Rock and Roll Never Forgets (The Rock and Roll Trilogy) (20 page)

She crawled back under the covers. An hour later she got up. She was doing exactly what he said she was. She dialed the number and Roddy answered.

“
It
’
s me.”

“I knew it would be,” he said, and she heard the smile in his voice. “Are you done?”

“
Done?” She asked, “Done what?”

“
Being mad at me?”

“I don’
t know about
that
. I
am
done moping and feeling sorry for myself. Can you get me to Eleuthera? Tonight? Get me to the cottage without Andy knowing I
’
m coming. I don
’
t want him to have time to prepare for this. I want it unexpected,” she asked.

“
That
’
s my girl,” he chuckled. “I can.”

“
Then do,” she replied and went to pack.

The flight was longer than usual, or maybe it just seemed so because of her emotions. Roddy arranged for Wilford Minors to pick her up. He had been Andy’s friend on the island for many years. When he pulled up in front of the cottage it was dark. The only light came from the kitchen. She asked him to wait, opened the door and went in.

“
You here?” she called out. She didn’t see him, but the doors to the patio were open
. A
cool breeze was blowing and the only sound was the ocean.

“
Who
’
s there?”

“
It
’
s me.”

He came in the doors, looking tired.
“
This is a nice surprise.” A smile tickled the corners of his mouth, but it was pensive. “Bethy, come here.” He held his arms open, but she didn’t budge, she wasn
’
t ready for that.

“
No,” she said. “Wilford is waiting, I need to get my bags,” and turned toward the door.

“
I
’
ll do it,” he said and walked past her and out the door. He spoke a minute with Wilford, thanked him, went back in and set them down.
“
I
’
ll move to the small room,” he said.

“
Why don’t we sit down,” she suggested.
“
I think we need to talk.”

“
Want a drink? Rum and juice or wine,” he asked as he headed for the kitchen.

“
Wine, thanks.” She sat on the sofa, and waited. He got her a glass and returned to sit in the chair
.

“Whewww,” he said. “
I messed up, hunh?”

“
Only if you plan on it happening again. Roddy and I talked about this…” She hesitated because this part was very hard for her.
“I guess I’
m partly to blame.” That was a big, nasty chunk to swallow and it hurt going down.

“
What do you mean?”

“
Oh, Andy, I
’
m so insecure.” She sat the wine down and rose to pace; “I never quite settle
d
into this relationship completely because I worry about this exact situation all the time.”

“
You don
’
t have to,” he said.

“Well, you certainly didn’
t give me any reason to think differently this weekend,” she replied sarcastically and plopped back down on the sofa.

“
Bethy,” he said and dragged a tired hand through his hair.
“
I
’
m tired.”

“
Too tired to fix this?”

He thought a minute, and then rose from his seat. He went to her pulled her to her feet, wrapped his arms around her, and held her close. He said nothing, and finally, he stepped back and looked at her.

“I’
m sorry,” he said once again.
“
I can
’
t say it enough, or diff
erently, or mean it any more, I’
m just sorr
y. I’m not gonna beg. It wouldn’
t have gone any further. You just have to know that. I love you, Bethy.”

She began to cry.
“
I do know, Andy.”

He led her to the bedroom, and they fell into bed, wrapped in each other’s arms.

When she awoke it was early. Andy was deep in sleep. It was cool and breezy. She dressed in sweat pants and slipped her sneakers on. She
quietly went out the door
for a fast-paced walk on the beach. It was a purging. The sun was not quite up yet. She walked and walked. She loved the quiet and solitude. She was alone in her thoughts and prayers, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of her surroundings.

She
’d
walked about half an hour when she heard the sound of heavy footsteps, a runner coming up behind her. She turned and saw Andy approaching. As he made his way closer, the sight of him struck her, and she knew at that moment that with him is where she was meant to be, wanted to be, needed to be. She knew that she would forgive him again, and again, and again. He had her heart.

139

Rock and Roll Never Forgets

Chapter Eighteen

A
new decade began and with it came new, exciting changes. In February 1990, Nathan’s show,
Life Out There,
opened on Broadway and Beth and Andy were there for Opening Night. It was an exciting time.

Beth loved New York City. She loved the pace of it. She loved it because it was so hectic that people didn’t seem to pay attention to those around them. And she loved that they were able to get out and about, lost in a sea of people. They stayed in a suite at the
Plaza
.
They’d been there before but it was always for a show so there was no time for sightseeing. This time was different. They were able to enjoy the city as tourists. It was brisk and bright and she loved it all.

