Tate (33 page)

The guys, Deidre and I headed for the stage. I looked back and saw Andy with Maisie’s hand in his as they followed.

“Wow,” I said, and looked over my shoulder to see Maisie beaming behind me, still holding Andy’s hand. “Excuse me,” I said, and reached for her hand, bringing her to my side.

“Having Maisie here beside me after all we’ve been through the last year makes me happier than I can express.
We
are grateful for your love and support through our trials. These guys beside me – my band and Andy Stevens - have been the calm in a rollercoaster ride filled with storms. Deidre Pierson is my new manager,” I introduced her quickly. We are glad to finally be on a positive path. Thank you for believing in me – in us. Thank you,” I said, once more.

Chapter Sixteen

Tate 

The next six weeks were busy finishing the album and getting things in place for a tour. I found myself hating every part of it. The thought of being on the road was almost unbearable. The singles,
Short Red Dress
and
Timeless,
were topping the charts. Everyone was excited about it – except me.

Maisie noticed. “Do you want to talk about what’s got you so out of sorts?”

“The tour. I’m trying not to let it get to me, but I don’t want to go.”

“So don’t,” she replied.

Was it really that easy?
I wondered. I didn’t think so.

It was the last week in February and we were going to Oklahoma to see Mama. I needed this trip to wrap my head around my thoughts.

***

Friday night we made a stop at Wet Willie’s. Popie, Seth and Gabby joined us. Cage invited me to the stage and I sang a couple of songs. The regulars were there and happy to see me. It was fun being back on
that
stage. It brought a different sense of home to me.

We hung around for a while and I watched the ‘new guy’, remembering that feeling. Cage told me that they hadn’t been able to keep anyone regular. “They all want to move on to the big bucks.” I thought about that, thought about the last year. I’d come back here in a heartbeat. All the travel… I dreaded the trips when Maisie might not join me.

We came in late, and fell into bed. My phone rang at two and I rolled over to grab it before it woke Maisie. It was the phone number from Wet Willie’s. I slipped from the bed to answer it.

“Sorry to call in the middle of the night.” It was the bar manager, Ophie, and she sounded distraught.

“Oph, what’s up? Can’t be nuthin good at this hour,” I said, and wiped sleep from my eyes.

“It’s Cage,” she said and I heard the emotion in her voice. “He’s at Mercy Hospital, they think he had a stroke. I’m on my way there, had to lock up.”

“I’ll be right there.” Cage had no family - that bar had been his life for years. “Maisie. Wake up, baby.”

“What is it? I thought I heard your phone ring,” she said in a sleepy voice.

“They’ve taken Cage to the hospital. I’m gonna go to see what’s going on. I’ll call you in a little while. Go back to sleep.”

“I’m saying prayers,” she said.

I backed Paw’s old truck out of the barn and took off. When I arrived, Ophie was waiting, pacing back and forth. “I was afraid they’d have to cart him off to Okie, but they said he’s stable.”

“Is he awake? Can I go in?”

“He’s kinda waitin’ on you. Anxious about something when I told him you were coming,” she said with a smile. “Go on in.”

“Hey, old man. What in the hell kind of special treatment do you think you’ll get around here?” I asked when he acknowledged me.

He started to speak and I noticed that the right side of his face seemed to droop. He seemed anxious. I sat down beside him and waited. “Felt it. Knew. Too old,” he said in a slurred voice.

“You knew what was happening and had Ophie call 911. She told me. You’re not too old for anything.”

“Seventy,” he replied. It took him a long time to share his thoughts.

“It could have been worse,” a voice entering the room behind me said. I turned to look.

“Dr. Masters,” he said, extending his hand. “I know who
you
are,” he smiled.

“He’s had a stroke. It messed with his brain a little – speech and some right side weakness,” he explained. “He’ll be here for a few more days, and then probably a bit of rehab.”

I watched Cage as the doctor spoke. He seemed more agitated than in any kind of pain or medical distress. “He looks good,” I replied.

