A Walk In The Wilderness (2 page)

     It was a repeat of the last time.  The crowd simply would not stop.  They were insisting on another encore.  This time, he waited long enough to change his shirt, and he came back toting a bottle of water.  His white collarless shirt was open at the neck, and he had the tails out.  He mopped his face with a hand towel, and sat down at the piano with a weariness that could be seen.  But he poured out again.  Another twenty minutes.

       Caitlin and Patricia were awed.  He was wonderful! 

     When he was finished, he stood and bowed, and blew a kiss.  "God bless you.  Goodnight."  He said, and disappeared yet again.

      The crowd continued to roar, but after a short time, they let it die away.  It was clear that the man was finished for one night.  He certainly had poured out upon them a deluge of delightful sound and poetry.

      "Ladies.  Please follow me."  A security guard said to Patricia and Caitlin.

      "What?"  Patricia asked uncertainly.  "Is something wrong?"

      "No, not at all.  You have the complimentary tickets, correct?"

      "Well; yes."  Patricia confirmed uncertainly.

      "Then you have a backstage pass.  Please come with me."

      Patricia exchanged a wide-eyed look with Caitlin, and they followed the man.  It seemed incredible, but it appeared to be so.  He led them up a side stair to the stage curtain, and behind it. 

     There were a number of people scurrying behind stage, taking care of things, but they paid no attention to the guard or to the ladies.  He led them to a receiving room that was very plush and comfortable, in blues and greens.  He showed them each to a chair.  They sank into deeply cushioned armchairs, positioned around an area rug and a glass table.  He got each of them a soda of their choice and smiled, as he went out.

      Again, Patricia and Caitlin exchanged bewildered looks and silently told one another they hadn't a clue what was happening.  Caitlin was secretly wishing she'd spent a lot more time on her hair; and Patricia was wishing she'd not worn her jeans, good and new though they might be.  She envied Caitlin her very smart black suit with the long blazer and her crisp white blouse.  Her legs looked slim and incredibly shapely.

     A man in a suit soon joined them, and held out his hand.  "Hello, ladies.  I'm Roland Eyres, Skyler's manager.  Did you enjoy the show tonight?"

     They immediately assured him that they had, and he smiled.  "I'm very glad."  He replied.  "Kathy Emmons gave you your tickets, is that right?"

     "Yes, she did."  Patricia agreed.  "I had no idea just how wonderful a thing she'd done for me."

     "Well, Sky hasn't had too much exposure yet in Scotland, but that's changing fast.  We seem to be doing well, and we hope to return for many more tours.  Are either of you ladies in the record business?"

      "Oh, no."  Patricia objected.  "We're just college students.  I'm sorry, I felt sure that there must be some mistake!"

     "No, not at all.  I just asked Kathy to get the tickets out to whoever she could.  We do have some business contacts coming to the shows of course, but it seems none are here tonight.  Sky is just as happy to talk to you as to anyone else.  He's actually discouragingly unimpressed by the idea of kissing up to industry people, if you'll excuse my bluntness.  He'd much rather just 'make  friends' wherever he goes and get to know people.  He's of the mind that God will promote him, or he'd rather not go."

     Patricia raised an eyebrow.  "Sounds like a good policy."

    "Well, it's working for him, so I'll certainly not complain."  Roland chuckled.  "Skyler is taking a shower, but he should be with us in just moments."

     The girls looked at him as though he'd grown another head.  "Skyler?  You mean …
the
Skyler?” Patricia stammered, sounding silly.

      "Yes.  You would like to meet him, wouldn't you?" he asked lightly.

    "Um, sure.  Of course.  He's awesome."  Patricia gasped.  "We just didn't realize."  Patricia’s blue eyes were sparkling, and wide with excitement.

     Roland smiled.  "Well, very good.  I'm glad you approve.  He's good, isn't he?"
     As if on cue, the man in question came into the room.  His hair was damp, and he was wearing black jeans and a cotton pullover. "Sorry to keep you waiting."  He said with a bashful grin.  He turned to Patricia first.  "Hello."

     "Hello."  Patricia said hollowly.  She reached out a hand to Skyler Vaughn looking as though she had a peach pit stuck in her throat.  She brushed her long, straight, black hair out of her eyes self-consciously.

      "This is ..." Roland cued her.

