When I Look to the Sky Read Free Page B

First you come on to him, and then you say something rude about his daughter. I saw the look on Andy’s face and I know him well enough to know that he was not happy or impressed with you.”
    “ I didn’t do anything wrong,” she snapped back.
    “ Well you sure didn’t do anything right. He could take you where you want in this business. He’s the best I know, been producing his own work for years and has the accolades to go with it. Don’t screw this up, Adaleigh.”
    Maybe work ’s not all that I’m interested in… she thought and looked at Dave but said nothing.
    “ And remember, his wife only died a year and a half ago, so pull the fangs back in.”
    Wife… she thought and settled back into her seat.
     
    ~ ~ ~
     
    An hour and a half into the show, Carlee was happy to hear Train sing. Once they finished, Andy excused himself to go prepare for his performance.
    Two musicians joined Andy on stage, one with a guitar, the other a cello. Andy sat down at a piano to thunderous applause. The musicians began the lead in, and Andy followed on piano and finally the words came like a soft whisper over the auditorium.
     
    A piece of me
    A part of me
    My heart a part of yours
    The dreams we coulda shared
    It’s all a dream away
     
    Carlee sang along to the song she knew by heart. She knew it was her mama he was singing about. Roddy had moved into Andy’s seat when he left for the stage and held Carlee’s hand in his lap. As he did, he remembered not so long ago, waiting with Beth, holding her hand as they announced the winner for Andy’s last GRAMMY.
     
    A break to clear the stage, and Andy returned to his seat a few minutes later. Another performance was taking place on another stage and as he sat down Carlee hugged him and whispered in his ear, “Papa, I love you. Thank you for bringing me here.”
    “ My sweet, sweet girl, I couldn’t have come without you,” and as he said the words, he could remember every hug they had ever shared, and every time those sweet, chubby, little-girl fingers brought his face to hers for a good-night kiss, and he felt tears sting his eyes.
    When he let her go , they were announcing that it was time to read the nominations for Song of the Year. He took Carlee’s hand and held it in his lap. The trio of female pop singers, Wild Child, appeared on stage to recap the nominees. Finally, the lead singer, Tyra Mitner, held the envelope to her head like Johnny Carson did as ‘Carnac.’
    “ I’m feelin’ it,” she shouted and then ripped the envelope open. “YES! Andy Stevens, “A Dream Away!” she yelled.
    Andy rose from his seat, along with Roddy who hugged him and he leaned to kiss Carlee ’s cheek before he left for the stage.
    He ascended the stairs to roars of applause. He hugged the girls of Wild Child as Miss GRAMMY handed him the award. He took a minute as he looked out, remembering, as he did he saw Beth both times she attended with him and that familiar lump rose in his throat. He let the applause subside and leaned closer to the microphone to speak.
    “ Thank you,” he said and paused, as once again, the applause was thunderous.
    “ Thank you to the radio stations who play the music, and to the fans who listen. This would not be a reality without you. It’s important to me to thank my Bethy for giving me those words in her last moments. I’m happy to share this moment with all of you, but, I’m happier to share it with my beautiful daughter, Carlee. Thank you,” he said again.
    He was gone a few minutes longer and Roddy explained that he was getting some press out -of-the-way so that he could enjoy the rest of the evening.
     
    Soon after the award ceremonies were over, Andy could see Carlee’s eyes inching closer to sleep. They were getting ready to leave and he picked her up. “Wake up ‘sleepy beauty’; we have a party to go to before we head back to the hotel.” She nodded and snuggled closer as Angel reached for her.
    “ I got this, we’ll let