by Rikki Dyson
Stacey really didn’t want to do that. Shania’s part was one of the best impersonations. Stacey decided she would worry about that later, right now she had an appointment with a technical group to discuss using cameras and a big screen for the people in the far back to see on stage better. The university had connections and it was amazing how many people wanted to assist in anyway they could.
The night of the concert, Shane arrived home around six o’clock. The flat was empty. He showered and changed into jeans and his leather jacket. The auditorium was much more crowded than he’d expected. He had to park two blocks away. His pass was waiting at the ticket booth. Stacey had jokingly told him, “When you’re married to the director of this little shindig, you don’t have to stand in queue.”
While Shane was trying to maneuver his way to his seat, he realized the auditorium was packed to capacity. Even standing room was filled. As Shane sat down, Hugh said, “I was beginning to wonder if you were going to make it.”
Just then the lights dimmed, the band struck a cord, the curtains went up, and the spotlight encompassed the stage as a tall man dressed in black stepped to the microphone and said, “Hello, my name is Johnny Cash.”
The place went wild with whistling and applause. Shane could not have told you that the first two songs were, ‘I walk the line, and Folsom prison blues.’ He had his eyes on Stacey. She was dressed in black and lavender colored western boots, a scarf hemmed lavender skirt with black flowers that glittered with rhinestones and a black glitter shirt with turned up collar and silver loop earrings. She had on a headset microphone and was playing her red and white guitar. The Johnny Cash character introduced her as Luther.
Shane leaned toward Hugh and asked, “Why is he calling Stacey, Luther?”
Hugh asked Annie, then told Shane, “That was the name of his lead guitar player.”
After Johnny sang another song, he said, “I’m gonna need Luther to help me out on this one. Ain’t she the prettiest Luther you’ve ever seen? Would you believe she’s a lactating mother of twins?”
Stacey frowned, then took her guitar like a rifle and picked a ping, ping, ping, Johnny grabbed his chest and said, “Oops, guess I wasn’t supposed to tell that. Sorry Luther. She might kill me, if I wasn’t already dead.”
The auditorium roared with laughter and applause. Stacey was laughing too. “Are you still gonna sing, ‘Jackson,’ with me?” Johnny asked.
Stacey smiled and nodded her head, ‘Yes,’ and said, “We did rehearse that part.”
Johnny chortled and said, “Well come on Luther and be my June Carter.”
Together they sang, ‘Jackson,’ then, ‘If I were a carpenter.’ After the applause died down, Johnny sang his final song, ‘A boy named Sue,’ and brought the house down. As Johnny left the stage, the announcer introduced a slender man in a blue western suit and a white cowboy hat as Hank Williams Sr. The auditorium went wild. Hank sang two songs. ‘Love sick blues’ and ‘Cold, cold heart.’ About the same time, Shane asked Hugh, “Does Stacey sing with him also?”
A man seated in front of Shane turned in his seat and said, “Listen mate, you gotta program, why don’t you try reading it.”
“Sorry mate, but I don’t have a program,” Shane replied.
Four people sitting near handed him theirs. Hank finished up with, ‘I’m so lonesome I could cry,’ and ‘I saw the light.’
Next on stage was Elvis Presley singing, ‘Jail house rock,’ ‘Heart break hotel,’ and ‘In the ghetto.’ Next, Patsy Cline sang, ‘Crazy,’ ‘Walking after midnight,’ and ‘Sweet dreams’. Next, Waylon Jennings sang, ‘Good hearted woman,’ ‘Amanda,’ ‘Don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys,’ and ‘The only daddy that ever walked the line.’ The next entertainer was a tall slender blonde beauty, introduced as Tammy Wynette. There was much whistling and applauding. She sang, ‘Your good girl’s gonna go bad,’ ‘Apartment Number #9,’ Some guy from the audience hollered out “I’ll meet you there sweetheart.” Tammy waved. The last song was a favorite and received a standing ovation ‘Till I can make it on my own.’
Shane was enthralled. He looked at the program. It had Jodi Burns as Tammy Wynette. He remembered Jodi was incapacitated, however, wasn’t aware that Stacey was to replace her. Although, he had to admit she did a spectacular job. Shane’s mind was on his wife and not on the next singers Conway Twitty sang, ‘Between her blue eyes and Jeans,’ I’d love to lay you down,’ ‘Don’t call him a cowboy,’ Marty Robbins was last with, ‘El Paso,’ ‘Running Gun,.’ Now this one is special for you gentlemen in the audience, ‘Cowboy in a continental suit.’
