DASHED DREAMS (15 page)

RJ knew Gary was right, so just stopped talking.

When the limo arrived, the two messengers had not yet returned. Once into the car, Gary and RJ backtracked their route. In a couple of blocks, they picked up the two messengers.

RJ was silent, although he wanted to know what was said and the old man’s reaction. He didn’t ask, hoping the messengers would volunteer. But nothing. The group rode back to the hotel in silence. The driver said he’d be their driver for the night and would pick them up in about two and half-hours.

In the lobby Mark said, “Hey, we didn’t get lunch. Anyone for room service in my room? I’ve hooked up the Play Station.” Gary and Charles said they’d join him.

“I’m going to up to my room,” RJ said.

When the elevator doors opened on Floor 3, the group nodded goodbye.

RJ mumbled, “See you guys before the show at the concert hall.”

Once in his room RJ called Gary in Mark’s room. “Gary, are you still joining us for dinner?”

“I’m planning on it. That’s if I’m still invited.”

“Heck yeah, you’re my support system. I’m meeting
the parents.
Why wouldn’t you still be invited?” RJ said, as if nothing of the early fiasco and his outburst had happened. He continued, “Let’s see if I have the times right. The limo will be back in a couple of hours at about four, and dinner’s set for five.”

“Check. RJ, I’ll see you later.”

RJ hung up the phone, aware that Gary was perturbed with his previous temper tantrum. He opened the mini-bar, opened a mini-sized bottle of Jim Beam.

Dan and the girls returned to the ranch and unloaded their new horses. Watching from the stall doors, Emma, Lynda, and Jillian were discussing tonight’s events.

“Well, don’t you look smashing.” Jillian was dressed in jeans, a powder-blue-long sleeve v-necked cashmere sweater. She’d pushed up the sleeves to just below her elbows. Her boots were not fancy, well-worn suede ones that had seen many hours in a saddle stirrup.

“Is this okay?” her mother asked, as she spun around. She was also dressed in blue jeans, a ruffled pink gingham checked blouse, and barefoot.

“We haven’t gotten a chance to talk. I’m so very glad that you and Daddy are going to be able to meet and spend some time with RJ.”

“Honey, I’ve read he’s a playboy and most of his acquaintances, not even girlfriends are groupies. Is it true, that he’s an alcoholic? Jillie, I…we don’t want you to be hurt.”

“Mom, once you meet him, you’ll change your mind. He’s nothing like that.” Jillian avoided her mother’s question. Even, she being a doctor, had to admit there was a problem.

“Sounds like you’re in love with him. Are you?”

“Yes, I think I am.” Mother and daughter looked into each other’s eyes and suddenly were hugging.

A light knock sounded on the open door jam. “Hope I’m not interrupting this tender moment,” Emma said. She came over to the loveseat, knelt down, and hugged them both. Since her mother died a few years back, Emma has become close to Grace.

Emma was dressed in blue jeans topped with a burgundy sweater. The sweater was long-sleeved but as Jillie had done, she’d pushed up the sleeves to almost her elbows. She also wore boots.

Jillian sat at the dressing table, and Emma began to braid Jillian’s hair.

“I’m really nervous about seeing Gary tonight. I really like him, but I don’t want to get my heart broken.”

“Why would you get your heart broken?” a concerned Grace asked. “I’ve read about the one-night stands these entertainers have. You know ‘a girl in every port’ thing. I don’t want my girls to get their hearts broken…you know,
dashed dreams …”

“Mother, I remember Granny talking about her dashed dreams.”

“Grace, what are dashed dreams and what were Granny’s dreams?” Emma asked.

“Well, when all’s failing in ones life, those are dashed dreams. Granny wanted to be a schoolteacher. Her parents were poor farmers and they couldn’t afford schooling, so she put her dreams aside and got on with her life with Gramps.”

Chapter 19

The limousine drove to the circle drive in front of the house. The driver got out and started towards the front door. Dan and Lynda met him on the front porch. Dan told him they’d be out in a minute. The chauffeur said he’d wait by the car until the others were ready. The remaining women trailed out of the house, Emma first, then Grace who took Dan’s hand and squeezed it, and last but not least, Jillian. She smiled at her father as a silent message: I talked to Mother and everything’s okay. He winked at her and said, “Okay, ladies, let’s go. My, my, look at you all! My three girls.”

When they started down the porch steps, the limo door flew open, and Robert John Montgomery jumped out with Gary following him. RJ raced over to Jillian, threw his arms around her, and hugged her tightly.

“
Doc, I’ve missed you so. Darlin’, I love you. You look wonderful.”

“I’ve missed you, and you don’t look so bad yourself, ” she whispered in his ear. His scent filled her being, and she felt herself blush -- blushing from what she was thinking, blushing from him swinging her around in front of her parents. This was the first time she’d brought any “boyfriend” home to meet her parents. And here was Robert John Montgomery, no less, dressed in blue jeans and a pearl-buttoned Western shirt. The shirt was oyster in color with tiny strands of red metallic thread throughout, and he wore suede cowboy boots.

