by Chana Keefer
“Glasgow? Re-joining the tour?”
“I’m not going,” was his muffled response. “You see there’s been a family emergency… unavoidable complications… re-scheduled.”
My mind was beginning to blur as his kisses traced a path back to my mouth. “But what about the disappointed fans and your crew that needs to be paid?”
“We’ll be back through in six months and I can give the crew a bonus.”
“But if you weren’t catching a flight, where were you going?” I took advantage of my last shred of coherence.
“To retrieve Kate. Maybe some food,” Sky whispered.
My hand gripped the first pillow within reach, bringing it to his head with a satisfying “Pooomph!”
“Hey!” He yelled, knocked from the bed and laughing on the bedside rug.
“You!” I hurled another pillow he deflected with a forearm. “You made me believe… ” I stammered, realizing how beautifully I had been tricked.
He reached for one of the pillows to use as a shield as he flashed a triumphant grin. “Let she who did not enjoy that at all cast the first pillow.”
He had me there.
“Of course,” he stepped closer, still holding his pillow shield, “just to be completely honest… ”
“That would be refreshing.”
“You should be aware I would be willing to stoop to any deception if it meant you would kiss me like that.”
I hugged another pillow as easy ammunition. “So, if you ever came home claiming you had some horrible disease and just one month to live, I’d demand to see a note from your doctor… ” I clamped my lips shut. Had I just said out loud I expected him to “come home” to me? I sat up smoothing the comforter, hoping he would ignore that little slip. No such luck.
“I would hope,” he plucked the pillow out of my hands and tossed it across the room, “if I came home to you,” he planted a hand on either side of my head and leaned close, “no deception would be necessary.”
I smiled and shook my head as these thoughts lit a fire from the top of my head to the tips of my abused toes.
He returned my smile, obviously sharing the same pleasant thoughts. I felt the familiar, irresistible pull toward him and reached a hand to cup his cheek.
Copping a hillbilly accent, I decided to be blunt. “I ain’t been waitin’ all these years for nuthin’.”
His brows raised.
“What? I can’t admit that, at the right time with the right person, I greatly… anticipate what I’ve been saving up for?” My face flushed in spite of the bold words.
“Of course you’re also anticipating some sort of permanent and binding agreement prior to these… pleasures?”
“Of course.”
“Actually, believe it or not, that’s the way I want things as well.” He leaned his head on one hand. His face grew serious. “I don’t know quite how to say this… ”
“You’re from Mars and you have a message from Elvis.”
“Hush. I’m trying to be serious.” He stuffed a corner of the comforter in my mouth.
“Blah!”
“Many people would find this stranger still. You need to know… I wouldn’t take advantage of you even if I had the opportunity.”
That effectively shut me up.
“I know it might be… fabulous.” Sky shifted uneasily and sat up on the edge of the bed. ”But it would break your trust. I want you to look back twenty, thirty, forty years from now and see that, although I may have been many things, I never took what wasn’t rightfully mine.” He faced me with fire in his eyes. “At least not until it’s rightfully mine.”
I reached for the one remaining pillow within reach and hugged it to me. “Then you’d better step away because that was the sexiest speech I ever heard.”
“I think… I’ll go get Kate now.”
“Yes, I think you’d better.”
“Will you be okay? No more tantrums?”
“For the moment.”
But as soon as Sky shut the door I was off the bed, hobbling to the bathroom. As I suspected, my eyes were shining, and the hair was still good—I’d have to find out Kate’s secret—but the rest was a mess. I freshened up as quickly as possible. It was foolish, and my foot throbbed fiercely as I limped across the room, but no more raccoon eyes.
The clock on the mantel read two thirty a.m. when Sky returned with a surprisingly fresh Kate. She clucked with exasperation about the late hour but excitement twinkled in her eyes.