The disguises and costumes were so well done that the same person impersonated both Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings. The same person was Elvis, Marty and Conway. A comedian kept the audience entertained while the second half of the concert was getting prepared.
Hank Williams Jr. was first out with his raw, rollicking, party music. ’Wiskey bent and Hell bound,’ All my rowdy friends,’ after two songs he asked the audience, “Are you ready to party?” The audience was roaring and ready. With no introduction necessary, the band started playing Gretchen Wilson’s, ‘I’m here for the party.’ The audience was screaming and applauding. Stacey, dressed in jeans with glitter down the side, silver-strapped high heels, and a black leather jacket, which she shed on her entrance, under it she wore a black bustier. Shane was mesmerized. He had never seen her wear anything like that, neither had he seen Gretchen’s video. The song and the way Stacey delivered it was pure earthy sensuality. When the song was finished, Shane was on his feet applauding like everyone else. As Stacey strapped her guitar on she saw Ian and Rachael with their nine-year-old daughter Madison. Stacey waved at her as the crowd settled down. When Stacey started singing, ‘Redneck woman,’ the young women in the audience sang along with her. You could tell Stacey loved it. She was in her element. Her last song was, ‘When I think about cheating.’ The audience was quiet and listened to the words of the song. When Stacey finished, she got a standing ovation. Before Stacey left the stage the said, “We have a lot of folks to sing for ya’ll tonight, so I hope you’ll give’em all a big welcome.”
The living legends sang two or three songs each, Leann Rimes, sang three songs, ’Blue, Hanging on and How do I live. Tim McGraw sang two songs,’ Real good man and Living Proof.’ Faith Hill sang two, ‘Cry, and Breath’. Brooks and Dun sang three songs ‘My Maria,’ ‘Boot scouting boogie.’ and ‘Red Dirt Road.’ George Strait, sang three ‘All my X’s live in Texas,’ Amarillo by morning, My baby has gotten good at goodbye,’ Tonya Tucker, sang, three ’Delta Dawn,’ and Strong enough to bend.’ and ‘Some kind of trouble.’ Big and Rich, sang ‘Holy Water’ and ‘Save a horse ride a cowboy.’ When the announcer said Shania Twain, Shane looked at his program. He knew the young woman was in hospital. He looked up when the music and applause started. There was a line of dancers dancing across the stage, then from the middle stepped a vision in red. She was dressed in red leather with two rows of fringe on the bottom of her short skirt and around the top of her red leather spike heeled boots. She had on a red western hat that she peeped out from under the brim and said, “Let’s go girls.” Stacey sang and danced to, ‘I feel like a woman.’ Shane sat there and watched Stacey deliver the sexiest song and poses he had ever seen. He was amazed when he saw how comfortable and in control she was on stage with all these people in the audience. She had a way of making each person think she was singing just for them.
When the number was finished the audience was on their feet applauding and asking for more. Stacey stood there and waved to them with a smile of satisfaction. For her second song, Stacey took her guitar and sang, ‘Whose bed are your boots under?’ As she walked back and forth on stage, she pulled the audience right along with her. Next, she sang, ‘Any man of mine.’ Shane would swear she was looking right at him. When Stacey finished the song, she tossed her red hat to Madison. Shania received a standing ovation. Shane stood up applauding like everyone else,
and said for all around him to hear, “That’s my wife.”
Still to entertain was Max Sloan, who impersonated both Alan Jackson and Toby Keith, with bulk’ Toby sang three songs, ’Who’s you daddy,’ I want’ a talk about me,’ How ya like me now?’ The finale artist was Alan Jackson sang, ‘Pop a Top,’ and Remember When.’ After his two songs, he invited Jimmy Buffet on stage to join in and sing, ‘Its five o’clock somewhere.’ The audience came to their feet when they recognized the very proper, university Chancellor as Jimmy Buffet dressed in island shorts and shirt. The entire cast joined them to sing, ‘Its five o’clock somewhere.’ Many bows were taken before the curtain finally closed.
Chapter-53
The aftermath
After the show, Shane told Annie, “I’ll go back and help Stacey with the lasses.”
