Page 48 of Baby Blue
The man smiled. “Would you let me make it a little better for you?”
Blue grimaced. “If you think you can, go right ahead.”
“Could we have a seat over there? This will only take a few minutes.” When he pointed toward a table at the side of the room near the stage, Blue headed that direction. Once they were seated, the man asked, “Do you know what I want?”
“No, sir.” Blue didn’t want to guess; he wanted the guy to tell him.
“That song you sang. Do you have more?”
Where was he going with that? “Um, yeah.”
“I’d really like to see some of them.” Before Blue could tell him they were at home, the man added, “I’m not trying to steal your work. I’d just like to see what you’re capable of.”
“Sir, I’m not sure?” Blue started, but the guy interrupted him with an upraised hand.
“Do you know who HankChamberlain is?”
“Well, yeah. Doesn’t everybody?” Blue asked with a snort.
“Look, Hank is a great singer. He’s even a decent guitarist. And he writes too. But he’s not a strong writer.”
“What does that have to do with me?”
“I showed him the video I made of you singing your song, and he’s very interested in writing with you,” the man told him.
Blue felt a little dizzy. HankChamberlain was at the top of the country charts at least four times a year. He’d been touring with some of the biggest names in the industry opening for him, for god’s sake. “He’s, are you, do I, what…” Blue said, trailing off. He really didn’t know how to respond.
“Just tell me you’ll meet with me early next week. That’s all I’m asking.”
Heart in his throat, Blue said, “Uh, sure.”
“You’ll have to call me. I don’t have your number!” Mr.Wynn said, laughing.
“I can fix that.” Blue took the card Wynn had just handed him and wrote his own number on the back. “There ya go.”
“Good. I’ll be back in town on Tuesday. I’ll try to give you a call on Monday and see what we can set up.”
“Thank you,” Blue said, unable to make what would pass as an intelligible sentence. Holy shit?the guy seemed for real. But if he thought Blue wouldn’t be checking up on him, he was wrong. “I’ll look forward to hearing from you.”
“Great. Thank you so much. I’ll be in touch.” In seconds, the man was gone.
“What was that about?” Blue turned to find Gary standing nearby.
“Guy from Tidal Wave Records. Heard my song and wants to talk to me about writing with HankChamberlain,” Blue said, still trying to digest the conversation.
Gary broke out in hysterical laughter. “Oh, yeah, right! HankChamberlain! Give me a break.”
Devon leaned toward Blue. “Good luck, buddy. I’m rooting for you.”
One guy was making fun of him and the other was wishing him well. And Blue didn’t know which one to pay attention to. He’d figure that out when he got The Call?if it ever actually came.
“I don’t mind,really. As long as you don’t, I don’t,” Anne said when Blue started griping.
“I do mind. You shouldn’t have to do that.” Blue couldn’t help but pace. He’d learned years earlier that it kept him from exploding, so he paced fast and furiously.
“Really, I don’t mind. It’s just a couple of extra shifts every week, and you’re here with the kids,” she said, trying to grabhis hand as he stalked past her again. “Sit down, please? You’re making me a nervous wreck.”
Blue spun and looked down at her. “This isn’t right!” he yelled. “You’re working extra and I can’t find a fucking job? I don’t want that. You don’t deserve that!”
