by S Lee

Disclaimers: See Part 1.

Your feedback is very welcome and appreciated. You can contact me at: s.lee@e-scribblers.com

Copyright © 2004 by S Lee. All Rights Reserved.

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Chapter 4 - That Friend of Mine

Two Years Later

Kat and the Tuesday Night Music Club stood on the stage on a hot Saturday in June, playing for a large crowd of people at the Kerrville Folk Festival. Presley stood next to her, playing the mandolin and singing harmony with the group of women. Beth and Scout sat on a blanket on the grass in front, proudly watching their girls on the stage. In her arms, Beth held a baby boy with coal black hair and large brown eyes. Their son was just over a year old. Beth tickled the toddler in overalls and a baseball cap. Kat nearly broke out in laughter more than once during her set as she watched her gleeful little boy from the stage. Six months prior, the couple had adopted from an orphanage in Russia. Being the lone man in a house full of women, the little angel quickly became spoiled.

After singing several songs, Kat introduced her band members. "Thank y'all for coming out to the festival. I'd like to introduce my band. This is the Tuesday Night Music Club. On the fiddle, we have Natalie. Playing the guitars, are Lainie, Rebecca, and Sarah. It is a special pleasure to introduce our mandolin player, my lovely daughter, Presley. I'm Kat and we've got some great music for you here at the festival this weekend. Hang loose and enjoy this beautiful weather. Our next performer is my good friend, and guitar man extraordinaire from Austin, Ian Moore. It's been great playing for y'all and we'll see you again tomorrow."

The group walked off the stage. Kat was busy signing autographs when she heard a familiar voice behind her.

"Kat, could you autograph my hat?"

The singer turned around and her face lit up when she saw John, her former manager. "Hey there, brother." The friends embraced heartily.

"Hey, Kat, it's good to see you."

The singer pulled back. "It's great to see you too."

"You sound and look incredible. I can't believe Presley is so grown up."

Kat shook her head. "Tell me about it. See this gray hair? She's dating and driving now and I hate it. It's making my hair turn this awful color. I make Beth nuts."

"How is Beth?"

As if on cue, Beth walked around the corner with a very excited little boy, toddling as fast as he could. Kat turned toward them, beaming. "There they are."

Kat walked over and lifted the baby into her arms. The mother and son giggled together as Kat tickled him. "How's Mama's boy? Are you Mama's boy? Yes you are. Yes you are."

Beth shook her head, cherishing the sight of the two of them. "Thank you. He wanted to come see you. He's quite attached to you, you know."

Kat grinned and kissed her wife on the cheek. "Hi, darlin'." The little boy played with his mother's shoulder-length hair.

Beth turned to their old friend. "John, what a wonderful surprise! It's good to see you."

The petite blonde wrapped her arms around the giant teddy bear of a man.

"It's good to see you too, Beth. I've missed you both. Who's this little one?"

"This is Steven James Green. We adopted him about six months ago."

John cooed at the toddler in Kat's arms. "He's beautiful. Let me guess, you named him after James Taylor and Stevie Ray Vaughn."

Both women laughed. Kat replied, "That's right. Do you know me or what?"

The man inquired, "How's little Scout?"

Beth answered, "She's wonderful, absolutely beautiful. But she's not so little anymore. She's almost a teenager and getting more grown up every day. Thank God she takes after me and is much easier to deal with. She's off with some friends of hers that she met here." Beth turned to Kat. "Honey, would you mind taking Stevie for a bit? I'd like to check out some of the new vendors. It's hard to shop when he's squirming."

"Of course not. We can trade. You can take my banjo and I'll take the munchkin. Oh, and honey, if you're going to sit in the front, don't tickle the baby. It's incredibly distracting. I nearly laughed in the middle of my songs."

Beth bit her lip. "Oops, sorry hon. Thank you for taking him." She turned to John. "It was so good to see you. Why don't you come hang out with us in the tent village today. I hope you don't have to run. We'd like to catch up."

The manager smiled. "I'll be there."

Beth placed a soft kiss on her baby's cheek and then on Kat's cheek and walked away. The baby waved and said, "Bye, bye."

John asked Kat, "So, why did you adopt another child?"

