Taylor's Dream
This story is the property of the co-authors and cannot be reproduced or distributed without specific consent of the authors. It is written for your enjoyment only. This story about the love between two women and is fiction. Any resemblance to real persons is purely coincidental.
Part Four
By Chrissy and Peyton
Life on the road after seeing Susan didn't get an easier for Taylor. It was going on two years since she graduated from college and she had been traveling almost the entire time. She loved the singing and she had been able to write several songs in that time but she couldn't find that one break she needed to boost her esteem and get her noticed and become that star she dreamt of being.
She was living day to day having used up her savings. The pay she received from where she played many times didn't cover her travel expenses let alone her day to day living. Her car needed tires and maintenance. Staying at fleabag motels eating sparsely she had lost about 20 lbs in the last year. Her love life suffered too as she was constantly moving from place to place never staying more than a week in one spot if that long. She had resorted to sleeping here and there with a waitress or some other girl she met at the bars she played simply to have a free bed to sleep in and some intimacy she missed. It was a low point in her life and she didn't like what she was becoming just to survive.
She was growing more and more frustrated that she couldn't book a named venue even as a backup. Arriving in Shreveport, Louisiana for a four night gig, she drove up to the bar only to find it had burned down the night before. This was her luck on the road. She found the owner who also owned the drive in motel next to the bar. He paid her the one night cancellation fee and offered to allow her to stay in his motel the four nights for free. Taylor accepted the offer as she was mentally and physically exhausted and her next gig was almost four hundred miles away in Branson, Missouri.
The first day and night she mostly slept from the exhaustion she had experienced over the last few years. On the second day she was sitting at the table by the window of her room looking out watching as the cleanup had begun at the bar. She started thinking back over her life and wondering if she had made the right decisions as she was broke, tired and lonely. What was worse was she was no further along with her career than before she started. She started thinking about her life in college and playing soccer. How she enjoyed playing and wondered if she could have made the pros and would she be better off than she is now.
Her mind also drifted to Amy Willows who she had broken up with because they each had different ideas about success and happiness after college. Unconsciously she played with the soccer ball on the necklace she wore and had worn almost every day since she had been given it at the awards ceremony. She wondered where Amy was today and had she moved on and found happiness. Taylor hoped she had and felt embarrassed, hoping she would not run across Amy, though it was highly unlikely she would considering the places she played. Her mind wouldn't let go of the thought of Amy and the love they had for each other. Should she have fought harder to keep Amy? Then this was no life for both of them because Taylor couldn't manage herself let alone having Amy with her.
She began to put words down on her sheet music pad she always kept with her and within a few hours she had written the lyrics to a song about lost love and not giving up. After putting the lyrics down Taylor went back and started playing her guitar coming up with the melody to match the lyrics. Over the next two days she refined the tune until she had it where she wanted it to be. She tore it out of her pad and placed it in her notebook of songs she used whenever she played different venues.
She decided that Branson would be her last hope. It was the best paying gig she had booked over the last two years and she needed the money desperately. After this she was going to call it quits, admit defeat, and go home to her mom. She would live with her and find a job teaching music and give lessons to those wanting to play the guitar, banjo or piano. It was a bitter defeat for Taylor and morally she was broken. She hoped that in time she would either come to accept her failure or another idea would come up she could use to keep her dream alive. She had talked to both Rita and Mandy and they agreed that if she couldn't keep going it was time to find a different life. They offered for her to stay at their place and help her find work until she got back on her feet. They told her they loved her and would support her in whatever direction she decided to take. They even offered to send her money if she needed it but of course Taylor's pride wouldn't allow it. Her mom told her it was alright to come home for a while and regroup. She encouraged her not to think of it as giving up but to reassess what she was doing and see if there was another way to accomplish her dream. Talking with both Rita and Mandy and her mom made her feel better and not feel so defeated.
On the fourth day Taylor packed up and drove the little over six hours to Branson. She listened to the radio on her way now doubting she would ever hear one of her songs playing on the air. Arriving in Branson late that day she found her way to one of the better known country venues in town. She wouldn't be the headliner and her name didn't even appear on the marquis as she drove up. At this gig Taylor would warm up the audience over the next week for the headliners and the openers. During intermissions she would also fill in to keep the audience entertained.
She found the manager who told her where she could keep her instruments and when she would need to play then gave her a schedule.
The first night went well and she played for close to an hour before the show started. She filled in at intermission for another half hour before she was done for the night. The second night was about the same as the first and she managed this time to play her new song she had written about Amy though it was gender neutral so no one could tell she was singing about a girl. She noticed off to her right a man sitting by himself at a small table who would write something down after she talked about the song she was going to sing and more after she sang it. The third night this same man was sitting at the same table and Taylor noticed that he was either drinking water or clear soda and the waitress always had a refill for him before he could even ask. She thought she recognized the man but couldn't put a name to his face or even figure out why she thought she recognized him.
On the fourth night right after Taylor had completed her performance she needed to find the manager. Since the last gig cancelled on her Taylor had used every penny she had to drive to Branson and pay for the cheap hotel she was staying at down the street that required payment in advance. She had nothing left for food and necessities to get her through the next week and as a fill in she was not receiving the tips she normally received and needed. Although this job paid very well she wasn't to be paid until the end of her contract which was seven more days. She just hoped the manager would have sympathy on her and advance her enough to eat. She found the manager in the back and approached him to plead for an advance. The waitress that had been serving the man at the small table off to her right walked up to the manager and handed him a note before Taylor could talk to him. The manager read it and turned to Taylor, "Ah, good timing Taylor, Mr. Robinson request you have a seat with him at his table."
"Who is Mr. Robinson?" Taylor asked.
"Johnny Robinson, the gentleman sitting at the table up front to the left of the stage. You have heard of Johnny Robinson haven't you?" the manager asked.
