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

by Barbara Stewart

  I love that place. It feels good there, really good…

  “I’m so glad I’m here with you, Bethy,” he told her as he took a seat on the sofa and kicked back to relax. “What time will everyone else arrive?”

  “Around six.” She’d chilled a bottle of his favorite, Chenin Blanc, knowing he would want a glass. “We’ll have dinner and then our celebration. I kept it small,” she told him as she poured the wine.

  She sat beside him and he put his arm around her shoulder, and pulled her to him. He gave a quick glance to the clock on the wall. “Good,” he replied with that devilish grin she’d gotten used to seeing. Exhaustion showed in his eyes, but still that humor.

  They talked a while, and finally Andy went to the tree where he’d unloaded his goods. He returned with a small package. “I’d like you to open this one before everyone arrives. It’s personal to me.” He handed her the box.

  It intrigued her to think what would be “personal” to him.

  She shook it and he laughed. Slowly, methodically she worked at the paper. “Oh! Just tear into it!” he laughed. So she ripped… Inside was a pair of gold chains, one heavier and longer than the other, both with a half of a Mizpah charm. ‘The Lord watch between me and thee while we are apart one from the other.’

  “Andy, I love these,” she said feeling a lump in her throat. “They are beautiful and thoughtful, and I love them,” she said again, slipping hers immediately around her neck. Andy did the same.

  Beth went to the tree, digging under the branches and brought a box to him. “OK,” she said anxiously, “here’s one for you.”

  Unlike Beth, Andy immediately tore into the package. He sent paper flying everywhere as he opened the box. Reaching into the package, he pulled the contents out. He shook to unfold a shirt. Saying nothing, he held it to his shoulders. It was a casual shirt in a bright, colorful, tropical print.

  “It reminded me of our trip to Eleuthera,” she told him.

  He looked at the tag, inside, ‘Hand-made by Beth’, he read. “You made this?”

  “I did!” she replied as he hugged her.

  ‘When it comes from the hands it comes from the heart’, he finished reading the tag. “Bethy…” He pulled the t-shirt he was wearing over his head and slipped into the shirt. He acted surprised that it fit so well. “I love it,” he said, hugging her.

  I know that body! I knew exactly what size to make it…

  He poured another glass of wine and they sat quietly, relaxing, and snuggling on the sofa. He needed some down time. Finally, it was time to get things in order for the evening’s events. Andy joined her in the kitchen to help. Her family arrived just before six, with Kimmy close behind.

  Andy got beautiful silk scarves for Nana, Liz, and Kimmy. They were from Harrods and that was a big deal to her simple family.

  Liz asked, “Harrods, in London?”

  “And Paris, yes, that Harrods,” Andy chuckled.

  He got Pops a tweed newsboy hat that came from Ireland, and Pappy got a beautiful hand carved pipe from Germany. Beth found it very special that he knew them well enough to think of personal gifts for them.

  Liz and Nana gave Andy a large box to open. He dug in to find a Nine Patch quilt that they had pieced, just for him. There was a card that read ‘When you sleep under a quilt, you sleep under a blanket of love’. He was so appreciative.

  It was a wonderful evening of family. Andy and Beth were leaving the next morning for Houston.

  45

  Rock and Roll Never Forgets

  Chapter Seven

  December 24, 1978 ~ This is an exciting time for me. I’m anxious to see where and how Andy spends his time off. It’s another piece of him, and I’m anxious to learn them all!

  They flew into a small airport on the southeast side of Houston. After the plane landed they got their bags and Andy led her to an older Chevy pick-up truck. Beth laughed, “Who woulda ever thought – Andy Stevens, rock star, in something other than a fancy sports car!”

  “It’s the first brand new vehicle I ever had. 1973 and I just can’t think about parting with it.” There was a bench seat, and when Beth got in he placed his hands on her bottom and scooted her to the middle of the seat making them both laugh. As they drove along their gift of conversation took over. Andy pointed out things along the way, sharing memories as they drove.

