The Right Side of Memphis (6 page)

He announced, “I don't think I will have it aired just yet.  I am glad that you have accepted the fact now.  If you are afraid that I am making a mistake, don't be.  I would be making an even bigger one if I kept going on the way that I have.  To be honest, I can no longer sing songs that I have written that have to do with my failed marriage.  I can’t sing a lie, and I can’t live a lie.  The truth has gone out of my songs.  Except maybe the first songs I wrote, I could now agree with some of those lyrics."

She finally could see what he meant.  He was right about singing songs that no longer had the same meaning.  How was he to take anything serious that way?  Billie asked him when he was going to really quit.  He predicted, “I will at least wait until my new video and song have left the charts.  I am not really looking forward to the press’ reaction.   But, they can kiss my...” With a feeling of relief, Billie could continue her work and not feel depressed.  She couldn't help but worry about Chris, but could never imagine Ricky Todd retiring.  That was a scary thought.

Billie was not looking forward to the weeks ahead, when Chris was ending his career.  Country music, as the world knew it, was about to change.  There was a bit of pressure at work pertaining to that situation.  Mr. Reid wanted all of the information that she had, but it was to remain confidential.  No one could know his decision until he was ready to go public. It seemed like time was passing by slowly.  Chris' new song was moving ever so steadily up the charts.  Billie wished he would still possibly change his mind and decide to deal with singing the tough songs.  She knew that it was the best thing for him, but that it would break a lot of young girl’s hearts.  Billie's was one of them.

Just when it seemed things couldn't get any worse, that was when news got out about Lana Howard's shocking new movie.  Billie figured it wouldn't be long after their divorce, that Lana would start making movies again.  She may not have cared what Chris thought about it.  But, Billie did.  She tried to get in touch with him to see how he was handling it.  When she did get to speak to him, he sounded all right.  But, Billie couldn't tell if he was really doing well.  Before she had the chance to go and see for herself, she was given an assignment.  It was hard for her to imagine why she was chosen for this particular one.  She assumed Mr. Reid set it up, so maybe then he would find out the inside story for himself.

Billie had to interview Ben Matthews, the director that Lana was dating.  She wanted to tell Chris about it, but she was sure that he wouldn't like it too much.  He might insist on being there or show up on his own and cause a scene.  Billie figured it was the perfect opportunity to see if Lana had unresolved feelings for Chris. Billie didn’t have to go too far to get her interview.  They happened to be in town, and all she had to do was show up on time.  Once she arrived, she scanned the room for Lana. While she was looking around, a man approached her, who seemed to be curious.  He introduced himself as Ben Matthews.  Billie was there really to talk to him, so she didn't have much of a choice. Maybe it would be somewhat productive and informative. 

As Billie proceeded with her one-on-one report, she thought of how Lana betrayed Chris, and all for this man.  She did not find him attractive or very interesting.  Billie wanted to stir up some untouchable type topics.  She asked him how Lana was coping with her divorce and how he felt about the situation.  Ben was struggling to find the words.  Billie thought he wasn't prepared to answer a direct question, such as that one.  But, what he told her was not what she expected to hear.  He wanted it to be off the record.  Billie was supposed to get the whole story, but she had to know for Chris' sake.  Ben explained his side of the story.  He told Billie that Lana was truly unhappy when she was with Chris.  He said Chris would mistreat her and that it was his idea that they not have children. Billie didn’t know if that was true. That didn't sound like the same Chris that she knew.  She asked to talk to Lana.  He said she wouldn't be back for a while.  She wanted to stick around until Lana did return.  Maybe then she would get a real interview.

Before Lana arrived, Billie got a text message. It was Chris trying to get in touch with her.  She called him and could tell right away that he was upset.  He had found out about Lana being in town and admitted he couldn't think about anything but a drink.  She had to be there for him, so he wouldn't be constantly turning to alcohol when he was feeling down.  She left her card with Ben and told him to give it to Lana.  She made sure to let him know that it was imperative that she speak to Lana.

