Chapter 21 YellaWood 500
Greg paced back and forth in his office with Janet reading back the letter he’d just dictated.
He felt a nervousness he hadn’t in weeks.
This was it, the midway break in the tour and everyone was coming back to Kansas City.
LA, Portland and Seattle were complete. The performance in D.C.
had been a resounding success. Janet stopped reading the letter back as she heard his heavy footfalls approaching the window.
She set the tablet down on the dark mahogany desk, then slowly stood up.
She could see him standing there in repose.
‘Just like he always has been,’ she thought as she started toward him.
‘If something is bothering him he goes to the window, clasps his hands behind his back and just stares outside, mulling everything over in his mind.’ She laid her right hand on his left shoulder as she moved in beside him.
“Are you alright, Greg?” Janet asked softly.
“Is it that obvious you can see it?” he asked quietly.
“You’re bothered by something you can’t resolve in your mind.
You always do this when you have something heavy on your mind.
” She laughed softly. “You’ve always said that the serenity of the scenery allows you to roll things around in that big old head of yours,” she said and started laughing heartily.
“What’s so funny?” he protested.
“BIG OLD HEAD!” she said and laughed even harder.
“Hey now!” he protested, then started to laugh with her. “I needed that.”
“Indeed you did Greg.” She gave him a side hug then stepped forward to the window. “Is now a bad time to tell you some news?”
“What news?” Greg said, snapping his head in her direction nervously.
“That you get to be Uncle Greg again in a few months,” she said with the biggest smile. “Denny and I are expecting again!”
Greg spun and grabbed her in his arms, picking her up and whirling her around with a gigantic smile on his face. “Thank God!” he said. “I was worried,,,”
“About what?” she said, confused.
“I’d seen that you and Alice had been communicating privately,” he said slowly. “After talking to you about everything going on between Carry, myself and Veronica,” he paused and ran his hand through his hair. “I thought you wanted to transfer or quit.”
“NO!” she protested then hit his shoulder. “Are you kidding me? Greg Garrelson, we’ve known each other far too long. I’d never quit on you, any more than you’d quit on me.”
“Whew,” he said in relief. “So, when are you due.”
“It’s really early, Greg. About eight months from now,” she admitted.
“Eight months?” he said in confusion. “How could you know so early?”
“Annual physical,” she replied. “Remember I had to go in a week ago?”
“Oh, yeah. Right. I forgot about that.” He paused. “Hold on, three weeks ago we were in D.C.” he started and saw the look on her face.
“Denny was very romantic while you and Aunt Janet watched little Elizabeth,” she confirmed with a giggle. “He was very effective.”
“Apparently so,” Greg laughed. “I’m very happy for you both.”
“Yeah. We might have missed that concert, but we were well entertained on our own,” she confirmed.
“You stayed for the duet though,” Greg confirmed. “That was something else.”
“That was what inspired Denny. The words in that song, ‘Now That’s American’ in duet version just got him motivated for being very American,” she giggled.
“Yes, it could be very motivational,” Greg confirmed. “Veronica singing with Billy before she began her set. Such radiant beauty,,” he said drifting off into a memory of the performance.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” Veronica called as she walked out on the stage in D.C. “I’m so grateful for this young man here,” she continued. “When I met him, he was a struggling artist. Now, he’s a full-fledged performer.” The crowd went wild.
“Thank you Veronica,” Billy said, taking a bow. “I owe my career to you.”
“You owe me more than that, Billy.”
“Really?” he said, perplexed. “What more do I owe you?”
“A Duet!” she said as she walked up to him. “Just like you’ve promised me.”
“Tonight?” he asked, completely surprised. “Are you sure?” He stepped back slightly. “We’re in D.C.—The nation’s capital. Are you sure you want to do that here?”
“What better place to sing it together? Now That’s American!” she announced as Timmy, Tommy and Keith came out on the stage behind her. “Are you ready?”
“IF you think we’re truly ready for it,” he said with a tip of his Stetson.
“Okay, boys. Let’s do it!” she said as she moved up beside Billy.
Now That’s American
[Verse 1]
The sound of summer is loud and clear,
A crack of the bat, the crowd's wild cheer,
The bleachers packed under the big lights,
Our flag waving high on a Friday night,
There’s our corner diner with a neon glow,
Black coffee steaming, jukebox low,
Two hands holding across table in a booth,
True love is blooming among our youth.
