The Perfect Cast

by T. K. Chapin

  “Mr. Hinley?”

  “Yes.”

  “The doctor would like to have you come in and speak with him about your results.”

  “Can you just please tell me what’s going on?”

  “You’re heart is weakening. You have CHF, Congestive Heart Failure. The heart specialist saw on your Echocardiogram…”

  The nurse’s voice fell silent in Roy’s mind as he stared blankly off into space. Heart failure? That’s not good. What am I going to tell Tiffany? Or Scotty and Monica? Roy rubbed his forehead as worry set across him.

  “Mr. Hinley? Are you still there?” the nurse on the phone asked.

  “Yes, sorry, what was that?”

  “I’m going to need you to come in and see the Doctor, he needs to talk to you about different treatment options you have available at the stage you’re at right now.”

  “Okay… when’s that?”

  “We can bring you in the day after tomorrow, June twenty-third at eleven, but until then just adjust your diet. Eat more fruits and veggies, less high cholesterol foods.”

  Roy hung up the phone and laid on his bed. He had a buddy at church who was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure and didn’t even make it a month past that before kicking the bucket. Then he thought of Lucille’s longtime friend, Gail. She’d had it and lived for over twenty more years past her diagnosis.

  Roy wasn’t sure to be relieved or upset at the predicament he was in. Life was already fragile as it was, being in his early seventies. Tossing in the fact his heart could give out at any moment, Roy’s life suddenly became more fragile.

  A knock from the bedroom door alerted Roy’s attention. Pushing it open, Brandon peeked in.

  “The milk replacer for the calf is about out… Where do you keep the rest… wait, are you okay?” Brandon asked, concerned, as he must have seen Roy’s tear-filled eyes.

  Roy was vulnerable in the moment, and with it, he let his defenses down with Brandon. “Come on in and shut the door.”

  Brandon slipped in and shut the door behind him. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he looked at Roy worriedly. “What’s wrong?”

  “I have Congestive Heart Failure, Brandon…”

  “What’s that mean?”

  “It’s not good… but I should be able to manage, at least for a while.”

  “Are you going to die?” Brandon asked, turning to sit on the bed more.

  “Well we all die… but yes, I could possibly drop today, tomorrow or at any moment. But, the doctors are going to do the best they can to help me.”

  Brandon stood up and came over to Roy’s side of the bed and sat down next to him. “We’re going to get through this all… together, Roy.”

  “I don’t want to tell my kids or grandchildren right now.” Roy paused for a moment, and fought back tears as he continued, “They already lost Lucille. I don’t want them to worry about me.”

  “I respect that.”

  “I’ll need your help with keeping the kids here when I go into town for treatment and various doctor visits. So that’d be helpful.”

  “For sure… and if you need anything, anything at all, just let me know.”

  “I will.” Roy felt, in that moment, his heart open up to Brandon. He might have made some bad decisions over the years and been closed off and even distant, but he was a person and he was there for Roy in a moment of fear. “I know you haven’t been a huge fan of God, but would you pray with me?”

  “Sure, I’ll even lead it.” Brandon bowed his head and placed his hand on Roy’s.

  “Father Lord our God, we come to Your alter today and lift Roy’s body up to You. We pray You help settle his nerves, calm his fears and place Your protection over him. While he goes through this season of change, help him see Your purpose, see Your will and Your masterful design. I know I haven’t been in contact with You in some time now, but Lord, I love You and I want… I need Your strength to take care of my children. In Your name we pray, Amen.”

  Roy smiled as a tear fell from his eye. “Thank you Brandon… And the milk replacer bags are in the third cabinet down from the fridge out in the barn,” he said, grasping on to Brandon’s hand that rested on his.

  Chapter 34 ~ Levi

  Stepping back onto the streets of downtown Nashville, Levi sighed heavily. He couldn’t even make it through the first half of the song before she stopped him and thanked him for his time. The entire trip was a bust, and Levi felt horrified.