Chris was not in the best state of mind, but she was able to get more than a sentence out of him.  She may have told him some news that he didn't really need to hear.  He couldn't believe that Billie had talked to Ben about him and Lana.  She couldn't tell him what Ben had said though.  Or that she planned on questioning Lana. Chris suggested that they stop talking about the events of the day.  Just as Billie was concerned for Chris' well being, he seemed just as concerned for hers.  He offered her a massage, since he could tell that she was tense.  Billie worried that he might be able to sense that she was keeping something from him.  He advised her to change in to something comfortable for her massage.

Billie came back to the living room and he told her to lie on the table.  He started massaging her neck and shoulders. After a few minutes, he pulled her robe up to the middle of her thighs.  He began spreading warm oil on her ankles and calves. He pulled her robe over the small of her back next.  With a circular motion, he applied the oil to her hips.  His palms moved down between her thighs, as if to be caressing her.  He slid his arm under her body just above the hips, and began to massage her lower back with the heel of his hand.  It was very arousing to her. He could tell.  He removed her robe and dipped his hands in to the oil.  This was the first time a massage had affected her like that.  Not too much later, it became more than a massage.  It was bound to happen sooner or later.  It happened before Billie really had a chance to think about it.  She wouldn't regret this night, like the one she had with Bobby. Before they went to sleep, Chris whispered, “Anytime that you are feeling tense again, you know who to call.”

Billie awoke to find that Chris had left.  She decided to make the most of it.  One thing that occurred to her was finding the suitcase he had put away the other night. She was still curious to know what it contained.  She looked everywhere, but was unsuccessful.  She had seen him set it in his room.  “He must have moved it to some private place.  What could be more private than his bedroom?” Billie thought.  Then again, she had gained access to it, so it wasn't so private after all.

Chris came back and surprised her.  Billie observed, “I thought you had left for the day?”

He instructed, “Today is your day off, am I right?  So, we're going to spend it together.”  She was stunned, but wasted no time to jump at his offer.  She wanted to find out where they were going.  As they drew closer to their destination, she noticed that it looked a lot like the location of Lana's new movie.  He explained the plan.  “Don't get the wrong idea.  I want Lana to know that I am through with her for good.  You and I are together now.  I am not in any way using you to get her back. I swear,” He told Billie. 

When he said that they were together, she thought that was news to her. She guessed it wasn’t just sex to him then. But, she would save that conversation for later. She grilled, “Is that the only reason? Or do you want to punch Ben's lights out?” 

He reassured, “There's no need to get violent.  You only end up fighting someone that you are jealous of, which I am not.  He has nothing that I want.  He's not worth it.”  Billie was glad to hear that.  What she was wondering was if Lana would welcome them.

Lana was busy rehearsing her final scenes.  When she returned to her dressing room, Billie was standing there.  Lana spoke, “Don't I know you from some place? Yes, you're the journalist that was looking for me the other day.  I apologize for missing the opportunity to talk to you.” 

Billie responded, “Well, that's one of the reasons that I am here now.  Do you have time to talk?”

Lana claimed, “I'm afraid not.  We're real busy finishing up the last details of the film. You know how it is.”

Chris came out and said, “Yes, I know how it is.  Why don't you tell us your side of it?  Doesn't Ms. Howard have the time for any one these days?”

Lana snapped, “Chris, don't make the situation harder than it already is.  Please go.”

He announced, “I just came here today to prove that I am over you.  I have someone who really cares for me.  More than you ever did.”  He put his arm around Billie, which took her by surprise. 

Lana uttered, “Maybe she can work miracles.  You certainly need the help when it comes to relationships.  I have some advice for you, Billie.  Don't let him push you around.  And, don't let him near a bottle.  It's his true addiction and true love.  It will come between you.” 

Lana received word from one of the producers that they needed her on the set.  She left without saying another word. Billie looked at Chris and said, “Why would she tell me a thing like that? What I've been hearing all along, is it true?” 

