Chapter 21
Joseph and Shelia insisted I bring Fancy to Sunday dinner. I suspected Dial filled them in on my current relationship status and now they wanted to confirm it for themselves. The last time I’d brought a woman to dinner … shit … I couldn’t tell you. But when I asked Fancy if she wanted to attend, she smiled that full effortless smile of hers and nodded, her big curls falling into her face.
Per usual Cyrus was absent but he gave his apologies in the group chat. I’ve had Cyrus’s cooking, and it wasn’t better than our parents. Why he chose to stay home or at work like he claimed was beyond me. And what mayor of a town this small couldn’t clock out on a Sunday evening? He acted like he was putting out never-ending fires. Nothing ever happened in Hume and when it did it was still tame in comparison to larger cities.
Kids tagging stop signs, or a baby goat trotting around the Welborn’s. Which in my opinion was a cute sight to witness as residents pulled out their phones to take pictures of the prancing goat. Cy wasn’t saving the town, so why was he constantly declining family Sunday dinners?
Dial never missed a Sunday. Shit most Sundays she and I would show up early and just hangout. Being in your childhood home was earnest and humbling. No matter how grown, you were always your mother’s baby. And Dial and I would fall into our teenage routine of cracking jokes, talking shit, and pestering one another. Now with my niece in the mix, I was able to teach her all my annoying habits, which pissed off my sister.
“I don’t get it,” my niece said.
“Get what, sweetie?” Fancy asked, grabbing an apricot from the snack board.
“How can you two be a couple if you’re related?”
“We’re not related,” I said.
“But she’s my aunt and you’re my uncle.”
“Yeah, we’re related to you, but we’re not related to each other. Because you’re right, that would be weird.” Fancy nodded.
Maple wrinkled her nose. She was the perfect blend of Dial and Ozzie. “But we’re all family.”
“In a sense, yes. But?—”
“Are you two going to get married?”
“Dial,” I shouted. “Dial, come get your child.” Per usual Dial ignored my cry for help, just like she barely acknowledged Fancy and me when she came in. “Hey Maple, go tell your mommy Uncle Eddy said she’s a gray sprinkle on a rainbow cupcake.”
“What?”
“Just say it exactly like that. Gray sprinkle on a rainbow cupcake. Go, go, go.”
Maple ran off to the kitchen.
“Why?” Fancy asked.
“Why not? She’s acting like a loser. Plus, she has thick skin.”
Maple came running back out of breath. “Mommy said, you’re a pretzel that’s unsalted and no one likes that.”
“Oh yeah?” I tickled Maple and she giggled with glee. “You tell mommy Have a nice day, somewhere else . Say it just like that, start out nice and then go for the kill. Let me hear you.”
“Have a nice day, somewhere else.”
“Say somewhere else . Can you tell the difference? Maybe add a little attitude.”
“Somewhere else .”
“That’s good enough. Go.”
“Are you ten?” Fancy stared at me.
“What’s the point of having a sister if you can’t tease her every now and then?”
“Maybe we shouldn’t poke the bear.”
“We may be at a stalemate, but annoying my sister is my right as the baby of the family.”
Dial entered the family room and gave us the once over. “Cute shirt Francesca. I mean I’m used to seeing your areolas, so this is a nice change.”
Fancy gasped out a laugh.
“I think I liked it better when we weren’t talking,” I said.
“Hold on,” Fancy raised a silencing finger. “I’m trying to imagine you with a personality.”
Dial smirked. “Oh, is this the part of the night where we air out our grievances?”
“No, that usually comes after dinner,” I corrected her.
“Can’t wait.” Dial turned on her heels and exited the room.
“Oh, she’s big mad,” I whispered to Fancy.
“Maybe this was a mistake.”
“No, forget Dial. In this family dinners are always awkward. Someone is always mad at someone.” I kissed her hand.
“I kind of feel like an outsider.”
“Well, according to Maple we’re kissing cousins.” I tried to lighten the mood, and it worked. Fancy laughed and the death grip she had on my arm loosened.
“Fancy?” my mother called from the kitchen archway.
“Yes, ma’am.” Her back was pin straight.
“Are you okay with eating on the back porch? It’s a pleasant night but I know not everyone enjoys alfresco dining. Especially in Tennessee where the insects are as big as golf balls.”
