “You have to go,” Erika insisted a few hours later. She follo
wed Riley into the kitchen.

  “Why? It would be weird,” Riley said.

  “No, it would be a grand gesture letting him know you care.”

  “But I don’t.”

  “You are such a liar.” Erika cocked her head and gave her an all-knowing stare.

  Riley ignored her and opened the fridge, but nothing inside looked good. “You know all the crap Garrett pulled on me. I don’t need any more of that in my life. I already have my mom.” And yet she couldn’t get Garrett out of her mind.

  “He’s nothing like your mom.”

  “No? Then why can’t he ever be honest with me and open up?” She shoved the door closed.

  “Have you asked him?”

  “Mostly I yell at him when that stuff comes up. None of it matters anymore anyway because I quit, and now he’s in San Antonio to bury his dad and might never come back.”

  “Have you talked to him since then? A lot was happening that day. You were sick, your mom showed up, and it was your first performance in years.”

  “No. I called and left him a message, but he didn’t return my call.” She went to her bedroom. Erika stayed on her tail.

  “You were so into him. It’s been years since you liked a guy this much. I’m not gonna let you walk away from possible true love without a good knock-down, drag-out fight.”

  Riley dropped onto her bed and lay on her back. “I’m tired of fighting.”

  “It’s a figure of speech, I don’t expect you to actually fight; then again, making up can be pretty hot.”

  “But I told him to take the recordings and do whatever he wants with them, that I’m out of it.”

  Erika crawled on her stomach next to Riley. “Is that what you really want?”

  “Yes,” she said, but inside, her resolve faltered.

  “I don’t care what you say, you need to go to San Antonio.”

  “Even if I was willing to, I don’t know where it is, or how I’d get there.”

  Erika popped up. “No problem. I can handle that. I’ll call my aunt. She’s a travel agent.”

  “But I don’t have anything to wear to a funeral,” Riley groaned, not sure this was a good idea.

  “I bet I do. Any other arguments?”

  “Only that I have no idea what I’d say to him.”

  “Trust me. Words won’t be necessary.”

  53

  The next morning, Riley sat in a simple pew in the crowded San Fernando Cathedral. The Jamiesons did nothing small. The historic church was from centuries gone by and like nothing she’d ever seen before, with marble carvings, stained-glass windows, and an ancient stone floor.

  A mahogany casket, covered with a spray of lilies, commanded the front of the church. Hard to believe that only a few days before, the man had been alive and well, and visiting Garrett in Chicago.

  As the service began, Garrett and his family entered. He walked to the front pew with his mother and sat beside her. He looked sharp in a charcoal-colored suit and tie, but the brief glimpse Riley caught of him revealed a subdued Garrett facing probably the most difficult day of his life.

  After the priest said a few words and read a scripture, a heavyset man gave a eulogy, describing Jett Jamieson as a devoted father, husband, and savvy businessman. Then the priest said that Jett’s sons wanted to sing one of their father’s favorite songs, “Teach Your Children Well.”

  She craned her neck to catch a glimpse as the three famous brothers rose from the front pew and stepped onto the dais, leaving their mother sitting alone. Riley recognized the youngest brother, Adam, from his dark head of curls. Peter stood a slight bit taller, his hair a dusty blond. He wore a somber expression.

  When Garrett turned to face the attendees, Riley’s breath caught. The fiery challenge in his eyes that she’d grown so accustomed to had been replaced by pain. Her heart ached at the sight of his grief-filled eyes.

  The brothers gathered around a single microphone. Adam held a guitar. Their father’s casket lay before them.

  Riley had seen videos of Jamieson in concert, always so strong and powerful; the brothers owned the stage with spotlights and pyrotechnics. But today was in stark contrast. No band backed them up. No fans screamed their names. The silence of the crowded church echoed as if they sat in a hollow cave.

  The three shared a mournful look as Adam began to play. A rich tone filled the church. The glorious sound echoed off the high ceiling as they sang the heartfelt tune. They sang of the love of a parent for his children and that the past is only a good-bye. Their voices rang out strong and pure as everyone in the church paid witness to the sons’ tribute to their father.

  Riley recognized the low timbre of Garrett’s voice, setting him apart from his brothers. How could he sing this soulful song at his own father’s funeral? She wiped at her eyes with a tissue.

  Their father would have been proud as the brothers’ voices blended in perfect harmony, the sound reverberating off the stained-glass windows. Their performance was a beautiful farewell to the man who raised them.