      "Oh.  I'm Patricia McDonald."  She said quickly.

      "Patricia.  It's a pleasure."  Skyler said. 

     She almost wiggled with pleasure and excitement, in response to him.  Her eyebrows were in her hairline, and her mouth a surprised O.

     Then, he turned to Caitlin.  She felt his eyes on her, and knew she blushed.  She hated it, but she couldn't help it.  She felt about thirteen years old.  He was handsome, and had a very heavy presence about him.  Male, and sexy, yet very unassuming and kind.  His eyes looked into her with a depth that made her want to catch her breath.

     "I'm Caitlin Kilpatrick." She managed to say.  Skyler took her hand, and she just looked up into his eyes as though drawn by a magnet. 

     He smiled slightly.  "Caitlin.  It's very nice to meet you."  He said in a soft voice.  Then he let go of her hand, and took the chair next to hers. 

      Roland handed him a bottle of water, and he grinned gratefully up at him.   "You read my mind."  He said gratefully.

   "It wasn't hard.   Sky, you're working yourself a bit hard, don't you think?" Roland questioned him worriedly. 

     Skyler put his boots up on the table, and let his head fall back onto the chair.  "Yeah;  well, what could I do when there were such beautiful ladies in the front row?" he asked teasingly.  "I had to try at least to make an impression when I could see something so special, right in front of me."  He turned and looked at Caitlin as he said this.  She blushed brilliantly, and lowered her eyes.

     "No problem there."  Patricia laughed incredulously as they all sat.  "You were wonderful!"

     He smiled appreciatively, and took a long drought from the bottle.  "I enjoyed myself immensely.  What an audience."  He sighed.

     "They were astounding, weren't they?"  Roland agreed.  "CD sales were most excellent.  I think we're going to have to have another batch shipped."

     "That's good."  Skyler said unconcernedly.  "And what do you two ladies do for a living?" Skyler asked, turning to look at Caitlin with probing eyes.

     "I go to college during the day, and work at my uncle's inn, at night."  She answered hesitantly.

      Skyler lifted an eyebrow.  "Ambitious.  What are you studying?"

      "Occupational Therapy."  She answered, aware that she was blushing again.

      Skyler nodded.  "A very good field to be entering."  He congratulated.

     "I'm in her Ergonomics class.  It's how we met."  Patricia added.  "And I work as a grocery clerk."

     Skyler nodded, and smiled.  He was polite, but Caitlin couldn't help feeling that he must be extraordinarily tired, and bored. 

     "So, are you hungry?  Would you like to go get something to eat?"  he asked inquisitively.

     Caitlin and Patricia exchanged surprised glances, and Caitlin saw Roland's head swivel to look at Skyler in a like manner.  "We could go across the street to that restaurant or we could have something brought in, if you'd rather."             

     "Actually, we ate before we came, but if you're hungry, please do."  Patricia said regretfully.  "You must be famished."

    "No.  I generally don't eat after, or I'd put on weight in short order."  He admitted.  "Have you heard the CD, or was tonight brand new to you?"

     "Oh, I heard it."  Patricia answered enthusiastically.  "It was wonderful!"

     Caitlin could feel Skyler looking at her, and turned shy eyes to look into his deep gaze.  "Yes, I listened to it last night."  She said.

     He tipped his head, and a dimple jumped in his cheek.  "Well, you came on tonight, so it must not have put you off."  He said.

     "Oh, no.  It was captivating."  Caitlin assured him, feeling another blush.

     He stared at her with steady, warm eyes as he digested her answer.  "Really?  Are you willing to tell me why?  What did you like best about it?" he asked finally.

    Caitlin looked at her lap in a panic, wishing she could bite the words back.  How could one explain?  "Well;  it was just interesting.  Diverse.  The music was very good; and the words took me into another world."

      "It is very unique and exciting."  Patricia added enthusiastically. 

      "Do you know Jesus?" he asked quietly, still looking at Caitlin.

      She shot an uncomfortable look at him, but Patricia answered. 

     "Yes!  Of course, that's how I know Kathy.  She goes to my college Christian group."

      Skyler gave her a weary smile, and drank a good amount of water.

     "Well, ladies, it's been a pleasure to meet you and talk with you.  I hate to cut this short, but Sky has a big day tomorrow." The manager said.