After the show they had a late dinner with Nathan, Dina, Megan, and Susan Marshall, Nathan’s partner in this new venture. They went to
Forlini
’
s Italian,
a New York City legend described as
‘
a slice of old New York.’ They had Andy’s favorite Marsala and after
the meal
shared Beth’s favorite dessert, Tiramisu.

The next day the three girls snuck off for some girl time and retail therapy. Andy went to the theatre with Nathan. Nathan and his family had settled into the New York lifestyle, and loved the city life. Megan had just turned eighteen.

February 21, 1990 ~
Where on earth did all those years go?
Megan is a beautiful young woman with her sights set on being an actress, working with her dad as a stagehand to get some experience. Nathan was so proud telling us about working with her. He has no plans for a life on the road again anytime soon.

Nathan missed a lot of Megan growing up because of the travel. Now he wants to watch her career take off… Broadway, not Hollywood for her. She sings and dances, and is auditioning for several parts in off-Broadway productions. She got the best of both parents; Dina
’
s looks, Nathan
’
s musical ability, and a personality all her own.

Seeing Megan, and thinking of Drew and Andy makes me wonder what our children would be like…

~ ~ ~

Everyone was busy with their own projects, but each was getting in the mood, compiling stuff for the reunion album that they had agreed on. Mark and Anna’s little one, Amber was born in April and they were happy learning to be a family. Nigel and Christy’s ‘Little Mark’ just started day-school. The guys learned from Nathan that family was important, kids and home were not something to miss out on.

Scott Force, and Dane Allen, two of the original members of
Traveler
, got together with the band. They gathered to talk about a reunion album. The current line-up was doing well, but there were fans who always asked about Scott and Dane, so an idea evolved. Their previous troubles in the group no longer existed, so it was time to move on.

They shared plans and ideas, and things were falling into place for them to start recording. Nathan planned to come to Corpus Christi when they were ready, but all agreed, no touring.

March 29, 1990 ~
I was more than relieved for them not to tour. Andy and I have finally settled into our life together and it
’
s good. Being on the road is the least appealing thing I can imagine.

~ ~ ~

In May 1990, after Tom and Needa
’
s son Drew graduated from
h
igh
s
chool, he joined the Army.
With
Tom’s family living
with them in Corpus Christi
, Drew and Andy had become great buddies. Andy tried hard to get him to come to work with him but he wasn't interested, “Yet…” he said many times. He wanted to use the military to get an education in electronics. He told Andy when he completed his time, and school was complete, he’d be back and be his sound engineer. Electronics were his passion.

~ ~ ~

In the fall, after basic training was complete
,
Drew shipped off to Kuwait in part of the U.S. Gulf War involvement. This was a very hard time for everyone. His letters to Tom and Needa were upbeat, telling them he was fine. But he would write to Andy about being homesick for his family and his girlfriend, Sara.

After
reading one of his
letters
,
Andy had an idea that he was very excited about. He dug through the archives and found an old
Jimmy Webb
song that
Glen Campbell
recorded in the late ‘60s. All the guys, former band members included, gathered together to have a listen to his version of “
Galveston”
and decided to record it as a single. This was their reunion debut and it got everyone very excited. That excitement, and emotions with the war running high, the song went immediately to number two on
Billboard
where it stayed for many weeks.

Galveston, oh Galveston, I am so afraid of dying

Before I dry the tears I
’
m crying

Before I watch your sea birds flying in the sun

At Galveston…

~ ~ ~

The guys were ready, set to go into the studio. But it seemed, the closer it came to actually doing it, the more reluctant they became. They had the material and seemed excited, yet there was this looming doom, like all of a sudden they dreaded the whole idea. They just kept finding reasons to delay. Beth suspected they were all holding back because they knew it would mean hitting the road at some point.

Finally, they got together, the ‘old’ and the ‘new’
Traveler
. Everyone was in
Corpus Christi, ready to get busy. But in April 1991, the bottom dropped out.

April 23, 1991~
These are bad times. Word came that Drew had been killed in helicopter training maneuvers in Kuwait. Tom and Needa
’
s only child was gone. We were all devastated, but Andy took the news very hard. He and Drew were buddies.

After the funeral
,
Andy became very reclusive, brooding and miserable. He sank so fast, none of us saw it coming. He didn
’
t sleep, didn
’
t eat, and he neglected everything and everyone, including himself. Nathan went back to New York until Andy got it back together. The guys all agreed they would get together after they got past this awful thing. The loss of Drew affected
everyone
.

I decided to go to Florida for a few days. Kimmy was due to have a baby any day and I thought maybe the downtime would do Andy some good. Maybe he
’
d dig out of his funk. I
couldn
’
t have been more wrong…

Jenna Beth Parker joined the world the Friday Beth arrived in Florida. She got there just in time. Beth watched Kimmy with Jenna, and knew she would be a wonderful mommy and she could tell Lane would spoil them both rotten.

