Page 57 of Baby Blue
But because of his past, he had a terrible feeling that it wouldn’t stay that way for long.
“I liked that one.But could you work on the chorus a little? It seemed a bit weak to me,” Hank told him.
“Yeah, I thought that myself, but I thought maybe it was just me. I’ll see what I can do. But otherwise?”
“Otherwise, it’s a great song. You know, it’s like you really get me, Blue. I’m enjoying working with you on this stuff,” Hank told him.
Blue smiled. He’d gotten three more checks from the record company, and when they’d discovered what a hardship it would be for him to come to Nashville, they’d even flown their attorney to him to get his signature on everything. Since then, every time he sent them a song, they liked it and sent him a check. It wasn’t much, but it was something. It had been two months and he still had quite a bit of the money from the first check left. “I’m enjoying working with you too.”
“We make a great team. Oh, and I think we’re going to be working on putting an album together in the next year, so you’re going to have more work.”
“Great! Just let me know what you want and when. I’m sure I can come up with some pieces you’ll like.”
“Can’t wait. And I’ve already told my producer, Dave, that I want your fee tripled. You’re an amazing songwriter, and they’re not paying you nearly enough.”
Blue was stunned. “Uh, thanks. I really appreciate that, especially coming from you.”
“I can’t do what I do without you doing what you do, and you do it remarkably. Catch up with you later, bud.” Hank hung up and Blue turned back to the tablature sheet on the table. Occasionally he’d pick up his acoustic guitar and try out a chord to make sure it was exactly what he wanted. He still played with the guys on the weekends, but they couldn’t do his original songs anymore?those were under contract to the record label, at least for the first four months after they’d been written. But Devon wrote too, and sometimes they’d try out one of his. And Blue knew he’d eventually be bringing Devon into the writing for Tidal Wave. He’d talked to Hank about his friend and the country music star had seemed very interested in having Alex talk to Devon.
He’d almost finished the chorus of the song he was working on when his phone rang, and it was a number he didn’t recognize. He hit ACCEPT and said, “Hello, Wallace here.”
“Blue Wallace?”
“Yeah.”
“God damn, you’re a hard man to find,” the voice said and chuckled. It was familiar, but Blue couldn’t figure out who it was. “I’ve been looking for you for months.”
“Who is this?”
“It’s CharlesWentworth! How in the hell are you?”
Mr.Wentworth! He knew it sounded crazy, but he’d missed the old man. “I’m good, Mr.Wentworth! Damn, it’s good tohear from you!” Then he remembered what Wentworth had said. “You’ve been looking for me?”
“Had to give that secretary at the garage fifty dollars to give me your number! That woman doesn’t know the meaning of confidential information. Lucky for me, though. So, Blue, have you found a job?”
“No. I haven’t. I’ve got some part-time work, but that’s about it.”
“Do you want a job?”
Blue chuckled. “Of course. I just haven’t had any luck.”
“Go to our Chevy dealership tomorrow at ten and ask for ChuckWentworth. That’s my son, the idiot. Don’t turn him down cold; listen to what he’s got to say before you decide, okay?”
“Sure!”Wow! If he’s been looking for me, he’s serious.“I’ll be sure to be there.”
“Hey, what’s your real name?”
That made Blue laugh. “It’s Brent!”
“BrentWallace. I’ll tell him. And good luck. With that dumbass, you’re going to need it.”
“Thanks, Mr.Wentworth. Hope to see you soon,” Blue told him, and he meant it. The old guy was a hoot, and he could use more laughter in his life, that was for sure. As soon as the call ended, he punched in another number and waited. “Could I speak with Ms.Parker?”
“Just a moment, please,” the voice told him. He waited on hold for a couple of minutes before there was a click and another voice.
“VirginiaParker. May I help you?”
“Ms. Parker, this is Brent Wallace.”
