Geni loved his excitement over the whole thing, and she was anxious to be part of it.
“Are you ready to be a rock star groupie?” Andy asked, as it got closer.
“I’m excited to share this with you,” she replied. She sat in on the rehearsal sessions and couldn’t wait to experience this with him.
“The media are gonna be all over this. It’s a big deal, Traveler’s first time together in this many years… You know the mystery woman thing from New Years’, multiply that by about a thousand. Can you handle it?” And as he said the words, they both thought of Beth.
“I’m along for the ride, whatever it is,” she replied, and he kissed her
~ ~ ~
Kimmy and Lane were coming, along with Jenna and Maxx. Marissa was on spring break, and Carlee sent her a plane ticket to come visit. Due to other commitments, Thomas and Brian were unable to attend. And Carlee snuck a call to Paul, the barkeeper from her and Andy’s trip to southern England, and he and his wife were joining them.
~ ~ ~
Carlee was beyond excited over everything – her family and friends, Traveler together again, but mostly she was excited over the thought of the money that would help Johanna and Kyliejo. Andy, Geni and Matthew were still tag-teaming her trips to the hospital to spend time with Kyliejo, and when she was there, she talked with Tamara as well as Hatchet about her ability to attend the concert.
“Papa has a private suite for us, and of course both of you will be there to watch over her,” she said with a big smile.
“Of course we will!” Danni Matchett replied, and both she and the doctor laughed.
“I’ll work it out with the other physicians to make sure she’s OK to go,” Tamara replied.
~ ~ ~
March 16 arrived, and everyone was caught up in the excitement, knowing what the afternoon held. Andy was gone, and Geni was with the family and friends who gathered to share in the festivities. Matthew and Carlee had gone to the hospital to see Kyliejo. Carlee had called five times that morning to make sure she was feeling OK, and the hospital was abuzz with the same excitement, getting everything in place for the little girl to leave. With Roddy’s help, Andy arranged for several large flat screens to be placed throughout the hospital for the patients and staff to be able to view the concert as well.
“I brought you a big surprise,” Carlee told her when they entered the room. She looked tired; dark circles shadowed her eyes, but no matter how she felt, anytime Carlee was there, Kyliejo had a smile on her face.
“What surprise?”
Carlee reached in her bag and pulled out a Traveler t-shirt. “You need to put this on!”
“OK, but why?”
“It’s a BIG surprise!” Carlee said.
Johanna helped her as Hatchet and Tamara entered the room wearing Traveler t-shirts as well. Kyliejo looked and finally noticed that Carlee and Matthew had them on too. Johanna stepped into the bathroom and came out wearing one also.
“What is going on?” Kyliejo demanded.
Two aides entered the room and started unhooking monitors and IV lines, hooking her up to portable devices. They unlocked the wheels on the bed and started for the door.
“Wait…” Kyliejo said. “Where are we going?”
“To a concert!” Carlee replied.
Kyliejo, Johanna, Hatchet, and Tamara got in the transport vehicle with her, and Carlee and Matthew made their way to Royal Albert Hall. Andy had special entry lined up, and when they arrived, Kyliejo was brought into a special room where the Traveler band waited for her arrival.
When she realized who was there, a big happy smile crossed her face. “Oh my goodness…What. Is. Going. On?” she demanded.
Andy walked to her bedside and hugged her. “You are the guest of honor for a concert! Let me introduce you to the guys. This is Nathan Perry.”
Nathan stepped up and kissed her hand. “My pleasure Princess Kyliejo!”
~ ~ ~
Carlee watched Johanna as each of the band members made a fuss over her. She saw the joy on Johanna’s face at seeing her little girl so happy. Carlee moved to her side and hugged her. “Papa said there’s more,” she whispered. Matthew was moving quickly around the room taking pictures of all of it.
After the introductions, Andy moved over and whispered in Kyliejo’s ear. “I heard you had another favorite singer and he’s here to meet you too.”
“Who?” Kyliejo asked, and at that moment a door opened and Zane Rogers walked to her bedside.
“Zane! I can’t believe it!”
He leaned forward to kiss her cheek. “Hello, beautiful…” and as he said the words, Carlee rolled her eyes – just as Andy looked her way and they both started laughing.
“One more surprise,” Andy, told her. “This is Slater Markert.”
The tall young man made his way to the bedside, and Kyliejo said, “You aren’t famous yet, but Carlee let me listen, and I think you will be very soon”
Carlee slipped to Andy’s side, and he put his arm around her. “Papa, thank you. She is so happy!”
Everyone was pleased with the meet-and-greet for Kyliejo and her over-the-moon reaction to it all. Hatchet and Tamara were like schoolgirls, red-faced and excited over meeting everyone, and finally it was time for them to go to the private suite. Carlee and Matthew, along with Kimmy, Lane, Marissa, Jenna, and Maxx made their way there, and Carlee was pleased to find Deb and Michael, Cook and Adrian, and Dan Patrick and his wife. And then she saw Paul and his wife there waiting.
