Tate (15 page)

After introductions, there was much talk over Tate’s nominations. I watched. Carlene was always very animated when she was excited and I thought she was a little taken aback by Andy’s good looks, flashing her gorgeous smile when she spoke directly to him. It made me smile.

“I see two new statues sitting in your display case,” Andy said proudly.

“Don’t have a display case yet!” Tate replied. “I’ll be happy with one.”

“I think you’ll get’em both,” Carlene added.

Fay was like the ball in a Ping-Pong match, looking back and forth at the conversation, and I noticed that Ami and Audra had made their way further along the red carpet, but both turned several times to watch us.

“I’ll get you a dang display case,” Fay grinned. It was a face that beamed with pride as she looked at Tate. “A big one!”

“We probably oughta head inside,” Tate suggested, talking my hand.

“You ready for this, Big’un?” Marco asked as we made our way closer.

“I’m ready for whatever life hands me,” Tate said, and squeezed my hand.

We made our way to the auditorium with a blaze of flashes from cameras, and screams from girls and women along the way, either yelling out to Tate or Andy. When we in our seats, Tate took my hand and leaned to whisper in my ear. “Sorry I blindsided you back there.”

“A heads up would have been nice,” I said, “but the more it ran through my head, the more I liked the sound of it. Girlfriend.”

“Me too. You smell like those caramels and I want to…”

“Stop!” I laughed. I waited a minute and then said, “Thank you for so many new experiences in such a short time.”

“I hope for so many more.”

About forty minutes into the program, Tate left us to go get ready for his performance. Each of the nominees would sing the song they were nominated for. Tate took the stage in jeans, one of the pearl snap shirts, and his worn out boots. He walked through fog with his guitar slung across the front of his body, looking out at the crowd. His face showed awe at the vision before him. The stage backdrop showed a picture of a fishing hole as he sang
I’m A Guy
.

I was proud that I was there, happy that Tate wanted to share this experience with me. I didn’t know if he could see me, but I prayed he could see the smile on my face. And as I prayed, he gave me a wave. The crowd cheered and sang along.

I thought about the song and the lyrics. He sang about trucks, boats, dogs – all those ‘man things’ - and I prayed that I would really fit in. And then I remembered that he’d told me that he didn’t want me to ‘fit in’. So I decided that I was going to enjoy this ride, wherever it was going. I felt such great happiness in my heart.

I looked, and his mama was crying as he left the stage.

Twenty minutes later he was back in the tux sitting beside me, with a proud mother on the other side. He reached for my hand and held it in his lap.             

Chapter Six

Tate

Ami Woodson was presenting the next award and floated across the stage in a cloud of pink.

“Good evening! I’m here to present the award for Best New Artist.” The lights dimmed as she read the list, recapping the nominees. When the lights came up again, she slung her blonde curls over her shoulder, a habit that the tabloids liked to call her out on. Finally, she tore the envelope open. I was squeezing Maisie’s hand so hard I was afraid I was hurting her, but she squeezed right back.

“Tate Morrow!” she squealed.

I leaned to kiss Mama and then rose, pulling Maisie to her feet. I planted a kiss on her lips that I saw every camera in sight move in to capture. I turned to walk to the stage. Andy and Marco were right behind me as I took the steps two at a time. Audra followed. When I got closer to the podium, Ami looked as though she thought I’d hug her or something, but I stopped before I got there.

“Hang on y’all! I’ve been waiting to do this all night!” I whipped the tuxedo jacket off, tossed it to a stunned Ami, and then spun on the heel of my boot full circle in my blazing purple vest. “Passionate Purple! A Maisie Bolden original! Whoo hoo!” The place erupted in cheers and laughter over my excitement.

“I’ve dreamed of this moment since I was twelve and my Uncle Jim Bob taught me to play
Let it Be
by the Beatles on that old Tennessee flat-top box he gave me. What an amazing journey it’s been to get here. I played at Wet Willie’s back home for years, and then one night Nigel Rose found me. Andy Stevens and Marco DiMario added the polish, and then the radio stations played it. And the fans listened and listened. You liked it and asked for more. Thanks to my management company Star Bright, and Audra Davis for guiding me through the maze of what to do and how to do it. I’m happy and proud to be here tonight. Thank you. I am beyond grateful.”

I looked toward Maisie and added, “And I’m blessed and happy to have someone special to share this with.”

Andy and Marco moved closer, and I quickly turned to Andy and planted a big loud noisy kiss on his cheek while Marco acted like he was running away.

“What can I say? He likes me. He really likes me!” Andy laughed. “He’s a great talent. Marco and I only helped illuminate what he gave us.”

