AT 29 (117 page)

A college-aged woman approached the table. “Are you Jimmy Button?” Jimmy looked up in surprise. “I have all your albums,” she continued, breathlessly. “Can I have your autograph?
Back and Blue
is my favorite.”

Hines produced a pen and handed it to Jimmy with two napkins. “Me, too.”

Jimmy quickly scrawled his name, Jim Buckman, and handed the napkins to each of them. The girl looked at his signature.

“Oh, Jim Buckman. That's right.” She curtsied. “Thanks.” Then she was off.

Hines watched her go. “What do you think?” “Nineteen? Twenty?”

Jimmy watched the girl cross the mall, short skirt, long blond hair, sunglasses inserted just above her bangs. The carefree strut of a college girl who knew she was in the prime of her life.

“Maybe twenty-one.”

Hines laughed. “You're right. And, she remembers Jimmy Button. So, what brings you back to Vermont?” The two men faced each other. Hines had a mischievous expression. Jimmy was quizzical. Hines spoke again. “I've followed your career. A lot has happened to you since the first time we met.”

“That's an understatement.”

“It's been a wild ride for me, too. If you recall our charts have a lot in common.”

“I re-read what you wrote a few days ago. In fact, I read it over more than once. I don't think it's right.”

“Oh?” Hines raised his eyebrows. “You came all this way to tell me that?”

“Not exactly, but I have a free afternoon so I thought I'd look you up.”

A waitress came over with a hamburger and fries. She placed them in front of Hines, produced an order pad from her apron and looked expectantly at Jimmy. Then her mouth opened and she blushed. Hines intervened quickly.

“He'll have the same as me.”

The waitress caught the finality in his voice and left without saying anything, although she looked over her shoulder at Jimmy before returning to the kitchen with the order.

“Thanks.”

“I suppose that happens all the time.”

“Better since I stopped touring.”

“You said there's something wrong in your chart?”

“The Saturn return, remember?”

“Sure.”

Jimmy continued, “You told me it happens every twenty-nine years, big changes, good and bad, marriage, divorce, children, career, all that stuff?”

“If I recall, you were worried about your career. That seems to have taken a monumental change for the better.”

“For a while it did, but I had another problem. It was much more significant. You missed that.”

“Did I? Tell me.”

“First, I want to know what happened to you. Did you make tenure?”

Hines' face betrayed surprise. Then he brightened into a smile and shook his head. “No, it didn't happen for me. I burned that bridge.”

“Saturn didn't do you any favors?”

The mischievous expression returned. “In retrospect, I would say it did, absolutely.”

Jimmy sat back, unsure. “Okay, tell me.”

“I have to admit it hit me hard. I stayed at UVM for another year, teaching and writing, but it wasn't the same. I didn't fit in very well. I found another teaching position at a small school not far from here, Saint Virgil's College. Do you know it?”

Jimmy nodded, fighting to remain expressionless. “Yes.”

“I'm quite content, tenure track in the theology department. The surprising thing is I don't have to worry about what I say or write. Who would have thought a Catholic institution would hire a renegade and give him the freedom to express himself. I enjoy the students, too. They ask intelligent questions and they listen to both sides of every argument.”

“I thought you had doubts about organized religion?”

“Boy, you really do remember. That hasn't changed. Saint Virgil's is true to its academic principles. I have free rein to research and write whatever I want. Obviously, within reason, but as long as I present all sides of an issue I'm never challenged. By the way, there's something big going on at Saint Virgil's this weekend. Otherwise, I'd be in my office finishing my latest piece. It's the history of Jews in Vermont from colonial times to the present. I'm also writing a book.”

“A book?”

“Yes, I always planned to write a longer version of my doctoral thesis. I floated some ideas with a few publishers. One of them liked the outline. I have a year to get it done.”

“Then you landed on your feet. Twenty-nine came and went and it's been three years since we met. That's what brings me back. I thought it was all supposed to happen fast once Saturn passed over the place it occupied when I was born.”

Jeff Hines regarded him with satisfaction. “So that's it. You think Saturn was supposed to make things happen all at once?”

“Isn't that what you told me?”