Then it struck Taylor. Was this the Johnny Robinson, the one who wrote many country hits for the big stars and who had won many CMA's for his song writing? Taylor's heart skipped a few beats and she almost swallowed her tongue before she could answer the manager, "You mean the songwriter Johnny Robinson?"
"Right over there," the manager said extending his hand as if to lead Taylor that way. "I wouldn't keep him waiting long," he said as he turned to walk away.
Taylor made her way to the table walking to the side closest to the wall. "Excuse me, Mr. Robinson. Did you want to see me?" Taylor asked rather sheepishly.
"Ah, yes, Taylor. Please have a seat. May I get you something to drink," He said and half raised his hand. Immediately the same waitress who handed the note to the manager was at the table.
"Yes Mr. Robinson, what may I get for you?"
"Whatever Taylor wants and put it on my tab please," he told the waitress and looked at Taylor.
"I'll have a diet soda please," Taylor said then turning to Mr. Robinson added, "I don't drink very much alcohol."
"Then we already have something in common as I don't drink either. I find I can think and listen better if my mind isn't being altered by alcohol," he said and smiled at Taylor. "The reason I asked you over here Taylor was to talk to you about your career. Where do you see yourself in two to five years?"
"If you had asked me that almost two years ago when I graduated from college, I would have told you my name would be on the marquis out front and I wouldn't be playing as a fill in for others. I still have that ambition but I'm finding it to be harder than I anticipated getting that break I need to be a success," Taylor told him being both up front and truthful in what she said.
"Have you ever considered writing for others giving up the honky-tonks and dives you probably have been playing?"
"No sir, I haven't. I only play music I have written and I've kept it for me to sing in hopes I'll write that one song that would be a hit."
"Let me tell you the harsh reality of this business Taylor. Out of every five hundred thousand people who sing and try to make it big only one of them makes enough to pay the bills. The rest are good singers but only the connected and most outstanding singers make it. The rest fade away and do something else in life. Many stay with the industry and perform back up or produce or write songs. It's harsh and I don't want to be discouraging but this industry chews people up and spits them out knowing there are another five hundred thousand waiting to try."
Listening to Johnny was unnerving to Taylor. He wasn't saying anything she didn't already know but he was tearing her dream down even more than it already was leaving her in pieces.
"I've listened to you for four days now and I've heard dozens of songs you've written. While you are a good singer, I don't believe you will ever be the successful star that you have dreamed about. I am just being honest with you because I do see where your talent is and I do believe you will be a star. It just won't be on that stage. You have a god given talent at writing songs and the stories you tell with your music is what this industry wants and needs. Your calling, Taylor, is not singing but writing and I believe I can help both you and me at the same time." Johnny paused to let what he said settle in with Taylor.
Taylor sat there in both shock and disappointment. One of the leading songwriters in the industry was telling her she would never make it as a performer. She had spent years dreaming of this and preparing herself and now to hear she wasn't good enough was almost too much. Her eyes welled up and tears were escaping from Taylor's eyes running down her cheek.
"I have a proposition for you if you are interested. Would you be interested in hearing it?" Johnny asked her. Taylor was not able to speak. She just nodded her head and she took a sip of her soda. "I'm getting up there in years and songs don't come to me as quickly and easily as they used to come. I also don't connect as well with the younger generation and you need to do that to write successful songs. My wife would also like me to spend more time with her and the grandkids. Your repertoire of songs you have sung this week are all great songs and with a little tweaking here and there, I believe we can sell most of them to top performers. That song you sang about lost love is almost perfect and I believe it could be a top ten song if sold to the right person. That's where I come into play. I can help you fine tune your songs and I have the connections to market them to people who will sing them the best. We can be a team, working together at my studios. I think within a year you will see the benefits of not having to travel and be on the road all the time. Does any of this interest you at all?"
Taylor was floored. This is not what she expected after Johnny basically told her she would never be a star. Instead he was offering her a job and a way of selling her songs for others to perform instead of her. Her mind was in overdrive and tears were still running down her cheeks but without even thinking she blurted out, "Yes, I would be interested."
Johnny smiled at her and stuck his hand out to shake Taylor's hand in agreement. "Once you are finished singing here we can sit down and go over the details and financial aspect and have a lawyer draw up the contracts. You won't regret this Taylor. I promise you. You are a special writer. I saw that the first night here which is why I've been back every night since just to listen to you. We will do great things together and have fun doing it too. You wouldn't mind moving to the Nashville area would you? That's where I live and my studios are there."
"No sir, I'm actually from Tennessee myself. I grew up in east Tennessee. My mom still lives there so living in Nashville would put me closer to home."
"That's great, and for now on don't call me sir or mister. Johnny is sufficient if we are going to be partners. I'm sorry if I upset you with your dream of being a star country singer. I do believe or I wouldn't be taking this chance with you, that you will be a star. It will just be writing and not performing. Now it's getting late for me and when you get my age sleep is something you don't let pass by," Johnny said with a chuckle in his voice.
"Yes sir, uh I mean Johnny. I need to find the manager to get an advance so I have food money for the rest of the week. Thank you so much for your time, Johnny. I appreciate everything you've said to me. You were honest and it hurts to know I have been looking in the wrong direction. I'm glad someone told me before I went any farther. To be honest I was at my end. I'm broke and I'm emotionally drained. After this contract was up I was seriously considering quitting and going home in defeat."
Johnny pulled out his wallet and pulled out three one hundred dollar bills handing them to Taylor. "Here, take this. There will be much more to come once we get back to Nashville and get to work. And Taylor, I know this is hard but I can also tell by your character and your songs you are not a quitter. Your time is coming or I wouldn't be making this offer to you. We all pay our dues to make it and you've paid yours. It's time to see the other side now."
