Chapter 11 #2
Mikey belatedly realized the buxom woman leading the tour–who must have been Katrina–was actually speaking, and he was being very, very rude.
I really have to work on my behavior, he thought.
He gave her his winning smile and was gratified to see her respond.
It’s nice to know his friends don't hate me, he thought. Because I’m pretty sure he’s told her all about us. About me.
“If we’re ready,” Katrina was saying, “and now our most famous guest is here, it’s time to get started.”
Mikey sighed when everyone turned toward him, but at the very least they weren’t taking pictures of him. He didn’t mind it, necessarily, because he’d had a lot of time to get used to it, but he didn’t want the day with Luke to be overshadowed by his own publicity.
Then again, maybe some of them realize who he is, too, he thought.
Katrina led them all to a van parked nearby, and Mikey couldn’t help but admire the extent to which she’d put together her touring company.
He honestly wouldn’t have thought a place like Wheeling could even sustain something like it, but given the fact the tour group he was in had at least ten people in it, he was convinced it might be a more profitable venture than he would’ve thought.
The van puttered around Wheeling, and as it did Katrina pointed out all of the things she thought made the city really special, particularly when it came to labor organizing and music.
There was the Heritage Port, of course, with its beautiful view of the Ohio River, which caused Mikey’s heart to constrict in his chest as he thought about what it had been like to sit with Luke on the banks of that same river a decade ago, the two of them in their own little world.
There was the statue to Augustus Pollack which, Katrina reminded them, had been erected by the employees of the noted Wheeling cigar-maker because of his support of organized labor.
“Wheeling has always been a key place for labor organizing,” she said proudly, and the rest of the tour group nodded along. Mikey couldn’t help but admire Katrina for her ability to hold a whole van full of people totally rapt, even with a literal celebrity right in their midst.
“And,” she went on, “it’s also a city famous for its music history.”
Here she paused and looked meaningfully at both Luke and Mikey. “I mean, just look at who we have on the tour with us.”
Luke groaned.
“I hate when she does that,” he whispered.
Mikey barked a little laugh.
“I can see why. I was rather enjoying being an ordinary person for a bit.”
Too late he realized how such a comment must sound to Luke, who’d had his career go up in flames such a short time ago.
There I go putting my foot in my mouth again.
Luke, however, just frowned and turned to look out the window.
Mikey tried not to worry too much, but he hated the way Luke’s whole posture was even stiffer, more closed off.
Ugh. What is wrong with me?
Katrina went on.
“In fact, Luke and Mikey aren’t the only famous music stars to have come out of the Ohio Valley.
I’m sure a lot of you know country star Brad Paisley was born right down the river in Glen Dale.
” There were several nods and exclamations, even though Mikey found it hard to believe anyone could not know that.
“However, he was just the most recent in a long line of successful music acts from the area. In fact, we’re just in time to see the place where a lot of it began.”
Mikey finally paid attention to where they were.
“This,” Katrina was saying to the rapt tourists, “is the Capitol Theatre. Now, I’m sure most of you have at least heard of this building, but it really has quite a unique history.
It was built all the way back in 1928, and it went on to play a very big role in the history of country music in particular.
Right here was where WWVA, which ran for several decades, was founded.
It was a really important radio station, and a lot of acts and musicians got their start right there, including Brad Paisley himself. ”
It was, Mikey had to admit, an absolutely gorgeous building.
It was almost palatial in its white elegance, and it brought to mind the glories of Wheeling’s past. As he gazed at its white facade and marquee, Mikey found himself wondering what it might’ve been like to see the building in the city’s heyday, when it was a true center for arts and culture.
Even now, when Wheeling had seen its fair share of better days, the Capitol still had an undeniable grandeur about it.
“Things haven’t always been rosy for the Capitol,” Katrina was going on.
“In fact, this magnificent building was once closed for a time, until it was renovated and made ready for the public again just a few years ago.” There was no mistaking the triumphant smile on her face.
“Now it’s once again the jewel in Wheeling’s crown.