She’d been in Florida about a week and called Andy every night. His mood was still sour, and seemed to get worse. Conversation
hardly
took place. She kept thinking, ‘one more day’ and he’d be better, but that didn’t seem the case. Everyone was getting worried so Beth returned to Corpus Christi.

Roddy met her at the airport. She could tell something wasn’t right. He hugged her and put her bags in the car, but he was very quiet.

“
It’s not good, Beth,” he said, finally, when
they were in the car. “He hasn’
t shaved since you left. He
’s lost some weight and he’
s pretty miserable.”

They arrived at the house and when Beth opened the door there were boxes and suitcases in the foyer.

“I’
m home, you going somewhere?” she yelled out as she looked around.

Andy came around the corner. She had never seen him so unkempt. He was a total, disheveled mess. His clothes looked like he
’
d been wearing them since she left. He wouldn
’
t look at her, hands deep in his pockets. She knew that was a bad sign.

“
No Beth,” he focused on a streak in the marble on the floor. Not ‘Bethy’ and not even one-step toward her to welcome her home.

Roddy stepped in and Andy looked up. His eyes were black, lack of rest showed in them. Still not looking at Beth, he looked at Roddy.
“
Take her home, please.”

“
What?” Beth asked calmly.
“
I am home. This is my home.”

“
No, I don
’
t want you here.”

She asked, “What do you mean?”

“I mean I don’t want you here. I don’t want anyone here. You don’t belong here,” he paused, “not for this…” He still wouldn’t look at her. “Please, just go back to Florida.” He walked away, back into the piano room. She followed him with Roddy right behind her
.

She walked toward him. He stood silent, stiff
.

She was in shock.
“Oh, and it’
s you who makes the decisions in my life?” She tried to remain calm, but she was breaking inside. She took a step closer. “Talk to me Andy,” she whispered.

“I can’t. I don’t want to. I just want you to leave, both of you.” He took a seat on the piano bench, he looked so sad
.

Beth continued to walk toward him; “Tell me sweetheart, what is going on.”

“I just want all of you to go away.” He looked up with pleading eyes
.
“Please… just go.”

She turned and looked to Roddy. He left the room. She sat beside Andy, her arm around him pulling him close, her hand lightly caressing as she whispered to him; “It’ll be OK.”

“No, it’ll never be OK again…  Never.”

Roddy returned. “Phyllis is on her way. I have a car picking her up.”

“I don’t want her here. I don’t want you here,” he repeated looking at Beth. “I don’t want any of you here.” He was getting agitated.

“We aren’t leaving,” Roddy said, and Andy broke. He started to sob.

Again Beth looked to Roddy, still holding Andy as close as he would allow.

Roddy made several calls and as Phyllis arrived so did Andy’s personal physician, Dr. David Roth
.

They left Andy with Dr. Roth and waited anxiously outside the room
.

“He’s exhausted, dehydrated, weak… I am going to admit him,” he told them. “But not to a hospital. Roddy, I need you to help make some arrangements.”

~ ~ ~

The next morning he checked into Glory Ranch, a private secluded, health facility in the Ozarks. They admitted him as Steven Andrews, to help his stay remain as private as possible. Beth, Roddy and Phyllis were here with him. Dr. Roth made the trip as well. After conferring with staff he took the two women and Roddy aside.

“We’ve confirmed what I suspected, what I think we all already knew,” he told them. “Andy is suffering from depression. I want to keep him here for a while, not a day or two,” he said, “a while.”

Phyllis stood quietly listening. Beth’s mind was racing, full of questions she wanted to ask but wasn’t sure where to start. It was as if Dr. Roth could read her mind.

“It’s a medical condition, Beth. Everything’s been building up. Think about it. He’s been going ninety to nothing for years. Even the last bit when he was ‘relaxing’ his mind was still going. Drew’s death just brought it to a head. Everything culminated into this thing that was just more than he could handle,” he explained.

“It’s common, especially with this lifestyle,” he continued. “He couldn’t just pull it together on his own. You couldn’t have done anything different. He needs rest, and treatment that will include some counseling and medication. It’s not going to happen overnight. I think you should go home and get some rest yourselves. Let him have a bit of time to warm up to all of this. I’ve rearranged my schedule to stay for a few days until he gets settled. He’s really just very angry right now.”

Beth tried to absorb all he was saying, but she couldn’t get past going home and him staying there, even knowing he was in good, qualified hands. Again, Dr. Roth knew her mind. “If you stay he’ll be concerned about you. If you stay you will want to take care of him and you won’t rest. Go home. Be with your family. You too, Phyllis, I’ll be in touch.”