  “I like flying into Houston and making the drive home, it gives me time to turn off all the ‘other wheels’ on the way.”

  His home was about an hour away, on the Gulf, in Galveston. It was a small house, built on stilts, overlooking the water and not at all what Beth anticipated. It was very simple, homey and comfortable. She knew of his love for Eleuthera, and then realized he just loved the water.

  They dropped their bags in the living room and Andy walked to a set of double sliding glass doors that looked out to the Gulf and opened them. Close to the doors was a beautiful black lacquer grand piano, so large it seemed to fill the room. “My one indulgence,” he laughed. “This is my Jaguar!”

  The view was beautiful and the smell wonderful as Beth walked out to have a look. There was a cool breeze blowing and she felt Andy behind her, his arms surrounded her. “Welcome,” he said as he turned her to face him, and pulled her into his arms. “We’ll celebrate Christmas at Phyllis’ tomorrow. Being alone with you here tonight is all I need. We’ll relax this evening. I just really need to unwind.”

  They walked back into the room. He picked up a note on the kitchen counter and read it as he poured them a glass of wine. “My friend Tom Brown and his wife Needa look after things when I am away, they live close by. Wait till you meet their little guy, Drew. I love that kid. She left dinner for us in the fridge, and says she stocked up on whatever she thought we might need. I called ahead and told her a few things. We can heat it up when you are hungry.”

  “I can wait,” she said as he walked to the piano and sat down. He motioned for Beth to join him. The view faced the Gulf, and in the late afternoon, the sun sparkled on the water like diamonds as he began to play. It was a beautiful melody that Beth hadn’t heard before. She closed her eyes, sipped the wine, and listened as he sang about a ‘new place in the world’ and ‘a beauty he has never known’. He was thanking someone for sharing this new place with him.

  Christmas Eve 1978 ~ All I could think about was how beautiful the song was, and then, with my face in his hands, he leaned in to whisper “Merry Christmas.” He handed me the sheet music, and I saw ‘For My Bethy’ written across the sheet in his handwriting. A song for me, about us! He called it “In My World.” I cried, knowing it was a gift from his heart. We skipped dinner and snuggled under the patch quilt that Mom and Nana had given him.

  In my world

  It’s you and me

  In my world

  You’re all I see

  You’ve taken me

  To a new place in the world

  The world I share with you

  On Christmas morning, Beth woke to a ringing phone, it was 8:30. She rolled over to find Andy sitting on the edge of the bed. He was talking, and she could tell by the conversation that it was his mom. She scooted closer and kissed his bare back. He turned, reached around and caressed her back as he spoke.

  “Merry Christmas, we’ll see you later.”

  He replaced the receiver in the cradle of the phone and rolled toward her. “Hey beautiful, Merry Christmas,” he said, and pulled her into his arms. She raised herself above him and stayed there a moment, looking down at him, his eyes full of desire. She lowered for a kiss and he wrapped her tight in his arms, and they made love.

  They celebrated their first Christmas together with Andy’s mom, and she made it special. Beth felt like she had known Phyllis forever. She was a tiny, petite woman, very unlike Andy. Her hair and skin tone resembled his dark coloring. Her warm smile and laugh mirrored Andy’s. She was sixty-five and shared that she and Andy’s dad had tried for a long time to have children and finally Andy came along wh
en she was in her mid-thirties.

  Her home was a very warm, comfortable, and welcoming place. As they settled in Beth walked around looking at the various stages of Andy’s life displayed in pictures. She gazed at one of Andy and his dad together. The picture was a snapshot, not a portrait. There was such love in their expressions. They stood arm in arm, Andy and his dad.

  ‘He looks like his dad,’ Beth thought.

  “Cancer,” Andy said as though he knew Beth was wondering. She turned to look at him and saw sadness in his eyes. “Cigarettes.” Two words and he left it at that. His pain was clear. He then added, “Three weeks before Christmas ten years ago. He was sixty-two.” He said nothing more. Beth could tell it hurt him to talk about it. She wanted to say something, but nothing seemed right. It was the first time he had shared anything at all about his dad, suddenly she found that odd.