    Patricia and Caitlin stood immediately.  Skyler followed suit.  He reached across the table to shake Patricia's hand, and smile at her.  "Thanks for coming."  He said it as though he really meant it.

     Then he turned to Caitlin, and looked down at her with those probing eyes again.  "I hope you'll come to another show, sometime.  If you do, let me know you're there, and we'll … catch up."  He said.  He shot a look at Patricia, to include her in the offer.

     "Thank you.  It's been wonderful to meet you."  Caitlin said.  Why, oh why, could she never think of anything clever or interesting to say?

    Skyler kept looking down into her eyes as if measuring every word.  It was unnerving.  "Thank you."  He said quietly.  "I can say the same.  I’d like to see you again."

    Caitlin removed her hand from his, and picked up her handbag.  Roland walked them out, and handed each of them a packet at the door. 

     "I'd appreciate it if you'd complete this survey and return it in the envelope provided.  There are a few pictures to remind you of the show.  We appreciate your coming tonight, very much."

     “I’ll … I’ll walk you out.”  Skyler said abruptly. He pushed by his manager and laid a light arm across both girls' shoulders as they made their way out to the street.

     “I meant what I said in there, you know.  I really would like to see you again.  Would you come to another show?  I can arrange it.” He mumbled quietly.  He was looking at Caitlin.  “and bring your friend, so you won’t have to sit alone.”

     Caitlin had no clue what to do next, how to respond.  She ducked her head shyly, and tried to smile.

     “She’d love that, really.  She’s just awfully shy.” Patricia answered for her, finally.

    “Fine.  Then call me, please; because I have the strangest feeling I’ll not get her number.” He replied lightly.  He gave Patricia a wink and a business card.  “I’d better get back before Roland has a stroke.” He joked.  “I’m very glad you came, Patricia, it was a pleasure to meet you.”  He kissed Patricia’s cheek, then turned to Caitlin.  “And lovely Caitlin, I’m begging you.  Please, call me tomorrow.” He said, placing his lips gently on her soft cheek. 

     She managed to lift the corners of her lips into a smile and give a hint of a nod, but that’s all he got.

     The girls left with a feeling of having been transported to another planet, then suddenly dumped back on the street outside the auditorium.  They looked at one another with round, disbelieving eyes and giggled together as they walked to the car.

     "Well, that was certainly more than I bargained on!"  Patricia laughed.

     "Seriously."  Caitlin agreed.  "I can't believe it!"

     "Oh, look.  It's kind of a promotional thing.  They're looking for people to start chapters of fan clubs, that kind of thing.”  Patricia said, looking through the packet they’d been given.  “Man, I could do that!.  Can you imagine how cool?"

       "Yeah."  Caitlin agreed.  "I suppose so."

    "I think I'll apply.  Why not?  What a perk to get to see and talk to that gorgeous man whenever he comes to Scotland!.  He's going to be big.  Very big!"

      "No doubt.  He's probably married, Patricia." 

     "I don't care, it's more than I ever dreamed of, just to look at the man." She sighed.

      "He is awfully handsome."  Caitlin agreed.

     Patricia sighed. "Well, married or not, he’s very taken with you!  You simply must call him, so we can go again!  Or shall I do that for you, too?  Ah, come on.  I'll take you home." She groused with a chuckle, unlocking the passenger door of her car, for Caitlin.  “Figures, he only has eyes for you, and you won't even nibble.”

     Caitlin was feeling unusually quiet when she got home.  She had a room of her own, next to her uncle's suite.  Every now and then, she caught a comment from Aunt Vera about that.  There weren't many options;  their suite was extremely close, as it was.  She unlocked her door, and went in with a heavy sigh.  She opened the curtains and cracked the windows for a few moments, to let some of the springtime freshness pour in.  It was so lovely to be able to have air coming in, again.

     She reached down to slip take off her high heels, and sighed with relief.  Then, she took off her coat and let her hair down out of its French Roll.  Shaking it loose, she shook her head and smiled.  She was very ready to fall into bed, when she turned back the covers.   

     When she came out of the bath in her flannel nightgown, she felt strangely as though someone was looking at her, but she knew that the feeling had to be ridiculous. 

     She climbed into bed, and plumped her pillows up behind her back.  Then she looked at the pictures and literature about Skyler Vaughn, again.  They were doing a very good job of promoting him;  but then of course, she was extremely impressed with the product.