  The song ended and one by one, the brothers took their seats. As Garrett passed his father’s casket, he paused for a moment, and with his head bowed, laid his hand on it. When he turned to take his seat, Riley noticed the strain etched on his handsome face and wished she could reach out to him, to apologize for making things so difficult, and to take back all the cruel things she’d said.

  The ceremony concluded with the sprinkling of holy water, and a hymn. Pallbearers stepped forward and carried the casket down the long aisle. Garrett escorted his mother behind. He glanced Riley’s way for a brief moment, as if he knew all along that she’d been there, but then he looked away and passed. Peter and Adam walked on either side of an elderly woman, most likely their grandmother, the shuffle of her feet on the stone floor sounding with the weight of her grief. Slowly the pews emptied.

  Outside in the bright summer heat, a gleaming black hearse was parked in the open plaza in front of the church. Fountains danced in the background as if unaware of the sadness of the day.

  The crowd began to disperse, some talking amongst themselves, others waiting to speak to the family. Riley saw her boss talking to a man she didn’t recognize. She stood off to the side. She’d come all this way, and the only people here she actually knew were Garrett and Barry.

  Eventually Barry, wearing a sharp suit, such a contrast from the relaxed dress at work, moved on through the crowd and spoke to Garrett, his brothers and mother, hugging each one. After walking away, Barry noticed Riley.

  “Hi, I didn’t realize you would be here.”

  “It was last minute.”

  “I’m sure Garrett will appreciate seeing you.”

  She hoped so. “There are so many people.”

  “Yes, things like this do bring old friends out of the woodwork. His father was a good man. Those boys are in for a tough adjustment. I feel for them, losing their dad so young. Well, I’ve got a return flight to Chicago to catch. Do you need a ride to the airport?”

  “Not until tomorrow morning. It was the best I could do last minute.” It saved her three hundred dollars on her airfare. She’d already spent more money on this last- second trip than anything in her life.

  “Well then, be sure to take some time to check out the River Walk. It’s only a couple blocks from here.”

  “Thanks. See you tomorrow,” she said.

  After Barry left, she mustered up the courage to join the line of people waiting to offer their condolences. She’d never done this before and wasn’t sure what to say, but suddenly she stood before Peter Jamieson. His famous face was so familiar to her, yet he was someone so far out of her league.

  Nervously she introduced herself. “Hi, I’m so sorry about your dad.”

  “Thank you,” he said, politely shaking her hand.

  Did he think she was a fan who snuck past security? “I’m Riley Parks. I know your brother, Garrett, from Sound Sync.”

  “No kidding?” His smile changed from poli
te distance to openly friendly. “Nice to meet you. Garrett’s told me a lot about you.”

  “Thank you for writing such amazing songs. I really love them.” She didn’t have the heart to mention that she never planned to sing them again.

  “It’s nice to know someone is getting use of my music. This is my brother, Adam.”

  Adam finished greeting the person in front of her and turned in her direction.

  “Adam, this is Riley Parks, the girl Garrett signed to record.”

  It didn’t feel right talking about business when it was their father’s funeral, but maybe talking about something else helped.

  “Hi, thanks for coming. We really appreciate it,” Adam said.

  “I’m sorry about your dad.”

  “Thanks,” he said, and then the person in front of her moved on and Garrett spotted her.

  He looked tired, but smiled. “Riley, I didn’t expect to see you.”

  “Me neither. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision.”

  “Thanks. I got your phone message. Sorry I didn’t call you back.”

  “It’s fine. I didn’t expect you to.”

  An awkwardness stood between them. Should she hug him? She stood far enough away that it didn’t seem natural.

  “Are you going back to Chicago with Barry?”

  “No, I’m here until early tomorrow morning.”

  “You should come by the house later. We’re having people over for a late lunch after the burial.”

  She sensed eyes on her, and saw Peter and Adam watching her interaction with Garrett.

  “It’ll be casual. I’ll text you the address. It’s not far,” he said.

  “I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

  “You wouldn’t be. It’s just family, neighbors, friends. Adam and Peter’s girlfriends will be there, too. They’re nice. You’d like them.”

  “Thanks.” She appreciated the invite but would have to think about it.

  Garrett turned to his mother.

  “Mom, this is Riley, the girl I’ve been working with. Dad met her when he was in Chicago.”

  A middle-aged woman wearing a simple black dress and heels, with kindness in her eyes, smiled. “Yes, Jett told me how talented you are.”