AT 29 (78 page)

Les spotted him from her position next to Cindy. They and the rest of the Blossom contingent, minus Miles McCabe, were mingling near the floor to ceiling windows at the opposite side of the room. Ellis, Nigel and Sonny noticed the crush encircling Jimmy. They placed their drinks on a small table and made their way toward him, jostling the tightly packed bodies in their path. When they reached him, they formed a new circle and pushed their way through until Les was able to get close. Nigel saw the look on her face and stepped aside, clearing an opening so she could come to Jimmy's side. As she
reached her arm around his waist, all tension left Jimmy's body. He put his arm round her shoulders and let her lead him to a corner next to a table where five golden trophies, featuring the unmistakable gramophone, gleamed.

Immediately, a line formed from one end of the room to the table. The partiers waited in two's and threes, approaching Jimmy and Kate who had been escorted to his side. After handshakes and a few words of congratulations, they moved on from the receiving line to admire the trophies. From out of nowhere Benson bore to the head of the line, tumblers of scotch in his hands. He forced his way between Jimmy and Kate, thrusting one of the tumblers at Jimmy who took it absently and brought it to his lips. Ellis reached across Les and snatched the glass away just as Jimmy realized what was happening. Only a drop made it to his tongue, sparking recognition, before the tumbler was replaced by a tall glass of soda and ice. Benson smirked at Ellis, but said nothing as he turned to greet the next group as if it was he who'd earned the night's attention.

There was little opportunity to converse with Les over the next hour. Too many others demanded his notice. His hand smarted from all the handshakes. When the line began to thin, the dancing started. The session band Winfield hired for the evening was positioned on a platform in the opposite corner, playing instrumental selections from Blossom's fast selling albums. When there was no one else to pay him tribute, Benson hooked arms with Nigel and wandered off. Sonny was already on the dance floor with Marsha, leaving Jimmy together with Ellis and Cindy, his arm still tightly wrapped around Les. A stunning black woman in a shimmering gold gown came into their group and wordlessly took Ellis by the hand. Before he allowed himself to be led away, he called over his shoulder to Jimmy.

“McCabe's with Winfield in a conference room on the twenty-fourth floor. At some point we better go see what's going on.” Then he was gone through the crowd.

Jimmy looked over at Cindy. “What's he talking about?”

“Business,” she replied. “With Miles it's always business.”

Les tugged at his arm. “Not now, Jimmy. Let it wait.”

He finally focused fully on her, reaching for her hand as he sought some place private. Cindy followed his gaze around the room knowingly.

“Over there.” She pointed. “Take the stairs down a few floors then catch the elevator.”

Outside, the night air was brisk. Despite the late hour, people occupied the sidewalks on both sides of the street, walking in different directions, paying no mind to the well-dressed couple that joined them. Jimmy leaned down to kiss Les before continuing at a slow pace. She nestled close, buttoning her coat.

“I'm so proud of you,” she said, as they halted at a cross street. “Tonight was magnificent.”

Jimmy knew Central Park was only a few blocks away. When the light changed he steered their locked bodies into the crosswalk. “We can't stay away too long. How about a carriage ride?”

“This late?”

“Maybe we'll get lucky.”

Two carriages remained stationed at the entrance to Central Park, no doubt hoping to snare a fare or two from among the tourists out late. They nestled into the first one eager to hold each other as the elegant horse drawn vehicle pulled into the thoroughfare.

“You're in the big time now,” Les said, caressing his hand. “After Surfers Paradise I had feeling, but it's still shocking to be here to witness it.”

“I'm in a haze. It won't hit me until tomorrow.”

“Australia seems so far away.”

Ten men and five women enjoyed a private reception in the large conference room on the twenty-fourth floor. Winfield held court, introducing McCabe to everyone.

“There's ten million here for the taking if we play our cards right,” he whispered, watching a young man and woman in their mid-twenties approach. Winfield broke into a broad smile, embracing each one as if they were his children. Then he grabbed McCabe's elbow, bringing him forward for the introductions. “These people are from MTV,” he explained, “June Miller and Alan Sanchez.” Miles shook hands.

