An Autumn to Remember: A Novel (Elmtown Series Book 1)

by Galloway, Joy

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “I know. Me too.”

  “Are you guys close? I mean you and your sister.”

  “Yes, love her to death. She lives quietly in Colorado with her husband. She hasn't been to this house since we lost Dad and her Mom.”

  Then he told Jamie about the two record labels that had been left for them by their father. He didn't run it directly because he didn't like that life. It reminded him too much of his father. He continued to use his mother’s last name and lived a private life as a University Professor of Music.

  “How did you pull it off? I mean, nobody knew who you were at MVU?”

  “No,” he answered shaking his head. “And none of the staff of the Universities where I have worked seem to know anything either. I don’t take full time jobs anymore. Since no one knows who Tim Tesla is, it’s easy to come in as a visiting professor and just leave without anyone having a clue. I stay away completely from the media as well. On Wikipedia, my name is written as Tim Benson but no pictures. A few people know about me in the industry but trust me it’s possible to stay away from the public eye if you want to.”

  “Amazing.”

  “You’re not going to be able to do this though.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You can’t be a successful recording artist by living under the radar. You have to be known for your music to be known.”

  Jamie still looked confused as to what JazzyTee was driving at.

  “From the moment you walked into my class, I knew I would be interested in helping you. Then when I saw you perform at the nightclub, I made a decision we were going to sign you up after you graduated. But I didn't want to throw it into your lap so easily. I wanted you to go through life and learn hard lessons. Sometimes it ruins people when things happen too easily or too early,” he paused and saw the stunned look on Jamie’s face. “You’ll be meeting with some people next week and if you like the offer, you’ll be our next jazz musician. I must warn you though, I think the direction they’ll go with you will be like what that Canadian guy is doing.”

  “Michael Buble?” Jamie said smiling hard and running his hand through his hair.

  “Yup.”

  “You are thinking about signing me up?” Jamie said, checking to make sure he understood what was happening.

  “No, I've already thought about it. The ball is now in your court. Actually, the day you told me you were moving to Allen City, we drew the draft contract. I think they wanna start you off with a four month tour around the East Coast. You’ll be opening shows for one of our main artists. You’ll make up to fifty thousand for the tour alone. I know it’s not big money yet but it’s a very fair start I believe.”

  You have no idea how big that is to me. Jamie thought. Fifty thousand in three months? He didn’t know how to accept this sudden change. This was his dream being fulfilled right before his very eyes and even though it felt like he was in a dream, it was real. “But how did they just accept your recommendation without first seeing me perform or sing?”

  “Who said they haven’t seen you perform?” JazzyTee said, enjoying the pleasure of having the power to change someone’s life. He grinned sheepishly then said “They've been to Elmtown to watch you perform at least six times.”

  Jamie began to laugh hysterically as though someone had just shared a joke. Nothing else was appropriate to express the bubbly feeling he felt inside. Only a loud, thunderous, heart-felt, throaty laugh that was free of embarrassment could come close to representing his feelings in that moment. It was like a relief of a thousand years. Like ocean waves wildly tossing. Like opening a can of soda after a vigorous shake. He wanted to burst with happiness.

  The last time he had been nearly as happy was the first day he and Chelsea kissed. He thought about her and wished she were there to share this moment with him.

  30

  Everything Dr. Tesla promised went through smoothly without any of those last-minute disappointments Jamie had become accustomed to. Signing his contract without hesitation felt like signing into a different phase of life. He had three days before the start of rehearsals, the actual tour beginning in New York City in a month, so he quickly bought a bus ticket to Elmtown. He wanted to see the joy on his mother’s face, merely hearing her on the phone wasn't enough. Deep inside he knew he was also going because he wanted to see Chelsea. He had to know if there was going to be a slight chance of them getting back together.

  Before he went to bed on Friday night, he checked his email again and to his surprise and delight, he found a message from Ji-Min. She was now living in New York and had only lied about going back to South Korea because she didn't want him to find them. She again reminded him of how hurt she was. However having given it much thought and discussed with her husband at length, she decided to let Jamie be a part of their lives because whether she liked it or not, Jamie was their father. He wondered what husband it was and guessed she had probably remarried.

  She didn't yet know how things were going to work out but left a number where he could reach her to discuss how they would share time with the boys. He felt a heightened sense of joy. All this time he thought they were far away in Asia when they were just a few hours away from him. All things were coming together and although he was so grateful and happy, he still felt an emptiness. A void that only Chelsea could fill.

  “When will you be back?” Jerome asked as he watched Jamie sliding the iron over a sweater early in the morning. Not only was he happy for Jamie but he had the utmost respect for him. Jamie had stood his ground and was reaping the rewards of his resilience.

