Read Online Just Beyond the Curve by Larry Huddleston - Free Book Online Page A

Allen.”
    “Practice,” Allen said wondering if John was just
messing with him. “To get your fingers and voice warmed up
some.”
    “I’m okay, honest,” John replied looking Allen
straight in the eyes.
    “It’s your future, Son. You decide what’s best for
it,” Allen said, then stood and went back down the aisle to his
seat. John watched him go. He turned to Judy and took her hand in
his. When he glanced over at her she was sound asleep. He smiled
and closed his eyes.
    When he opened them again they were driving through
downtown Houston. John watched the reflection of the bus waver
along the plate glass windows. He saw people on the street look at
the bus and wave excitedly. He waved back, not thinking about the
fact that he could see out, but they couldn’t see in. Still it was
in his nature to be friendly, so he waved.
    When they arrived at the Oiler’s Stadium he was
surprised to see all the other busses and eighteen wheelers already
there. He was even more surprised when they walked inside and the
stage was already set up and the sound check was being perfected
for the night’s performance. Around the stadium were several big
screens with his picture on them, then the pictures changed to the
other performers, then eventually back to John’s. He found it hard
to believe this was really happening for him. Or that it was
happening so fast.
    “Maybe we’d better go back to the bus until it’s time
to go on stage,” Allen suggested.
    “I think I want to go say hi to some of the fans who
are already here, Allen,” John said, pointing to a group of fans up
in the stands.
    “Well, just be careful, John,” he cautioned. “There
are nuts out there, too.”
    “I’ll be alright,” John answered seriously. “Who’d
want to hurt me or Judy?”
    “You never know, John,” Allen replied. “That’s why
they’re called nuts!”
    For the next few hours John and Judy toured the
stands introducing themselves to the fans who were already there.
John signed autographs, accepted kisses and hugs and handshakes
from adoring women and children and handshakes from men. He
accepted compliments graciously and returned them when he could,
concerning the women’s dresses, their children, their hair and
anything else he could compliment without offending them.
    After he had moved on the people he had left behind
talked about his down to earthiness, his simplicity, courtesy and
seemingly lack of ego. To them, he was just one of them. Not one of
the hotsey-totsey, famous singers who were far too good, and far
too far above the average person to come and say hi and just visit
for a few minutes.
    As usual for John he was engrossed with his visiting
and had lost track of time. However, Judy was right behind him,
having the time of her life visiting with strangers who were making
her husband rich and famous. They both looked up suddenly when over
the intercom the announcer was asking John good-naturedly, to come
join his band on stage and sing for the crowd.
    John laughed, shrugged his shoulders, then took
Judy’s hand and together they ran down the long flight of stairs,
out across the field to the stage. He waved his free hand all the
way to the roar of the crowd. He left Judy at the foot of the stage
in her seat and then went up on stage.
    His face was projected on all the screens around the
stadium. His name was written in bright neon lights across the back
of the stage. Bright explosions like deafening cannonades exploded
around him as he slipped the Fender strap over his head and across
his shoulder, then started across the stage to the front. His theme
music was thundering and the roar of the crowd nearly drowned it
out as he took his place behind the microphone and began to sing ENDLESS , the song that had landed him his recording
contract.
    When the song was finished, John said into the
microphone, “That one was for my Momma. The rest are for you...”
the rest of what he said was drowned out by the roar of