“For an old fart,” Cage slurred slowly.

“We won’t know the real extent until we get some tests back. Cardiology and physical therapy will be in to see him in the morning. I’ll check in again later, Cage.”

“Thank you,” I said, and rose to shake his hand again.

It was quiet for a few minutes, and finally Cage had something to say. “The bar. No more.”

“No more what?” I asked.

“Can’t do it.”

“You don’t know that yet,” I replied.

“I do. Thinking awhile.” He struggled, spitting his thoughts out, and I waited patiently.

“Gonna sell.”

“Sell Willie’s?” I asked, and he nodded.

“Don’t go makin’ no rash decisions ‘cuz you’re laid up here. Get your head right and you can tell me this story later. You need to get some rest.”

We sat there in the quiet for a while. “I’ll be back in the morning,” I said finally.

“Can’t do it no more, Tate.”

“You don’t know that, Cage. See what the doctors say. I’ll be in town. We can talk more later.”

“Think about it,” he mumbled. His eyes were getting heavy.

“Rest.”

I rose and stepped into the hallway. Looking at my watch I realized that I’d been in there over an hour. I looked around and found Ophie snoozing on a sofa.

“Hey,” I said in a soft voice, and she stirred.

“He start talking shit? You know, about selling the bar?” she asked.

“He did, but I told him it was way too early for that nonsense. He needs time to find out what’s going on. I’m gonna go to the house. I’ll be at Willie’s tonight.”

“That’ll make him happy. Thanks for being here,” she said, and hugged me.

“I’da come from wherever I was. He’s a good man. Go snuggle up in that recliner in his room. I’ll be back later.”

I drove back to Mama’s with a million thoughts on my mind. She was up when I came in. “He gonna be ok?” she asked. “Maisie told me.”

“Stroke. Doc said it wasn’t bad. His talk is slurred and he has a hard time spittin’ anything out.” I decided not to share anymore. That was a conversation between Cage Brooks and me. I had to think about. I’m gonna go lay down. I love you, Mama.”

“Hey,” Maisie said, when I crawled in. “Is he OK?”

“We’ll talk later. I need some shut-eye,” I told her, and wrapped my arms around her.

Later, Mama made breakfast and I shared more about Cage’s condition. “Doc said it could have been much worse. It feels like Cage is taking it bad. He was talking gibberish about being old. I’m gonna go later to see him and stop by Willie’s for a bit.” We spent the day being lazy and finally, I decided to head to town.

“Want me to tag along?” Maisie asked when I was ready to leave.

“Nah, you stay here with Mama. I’ll be late. Unless you want to go.”

“Go and spend some time with Cage. I’ll be right here when you get back.”

I took Paw’s old truck and headed to the hospital. I loved that truck. When I drove it, I felt him with me. He was always a beacon for me. I looked at the dash. 999,389 miles showed on the odometer, but I knew it had at least three times that.
We’re all getting old
, I thought. I thought about what was ahead of me. What I dreaded most was the tour that was in the works. Suddenly, the thought of the road wasn’t where I saw myself – not where I saw us. I thought about our trip to the cabin. I just wanted to lay down roots somewhere and enjoy Maisie.

“Hey,” I said when I stepped in the room. Ophie was still there. “You need to go on home and rest. Get a shower and a bite of something good to eat. I’ll be here for a while.”

“You sure? I don’t want to leave him alone,” she said apprehensively.

“I’ll be right here.” She kissed my cheek and then went to Cage. I thought I saw more than friendship there, but it wasn’t my business. I’d thought about the two of them often, but neither ever said a word, so I never dug into their business.

After she left, Cage was quiet. I sat in the chair beside him and waited.

“You happy?” he asked.

“Maisie makes me happy.” He scrunched his face to let me know he wasn’t pleased with my answer.

“I don’t know if I love this being on the road as much as everyone thinks I should. I’m ready to settle down and start a life with her where we aren’t living out of suitcases. It’s been a long two years. I’m tired, Cage.”

