This is a fictional story, but the idea for the title came from a good friend of mine who is a singer/songwriter. She is always telling me, "it all starts with a song." I don't profess to know a whole lot about the music industry, but the idea for this story just came to me one day, so I wrote it. I hope you enjoy it.
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As I drive down the highway headed to the Nashville airport, I hear my wife's voice come over the radio. It's her first hit song. She finally made it to the big time, but at what a cost. With tears rolling down my cheeks, and pain in my heart, I wondered if my marriage was over. She no longer needed me, and I just needed to get home to our eight year old daughter Casey.
Casey was having a hard time understanding why her mother couldn't be there much anymore. All I could do was explain that mommy was very famous now, and just couldn't be here.
I guess I should go back and fill you in on how I got to this point in my life. My name is Jeff, and I am thirty three years old. My wife Tanya is the same age as me. We have been together for about twelve years now, married the last ten. We live in Austin, Texas.
Tanya has that natural beauty that most women long for. She can grab the attention of everyone in sight just by walking into a room. She has long platinum blond hair. Her long legs fit well on her slim body. Top that off with a set of really nice tits, a very pretty face, and you have my wife.
I can't sing, play a musical instrument, or even carry a tune. I have no music ability what so ever. Tanya on the other hand, is very talented. She has the voice of an angel, can play guitar very well, and writes beautiful songs. She has been a struggling singer/songwriter the past thirteen years. She has been trying to put together that break through song that would put her in the spotlight on a national scale.
All this time I have worked very hard to help her achieve that dream. I own my own carpet cleaning business. I started the business right after Tanya and I got married. It has grown, and become quite profitable, but I work hard to make it happen.
I worked hard to support her financially in her music career. The recording sessions, demos, and bands cost a lot of money. She had this dream to make it big, so I did everything I could to help her. It's a tough business, and hard to crack, even if you are very talented.
About three months ago Tanya wrote this really beautiful song. It wasn't your run of the mill country song about cheating and divorce. It was about the love of a girl for her husband, and daughter. She wrote the song about me, and Casey. I literally cried when she sang it to me. She sang it with so much love and passion that I knew we may have a winner here.
We spent the money to have a demo record made. We hired the best band we could afford. It sounded awesome. It was time to take it to Nashville. We had not been able to get anywhere in Austin, so Tanya decided to go to Music Row.
She took her newly hired manager Loretta with her. I had to stay and work, and of course take care of our daughter Casey.
Tanya called me just about every night updating me on the progress. Things didn't seem to be going well. I missed her so much, as did Casey. It was taking all the money I had for her to be there. I couldn't afford to go visit, and she wasn't able to come home.
We were just about at the end of our rope when I got an excited call from Tanya. Long story short she was meeting that afternoon with a big record producer that was very interested in her song.
She said she would call me when she knew something.
She never called that night. I tried her cell phone, but it went straight to voice mail. I tried her hotel room until midnight, but no answer. This was not like Tanya. I hoped everything was all right. I left several frantic messages.
Tanya finally called me the next afternoon.
"Jeff, honey, I am so sorry I haven't called. It's been so chaotic since I last talked to you. I met with the record producer, Randy Atkins. He really liked my song, and we are going to make a single. He is going to promote it on every country station in America. Jeff, he says I'm going to be a big star."
"That's great honey, but I don't understand why you couldn't call me after the meeting. I also tried to call your room last night until midnight, but there was no answer. Where were you."
She was silent a moment, then started muttering about going here, and going there. I was now very suspicious. This didn't sound like my Tanya.
I had heard stories about how some record producers will get promising young stars to sleep with them in order to have the opportunity to become a star. Tanya and I never talked about the possibility, but I had to wonder.
We talked a little longer, then she suddenly said she had to go. She said she would call back later. It was two days later.
She called and told me they had made the record, and it would start playing on radio stations in a few days. She sounded different. She talked a lot about Randy, her record producer. Loretta was busy setting up appearances, and record store bookings.