Carlee introduced everyone. “I’m so glad you could all come!”
“I wouldn’t have missed it! When are you coming south to sip some Scrumpy with me?” Paul asked.
“Soon as I can travel!” she replied and Matthew smiled.
~ ~ ~
From their vantage point, they looked out and down at the stage - it was an exciting evening. Geni stayed backstage with Dina for the show and was happy to be there. There were cameras set up in the suite to capture Kyliejo’s reaction to it all, and every once in a while her smiling face would grace the screens, and the crowd would cheer.
Roddy walked out on stage and took the microphone. “Welcome! As you know, tonight is part of a Making Miracles Happen event. This concert, along with one in St. Paul, Minnesota, New York City, and Los Angeles are being recorded for a worldwide television event next week. Tonight, you are here to be part of that, as well as to meet our local Making Miracles Happen recipient, Kyliejo Smithson!”
A camera moved toward Kyliejo, and her smile could have lit the hall as it flashed on the screens throughout the place.
“We have several performers tonight who are here to help raise funds for cancer patients, and tonight’s event is sponsored by the World Cancer Foundation, Making Miracles Happen, and PRI Productions. Enjoy the evening. Ladies and Gentleman, Slater Markert,” Roddy said and left the stage to thunderous applause.
Slater opened with “Can’t You Feel It,” one of three songs that he and Marco were in the process of tweaking for release. Andy stood with Geni to watch, impressed with the young man – more impressed with Marco and his work.
My heart beats – can’t you feel it?
My knees are weak – can’t you feel it?
I’m watching you with burning eyes
Can’t you feel this love I hide?
When Slater left the stage there was shuffling going on in preparation for Zane to take the stage, and when he did, the hall was loud with squealing girls, and Kyliejo was part of it! He opened with “Love Drunk,” and Carlee watched Kyliejo sing along to every word.
I lose my head when you are near
You kiss me drunk
You kiss me high
Don’t need nothin’ else
To make me feel the way you do…
This was a good night, but Hatchet told Carlee they’d given her some ‘extra umph’ to keep her comfortable. She watched Johanna and saw how happy she was over Kyliejo’s reaction. There were flat-screen monitors
all around the suite so that they could see up close, and Kyliejo was in heaven. Zane did eight songs, and when he began the last song, “Special One,” he dedicated it Kyliejo.
You’re a special one,
This I know is true
My heart’s so full
Of love for you
You’re a special one
Who loves so deep
A place in my heart
You’ll always keep
Finally it was time to set the stage for Traveler, and Carlee was giddy. Backstage, Geni was too.
The lights dimmed. The hall became quiet and finally, Mark led off with a familiar beat, and Carlee knew they were opening with Andy’s favorite song, “The Boys Are Back,” a classic hit by Thin Lizzy. She watched as they sang and could tell that Andy was happy to be there. His voice, while not the loud rocker from ‘back in the day,’ was strong and filled the hall. Paul and Hatchet were crazy, singing along.
When the song was over, Andy stepped to the microphone again; the next song was “Simple Life,” and the crowd went wild.
It’s good sweet lovin, beyond any doubt
It’s making sweet I’m talkin’ about
It makes us complete
The band was quiet for a moment, and Andy took the microphone to speak. “Wow!” he laughed. “It’s been a long time since we’ve been on stage and even longer since we’ve been on this one. We’ll do our best to make you proud that you came, but before we begin again, I want to thank you from my heart, because this isn’t just about Kyliejo Smithson.”
As he said the words, Carlee knew - he was getting ready to say something about her. She leaned to Matthew. “Did you know?”
He nodded and squeezed her closer as Andy continued. “This is personal to me. Many of you know my story, and you know that I was blessed with a daughter later in my life. She is everything to me - she holds the key to my past, my present, and my future. We learned about cancer a long time ago, and it was something very profound in our lives. Carlee took on a huge part in the fight against cancer at a young age. She’s been working with the Cancer Foundation in the U.S. for a long time. She taught me how important it is to keep the conversation forefront and do whatever we can to help in the fight. That’s part of why we’re all here this evening.”
Carlee watched the monitor, saw him pause to collect his thoughts, and she squeezed Matthew’s hand. The camera turned to Carlee and Matthew, catching them listening intently to what Andy was saying.
“The other part is that we went through a scare of our own, where we found ourselves facing the possibility once more. When you’re faced with the questions ‘what if?’ and ‘what do we do now?’ you see things differently. And when you come out on the other side without the diagnosis you were fearful of, it’s a blessing. This is “Carlee’s Blessing.””
The music began, and it was an unsteady voice that began to sing.