  He’d spent a good chunk of change getting out to Nashville for this audition and now it was time to go back home less than ten minutes later. How did I space the time? I’m so stupid! Levi felt incredibly stupid for not calculating his time properly that morning to allow himself to get to the audition without a layer of sweat.

  Walking down the sidewalk, Levi’s eyes were fixated downward. He was embarrassed of himself. What was he going to tell his family and friends? Would he tell them the truth and explain how he was hungry so he showed up sweaty? He worried they’d laugh at him and tell him he was never cut out to be in Nashville in the first place.

  Getting back up the street to the diner, Levi pushed open the door and sat up on the same barstool he was on before.

  “Guess it didn’t go so well?” Chelsea asked flipping a coffee cup over and pouring him a cup.

  He grabbed it and took a sip. “Not so much…”

  “Well chin up; stop hanging your head low and look forward. Your first one is always the hardest and worst!”

  “First one? This is it for me, I’m going back home.”

  “What? Really?” she asked. She went over to the food window and put in an order. Coming back over, she waited for an answer.

  “Yep, I’m done. Heading back to Washington.”

  “That’s ridiculous. You came in here this morning and didn’t even open a menu, just knew what you wanted. Isn’t that the same way you approach your music? It’s what you want, right?”

  “Well yeah, but it’s not that easy.”

  “You bet your butt it’s not easy, but you know you are talented; you shouldn’t just leave. You barely got here! You said you got in last night!”

  “Yeah…” Levi took a sip of coffee as the waitress ran off to another table. Levi wondered if she was right. He had savings to make it for a little bit, just not as long as he had hoped for. The waitress came back to Levi and leaned on the counter.

  “You have to fight for what you want, and if you want this country music thing, you’ve got to try. One audition is not trying. There are people who stay here for years before they get their big break.”

  “I just don’t have enough money to stay here a long time.”

  “We are looking for help here, why not just work here?”

  “And what? Live in the hotel?”

  “Ha. No. There’s an apartment complex right up around the corner. The rent is affordable and you’ll be able to work here and cover your rent and a few expenses, it’s what I do.”

  Levi nodded. Chelsea was right about giving it a chance. He didn’t want to go back to Chattaroy and face the humiliation of failing. He had blown that first audition and did not want that to be it. He needed to give it a real shot and put the effort in.

  Chapter 35 ~ Jess

  As Jess and her father were out in the barn feeding the calf, they heard a car pull into the driveway. Jess came out of the barn and was surprised to find Clint pulling in.

  “Long time no see, stranger,” Jess said sharply, walking up to Clint as he stepped out of his truck.

  “I’m sensing a little bit of hostility…” Clint said.

  “Well… you blew off our plans and never called or anything. It’s been days.”

  Clint nodded. “I’ve been awfully busy with work.” Looking over at her dad with a raised brow, Clint seemed concerned. “Did you replace me already? And with someone old enough to be your dad?”

  “Hey now,” Brandon said approaching. “I am her dad.”

  “You would have known he was
here if you would have called…” Jess said.

  “I thought you were back in Seattle?” Clint said as he shook hands with Brandon.

  “Nope, I’m here now,” Brandon replied, shaking his hand firmly.

  “Well, I won’t keep you from visiting with your dad.” Clint turned and headed back to his truck. Stopping, he turned to Jess. “Oh hey, I grabbed the mail for you, I saw the mailman right at the end of the driveway, and thought I’d be nice and grab it.”

  Clint handed Jess a stack of mail.

  “Thanks,” Jess replied. “Wonder why he’s delivering mail so late in the day?” Clint shrugged.

  “Where’s the party?” her dad asked as he looked over at them from Clint’s truck bed. “You have a couple cases of beer sitting unopened in the back.”

  Clint laughed, “They are for a get together, no party, sir.”

