AT 29 (67 page)

The three bands disembarked from the buses on Monday afternoon. A cold wind ushered snow flurries on a wild descent to the ground. No one was concerned about the weather although it was hard to imagine that only thirty-six hours before, they'd been basking in Miami's 80-degree temperature. Despite sitting for a long time, they were tired. The Brits headed for the bungalows. One of Chase's shifty friends picked him up with Benson in tow while Jimmy chauffeured Sonny and Ted into Manhattan. He dropped Sonny at home where Marsha waited. Then he and Ted crashed at the apartment. Friday was the big night. Three days to get ready.

Cindy caught the red-eye back to New York from San Francisco. She spent the first hours writing notes about the rock group she'd just auditioned. The Riland brothers were good. After the first of the year she planned to bring them in for a long session. They needed material and they needed seasoning, but she had little doubt that they could be headliners within a year. The funnel was looking very good. MacGregor was back on Prince Edward Island for the holidays. His album was finished. Everything was coming together nicely.

When she finished her notes she set her pad aside and raised the shade to look out at the darkness. The Beacon Theatre was a major coup for Blossom Records. She wondered if Miles fully appreciated all that he had achieved in such a short time. Blossom had a single in the top ten for the first time.
Back and Blue
was in the top twenty. A Grammy wasn't out of the question. The Brits were also selling. Even old releases, long dormant, were getting attention on the radio and beginning to sell again. There were fan clubs, articles in the trades and tour dates flowing in from around the country. Even Mike Winfield, that wily expert with so much influence, was onboard, hyping Blossom at every opportunity. How did that happen? None of this would have been possible without the vision and steady hand of Miles Michael McCabe. She rolled his name silently off the tip of her tongue. In two days she intended to be sitting at her boss' side as Jimmy triumphantly closed his east coast tour in New York City. She allowed her mind to wander to what she would wear. She hadn't cared about how she looked for a long time, not since her split with Jimmy. Now, she wanted to be beautiful. She wanted to shine. Not for the eyes of the many who would be watching from their seats in the Beacon Theatre. Not for her old beau who would be filling the theater with his music. Not for the entertainment reporters who would be covering the show. Not, she finally conceded, for herself. She wanted to look beautiful for Miles.

Jimmy left without Ted who showed no sign of rousing from his deep sleep in the guest room at the apartment. He drove over the George Washington Bridge, merged onto Route 80 and eased into a smooth 85 miles per hour, thankful to be going against the traffic. Soon, he slipped over to the Garden State Parkway and then onto Route 78. He was in Millburn in thirty minutes.

Miles McCabe was in his office. Jimmy walked in just as the executive looked up from the papers he was reading. McCabe stood and came around to shake hands. Together, they took seats eager for the chance to talk.

“
Peg
is up to nine this morning.
Back and Blue
is nineteen. The Brits are climbing, forty-eight and fifty-two respectively. Ellis is due at noon to talk about a
nationwide tour starting in March. Why don't you sit in?” There was little command in the executive's voice.

Jimmy was content to let them figure it out. “I'll leave it to the two of you. How's Nigel coming along?”

“He's back home for the holidays.”

“You let him go?” Jimmy didn't see Miles as the understanding type. “When is he coming back?”

“After the new year.”

“He didn't want to see the show at the Beacon?” Jimmy was disappointed.

“He wanted a break.”

It began to dawn on Jimmy that his boss was preoccupied. “Have you heard any of his work?”

“Tried, but he's hard to corral. I decided not to press him. Cindy worked with him for a while then she left for California and he took things into his own hands. He seems to prefer working alone.”

“Any tapes?”

“Not that I know of.”

Everything about the conversation was out of character. McCabe didn't let things go like this. He wanted to say something, but Miles didn't act like he would open up. “We'll start getting ready for the Beacon this afternoon.”

“”Who's the lead-in?”

“Flip of the coin. Both groups are at a peak. Maybe Rebellion. Kate's got a following.”

“It's immaterial. I stopped worrying after Chapel Hill.”

Stopped worrying? Jimmy knew McCabe worried about everything. “So you're feeling better about things?”