“I don’t mind. Shoot I’d sit on the lawn if it meant getting to enjoy your home cooking.”
“Alright, well dinner’s ready.”
My parents made some of my favorites, steak, au gratin potatoes, and Brussel sprouts with bacon and a honey drizzle. I would miss their home cooking if and when they actually moved away. If I was being honest, I didn’t really believe it would happen. We’d lived in Hume forever. Our family helped found this town. My parents were members of the Hume City Council. The Birch name and Hume were practically synonymous.
It also didn’t sit right with me them selling our family home. Almost every good memory I owned was connected to this house. Cyrus and Ozzie would have sleepovers as kids and sometimes they’d actually let me hang out with them. I’d listen to them talk and try emulating their style and swagger. We’d play hide and seek all over this property and when my mom wanted us to come home, she’d ring a huge bell that hung from the porch roof. She called it the kid wrangler because no matter where you were, you could hear echoes of the bell.
“I imagine it’s been nice to take a break from work. You and Darla seem to be all over TV performing and collecting awards,” my father said.
“Yes, it was unplanned, but it’s been nice to slow down for a bit.”
“Oh no. I hope everything is good with Whiskey Wild.” Dial feigned concern.
“Uhm. Just going through a bit of a transition and I’m working with my lawyers about the future of the group.”
“Are you two having trouble?” My mother’s question was a mixture of genuine worry and her nosy nature.
“Just a difference of opinion. But nothing our lawyers can’t work through.”
“I remember you and Darla performing at all those fairs. I knew then you were going to be a star. Your mom can attest, I told her years ago you were special.”
“Thank you for believing in me.”
My dad added his thoughts, “It’s hard work. And not everyone is willing to put in the time and energy. Whiskey Wild worked hard, and you’ve created a career for yourself and that’s something to be proud of.”
“I appreciate that.”
My mother loved it when we brought our partners over. It gave her a chance to put on her detective hat and ask probing questions. “I heard you’re going on tour.”
“Yes, ma’am we are.”
“How exciting,” Dial chimed in.
My mother took a sip of her spiked iced tea. “Maybe we’ll grab tickets to the Nashville show.”
“I’m not taking your money. I’ll get you some tickets. Just let me know how many you need.”
“I like this. Edison, good job dating a superstar. Free tickets are a perk I could get used to,” my father joked.
“So, are you two official?” My mother asked the question she’d been holding all evening.
“Umm …” I didn’t want to put twenty on ten if Fancy wasn’t in agreement.
“We haven’t exactly figured it out, but I think we want to be together.” She squeezed my hand. “I mean that’s what you want right?”
Was she dense? “That’s all I’ve ever wanted.” When I stared into her mink eyes, the world blurred. It was just me and Fancy. Making goo goo eyes at a woman in front of my parents was uncharacteristic of me. I tended to play it cool no matter how infatuated I was. But with Fancy, being aloof wasn’t an option. She made me giggle. Can you imagine that? A grown six-foot two Black man giggling like a child. With her, there was so much to be happy about, it left me reeling.
Dial cleared her throat, and the fog lifted. “And how exactly does that work when you’re two thousand miles apart?
“Dial,” my mother chided.
My sister turned to Maple and said, “Honey can you go and set up the ice cream bar? You know how we like it.”
“All by myself?”
“Yep, you’re a big girl and I think you’re ready to be in charge of the ice cream station. You are now the Creamery Captain.”
Maple was beaming as she pulled back from the table.
“Don’t forget the sprinkles and napkins.” We all watched Maple make her way into the house.
“I thought this was an open discussion. I’m just trying to comprehend the logistics.” Dial propped her chin on her folded hands. “Didn’t you just break up with your boyfriend two minutes ago and now you expect us to believe you love Edison?”
“Dial per usual, you’re out of line,” I said.
“For asking questions?”
“For being rude.”
“I have to agree with Eddy. Francesca is our guest. This is a pleasant family dinner. No room for drama,” my mother said.
“Momma, let’s not pretend you don’t have the same questions. Francesca will be going home soon, so where does that leave Edison and this relationship? ”
“This really isn’t the time or the place.” I rolled my eyes.