Kat gave her little man a squeeze. "Beth and I got back together. The girls are so much older now. I think we both really missed having a baby in the house. We wanted a third child for a long time but we never did because of my schedule and my problems. We worked out those issues and that missing piece was more evident to both of us. We were concerned about Beth having a baby at her age. It could be safe, but the risk for complications is a lot greater. I didn't want to take any chances. We talked about adoption for a few months. Lainie and her partner were beginning their adoption paperwork and she was showing me the pamphlets and videos. It just felt right. Everything seemed to come together like it was meant to be. We decided to adopt a baby too."

Almost on cue, Stevie started playing a game of putting his hands in Kat's mouth to see if she would bite it. Kat played along and bit his hand lightly when he stuck it in her mouth. John laughed at the exchange.

Kat continued, "Anyhow, we went to Russia with Lainie and her partner and I saw this little guy in a crib. There was just something about him. He reached out to me, literally. Beth and I both fell in love with him. We were there a month until we could get all the processing done. It was easier doing this when I was twenty-eight, but I wouldn't give up my little man for anything in the world. Plus, I always wondered what it would be like to raise a son. You should see the girls; they fuss over him so much. They adore him as well."

The little boy pulled his mother's hair. Kat grimaced and untangled the small fist. "Although, I think I might get my hair cut."

Both laughed. "That's wonderful. I don't think I ever expected to see you quite so content and happy with this low-key life. Don't you miss being in the spotlight?"

Kat held her son securely. "Let me see, hmmmm. Do I miss thousands of people screaming my name, having my every desire met instantly, the gold records, the fun times with the band, and the ungodly sums of money? No, I honestly don't. When I'm up to my elbows in baby food or vomit, or God only knows what else, I think to myself there is no place I'd rather be. I'm financially set for the rest of my life, I play music all the time, and most importantly, I get to wake up with my family every morning. I am there for everything that happens. I'm able to tuck him in and sing him to sleep every night. I wouldn't miss this for the world."

John inquired, "So, I take it you're still sober?"

"On the wagon for three years now. "

"No slip-ups? No binges?"

Kat shook her head. "Aww, hell no. Just call me Johnny Cash. I walk the line, brother. I have too much to lose and life couldn't be better. So tell me about you. What's going on with you?"

John grinned. "That is wonderful. I am so proud of you, pal. Kelly and I got married a year and a half ago. I finally popped the question after eight years. We flew to Vegas that same night. We have a baby boy as well who is the greatest thing in the world." He pulled out photos and showed them to the singer. "This is John Waylon Carter."

"He's gorgeous. Luckily, he looks like Kelly. " Kat slapped her old friend on the back. "I'm so happy for you. It's about time you two got married. She's a good woman, especially if she's put up with you for so long." Both friends laughed.

Presley walked up to the old friends and rubbed her little brother's dark hair. "Hey, Mom. Hey, squirt. Hi, Uncle John, I haven't seen you in a long time. It's nice to see you. "

The man smiled as he hugged his honorary niece. "It's good to see you too. You were great up there. You've gotten so grown up and pretty, just like your mothers."

Presley blushed. "Thank you."

Kat turned to her daughter. "Your mother is off shopping, and John and I are going for a walk to catch up. I'll take little Stevie with me. You've got some free time; go have fun. You did a great job, kiddo. Your harmonies were right on."

Her mother's opinion meant nearly everything to the teenager. "Thanks, Mom. I'll be around with some friends. I'll catch you later." Before Kat could say it, she added, "I'll be at the tent by five."

Kat motioned toward her older daughter, who had walked off. "She's begging me to produce a CD for her. I'd rather wait until she turns eighteen, but I remember how I was at that age. So, what brings you all the way down here?" Her son was content to play with the gold chain around her neck, drool on her shirt, and make loud baby sounds.

"As you know, every year the Opry has the homecoming for its birthday in October. They want you to perform this year. It's still some time away, but they want to confirm the lineup so they can begin promoting it."

Kat took a breath. "The Opry. I've missed it. I always felt like I was home when I was on that stage."

"You belong there, Kat."

"I'd love to, but let me talk it over with Beth tonight and I'll give you an answer tomorrow."

"Sounds good."

Kat smiled and looked at her son. "What do you think little one? Would you like to go to the Opry? I'll have to buy you a new cowboy hat to match mine." The little boy laughed as Kat blew raspberries on his neck.

