Rock and Roll Never Forgets (The Rock and Roll Trilogy) (35 page)

“
You look beautiful,” she smiled. “It was my pleasure to
help
you this afternoon,” she said as she packed up her things and started for the door.

“
Wait,” Beth said. She hugged the woman long and hard.
“
Thank you again for making this so special for me.”

“You will remain in my thoughts and prayers,” she said and kissed Beth
’
s cheeks and left her there to finish up. All that was left were accessories.

John wanted very much to buy her jewelry to wear, but Beth didn
’
t see the point in it. She had so much and while she appreciated the thought, she decided to wear the necklace and earrings Andy had given her so long ago when she wore this same dress. She
rarely had occasions
for something
so
extravagant
and
‘this is perfect,
’
she thought.
Dressed and ready, she called home to check in
.

“
Hello princess,” John said.

“
Queen,” Beth corrected him with a laugh,
“T
he princess is there with you.”

“
How
’
s it going?” h
e asked.

“
Good.”

“I miss you. Everything OK?”

“
Yeah, I guess I could use a vote of confidence on my hair and stuff,” Beth laughed.

“I
’
m sure you look wonderful,” he said. “How was your day?”

“
Roddy and Andy treated me to a bath and a massage and I had help dressing for this whole shindig,” she laughed.

“
I know. I was in on the secret, Dr. Reilly, too. We all agreed that it
’
d be a nice surprise. Did you enjoy it?”

“Oh my goodness! Yes! All of it! It was heavenly!”

“Have you eaten?”
She knew he worried about her.

“
Had some bar mix, you know peanuts and stuff, before I came back to the room. I was hanging out downstairs in the bar for a while, watching a basketball game with some college boys.”

Silence on the other end,
“
Hello? I was kidding!”

“
I knew that,” he laughed.

“Actually
,
Andy and Roddy are feeding me after the show. Roddy had some fruit and cheese sent to my room. I haven
’
t seen Andy yet today.”

“
Well, I
’
ll buzz off. We love you. Beth…”

“
Yeah?”

“
Have fun.”

“
I will! Kiss Carlee for me, and Kimmy. See you tomorrow evening.”

“Bye sweetheart. I love you.”

Finished, she was ready. She looked in the mirror.
‘
This is as good as it
’
s gonna get…
’
she thought.

There was a knock at the door and she went to open it. Roddy was there.

“
Wow!”
h
e said.
“
You look incredible!” He took her hand and twirled her to see all of her.

“
Flatterer… ‘Incredible,’ hmm? I think I like that word!”

“
Andy will be ready in just a minute. He called and asked me to let you know. I
’
ll see you in the limo.”

“
Well, a good
-
looking man for each arm. How lucky can a girl get?” He kissed her cheek and left. She walked to the sitting area and sat on the edge of the sofa.

Suddenly she was very nervous.
‘
Was this right?
’
She felt good enough, but now the prospect of it all made her very nervous. A light knock on the door between the two rooms, and it opened. Andy peered around the edge of the door.

“You ready?” 

She rose from the sofa and made her way toward him. He was wearing a very non-traditional tux, longer jacket, string tie rather than a bow tie and that hair down his back in a ponytail. He looked like heaven and again, she felt that huge lump in her throat.

He walked into the room. Saying nothing he put his hands on her shoulders and held her at arm
’
s length, taking it all in. It seemed like forever. Then slowly he rubbed his hands down her bare arms, and took her hands. He pulled her into his arms and held her against him.

“
Stop, I
’
m gonna cry,” Beth whispered.

“
No, you can
’
t. You
’
ll wreck your make up.” He laughed lightly.
“
You smell delectable,” he said, leaning to sniff her neck as she pushed him away.

“
I will cry, I feel it coming, it happens way too easily these days, so stop, please.”

“
Then let me just tell you that you are gorgeous.” He paused and the look lingered, still. “It
’
s like a dream, Bethy.”

“
A drea
m?” s
he repeated.

“
Yeah, like I
’
ve seen you here before,” he smiled. “Like Yogi Berra said,
‘
It’s kind of like a déjà vu all over again’.” And again he pulled her into him.

“
You have seen me here before,” she whispered and looked up at him
.

“I have?” He stepped back for another look. Deep in though
t for a moment, and then, “The
Grammys
, before…” he said, remembering.

“
Yes, think anyone will write that I wore the same dress?”
s
he laughed.

“Everyone will be so captivated by your beauty that no one will remember. Bethy…” He took a deep breath.

That look… 

“
Andy, don
’
t,” she said, “We have to go.
”
She pulled away from him and turned around to regain her composure
.

