One Hit Wonder

by Denyse Cohen

  “There has been an accident,” John had told Kevin’s father.

  After what Audrey assumed was Kevin’s father asking if his son was okay, John said “He has passed … I’m so sorry.” John cupped his mouth and held the tears as he explained to Mr. Everhart what the police had told them earlier. “We found him in his bedroom, he wasn’t breathing. The police found lots of prescription medicine in his room. They think he accidentally overdosed.” He was crying when he continued telling Mr. Everhart that no one in the band suspected he was taking any medicine or even had seen him going to a doctor. He’d told him Kevin drank, but he didn’t say anything about his cocaine use or the incident in Ryan Correll’s house.

  No matter what John said, the truth was that he felt responsible for Kevin’s death, the same way he felt responsible for everyone’s well-being. The nights before Audrey and John flew to the funeral in Illinois, she’d found him on the backyard’s bench smoking in the dark. She didn’t know how to comfort him, because she also felt as if she’d failed Kevin. So, they sat on the dark, close but not quite touching.

  Bill and Jennifer released statements on the behalf of the band and Atlantis, respectively. Once again, gossip magazines and paparazzi had taken interest, and they wrote wildly about Kevin’s short Hollywood life. The models he dated, the parties he attended, even mentioned a falling-out with his famous friend Ryan Correll because of a mystery girl. The press alluded to suicide and drug abuse. Not long before Kevin’s death, two actors, a man and a woman about the same age as Kevin, had also died suddenly due to their exploitations with prescribed medication and, allegedly, illicit drugs. A national morning show brought in a psychiatrist to talk about the wave of young celebrities who perish under the pressures of their famous lives.

  After the funeral, the family gathered in Kevin’s parents’ house. Audrey sat on the stairwell to the second floor, playing Uno with some of the children. She looked over the living room and John, Tyler and Matt were talking with Kevin’s father. Mrs. Everhart had gone upstairs to lay down, ushered by her daughters. John hung his head low, hands on the pockets of his suit pants. Mr. Everhart lifted his hand and placed on John’s shoulders, then embraced him.

  The scene was like a movie, the prodigal son had returned home. Except John was repentant, but not his son. Mr. Everhart’s boy would never come back. Audrey’s eyes welled up, and the two little girls of distinct blond curls that were strangely familiar to her stared and waited for her to place a card on the pile. A wild card.

  Chapter 28

  When the airplane touched the tarmac at LAX, Audrey let out a long breath. Nauseated and hot, she squeezed her thighs with her sweaty hands and prayed to heavens reaching the terminal wouldn’t take long. From the next seat, John reached for her hand and tightly braided his fingers on hers. They looked at each other, and he managed to give her a faint smile that brought solace with it. He looked vulnerable, his sunken eyes stunned by the rupture created by Kevin’s death. For her, that simple touch was a sign of a coma patient regaining consciousness.

  They drove home in silence, Matt and Tyler followed in their car. Since the accident they hadn’t returned to their apartment. Jennifer had hired movers to take their stuff to the bungalow. Luckily, Matt and Tyler had rented their furniture, so the bungalow’s spare bedroom and garage had more than enough space for their personal belongings. Kevin’s clothes were donated to charity and everything else was sent to his parents. For once, Audrey felt thankful for Atlantis — and Jennifer — for taking care of all of it.

  Bill had flown into town the same day to hold meetings with Atlantis’s executives about the band’s future. For the past months, they had been promoting their first album and performing. Unsure of their profitability, Atlantis hadn’t renewed their contract yet. John had told Audrey he hoped Atlantis would agree on renewing their contract with Kevin as their lead singer, since he hadn’t caused any more trouble. The concerts in London, which were supposed to determine their fate, had been canceled.

  At home, Audrey sipped tea and the boys drank coffee. She still felt queasy from the trip and coffee was more than what her stomach could handle at that moment. A few hours later, Megan arrived, tender and respectfully quiet. Matt and Megan held each other for long minutes, and they looked sweet together. Underneath the foul mouth and the apparent detachment, Megan was a romantic who was swept away by Matt’s chivalry and kindness.

