The Right Side of Memphis (2 page)

The post award show was much more hectic.  Reporters were waiting to hound the stars who won.  Billie wasn't out for blood, like they were, just acceptance.  As she was running over ideas in her mind, Bobby Douglas passed by her.  He almost caught a glimpse of her.  She wasn't sure if he did or not.  She tried to follow him and be discreet.  She had no idea what she was doing.  He walked out the back exit and boarded his tour bus.  She obviously couldn't follow him then.

The next day was her last day working at fan fair.  She was still tired from the night before, thinking about all of the bizarre things that had happened.  She had heard news once she arrived at the fairgrounds that Bobby would be at Opryville instead that day.  She wanted to see him, but first she had to talk to Chris.  His booth was all of the way in the back of the hall he was in.  He needed the largest area for all of his fans.  He was the most wanted there, since he was the newest Entertainer of the Year.  Billie was lucky enough to be transferred to the front, with her press pass in hand.  She almost wore her Chris Brady shirt, but she wanted to try and look professional.

Once she asked him all of the questions her boss had given her, she inquired some of her own.  “Where were you last night? I went to your dressing room, but I didn't see you.”

Chris claimed, “I'm sorry.  I may have been freshening up, but I probably would have known that you were in the room with me."  He had answered her questions, but she could tell by his tone, he was not telling the whole truth.  So, her other question would have to wait.

She decided to go to Opryville and find Bobby.  It was after dark before she finally found him.  He was talking on his cell phone.  From what she could hear, she assumed it was his wife, Kelly.  Suddenly, he shoved the phone in his pocket and left pretty quickly.  Billie thought of a plan.  She contacted some of her friends in high places.  Her buddy from Music City Times was the most helpful.  Her friend was having a photo session with Bobby about his award. Time for Billie to play Nancy Drew!

Billie was looking forward to finding out what was going on with Bobby.  Her imagination was running wild.  She met up with her friend to compare notes.  Billie did not let her boss, Mr. Reid know she was going to the session.  He might make it more difficult for her to investigate.  Her real reason for being there was so she could have some kind of closure to her worries.  She was going to try and sugar coat as many things as possible.  Her friend, Jenna, thought of a solution to her problem.  She decided to ask the questions for her.  Jenna pleaded, “Well, what do you want to know about him?” 

So, Billie instructed, “Find out, if you can, if he broke up with his wife.” 

Jenna challenged, “You get right to the point of things, don't you? I don't think he would tell me the truth about that.  He may not want the whole world to know. Then, it would be like a match maker marathon.” 

Billie contended, “Then, use your professional charm and rephrase the question.  Any little clue will help.” 

Bobby was prompt for his interview.  First, Jenna took a few pictures and asked him about his award.  He boasted, “I was not expecting to win.  I know a lot of people say that about awards, bu
t it is true.  Especially since..
.” 

“Since what?” Jenna appealed. 

“I'd rather not discuss it.  It's personal,” Bobby grunted. 

She assured, “I'm sorry if I upset you.  I'm only trying to find out for your fans.  They care about your welfare.”

He advised, “Right now, it would be best for them and for my family if they didn't know.” 

She suggested, “They are bound to find out sooner or later.  Wouldn't you rather they hear it from us? We're not like those trashy tabloids.  We have high reviews.” 

Bobby asserted, “When I am ready, I'll be sure to let you know.”

As the interview drew to a close, Billie was almost sure of what he was trying to hide. Jenna mumbled, “I hope you got what you wanted.  I tried.” 

Billie vowed, “I don't have a yes or no answer, but I'm more determined to find out.  My instincts could be right.  Thanks for your help.” 

Jenna inquired, “What are you going to do now?” 

Billie answered, “I'll just have to find another way.  Talking to him myself may not work, but it is my only choice now.” 

