The Right Side of Memphis (7 page)

Billie replied, “Aren’t you glad no one saw us, Chris?”

While Chris was busy trying to get Lana to drop her ridiculous charges, Billie was spending time with one of her favorite female country singers, Maria Dawson.  They had become real good friends, thanks to Chris.  He had reintroduced them at a recent songwriter’s awards ceremony.  Maria already knew about Billie’s admiration for her.  She was always helpful whenever Billie needed an interview, or even some advice.  They were almost like best friends.  They couldn’t hang out that much because of Maria’s busy tour schedule and her family.  Billie made sure to let her know that she would babysit for her, too.

One day, Maria was talking to Billie on the phone about relationships.  Maria’s was well known, but, Billie’s was not really open for discussion, or public knowledge.  She could trust her with her secret.  She was going to keep her affair with Bobby Douglas private though. She swore to never tell a soul about what happened with him.  Maria wasn’t surprised about her and Chris.  She figured something was going on between them.  Billie asked, “Do you think we’re doing the right thing by keeping this quiet?” 

Maria insisted, “Certainly.  Being in the spotlight isn’t always great.  Just look at how rumors get started and can wreck marriages.  Chris is a good buddy of mine and he needs someone in his life right now.  I think you are good for him. Maybe you can help him forget all about blondie.”  They laughed.

Billie had always been the pessimistic type.  She had been insecure most of her life. She wasn’t eager to open her heart to just anyone…especially to such a rich, famous, and gorgeous man going through a terrible divorce.  It was not the challenge she had in mind.  She promised herself she wouldn’t tell him that she loved him unless he said it first.  She had to be sure that he was truly in love with her and that she was sure herself of her feelings. She was successful, admired in her field, independent, and well educated. As for her physical attributes, she kept her hair short like a bob cut, she had a slim figure, hazel eyes, and lips that were natural but sometimes thought to be enhanced. She used to hate being petite in stature, but it didn’t bother the guys she were with lately. Chris was not that much taller than her, but Bobby towered over her in comparison. He was used to it though.

Chris surprised Billie for their five month anniversary.  He fixed one of her favorite dishes, vegetarian pizza.  As they proposed a toast, her conversation with Maria flashed before her eyes.  Chris told Billie, “Being with you has helped me consciously and subconsciously. I have a clear head now that I have stopped drinking.  I’ve made a decision that I think you will approve of.  I have decided not to leave the music business after all.”  Billie was so happy that she hugged and kissed him.  Colby started barking and wagging his tail.  Chris laughed, “Yes, Colby.  You can take some of the credit.  You were also an inspiration…fleas and all.” 

Billie exclaimed, “I’m so proud of you for all that you have done and your commitment to your dream.  You knew it wasn’t over.  I am just glad that the public didn’t discover your plans.  What really made you change your mind?” 

Chris answered, “It’s amazing what a conversation with your mom can do.  She reminded me of a story she read to me when I was a child.  It was about a boy following his heart.  Every one told him he wouldn’t succeed.  He proved them all wrong.  He vowed to always be true to himself.  He did not give up, even when the world was coming down on him.  Maybe there is more to it than that, but I do believe it is my destiny.  Don’t you?”  Billie thought of her belief of fate and destiny.  She knew Chris was right.  She worried once again that he would change his mind in an instant because of Lana, since she was out to ruin his clean cut image.

They went out to see a movie afterwards to celebrate.  Billie’s suggestion was the drive in, she loved them as a child.  She had wanted to go there for a while, but had not gotten around to it.  The movie that was playing was a love and murder mystery.  Billie liked it, but wasn’t as interested in it as Chris seemed to be.  Billie joked with him and said, “Are you waiting to see Lana in this movie or something?” 

He acted as if he were upset, but replied, “No, it’s just a good movie.” 

Billie inquired, “But, you know that no one could get away with it in real life, don’t you?”  He only grinned.