She pulled back from the embrace, embarrassed with his openness, when she started to introduce Robert, he stepped in, interrupted her, and with his hand stuck out to her father, said, “Robert John Montgomery. Sir, m’am, I’m so proud to meet you. Jillie’s told me so much about you both.” He shook hands with Dan and gave Grace a brief hug.

“You have a beautiful ranch, Mr. and Mrs. James. I can see why Jillie considers this ranch special when she speaks of home. And your horses look like they’re fine stock. How many do you have?”

Grace James looked at the two men casually talking, as if they’d known each other for years. Robert John Montgomery was in their driveway, holding their daughter’s hand; he was handsomer than all the pictures of him she’d seen. She and her daughter’s eyes met. She blinked and nodded affirmatively at Jillian.

Gary joined Emma and Lynda alongside the car. He hugged Emma and whispered something in her ear. She smiled. He then leaned over and patted Lynda on the shoulder. He ushered them into the car. They faced the large rear empty seat. Gary told the driver that they should be going. The driver motioned the rest of the group towards the open limousine door.

When the remaining four entered the car, the already-seated threesome smiled. Gary was introduced to Dan and Grace James. He thought: They’re as nice as Jillian.

The sunset on the Texas countryside was picture-perfect. The blue sky was turning a brilliant red-orange with cloud strands that looked like spun cotton. The evening temperature was dropping with a coolness in the air. In the heavily grassed pasture next to the long entrance to
Two Hawks,
the occupants of the stretch limo saw the newly acquired mares running with their colts, the young ones bucking and kicking, as the cool air made them feel frisky.

The group made small talk, commenting on the sunset and the horses running with the wind. RJ didn’t say much, which surprised Jillian, as usually he was the life of the party. She wondered, if her father intimidated him.

Gary was asked where they were going for dinner. “Well, when I asked the hotel concierge about a great steakhouse, she suggested, the Wagon Spoke.”

The Wagon Spoke was a rustic wood-sided building with a large front porch. There were hitching rails out front for horses to be tied, next to the rails, and wagon wheels with a few missing spokes. Old watering troughs were used as planters. Through the swinging front doors, patrons found themselves walking on heavy plank wood floors. The huge waiting room suggested that the wait could be a long one. All the staff were dressed in denim and checkered shirts. Mouth-watering aromas captured the guests upon their arrival. The steakhouse hostess seated the group in a private room, having been forewarned of the celebrity having dinner at their establishment tonight.

The hostess was a high-school-aged girl, star-struck with RJ. She kept making excuses to return to the room to catch a glance of him. Gary excused himself, left the room, and spoke to the manager, promising autographs for an uninterrupted dinner.

All ordered steak dinners with all the fixings. When drinks were being ordered, Jillian and Gary held their breath. RJ ordered sweet tea. He looked at Jillie with a smirk as if to say,
“See, I’m on my best behavior.”
the
rabbit
. Under the tablecloth Jillian patted his leg. He took her hand and softly squeezed it.

The seven diners enjoyed a pleasant dinner. When the dessert tray was offered, all salivated, but declined. By the time dinner was over and coffee served, tense and nervousness had relaxed, and conversation was flowing freely. Gary left the room and returned with a list of the restaurant staff names for autographs. He slipped the list, a stack of photos, and a pen to RJ. Continuing his conservation almost unconsciously, RJ started signing. While the others noticed what he was doing, he seemed so relaxed with such an intrusion on his time.

“
Don’t you feel all this is somewhat bothersome? Don’t they realize that you want to enjoy your dinner like all the rest of us? Maybe that’s why so many of
your
kind go into to drugs…to escape all the attention?” Dan asked arguably.

“
Daniel!” Natalie said in a scolding manner.

“
Mr. James, I can assure you that no one in my organization’s involved in drugs. I won’t tolerate drugs. As for all the attention, well, I look at it this way. They buy my music, come to my shows, and such. Hey, the minute I dread going on stage is the minute I say,
ENOUGH
.”

“Speaking about going on stage, it’s time,” Gary said.

Dan motioned to the manager and asked for the check. When told it had been taken care of, reached to leave a gratuity and again was told everything had been taken care of. “He won’t let me pay for anything,” he complained to Grace. She patted his hand.

Once inside the limousine, everyone thanked RJ for dinner.

“You’re most welcome, but just wait. The best is yet to come.”

Lynda said, “I’ve seen RJ’s show, I agree.” And Emma agreed.

It didn’t take long for the party to reach the convention center. The limousine entered the basement VIP parking area. Only a few people milled around the doors, and no one seemed to take notice of the limousine. The chauffeur stopped Dan to let him know that he’d be waiting here for their return trip home.

The group followed Gary and Emma into facility. He was holding of her hand; in fact, it was noticed that he hadn’t let got of it since they had gotten back into the car. The basement of the convention center was a catacomb of halls, stairs, and offices. The group walked through a couple of quiet hallways, then came upon a door marked,
Private
. Inside the doorway a woman stood behind a podium. She smiled at the group, instantly recognizing Robert John Montgomery. She called on a walkie-talkie, and immediately, a man dressed in all black arrived. The stage manager reintroduced himself, as they had met earlier in the day at rehearsal. He told RJ and Gary that he’d seat their guests. RJ placed his arm around Jillian’s shoulders and steered her aside.