After that day, it was hard to find Bobby anywhere.  It was like he had fallen off the face of the Earth.  Billie was watching country music television, hoping to hear something.  She did.  She heard that Lana Howard divorced Chris Brady.  That explained everything about Chris’ attitude.  She couldn't believe Lana would do that to Chris.  They were so much in love; at least it appeared that way.  They had been married for 15 years.  Thoughts went through Billie's mind like, “Did someone have an affair? Were they having financial problems? Or did Chris want to have children with Lana and she couldn't?” All of this time she had been concentrating on Bobby, and had forgotten Chris had problems as well.  She was not finished helping Bobby, but wondered how she could now assist Chris. 

Billie decided to drive out to Chris’ place in Nashville.  Incidentally, so did half of the town.  She just knew they wouldn't let her in, unless she was a family member.  Friends of Chris’ were arriving every few minutes.  Billie recognized a few as they passed through the front gate.  She saw Henry Nichols.  Henry was Chris’ song writing partner and lead guitarist.  As Billie was waiting to see who else might show up, Jenna appeared and grabbed her by the arm.  Jenna announced, “We’ve got clearance, come on before they change their minds!” Jenna was there for an interview.  But, Billie was there to see how Chris was coping.

Billie could tell Chris wanted to be left alone.  He looked so depressed.  She wondered if anyone knew about his drinking, and if that's why he did it, to forget about Lana.  From what she could hear, Chris was going to give Lana the ranch in Hollywood.  There were too many memories for him to deal with, if he was to move on with his life.  Billie still couldn't help thinking how this could happen to such a great person.  Jenna observed, “Lana must be pretty stupid to leave a nice guy like him.  Kelly’s real dumb, too.” 

Billie challenged, “What brought on that comment?”

“Well, remember your suspicions? I checked out a few things and you may be right.  I heard through the grape vine that Kelly is still with her family and has both of their kids. Also, Bobby is back in his hometown, in Florida.  Don't ask me why he returned there, unless it was to get the love and support of his family, “Jenna estimated. 

Billie emphasized, “I wonder if he'll be returning here anytime soon.” 

Jenna remarked, “If I hear anything else, I'll tell you.” 

Billie observed, “Well, we are not finding out much about Chris, are we?” 

Jenna wondered, “Do you want to go up there with me?” 

Billie insisted, “No, I can't stand seeing him like this.  Just let me know what you hear. Try to find out some stuff from other reporters as well. But, be discreet.” 

Jenna giggled, “I'm always discreet, that's why married men love me!”

Billie stated, “Well, Chris’ not married now, is he?” 

Billie wanted to walk around the house.  It was the first and maybe the last time she'd be there. It was very cozy looking and resembled southern living.  She saw some of Colby's things.  They had given him his own room.  There was a room for their other pets also.  She wondered if Chris was going to keep Colby and give the other dogs to Lana.  All of the bedrooms were upstairs.  She couldn't get past the security guards or even the reporters, to see the rooms.  But, she did have a chance to see the dining room.  She saw an entrance to the kitchen. She thought it would be amazing to know what Chris kept in his refrigerator.  As she entered the kitchen, someone tapped her on the shoulder. It was Jenna. “How did you manage to make your way in here? And you are the one telling me to be discreet!” Jenna whispered.

Billie clarified, “I came in the same way you did.  Well, do you know any more about Chris’ situation than you did a few minutes ago?”

Jenna began, “I doubt that they will be reconciling.  Chris is really upset with Lana.  I don't blame him.  She hurt him.  He may never forgive her. According to Chris, she left him for a movie producer, he's not even that well known.”

”She’s such a floozy! That man must be made of gold for her to drop Chris Brady,” Billie criticized. 

Jenna continued, “Chris told us that she was with that guy a few months ago, before their divorce.  He also commented on the fact that he is the Entertainer of the Year, and Lana is the Loser of the Year.” 

Billie observed, “I guess he had the last laugh.  He's handling it a lot better than I thought.  I've always pictured him as tender-hearted.  You can tell by the songs that he writes.  Before he married Lana, his songs were sad and misguided.  Once he met her, the lyrics were full of life and positivity.  I hate to see what he writes about now.” 

