Chapter 15
15
G loria looked around the room and let out a long breath. She smoothed her hair with her fingers. She hadn't even thought of how she looked through all of this. She'd need to check over the video once Boon had it uploaded and ready for editing. She was sure her jaw was tight. She probably looked ten years older than she actually was. The television cameras today caught it all. Every line, every flaw. And viewers could be brutal. They'd write the television station and ask if she was sick because she looked so bad. She had a hair out of place, for god's sake get her a hairstylist. The vitriol went on and on. She stopped reading the emails years ago.
The stress of today probably aged her ten years. She went across the room to the window and stared outside. They faced the side of the hotel, not the front, but she could see crowds gathering. She wished they had a beach view so she could see what the security was looking like out on the beach.
She jumped when Sean's hand touched her shoulder. "Hey, it's going to be alright, Gloria. I know you didn't want any of this today. None of us were prepared for it, but we're fine. Security's doing their job. I'm going to sing with Chris Stapleton. We're going to get this concert over with. And then why don't we drive out of town tonight? We can go back to Blossom Springs. I've got a nice house not far from Jami's barn. It's just easier that way. We can go there and hole up. I can call and have security start setting up around the house in case people start finding out where we live. It'll be private. It'll be quiet. And we can talk."
She looked into his eyes and smiled. "What about your class reunion? What about your weekend plans?"
He shook his head. "None of that matters anymore. I was just thinking that none of this matters anymore. It's amazing how the things that were important to me a week ago don't concern me right now."
She swallowed the lump in her throat. Her nose tingled. Her eyes watered. "I'm sorry, Sean. I owe you an apology and I'm sorry."
He reached forward and pulled her in for a hug, and the tears flowed. She slowly wrapped her arms around his waist, and he pulled her even closer. He hugged her tightly, and the memories flooded her mind. What she wouldn't have given all these years to have his arms around her, to comfort her when things were tough, to tell her it was going to be okay.
She swallowed, sniffed, tried to get herself composed, but his smell wrapped around her, his warmth, the security of being in his arms, the firmness of his body pressed to hers. She had missed him so much.
"Hey, you two." She jumped at Mina's voice.
She turned and stared at their daughter. A soft smile appeared on her lips.
"I just heard from Chris Stapleton's assistant. He just pulled into the parking lot. They're putting him around back where our vehicles are, and they are bringing him up shortly.
"Thanks, honey."
Mina nodded and looked her in the eyes. Gloria couldn't tell what her thoughts were at that moment. Mina looked at her father, then turned and walked over to the bar and poured herself a glass of wine.
Mina turned and held up her glass of wine. "Want one?"
Boy, did she. She didn't know if she could trust herself to have a glass of wine right now. Every time Sean touched her, her defenses fell. She needed to be strong. Especially in light of the gathering shit storm. She huffed out her breath. "I don't know. I better not."
"It might help."
She swallowed again, hesitated a moment and nodded.
"Okay, maybe a half a glass." Half a glass should be alright.
Mina poured her glass, more than a half, handed it to her and she looked at her dad. "You want something, Dad? What do you drink, by the way?"
He chuckled. "I'm normally a beer drinker. It's easier for us to have on the road, so we pack the bus with it."
"All right, what kind of beer? If we don't have it here, I'll call up and get you something."
He shook his head. "Nah, I'm not a prima donna. I'll drink whatever's here. I'm good with that. Over the years, we didn't have a lot of money. We drank whatever was available. I haven't developed a fussy palate when it comes to beer. Except light beer. I won't drink light beer."
He laughed. They all laughed with him.
Gloria felt so good being able to laugh again a little bit.
The door opened and Chris Stapleton walked in. She set her glass down, wiped her hands on her thighs, and walked over to meet him.
"Hi, Chris. My name is Violet Slyk. This is my daughter, Mina Adams."
She stood back as Sean neared. "And this is Sammy Fender."
Sammy and Chris shook hands. Chris laughed. "So you've all had a day."
Gloria huffed out, "Oh, you have no idea."
Chris laughed. "I think I do. I've seen some of the Internet reports and I've seen the crowds outside. I'm going to tell you this, because anyone that's been in the industry for a while will know this. This is going to propel all of you to stardom. Handle it well. Fall forward. Keep your heads high. You're all going to be just fine."
Gloria laughed, and it felt good. "That is so good to hear. Not that the career part of it is more important than the personal part of it."
Chris nodded. "I'm aware. We've all dealt with shit in our lives. Handle it like I know you all can handle it. You'll be good." He nodded. "You'll be good."
"This guy right here." he lifted his chin toward Sammy. "He's good people. I've followed him and the band’s career for a while. You're going to be fine."
Chris leaned forward and shook Mina's hand. "It's nice to meet you, Mina. Thank you for keeping us all up-to-date on what was going on. We appreciate that."
"You're welcome. It's my job. It's the least I could do." She smiled brightly. "We're all happy to meet you, too."
A staff member knocked on the door and stepped in. He said, "They're all set for you anytime you're ready."
Gloria swallowed and looked at Mina. "Where do you want me during this Crossroads event?"
Mina smiled and took her hand. "I want you right next to the stage with me."