Taylor balked at taking his money but Johnny kept it out there putting it in Taylor's hand. "I'll pay you back, I promise and thank you," Taylor said now really letting the tears fall as Johnny had crushed her dreams then at the end brought her back up giving her more hope than she had from the beginning.
"Don't think about it. It was worth that much listening to you sing and you agreeing to join up with me and write. Enjoy your time the next couple of days. I'll be back on your last day and we can sit down and make all the arrangements." Johnny then hugged Taylor and walked out of the room.
The next several days were a blur for Taylor. She sang her heart out because she finally was going to get the break she was looking for even if it meant no more performing on stage. At the end of the week Johnny came back and had a stack of papers with him. He and Taylor sat down in a small conference room in the hotel that was attached to where Taylor was performing. They went over the details. Taylor would get seventy five per cent of any sales and royalties for the songs she had already composed. Johnny would get twenty five percent for helping her fine tune them and for helping to market them. For any song they collaborated on after that it was a fifty-fifty split. They would use Johnny's studio for composing. Since other artist used the same studio and paid Johnny a fee for their use there would be no charge for him and Taylor to work there. Johnny had a cabin on the property that was really a small three bedroom house. He was going to allow Taylor to stay in until she made enough to get her own place. Johnny told her it might take a year before she began seeing decent money but he assured her that it would be there. He gave her a five thousand dollar advance and told her that he would have it taken out of the proceeds once they started coming in. Taylor having cancelled all of her other gigs she had scheduled, was free to leave and go with Johnny once they worked out the details of their relationship. The next day they headed off to Nashville, Taylor following Johnny as they drove.
Taylor had never seen that much money at one time and since she pinched pennies for the last several years she knew this money would last her for a very long time. She called and talked to her mom telling her how it went and where she was headed. She promised she would visit as soon as she could. She also called Rita and told her and Mandy what had happened. They were ecstatic for Taylor telling her hard work does pay off in the end and her dream while not quite what she thought it would be is still coming true.
When they arrived at Johnny's placed she was amazed at how big it was. His house was huge yet retained a country look to it with another smaller house that wasn't but fifty yards from the main house. The studios were located about one hundred yards away and the barn and stables were close to the studio. Johnny pulled up to the main house and got out of his car. As Taylor got out of her car her left front tire popped and went flat.
"Well I was wondering if I was going to make it," Taylor said sounding exasperated. "At least I made it this far but now I'll have to have it towed to get fixed as I don't have a spare."
"'We can probably use one from one of our cars to get you to the tire shop and get your tires replaced. Or better yet, maybe we should have it towed away and trade this in on something that might be more reliable. I think you have got your money's worth out of it traveling around," Johnny said putting his arm around Taylor's shoulder and laughing.
That was all Taylor needed and she started laughing too knowing how many miles she had driven this car in just the last two years. About that time Taylor heard two dogs barking coming their way and two young children calling out 'Grandpa!"
"Looks like we have company," Johnny told Taylor and pulled her towards the sound of dogs and children. He let go of Taylor in time to open his arms and receive a young boy and girl ten to twelve years old running into his arms. "Hey there little bit, did you miss me?" he said to both of them.
"Yes Grandpa, we missed you," the young girl said.
"Whose she?" the boy said pointing at Taylor who stood about 3 feet behind Johnny.
"This is Taylor. She is my new partner for work. Taylor, I want you to meet Billy and Molly, two of my grandkids," Johnny said introducing Taylor.
"Hi Billy, hi Molly. It's nice to meet both of you."
"And those well behaved dogs waiting for attention are Ginger and Greta. Ginger is the Irish Setter and Greta is the black lab. Come here girls, I have some loving for you too," Johnny said and the two dogs immediately were at his side wagging their tails and putting their heads up to get petted.
Johnny took Taylor towards the house and waiting on the front porch was a stately lady that Taylor suspected was Johnny's wife. "Honey, this is Taylor, who I've been telling you about. Taylor, this is my wife and the boss of everything around here, Sandy."
'Nice to meet you Taylor," Sandy said. "Johnny has been raving about you for over a week now. Come on in and let's sit and rest a bit before we show you around. I'm sure after that long drive you need to rest and something cool to drink."
"Thank you Mrs. Robinson, it's nice to meet you. You have a gorgeous place here and I'm really appreciative you are allowing me to stay here although I don't see the cabin that you are letting me stay in," Taylor said.
"It's right there honey," Sandy said pointing to the other house not fifty yards away. "Come on in and sit and I'll explain why we call it the cabin."
Taylor went into the main house and was floored how gorgeous it was inside yet so rustic and comfortable. They sat in the kitchen area as Sandy got Taylor and the kids something to drink. Meanwhile Johnny had unloaded his suitcases and things from his car putting them in the house then asked Taylor for her keys so he could get her things out and put them in the cabin. Taylor offered to help but Johnny told her to stay put. He was using the golf cart to put her things on to take them over to the cabin and would be back in a few minutes.
"Tell me about yourself Taylor. I've heard so much from Johnny about your singing and the songs you have written and to be honest I haven't seen him this excited in several years about working with someone. Our entire conversations each night seemed to revolve around you. You have made a big impression on him and that's not easy to do," Sandy continued.
Taylor was bright red with embarrassment from what Sandy had told her, but was also now feeling really good about this decision and proud that someone had seen her and recognized her talents.
"I'm not sure what there is to tell you Mrs. Robinson," Taylor said and before she could say anything else Sandy responded.
"Sandy, just call me Sandy. Mrs. Robinson is for those who I need to be more formal with."
"Sandy, ok, sorry. Anyway, I graduated from State College just over two years ago majoring in music and have been traveling around singing and writing my own songs ever since until Johnny saw me in Branson. He talked me into coming here. Well he didn't really talk me into it. He told me I would never make it as a singer but if I joined up with him I could as a writer and after he crushed my dreams of stardom, here I am," Taylor said and then chuckled a little to let Sandy know she wasn't blaming Johnny for it.