“There’s more good stuff to come!” Marco added.

Fifteen minutes passed as we got some publicity out of the way before we returned to our seats. Once I returned to me seat, I took Maisie’s hand in mine as we enjoyed the performances and awards. Holding her hand in mine was heaven. I couldn’t imagine this evening without her. Half an hour of more presentations passed and finally, Carlene was the one on stage.

“Hey y’all! It’s a lovely evening, isn’t it? I’ve got one’a these little statues here to present for the Song of the Year.” She recapped the nominees, and when I heard my name called out by The Queen of Nashville, I squeezed Maisie’s hand. Carlene tore into the envelope with enthusiasm. “
I’m A Guy
! Tate Morrow!” She hollered my name joyously.

I jumped up and started quickly for the stage. When I reached where Carlene stood, she opened her arms wide for me to hug her. I lifted her off the floor and we both yelled with excitement. I turned and saw Andy and Marco on the stage behind me. Carlene was crying. “I’m so proud of you,” she whispered in my ear.

I walked to the microphone, but before I started talking, I had to get a grip on my emotions. Andy put his arm around my shoulder and Marco stood beside him.

“If you know me at all, you’ll have a hard time believing this, but I don’t know what to say. I’m grateful beyond words - humbled and overwhelmed by your graciousness to this good ‘ol boy from Oklahoma. Mama, I sure am glad you’re here to share this with me. With us,” I added and blew a kiss toward Maisie. “Andy, Marco, thanks for taking a chance on me and helping lead me to a better sound. Thanks y’all,” I said and waved to the crowd.

We left the stage and took care of some more interviews. I could hardly wait to get back to Maisie and Mama. I held Carlene’s hand as we walked back to our seats. I sat down and camera flashes went off from every direction as I kissed Maisie. I nuzzled her neck and whispered in her ear. “Thank you for being with me.”

“Oh my goodness, I’m so glad you wanted me to,” she whispered back.

***

Afterward, we all attended Dean Schomann’s Cavalier Bash at B.B.’s. He’d rented B.B. King’s House of Blues for the evening. When we arrived, there was a line as far as you could see of fans to see the attendees enter the restaurant. It was a full house as we made our way in and found our seats. Mama was in her glory as she watched the activity around her. Maisie was engaging and delightful. I loved watching the turtle emerge from her shell, even as Audra and Ami were obvious in their observations of Maisie throughout the evening.

It was a great time, and around one o’clock I caught Mama yawning. We said our good-byes and headed for my place. I was still on a crazy high.

“Mama, I need a shot of Jack. You in?” I asked.

“I drink it for medicinal purposes,” she whispered to Maisie, jokingly.

“Maisie?”

“Oh no. No thank you, I can’t drink that stuff.” She shook her head.

“You’ll learn from Mama,” I said.

I grabbed the bottle and we went to the living room. I poured three shots and raised my glass. “To new roads.”

“Amen,” Mama said, and slammed back the shot.

“Oh my,” Maisie said. As she took a sip, the shiver of all shivers shook her body.

“Don’t sip it! Tip it!” Mama yelled with a big laugh. She did it, and Mama yelled, “Another round!”

We talked about the events of the evening for a while. I couldn’t help myself, I had to pick the awards up to admire them every once in a while, maybe to validate that the experience actually took place.

Mama looked to the mantle where the GRAMMY was sitting. “You’re gonna have to rearrange stuff up there,” she said, with a proud smile.

After a while, I leaned to whisper in Mama’s ear. “I know the rules at home…”

She looked up and grinned. “This is
your
home. I don’t make the rules here.”

“OK. Maisie, can I sleep in the bed with you?”

Her face turned ten shades of red, and finally she said, “If it’s OK with your mama, it’s OK with me.”

Mama went off to bed. Maisie and I sat there a while longer, talking about the evening.

“Song of the Year
and
Best New Artist! Did I tell you I love my vest?”

“I think you told the whole world. Did you see Ami’s face when you tossed your jacket to her?” Maisie grinned with pleasure.

“Ami who?” I laughed, pulling her closer, peppering her face with kisses. “I’m gonna wear this vest every time I get nominated for something. I think it’s lucky.”

“I can make more,” she laughed.

“Maybe, but this one is special.”

We crawled in bed and I wrapped her in my arms. “Maisie, you make me happier than I’ve ever felt. Not even winning those awards made me as happy as you being there with me when I did.”

I lay quietly for a moment, holding this beautiful, delightful woman in my arms. I took a big breath. “I’m a big guy. Trees start out with skinny little branches that bend easily, but they don’t break. It takes something big to make them snap. I’m easing gently on this branch, because I’m going way out on a limb here.”