“Maybe you’re content to live in La La Land but someone needs to ask the grown-up questions.”
“I don’t really care what you believe. I don’t owe you anything, Dial.” Fancy wasn’t a shrinking violet, and she wasn’t going to be intimidated by my sister.
“That’s my brother you’re playing house with. So, I’m allowed to have an opinion.”
“No one is asking for your opinion. Feel however you want to feel but keep the commentary to yourself,” I huffed.
“Sounds like you don’t want me asking questions because you’re afraid of the answers.”
My father banged his hand on the table. “Enough.” His booming voice forced you to straighten your back. The gruff tone ended the conversation and was mom’s cue to ask Fancy to help her with the dessert.
With Fancy and my mother inside the house, I turned to Dial. “Are you out of your freaking mind?” I didn’t curse in front of my parents, and I never would.
“You two need to work your differences out.” Our father stood. “No dessert until you do.” He went into the house, leaving me and Dial at the porch dining table alone. We looked everywhere but at one another. The sun was starting to set and the heat of the day had burned off. I nursed my lemonade, not wanting to speak first but if I waited for my sister, the sun would rise and set again before she uttered a word.
“What are we eight? No dessert for you,” I mumbled.
“You’re acting like a child.”
“And you’re being an idiot. I need for you give this a rest. Fancy never led me anywhere I didn’t willingly want to go.”
Dial’s arms were pinned across her chest. “When it comes to Francesca you make bad choices and then I have to be a one-woman clean-up crew.”
“I turned to you for support one time. But you can’t keep throwing one of the lowest points of my life in my face. I was nineteen Dial, I barely knew what love was. I just lost my best friend and the woman I thought was going to be my wife. So yeah, I cried and didn’t shower for a week.”
“For months you just went to work and home. I hardly recognized you. It was like Fancy took your joy with her to LA.”
Dial was the type who liked to pretend nothing fazed her. When she and Oz ended things, there weren’t any tears. I could tell she was hurting only because she was my sister. She was always so strong even when I reassured her she didn’t have to be.
“I love you because even at my worst, you always showed up for me. This thing with Fancy is real and I need you to be okay with it.”
“And what about LA? I’m not trying to find flaws; I just want you to use your head.”
“Fancy and I have agreed to devise a plan that works for the both of us.”
“So, what is it?”
“I don’t know yet,” I chuckled. “But I need you to trust that I’ve got this handled.” I scooted my chair closer. “How can you stay mad at this face?” Sticking out my bottom lip, I flashed my puppy dog eyes. “It’s me Eddy, your favorite baby brother.”
For the first time tonight, her shoulders appeared to relax. “I’m an asshole because I care. You are the gentlest soul I’ve ever known, and you deserve all the good things. And you need to be loved by someone who makes you their number one priority because that’s how much you love them. I’m not saying Fancy doesn’t care because it’s clear she does. My only question was can she love you in the way you need and deserve. I only pry because I love you.”
“And I love you for it.” Wrapping my arms around her, I pulled her close.
Dial didn’t hug me back because that wasn’t her way, but she did pat my arm. “Eww, Eddy, enough.” I released her. “Can you believe dad threatened us with no dessert?”
“I’m surprised he didn’t make us run laps or do pushups.”
“Knees to chest. All the way down. You call that a pushup?” We shared a laugh.
Back in the house we were rewarded with a strawberry tart and ice cream. After several bites, Dial turned to Fancy and said, “Sorry for the static.” For Dial that was a pretty good apology.
“Thank you.” Fancy squeezed my knee before stuffing a huge strawberry into her mouth.
I showed up to our meeting with a laptop, notepad, sticky notes, and a tall glass of iced tea like we were negotiating a peace agreement. Fancy and I decided to sit down and have a comprehensive dialogue about our relationship. Was it romantic? No. Was it what I needed to be comfortable? Yes.
“Should we have hired a stenographer?” Fancy teased.
“I just like to be prepared.” Setting my things on the antique dining table, I took a seat.
Fancy had already made herself comfortable with a red wine and Coke. I loved the way she looked at home in my space. She wore a tank top sans bra, which was her signature style, and her shorts were part of the gym uniform for Hume High School. I wasn’t sure if they were the same pair from high school or a new one.
