Page 10 of Richard

“Because technically, she will be working for you, and you have this policy of not crapping where you eat.”

“Precisely. How are you?”

“Fair to middling.” Lenny shifted some things on his desk. “You spend your entire life doing all sorts of things, whoring, drinking, partying, allowing the fame to get to your head, and never once thinking about your immortal soul.”

He shook his head. “When you stepped into that bar so many years ago, I never dreamed I would be catapulted to fame and even so, I never thought it would be of this magnitude. I have regrets–”His eyes swept the room, lighting on the awards stacked carefully on the shelves.

“There was this woman once when I was just starting to be recognized. Sweet Southern girl who was willing to put up with my shit—you know how I was—fractious, moody, and going off tangent whenever I am trying to create. A pain in the ass who couldn’t be around people.”

“Vaguely.”

Lenny laughed at the telling look on his friend’s face. “Jolene was patient, and she looked past all that crap and saw the real me. Only I was too full of it to realize what I had. And she left. That woman gave me countless chances to see her and get it right and I refused. I thought I was too big for my britches.

I was in magazines, doing all these tours, women were coming at me from all over, and I took what they offered.” He leaned back in the chair and blew out a breath. “Now I am washed up and suffering from a debilitating illness. Forty-five and with one footin the grave.”

“You are waxing maudlin,” Richard’s tone was unnaturally sharp. “I am not here to join any pity party.”

Lenny gave him a crooked grin, seeing right through the seemingly cruel comment. “Too bad. You invited yourself to my place, so you have to take whatever I dish out.” He shrugged his thin shoulders. “I am just saying to my friend, that it’s not too late for you.”

“What the hell does that mean?” he growled.

“You are in your prime and it still can happen for you. Find love with a wonderful woman and have a kid or two. Find someone you can spend quality time with before it’s too late.”

“Now you are making me regret stopping by.” For some reason, his friend’s words were having an impact on him, and he couldn’t understand why. Lunging to his feet, Richard wandered over to the cabinet to stare at the awards.

He had several himself and a special place in his home studio where they were showcased. He was proud of his accomplishments.

He had set out to make a difference and even though he had never received a “well done” from his dad, he knew he had done something worthwhile. “You have much to be proud of," he murmured. Picking up an award, he studied the golden statue, admiring its intricate carving. “I remember this one.”

“For my third album—Lovin’ or Leavin’.” Lenny swiveled his chair around to see better. “I put sweat and tears into that, and you wouldn’t settle for anything less than perfection.

During that time, I hated you with a passion and wished you straight to hell.”

Richard smiled in memory. “You accused me of being a masochistic asshole who expected too much from people.”

“And you told me that if I want to make it in the country andwestern genre, I will have to be better than just good enough. You forced me to reach deep down into my soul and come up with more than just ordinary.”

Putting back the statute, Richard came back and sat down. “And you did just that.”

“You have done so much for me.” The emotions were thick in the other man’s voice, making him feel slightly uncomfortable.

“If you’re planning on kissing me, illness or not, I am going to have to deck you," he warned.

That remark managed to dispel the heavy air of nostalgia and caused Lenny to laugh.

“I would much prefer to kiss that young woman who will be coming to see me tomorrow.”

“She already made an appointment?”

Lenny nodded. “Hence the materials I have taken out.” He gestured to the files on his desk. “Talking about my illness is a good idea.” He looked at his friend. “You were right as usual.”

“Aren’t I always?”

*****

Collette was determined not to allow anything to interfere with the high she was on.

She had called Babs with the news while she was on her way home, and the woman had been on a high, trying to persuade her to let them have a celebratory drink at one of the nightclubs.

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