The Start

The CMA’s. We knew what we were going to do; Tribute to Glen and Roy. Wild Wood Flower, and, Ghost Rider in The Sun.

‘From your Author: ‘YouTube’ everything from the two best guitar players at the time; Glen Campbell, and Roy Clark. And best I can tell; Keith Urban moved to Number one.

I did a presentation as he did also, cracked some jokes and now it was time.

We walked out on stage and Keith told about the first time he met Glen, “Practice, kid.”

I picked up the twelve-string as he did the same with an electric. Ghost Riders.

There can come a moment when you play off of someone, the challenge, one wanting to be better than you, we just kept feeding off each other before it had to come to the end. Keith rested a hand on my shoulder then backed up offering me the applause.

They were all there, Niki, the boys, little Dean in oversized headphones protecting his tender little ears, along with Robby and Keith’s wife. Keith picked up a guitar and stood front and center, checked it for tune as I walked up from behind. My hands went around his waist, my chin rested on his left shoulder, and I inhaled looking at the five thousand people.

On the big screen were two people: most every person in the room had been influenced by the men being honored. I knew we were wired, what we said could be heard, and I kissed my uncle's neck. “You know I’m not coming on to you, Right?” I said looking at his wife and my husband with a smile.

“That tickles,” He said to laughter.

“Just play Aussie, Uncle.” And he did.

You need to watch the fuckin video. The guy in front plays as the guy behind plays on the same guitar. Talk about fuckin genius. Again, Keith, when we finished, stepped back clapping for me as I did the same.

Something that really never happens, the host, walked out to talk to us. KC. She kissed me, gave a tap to Keith’s chin, and laughed. “Oh, My God.” She announced clapping.

She turned to the people who were still on their feet and pointed at Niki.

“How long did it take you guys to be able to do that?” Kelly asked.

“Well, we did a rehearsal,” I said looking at Keith.

“Well, we all know shit like that doesn’t just happen. Am I right?” She said to the crowd.

So… After Parties. The rumors are true; even on the Country seine.

Now Keith is clean and sober, stronger than any person with a problem. His personality is humble like Petty’s, he is a prankster, and he told a story about having Glen at one of his concerts and the 45th CMA’s. A large group of people gathered around as he shared something that was personal and he got emotional.

As I watched and listened to him a small group had gathered around me and Robby standing side by side, as I talked about what Keith and I did. Donny and Jeff were star-struck crowded between superstars listening to me make it sound like no big deal what we did.   

We’d been home for two days and I had an afternoon studio thing. I’d taken the first sip of my smoothie when I heard the alarm; it was the little guy's water alarm. I bolted to the deck scanning the water; seeing nothing I hopped the rail landing on their deck and flung the sliding door open at a gallop.

I found myself on my ass. Ever run into a wall? Donny was heading for the deck with the same sense of dread as me coming in; hence, I was on my ass, Donny was the wall. And the alarm stopped.

“What the fuck is going on?” Niki’s voice came from everywhere.

I was looking up at Donny who didn’t seem fazed that he’d body slammed my ass to the floor.

As he reached for my hand he said, “I don’t know, Niki.”

“Sorry, sorry, sorry, guys.” And we looked up at Jeff who was holding Dean; both naked and wet.

“He made such a mess out of us, we needed a shower. I forgot. Ever happen to you? Happened to me.” He finished looking down on us.

I looked up at him; don’t think I’d ever seen him like that. “Donny? Why is RJ on the ground?”

“Donny? What did you do?” Came from all the speakers.

“He didn’t do anything, Niki. I ran into the human wall.” I said trying to take in air and his hand reached for mine.

We could hear Niki talking to 911 canceling the response but we heard the sirens and a boat saddled up next to the deck. I was on my feet, Donny still holding my hand, him looking over my shoulder and me looking at Jeff. Donny released my hand moving to the deck to tell them ‘false alarm’ and me still looking at Jeff. Now that was an adrenalin rush I didn’t need.

Three weeks later the soundtrack had been laid down, most of the main shit had been shot. Making a movie is more than anyone ever sees, flubbed lines, retakes, changes of everything from lights to makeup.

The final seine was the worst. Niki and I rehearsed it over and over so she wouldn’t cry; she played herself. I had gone on a diet so I was thin like Dean was, makeup sunk my cheeks with dark circles under my eyes.

I was pushed to the car with Niki helping me in, “Nikita, start the car.”

“Voice recognition not authenticated.”

“Start the fuckin car, Nikita.” And I coughed.

“Voice recognition.”

“Nikita?” Niki said.

“Voice recognition authenticated.”

“We need to take Stud home.” She told the car.

“Understood. Passengers' body temperature is below normal; should I?” And that was where Niki would cry.

“Cut.”

It had been six days trying to get ninety seconds of film; basically, it was only thirty because everything up to this last little bit was a wrap. We went to lunch and she knew I had a commitment and would be gone for two hays and was apologizing because she couldn’t hold her shit together. 

Niki’s POV:

RJ didn’t use me much and sometimes I had to find out what he was doing from my fellow, Niki’s. I couldn’t get past the last seine because it was so close to the end and with the weight, Ryan had lost and the makeup, he looked like Dean just hours before he died.

I got a call from a male counterpart, RJ was in Oklahoma at a Keith Whitney concert. He would stream it. I opened my laptop and put on the headphones opening streaming. I saw Ryan walk out with a guitar and sat center stage on a stool with Keith backing up to do just that.

“I know you loved him a long time ago. And even now in my heart you still want him I know.”

“You bastard,” I yelled at the screen. “FUCKER.FUCKER, FUCKER!” And Donny stood in front of me holding Dean with his little finger in one ear and a thumb over the other. I hit pause.

“Niki? He picks up everything and you are not going to blame his poddy mouth on me or Jeff.” Donny said in his underwear.

I’d gotten used to it; them in next to nothing. I pulled the headphones and reached for him saying, “Ice Cream, Ice Cream, Ice Cream.”

“Fucker, Fucker, Fucker.”

Donny shook his head with a smile. “This is all on you, Mom.” And he walked away. It was on me.  

I fed Dean and almost had him asleep when he said, “Daddy.” I turned to see Robby.

From your Author:

This is a much shorter chapter, my friends. My block on this hasn’t changed, Something Different, as well. The Bug seems to be my focus now so I will put this chapter behind me and hopefully be able to bring this back up to speed somewhere down the road.

Again I would like to thank readers and those who comment, other Authors, and our host, Bjorn. Many of us have nothing to do but read and if you can; listen to music at the same time. I find it helps me and many I talk to say the same. RJC.