Nashville Dreams

by Pamela M. Kelley

  Laura settled into college life easily and loved her time there. She and Tina had several classes together and she met Chris, a sweet and very handsome basketball player during her first week of classes and dated him for a little over a month, until he wanted to get serious. Laura enjoyed his company, but preferred to keep things light and focus on her classes and hanging out with her friends. She couldn’t explain why she felt this why but the whole time she was dating Chris she felt oddly disloyal. It was a feeling that she couldn’t seem to shake. She’d asked Aunt Helen if she’d been dating anyone before the accident, but she said no, that there hadn’t been anyone special.

  She dated a few others during her four years in college, but there was never anyone special, never anything that progressed to be serious. Laura kept busy with classes, and working at the music store too and in her spare time, she continued to dabble with writing songs and getting better at playing the guitar.

  Chapter 7

  Five years later….

  It was a sunny Saturday afternoon in May and as usual, Laura was at the music shop, working her one weekly shift. She’d worked there every summer during college, and since graduating and taking a teaching job in Bozeman, she’d kept up the one day a week. Mostly because she loved playing music with Peter and running her new song ideas by him. She had a sizable stack of finished songs now and a dream of someday doing something with them. She enjoyed her job teaching music to elementary school children and spending Saturday afternoons at the shop. She knew her aunt enjoyed having her back home, too, especially since Harold had passed a year ago. It had been a difficult year for her, but she seemed to be doing much better now.

  Laura had just finished playing her most recent song, which Peter pronounced her best yet, when the door opened with a whoosh and Tina flew in. She and Laura had quickly become best friends the first summer they worked together and had gone on to room together at college. She looked excited as she ran over to Peter and Laura.

  “I got the job! Pack your bags, we’re moving to Nashville in two weeks!”

  “What? Are you serious?” Laura was excited for her friend but a wave of terror washed over her at the thought of moving. She had a nice, comfortable life in Bozeman. Could she really give that up to follow a pipe dream? She didn’t want to perform—her goal was to sell her songs to others. She’d done plenty of research. Nashville was the place to go if you were serious about a career in country music. As much as Laura dreamed of it…the reality of moving was terrifying. It felt too sudden.

  “You can’t back out now. You promised. You know you need to go there. You’re just scared,” Tina said. They had an agreement at Tina’s suggestion. If she got one of the marketing jobs she was applying for in Nashville, the two of them would move there together. Tina knew that Laura wasn’t likely to go on her own.

  Laura nodded. Her friend knew her well. She said nothing, just sat quietly trying to take it all in. Peter got her attention by grabbing her hand and looking at her intently.

  “You have to go. Seriously. This is your chance. You have the talent and now you have the opportunity. I’ll expect regular reports.” He smiled and Laura recognized the truth in what he said. It was time.

  Aunt Helen took the news well. Laura felt guilty leaving her alone, but her aunt brushed her concern aside.

  “Honey, don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. It’s getting easier every day. I’m starting to do more on the weekends, too, catching up with friends. I have plenty to keep me busy.” That was true. Since Harold’s death, her aunt had her whole weekends to herself now and had recently started to go out more. She’d joined a women’s knitting group that met on Saturday afternoons. She’d had made some new friends there and was getting more involved at her church as well. Laura relaxed as it seemed that her aunt was genuinely excited for her.

  “I’ve heard you playing that guitar for hours and heard you singing. I know you don’t like the attention, but you have a gift, honey. You could perform, you know?”

  Laura shook her head. “The thought of that terrifies me. To get up in front of people and sing. No, I’m not looking to do that. But, I’d love to see if I can sell some of my songs.”

  “Your songs are wonderful. I’m sure you’ll be able to do that.” She looked thoughtful for a moment and then asked. “Do all singers write songs, too?”

  “No, though a lot do. I’ve read that there is always a demand for new songs. I guess I’ll find out.” Laura grinned and her aunt pulled her in for a tight hug.

  “I’m thrilled for you, though I’ll miss you, of course. You’ll come home for the holidays, right?”

  Laura smiled. “Of course.”

  Cole was enjoying law school more than he would ever admit to his father. He’d just finished his first year. He and his father had worked out a deal. He agreed to get his law degree and, in return, his father paid for it and also agreed to let him go off to Nashville when he graduated and follow his dream. His father was sure it would only be for a year or two, but the agreement was however long it took and when Cole was ready, there would be a spot for him in his father’s company. There was also a trust fund that he would have access to upon graduation, which would be helpful for expenses in Nashville.

  His father was the governor now and from all accounts, was doing a great job. The economy in Charleston had improved and he’d just been voted in for a second term. His father also approved of his latest girlfriend. Chelsea was the daughter of one of his good friends, and Cole knew that his father would love for him to settle down with her and give up the pipe dream of Nashville. He had to admit, Chelsea was an intriguing girl. She was unlike anyone that he’d dated before.