  “May I come in?” Megan gently knocked on the door of Audrey’s bedroom.

  “Of course. I’m only unpacking.”

  “How are you?”

  “I’m okay, I guess. It’s weird being back without Kevin.”

  “I can imagine.”

  “Where’s Matt?”

  “He went for cigarettes with John and Tyler.”

  “Um.” Audrey nodded absently while folding one of John’s T-shirts.

  “So, what’s going to happen next?” Megan sat on the bed.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Do you think they’ll go on?”

  “Atlantis demanded to have Kevin off the band for the second album.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. I assume at one point they must have — at least — considered the possibility.”

  “Matt won’t say it, but I feel he’ll do whatever John decides.”

  “I have no idea what John will do. Music is his life, but he is shaken.”

  The doorbell rang.

  “John must’ve forgotten his key.” Audrey threw a pair of jeans on the bed and went to open the door.

  “Oh, Bill,” Audrey said with a miffed air and walked to the kitchen where Megan was getting a bottle of water from the fridge.

  “Hello Audrey.” Bill stepped in. “Are the boys home?”

  “No.”

  “Where are they?”

  “Not sure.” She said without looking at him.

  “Okay, I’ll wait.” Bill opened a button of his suit and plopped himself on the couch.

  “Who is he?” Megan mouthed to Audrey when she walked into the kitchen.

  Audrey whispered, “their manager.” Filling the coffee pot with water, she asked Megan, “Do you want some coffee?”

  “I’d love some, thanks.” Bill hollered from his seat.

  “I wasn’t talking to you,” Audrey said.

  Only then, Bill seemed to realize someone else was there. He turned his neck and saw Megan leaning against the counter while Audrey gathered the ingredients.

  “Oh, hi there,” he said.

  “Hi.” Megan waved faintly.

  “I’m Bill … but I’m sure Audrey must have told you all about me.”

  “Don’t flatter yourself,” Audrey said.

  “I want you to know I’ve never had anything against you — personally.” He got up and stopped on the threshold between living room and kitchen.

  “Oh, how kind.” Against her facial muscles, Audrey curled up the corner of her lips.

  “It’s not good business to split your energy between starting a new relationship and a new career.” He spoke matter-of-factly.

  “And what makes you the expert — your stellar career or your sterling marriage?” Audrey regarded Bill with profound disdain. He closed his eyes and massaged the bridge of his nose.

  Turning from the coffee maker to face him, she said, “You were just terrified to lose your control over John to me, but what you didn’t understand was that no one controls him. You’d know it if your head wasn’t stuck so far up your ass.” She slammed the coffee cups on the counter. Megan, looking like she was enjoying the show, sat at the table.

  “I guess this isn’t a good time to make amends.” Bill wound his way back to the living room. As he slouched into the futon, the door opened and John, Matt, and Tyler walked in.

  “Hey, guys.” Bill got to his feet.

  “Hi, Bill,” Matt said. John and Tyler nodded.

  “We need to talk.” Bill clasped his hands together.

  John and Matt emptied gro
cery bags on the kitchen counter. Tyler had sat on the chair across from Bill and jammed his hands in his armpits.

  “Is that fresh coffee?” Matt rubbed Megan’s shoulder.

  “Yes, sir.” Audrey propped her elbows at the table and clasped her mug with her hands. John leaned over and kissed her, his lips lingering over hers for a long moment.

  “I’d love some,” Bill said tentatively from the living room.

  Audrey and Megan exchanged glances.

  “I’ll fix you a cup,” Matt volunteered.

  “Is everything okay?” John asked Audrey, still leaning over her.

  “Splendid.”

  Audrey turned to Megan. “Do you want to go for a walk?”

  “Please don’t leave,” John said.

  Audrey got up and took her cup to the sink. “I don’t think it’s our place — ”

  “It’s fine. This won’t take long.” He gave her hand a light squeeze and walked to the living room.

  “What’s up, Bill?” John said.