In addition to hosting various shows and tours from around the country, it remains the home of Wheeling’s own Symphony. Pretty neat, huh?”
The tourists nodded their heads, and even Mikey had to admit it was a fascinating place.
“You’d never guess Wheeling had a place like this, would you?” Luke asked, breaking into his thoughts.
Mikey wasn’t sure whether it was a trap or not. So, he decided to say the safest thing.
“Oh, I don’t know. I’ve learned the Ohio Valley has more than its fair share of hidden treasures.”
He might’ve been imagining it, but he could swear he saw a little smile trying to creep up Luke’s face.
Okay, so maybe all hope isn’t lost, he thought.
“Who wants to actually go inside?” Katrina asked.
Pretty much everyone on the bus raised their hand, and after the van pulled off they all piled out and gathered around Katrina.
“We have about half an hour to tour the building,” she said. “So let’s go.”
The obvious love Katrina had for her hometown and its rich history was infectious, and Mikey found himself as eager to explore the building as any of the folks who’d paid to be here.
As they stepped inside the Capitol, Mikey immediately felt more than a little overwhelmed.
The place’s faded opulence simply breathed history, and as they stepped over the threshold and into the main theater space, he again found himself imagining what it must’ve been like to be here when it was crowded with folks, when country music was echoing from the stage, when people saw this place as a true destination.
The light from the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling glinted off the gilding on the walls and caused the red draperies to shimmer. If he closed his eyes, he could hear music from the many shows that had graced this hall.
Wow, he thought. This is amazing.
As he tilted his head back and gazed at the lushly illustrated panels on the ceiling, he breathed deep, trying to take in as much of the atmosphere as he could.
“It’s pretty amazing, right?” Luke asked, his words echoing Mikey’s thoughts.
He looked over at him and saw that he had an awe-struck look on his face.
“No matter how many times I come in here, it’s like magic.
I remember my aunt bringing me here for concerts when I was a kid.
It’s where I first fell in love with music.
I used to think about what it would be like to perform here.
” He frowned. “At least until the tough times back when we were in high school.” He sighed.
“I’m just glad it’s back up and running.
Wheeling deserves something to be proud of. ”
Mikey’s heart tightened a bit in his chest at hearing Luke speak so lovingly of a place he loved so much.
Maybe he has a point about the importance of heritage, he thought. Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to bring some of it into the concert.
It wasn’t easy for Mikey to admit he might be wrong about something, particularly not when it came to Luke.
He couldn’t deny the power in the place, a power founded on history.
If the folks around here were like Luke–and he knew they were–then maybe they’d be more likely to support NACA and its future if they thought it was tied to the past.
“What are you thinking about, Mikey Smiles?” Luke asked.
“Am I in trouble? People usually only use both of my names if I’m in trouble.”
Luke crossed his arms, but though he looked like he wanted to glare, again a faint smile flickered at the edges of his lips. The crinkles around his eyes were the real evidence he was starting to soften toward Mikey.
“If you must know,” Mikey said. “I was thinking you might have a point about our concert focusing more on history and heritage than modern pop music. I mean, don’t get me wrong.
I still love pop, and I think we should have at least a couple of more modern songs but yeah, we should definitely lean into the place’s history. ”
“Well, well, well,” Luke drawled, not even bothering to hide his smug satisfaction. “I guess Mikey Smiles can admit when he was wrong about somethin’.”
Mikey winced at the barb but decided to take the high road. He just shrugged and smiled, like he always did when faced with an uncomfortable moment.
And Luke is pretty good at creating those, he thought.
“What can I say? Your little tour convinced me.”
Luke’s eyes seemed to hold him captive for a few minutes, and then he nodded.
“Good,” he said and then gave Mikey a smile of his own. “You know, Mikey Smiles, you may not be so bad.”
A little glow took up residence behind Mikey’s breastbone and, though he knew there was still a long way to go–both in terms of getting the concert off the ground and hopefully restarting things with Luke–this was a very promising beginning.
Just don’t screw it up this time, he thought.