“Music Television,” Miller said, sensing McCabe's uncertainty. “We launch the concept on cable next year. Videos. All things Rock and Pop.”

“We'd like to get your people involved,” Sanchez interjected.

Josh Callahan from Elektra Records cornered them. “We need to get behind these digital audio disks.”

“I showed him,” Winfield responded. “Miles? You're onboard, right?”

McCabe could only nod, reeling from the power and money in the room. Callahan was a heavyweight.

Winfield continued making the rounds with Miles. Most of those assembled were promoters. With each introduction, pitches were made. Little was said about money, but the implication was clear. The bidding process had begun. Jimmy was the centerpiece, but Miles was gratified to hear pitches for Rebellion and even a few for Weak Knees although their first album was not doing as well as the others.

“Tell me more about
Yarra
.” A promoter approached. “I'm interested in newer talent. Is Whitehurst ready for a live audience?”

“Better than the record,” McCabe answered, surprised that Whitehurst's just released debut album was on the minds of some.

“Let's talk.” The promoter fixed his eyes earnestly on McCabe and then pulled Winfield aside for a private chat.

At five a.m. the party was over. Cindy hadn't seen Miles for hours and finally gave up waiting. She accepted Jimmy's offer to share a ride home in the limo. Ellis hung back, keen to catch McCabe and protect his interests. He knew something was up, especially when he stuck his head into the conference room and discovered Winfield deep in conversation with Blossom's new owner. Both men gave him a look that said everything he needed to know.

Two days later, Jimmy sadly returned to JFK. After Les checked in, they ambled to a coffee shop to await the call for her flight. They held hands silently as the waitress placed their sandwich orders in front of them. She hesitated a moment, peering closely at Jimmy before moving off.

Les showed no interest in her food. “I've made this trip so often. This is the first time I don't want to go back.”

Jimmy kissed her cheek. “I'm going to miss you.”

“When will we see each other again?”

He expected her question, one they'd both avoided. The simple answer was he didn't know. “I suppose it depends on the tour. We go on the road in a few weeks. Miles wants to capitalize on the Grammy notoriety.”

“How long?”

“To the end of the year.”

Les looked away. “That's eight months.”

“Maybe you can come back while I'm touring. Like this time, for a week or two.”

Les didn't answer at first. She withdrew her hand from his, staring off at nothing. The pull of Saint Malachy's Orphanage wasn't so strong as before. Now that she had Jimmy in her heart, everything about her life in Australia was different. Empty wasn't the word. She still had the boys and she knew the days would be filled with her increased responsibilities now that Sister Marie had her own struggles, but her personal life was forever changed. Jimmy occupied the once ignored space in her life that called out for a partner. Now, it demanded to be filled. She dreaded the months ahead, knowing that no matter how many duties occupied her time and attention, they would never be enough to placate the longing to be with her love.

“It will be hard.”

“To come back? Not if we plan. Easter, holiday breaks, we can work things out.”

“And, later, when your tour is over?”

“I'll come to you and stay as long as possible.”

Nothing was settled. She boarded her Qantas flight already lonely. During the two-hour layover at LAX she called Jimmy at his apartment in New York. They talked until the last call to board again. She ate nothing throughout the nearly twenty-four hours it took to get to her office on the other side of the earth, too depressed to eat. When she reached her desk, the phone was ringing with another call from Jimmy.

***

Ellis arrived at McCabe's office at four p.m. As usual, the executive was poring through a raft of papers on his desk. He looked up and smiled as Jimmy's agent came through the door. After a brief rehash of the Grammy Awards telecast and Blossom's stunning sweep, they got down to the purpose of the meeting.

“I'm forming a production company,” McCabe said, moving the papers to the corner of his desk. “With Mike Winfield.” Ellis did not respond. Winfield was a new angle. He waited for more. “The national tour goes through the new company along with everything it entails; souvenirs, video tapes whatever else we can profit from.”