"Yes, Johnny has that ability in this industry to recognize talent and where it will most succeed which is why he is so successful himself. He won't hold back on how it is but he will be honest and have an upside to every downside so you have a way out. I assume you are single as you are not wearing any rings and you came here without anyone else and without hesitation?"
"Yes ma'am, I'm not seeing anyone. Life on the road for me has been tough enough to support myself. I couldn't ask anyone else to go through that with me or even wait on me so I've pretty much put relationships aside."
"Well now you are going to settle down here so maybe you can find that special someone as everyone needs someone to come home to or share those dreams and low points in life with. Anyway when Johnny comes back we'll take you over to the cabin and show you around and the rest of the property. Let me show you this house first. We built this house about 15 years ago. We lived in the cabin for a few years before we had this house built. It's bigger than I wanted but with the grandkids always over and many times spending the night it has proven to be worth the cost of building this big. We have two more grandkids other than Billy and Molly. Billy and Molly belong to our daughter Sheila who you will probably meet later tonight when she gets back. Sheila is thirty three and married to Bobby who is a wonderful man. He is an orthopedic surgeon at the University Medical Center. They were on a mini vacation this week and are due back in sometime tonight. Our son Jimmy who is 39, is married to Marta and they have two kids, Jonathan, seventeen and Melody, fifteen. They live nearby. Both Jonathan and Melody are beautiful grandkids and very active in sports. They both play soccer for their high school."
"That's cool, I was on scholarship in college for soccer so maybe we three can kick the ball around some."
"I thought you said you majored in music?" Sandy asked confused.
'I did but I was on scholarship for soccer which is how I paid my way through school. My dad died my freshman year and my mom was left without the means to pay for my education so I accepted the soccer scholarship money to pay my way."
"I'm sorry to hear about your father Taylor. I'm sure he is proud of you for getting your education and for now what you are doing. You will get along well with Jonathan and Melody if you played soccer. That seems to be their big interest right now."
After walking Taylor through most of the house, Sandy continued, "So this is our house and you are welcome in here anytime you want. Consider yourself one of our children and just come in the door and help yourself to the kitchen. You'll find we treat people that work with Johnny as our extended family and our own kids will do the same."
"Now, about the cabin. I told you there was a story behind it. When we bought this place all that was on this property of about 200 acres was a cabin and it was definitely a cabin of about one thousand square feet. Then we built the studios over there while we continued to live in the cabin. Jimmy was already living on his own and Sheila was in college so she wasn't here much which is how we got by in the small cabin. Then we built this house and moved into it. Once we moved into this house we built the stables but with people always coming here to stay while they worked with Johnny we found the cabin was just too small so we expanded it into a three bedroom house which is what you see now. We still call it the cabin even though it doesn't resemble one anymore."
About that time Johnny came in and said the cabin was ready and all of Taylor's things were in it. They took the golf cart over to the cabin and Taylor was stunned at how the inside although smaller was an almost identical image of the main house.
"I love it," she said once inside. You might regret letting me stay here. I might not be in a hurry to find my own place living here," she added letting out a little giggle.
"That won't be a problem with us Taylor. You stay how ever long you need. There is no rush for you to move out. This house is empty more than it is used so having you here won't be a bit of a problem for us," Johnny told her.
They went back over to the main house to have dinner as it was getting late and while they were eating Sheila and Bobby came in. They all exchanged greetings and sat and talked for a while before leaving. Taylor then excused herself and took the golf cart back to the cabin to settle in for the night.
The next day Taylor was up early as she was excited yet scared of her new surroundings and was anxious to begin her new life. The phone in the house rang and she answered it to find Sandy telling her they had breakfast about ready and to come over when she was ready to eat. Taylor couldn't believe how Johnny and Sandy were treating her and knew she had found a home and place that would be hard for her to ever want to leave.
After breakfast Johnny took Taylor over to the studio to show her where they would set up shop to work on Taylor's songs. But first Johnny had other plans for Taylor and that was to get her a new or newer car. He took her to a dealer he did business with and Taylor was able to get a four wheel drive two year old pick-up truck with all the bells and whistles on it for an exceptional price. She had always pictured herself driving a truck like this and thus she was so proud to be able to drive it off the lot and back to the house. The dealer even sent someone out to tow her other car away.
The next day Johnny and Taylor began to work on her songs. They first went through each deciding which ones might sell and which ones weren't going to make it far. Out of fifty some songs Taylor had written they came up with thirty songs to work on. Next they prioritized them by how much work they needed and this is where Johnny took over the most as he was the one who saw where the tweaking might be needed. Johnny had included two songs in his list of songs needing a small amount of tweaking but Taylor pulled those songs out telling him they were not for sale because of the meaning behind them. Johnny tried to tell her that they were two of her best songs but Taylor wouldn't budge saying there was too much emotional attachment in them for her to let them go. The rest of the week they worked on some of the other songs beginning to write and rewrite where Johnny thought they needed work. He was amazed at how receptive Taylor was to his suggestion and would pick right up on them coming up with a different lyric or melody where needed. Johnny told her that Monday thru Friday were work days for working on songs. Saturday and Sunday they needed to rest their minds and clear it of music so they could think straight the following week. They only exception would be if Taylor or Johnny came up with a new song and then they would only scratch out their ideas and not put it together until the following week.
With the weekend here Taylor was able to meet the rest of family as Jimmy and Marta came over with their kids. Sheila and Bobby were already there with Billy and Molly when Taylor walked into the house.
"Hey Taylor," Sheila said and gave Taylor a quick hug.