  ~ ~ ~

  Andy was an only child from a working class family. His dad worked at the Port of Houston unloading cargo ships. It was a good job, but he worked long hours. He provided well for his family. When he was home he was a devoted father to Andy, and a good husband to Phyllis. His mom made sure Andy was kept busy and out of trouble. She was a stay-at-home mom and taught piano in their home. Andy grew up with that love of music instilled in him. Because he and Phyllis were alone a lot of the time, they were very close.

  ~ ~ ~

  Phyllis joined them in the living room. Andy poured wine and they exchanged gifts and shared conversation. Andy gave Phyllis a beautiful diamond bracelet.

  “You shouldn’t spend so much,” she scolded him as he rose to latch the bracelet around her wrist. She stretched her arm out in front of her and admired it. “It is beautiful, though,” she laughed.

  “Enjoy it, Ma!” He laughed, and loved spoiling her.

  He then handed Beth two small, numbered boxes. She opened the first one, inside she found a crystal songbird.

  “I got it in Austria. I saw it and it reminded me of the night I met you. The way you were singing and ‘flitting’ about at the concert like a little song bird,” he laughed.

  She loved that bird and the thought behind it. As she opened the second, she let out a gasp. Inside was a pair of beautiful diamond teardrop earrings.

  December 25, 1978 ~ They were the most beautiful earrings I had ever seen, rich and regal looking. I wondered where I would ever wear something so extravagant…

  “There’s more, look under the inside box.” There was a worn, folded piece of paper and she unfolded it to find a telegram stating that Traveler’s song “Forbidden Place” had been nominated for a Grammy Award for Song of the Year, honoring the songwriter.

  “How exciting!” Beth yelled.

  He wrapped her in his arms. “Go to the Awards with me,” he whispered in her ear.

  “Yes!” she said, still not believing this was her life.

  Afterward, the three of them went to the kitchen where Phyllis had prepared a wonderful meal. There was turkey and all the trimmings and Beth enjoyed the time with her, getting to know her as they got the dinner ready. She told Beth her side of the family was of Portuguese decent, and Andy’s dad’s side migrated from Wales. Another glimpse into this man… Andy sat at the table and added funny commentary, and they all laughed as Phyllis shared stories of Andy growing up - pieces of his past.

  As Beth listened she heard a family dynamic that she didn’t realize until sitting there as they shared their past. Most of the memories they shared were Andy and his mom. She was there for music recitals and school events. Andy’s dad was a hard-working man, but it appeared he wasn’t around a lot. She understood the closeness between Andy and Phyllis better. She also understood a little better why Andy hadn’t talked much about his dad. She listened, not wanting to pry.

  They ate in the kitchen rather than the dining room. There was nothing formal here; Beth could tell Phyllis’ home was a place where the kitchen was the heart of the home, much like Nana’s. After the meal they washed dishes together, still talking and sharing stories. Their first Christmas was a beautiful celebration.

  They stayed with Phyllis that night. Beth slipped off to bed early to give them the opportunity to talk and catch up. Lying in bed she listened to them talk for a long time. She couldn’t tell what they were saying, but the sound and tone of their shared conversation was comforting. She heard Phyllis tell Andy ‘goodnight.’ Shortly after that, the door opened, he slipped into bed, wrapped Beth in his arms and she fell asleep.

  ~ ~ ~

  Beth stayed in Texas with Andy for ten days. Mark purchased a condo in Kemah, a suburb of Houston, close to the bay, and just a short trip from Andy’s. He had a New Year’s Eve party to show off his new place. Beth was happy to find Kimmy there when they arrived. Andy flew her in as a surprise.