"I miss you so much Tanya, can't you please come home for awhile baby."
"I'm sorry honey, I just can't. I have too much going on, and it is a very critical point in my career. Randy needs me here to make this work."
I was getting a little tired of hearing about Randy.
"What about Casey? She misses her mother so much. Maybe we could come for a short visit?"
"That's not a good idea honey. I'm going to be hoping all over the place doing my promotions. Give me a few more weeks, then I promise I will come home. Tell Casey I lover her very much, and will make it up to her soon. I love you too Jeff, and I'm sorry we have been apart for so long. Bye honey, gotta run."
With that she hung up. I said bye after she already hung up. I also felt I was losing my wife. I felt the tears come, but tried to suppress them. I had to do something. I didn't want to lose my wife.
A couple of days later the song was released. I heard it on the radio on my way home. It did sound really good. I tried to call several times but no answer. Same thing with her hotel room.
I decided I needed to go to Nashville and see my wife. I made plans to leave the next day. Casey would stay with my parents. I just had to see Tanya.
I arrived in Nashville the next afternoon. I picked up a paper and found out that Tanya was scheduled for an appearance, and news conference, at a local record store at 6:00. I didn't call before leaving, and decided not to call now. I wanted to surprise her.
I arrived at the record store shortly before Tanya was scheduled to arrive. I found a place near the back of where everyone stood, and kind of out of the way. I still could see the make shift stage they had set up pretty well. There were large posters of Tanya, and plenty of press and photographers. She really was becoming a star.
After waiting for a little bit, there was suddenly a lot of commotion. People started buzzing that Tanya had arrived. Sure enough this big black Limo pulled up and Tanya got out, waiving and smiling. She really looked beautiful all fixed up in denim and rhinestones.
Then some guy got out of the Limo right behind her. This must be the Randy person she talked about, her record producer. He walked her up to the microphone with his arms around her like they were a couple.
My heart sank. Could my fears be true? Had I lost my wife to the fame and stardom of Nashville? As Tanya began to speak, I stepped out so she would have a clear line of vision to me. I was hoping she would see me.
She was looking my way, but I don't think she saw me. All she saw was a crowd of fans idolizing her. I was probably the last person she was expecting to be there anyway. I kept trying to get her to make eye contact.
She started to speak telling everyone thanks, and how excited she was.
Then she said, "There is someone very important here today that I want to especially thank. He believed in me, and supported me from the start."
I thought, she does see me back here. She is about to acknowledge me as her husband, and the man she wrote the song about. Maybe I overreacted on everything, and she is glad I am here.
Tanya continued, "I owe everything to this man, and that man is Randy Atkins my wonderful record producer."
Everyone cheered as Randy kissed her on the lips. I had seen enough. I ran out before I threw up. I also had a hard time breathing. My beautiful wife, the woman I loved more than anything in this world, has forsaken her husband, and family for some two bit record producer, and his promise of fame and fortune. I could tell she had slept with him. It was obvious.
I wound up in some bar where I had a couple of drinks while I figured out what to do. Somehow I had to see her, and confront her. I came up with a plan.
I knew what hotel she was staying at, so I went there. My credit card was paying for the room. In fact, I made the reservation so my name was on the room. I showed the clerk my ID, and asked for a room key. I told them I was Tanya's husband, and was here to surprise her. They gave me a key.
I went to her room, and waited on my wife to come back. The room was pretty large with a small couch near the back of the room. The bed was close to the door. The lights were out, so she probably wouldn't see me until she was already in, and turned on the lights.
It was about 8:15 when I sat down on the couch to wait. It was about 9:30 when I heard the key unlock the door. As the door opened I could hear voices, one was my wife, the other was a man. My guess was that it was probably Randy Atkins. There was talking and laughing as the door opened, then it stopped. It was dark in the room, but the hall light was shining in the doorway. I could see them both with their arms around each other kissing. Then his hand moved inside her denim skirt. I sat and watched in horror.