"Oh Taylor, Come in here," she heard Sandy call to her. Taylor walked into the kitchen finding it almost full of people. "Taylor, this is our son Jimmy and our daughter in law Marta. And this is Jonathan and Melody, our other grandkids," Sandy said.
"Nice to meet all of you," Taylor said nodding to all of them.
"Melody, Taylor is the one I told you about that played for State College in soccer which was only, what, 2-3 years ago Taylor?" Sandy explained to Melody.
"Yes, I graduated in 2012," Taylor said.
Melody kept looking at Taylor like she knew something but couldn't place it. She pulled out her phone and sent a text to her coach who she knew played for State College before coming to their high school to coach. A few minutes later she received a text back from her coach telling her Taylor was the best goalie ever at State College and one of the best in the nation and to tell her hi for her as she knew Taylor when Taylor was a junior and she was a senior on the team.
"Taylor, do you know a coach Simpson?" Melody asked Taylor and everyone looked at Taylor.
"I don't think so, should I know Coach Simpson?"
"She says she knows you and to say hi to you from her. She says she played with you at State College," Melody told her.
Taylor thought for a minute running down the players who she played with on the team. "There was a Judy Simpson when I was a junior and she was a senior. That's the only Simpson I can remember," Taylor said.
"That's her. She says you were the best goalie ever at State College and one of the best in the nation. She also said she thought you had turned pro you were that good," Melody said.
Taylor blushed at the remarks and before she could say anything else Sandy piped in," Is that true Taylor? Were you that good?"
Taylor hesitated, one because she was embarrassed and didn't like to brag on herself and two, because she left that life behind to pursue a dream in music. "I was on scholarship for soccer. I led the conference in goals defended, shutouts and blocked shots. I was third in the nation in those same categories and named Conference Player of the year in 2012 along with Female Athlete of the year at State and winner of the Presidential Citation. I did have offers to play professionally but turned them all down to pursue a career in music. I haven't touched a soccer ball since I graduated."
"That explains a lot," Johnny said. 'From the necklace you wear to why you were so upset when we had our talk in Branson. You gave up a lucrative career in soccer and I cut the rug right out from under you when I told you singing was not your path. Come here," he said to Taylor and opened his arms up for her giving her a big hug kissing her on the cheek. "I'm sorry honey, I would have handled that differently had I known."
"You handled it perfectly, Johnny. If you had tried to sugar coat it any other way I wouldn't have listened to you and thought I still had a chance. If you hadn't said what you did, the last few weeks I would be back in Doverton trying to find a job working at a music store instead of being here."
"Taylor, will you work with me sometime to teach me more about being a goalie? I'm the third string goalie right now as a freshman but I want to get better so I can have more playing time," Melody asked.
"Sure thing Melody, I would be glad to help you. You just let me know when you want to and we can work together," Taylor told her.
Over the next few months Taylor and Johnny kept going through Taylor's music tweaking and rewriting some of her songs. They sold four of them to two different artists not a month later. It would be a while before she heard them on the radio as the artist would take months preparing them with their other songs and produce them. Not quite 9 months later she and Johnny were sitting in the studio going over some paperwork when one of her songs came on the radio as a new release by a popular artist. They listened and a big smile came to Taylor's face. Johnny took his phone and Taylor not seeing him, took her picture with her ear to ear grin. She tried to get the phone from him but they were both laughing too hard and he was able to keep it from her. The next day Taylor came into the studio and there on the wall was a framed picture of her smiling and below it written, "First song on the radio, Taylor Jackson, 2-21-2016."
Taylor and Johnny became very close with Taylor being treated like a daughter by Johnny and his wife. She was included in all their family activities and holidays. Taylor had been working with Melody and even Jonathan with soccer many a weekends. Johnny even bought a regulation net and had it set up in the field keeping the grass around it mowed as it would be on a regulation soccer field. By the end of the first season of high school soccer Melody had already moved up to second string goalie.
Taylor had also become close friends with Sheila and the two spent many hours talking and going shopping together. It was on one of these outings that Taylor finally talked about her past that up until now she kept to herself. Taylor and Sheila were in a restaurant having lunch talking.
"Can I ask you something personal?" Sheila asked.
"Sure as long as I can refuse to answer your question if I don't want to go there?" Taylor said smiling at Sheila.
"Your necklace. Do you ever take it off?"
Taylor had already been fiddling with it when Sheila asked if she could ask her something personal and now was even more so playing with the soccer ball. "Only if I have to or need to do I take it off."
"It obviously has special meaning to you. Would you tell me about it if it's not too personal for you to discuss?" Sheila pressed on.
"Sheila, since I have come here and met your entire family I finally feel like I have a home and a family too. Especially you have come to mean the world to me. You feel like a real sister to me but even more than that. With you I feel I can talk about my past and not be judged or looked down on. So no, it's not too personal to talk about but only with you." Taylor paused and took a sip of her iced tea before she continued, "When I was in college I fell in love. Let me go back a little because it will help explain more about me. I love all of you and envy each and every one of you for the love you have for each other. I wish someday to have that too but my love is not the conventional type because I won't ever date men. I will only date girls. I've been this way all my life and I'm proud that I'm a lesbian."
"Taylor, it doesn't matter to me or anyone else in this family if you are a lesbian or not. We are not judgmental in any way about your sexuality. In fact we've suspected for sometime but figured when you were ready to tell us you would and thus we all have kept our mouths shut. We still have as much love for you whether you are straight or gay," Sheila said.
"Thank you, that means a lot to me to hear that. I was worried about how everyone would react especially with all the time I spend with Molly and Melody. I didn't want them taken away from me because of who I am. Anyway, in college, I fell in love. We went strong until late into our senior year. I think looking back, because we both had dreams that were so different that once we got close to graduating we gave up on trying to make things work and instead looked for any excuse to break apart which we did spring break of our senior year. At the end of the year awards ceremony as I was being presented someone anonymously put a package containing this necklace on the table where I sat. I always suspected who it was but I don't know for sure."