  “You best not be giving my underage daughter beer,” Brandon replied with a lowered brow. He looked serious as he returned next to Jess, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

  Jess smacked her dad. “He’s not! I don’t even like the stuff… which is more than I can say about you.” Wiggling free of her dad’s arm, Jess walked with Clint away from her dad for some privacy. Walking between the trees to the front yard, Jess said, “You can’t blow me off like that again… You were just… gone. Didn’t call me or anything. I don’t like that.”

  “I’m sorry… I’m not used to having someone around who wondered what I was doing. I will make sure to not let it happen again.”

  “Thank you.” Jess couldn’t help but forgive him. His words sounded sincere and she felt bad for kissing Levi. She couldn’t begrudge Clint for simply not being around for a few days. “So how are you? What happened?”

  “I’m doing okay. You remember that meeting I had?” He paused, waiting for a response.

  “Yes. You blew me off that day…”

  “Yeah… that one… Well it turns out they were glad with my numbers from the last few months and they are upping my buying power!”

  “Oh... yay?” Jess replied. “I’m sorry, I don’t get all that.”

  “I got a promotion, basically.”

  “Well that’s something I understand! That’s awesome! Congratulations.”

  Clint leaned in and kissed her.

  “Wow--that was out of nowhere!” Jess said, stepping back and glancing around to see if anyone had seen. “What was that?”

  “I’ve been wanting to do it for a while… and I just went for it.”

  Jess nodded. “Well, let’s take it a little slower…” Clint turned beat red in embarrassment. “I’m sorry,” she said grabbing his arm. “You are gorgeous and I think you’re neat, but I’m still a little upset with you. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay…” he said. “I’ll wait; I know you are worth it.”

  Jess’s heart swelled with joy. He was willing to wait for her? That made her want to kiss him back right then, but she resisted the urge. Thinking about the promotion again, she wondered. “Wait, you had a promotion? That’s why you blew me off? I don’t know much, but I know they don’t have cattle auctions on Sundays.”

  Clint laughed. “Victory dinner and beers were in order for the evening.”

  She didn’t want to come off clingy or bossy, but she was concerned. Between the beer at the restaurant, the case in the truck and the victory drinks, she was starting to wonder if Clint had a drinking issue. She didn’t feel comfortable enough to point it out; it wasn’t her place, so she kept silent on the matter.

  “You want to go catch a movie and some dinner in town?”

  “I already ate dinner, but a movie would be great.” Jess beamed. She hadn’t been on a date to the movies in a few months.

  “Let’s roll,” Clint said grabbing her hand. When their hands touched, Jess looked over at Clint and smiled.

  Chapter 36 ~ Levi

  Dropping his ninth and final letter into the mailbox across the street from his studio apartment, Levi headed down the street towards CJ’s Diner. Levi wrote Jess every week since he arrived in Nashville, and this was the last letter he was sending. He had sent letter after letter with no response and figured Jess was done with him after he took Chelsea’s advice and stayed in Nashville. That August morning was a bit on the chilly side, and Levi kept his hands shoved deep into his jean pockets as he braved the crisp morning air.

  Getting to the diner that morning, Levi was in a particularly good mood. He had an audition that day and he was certain this was going to be it. Even after six failed auditions, Levi still had kept his positive attitude.

  “Good morning, Chelsea,” Levi said, coming around the counter.

  “Hi Levi…” She replied as she counted the till. She smiled and asked, “What’s with you today?”

  “Audition day.”

  “Ohh… You think this will be it?”

  Levi disappeared into the back, searching for napkins to fill the dispensers in the lobby. “Hey Charlie, do you know where the napkins are?” he asked the grumpy cook in the back.

  A grunt, followed by spit came from Charles. “If I did, would I tell you? No.”

  “Why you gotta be like that?” Levi asked.

  “You’re always so happy. It makes me angry. Just give it time… This city will destroy your joy.” Levi laughed.