  Matt handed Bill a cup of coffee.

  “We’ve been through a terrible tragedy.” Bill glanced around the room. “Kevin will be deeply missed, but I’m sure he’d like us to continue — ”

  “We’re done, Bill,” John said.

  “What?” Bill’s eyes widened.

  “That’s it. No more band.” Tyler spoke without lifting his gaze.

  Bill turned to Matt who nodded in agreement.

  “This is ridiculous. I just had news from Atlantis, you don’t need Kevin … I mean, John can sing.” He placed his mug on the coffee table and wiped his forehead with his hand. “It will be poetic.”

  John shook his head. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “What the hell.” Bill paced in front of the couch. “Matt, Tyler what are you going to do? Are you going to let him destroy your careers?”

  “Hey, we only play the instruments. A lot of people can do that,” Matt said.

  “John, I know you’re upset right now, but this is a mistake.” Bill’s voice was pleading. “You’re engaged. How are you going to support your family?”

  “I don’t believe that’s any of your concern.”

  “What’s going on here? Are you going solo? That’s it, isn’t it?” Bill turned around and rubbed his chin. “I’m sorry pal, but you can’t do that. You have a contract.”

  “We’re aware of our contract, Bill. I suspect Atlantis won’t go through the trouble of finding a lead singer for a band that has only a few months left.”

  “I see.”

  “There’s one more thing.” John took a step closer to Bill. “Your services are no longer needed.”

  Audrey’s mouth fell open, and so did Bill’s.

  “You’re fired,” John said.

  “Huh?” Bill snorted. “You can’t fire me.”

  “I just did.”

  Audrey covered her mouth, struggling to not burst out laughing. Megan squeezed her hand and shushed her. Bill looked at Matt and Tyler who stared back at him silently.

  “After all we’ve been through?”

  “After all we’ve been through?” John intoned. “Tell me Bill, what is it you’ve done that accomplished any of this?”

  “I arranged the tour.”

  “Merely half of it. The other gigs John booked himself,” Tyler said.

  “You’ve met her because of the tour.” Bill waved his hand toward the kitchen.

  John chuckled and looked at Audrey, then turned back to Bill. “Oh, yeah. Sorry, I forgot you were responsible for fate.”

  • • •

  Later that night, the house was quiet. After Bill stormed out swearing it wasn’t the last time they would hear from him, Matt and Megan went to the movies and Tyler left to meet some of the people he befriended at Atlantis. Audrey walked in the bedroom and found John sitting on the bed, stroking softly his acoustic guitar.

  “Are you okay?” She asked, sitting across from him at the edge of the bed.

  “I’m fine.” He gave her a thin smile.

  “John.” She sighed and said, “Are you sure this is what you want? You’ve worked so hard — ”

  “I’m sure.”

  “It just seemed so sudden.”

  “It isn’t, really. It’s, uh, cumulative.” He propped his guitar against the night stand. “I was young and all I’ve wanted was to play. After my mother died, it was all I had. I got older and I still just wanted to play; but then, everything got complicated, you have to make a living, and there’s all this expectation.”

  “Climbing on the bandwagon,” she said, half to herself.

  She knew exactly what he meant, she’d felt carried by the current of living as a responsible adult before: setting goals, making money, having a career which were all great if she’d known what she wanted to do with her life all along. Her art history degree had only set her on the right trail.

  “This life is not what I wanted, you know?”

  “Of course. I just don’t want you to have any regrets.”

  “I won’t.” He extended his hand to her, then pulled her close. “I have you.”

  She sat sideways between his legs and rested her head on his chest, and said, “What will you do?”

  “I’ll do whatever as long as we’re together.”

  “How about music?”

  “I’m not going to stop making music, but I refuse to sell out so Atlantis can make more profit.” He tightened his arms around her. “I’ve been thinking of what you’ve said. About school?”

  Sometime after Audrey discovered she wanted to pursue art as a career, she started to think she finally might go back to school to get a MFA.

  “And?”