“Why in the world would ye be kickin’ the furniture?” she exclaimed as she inspected my swelling, bleeding foot. When I divulged I had been angry at Sky, she nodded knowingly. “Aye. Well now, that’s understandable. Wanted to kick ‘im a few times meself down through the years I did.”
“What, Really?” Sky asked, spinning his head toward Kate. She gave a wink his way.
Kate confirmed I had at least two broken toes. She re-dressed the cut on the side of my foot that resumed bleeding due to my trip across the room. Soon she gave me another of her special teas and commanded Sky to let me rest. He promised to do her bidding as she left the room and we were alone again.
“Listen.” Sky pulled up the rocking chair to sit next to the bed. “I know it’s late, but there are a few things I need to say.”
I snuggled back into the pillows with Kate’s teacup in my hands, too dazed to care if he recited the Gettysburg address. So much had changed in the past few hours of my life. Having him near, just hearing his voice, was a beautiful, waking dream. The way my foot throbbed, I didn’t expect to sleep anyway.
I nodded and made a move to reach for his hand but he smiled and stood. “I’ve got to think clearly so, could you please not look… inviting for a moment?”
He paced the floor a few seconds before continuing. “Please forgive that these next few moments will sound extremely unromantic, but it’s necessary.” He clasped his hands behind his back as he walked.
“I feel it’s only fair that you have some indication of what you’re getting into. When two people commit to each other it’s never easy; however, throw celebrity into the mix and, well, a whole new set of challenges occurs.”
I tried to attend to the seriousness of this discussion, but my mind was, understandably, blown by the context. Was this a proposal?
He continued pacing, running a hand through his hair.
“There are many things most people take for granted oI can’t do. Going to a movie or out for dinner is a fiasco. Privacy, as you have seen, is never guaranteed. Constantly, one wonders about the motives of those who attempt to get close. Are they truly interested in friendship or are they seeking information for a gossip column? Will this same friend stab me in the back when money is on the line? It’s a very hard world.”
“Then why do you do it?”
“I often ask myself that very question,” Sky admitted. “I guess it comes down to my love for music and performance. I suppose I’m a puzzle piece and this is where I fit. Besides,” he glanced my way with a grin, “I’ve never wanted to sell insurance for a living.”
“Ya got the fame. Ya got the glory, ya gotta take the little heartaches that go along with it,” I quoted. “Donald O’Connor--‘Singin’ in the Rain.’”
“I get the feeling you’re not taking this seriously.”
“Sorry.” I brandished my teacup in encouragement. “Carry on.”
Sky continued his litany of drawbacks to fame including tales of rude or even dangerous autograph hounds and paparazzi, slanderous newspaper stories, and long absences from home. Finally, he sat back in the rocking chair. “So, what are you thinking?”
“Well,” I finished the tea and set the cup on the bedside table, “I understand completely, but you left out a few important factors. You’ve said nothing about how stubborn you are, the superstar-sized ego, or the fact you have a tendency to run away rather than communicate. With all that in mind, a few pesky photographers should be a piece of ca…” Poomph! The pillow hit me square i
n the face as I laughed and collapsed back on the bed.
“Actually,” I felt strangely detached as I yawned and stretched, hugging the fluffy projectile. “I do understand why you feel the need to go into all this, but I don’t think it matters. If you were, say, in the military, your girl would put up with long absences and fear for your life. If you were a missionary to China, she would learn Chinese and go with you. If you were…” I stifled a yawn, “a dirt-poor farmer a hundred years ago, she’d probably spend months bouncing along in a covered wagon. I mean, it could be worse ya know. And I’d feel really sorry for her as I looked for another rich rock star to chase.”
I laughed as Sky’s hand moved threateningly toward my feet. “This little piggie… ”
I pulled the bandaged tootsies to safety as he sat on the edge of the bed again. “You are hopeless, and I do believe Kate slipped you some of her ‘shut up and sleep’ tea.”
“Is that what it is?” I yawned again. “I wondered why I hardly cared if you pinched my toes.”