“She’s not there, Shane. She left with Mr. Chen before the last number.”
Shane had been wondering why he couldn’t see Stacey among the cast members. Everyone was talking about the concert and how much they had enjoyed it and especially Stacey’s parts. As soon as Shane could get away, he headed for home. He had just turned off the motorway when he had a puncture. He got out and looked at it, but he had no tools, so he called for road assistance. He tried to call Stacey, but there was no answer. He called the flat, however, no answer there either, so he left a message. The road service arrived and the punctured tire was removed and the spare put on in no time. When Shane parked in the garage, he was relieved to see Stacey’s H-3 was there. Shane greeted Mr. Chen on his way upstairs. Stacey was in the nursery letting Jessie nurse. Stacey had on a robe and a wet towel around her hair.
“Sorry I’m late, but I had a puncture on the way home.”
Shane reached over and let Jessie take his finger in her tiny hand. Jessie let the nipple go and smiled at her daddy. Shane kissed her little fingers and asked, “Is Jessie okay?”
“Yes, I believe so,” Stacey said. “I think she just feels a little neglected by her mommy. She has been such a good little angel letting other people feed her.”
“I know how she feels,” Shane said.
Stacey put the palm of her hand on the side of Shane’s face and asked, “Do you feel neglected too?”
“Just a wee bit lass, however, it’ll be good to have you back home.”
After Jessie went to sleep, Stacey put her in bed and checked on Jackie, then went to their bedroom. She removed the towel from her head and ran her fingers through her hair. She knew Shane was waiting for her, so she dropped her robe on the floor. Shane was watching her. He knew she was tired, but the dark side of him didn’t care. He wanted her to feel guilty.
Stacey made love to her husband as if she was fresh as a daisy. Afterwards Shane said, “You were marvelous tonight. I wanted to jump on stage and shout to the world, this woman is mine.”
When Stacey didn’t respond, Shane turned the light on to look at her. To his surprise, she was sound asleep. Now the tables were turned and he was the one who felt guilty.
The next morning when Shane woke, Stacey’s side of the bed was empty. He looked in the nursery, but it was empty too. He went downstairs where Stacey was having coffee. The girls were in the playpen sound asleep.
Stacey stood up, kissed him and said, “Good morning, do you want a cup of coffee?”
“How long have you been up?” Shane asked.
“Just a couple of hours,” Stacey said. “I brought the girls down here to feed and bathe them. I didn’t wanna disturb you.”
Shane looked around and asked, “Where’s Mr. Chen?”
“He’s gone to do a little last minute shopping. He’ll be leaving tomorrow.”
The phone rang and Stacey went to answer it. Shane looked at his tiny daughters sound asleep in the playpen. He took a good look at his actions for the past few weeks. He couldn’t explain why he resented Stacey’s involvement with the concert. He was damn proud of her last night watching the crowd’s reaction to her. Is it because I don’t share that part of her life? Shane knew he should talk to someone, but he didn’t want too. He would come to grips himself with this irrational baggage he was carrying around. He had asked himself many times, why did he fear that someday Stacey would leave him? He’d had other women in his life. He had never cared if they stayed or went. Of course, he wasn’t in love with them.
Stacey came back into the kitchen to make breakfast. She asked, “What’s the matter Shane, you seem preoccupied?”
Shane smiled at her and said, “You fell asleep on me last night before I could tell you how proud I am of you and how much I enjoyed your performances. When did you purchase that black top and that sexy red costume? You were a knock out.”
Stacey laughed and said, “The black corset is called a bustier. It came from Victoria’s secret. The red leather outfit is not mine. Jodi had it ready before her operation. Mrs. McGraw helped to make it fit me. As you may have noticed it was a bit short on me, so we added a row of fringe.”
“Oh, yes, I noticed. I thought it looked spectacular on you.”
On Monday morning, Stacey had just finished feeding the girls when Mrs. Wyatt came upstairs to tell her there was a Mr. Bradshaw downstairs. He says he’s from one of the periodicals.
Annoyed over his intrusion, Stacey sat Jessie in her crib and said, “I’ll be right back will you keep an eye on the girls, please?” Jessie started crying as soon as she was put in the crib. Stacey picked her up again and put her on her hip and said, “Mrs. Wyatt, please watch Jackie. I’ll be right back.”