Fancy reached for her glass and took a long, thoughtful sip before folding her legs underneath herself. “So where should we start?”
“How about you tell me what your lawyer said.” While I was at Figs and Twine Fancy was in conversations with her lawyers, agent, and personal assistant. Walking away from a multimillion-dollar country group was just as complicated as you’d imagine.
“What didn’t she say? The only property Chap and I share is the condo. We contributed equally and so the sale of the unit would be divided fifty fifty. There is a chance he might want to purchase the place from me.”
“How would that work?”
“We’d have the condo appraised, agree on a price, and he’d pay half of that.”
“Have you considered buying it from him?”
“No, I don’t want to give him any more of my money. Plus, I never really liked that place. Don’t get me wrong, it’s beautiful but it was never really my speed. I’m looking for a clean break. Fresh new start.”
I scribed quick notes on my notepad. “Will he still be your manager?”
“No, he’s been served with an intent to cancel letter ending his role as my manager. There is a hefty early termination fee, but I’m willing to pay it to be done with him. Luckily Darla and I signed our management agreements separately. If we hadn’t, this could have ended up in a nasty legal battle.”
“Do you really think she’s going to keep him as her manager? At this point, she must be regretting choosing his side. And going forward, it’s going to be difficult for you two to co-exist. Maybe the next album will just focus on betrayal and you both cussing one another out every other song.”
“That’s the thing …” Fancy raised her eyebrows. “After the tour, I don’t ever want to lay eyes on her again.”
“So, you don’t think with time and a proper apology maybe you can move past it?”
“Not you offering Darla a Hail Mary.”
“I just know what she means to you. Sometimes the people we love hurt us. But that doesn’t mean we stop loving them.”
Fancy pushed her curls from her eyes. “I’m going to love her from afar. I don’t wish her any ill will.”
The expression on my face made it clear that lies were detected.
“Okay I wish her a little ill will. I hope she steps on a Lego and her bra strap is constantly falling off her shoulder. I hope her edges never slick down, and her hair never curls over. Just limp, lifeless strands. And maybe just maybe if we live in a merciful world, she’ll get scammed by a fake prince who steals all her money.”
“So, you’ve given this some thought.”
“Just a little.”
“What does that mean for Whiskey Wild?”
“We’ve contractually obligated to produce one more album. But my agent thinks if we present another option they might bite.”
My blank expression made it clear I wasn’t following.
“A solo project … for me. My lawyer hinted I may be able to retain the group name. But I don’t want to record under that moniker. Whiskey Wild was for Darla and me. If I go solo, I’ll have to call myself something else.”
“Fancy Palmer Solo Dolo.”
“Single like a dollar bill.” She dropped her eyes to the table, her shoulders slowly slumping. “Do you think it’s a bad idea?”
“I already told you Whiskey Wild was more you than Darla. You don’t need her, you never have.”
“Yeah, but when you’re a solo act, there’s no one to share the blame when shit goes sideways.”
“It’s not going sideways, it’s only going up from here.”
“Maybe.” She hopped a shoulder. “It would be exciting, sort of starting over.”
“It’ll make the success story all the more sweeter. You’ll be like Lionel Richie, Diana Ross, Beyonce.”
“No one is like Beyonce.”
“I prefer Kelly Rowland myself. That woman could do ungodly things to me. I’m talking spanking, I would get on my knees and just?—”
“Note to self, never allow you in the same room as Kelendria Rowland.”
“Probably a good idea.”
Fancy tossed a highlighter at me. “Seriously though, I have to finish the tour. I tried to get out of it, but my lawyer said I signed a contract and could be held liable if we miss any dates.”
“How long?”
“Three months give or take.” She worried her bottom lip. “More give than take.”
Three months was a long time. In that time one or both of us could get cold feet. You know that saying, “Out of sight, out of mind,” what if my absence made her heart grow frostier? “What happens after that?”
“I guess that’s really up to you. I’m not looking to insert myself into your life if that’s not what you want. I know you have a routine here and my presence can be disruptive. And shit maybe this is all moving too fast?—”
“Take a breath.”
“It’s just so much change all at once. And I feel like I’m dragging all this baggage behind me. And it’s not fair to expect you to deal with that.”