[Chorus]
The American spirit is shining through,
In the land of Red, White, and a sky so Blue.
The heart of a country, the American dream.
Hot dogs grilling, apple pie can be seen
Chevrolet rumbling like freedom's gear.
Now that's American, loud and clear!
[Verse 2]
A dusty back road with sunset's gold,
A truck bed piled with stories untold,
Grandpa’s stories ‘bout a world gone by,
Hard work, faith, and a clear blue sky.
Kids in the yard chasing fireflies,
Simple things that money can't buy.
A Fourth of July with sparklers bright,
Fireworks painting the endless night,
[Chorus]
The American spirit is shining through,
In the land of Red, White, and a sky so Blue.
The heart of a country, the American dream.
Hot dogs grilling, apple pie can be seen
Chevrolet rumbling like freedom's gear.
Now that's American, loud and clear!
[Verse 3]
It's the laughter in a small café,
A farmer's sweat at the break of day,
A soldier's vow, or hands that pray
It’s all in the heart of the USA.
Porch swings creaking in the summer breeze,
Grandma's pies cooling, sweet memories,
Now that's American, plain to see,
Stretching out from sea to sea,
[Chorus]
The American spirit is shining through,
In the land of Red, White, and a sky so Blue.
The heart of a country, the American dream.
Hot dogs grilling, apple pie can be seen
Chevrolet rumbling like freedom's gear.
Now that's American, loud and clear!
Now that's American, loud and clear!
The crowd had gone nearly haywire in a standing ovation that kept going for several bows.
Billy was so overwhelmed by everything that when he walked off the stage finally, he didn’t notice Greg, just walking past him, straight to Carry.
He hugged her so tight that it stung Greg.
Then he’d heard it. “I’m so very proud of you Billy.
You are completely amazing!” Carry loudly complimented him.
“Greg?” Janet called as she waved her hand in front of his face.
“What?” he said as he snapped out of the memory.
“Where’d you just go?” she asked impatiently.
“Back to D.C. and that duet.” He turned back to the window, stone-faced suddenly.
“Ut-oh. I know that look.” She hit his shoulder. “Don’t go there, Greg. Carry was just congratulating Billy. She wasn’t making a move on him.”
“You didn’t see the look on their faces,” Greg protested. He dropped his hands in front of him in frustration. “She’s turning to him, and he’s growing attached to her.” He shook his head. “It’s my own fault.”
“Greg, stop this right now!” Janet demanded, hitting his shoulder again. “Don’t make me go get David and Molly!”
“Now, hold on there. Are you threatening me?”
“You better believe I am!” she said staring up at his eyes. “You need to stop doubting everything.”
“What?”
“Look, I’ve read the neurological report from Erica. Her chemical analysis of your brain chemistry said that poison damaged your brain, but that doesn’t excuse your behavior. You haven’t changed who you are. So why are you doubting yourself?”
“Janet,” he softly replied. “Erica shattered me,” he started as he looked down at her with his eyes softening.
“You watched me climb into that bottle trying to drown the pain she left in her wake. Then I suddenly meet two incredibly talented and gorgeous women who picked me up and put me back on my feet. Just when I thought I had figured things out and was ready to go public with Carry I got shot by that drive-by at Club Euchre. Carry was there every day as I recovered, but I’d never got a chance to end things with Veronica.
Next thing, I have to go enlist her help to save Pimico—yet again.
I didn’t expect to start feeling things for her at that point, but she didn’t give me any options.
And before I could straighten things out with Carry, Alice went on the warpath.
I screwed the pooch and failed to tell Carry what I was doing or how I was going to marry her.
” He let out a long breath. “You remember how she walked out.”
“I do indeed, Greg. I also remember the aftermath of that.”
“Now when I go forward, I keep wondering if Michael Stamson was right about me never being good enough.”
“GREG GARRELSON! STOP THAT! Do you hear me?” she said and started crying.
“I love you too, and you know that. I know that I never had a chance with you, and I’ve moved on with Denny, but I still love you.
You are more than just my boss. You are my dearest friend.
I can’t watch you doubt your worth any more.
You are the best, most wonderful man we all know.
Pimico would have failed without you, and hundreds of clients would have been swindled by the Marsdens if that had happened.
You don’t even see all the good you do, do you? ” she demanded.
“Is that really how you see me?” Greg asked.