"You think it was her don't you? What is inscribed on the charm?" Sheila asked.
"Hope no goal gets past you" "and yes I think it was her," Taylor said looking somewhat sad.
"You still love her after all this time?"
"You know Sheila, I really don't know. It's been so long now and I try to not think of her but in most of my music there is some of her in what I write. It just seems that whenever I write I think of her and what we had or should have had and the words just come out on paper. The last girl I was with instead of being with her my mind was on my ex and it has got to the point I don't even date anymore because it brings back memories."
"Taylor, hun, I love you like my own sister if I had one and I'm telling you that you still love her. Accept the fact and move from there. If you want to find her and see if anything is there we can find her. If you don't then we will just deal with your feelings and help you get by. I'm here for you no matter what, do you understand?"
"Yes I do, and I love you too. Thank you for being so understanding and caring. It seems to run in your family," Taylor said and placed her hand on Sheila's that was resting on the table.
"May I ask you what her name is?"
"Amy Willows," Taylor said with a sigh.
"You know dad was right about you?" Sheila added.
"What do you mean he was right about me? Did he know I was gay?"
"Well he did think you were but not from the way you looked or act. It's your music. He told mom who told me that your music is too much an extension of your life. You are writing songs that tell of heartache and the way you write he knows no man could cause you that much pain. It had to be a girl. He worries about you. He doesn't want to see you live your life alone or go into depression over this girl but he also doesn't want to do anything to stop you because your song writing is too great to interfere with. So he keeps a close watch over you and if he sees something he doesn't like expect him to be on you like he would me or Jimmy. He really thinks of you as another daughter as we all think of you as one of our family too and we want the best for you'" Sheila stated and held Taylor's hand giving it a loving squeeze.
They had about talked themselves out and decided to get back to shopping as they were looking for some things to get Billy and Molly for their birthday coming up since they were twins.
A few weeks later Johnny and Taylor attended the CMA's. Usually Sandy would go with Johnny but she opted to stay at home this year and let Taylor go so she could see what they were all about. Johnny wasn't up for any awards and Taylor's few songs that were out were too new to have been nominated and really to new to have much impact on the ratings though they were climbing. Taylor was in awe of the glamour and all that took place at the awards but more so of the politicking that took place with Johnny trying to drum up singers to introduce Taylor to and to get them interested in her songs. After they left for home she realized that for songwriters and even singers they would spend a good deal of time networking while there and not out partying like it had been reported so.
As time went by Taylor began to see what Johnny had tried to tell her when they first met. She was already in the short time with Johnny pulling in six figures in income from her songwriting and with the royalties. She had been in the cabin for over a year and now was the time she thought to find her own place and become a permanent fixture in the Nashville area. Johnny and Sandy helped Taylor find the right real estate agent to help her find the right home.
Gina Upchurch was a relatively new but experienced agent who had already made a reputation as a hard working excellent closer in getting buyers the best deal on properties. She was with the same agency that Johnny used to buy his home. Gina was the granddaughter of the owner of the agency and real estate had been in her blood for years.
Gina and Taylor were introduced at the Robinson's home to discuss what she wanted to look for, where, how much and her financial situation to know what she could afford.
"Tell me Taylor, do you know the area you want to look for a home?" Gina asked.
"No more than ten to fifteen miles from Johnny," she told her.
"Okay that is a pretty large area so we can start close in and work our way out. Now what type and size home do you want to get?"
"No bigger than four bedrooms and three baths with a three car garage. But more importantly I want acreage too. I would like at least twenty five but no more than one hundred acres. If I have to build that is a possibility too. Preferably I want in a rural area that allows horses because I will want to build a stable to have a couple of horses."
"That all sounds reasonable. In this area we possibly will find what you are looking for as most of this area is zoned agriculture so horses are allowed. Now the important question is finances. Have you been preapproved for a mortgage? And do you know what price range you would like to stay within?"
Taylor and Gina went over the finances with Gina telling Taylor even though her income was new and short term she still should be able to get financing on something decent. She told Taylor to give her a week to start looking and gather some places they could see and she would get back to her.
A week later Gina and Taylor met for lunch at a nice restaurant nearby. Gina told Taylor she had a list of eight places she wanted Taylor to review and if any caught her interest she would set an appointment for Taylor to see the property. Taylor and Gina being close to the same age seemed to get along well. In fact they seemed to enjoy talking to each other and not about music or real estate.
A month later after visiting several properties and not finding exactly what she was looking for or willing to pay for, Gina told Taylor she received a call from an agent that had listed one of the properties she and Taylor had already visited. It seemed this agent had just received a listing from another homeowner to sell their home and property fast as they needed to move out of state in a month. Taylor and Gina went to see the property before the listing hit the internet and Taylor fell in love with it. It was only eight miles from Johnny and sat on seventy five acres. The home was built only three years ago and was perfect for Taylor. She put in an offer and within hours the offer was accepted.
Taylor was overjoyed at becoming a land and homeowner. Johnny and Sandy also were excited that Taylor would be close to them. She actually didn't realize it until Sandy told her she was within a mile of Bobby and Sheila's place.
After the closing went through Johnny threw a party to celebrate the new homeowner inviting the whole family and some entertainers who were in town. Gina was also invited.
"Congratulations, land baroness!" Gina kidded Taylor.
"I'm not sure seventy five acres makes me a land baroness but compared to what I had before and never imagined I would have it does seem like I have thousands of acres. I owe it to you for all your hard work and putting up with all my quirks and negativity while we looked for a house. Thank you so much," Taylor said sincerely.
"You weren't a pain at all. In fact I enjoyed working with a beautiful smart women like you. It's refreshing not to have some man think because I'm a woman I don't know my business," Gina said.