For such a joyous occasion, they weren’t in the best of spirits.  The night had taken a sudden turn for the worse.  As soon as they returned, Billie decided she would go home.  Chris was in a grumpy mood and she didn’t want to be around him.  She told him she was leaving, and he didn’t try to stop her.  She wasn’t leaving for good.  They just needed to be apart, to avoid getting on each other’s nerves.  Billie had only been gone for a few minutes, when she realized she had left her work portfolio.  She went back to get it.  She went in the front door and saw it on the bar.  When she picked it up, that is when she saw the suitcase.  It was cracked open on the table and she was curious to find out what it was.  It was a gun. She recognized the bullets, they were armor piercing.  As she shut the lid, she heard someone behind her clearing their throat.  She turned around and said the first thing that came to her mind.  “Planning on a hunting trip?”

Chris then said, “You know, curiosity killed the cat.” 

Billie noted, “Well, I’m not a cat.” 

Thinking of someone you care about with a loaded weapon usually gives you nightmares. It made Billie lose her concentration at work.  She needed someone to talk to, as always.  The opportunity presented itself that very same day.  Her old partner in crime, Bobby Douglas, just happened to be on her agenda for an update to her story.  He was in the news for a charity benefit.  He was the sponsor.  He would be starting a tour in the spring.  When she arrived, he saw her and gave her a hug.  He questioned, “Where have you been hiding?” 

Billie boasted, “I’ve been busy, in a way.  Sorry I’ve been such a stranger.  I would have visited sooner, but I figured you and Kelly needed time to yourselves.  How is everything?”

He grinned, “Couldn’t be better.  I hate to say it, but I think what happened added a little spice to our life.  My son asked about you the other day.” 

Billie added, “I miss them.  I can’t believe he remembers me.  I wouldn’t mind seeing them again.” 

He suggested, “It’s time to make a date to get together…unless you’re going to be uncomfortable.” 

"Billie be uncomfortable, never.  Maybe if you locked her in a room full of cockroaches,” announced a voice just a few feet away. 

Bobby shouted, “Hello, Mr. Brady.  It’s been ages.  What brings you here?” 

Chris relayed, “Didn’t you know? I’m also a sponsor.  I plan on making quite a large donation.  I’m surprised I have money left over from my blood sucking wife and the lawyers.  What was I interrupting?” 

Bobby assured, “Just a conversation among friends.  Catching up on old times.  You know Billie, don’t you?” 

Chris grinned, “As a matter of fact...” 

Billie interrupted, “Yes, Chris and I go way back.” 

Chris added, “To about five months, to be precise.” 

Billie reminded, “You remember the time we met at the Nashville bar and grill?  Don’t you Bobby?” 

Bobby admitted, “Yes, around the time I patched things up with my wife.  I can’t believe time has passed so quickly.” 

Chris declared, “It was the turning point in my divorce, a new lease on life and my short lived bachelor days.” 

While Chris was busy spinning yarns of his turbulent times, Billie was beginning to wonder what his point might be.  Or what he was really up to.  She taunted, “I hate to break up this wonderful conversation, but I did come here to interview BOBBY.” 

Chris replied, “I am sorry.  I guess that is my cue.  But, please be sure and interview me before you leave.” 

He left the room and Bobby made a strange face. He joked, “He’s not the same person, is he? Does he have an evil twin we’re not aware of?” 

Billie thought, “Maybe he’s possessed.” 

Billie was planning on letting Chris take a chill pill.  She’d look at both sides of the story closely.  She thought she may have been too hard on him.  Then, he shows up at her place.  She was ready to apologize, and then she noticed the smell of alcohol.  She wanted to cry, but she started yelling at him.  He pleaded, “I had to get drunk.  It’s everything that is happening, like with Lana.” 

Billie screamed, “Get over her! She is a page in your past.  She is beginning to cause us problems.” 

He mumbled, “How well I know.  That’s one story without a happy ending.” 

Billie warned, “If you are not careful, we’ll be in the same exact situation.  Do you really want that?” 

He inquired, “I need to know the truth about something.  I get the feeling there is more to your friendship with Bobby Douglas.  Were you responsible for them breaking up?”

Billie hesitated, after a moment of silence, “Haven’t we been through this before?  Bobby and I are just good friends.” 

Chris grilled, “Then, why did you try to cover up the fact about us dating? Are you afraid of him finding out?” 