McCabe's eyes drifted down to the desktop. “I suppose.”

“I'll be in Studio B.” He left McCabe in his office. Something wasn't right.

***

Les' plane touched down at JFK. It was mid-afternoon by the time she passed through customs, collected her luggage and caught a cab into the city. She thought only of Jimmy and the excitement of catching his concert that night. Her hotel was not far from the theater. She was looking forward to a shower and a few hours of sleep. Then she would be ready to watch the man who owned her heart, but it would only be from afar. She promised herself to stay distant. It was the only way she could handle the all-consuming emotion of seeing his face and hearing his captivating voice. If they met she would be unable to control herself. The next day, Christmas Eve, her heart would be safe again farther north with her family.

Cindy called Miles at home to confirm when he would be picking her up for the show. The phone number had to be right. She'd called it plenty of times, but now it went to a disconnect recording. She checked her address book and dialed again. The result was the same. She called his office. After two rings his voice came on the line.

“When will you be coming into the city?”

Miles didn't answer. She pressed on. “Can you stop by for a drink? We'll catch a cab from here?” She waited. “Miles?”

“It would be better if we met at the theater.”

“You're not still working?”

“I have a few things to…”

“Miles, this is the holidays. It's time to enjoy life. Blossom is showcasing itself. Put the papers aside and come into New York. Better yet, go home, get dressed and I'll come and pick you up.”

“No.” The sharpness in his voice startled her.

“What's wrong?”

“Nothing. I'll meet you there.” The phone went dead, leaving her bewildered.

Peggy caught Jimmy at his apartment an hour before he was scheduled to leave.

“Are you nervous?”

“As a cat.”

“Alice says it's going to be a full house.”

“Sold out.”

“I wish I could be there.”

“Me, too. I haven't heard from Alice. Is she coming?”

“She'll be in the front row. No assignment this time, just there to enjoy, but she'll probably write something anyway.”

“Hard to believe we were sitting on top of Mount Pisgah six months ago.”

“Skip sends his regards, Joe, too. He's somewhere around here.”

“How are the girls?”

“Super excited for Santa's visit. You'll be here tomorrow?”

“I'll drive up. Should be there by the afternoon.”

“Jimmy?” Her voice went soft.

“I'm here, Peg.”

“I'm happy for you.”

Les was in her seat early. The third balcony was as distant from the stage as anyone could get. She found her row far to the right, barely able to see the stage as the crew made its final preparations. Only a handful of people were in the theater. She liked it that way. She could read the program and watch the seats fill. Sister Marie asked her to say hello to Jimmy. She elected not to tell her she wouldn't be seeing him. What she didn't know wouldn't hurt her. She didn't know much about the two British groups. Alice Limoges' magazine piece gave them high praise, especially a girl named Kate. Les only had a passing interest. Jimmy was the one she needed to see and hear. ‘Get your fix, girl. Then get away.'

Cindy left her apartment alone and hurt. Since returning from California she'd thought only about this gala evening, a coming out of sorts for her. One she wanted to share with the man who made it possible. She wanted to be by his side. Now, she was going alone, sure to be sitting next to him, but feeling unwanted. She didn't know what to make of his sudden coldness. What could possibly be wrong? Maybe it was the holidays. Some people withdraw from the endless festivities, unable to enjoy the spirit. Maybe Miles was one of these. If so, she would find out tonight. If it was something else she didn't know what she would do.

Jimmy walked to Broadway. He was too nervous to be with anyone. Peggy's call did nothing for his butterflies. He went over the set in his mind, but soon his thoughts wandered to his fears. Fears that he wasn't worthy of the adulation that Alice's article had brought. Now, he was to play the legendary Beacon Theatre. He didn't belong there. He
was Jim Buckman, just another scared pretender. Kevin would know what to say. He'd be in his glory. He'd know how to calm Jimmy's nerves. But Kevin was gone.

Sonny was waiting by the door. He had a worried look.

“Kate's sick. Ellis and Melinda are with her.”

“Can she sing?”

“Can't say. Something she ate, nerves. Who knows?”