  Finding the napkins on a shelf below the prep table, Levi stood up and stuck his head through the serving window. “Oh, and about your question. Of course I think this will be it. I really think this one will be my big break.” Coming out from the back, he approached Chelsea. “I can feel it in my bones…”

  Chelsea continued his sentence. “See it in your future, Taste it on your lips…”

  Then Levi finished it. “Fate has arrived!”

  Chelsea laughed. “You’re a freak!”

  Levi laughed. “I’m just a kid with a dream, trying to stay ahead and be positive.”

  “At least you’re positive, that puts you ahead of the other ninety-nine percent.”

  After Levi finished doing his song, the producers thanked him for his time and told him that they would be in touch. Another dead end… Levi thought to himself as he watched the people behind the glass begin to get up from their seats.

  “Excuse me, sir’s… and madam,” Levi said into the microphone.

  Stopping, they turned and looked at Levi impatiently. One gentleman bent over and pressed the microphone button to talk to him. “What is it boy?”

  “I just wanted to know if you guys had tips or reasons why I blew it. I know you didn’t say I sucked, but I’ve been doing these auditions for a while now and just…”

  “You weren’t terrible, per se.” A gentleman said into the mic on the other side of the glass. “Your heart’s just not here. It’s somewhere else, and it comes out through your music. You won’t get anywhere without your heart… not in this business, and not in life.”

  Levi nodded. “Thank you,” he said, leaning back into the microphone. The gentleman tipped his hat and exited.

  Levi realized his heart wasn’t in Nashville; it was back on the dirt driveway leading up to Mr. Hinley’s farm. It was hanging in the clear moonlit evenings, sipping on soda with his friends around the fire. And most of all, it was in the creek that day when he shared a kiss with an angel. He loved playing his guitar and singing, but he loved his life back in Chattaroy more.

  Getting back over to the diner, Levi took a seat in the booth all the workers shared for breaks and meals. Chelsea came up and poured him a cup of coffee.

  “How’d it go?” she asked.

  “He told me I don’t have heart. Well, he said my heart isn’t here in Nashville.”

  “It’s that girl, isn’t it?”

  “Jess…” Levi looked up at Chelsea. “It’s more than her, it’s my whole life, but it’s mostly about her. She’s been on my mind every day since I came here. I just can’t get her out of my head and my heart.”

  “Stop writing those silly letters, sh
e hasn’t ever responded to them. I bet if you stopped doing that, you’d be okay.”

  Levi stood up and looked Chelsea in the eyes, shaking his head. “I did stop. But I don’t think I want to be okay if that means she isn’t part of my life.”

  Chelsea smiled and pushed him in the shoulder. “Then what are you still doing here?”

  “You told me to stay.”

  “Yeah, I did… but you have to follow your heart, Levi. What good is a country music career if the love of your life is not with you? All the money and fame in the world can’t buy you love.”

  “But my sister Emmie… she believed in my music.”

  Chelsea shook her head. “You’ve told me a lot about Emmie, and it sounded to me like she wanted you to follow your heart and be happy.”

  Chelsea was right. Levi knew what he wanted, and it wasn’t a record deal over a thousand miles away from his hometown and away from the girl of his dreams. He wanted his life back in Chattaroy, where the only contract was a handshake, and everybody knew his name. Levi darted for the diner door and stopped before exiting. Looking back at Chelsea, he said, “Thank you for everything!”

  She laughed. “You’re welcome, Levi.”

  Chapter 37 ~ Jess

  A few days later, back at the farm, Clint’s horn was blaring from the driveway as he drove over the bridge and up to the garage. Meanwhile, Jess was searching everywhere for her purse inside.

  “Can I go with you guys?” Henry asked, following behind her as she looked behind the couch.

  “No, it’s just us this time, bud.”

  “But the fish I caught last time was so big!”

  “Have Dad take you down to the creek; there’s trout in there, Grandpa said.”

  “Okay,” Henry replied, hanging his head. Walking away with a look of defeat, Jess laughed.

  “Don’t be such a drama queen!”