Free Rock and Roll Never Forgets (The Rock and Roll Trilogy) by Barbara Stewart

concert like a little song bird,” he laughed .
    She loved that bird and the thought behind it. As she opened the second, she let out a gasp. Inside was a pair of beautiful diamond teardrop earrings .
     
    December 25, 1978 ~ They were the most beautiful earrings I had ever seen, rich and regal looking. I wondered where I would ever wear something so extravagant…
     
    “There ’ s more, look under the inside box.” There was a worn, folded piece of paper and she unfolded it to find a telegram stating that Traveler ’s song “Forbidden Place” had been nominat ed for a Grammy Award for Song o f t he Year, honoring the songwriter.
    “ How exciting!” Beth yelled .
    He wrapped her in his arms. “ Go to the Awards with me,” he whispered in her ear.
    “Yes!” s he said, still not believing this was her life.
    Afterward, the three of them went to the kitchen where Phyllis had prepared a wonderful meal. There was turkey and all the trimmings and Beth enjoyed the time with her, getting to know her as they got the dinner ready. She told Beth her side of the family was of Portuguese decent, and Andy’s dad’s side migrated from Wales. Another glimpse into this man… Andy sat at the table and added funny commentary, and they all laughed as Phyllis shared stories of Andy growing up - pieces of his past.
    As Beth listened she heard a family dynamic that she didn’t realize until sitting there as they shared their past. Most of the memories they shared were Andy and his mom. She was there for music recitals and school events. Andy’s dad was a hard-working man, but it appeared he wasn’t around a lot. She understood the closeness between Andy and Phyllis better. She also understood a little better why Andy hadn’t talked much about his dad. She listened, not wanting to pry.
    The y ate in the kitchen rather than the dining room. There was n othing formal here; Beth could tell Phyllis’ home was a place where the kitchen was the heart of the home, much like Nana’s. After the meal they washed dishes together, still talking and sharing stories. Their first Christmas was a beautiful celebration.
    They stayed with Phyllis that night. Beth slipped off to bed early to give them the opportunity to talk and catch up. Lying in bed she listened to them talk for a long time. She couldn’t tell what they were saying, but the sound and tone of their shared conversation was comforting. She heard Phyllis tell Andy ‘goodnight.’ Shortly after that, the door opened, he slipped into bed, wrapped Beth in his arms and she fell asleep.
     
    ~ ~ ~
     
    Beth stayed in Texas with Andy for ten days. Mark purchased a condo in Kemah, a suburb of Houston, close to the bay, and just a short trip from Andy ’ s. He had a New Year ’ s Eve party to show off his new place. Beth was happy to find Kimmy there when they arrived. Andy flew her in as a surprise.
    At Mark’s party, Beth finally met Nathan ’ s wife, Dina. She’d heard so much about her from the conversations she shared with Nathan that she felt like she already knew her. She was an actress. Beth had seen her on TV shows and in commercials over the years. She and Nathan had recently celebrated their seventh anniversary, and they had a daughter, Megan, who was six years old and Nathan was a proud papa. He didn’t fit the presumed roll of a rock star. You could tell his relationship with his family was a strong one. Dina and Megan joined him when they could, but Megan took part in many kid things that kept Dina busy. It was important to them both, with their odd-ball lifestyles, that she led as normal a life as possible.
    That night Nigel Rose was with his latest girlfriend. “The ‘date du jour ,” Andy whispered in Beth’s ear and laughed. “She’ll most likely be replaced with a ‘different flavor’ in a few weeks.” This one ’ s name was Fawn. She was exactly the type you ’ d imagine being with a rock star, dressed up, made up and a giggler. Anything Nigel said,