  She looked like the rest. She was a pretty sorority girl with long blonde hair, blue eyes and a killer smile, but she was also ambitious. She was impressed with Cole’s father and admitted that she had political ambitions herself. When he shared that with his father one night at dinner, he lit up and a week later had arranged for a prestigious summer internship for Chelsea in the governor’s public relations office.

  “Your father is such an amazing man!” she’d gushed when they had dinner together a week after she started. They were at the country club, and it was a gorgeous Saturday night in late June. Warm breezes wafted over them as they sat outside on the veranda sipping gin and tonics.

  “I’m glad you like it there.” He’d never seen her this excited before. Chelsea was positively glowing as she told him all about her first week and all the important people she’d come in contact with.

  “It’s an incredible networking opportunity. This could lead to something wonderful.”

  “I’m sure it will.” He smiled and took a sip of his drink. And then he shared his big news.

  “We got our first gig. Me and the guys. We’re going to play a set at Rusty’s Lounge in two weeks.”

  Cole had been at a local karaoke night over the summer and at the end of the night, he’d been approached by three guys his age that were putting together a band and needed a singer. He started practicing with them that week.

  Chelsea pursed her lips as if she’d tasted something particularly sour or distasteful, which wasn’t exactly the reaction he’d been hoping for.

  “Rusty’s Lounge? Really? That place is a dive.”

  She did have a point there.

  “Well, yeah. But they pack them in and they’re paying us!”

  Chelsea smiled and lifted her drink, “Well, congrats then!”

  “Thanks. So you’ll come watch us? Get some of your friends together?”

  Chelsea was non-committal. “We’ll see. I’ll try.”

  Cole knew that meant chances were slim to none that she’d be there. But that was okay. He knew she hated country music and her friends weren’t fond of it, either. But fortunately, plenty of other people were and he looked forward to playing for them soon.

  Chapter 8

  Nashville was everything Laura had imagined it would be, and more. There was an energy
to the city that welcomed and inspired her. She and Tina found a modest, two-bedroom apartment in a less expensive area. The realtor had suggested it once Laura told her she was looking to build a career in music.

  “You definitely want to be in that neighborhood. It’s one of the most artsy areas, affordable, too.”

  They drove into town on a Friday, spent the weekend unpacking and exploring, and then Tina started her new job as a marketing coordinator for a software company on Monday. She’d held a similar role with a tech company in Bozeman, so it seemed like a good fit. After she left for work, Laura showered and changed, grabbed her notebook and walked up the street to a small coffee shop she’d noticed when they moved in. She bought a newspaper at the counter, ordered a frothy cappuccino and then settled at a small table next to a window that looked out over the street. It was a Monday morning and fairly quiet except for a few scattered people hunched over their laptops.

  Laura opened the newspaper and found what she was looking for near the end. There was a listing of all the open mic and writer’s nights for the week. Laura wanted to hit as many of them as possible. Just to listen and observe and learn the lay of the land. From her research, she’d learned that several places were known for their open mic or writer’s nights when only original new songs were performed. Eventually, maybe she would get the courage to get up there herself. She knew that a necessary evil of selling a song was demonstrating it and that meant singing in front of people. The thought filled her with fear, but also a strange excitement, too, at the possibility of people hearing her music, her words. Even if they were stuck hearing her voice. At least she knew she had the ability to sing on key, which was a good thing. As long as she didn’t freeze up and forget the words, she shouldn’t embarrass herself too badly.

  She folded the paper up and opened her notebook. A new song had come to her, and she had the music down but was still struggling to find the right words. It was another song about love lost, which never failed to amuse Tina.

  She had heard her working on the song the night before and had asked, “Where does all of that come from? As far as I know, you’ve never had any bitter breakups. Dan even wished you well when we left.”

  Dan was the most recent guy that Laura had dated. They’d gone out for a few months, but as she always did, Laura had told him that she wasn’t looking to get serious and they’d kept things light. She considered him a good friend.

  “I don’t know where it comes from,” Laura answered honestly. “It’s just there. It’s what comes to me. I think it’s just from observing life around me.”

  Tina raised her eyebrow. “Maybe. Or maybe you have a secret history that would shock us all,” she teased. Tina was one of the few people that Laura had confided in about the accident and what she now accepted as permanent amnesia.

  “I doubt that. I was just a kid,” she’d replied.

  She spent the next half-hour lost in her inner world of melodies and words.

  “You look deep in thought. Songwriter? Or novelist?” The deep voice to her right startled her out of her thoughts, and she jumped.

  “Sorry, hope I didn’t interrupt?” Laura glanced up and saw a smiling, dark-haired man who looked about her age.

  “Trying to write a song,” she admitted.

  “I’m Jason. Are you new around here?” He held out his hand, and she shook it.

  “Laura. We just moved in up the street this past weekend.”

  “In the gray building?”

  Laura nodded.

  “I’m right across the street. Also new to the area and an aspiring country music artist.”

  “You write songs, too?”

  Jason chuckled. “Me and everyone else in town, it seems. Mind if I join you?”

  “Sure.”