“It’s true I’m not a fan of change. But for you, I make exceptions.”
“But that’s the thing. You shouldn’t have to settle. You deserve everything. The horse, the carriage, and the princess.”
“In what world do you think being with you is me settling? I don’t know how to break this to you … but I love you. I loved you before fans were screaming your name and begging for autographs. Fancy you have always been my endgame. These past few weeks have been some of the best of my life because I was able to love you. So, give me your baggage and I’ll add it to my mommy issues and baby of the family syndrome.”
“You’re crazy for loving me, you know that?”
“Loving you is like breathing to me. It’s just something I do.”
Fancy wrapped her hand in mine, resting them on her lap. “After the tour I’ll need to work on making an album, alone or with someone else, and that takes time. I could come back and we could spend the next few months or year together. The hustle has been unrelenting the past few years. Constant touring, interviews, photo shoots. The Whiskey Wild machine kind of took on a life of its own. I’ve gained all this success, and I haven’t really had a moment to catch my breath and take stock of it all.”
I raised my eyebrows.
“I think it would be nice to slow down. I’m not saying I’m gonna stop making music. I love writing and performing. I am saying that I’m ready to find a balance. And hopefully all the money I earned for the record label will allow me some input into the direction of my career.”
“I don’t want you giving up anything for me. I know how passionate you are about your music, and I don’t want to hinder that in any way. I’ve been thinking too and maybe I move to Los Angeles for a bit, gives you time to renegotiate contracts or whatever it is the princess of country music has to do.” Maybe Fancy was right. I had to be unwell to suggest moving.
“You would hate LA.”
“Not if I was with you?”
“What about the farm?”
“I could hire someone to look after it while I was away?”
“What about Figs and Twine?”
“Dial can manage. Cyrus could pitch in. I could consult via video chats.”
“Edison, I love you for suggesting that. But this isn’t just about me. It’s about us. You wouldn’t be happy in LA. You’re a family man and you’re uncomplicated. And that’s what I love the most about you. The joy you find in the simple things. I want that, I want that with you.
“I don’t want the traffic or smog. I’m not interested in pretentious restaurants with tiny serving sizes. The last thing I want to do is attend another party where people are trying to figure out what I can do for them rather than looking for real connections. I prefer late night runs to the Gas Guzzle. And Friday nights at The Tipsy Owl. Lazy Saturdays in bed while we make love to the sound of rain on your tin roof. I’ve thought about this long and hard. And I’ve never been happier than I have these past few days. I truly believe it’s all because of you and this town.”
“So, you want to live in Hume … with me?”
“Yes, but if cohabitation isn’t your thing, I could stay with my parents or find a small place.”
I looked down at my notepad and reviewed the words written across it. Three-month tour. End of group. Music is important. Living together. Hume is home.
“Say something,” she begged.
“I just feel kind of silly. I thought this conversation would be me trying to convince you to acknowledge Hume as a viable option. But here you are willing to make Hume your home.”
“I want to be where you are. And I can write and record music from anywhere. Believe it or not I’m actually excited about the idea of letting grass grow around my feet. I could help you with the renovations. You can help me with melodies when I’m stuck. When I have to tour, maybe sometimes you could come with me. And when you can’t, I’ll be counting down the days until we’re back together.”
“I like that.”
“Good. And you didn’t even need your sticky notes.” She stood and kissed me on the top of the head. “Oh I forget, all my shit from LA should be arriving in the next day or two. I asked Moniece to pack up my belongings and ship them here. I hope that’s okay?”
“I’ll make space in the closet for you.”
She caressed my chin. “Fair warning, I have a lot of clothes … and shoes.”
“We’ll make room.”
“Ooo, we’re gonna be shacking up.” We both frowned at her wording. “Sorry Oz said that the other day and it just kind of wormed its way in my head.”
And just like that Fancy grabbed her glass of wine and Coke and walked off toward the barn to visit with Cotton Candy. I couldn’t contain myself and let out a loud yelp that was a mixture of relief and excitement. Yeti, who was resting on the floor in the sun, jumped and tossed me an irritated eye.
I was more than ready to start this next chapter with Fancy by my side. What was three months when we had forever together.