Epilogue
8 MONTHS LATER
“How are you doing, Raleigh? Are you ready to be pleasured?” Drew’s voice rang out through the stadium to a very enthusiastic crowd. The audience cheered even louder. My camera snapped pictures of both the band members and the fans as the opening chords to their first hit, “Believe,” filled in the air.
Being at my first major concert with the guys was thrilling. They’d taken eight months to rest after the accident, allowing time for a new manager to be assigned to them and to make new plans, as well as work on some new music. It also gave Drew time to fully recover. He was able to play the guitar with the same level of skill as before, much to his relief. I’d sold my house and moved back to North Carolina, where we rented a house together until we found something permanent.
This homecoming concert was kicking off a short tour to make up for the cancellations after the accident. In three days, we’d all be on the road, this time together.
The band played for most of the next hour and a half without taking a break except to interact on occasion with the audience. The guys were on fire, totally in their element and loving the responsive crowd.
“We’re going to slow it down for a few minutes,” Drew told them. A roadie brought out a stool and an acoustic guitar and handed it to Drew. He sat and strummed a few chords. “As you know, we lost two members of our band family several months ago.” Pictures of Courtney and Ernie, the driver, were lit on the back of the stage. “I’m pleased to tell you that all proceeds from this concert will be going to their families to help them out.” The fans cheered with whistles and hollers. “We know money can’t fill the hole in the hearts of those that loved them, but we hope it makes their lives easier in other ways. Additionally, Southern Pleasure and Empire Records will be donating money to start a scholarship in their names to assist underprivileged children with a passion for music to be able to have instruments and lessons.” The stadium went crazy, and Andy pumped his hand in the air. That had been his idea.
“Now,” Drew went on, “I want to share some good news we’ve had recently. That crazy guy behind the guitars found out he’s going to be a Daddy.” Rick beamed as he performed a short drum solo, then stood and threw his sticks into the audience.
Drew moved to the side of the stage where I was working. A spotlight followed him. “And right here, this beautiful woman agreed to be my wife last night.” The fans were on their feet, cheering and yelling congratulations. Embarrassed, I tried to hide in the shadows, but Drew reached down and pulled me forward for a kiss. He released me, then sauntered back to the stool. “She doesn’t know this, but we have a new song we’re going to perform for the first time tonight. And this song is all for her. It’s called, ‘Remember With Me.’”
I let the camera dangle from my neck as my hands covered my mouth in surprise. Drew angled himself to face me, then strummed a few chords before Rick set a soft percussion rhythm.
Drew began to sing.
The day was long, when night had come
We ended before we’d just begun
That night on that New England road
The picture darkened to forebode
Are we two?
Or just too much?
I don’t know who I was to be
Please, remember with me.
You came to me from a better past.
Words once said were held too fast.
Alone I was, a broken soul
Left on the Berkshire’s highway roll.
Are we two?
Or just too much?
I want you back, will you not see.
Please, baby, remember with me.
I can’t tell you what all went wrong
And so I write for you this song.
I want to be in your picture frame
More than wealth and more than fame
Are we two?
Or just too much?
In deepest love is there a key?
Baby, please, remember with me.
A flash of light, came to expose
The evil plot was then disposed
If I could recall, I would explain
But nothing of my thoughts remain
Are we two,
Or just too much?
You can make our future be
If only, baby, you will remember with me.
By the end of the first verse, tears streamed down my cheeks, and Drew’s eyes looked like they glistened, too. The fans were quiet as the song ended. Then they erupted into a roar of cheers and whistles. Someone took my arm, and I looked up to see a burly guy wearing a security badge smiling at me. He gestured for me to follow him, and then he helped me up on stage where Drew was waiting. The audience and their noise faded to the background as I ran to him. He caught me in his arms and kissed me.
Our road together might have had some bumps, and would likely have more in the future. But there would be so many more occasions like these, and I couldn’t wait for all the moments that we’d be able to look back and remember them – together.