20 Hours to Memphis

20 Hours to Memphis

If it’s only twenty hours to Memphis

he could be there in a day or two.

It wouldn’t be too hard to find her.

She’d be singing in a club downtown.

She aimed at being a star someday

and in his heart, he knew she would.

She hadn't intended to break his heart.

She had to follow her hopeful dream.

Her music had turned to obsession.

It was her reason to be living.

Perhaps he should have chased after her

but he couldn’t leave his commitment.

The hospital needed his talents.

He was a surgeon by profession.

Now retired, all these years later

it may appear foolish, but something

had told him he must try to find her.

Now that he has the time, why not try?

Jerry Pullman had no answer.

He packed a bag and set to driving. 

Two days later he was in Memphis.

Checked into the hotel he had booked

and then caught a taxi for downtown.

There he saw her name, “Angie Chambers”

in a billing for the Hi-Note Club.   

Her show was on at 10 PM.

He thought about grabbing a light lunch.

Searched, and then found “The Heavenly Eats.”

Sat alone with his beer and sandwich.

He was about to leave when she walked in

along with two other musicians

who were carrying guitar cases.

He could tell it was her by her smile.

He kept his seat and watched her movements

while recalling her mannerisms:

How she’d often bite her lower lip

toss her hair over her left shoulder

and fold her hands as though in prayer.

His heart pounded. He knew it was her.

He wouldn’t let her get away again.

As they were leaving, he went towards her

and loudly shouted her name, “Angie?”

As the two guitarists departed

she turned and looked directly at him.

“Jerry? Oh my God! Is that you?”

They sat a while, quietly talking.

Her rock and roll days were now over.

She does things in a much softer style.

Most of it now, written by her.

He’d retired from the hospital.

The pandemic made him realize

that he wasn’t as young as he thought.

It was then, his thinking turned to her

and how lonely it was in his house.

She said performing was not the same

as when they had first known each other

when she was “The Angie Chambers’ Band.”

Her music had become more sedate

more reflective now, and more pensive.

He told her he would be at tonight’s show.

She suggested meeting afterward

and would arrange for his up-front seat.

He told her what hotel he was at

and that there was a relaxing bar

where they could talk and catch up some more.

She said she had to be leaving now

that they had an hour-long rehearsal.

She looked forward to seeing him later.

He said he couldn't wait to hear more.

She kissed him on the cheek as she left

and he sat there for the longest time

then left and returned to his hotel

to clean up and dress for tonight.

Angie opened her show with no sign

of Jerry. He never came that night.

She called the hotel and asked for him.

The voice on the phone said, “Mr. Pullman

had passed away in his room this evening.”