Masterpiece in Progress by Smith, TL (snow like ashes txt) 📕

even close to being true.  But it bothered him and ate at him for months.  And that summer changed our relationship.

I recall when we broke up, I was at his house and we talked about it. I was devastated. He was taking me home in his VW bug and I seriously considered just opening the door while we were driving and falling out. I'm not sure if it was because I felt not good enough or if I really wanted to just crawl up and die. But I didn't and I managed to survive in spite of it.

Danny Ray and I did the on again/off again, never committed again relationship for years.  And then it just didn’t work anymore.  But we managed to stay friends until the day he died.

After high school, I moved in with Danny Ray’s sister and tried college for a while (Journalism and Music), but it really wasn't for me. It reminded me of that voice coach doing scales. So instead, I got a job and did what I really wanted when I wasn’t working.  SING.

I sang with lots of great bands and amazing musicians, won a few contests and really continued working on my sound, what I wanted. What I learned during the course of this was how good I was at promoting things, getting bands heard, then singing with them when I could, lol. Those journalism skills served me well when writing the bios and putting promo packages together for various bands. I guess high school and some college paid off after all.

I didn’t date anyone after Danny Ray, instead I spent most of my time in the bar, with the band, learning and singing.

Chapter 9

Back to Cali

My mom and grandpa came to visit one summer. It had to be around 86??? For some reason, I just KNEW I had to go back with her. Like on a whim, I threw what I could in a suitcase and left. It was that same feeling I had when I just knew I had to give my heart to Jesus. That pull.

I enjoyed time with my mom, the quality time I didn't have with her when I was younger. But at this point, she had remarried, and her husband had died, so it was just her and I. She had a boyfriend and still spent time at the Moose Lodge but not like before. Now she was more interested in tending to her gorgeous flowerbeds and plants. And going to gamble in Bullhead City when she could.  I went once with her right before I turned 21 and she told me, “if you win, you find me, so I can sit here since you’re not 21 yet.”  I didn’t win anything big, but it was a fun trip.  And I was so enjoying this kind of time with my mom.  We had always been able to talk candidly, but this time, it was different.  We were different.   And I was happy being there with her.

I did some work promoting one the local bands from Arkansas I played with often, “Whatta Band”.  I was able to secure them a couple weeks of gigs on the Southern California country club circuit AND an invitation to Star Search auditions (I did that when I was younger).  So, they made the trek and stayed with mom and me.  Playing the Palomino in Hollywood was the highlight of that first trip.

Then we found out they won the regionals of the Wrangler Country Star Search and they came back out for it.  Once again, I was able to secure them gigs while they were there.  And the people in California LOVED them.  They didn’t win (Boy Howdy beat them), but it was still nice having them around.

I flew back for their annual formal Christmas party in Arkansas (mom had a dress made for me and it was stunning!) and I stayed with them for a few days.  Getting all dressed up and helping prepare hors d’oeuvres was quite fancy, even for me.  But I wasn’t sad to go back to California to my mom this time.  I was actually looking forward to going back.

I had just won a big radio contest singing “Rockin’ Robin” and was out celebrating with friends (and singing there too) when I saw this guy. He didn't belong. He didn't fit in this California country club I was in.  He looked like someone I’d see playing a bar in Arkansas, not here in California.

I walked up to him (a little alcohol had given me some courage) and said, "Where are you from?" When he said "Oklahoma" I about fell over. I was right, he WASN'T the California cowboy. No wonder he appealed to me so much. That, and thought he was really handsome in those wrangler jeans, polo shirt, straw hat, black boots, and belt.

His name was Jerry and I was instantly smitten with him.

He was attractive, fun, charming, and a great kisser. I was sure he would never call me after that night, but he did.

I knew by our second date that this was the guy I was supposed to be with, and it broke my cardinal rule, never date anyone you've met while singing or in the band. But I did.

Chapter 10

Jerry – Early Days

I should've listened to my gut, I should've listened to my brother, I should've listened to my friends. Instead I listened to my heart.

Things progressed with Jerry and I pretty quickly. He told me he was a truck driver (OTR) and had a green Peterbilt truck with orange interior. I thought to myself how hideous that combo was, but never said it out loud. This was how he explained not having a car.

He picked me up a few times in his roommate’s car, but most of the time I was picking him up. We spent many nights out