The beautiful smart woman remark didn't get past Taylor. Neither did the look Gina gave Taylor when she said it to her.
"You will have to come over sometime once I've moved in and see how it looks after the land baroness decorates it with furniture from garage sales and discount stores. That's about all I can afford now that I spent everything to buy the damn place," Taylor said laughing.
"I'll take you up on that and go one better. How about I take you out to dinner tomorrow night and celebrate your new home and a new friendship?" Gina said and tilted her head making her long black hair cascade over her shoulder.
"It's a date and you can buy out of the nice commission you just earned," Taylor said needling back at Gina.
Gina and Taylor went out and had a great time. They seemed to become good friends. For the first few weeks they just talked on the phone or when they went out which was mainly dinner or lunch on the weekend, there was no overt sexual innuendos. Other than hugging to say hi or goodbye and a kiss on the cheek nothing had transpired.
Three weeks into their friendship and a week before Taylor was able to move into her new home she was over at Gina's having lunch before they were going to go to some craft fairs. They had been talking about finding some things for the house that would be good for knick knacks. Taylor had picked up some dishes and was helping Gina clean off the table and put the dishes in the dishwasher when Gina slipped on the rug at the sink. She almost fell but Taylor caught her in her arms wrapping them around Gina's arms and waist holding her up. Gina's head was on Taylor's upper chest and she looked up at Taylor who looked at her, neither saying a word.
Neither needed to say a word as their eyes said it and Taylor tilted her head down staring into Gina's eyes as her lips moved closer to Gina's lips. Not seeing anything to stop her Taylor let her lips touch Gina's lips and she saw Gina's eyes close and could hear a soft moan escape from Gina.
Gina, after kissing Taylor stood back up looking at her. She moved closer placing her hands on Taylor's cheeks and pulled Taylor in closer to kiss her on the lips only this time with more passion than they kissed the first time. Taylor then heard a moan realizing it came directly from her mouth and not from Gina. She pulled Gina in tighter and began kissing harder allowing her tongue to escape her mouth and enter into Gina's who gladly accepted her tongue and used her own tongue to twirl around Taylor's. Their hands were now moving around each other and Taylor's left hand came up on Gina's side and over across her right breast cupping it over her dress and bra. Gina moaned louder and her tongue reacted to Taylor's touch by twirling it harder around Taylor's. Taylor's right hand moved lower on Gina and pulled on the dress that Gina had up until she had her hand on Gina's butt over top of her panties she was wearing. Gina moaned again and gasped, "oh God," into Taylor's mouth.
Gina pulled back from Taylor and looked her in the eyes, "I want you, make love to me now," she moaned to Taylor.
They moved into the bedroom. Before they got on the bed, Taylor had unzipped the zipper of Gina's dress and watched it fall off her shoulders onto the floor. She undid the clasp on the bra pulling it off the shoulders and also onto the floor. Gina had a magnificent body, very tanned and toned with a beautiful round butt and perfect b cup breast with dark areolas and small nipples that barely poked out from her breast. Gina turned around and began to unbutton the blouse that Taylor was wearing pushing it off of Taylor then unfastening the buttons on her shorts pushing them down off of her. They moved onto the bed with each wearing only their panties. They kissed and each was cupping and squeezing the others breasts moaning while their breathing became more rapid and short. Gina was first to touch Taylor between her legs causing Taylor to moan even more and push her hips down onto Gina's hand which by now was rubbing Taylor.
Taylor lifted her body up allowing Gina to get her hand inside of Taylor's panties and feel the heat and moisture that Taylor had between her legs. As soon as Gina's fingers touched Taylor on the clit she moaned, "Fuck," and jerked from not having been touched there in over a year. Her body went into a rhythm of her hips moving down and up as Gina's finger slid down her opening and into her wet pussy. Gina finger fucked her faster and faster and with the heal of her hand rubbing over Taylor's clit which sent Taylor into a hard climax. Taylor then collapsed on top of Gina.
After Taylor recovered from her orgasm she kissed Gina on her lips then her neck then shoulder and on down. She glanced at Gina's small but perfectly round and tight breasts with the dark areolas and nipples. Taylor took her time sucking and biting each nipple causing Gina to gasp and moan. Taylor could have stayed there all day as she was thoroughly enjoying feeling Gina squirm and moan with delight. She slowly released Gina's nipple and began kissing down her taught tight and toned stomach across her belly button and down to her panties. She took the palm of her hand and rubbed Gina's pussy from the bottom to the top. She noticed Gina had her head back and her eyes closed as she was gripping the sheets with both hands obviously enjoying what Taylor was doing to her. Taylor then grabbed the top of Gina's panties from each side of her waist and pulled them down. Gina lifted her legs up in the air and closed them so Taylor could completely take her panties off. She then lowered her legs and spread them as wide as she could while Taylor leaned back down and rubbed her now bare pussy with the palm of her hand. Taylor's palm was wet from the juices already leaking out of Gina. Taylor leaned down and kissed Gina's clit then using her tongue she licked Gina's wet but open pussy lips. Gina moaned and tossed her head from one side to the other, "Oh God Taylor, you're driving me crazy."
Taylor smiled knowing she had Gina right where she wanted her. For the first time in many months she felt like she was finding someone she could enjoy being with and making love to. She began licking Gina and inserting her tongue inside her pussy while rubbing her clit softly in circular motions with her thumb. Gina was lifting her hips up trying to push her pussy into Taylor as she was becoming overwhelmed with the sensation of being taken. Taylor could tell from Gina's breathing and motions she was about to cum. She quit licking her and sucked her clit into her mouth twirling her tongue around it as she sucked and sucked until Gina exploded in an orgasm.