The family spent the rest of the afternoon with their long time friend.

That night, all the musicians and their families sat around a large campfire in the tent village. The musicians and singers played and sang together; music filled up the summer night. Kat and Presley both played their guitars. Beth sat beside Kat, while holding their little sleeping son. He was tired from a big day of play and discovery. Presley and Scout sat on the other side of the singer. Kat began to play a song she had written for Steven as she watched him sleep one night.

Some of the other musicians began to accompany Kat with their fiddles, mandolins and guitars. Presley knew the song well and came in with harmonies. Kat continued to play her guitar and lovingly watched her little boy, asleep in her wife's arms. Beth rocked her body smoothly and kissed the top of the small head. Kat's heart was bursting with love and pride at her wife and children. Soft music rose and floated above the group in the warm summer air.

In their tent after the festival campfire, Kat curled her body around Beth while their baby slept in his playpen a couple of feet away. "'Scilla, what do you think about me performing for homecoming?"

Beth caressed her wife's arm and turned around slightly. "I think you should do it. The Opry is something special. You aren't going out on the road for months. You'll be away for maybe a week." She touched Kat's face. "Honey, I know how important this is to you."

Kat smiled. "You really don't mind? I was thinking about having Presley perform with me."

"She would absolutely love it."

"I would too, actually. I also thought I might write a song with Scout. We can all take a few days off from school and go together. I want you and Scout and Stevie to be there when Presley and I sing."

Beth gently pressed her lips to Kat's. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

The following October, Kat stood backstage at the Opry with her band. Kat, Beth and the kids were welcomed by their old friends and fellow performers. Everyone cooed over the new addition to the family. Presley and the rest of the band were nervous. Kat wore black slacks, black t-shirt, a black leather jacket that went just above her knees, and a black cowboy hat. Black boots completed the ensemble.

Beth held their little boy and watched her lover being interviewed live on a national broadcast. She couldn't help admiring Kat's poise and beauty.

"We're here live at the Grand Old Opry with singer Kat Green, who's making her first national appearance in almost three years. Kat, it's good to see you again. You've been gone for so long, what have you been up to?"

Kat grinned charmingly. "Thank you. It feels good to be back. Everyone here feels like family and it's been wonderful seeing everyone this week. I've had the most incredible times here at the Opry. This has always been a special place to me. As for what I'm doing now, I own a music store in Austin, I've been raising my kids, and I produce local artists on my own label, Lone Star Music."

"You have a new band too, don't you? Will we be seeing any new Kat Green music soon?"

"Yes, I do have a new band, the Tuesday Night Music Club. I brought them with me also. I'm looking at recording an acoustic bluegrass CD with them."

"We also heard you have a special guest performing with you tonight."

Kat smiled proudly. "That's right. My daughter, Presley, is performing with me tonight. I'm just so pleased to have her with me. This is her first time to actually sing on stage here and I seriously doubt it will be her last. She spent much of her childhood running around backstage here. She'll play with my band for our first number. For my second number, I'll be doing a brand new song with her that I co-wrote with my younger daughter, Scout."

"I see you have a new addition to your family since we saw you last. Tell us about your little boy."

Kat beamed when talking about her pride and joy. "We adopted our son in Russia almost a year ago. His name is Steven James Green. He's the only man in the house, so he gets lots of attention from his big sisters. This is his first time here at the Opry."

"It's just a family night for you here then?"

Kat looked at her wife. "Yes, it is. I'm very blessed to have such a wonderful and talented family."

Kat noticed Presley waving to her, signaling that it was almost time to perform.

The interviewer smiled. "Looks like you're wanted on stage. Thank you for talking to me. It really is good to see you again."

"Thank you, Kim. It's good to see you as well. You look wonderful."

Kat stood offstage while her band walked on and prepared to perform. As Presley was about to walk out to plug in her guitar, Kat stopped her.

"How do you feel?"

"Like I'm going to throw up."