He mumbled, “I guess she got what she wanted.  She loves to cause trouble.  She is famous for it.  It wasn't the best idea of mine to come here today.”

Billie claimed, “I think she was trying to be sincere.” 

He argued, “She wasn't trying her best.  She only does that on her backside.  That's also how she gets lead roles in movies.”  Billie knew that was uncalled for, but he was upset with Lana for what she had said. 

Billie acknowledged, “She also doesn't know that you are getting help for your alcohol abuse.  You are a better man than before, in my opinion.” 

He expressed, “I've always been a perfect gentleman to Lana.  I've never hurt her.  She is just making me look bad to you.  I had a drink once in a while and just to relax me.  If you had to live with her, it would drive you to drink, too.” 

Billie feared, “I guess I'll never get to interview her.” 

Chris grunted, “What for?  You see how she really is.  That's all you need to know.  She holds grudges as you can tell, so it is very unlikely that you'll be speaking to her again.  If it were in my power, no one would ever talk to her again.”  Billie wondered if that was a threat or a promise.

Billie wanted to ask Chris about the suitcase.  But, she figured it was none of her business and she'd just forget about it. He asked her, “Are you going to print anything that went on today?” 

She assured, “No. That's the side of the story the public doesn't need to know. That's rather personal.  They won't know about us either.  That could cause more problems.”

Chris inquired, “What makes you say that?
A conflict of interest?” 

Billie responded, “A reporter and a superstar?  Definitely a subject of conversation.  I wouldn't want the whole world to know about it.”

He warned, “Well, that is rather selfish of you.  You print the lives of people like me every day, but you wouldn't let the world know of your own life?  I hate to be the one to have to break it to you, but they know all there is to know about me and they will find out about you eventually.”

She observed, “What is that supposed to do, scare me out of seeing you?”

He claimed, “I never stay where I'm not wanted, so I don't believe you should either.” She asked if that may have been a recommendation and he said, “No, I'm not ready for another bad goodbye. All joking aside, I am serious about you.  If you were to leave me now, I'd lose it.”  Billie had no idea he had fallen so hard for her.  She couldn't help but to think of the consequences if
she did want to get out of it.

Billie went to work, hoping for a change of subject, only to find out the recent gossip.  She heard that Lana might put a restraining order on Chris.  Billie knew he wouldn’t think that was necessary.  As far as she knew, he hadn’t seen her that much.  The only time she could recall was the day before, and she was with them.  She thought about Chris' possible reaction.  It would infuriate him, for sure.  When she took her break, she contacted him.  As she suspected, he was highly ticked. He told Billie that he had just finished talking to Lana’s lawyer.  He was fed up.  The divorce had been taking it far enough, now to add to this only made his troubles heavier.  Billie didn’t want this to get out of hand, so she thought of something that would lift his spirits a bit. She explained it in detail and he seemed to like the idea.

Billie got off work, not too long after rush hour.  She had thoughts running around in her head of the upcoming event.  She had been walking around about half an hour, around the block from where she parked her car.  She suddenly had a feeling that she was being followed.  But, she knew if she turned around, she wouldn’t see the person.  So, she just kept on walking, continuing to look straight ahead.  Billie’s heels echoed on the pavement.  She wondered if the noise would attract the person and make them follow her even further.  She didn’t have to see them to know that they were there.  She tried to dodge them down a dark alley.  It was completely pitch black, but suddenly she was no longer afraid. 

She stood under the nearest street light and turned to see who had been pursuing her.  As he crossed the path in front of her, the muscles in his back rippled. Walking over to her, he took her up in his powerful arms and pressed his soft lips over hers.  They continued to do so up against the brick wall. There were many distractions, such as a cat jumping out of a trash can and papers blowing in the wind.  But, they were more like whispers compared to the heavy breathing between them. Suddenly, his cell phone rang, and he said, “This helped me to forget my problems momentarily.”