Kate was sitting in a small chair at the far end of the dressing room. She had her head down between her knees. Ellis knelt at her side, holding a wastebasket close. Melinda sat next to her, rubbing her back. They all looked up as Jimmy approached. Kate's face was white. There were tears coming down her cheeks. Suddenly, she lurched forward. Ellis quickly put the wastebasket in place. It already reeked from earlier heaves. Jimmy grimaced at her gut wrenching agony. He looked at Ellis and Melinda who could only shake their heads in alarm.

“Did anyone call a doctor?”

“On his way,” Ellis replied, without looking up.

The door flew open just as Kate leaned forward with another heave. Benson, with Chase close behind, came into the room resplendent in a red suit, tie and shoes. Over his shoulders he wore a black cape and on his head was a Santa's cap somehow electrified around the edges with tiny lights that blinked on and off. After finding his way to the center of the room, he stopped and did a 360, nodding at everyone in anticipation. He looked ridiculous.

“Isn't he fine?” Chase called out, more talkative than usual.

Some of the Brits hooted. Ellis scowled. Jimmy turned back to Kate then glanced at his watch. Ninety minutes to show time. He was already certain that Weak Knees would take the lead. If Kate couldn't sing Rebellion had some re-arranging to do.

“It stinks in here!” Benson was scanning the room. His eyes settled on the group surrounding Kate. He walked closer. “Don't tell me she's making problems!” He took a position beside Ellis, peering at the stricken girl, irritated. “What's her issue?” he sneered.

“Go away, Benson,” Ellis commanded. “We're handling this.”

Benson didn't move. “She better shape up. Tonight's too important for some amateur to screw up.”

“Back off!” Ellis leapt to his feet almost knocking the wastebasket over. Jimmy caught it just in time. Everyone stopped what they were doing as the two men faced off.

“I'm just saying this is my big night. I don't want her ruining it.”

Jimmy knew when Ellis was about to lose it. He cut in to break it off. “Can't you see she's sick? Just leave it alone. She'll be all right once the doctor gets here.”

“She better be.”

Benson wasn't prepared for Ellis' strong grip. Before he could react, the agent had his gaudy suit jacket by the lapels and was nose to nose. “This isn't your night! It's Blossom's night!”

Chase came running from across the room. He placed a grotesquely tattooed arm between Benson and Ellis, trying to force Ellis back. Ted, the strongest person in the room, came up behind Chase. Without loosening his grip on Benson's coat, Ellis turned his eyes to Chase. “I suggest you remove your arm or you'll be reading want ads from a hospital bed.”

Ted tapped Chase on the shoulder. “Do what he says.”

Suddenly Benson relaxed and smiled. “Yeah, let's all settle down.”

Chase removed his arm and backed away. Ellis dropped his hands. “We're taking care of her. You go do what you have to do to get ready.” He knelt back down, taking the wastebasket from Jimmy grip.

The doctor arrived just as Kate made another excruciating heave. Jimmy decided there was nothing they could do until he made his prognosis. He touched Ellis' sleeve. “Let's take a look at the stage.”

Benson waylaid them at the door. “Look.” The drummer was less antagonistic. “Big night, you know. If the doc doesn't have a fix, Chase might be able to help her out.”

Chase lifted his head. “Got some stuff.”

“What stuff?” Jimmy was suspicious.

Benson shrugged. “Nothing bad. Just stuff, that's all.”

“Keep it,” Ellis said, opening the door. In the hall he caught Jimmy's arm. “What's he talking about?”

“What do you think?” Jimmy answered, his suspicions about Chase confirmed.

Cindy waited just inside the doors near the box office. She was stunning in a long pink satin dress that accented every curve of her body. She took the mink wrap from her shoulders and draped it over her bare arm as she scanned the cover of the program. The bright logo of The Beacon Theatre sat atop smaller letters announcing Blossom Presents. Centered on the page were two pictures. On the left, Jimmy was depicted guitar held high. On the right, a stock headshot of Miles Michael McCabe stared out smiling. “Where are you, Miles?” she said to herself as more people hurried inside.