It was difficult to keep my eyes open, but I felt the need to say one more thing. “You’ve forgotten to take something else into consideration.” I sat up and rubbed my hands over my face to remain alert a few more minutes. “I’ve spent the last two years living without you. That was hard.” I rested my heavy head back on the pillow, “Besides, can I help it if this happens to be where I fit into the puzzle?”
A wave of giddy, groggy joy washed over me as Sky tucked the blankets under my chin and left a soft, lingering kiss on my forehead. “Lester and Esther sittin’ in a tree.” I giggled and drifted to sleep, still holding his hand.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Next morning I woke to a gray, drizzly day, throbbing toes and a knock on my door. Mom bustled in full of questions about my foot. Oddly enough, she wasn’t at all surprised by Sky’s appearance the previous evening. Clearly, she, Dad, and Helena had been plotting together for some time.
I needed mom’s assistance to hobble to the bathroom for a refreshing soak in the tub. I returned to the bed, freshly scrubbed and clothed, when Sky knocked and entered with a tray overflowing with food. “Kate’s in a particularly good mood this morning, which means she’s cooking up a storm down there.”
I realized how hungry I was as he presented eggs, juice, and fresh waffles with fruit and syrup. “Wow.” I sampled the steaming mound. “I like it when Kate’s in a good mood.”
Sky remained quiet.
“Is something wrong?”
“I’ve been juggling calls this morning. I’m… not going to be able to stay after all.”
“ I see.” My appetite fled. “How long do you have?”
“A couple of hours… until the helicopter arrives.”
“I thought only world leaders had helicopter service.”
“Or musicians with too many people set to lose money if they skip a concert,” he commented ruefully.
“I’ll kiss you now if you say this is another joke.”
Sky looked up with a bit of the gleam returning to his eyes. “In that case, I’ll be happy to tell you anything you want to hear.”
“Tell me anyway.”
“Alright.” He took my unfinished food and set it aside. “I am completely at your beck and call.” He reached for the napkin to dab at my mouth. “I will be here while your foot heals and we will have weeks of uninterrupted time to explore and ride horses and kiss and dance until you are absolutely sick of my company and beg me to leave for an extended tour.”
I threw my arms around his neck. “Perfect.” Then I whispered in his ear, “This is a snow day so no school. It’s Christmas morning and your sixth birthday… ”
“Not my birthday… bad history there.”
“Fine, just Christmas. Gifts are under the tree and your new bike is out on the drive.”
“Can it have a bell and horn?”
“Anything you want.”
“Then we’d better not waste time.” He lifted me into his arms. “Mustn’t keep that bike waiting.”
At the head of the stairs, Sky threatened to slide down the banister, but I replied, “Go ahead, you’ll break a bone or two and skip the helicopter.”
“That is rather tempting. If truth be told though, I’m not good with pain. I howled like a banshee whenever I had a bone set. I’m glad I won’t be here when the doctor comes for you later. I’d probably faint or do something else unmanly.”
We continued down the stairs talking idly of our fears. I professed my phobia of spiders and dentists while Sky admitted his revulsion at having to stick his hand into dishwater.
“I suppose I’ve seen Star Wars too many times when they’re stuck in the garbage and Luke is pulled under. I imagine something horrible lurks in the muck.”
We started to pass the library, but I begged him to take me inside. The rich, burnished-wood dimness seemed the perfect setting for time to stand still. The rain pattered against the stained-glass window as we entered the chapel-like stillness. Sky deposited me in the windowseat cushions then sat to face me. For a moment we were silent, soaking in the peace.
“I think I could spend all day in here,” I commented. “Make that days.”
“I did.” Sky gazed around the lofty room. “Some of my best friends are between the covers of these books; Robinson Crusoe, Long John Silver, Gulliver, Frodo. Gram used to say if I wasn’t hanging from some precipice about to plunge to my death, I was reading about someone who was.” He smiled. “Gram. I owe that woman a lot. Her home was my haven when things were,” he hesitated, “less than pleasant.”