You’re a place in my heart
With a smile that’s warmed me inside out
It’s what this sweet life’s all about
I’ve watch you in a crowded room
I’ve seen sweet love glow and bloom
You’re a place in my heart
A blessing that’s turned my life around
You’re a place in my heart
That made that life a better place
A place where I see my past,
My now and the future ahead
A place where happiness lives and gives and gathers…
Geni watched, saw him struggle, and found herself fighting with emotions of her own. ‘The key to my past’ she heard over and over in her head to the point that she didn’t even hear the song he was singing.
Carlee listened, remembering the conversation that she’d shared with Andy that brought some of the lyrics. She thought of all they’d shared over the years, and she wept.
When they were done with “Carlee’s Blessing,” Geni heard the music and recognized it as “Timeless.” She saw emotions all over Andy’s face, and as he began, his voice cracked. She knew that he didn’t write that song for Beth, but she knew the meaning from reading the book. She realized that the words meant more to him than he really realized, and she knew that Beth would never be gone from his heart. The longer he sang, the stronger the voice, and she heard passion that she knew wasn’t directed to her.
We’re Timeless, we’re unaffected by change…
And she knew he wasn’t hers.
~ ~ ~
As he sang the words this time, Andy felt that feeling that came over him whenever it felt as though Beth was with him. In his mind, he heard her voice singing along, and it gave him peace and the strength to go on. His heart felt full. He would always love her, but he felt her telling him that it was time. It seemed he heard her saying - It’s about grabbing life with both hands, taking that leap, never questioning anything and ultimately, doing what makes you happy. It was a gift from her – You’ve been alone too long. And suddenly, he sang with a new passion. He sang for the life ahead of him.
~ ~ ~
When the next song began, Dina walked behind the stage to go to the other side, where Roddy was, and Geni was alone. She looked up and saw Addy come on stage and the crowd went wild. She saw pleasure on Andy’s face as her arms went around him in a hug, and then she joined him in the song, “Won’t You.”
Won’t You - Won’t you
Take my hand - Won’t you
Give me your heart - Won’t you
Bare your soul - Won’t you
Hold me - Won’t you...
Why didn’t he tell me she’d be here? She saw Andy slip his arm around her waist as they sang the words and saw Addy look up at him, and an unexpected, familiar smile passed his lips - a smile that said they knew each other more than the business relationship Geni thought they shared. This was more personal than casual. When the song was over, Addy kissed his cheek and slipped away to the other side of the stage. Geni felt that jealous feeling wash over her, and it got the best of her.
~ ~ ~
Geni quietly slipped away as well. She didn’t want to be there when the band left the stage. She was too caught up in the vision of them. She knew from the set list that they still had seven songs and then probably an encore. It had been so long since they’d performed together, she was sure they wouldn’t get away quickly. She knew she wasn’t ready to face Andy with the thoughts she was thinking, the feelings she felt. She wasn’t sure what any of it meant at this point.
She left the hall and hailed a cab. In the car on the way to the flat she called the airline to book a flight and then called Thomas.
“I’m coming home. Please pick me up in Orlando at five tomorrow morning.”
“Everything OK?” Thomas asked, alarmed at the abruptness of the trip east.
“I’m not sure I know. I have to go; I need to pack.”
She asked the driver to wait while she ran in and got what she needed. It took no time, and she was back in the car on the way to Heathrow. At the check-in counter, as she waited to get everything taken care of, her phone rang. She saw it was Andy and silenced it. She wasn’t sure what she would say when she finally spoke to him. She needed time.
Chapter Eighteen
Addy rejoined him on stage, and the band started playing music that even Carlee hadn’t ever heard before.
If I look at you across the room
With longing in my eyes
If we enjoy each other’s company,
There’s no need to wonder why…
As Addy and Andy sang the duet, Matthew watched Carlee – tears were streaming down her cheeks. He put his arm around her, and she leaned to whisper. “He’s singing that to your mom.”
If your name comes out a whisper
If your touch should make me weak
If I think of you when I’m alone
If my voice trembles when we speak
It’s not because I’m lonely…
Addy left the stage after the song. Traveler
played two more songs; Andy thanked the crowd, and the band left the stage. Backstage, he noticed Geni was absent and assumed she’d gone to the suite. He was disappointed; he wanted to share this with her. She knew the song – “It’s Not Because I’m Lonely” – was one he’d written because of her. The band returned to the stage and sang “Forbidden Place” and then, “Give Baby – Give.”
You bring it hard
Then take it away
Leaving behind a shard
A part of my heart that you led astray
You take
You take
And you take some more
Give baby – give
There’s more that I want
Don’t make me wait
You tease and you taunt
For a while, just stay
You take
You take
And you take some more
Give baby – give
Traveler. They left the stage, and the screams and cheers brought them out once more. They sang “One for the Road,” and the guys gathered to take their final bow. The audience was wild, and the other entertainers joined Traveler on stage and sang the classic Beatles song, “With a Little Help From My Friends.”
What would you think if I sang out of tune?
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song
And I'll try not to sing out of key
Feel Like Makin' Love (Rock and Roll Trilogy #3) Page 26