When Stacey came downstairs, she was in jeans and barefooted. Mr. Bradshaw stood up and introduced himself. Stacey said, “I know who you are Mr. Bradshaw. I told you on Saturday when you called, I wasn’t interested.”
“Mrs. McLeod, I don’t think you understand what I’m offering you. May I call you Stacey?” Mr. Bradshaw asked.
“No, you may not, and yes I do understand, but evidently you don’t understand the meaning of, ‘No, I’m not interested.’ Don’t you see I’m busy with this one on my hip? Well upstairs, I have another one just like her. So, if you’ll be so kind as to say goodbye.”
As he was leaving, Stacey said, “Mr. Bradshaw, there were a lot of talented young people in that show Friday night, why don’t you talk to them? As a matter of fact the young woman that I stood in for, is in the Charring Cross hospital. Her name is Jodi Burns. Why don’t you go visit her I think you might be interested in her and her talent.”
Monday afternoon, Mr. Bradshaw walked into Doctor McLeod’s office. He introduced himself and told Shane what he wanted right up front. Shane’s first instinct was to throw him out, however, that wasn’t his style therefore he listened to the man. When Mr. Bradshaw finished, Shane asked, “What did my wife say when you broached her on the subject?”
“Quite honestly, she said, she wasn’t interested,” Mr. Bradshaw said, “However, I thought perhaps if you encouraged her.”
Shane laughed at him and said, “You’re barking up the wrong tree. What kind of fool do you think I am? I would be the last person to encourage my wife to take our daughters, leave our home and go on the road eight to ten months out of the year. My work is here and what about our marriage? You are a lunatic sir, and this conversation is over. I have patients waiting, good day.”
Shane walked out and left him standing. Shane made it home early and brought a bouquet of roses for his wife. “What’s the occasion?” Stacey asked.
“Does there have to be one for me to say, I love you?” Shane asked. Neither of them ever spoke of Mr. Bradshaw.
Chapter-54
Visitors
The last week in November, Stacey’s Aunt Tracy, Uncle Alan, Rebecca and Robby came to visit and see the twins. Alan had made reservations at a resort in Austria for a weekend of skiing. Hugh, Annie and little Matthew were invited too. Stacey and Annie spent most of their time at the hotel. Stacey finally talked Annie into skiing while she watched the three little ones. Stacey didn’t mind, as she wasn’t much
of a skier anyway. She was more into snowboarding. Along with Eric, Tony, Rich and some of her cousins, they would go to New Mexico for a week in January. Stacey always had a good time, but she liked summer and water skiing better. She did let Shane watch the girls for and hour or so while, she snowboarded with Robby and Rebecca.
Aunt Lora and Richard flew to Texas to spend Thanksgiving with her brothers and their families. Lora knew she and Richard would be needed at home for Christmas as her brother, Bradley, his wife Jackie, as well as Stacey’s parents would be coming to England for Christmas. Stacey’s grandparents would be staying with her and Richard.
Lora and Richard returned from Texas two days before Tracy and family left London. Aunt Lora invited everyone over for dinner. Stacey was upstairs nursing the babies when Rebecca came up to join her. She said, “Boy, Aunt Lora sure hit the jackpot when she married Richard. Did she know he was rich?”
“No, I don’t think she did. She knew he wasn’t poor, but this came as quite a surprise, along with Wilkes and Mavis.”
Rebecca laughed and said, “They’re sure a snooty pair. You would think this place belonged to them.”
“I know they seem that way, but they both are devoted to Aunt Lora after what happened last Christmas.”
Stacey and Shane’s company had been gone about two weeks when the incident happened. Stacey went to check on the babies, they were in the playpen in the living room. Stacey saw Jackie was asleep and Jessie was drinking juice from her bottle. Stacey turned to go back to the kitchen when something stopped her. She looked at the babies again, then tiptoed to Shane’s study where he was answering e-mails. Stacey crooked her index finger for him to come look. He did, but he didn’t see what Stacey saw. Stacey pushed Jackie’s hair back a little so Shane could see the tiny rosebud birthmark. Jessie was asleep and Jackie had seized her bottle. Stacey and Shane looked at each other and started laughing, wondering how long their little minx had been drinking from a bottle on the sly.
Chapter-55
Christmas