  He pulled out a chair, and the next hour flew as they chatted about music and their dreams. Jason was from Boston and had gone to a respected music college, Berklee. He also shared her fear of performing.

  “It’s a necessary evil. I’m sort of used to it now. There was a group of us that used to go to open mic nights around Cambridge and Boston. My songs are better than my voice.”

  “Same here,” Laura admitted and then asked, “Did any of your college friends come here with you?”

  “One did. Rufus was the only one in our group who was into country music.”

  “Is he a songwriter, too?”

  “Not as much. He’s more into playing the music, and his real love is the blues. We’re trying to put a band together. So far it’s just him and me, but eventually, it will be focusing on bluesy country.” Jason grinned. “I play a mean harmonica.”

  Laura laughed and felt happy that she seemed to have made her first friend in Nashville. “I bet you do.”

  “So, let’s hit some writer nights this week. I’ll take you to my favorite spots.”

  “I’d love that. Those are open mic nights?”

  “Yes, for showcasing songwriting, original new music only. We have to go early, though, to have a chance to go on.”

  “Oh, I’m not ready to go on yet. I was planning to just go and listen for a while.”

  Jason looked at her intently. “All right. This week you observe. But you need to dive in sooner rather than later…first time is the hardest, I promise.”

  “All right. Next week, maybe I’ll do it.”

  “First one is tonight. Rufus and I will be by to get you at seven. We have to be there by eight at the latest.”

  “Great. I’ll bring Tina, my roommate.”

  Tina didn’t care that it was a Monday night. She was thrilled to go out and was excited about her first day on the new job. Laura poured them both a small glass of white wine, and they celebrated a successful first day by sitting on their tiny deck and watching the traffic go by below.

  “The company seems great so far. Everyone is so friendly, and it’s a casual environment. I was a little overdressed, but that’s better than being underdressed. The girls are more done up here though—bigger hair, more makeup, nice though.”

  “Well, that’s the South for you,” Laura said automatically, and Tina looked at her curiously.

  “You sounded as if you were speaking from experience. Did you ever live in the South? Or know people who did?”

  Laura felt her head start to throb and pressed her hand against her forehead. The pain eased up after a minute, and she looked at Tina in confusion.

  “What did you ask me?”

  “It was nothing. Are you feeling all right?” She sounded worried, and Laura smiled. She took a sip of her wine.

  “I’m fine. Just a headache for a minute there. It’s gone now.”

  “So, tell me about this Jason. You said he has a friend?”

  “Yes. I haven’t met him yet, though.” She told her all about Jason and their plans to go to a writer’s night.

  “Should you bring your guitar?” Tina asked.

  “No, not tonight. I’m just listening, getting familiar with how these places operate. Then maybe I’ll work up the courage eventually to get up there.”

  “Not eventually,” Tina said with a frown.

  “I know. I promised Jason I’d just watch this week. Next week it’s my turn. Though I’ll admit the thought of it terrifies me.”

  “You’ll be fine. Better than fine. I have no doubt.” Tina sounded so sure of it that Laura relaxed a little. She was grateful for her support.

  Just as they finished their wine, there was a knock at the door. They grabbed their purses and Laura opened the door. She introduced Tina to Jason, and he introduced his roommate Rufus to the two of them. Laura liked Rufus instantly. He was a tall, gangly guy with reddish brown hair and freckles. He was cute though, too, with blue eyes and a great smile. His eyes lit up when Laura introduced him to Tina, and the four of them piled into Jason’s Jeep and headed off to the Commodore Grill. Jason explained that the open mic part of the night didn’t start until ten, but they’d hear great music before that.

  “Tomorr
ow night we have to go to Douglas Corner café. That’s my favorite of the bunch. It’s a little earlier there. The first performer goes on at eight.”

  “Why is it your favorite?” Laura asked.

  “The whole night is focused on original, new music. It’s the ultimate writer’s night.”

  When they made their way into the Commodore Grill, it was already packed. They put their names in for a table and then had a drink at the crowded bar. Soon after, they were seated and given dinner menus.

  “The food here is pretty good. Killer nachos,” Jason said.

  They all decided to get burgers and share an order of nachos. The burgers were great, and the scheduled bands were impressive as well. Laura enjoyed all of them, from a classic country to more pop and even a bluegrass band. There was a short break between the last band and the open mic portion of the night, and then the host announced the first performer.

  A skinny, young man wearing jeans, a white t-shirt, and a well-worn cowboy hat made his way up on to the stage. He had a guitar with him and looked nervously at the crowd as he slipped the strap over his shoulder. He waited a moment for the room to quiet down and then he started to play. Tentatively at first, then with more confidence as he started to sing. His voice was raspy and rich, and Laura was immediately captivated by his soulful sound. He sang a song of love lost that she connected to somehow. She loved every bit of it and was the first to clap when he finished.

  “He was amazing,” she said to the group.

  “Richie is good. I’ve seen him play at a bunch of the open mic nights lately. That’s one of his better songs.”