‘
Deep breaths, in and out… in and out… in and out…
’
She was trying to calm herself.

“
Sit down a minute. Please,” he said and went to the phone and made a call.
“
Yes, Andy Stevens. Please let Mr. Beamer know that we
’
ll be just a minute longer. Thank you.”

He sat beside her and took her hand and held it.
“
I have to get my head right before we walk out that door.”

“
What do you mean?”

“
Bethy,” he said her name, and she heard him take a big deep breath
.
“I
’
m having a really hard time right now. Give me just a minute.” 

She said nothing. She just sat with him holding her hand in his lap. It seemed a very long time passed before either of them moved.

Finally he let go of her hand,
“
OK,” he said, rising.
“
We better go.” And before Beth knew it was coming, he pulled her into his arms. It wasn
’
t rough, but it was startling. He kissed her, and it was that kind of kiss, that breath
-
taking kind of kiss.

Oh God, I
prayed,
please don
’
t let me lose it. Give me the strength I need to get through this night…

“Let’s go.” He took another big breath, grabbed her hand and hurried them out of the room
.

When they arrived
,
the limo took them to a back entrance. Roddy made arrangements so they didn
’
t have to make the big entrance
’ no red carpet, no
press. Beth was more than relieved.

As they entered the theatre she was like a giddy, young girl all over again. It reminded Andy of the first time they shared that experience and how happy she was. And
then,
it reminded him of the one time that
he came that
they didn’t
share,
and how badly he missed her then.

They went to their seats. Andy had the end seat, Beth was in the second and Roddy to her other side. She looked around and saw many familiar faces, but also a good many new faces that she didn’t recognize. It had been a very long time since she had been in this environment
.

Once Beth was in her seat she
saw Andy turn and wave hello to someone and then heard a familiar voice.

Rick Snyder, how many years has it been?

“
Beth, hey!” He yelled, “Oh my gosh, what a surprise this is. It
’
s been a long time!”  

Beth started to rise to hug him.
“
Don
’
t,” he said.
“
Please sit.” He took her hands and leaned to kiss her cheeks, then turned and shook hands with Andy.

“
You look great Beth!” There was a pause,
followed by
that
‘
What do I say now?
’
look
.

“I heard about everything. I
’
ve wanted to call, but I didn
’
t know how it was so I talked to Roddy a couple
of
times instead. He has kept me up to date. You look great, really great; beautiful!”

“
Roddy told me,” Beth answered. “Thanks. I have more good days than bad. This is a good one,” she smiled.
“
It
’
s so good to see you again.”

“You, too,
Andy. Good luck. You deserve it, man, no competition in my mind. That song is stirring.” He looked at Beth again, winked, and then said; “You guys take care.” He took Beth’s hands again, kissed them, and said, “Beth, my prayers are with you and yours.”

‘
That wasn
’
t so bad,
’
Beth thought. He didn
’
t poke or pry a
bout
why she was there, and he didn
’
t say he was ‘sorry.’ Andy spoke with several other people and then took his seat
.

He leaned and whispered in Beth’s ear, “A rose between two thorns,” and laughed. He took her hand and held it in his lap.

The awards began. Several times she saw the camera. She tried not to look, but she thought about Pops and Carlee and she smiled.

Andy was performing during the ceremonies and after a while he left them to go to the stage area. There was a grand piano in the middle of the stage and Andy walked out to roaring applause. He sat down and when he began to play Roddy took Beth’s hand to hold it. It was a sweet gesture from her good friend.

As Andy sang
“Yesterday, Today and Forever”
,
Beth listened. She really listened this time. She’d heard it before. She thought it was a beautiful song. It struck her that he had mellowed and with the years his voice only got richer, smoother. It felt like velvet when you listened. Sure, still his ‘Rock Star’ ponytail but his singing style had mellowed. As she listened to the words she closed her eyes. Andy was playing the piano and behind him in tuxedos were a group of violinists accompanying him. It was so beautiful. He was singing about a love that would
“
outlast time.”

Yesterday you were mine

We shared a love

That would outlast time.

You loved me

You shared your heart,

Our love was meant to be.

You shared your life, your love with me.

She suddenly felt tears rush to her eyes. It hit her all of a sudden that he was singing to her, about them. She hadn’t paid attention to that fact with all that had been going on. She squeezed Roddy
’
s hand thinking the gesture might keep the tears from coming. She couldn
’
t cry.

“
Roddy, pinch me,” she said softly.

He squeezed her hand instead.

“
Harder,” she whispered.

And he tightened the grip;
“
I know,” was all he said.