  “In three days. Rehearsals start in four days but I need to see my mom.” and try to get Chelsea back.

  The bus arrived in Elmtown at noon on Saturday. He walked from the station to the nearest bus stop and boarded a bus straight to his mother’s new apartment. He spent an hour with her discussing all the wonderful things they would be able to do, now that he would be getting a sizable income. He also told her about Ji-Min’s email. He had long desired to see this joy on Helen's face and it felt so good to see her happy.

  At 2pm he sent a text to Chelsea:

  -Can we talk? I’ll be at the Elm Waterfront Bar between 5 and 7 p.m. Let me know if you can make it.

  At 3:45 pm he checked his phone and there was still no reply. He sent another text message:

  -I guess that’s No. I’ll still be there between 5 & 7. I’ll understand if you don’t come and won’t bother you anymore.

  Jamie took a bus downtown and walked down to the waterfront. It was freezing cold with little flakes of snow settling on the ground. The currents gently splashed against the base of the dock. Usually boats would be lined up to pick people-mostly tourists-for rides but all waterfront activities had stopped in November.

  Jamie remembered how he used to go to the waterfront years ago in the summer, not for the boat rides like everyone else but just to watch the water. As he walked towards the Waterfront Bar and Grill where he and Chelsea had been on a date before, his nostrils were attacked by the aroma of grilled steak that still permeated around the area but fizzled into thin air as it traveled towards the berth surrendering to the movements of the cold wind.

  He walked into the bar and sat on a stool in front of the bartender.

  “Iced Raspberry With A Kiss, please,” he said to the Bartender who immediately grabbed his drink mixer, a container of frozen raspberries and a bottle of rum.

  “You are here alone? Where is your girlfriend?” the bartender said in his melodious Mexican accent as he poured rum over the crushed frozen raspberries. “This drink is for lovers only.”

  “Oh, I didn't know that,” Jamie said.

  “I’m just playing with you amigo.”

  Jamie’s mouth moistened as he watched the bartender's gymnastics, the smell of the mixture reminding him of how Chelsea's lips had tasted that night they were kissing in a corner at the bar after a few drinks. He touched the drink with the tip of his ton
gue, inhaling the aroma, her face vivid in his mind.

  Everything reminded him of Chelsea and how much he was missing her. He knew he could never love anyone as much as he loved her.

  At 7 p.m., he saw a teenage couple in the distance laughing and holding each other’s hands. He envied the boy who looked like the happiest person on earth as he held his pretty girlfriend. I hope you never do anything stupid to lose her. Don't be like me. Jamie thought. He knew If only he had been honest with the girl he loved, he wouldn't have been here at her favorite bar, having her favorite drink by himself. She’d be here with him laughing like that teenage girl with curly brown hair, they would have be talking about when she'd come visit him at Allen City or possibly even discussing whether she could find a job there after graduate school so they could spend every day with each other.

  Through the window he saw a boat that reminded him of when he was around 16 when he would envision himself like an 18th century explorer who wanted to sail away to a different land in search of fortune. He would look far into the distance and drown in a sea of imagination. He would imagine going on a voyage with Chelsea by his side. His life now truly resembled an adventure, the things he imagined coming to pass in a way except that Chelsea wasn't with him.

  He grabbed his glass, took a sip, and looked into it wondering what exactly was inside apart from the crushed fruit and sugar. As he turned to pay the bartender he heard someone say “Iced Raspberry With A Kiss."

  For the first time since he arrived at the bar he heard a distinct sound. A voice known to him. It was like hearing ones name being called in a noisy crowd, the ears selectively picking out that one distinct sound from the background noise.

  Chelsea.

  “I thought you weren't coming.”

  “Why would you think that?” Chelsea asked taking a seat next to him.

  Jamie shrugged. “Because I crossed the red line,”

  “You did but the red line does not exist anymore,” Chelsea said smiling at him.

  “So I guess we can be friends again?” He stretched out his hand for a handshake.

  “Friends? It depends.” she said taking his hand.

  “On what.” he said.

  “If as your friend, I’ll be allowed to do this,” she said then leaned into him and brushed her lips against his. He smiled looking deep into her eyes then they both surrendered to a lip lock that felt like an eternity of bliss.

  Message From The Author

  Dear Reader,

  Thanks for reading An Autumn To Remember, the first book in my Elmtown Series. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have enjoyed writing it. If you would like to be notified about the release date of my next novel A Winter To Remember. Please join my mailing list by clicking here.

  Also, if you are able to leave comments on Amazon or Goodreads about why you enjoyed reading this book, that would be so kind and fantastic.

  Again thank you for purchasing my novel.

  Regards from Buffalo, New York.

  Love,

  Joy

  An Autumn To Remember

  Copyright © December 2014 Joy Galloway

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.