He nodded.

“I just feel like with everything we’ve been through since the beginning of our relationship, we’ve never really had a chance to enjoy our life. She’s a good woman and I don’t want to miss a thing with her.”

“Ophie,” he said, and I noticed a smile.

“I knew it,” I chuckled. “I’ve thought it all along, but last night, I knew.”

“Enjoy her,” he mumbled.

I thought for a minute. “You too,” I replied.

“Will sell so I can.”

“Cage you need to think longer. That’s a huge step. Willie’s will never be Willie’s without you.”

“You buy it.”

“What?” I chuckled, surprised at his comment.

“Roots,” he said.

“Don’t talk crazy shit,” I said.

“Not crazy. Serious,” he mumbled.

I looked up and a fresh looking Ophie entered the room with an apprehensive smile. “Go ahead and plaster a kiss on him,” I laughed. “I know.”

She did, and I looked at my watch. I’d been there almost four hours. Our conversation about our lives had been slow and easy, and the time got away from me.

“I’m gonna stop by Willie’s,” I said, and Cage winked.

“Think, friend.”

“Rest,” I said.

Driving back toward the bar, suddenly, it was all I
could
think about.
Roots
, I thought and wondered what that really meant. I entered the bar and it was quiet – like old times. Mack was behind the bar setting up for the evening. It was Saturday night and it’d be crowded.

“Hey,” he said, as he looked up. “Ophie told me you’d be by.”

I didn’t say anything. I went and grabbed the sawdust spreader and added to the dust that remained after they’d swept last night. That wood smell and the pine oil seeped into my soul.
Roots
, I thought again. The waitresses began filing in, followed by the security staff. It felt like family, and I realized how badly I’d missed this.

I took the stage an hour later and began by telling everyone I’d been to see Cage. “I don’t think I’m telling you anything he wouldn’t want you to know. He needs to rest up for a while. He had a mild stroke, and he’s gonna need some recuperation time to get strong and healthy again. He’ll be fine,” I said, maybe to convince myself. “Slower, but fine. Do y’all mind if I take over here for a song or two?”

They replied by yelling and clapping loudly. I did five songs and it felt so good, so comfortable, so right. “I’m gonna do one more and then I gotta go. Maisie’s at Mama’s and I need to get home,” I said, and felt the smile cross my lips.
Home.
I decided to sing
Our Moon
, and as the words came out, I suddenly became very emotional.

The moon’s shining bright

I’d share it with you tonight

I’m alone and I’m missing you

Do you see the same moon

Can we be together soon

I’m alone and I’m missing you

I had to choke back a lump in my throat. As soon as I was done, I headed out.

***

At midnight, I called Maisie. “I’m on my way.”

“You OK?” she asked. “You sound blue.”

“I am a little. Sometimes life throws curveballs and you can only pray to hit it just right when you hit it back. I’ll be there in a few.”

“I love you, Tate.”

Driving home, I heard a noise. It was like the truck engine coughed. I eased it off to the side of the road and pulled an old flashlight from the glove compartment, hoping the batteries weren’t dead. Lifting the hood, I jiggled the distributor wires, and looked around. Nothing obvious. I tried to start it again but there was no response. I called Stan Davis, my old friend from high school who had the best garage and auto repair in Guthrie.

“Hey, it’s Tate. I know it’s late - just need a tow. Paw’s truck broke down. It’s on the side of the road about a half-mile from the house. I’ll walk home. The keys are under the seat. I’ll call you in the morning. Stan, it’s gotta be fixable.”

“Paw’s truck,” he said, and I knew he was smiling. We’d been on some wild rides in that old thing. It
had
to be fixable.

I grabbed my guitar and started walking down the half-mile of blacktop. I stopped before I turned down the dirt road that led to the house. The moon was full as I looked out around me. Continuing on my way, it was suddenly all very clear to me. I knew.