“That's when it starts. I didn't tell you about retrograde motion. Typically, Saturn takes two and a half years to run its course through a sign. Tell me how you feel about your life now.”

“It took a few twists and turns, but I feel like I've found a groove.”

“Yes, you've zeroed in on your purpose. That's what Saturn signifies, making sure we resolve and set aside the issues of our youth so we can get to work on why we're here. Unfortunately, it can be a tumultuous.”

“I had a big bump. I'll be dealing with it for the rest of my life.”

“Your problem with alcohol, I know. That's Neptune conjunct your sun. Remember, I told you it's a two-edged sword? Stimulates your creative bent, but it also stimulates other things.”

“When I met you, I thought I had it licked, but it came back and bit me harder than before. I almost lost everything all over again. Now, it's under control, but it's with me everyday.”

“Want to hear about Saturn's retrograde motion?”

The waitress brought Jimmy's coke. He took a sip as Hines sat forward and launched into his explanation. “The night sky can play tricks on the eye. Remember, the ancients only had the naked eye to see the motions of the planets. Sometimes, a planet would appear to stop its forward movement, remain stationary for a while and actually reverse itself before going forward again. Today we know this isn't really happening, but we can still see and chart this retrograde motion. In astrological terms this is significant because it means that the events we endure are felt more deeply, perhaps even more than once until we are ready to move on.”

“It's confusing.”

“Yes. If it isn't real how could it mean anything? That's why I call astrology a parlor game.”

“I need a refresher on reincarnation and karma, but first, where is Saturn today? I'm not going to have to go through this again, am I?”

“Not until you're fifty-eight. Play your cards right between now and then and it won't be as rigorous.”

“Good. I don't think I could handle it.” His hamburger and fries arrived. “And, you? What happened to you when it went retrograde? What about your new job?”

“I was forced to look at myself honestly. Why did I write the piece that killed my chance for tenure? Why did I always seem to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory?”

“Ah-huh. You and me.”

“I tried selling real estate for my sister's firm. I was miserable, but it turned out to be the most fortuitous year of my life. I met someone. She made the difference.”

“You fell in love?”

Hines nodded. “Meeting her was the catalyst. My whole world opened up. When Saint Virgil's floated the position in its Theology Department, I was the first in line to apply.”

Jimmy took a bite. “Saturn won't bother us again for a while?”

“Not until it goes square to our suns.” Hines laughed and waved his hand. “But that's not going to happen right way. Next up is a Sextile to Venus and Mars.”

Jimmy sat back. “I don't want to know.”

“Nothing to fear. Sextiles are helpful. Tell me, did you also meet someone?”

“Yes. Like you, everything changed. Recording and touring was my whole life. Now, it's only part of the world she opened up for me.”

“Does she have anything to do with your question about reincarnation and karma?”

“Do you believe in it?”

“Why does it matter to you what I believe?”

“Because you seem to accept the esoteric questions in life.”

Hines fixed Jimmy with a serious gaze. “Yes.”

“Why?”

Hines looked down at his hands. “In a word, hope. If there is a benevolent universal spirit and, in my heart I believe there is, then our destinies cannot simply end here in one life. I look around at the people I know and I look at myself. No one is perfect. I certainly have my failings. Yet, I trust in spiritual philosophy. I believe in the golden rule and in the goodness we are instructed to seek by the Ten Commandments. I also recognize that very few can achieve that goodness quickly. Reincarnation and karma offer me hope that I will have more lifetimes of opportunity. It fits for me.

“The moment I met my fiancé I was absolutely sure we'd known each before, maybe forever. I believe that meeting her when my life was in flux was meant to be, not only for me, but also for her. We were waiting to find each other so we could get on with our shared purpose in this life.”

“Reincarnation and karma, wrapped neatly together.”

“That's the way I see it. What about you?”

“I'm beginning to feel the same way. There was also another person I met in Australia.” Jimmy described Illa and their day together on the Great Ocean Road. When he finished, Hines was looking at him with a contemplative expression.

“What do you make of that?”

“He was so sure of everything he told me. And, the music, it seems so familiar.”