Sky seemed lost in the past. “Mum and Father tried for years to have more children after me. They used to talk of a baby girl. I know now all those happy then sad times were due to pregnancies and miscarriages. Eventually, Father pulled away and immersed himself in work. He did well, but was less and less of a presence in our home. Often, Mum, James and I would end up here. Mum insisted we needed fresh air and lots of room to do all the things boys should do, but I know it was to escape the loneliness of London.”
“Are you still in touch with your father?”
“I see him on occasion. He’s a bit… cold. As a child I tried so hard to get his attention, but he always seemed disappointed or rather annoyed. I remember the Christmas when Mum gave me a guitar. It just seemed to fit, like it was a piece of me that had been missing. When I played it was… calming… my own little world where things made sense. ‘Finally,’ I thought, ‘I’ll impress Father.’” Sky shook his head with a grim smile.
“When I told him I wanted to make a career of it he told me, flat out, I would never make it, that I should learn a proper trade and be responsible. He tried to interest me in the world of land acquisition and business. I actually learned a good deal from him, he’s an excellent businessman. But inevitably, at the end of the day I would find myself with a guitar in hand working out a melody into the wee hours of the morning.”
“So what does he think now?”
“I sometimes get the impression he’s waiting for me to fail. He almost completely disappeared when Mum died. Maybe I remind him too much of her. I don’t know… ” His words faltered.
“Were you close to your mother?”
“Very. We were good mates, you might say. She was truly beautiful, inside and out, especially when I was younger and she still smiled. I tried as a child to cheer her up, but it never worked for long. James was on his own by the time I was ten so Mum and I went everywhere together. Paris, Rome, Ireland, Italy, even China and India. We toured museums and historical sites. I learned much more traveling with her than I ever did in school—language, history, and such. I suppose she thought to at least make use of Father’s wealth since he was away earning it all the time.”
Sky paused and smiled. “Sorry to dredge up ancient history. I’ve never spoken of this to anyone but Gram and James.”
“Thank you. I want to hear everything you want to share.”
“Just promise to let me know if I bore
you to tears.”
“Not possible.”
We spent the next hour or so talking of our childhoods and some of the things that happened since we met. I filled him in on my trips to third world countries and heard more of his work in Africa. As Sky absent-mindedly toyed with one of my curls he said, “Africa brought me to life. It was like… holding that first guitar… like I’d found a piece of me that had been missing.”
I rested my cheek against his hand, my heart ready to burst with gratitude for the joy in his eyes.
“I asked you this once,” he began, “but since you’re two years older and wiser, what do you expect from life in, say, five years?”
“Well, I love journalism and it can be exciting, but I want to do more than just tell people what’s going on in the world, what’s wrong, who’s starting wars.” My face flushed as I warmed to the topic. “It would drive me crazy to just talk about it. I’d rather, you know, be part of making things better, feeding people, helping kids have a decent home and education.” My shoulders slumped. “Dad calls it my ‘Messiah complex,’ like I need therapy for it. Maybe so. But when I have kids, I want them to be dreamers. I want them to believe, truly believe, if they love God with all their heart, they can dream big… even change the world.”
“Kids?” Sky asked with a blank look.
“Well, yeah. I imagine I might have children in five years.”
“Would these children have a father?”
I squirmed. “That’s usually how it works, but no one’s applied for the job.”
“Let me make something quite clear.” Sky folded his arms across his chest. “That position has been filled.”
“By who?” I thought to make him squirm as well, but it didn’t work.
“It’s ‘whom’ by the way and the name is Alistaire Blevins.”
“Huh?” I clapped a hand to my forehead. “Oh yeah. That’s why ‘Lester’ didn’t sound familiar. Your real name is Alistaire.”
Sky rolled his eyes, “I tell her I want to father her children and she’s distracted by the name.”