Jenna feared, “Cold hearted bitches, probably.”  "Ha, ha.  Seriously, I hope not. He'd lose more than his wife.  He can't offend the entire female fan base or population, or he would never find someone else,” Billie predicted. 

Jenna observed, “He may not want anyone else.”

They left Chris’ crowded house and went their separate ways.  Billie wasn't sure where to go from that point.  She'd found out about a scandalous breakup and could investigate it further.  Or she could track down Bobby and really get the truth from him.  Then, there was Ricky and Lydia.  She still had not heard a word about Lydia's condition.  The best thing she could do was send flowers to the Ricky Todd fan club.  She was unsure of her exact hospital.

Billie was due some time off.  She wasn't sure when to take it.  She didn't want it to be wasted being a snoop.  She could look for Ricky when everything was okay.  Billie could only assume that Ricky was in a lot of pain.  All three men were losing their wives, and she seemed to be stuck in the middle of a Bermuda triangle.

Florida was pretty in June.  Billie was so happy that Mr. Reid sent her there to get the scoop on Bobby Douglas.  She wasn't forced to go either.  She actually had not been to that state in a while.  If it were spring break, she would be chasing him down in Panama City instead.  He tried to go to the 'Redneck Riviera' every year.  Plus, he even wrote a song about it, but never released it as a single.  She had to rely on the help of a pen pal in Bobby's fan club to find out where his family lived.  She had called her in advance to meet.  Her name was Shelia Merritt.  Since she seemed trustworthy, Billie filled her in on the situation.  Shelia was shocked to know that Bobby was back home. Since they were unsure if he went back to Kelly, they had to look around town to find him. They checked his old hangouts first.  They had no luck, so they waited around his house, hoping he would come outside.  They did happen to see his sisters.  Shelia made a remark that it was like a reunion or the holidays.  She knew of only those times that most of the family would be in town.  Billie figured that he must be in the house.  She didn't want to talk to him at his home, though.  He would have more freedom to push her away.  She decided to follow him, if he indeed left the house.  She couldn't go back to Nashville empty handed. 

Shelia left around sunset. She asked Billie to let her know how things turned out for Bobby.  A few minutes after Shelia left, he came outside. He got into his truck and drove off on a back road.  Billie followed far behind.  He stopped at a lake.  She parked behind some trees.  She started jotting things down. Then, she heard something.  She looked up, but couldn't tell what it was that she heard. So, she started writing again.  There was yet another noise, so she got out of her car. There was still nothing for her to see.  When she got back in her car, she couldn't see Bobby anymore.  His engine was still running.  As soon as she finished writing, she decided to go look for him.  By that time, he was standing outside of her car. She froze. Once he tapped on the window. She rolled it down. He argued, "I thought I ditched you back at my house.  Have you been following me, or am I just paranoid?” 

She admitted, “I am very concerned for your well being.  I have to keep an eye on you because it is my job, in a way.” 

Bobby beseeched, “What did you think I was going to do, jump in the lake and drown myself? How long have you been following me?”

She said in response, “I hope you are not angry. I hate that my job turns me in to a stalker. I just came a great distance to see you.” 

Bobby indicated, “Now I know where I have seen you, at fan fair! How could I forget that camera! How did you know I was in Florida?” 

Billie claimed, “My intuition, maybe?”

Bobby stated, “My fans seem to know all that there is to know about me.”

“We don't know it all, or else I wouldn't be here,” She objected. 

“What are you trying to discover about me?” he asked.  She assured, “Only what you are willing to tell me.”

“Can't anything be sacred in a famous person's life? It seems like once you are a star, the media is in your business,” he snapped. 

Billie conveyed, “Don't consider me as the media.  You can say I'm a caring admirer or just someone you can trust.” 

“I just need time to think about my life, and what I plan to do next, “Bobby insisted. 

“Apparently, you've made up your mind about something.  You are here, aren't you?” she acknowledged.