The One ....Part 3

It took me fifteen years to figure out I didn’t need drama in my life—or drugs, chaos and disordered senses in order to create music. As a matter of fact, I needed just the opposite.

My mantra now is Give Me Peace and to that I’d add beauty—summed up, of course, in the person of Bernadette Owens who is the only one who makes my heart skip a beat.

She’s the enchantress, the gifted songstress, who spins silvery notes out of nothingness and makes a mystery out of gloom.

Unfortunately, Bernadette knows all about the history of my sordid past and despite my best efforts to entice her, she’s not buying my wares.

Still, I’ve managed to convince her to attend a music awards ceremony and meet some producers who can help her career. Maybe she might just soften towards me.

I’m not trying to bribe her into feeling indebted to me—I honestly appreciate her art.

But I also totally appreciate her, and for me, she’s the only one.

The following Wednesday night I’m in the foyer at The Juno’s.

“You’re going to wear out that carpet pacing back and forth, “ Gerry laughs.

“What if she doesn’t show, Ger?”

“I’d be more worried if she does—you know these things sometimes get out of hand.”

I was thinking about that too—the party scene, the drinking, the loose conversations—was this the right venue to bring Bernadette—to a place where I have almost no control?

“She’s here,” Gerry chirps.

She’s dressed in a black Terani styled evening gown. It accentuates her slim figure and spills over her hips, tapering down to a subtle flutter at her feet. And incredibly, she’s wearing her hair loose and flowing.

I take her hand as she approaches, and lean close and whisper, “You look stunning.”

Her smile lights the room and I feel blinded by her sun. Then, I remember Gerry standing behind me.

“Bernadette, I’d like you to meet Gerry Fishman, my agent.”

Gerry is all smiles. “I’ve heard so much about you, Ms. Owens, but words alone can’t convey your beauty. You look very elegant tonight.”

And so it goes all evening—Bernadette surrounded by admiring men and basking in the attention.

The music and wine flow freely and I’m mentally congratulating myself on my decision, until Allie Starr spots me from across the room.

Allie has been drinking with several producers and is obviously past the point of being tipsy—actually, her laughter tips me off to her presence, but unfortunately, I don’t have much warning before she crosses the room to confront me.

Over the span of two years, the two of us have had an off-again, on-again relationship, but it has definitely been off for the past six months. Still, that doesn’t deter Allie. She’s boisterous and unruly when drunk, and tonight is no exception.

“Well, hello, stranger—have you been avoiding me?”

She’s wavering from side to side, her eyes glassy.

I see Gerry instinctively take Bernadette’s elbow, intending to lead her away—but Allie spots the gesture too.

“Oh don’t bother trying to be gallant, Gerry—she’s going to find out soon enough what Paul Chambers is all about.”

He hisses under his breath, “For God’s sake, Allie—don’t make a scene.”

“Why? You afraid I’m gonna spoil the party and upset Paul’s new fling?”

She offers Bernadette a mock toast with her glass, and chuckles harshly, “You’re not going to last, Honey—he’ll dispose of you like he did me—once he gets what he wants.”

Before I can respond, Bernadette turns on her heel and storms from the room. Gerry stares helplessly after her.

So much for my well laid plans—it’s like everything else in my life—things just have a way of turning out badly.

© 2018, John J Geddes. All rights reserved

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