  At Mark’s party, Beth finally met Nathan’s wife, Dina. She’d heard so much about her from the conversations she shared with Nathan that she felt like she already knew her. She was an actress. Beth had seen her on TV shows and in commercials over the years. She and Nathan had recently celebrated their seventh anniversary, and they had a daughter, Megan, who was six years old and Nathan was a proud papa. He didn’t fit the presumed roll of a rock star. You could tell his relationship with his family was a strong one. Dina and Megan joined him when they could, but Megan took part in many kid things that kept Dina busy. It was important to them both, with their odd-ball lifestyles, that she led as normal a life as possible.

  That night Nigel Rose was with his latest girlfriend. “The ‘date du jour,” Andy whispered in Beth’s ear and laughed. “She’ll most likely be replaced with a ‘different flavor’ in a few weeks.” This one’s name was Fawn. She was exactly the type you’d imagine being with a rock star, dressed up, made up and a giggler. Anything Nigel said, she giggled. Nigel fit the rock star role. He was a partying, fun-loving guy and liked the attention he got from the ladies.

  It was also at this party that Beth met Dane’s wife, Candy. She was a looker. She could be described in three words – drop, dead, gorgeous, but she was not at all friendly and kept pretty much to herself throughout the evening, not really socializing with anyone. She was busy watching Dane’s every move like a hawk. Her conversations that evening were only obligatory pleasantries.

  At one point during the evening Dina went to where Beth sat with a glass of wine. “Noticed you drink the same as me,” she said as she sat down beside Beth. She filled her in on things within the band.

  “Candy’s lack of trust has reason,” she said in a hushed tone. “Dane likes women - a lot, but it causes a lot of stress within the band.” She didn’t need to add more; Beth already figured that out.

  Around ten, everyone experienced one of Dane and Candy’s “explosions,” as Dina referred to it. They’d had words, and Candy left in dramatic fashion, slamming door and all.

  Beth liked Dina’s frank, open nature. As they talked Dina offered some advice; “Don’t ever give up your own life, ya know,” she told Beth, as she sipped her wine. “Make sure you keep your own circle of friends. Keep them close, and stay in touch with them. This is a crazy lifestyle. You never know when you may need them.”

  Andy spent the evening reminiscing with friends, and introducing Beth to them. The guys were excitedly talking about their upcoming journey to Japan. They had five concerts and then they would come home for the Grammys. The tour would be done. They were all looking forward to some off time, ready for a life off the road, but everyone knew that during any down time they’d be working on music for the next album. It had already begun. It would be called Divinity.

  ~ ~ ~

  Dina knew of Beth before she met her. She’d heard about her laugh before she heard it, knew of her wit before she experienced it, her smile before she saw it. Nathan was so taken by Beth and the change in Andy that he shared all of it with his wife.

  Dina hoped, and she prayed - Andy was a good friend and she truly hoped that he had met the woman Nathan described as, “his match.” He was
n’t like the other guys, more a loner and not the player like Dane. Dina loved him, and wanted him to find happiness; happiness like she and Nathan had.

  Dina, Nathan and Andy had been friends since school, and she’d been through many girlfriends with him. Nathan was so excited about Beth that Dina could hardly wait to meet her. Nathan told her she was an “it girl!”

  “She’s got it Dina, I mean it! She’s pretty, she’s fun, she’s full of life, and she has the best laugh. Andy melts when she’s around,” he told her.

  She was anxious to meet this young woman she had heard so much about. And she realized when she did that Beth did have “it”… But Dina knew they’d all have different definitions of “it.”

  As it got closer to midnight, Andy went to Beth. The countdown began on TV as everyone watched the ball dropped on the Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve program… ten, nine, eight, the excitement was building. Three, two, one… Happy New Year, 1979! Andy took Beth in his arms, and kissed her.

  January 1, 1979 ~ As this new day, and this New Year began, I realized I was crazy in love with this man, I’m excited, and terrified.

  53

  Rock and Roll Never Forgets

  Chapter Eight

  The Grammys were approaching fast. The closer it got the more excited Beth was, but her attire for the evening caused great stress, to the point of tears at times. Kimmy and Beth shopped every weekend, looking through lots of dresses. Over-eager sales associates showed her many dresses and the price tags on them overwhelmed her. This was all so new to her.