She argued, “I guess you only hear what you want to hear.  We are to remain a secret for as long as it is possible.  Besides, it would not look good in the public eye since you are going through a divorce. Lana already knows, and I am surprised she hasn’t tried to use it against you in court.  She could turn this all around on you.  Last, but not least, do you enjoy having your name and picture in every sleazy tabloid?”

He estimated, “You sure are feisty when I am wasted.  I wonder how you are when I am sober.”

Billie responded, “I don’t think I should give you the chance to find out.  You’ve let me down, as well as yourself.  I thought your recovery was going fine and you liked yourself better.  I turn my back for a moment and you have fallen off of the wagon.” 

He commented, “Give me one more shot. Pardon the pun.” 

Billie demanded, “Try and be serious for once in your life, please.  We just celebrated your return to your singing career and also our five month anniversary.  This is no way to be carrying on.” 

He answered, “Please forgive me.  I’ll make it up to you, I promise.  Will you?”

She bargained, “Okay, I’ll use feline theories on you this time.  You had nine lives, now you have eight…even though I don’t know for sure if I could forgive you eight more times.” 

He agreed, “Only if they are minor offenses, right?  That is my promise, not to drink.  Now, you have to make a promise to stop treating me like you are my mother.” 

Billie asserted, “I think you have me confused with someone else, like your ex-wife, maybe.  Since we are making some kind of negotiation, it’s only fair to warn you that we can’t get started on it right away.  We need a little more time apart.  It’s only then that we will realize how important we are to each other.  I can’t tell you where I am going either.  I’ll just have to contact you when I get back.  I think it will work.”

He didn’t really agree with her plan, but he couldn’t stop her.  Billie wished him the best with his current project.  He planned on writing some new songs to reflect his new life. He told her that she would be his inspiration.  Billie wasn’t sure if she were worthy of the compliment. Now, Billie had to think of a destination for her getaway.  What she had told Chris was only a spur of the moment idea.  She wanted to stay in town, so she could continue to work at the same time.  That was when she figured it out.  Bobby Douglas called her.  He wanted to find out what happened with Chris.  It was the perfect chance for her to ask him about visiting his kids.  Bobby told Billie that she was welcome to stay.  She had explained to him already about Chris, even though she hadn’t planned on telling too many people. But, like Maria, she could trust Bobby.

She packed light because she wouldn’t be going too far.  When she arrived at Bobby’s, she noticed that Kelly’s car was not in the driveway.  She went inside and the kids ran up to her. Bobby remarked, “See, I told you they missed you.” 

Billie questioned, “Where’s Kelly?”

He acknowledged, “I forgot to mention it on the phone.  She went to visit her mother.  She’s in the hospital, but it's nothing serious.  She’ll be back in a week or two.” 

Billie quizzed, “Why didn’t you go with her?” 

He noted, “I didn’t want her to worry about us and just concentrate on her mother’s health.  Besides, I needed quality time with the kids, to make up for lost time.  Plus, time apart helped us in the past.” 

Billie agreed, “I suppose you’re right.  I’ll go get settled and then we can talk.”

They played with the kids for an hour and then put them to bed.  Billie talked to him about Chris, to get his opinion of it.  Bobby was just for anything that made her happy.  She didn’t want to tell him that Chris wasn’t really making her that happy at the time.  They were having a lot of problems.  She was thankful to Bobby for letting her stay there.  He didn’t even ask why. He enjoyed the company and felt like he owed her a lot.

Billie continued working and trying to decide if she should stay with Chris.  He didn’t try to get in touch with her during her hiatus.  She was grateful for that.  She decided to only stay with Bobby a few more nights. One evening, after work, Billie decided to go for a late night swim.  Everyone in the house was sleeping, or so she thought.  It started raining, so she stood in the entrance of the sliding glass door.  She tried to roll her hair up in a bun.  As she was about to get a towel, Bobby grabbed her.  They started kissing and he was caressing her neck.  Billie only assumed he thought she was Kelly.  She let it get half way through the foreplay and then she had to stop him.  She cried, “I thought you were happily married?  Not only is this a shock, but what if your kids were to walk in here?  I don’t have feelings for you anymore, so that is why I chose to stop you.”