“What on earth are you talking about?” she laughed.

“I’ve watched you at the sewing machine; you chew on your lip, and I love it. I watch you sometimes when you sleep and you kinda make this ‘puh’ sound. I’ve seen you talking to someone about a dress you’re working on, and I hear the passion in your voice. Your laugh is a sound that I miss when I don’t hear it. Your smile is a vision I keep in my mind because it’s so beautiful. There’s something about you that always makes stop and think,
I’m pretty sure I’m in love with her.
I love you, Maisie.”

“That’s just Jack talking,” she giggled nervously.

I placed her hand on my heart. “No. It’s my heart talking.”

“Tate,” she whispered, and started crying.

“Why are you crying?” I asked, kissing her forehead.

“Because I’m happy - a feeling I never thought I’d feel again. I love you, Tate.”

I felt like I’d won the lottery. Maisie Bolden loved me.

***

Mama was already up when I came out of the bedroom, leaving Maisie with a sleepy smile on her face.

“Good morning, beautiful!” I said, and grabbed Mama for a hug.

“You still high on Jack?” she laughed.

“I’m high on life, Mama! Do you know who I left sleeping in my bed?”

“Maisie Bolden?”

“That’s her name, but more importantly, she’s the woman I love!”

“Seems to me that she feels the same way. I saw the way she watched you all night last night. Every time I looked at her, I saw that sparkle in her eyes. She can’t hide what her face gives away.”

“It’s her eyes, Mama.” I’d already told her Maisie’s story – the whole story - and being the good woman that she is, it just made her love Maisie even more.

“Good morning. What’s all this loud excitement?” Maisie asked in a sleepy voice when she joined us.

“Tate was just telling me he’s in love, and he’s happy,” Mama replied.

“What a coincidence! I am too!” Maisie exclaimed, and I grabbed her for a kiss.

We had breakfast and then went to Maisie’s shop so she could show Mama around. She immediately fell in love with Dion, and he promised to make her dress for the next event. Later in the morning I got a text from Deidre.

You’re on the front page of Nashville Celebrity News - with Maisie.

We met Carlene for lunch and she brought three copies with her.

Tate Morrow’s Maisie

Sorry ladies. Seems this cowboy’s already off the market. We overheard him introduce Maisie Bolden, the seamstress for the likes of The Queen, Carlene Duncan, and Ami Woodson, to name a few, as his girlfriend. Here’s a picture as Tate reached the stage after his big win for Best New Artist, showing off a “Maisie Bolden Original” vest that he flashed to the world on stage.   

There was a photo of us on the red carpet. I watched Maisie as she quietly studied the paper. Mama was giddy. I wouldn’t have wanted it to come out this way, but I was kind of glad it did - get it out and move on. It would come out sometime, and I was so damned excited last night that I wanted to tell the world about Maisie. I guess I did.

“I look way prettier than what I saw in the mirror before I left the house,” she said finally, and I felt like a ten-ton boulder was lifted off my shoulders.

We stayed at my place again that night. Lying in bed, she snuggled close and I gave her a squeeze.

“You are a beautiful woman, Maisie. Laying here with you leaves me feeling like a lucky man.”

She looked up. I swear those eyes wreck me - in good ways. “What brought that on?” she asked.

With my hands on her face, I brought her lips to mine. “I was remembering earlier today, being worried about your thoughts as you read the article about us. I wouldn’t have planned for our relationship to come out in such a public way, but I guess in this world, anything you say anymore is public. When you were reading, I watched your face. Your eyes are so expressive; they are mirrors to your soul, and what you feel, your eyes give away.”

“What are they saying right now, Tate?” she whispered in my ear.

“That you wish Mama wasn’t in the other room,” I said, and we both laughed.

***

Mama’s plane left at eight the next morning, so we were up and out early. The two most important women in my life hugged and shared a happy exchange before Mama headed for the gate.

“Maisie, I’m happy that I got to meet you.”

“Oh, Fay, me too. Thank you for making me feel welcomed,” I heard Maisie reply.

“Tate is happier than I have ever seen him. You did that,” Mama smiled.

“He makes me happy.” Maisie replied and I thought my heart would overflow.

After Mama left us, we drove to Maisie’s house on the other side of town. “I don’t want to leave you.”

“I have to go to the shop for a while. Dinner tonight?” she asked.

“Here?” I asked, and she nodded.

“Bring Sadie tonight.” I looked at her and she added, “Really.”

When I arrived, Maisie seemed anxious.

“Everything OK?”

“Yes, I was just looking forward to you getting here,” she said. She looked on as Sadie snooped around. Finally, she found a spot that she seemed to like and I threw her bed on the floor.