Kat chuckled. "You'll be fine. I love you and I'm very proud of you. Enjoy this. Nothing compares to the first time you walk on that stage and sing into those old microphones. Think of all the amazing people who have come before you on this stage. They all felt the way you do right now the first time they played here. This is the greatest gift I will ever give you; this is your destiny, Presley. I know how much you want this. I can see it in your eyes. I had that same hungry look when I was your age. After tonight, if you want, we can start working on your first CD. You're a damn fine player and singer and your songwriting is developing nicely. I'm glad you're with me. You look beautiful and you are so talented, you blow me away. Now go on out there and plug in your guitar and I'll be out as soon as they announce me."

Presley looked at her mother, trying not to cry, "Thanks, Mom, for everything. I'm glad I'm here with you too."

The singer forced herself not to cry, knowing her voice would tighten if she did. "Go on and set up."

Beth walked up to the performer after watching the exchange. "You look beautiful. You're a really great mom, you know that?"

Kat smiled. "Thanks."

The emcee for the night stood in front of the microphone and introduced the singer. "Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce our next performer. She's been gone for too long and it is so good to have her home. She's one of my favorites and I'm happy to see my old friend tonight. Y'all give a nice warm welcome to Kat Green."

Electricity shot through Kat's body as she walked out onto the stage with her guitar strapped around her body. The audience erupted in cheers and applause. Kat was humbled by the reception. "Thank y'all so much for the warm welcome. It's such a pleasure to be here tonight for the Opry's birthday. I've missed this old place. I'll tell y'all, one of the greatest nights of my life was the night I was inducted as a member here. I've listened to the Opry on the radio on Saturday nights since I was a little girl. This old place is very special to me. For my first song tonight, I'd like to sing a hit from a few years ago, "That's Right, You're Not From Texas".

Kat's band and the Opry house band broke into a western swing. Kat grinned and began to sing.

Beth and Scout watched their family from backstage. Beth held the squirming little boy in her arms. Steven was excited watching his mother and sister. He reached and called out, "Mama, Mama pway."

Beth smiled at her son. "Shhh, little one. Mama will be back in a minute. Listen to Mama sing." The doting mother turned to her daughter. "Your mother and sister look so beautiful and they sound incredible. I can't wait to hear that song you wrote. I wish y'all would have let me hear it before tonight."

Scout smiled and played with her brother. "You'll like it. It's a surprise. We wrote it for you and I was told I would be doing the yuck jobs at the store if I let the cat out of the bag. You'll just have to wait to hear it."

Beth grinned and put her arm around her daughter who was now the same height. "That's sweet, thank you. Now I really can't wait to hear it."

They continued to listen as Kat finished her first song.

Kat smiled and adjusted her hat when she sang the words.

The audience clapped and cheered as the band walked off the stage. Kat removed her guitar and handed it to one of the stagehands. She picked up the mandolin from the stand and placed the strap over her shoulder.

"Thank you very much. This next song is very special to me. It's a new one that I wrote with my younger daughter, Scout. It's also special because I get to sing it with my older daughter, Presley. I hope you like it."

Presley began to play the slower song on her guitar and her mother joined in, playing lead on the mandolin. Kat looked offstage and winked at her wife and daughter.

Presley joined her mother with the harmonies.

The song ended and the audience applauded loudly, showing their appreciation. Kat beamed at her older daughter with pride as Beth hugged their younger daughter and cried tears of joy.

Kat placed her arm around Presley as they walked offstage. "Good job, sweetheart. You were the ultimate professional. I love you. We'll start working on the CD whenever you're ready."

The teenager grinned. "Thanks, Mom. I love you too."

The toddler was excited to see his mama and came running into her arms. The singer picked up her son and cradled him close to her while Beth wrapped her arms around her older daughter.

Kat kissed her son on the nose. "Hey there, little man. Did you like my singing?"

"Mama sing good."

"I'm glad you liked it, sweet boy."

She handed her mandolin to Scout and placed a soft kiss on her head. "Well done, Scout. You did a wonderful job with those lyrics. I'm proud of you, darlin'."

The singer held Beth gently with their son between them. Kat tenderly lifted her wife's face and kissed her softly as the next performers brushed past them.

Beth peered into her lover's eyes. "That was the most beautiful song I've ever heard. Thank you."

Kat smiled at her partner. "I'll love you forever, 'Scilla."

The baby broke the serious mood by taking Kat's hat and placing it on his own head. "'Tevie sing too."

The couple laughed and poured their affection onto the rambunctious toddler in their arms.

The End

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