  “I think I’d also like to give graduate school a try, uh…” His voice dropped to a murmur. “Back in Illinois.”

  Audrey stared deeply into his amber eyes, and said, “Sounds perfect.”

  Epilogue

  Pumpkin spice scent filled Audrey’s parents’ house on the day of her wedding. Due to Isabel’s insistence, Audrey agreed to have an intimate ceremony at her parents’ house. It was only appropriate, it hadn’t been two months since Kevin’s death. Audrey suggested they waited a bit longer, but John wanted to get married as soon as possible.

  “Did I knock you up? What’s the hurry?” Audrey had asked him one night when, while spooning in bed, he suggested eloping to Las Vegas.

  “I want to start new, with you as my wife.”

  She’d melt every time he said “my wife,” but she never cared for the fluffy-white-gown and bridesmaids-by-the-dozen shenanigans. City Hall would have been fine, but her mother insisted on doing something — anything. She agreed, as long as her parents promised to respect her guest list and the ceremony could be performed by a non-denominational minister.

  The party planning company her parents hired attached poles to the ground, then loosely draped pearlescent gossamer panels around, creating a sheer tent. Its back wall was a fall-inspired wedding arch, with sunflowers, seeded eucalyptus, curly willow, and large burgundy roses.

  Before leaving L.A., Megan had helped her pick out the dress, an ivory empire waist strapless with a thin taupe ribbon.

  “But it’s a bridesmaid’s dress.” Marjorie, the wedding-gown specialist at the store, had protested when Audrey pulled the dress from a 50 percent discount rack.

  Megan giggled and sipped the complimentary champagne Marjorie had served them after Audrey told her she was looking for a wedding gown. Audrey handed Marjorie the bridesmaid dress to place in the fitting room. Marjorie gave Megan an insufferable look as if that dress didn’t even pay for the champagne she wasted on them.

  “This will do.” Audrey twirled in front of the mirror checking her reflection with the same enthusiasm of someone trying on scrubs.

  “Oh, you’re such a romantic. It touches me,” Megan said.

  “You know I would wear jeans and boots if I could. I’m doing this for my mom.” Audrey pulled the already hal
f-open zipper down.

  “You should be doing this for your daughter.” Megan had tilted her glass up, sucking the last drop of champagne, for Marjorie was unlikely to relinquish any more.

  “What?” Audrey turned to Megan.

  “Imagine you’ll have a daughter someday and she’ll want to see her mommy’s wedding pictures. You’ll be happy you didn’t wear jeans and boots,” she sighed, “or a tankini.”

  “Ha. Was that what your mother wore?”

  Nodding sheepishly, Megan said, “She got married in Key West.”

  “Aw, that is romantic.”

  Megan had come to Illinois to spend Thanksgiving with Matt. They had been dating exclusively and seemed to be walking steadily toward living together. Matt and Tyler had decided to remain in L.A. and take over the bungalow. Tyler was hired as an in-house musician at Atlantis, a position Audrey didn’t know existed. Matt did the same, substituting for other musicians as needed, but on a freelance basis because of his new job as a software developer at Apple.

  Audrey and John were renting a house in Illinois, which made Isabel very happy. L.A. would still be a part of their life, since Glenn was interested in several of John’s songs which John had decided he didn’t want to record for himself. Glenn insisted John would come to L.A. when necessary to produce the songs with him. Audrey would accompany him whenever she needed to see Ben, who had booked her a solo show in the Spring.

  Isabel steamed the dress while Audrey watched the tent being set up from her window. John had taken his suit and toiletry bag to the spare bedroom to get ready. He’d been a little embarrassed when Isabel had shown them to Audrey’s room the night before.

  “Are we in the same room?” He’d muttered when Isabel left.

  “Does it offend your maidenhood?”

  “Your parents are right down the hall.”

  “We were in the same room at your dad’s.”

  “It’s just … I don’t know.”

  “Don’t worry, Dad knows you’re marrying me tomorrow.”

  At night, Audrey had tickled him under the covers while he shushed her nervously and pleaded for silence.