Hines motioned for the check. “Unfortunately, I have to grade some exams. Walk with me.” Jimmy finished his last fry. The check was placed between them. Hines grabbed it first. “Let me.”

They strolled the mall. “I went into rehab probably around the same time you were rethinking what you wanted to do with your life. I never really accepted the fact that I'm an alcoholic. It was a rough four months, but now I understand.”

“Someone must have helped.”

Jimmy thought of Peggy, Miles and Franco. “Yes, I had help.”

“My fiancé encouraged me to apply for the position at Saint Virgil's College. A fellow named Milton Lawrence, he's the one who gave me the chance.” Jimmy tried not to react. They came to a cross street at the end of the mall. Hines turned to shake hands. The mischievous look was back. “You say you know Saint Virgil's?”

“I've heard of it.”

“Big doings over there this weekend. Otherwise, I could take you over and show you the campus. It's quite beautiful this time of year.”

“Next time.”

“Sure.” Hines turned. Jimmy took a few steps in the opposite direction. Over his shoulder, Hines spoke again. “Today, Saint Virgil's celebrated the largest financial gift it has ever received.”

Jimmy turned. “Is that the big deal you mentioned?”

“Yes, six million dollars for a new music program.” Hines winked. “And, tomorrow someone famous is getting married in the chapel. Milton Lawrence told me whoever it is asked for things to be kept quiet.”

“I'm sure the college will be back to normal by Monday.”

“He's my fiancée's father.”

“The college president?”

“Yes. How do you know he's the president?” Jimmy continued walking. Hines laughed. “Consider lunch to be my wedding present. It's the best I could do on short notice.”

Miles Michael McCabe hosted the rehearsal dinner at Skip's. Those closest to the bride and groom attended the small gathering in a private room decorated as elegantly as Skip could arrange. Alcohol was not served although toasts with ginger ale were made with raucous laughter and a few poignant moments. It broke up early because Mr. and Mrs. Marshall wanted to go back to the Willoughby Inn for a decent night's rest before the next day. Les was not allowed to accompany them. Alice and Peg spirited her away for a tour of the farm. Cindy and Miles hurried back to Holland Manor anxious to call her sister in Connecticut who was caring for Michael Miles, their year-old old son.

Sonny corralled Jimmy and escorted him to the back building, so familiar from his college years. Skip was out front to greet them with a grin. He opened the door and shouted, “NOW!” at the top of his lungs, almost knocking Jimmy back as a drum roll began followed by the opening chords of
Lulu
. Sonny laughed and rushed in to collect his guitar while Skip took Jimmy by the arm and pushed him forward.

“Tonight is for you. I'll give you the night off, but only this once, you hear?”

“Sure, Skip. Whatever you say.”

With the exception of Kate and Melinda, it was a Blossom Records reunion. “The women wanted to come,” Sonny said, as he slipped the strap of his Stratocaster over his shoulders. “I said no, it's a bachelor's party. Men only.”

Jimmy nodded and took a seat at the bar next to Peggy's husband, Joe. They shook hands. “Peggy sent me to keep Skippy in line.”

Just then, Skip slid a bottle of Johnny Walker down the bar in their direction. Joe caught it and jumped from his stool. He went behind the bar and grabbed Skip's arm. Jimmy got the message and turned his attention to the stage.
Lulu
was in full throttle. A minute later Joe returned with a sheepish Skip right behind.

“Sorry, Jimmy,” Skip said, as he approached. “What'll ya have?”

“He'll have tonic water!” Ellis said from the door as he strode in their direction. “That's what Jimmy boy will have. Me, too.”

Thirty minutes later the jam was in full swing. The Riland Brothers Band took center stage with
Choral Guns
, soon inviting the twenty other musicians in the room to add their instruments to a special rendition that threatened to bring down Skip's rickety roof. Sonny followed with one of Jimmy's creations that launched his old band into the top twenty for the first time. Weak Knees took a cue from Ellis who removed his perfectly tailored jacket and went onstage to lend his voice to a newly arranged song Jimmy had just completed for the group's next European tour. Rebellion's new lead singer joined in. Even Eugene held his own, playing a twangy rhythm guitar symptomatic of his love affair with country music.