Taylor and Gina never made it to the craft fairs that day as they stayed in bed making love to each other for a couple of hours then slept for a while before making love again. Over the next several months Gina and Taylor were together most of the time when they were not working.
Johnny mentioned to Sandy that Taylor seemed much happier. Maybe Gina was what Taylor finally needed to forget about her past. She wasn't there yet but she did seem to be happier with Gina.
Sheila also saw less of Taylor yet still managed to have lunch with her or corner her at the house occasionally. From what she could see and from her conversations with Taylor, she didn't think that Taylor was completely in love with Gina but their relationship seemed promising and time would tell if Taylor had found the person to love. She did seem to be happier and maybe was finally putting her past relationship behind her.
Johnny was finally able to talk Taylor into selling her favorite songs that she had written about Amy and her dad. This they all thought was another sign Taylor was putting Amy behind her and moving on. A female country star released "Living without Love" and within two weeks it went to number one on the charts remaining there for ten weeks. The song about her dad reached number ten on the charts. The CMA's nominees were released and Taylor was nominated for songwriter of year and song of the year for "Living without Love."
A month before they were to leave for the CMA's, Taylor and Johnny were in the studio working on a song when Sheila came in to bring them lunch. Sheila was talking and asked Taylor how Gina was.
"Don't know, haven't seen her in a couple of weeks," Taylor said mater of factly.
Sheila looked at Johnny who shrugged his shoulders letting Sheila know he didn't know anything about it. Sheila grabbed Taylor's hand and pulled her up, "Come with me," she said to Taylor and pulled her outside and over to a picnic table next to a tree.
"Spill, what's going on? You two have been tight for almost a year and you haven't seen her in weeks and you are just telling me this now? What's going on hun? Don't crawl back in your shell. I'm your sister and best friend. Talk to me," Sheila said with concern and admonishment as she grabbed Taylor's hand.
Taylor looked at Sheila and Sheila could see the hurt in Taylor's eyes. She could also feel her hand shaking a little bit. "We're not seeing each other anymore."
"I figured that out already honey. I want to know why and what happened."
"Well it started when we were out shopping one day and she saw a necklace she liked and wanted to buy for me. She said she was tired of seeing me wear the soccer ball around all the time and wanted me to give it to Melody because it was more of something a teenager should wear."
"Oh shit. I bet that didn't sit well with you did it?" Sheila said.
Taylor smiled a little then said, "No, she probably saw the fire in my eyes because I told her this necklace had special meaning to me and until I was ready to take it off for good that's where it would stay. She didn't like that answer but I told her it was not up for discussion and to hell with anyone who thought it was childish of me to wear it. Then the CMA's were announced and she wanted to know if I would take her. I told her I would except I had already promised Melody I would take her if she made first string goalie this year which she did. I tried to explain to her that the CMA's would mean more to a teenager than it would her because as writers we sit in the back and not up close to the stage and we are not catered to like the performers are. It would be somewhat long and boring all dressed up just sitting there for so long. She didn't like that answer either and said for all she had done for me I could have taken her and told Melody next year she would take her. I told her she was the one now acting childish. I then asked her if the only reason she was seeing me was to use me to go to the CMA's and meet a bunch of stars? She never really could answer that so I told her as far as I was concerned we were through and I could remain friends with her but nothing more."
"You never did love her did you?" Sheila asked.
"Yes, I did love her but I don't think I was completely in love with her. I think I was using her and she was using me only she didn't get what she wanted out of it so she left."
"I'm sorry sweetie. We were all hoping that Gina was the one and you would....," Sheila let her sentence drag because she realized what she was saying and didn't want to bring it up.
"You mean move on from Amy, don't you?" Taylor said now looking at Sheila in her eyes.
"Yes, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring her up."
"Sheila you know how much I love you and what you mean to me," Taylor said as Sheila nodded at Taylor. "You don't have to coddle me. You're the only one I can really talk to about Amy and you listen and don't judge or tell me I'm wrong for how I feel. That's why I love you so much. Damn if you weren't married and straight I'd be chasing you all over town to be my girlfriend," Taylor said with a chuckle.
Sheila giggled back saying, "If I wasn't straight Taylor you wouldn't have to chase me but a few steps before I would be yours."
There was silence between them for about thirty seconds then Sheila spoke, "You still love Amy don't you?"
Tears now ran down Taylor's cheeks and she nodded her head at Sheila. With her voice quivering she said, "I just can't quit thinking about her. I know after all this time she has moved on. With all the good things that have happened to me this last two years and I don't have the one person I want to share it with."
Sheila moved over closer and hugged Taylor and kissed her head telling her, "We can still try to find her if you want? We have her name and where she was from. You said you knew where she was going to work and that is a starting place. Do you want to know?"
"No, I don't. Too much time has passed. I just need to forget her and move on. Maybe Gina was right and I should take this necklace off. To be honest I was really considering it was time to take it off and devote myself to Gina. I don't know. But I'd rather not know about Amy, than know she is happy and married with a family which is what she wanted besides her job. At least not knowing keeps me writing songs and if I know I might not be able to write anymore."
"Okay, then we will not look but we will keep hoping you find that special person who fills that void inside of you. You are way too special to not have someone and Bobby wouldn't understand if he found us in bed one day anyway!" Sheila said laughing.
That made Taylor laugh which is just what Sheila intended. "See, that's why I love you so much and your entire family. I can't imagine what life would be without all of you in mine. I do love you sis, you are the best," Taylor said and hugged Sheila.
The CMA's were held and true to her word Taylor took Melody who was in total awe of the entire week of happenings and of the ceremony itself. She also was the hit of her team and classmates when she was seen on television sitting next to Taylor when she was announced as songwriter of the year for "Living without Love." Later when the song was announced as song of the year and the performer paid homage to Taylor and Johnny, Melody, again was seen by her classmates on television sitting next to Taylor.
To be continued....
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