“What's that got to do with me?”

Miles looked away for a second then leaned forward. “I don't trust Winfield.”

Ellis chuckled. “So, what else is new? I stopped trusting you when the money stopped.”

“Now?”

“I'm cool, as long as it doesn't happen again.”

“Good. It won't. Winfield has all the contacts. I need him. After talking with his crowd last night, I've concluded that we can top ten million. Without him, the money is far less.”

Ellis did the math. His agent's share was more than he could imagine. “Where do I fit in?”

“Winfield's hands will be filled with Jimmy's piece. He has the big guns lined up to throw money at his tour. He wants to travel with him. Remote broadcasts, publicity, interviews, a big show. I want you to handle everyone else.”

“I'm Jimmy's agent.”

“That doesn't change. We keep working together, but you run interference for everyone but Jimmy.”

“Same format?”

“I'm calling the production company Blossom Presents, like we did for the east coast tour. My lawyers are drawing up the papers. Yes, the same format, but bigger. Indoor arenas until the weather gets better, then outdoor stadiums, big parks, whatever can handle a large crowd. Three or four performances a week.”

“Every week? That'll be a grind, too many.”

“For seven months, yes. After that, we'll be big enough to scale things back. I'll want to bring the national tour to an end with something overseas. Maybe get Jimmy back to Australia with Kate and Nigel. We do one or two end of tour extravaganzas over there, then bring them all back to work on their next albums. World tour after that.”

“Does Jimmy know about this?”

“Not yet. I'm not telling him anything until I know where you stand.”

“Cindy?”

“We talked this morning.”

“It doesn't seem like I have a choice.”

“You do if you have a better idea.”

“You're right not to trust Winfield, but I can't think of anyone else.”

“Right now I trust three people; you, Cindy and Jimmy. Time will tell with Mike. If you agree to my proposal, I'll be able to keep my eye on him.”

“I'm in.” Trust meant much to Ellis.

The Grammy Awards ushered in the prominence Jimmy deserved. It also heralded the downfall of many, including me. I continue to regret the events of that year more than any others in my life. The idea to travel with Jimmy during his national tour came to me when I interviewed him after his return from Australia. How I rue acting upon it - all of my own doing, you see. There was no one else to blame
.

- Alice Limoges

Two weeks later, Miles hosted the brain trust in his office. This time, Mike Winfield joined the small group. In a meeting that lasted all day, they mapped out the Blossom Presents National Tour. It comprised three circuits, united under the Blossom Presents logo. The Riland brothers had patched their feud, producing a well-developed album that was being readied for release. With that issue resolved, the pieces fell together. Jimmy was the headliner, going out on a northern route that would take him from Buffalo to Sacramento by June. The Riland Brothers Band would be his warm-up. Rebellion would take a southern route, beginning in Richmond, Virginia with MacGregor, the Canadian, opening their act. Nigel Whitehurst was paired with Weak Knees, routed through the heartland with smaller venues in cities like Columbus and Des Moines.

Beginning in July, the groups would reverse their circuits, slowly making their way east from the west coast. In larger cites like LA, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta and others, all six acts would come together for multiple outdoor concerts stretching over several dates. It was hoped that these would solidify the Blossom Presents strategy and pave the way for new talent, yet to be developed, that would go out under the same banner in the future.

“Three performances a week are too many,” Ellis complained. “They'll burnout.”

“Only this once,” Winfield spoke up, looking at Miles. “Strike while the iron is hot.”

“Easy for you to say. You don't have to be ready every other day.” Ellis waited for Winfield to look at him.

“Too late. The money's been put up. Tomorrow we sign the contracts.”

Miles wasn't so sure. He realized that he didn't know what kind of demands he was putting on his stable of artists. The night in, night out grind of the road was something foreign. He was depending upon the experts in the room, including Jimmy, to keep him honest. Regardless of Winfield's promise of big money, he had no desire to kill the golden goose by wearing out his performers. Cindy didn't like the idea, either. This gave him pause. She was his regulator.