Dear Judy ,
Well, I am now officially a resident of Nashville, TN. I have a driver's license and a voter registration card. Most importantly I have a neat apartment in the Belmont area and da da--- a job. I'm working as a receptionist on Music Row I know that's not too glamorous but everyone says that's the way to meet folks and get my foot in the door. There are only about twenty million other people here who are trying to get their songs published, so hey it should be a piece of cake, right?
If I don't make it as a receptionist I may have a career as a detective. I saw this strange lady I call "The Wan Beauty" that I have to tell you about. I first noticed her a couple of weeks ago as I ate my tuna sandwich at a picnic table in Centennial Park. The Nashville Symphony was holding one of its "Concert in the Park" series. At first she looked like just another street person, but as I surreptitiously watched her inch toward the bandstand I saw her hands moving gracefully as if she was playing an invisible base violin. Her body gently swayed with the music and she was lost in a world of her own. Here she was, a fragile old woman moved as I was by Mozart. For the rest of the performance she was held entranced by the music. I wanted to ask her who she was and how she got into her present predicament but with a glance at my watch I realized I would have just enough time to dash back to work without being late. I hope I see her again.
Hey, tell everyone at home Hi for me. They'll soon be able to say I knew Jenny Wheeler before she became a famous song writer. Tell them I'll invite them up to see my Dove Award. Hey, a girl can dream can't she?
Love,
Jenny
Dear Judy,
Thanks for your letter. Yes I am being careful. I know there's a lot more crime here than in Gadston. I'm so busy with my job, moving in, and writing that I don't have a lot of time to get into much trouble. I do have a gig at Tin Pan South. They have amateur night on Thursdays so I'm going to try my luck.
Money is really tight so it's going to be a while before I can afford a phone, but shoot, who do I have to call anyway.
Hey, guess what. Do you remember my "Wan Beauty" I
saw her again. This time I saw her outside Lerner's Music shop on
North Elm. You know, the one that advertises, "We've been providing
quality instruments to Nashville for 75 years." She was looking
longingly at a beautiful antique base violin in the window. She looked
startled as she saw me walking toward her and ran down the alley before
I had a chance to say anything. As I drew close to her, I realized
with a shock that she was not the ancient crone I first took her to be.
She was in fact quite young, probably not much older than me. It
was weird though, she looked as if her skin would crack open at the
slightest touch. I had myself half convinced that she was a ghost.
She looked even more frail than the last time I saw her.
Well, gotta run. Keep em straight in Gadston.
Love,
Jenny
Dear Judy,
Yes, I still like my job, well like is too strong a word. I can still tolerate my job. I've met a lot of folks but it's hard to tell who's slinging a line and whose telling the truth. To hear them talk everybody who comes in the door is either a big record producer or a big country star. I tell you Julie , country music is a rough dog eat dog business. I'm afraid to play my songs for just anybody because they could steal them. Sometimes I wonder---Did Patsy Cline have to go through all this?
Oh, the gig at Tin Pan South was scary but great. People really clapped and guess what-- a guy came up afterwards and is going to try to get me a spot at the Blue Bird Cafe. God! So many stars got their start there. I am so excited!! This guys name is Vlad and he plays back up for a group called White Line Fever. It doesn't hurt that he's the most gorgeous guy I've ever seen.
Guess what! I got to talk to "My Wan Beauty!" Her name is Denise Honeycutt.
This is how it happened. I began spending my lunch hours scouting downtown Nashville hoping to catch another glimpse of her. Several times I did just catch a glimpse, but it was obvious that she tried to avoid any contact with anyone. Who knows what trauma had made her avoid almost all human contact. It seemed most often I would see her in the park near the bandstand. She seemed somehow drawn there. I decided to bring some extra food at lunch and leave it for her. The first time I tried this she walked toward the food and started to reach for it but at the last minute drew her hand away as if a searing heat had burned her. She made two or three attempts to take the food but was unable to summons up the courage to actually touch the sack. She looked quickly at me with an apologetic half smile and scurried off. It took almost a week of lunches before she could bring herself to even touch the food I placed near the bandstand. On the fifth day she finally grabbed the turkey sandwich I had left and quickly swallowed the food while looking around nervously. She was very careful not to make eye contact with me.
I knew better than to go everyday, so I settled on three times a week. After the second week she actually started looking for me. Yeah, I know I'm always picking up stays. But really Julie , there's something about Denise. She hasn't said much to me yet, just her name and that she's a musician but I am determined to find out her story. We musicians have to stick together, right?
Well, it's pretty late and I have work tomorrow so I better run.
Love
Jenny
.
Dear Judy ,
No, I'm sorry I still can't afford a phone. The first couple of months I had to spend all my money on deposits and now I just have to have some furniture. To be really truthful I'm kind of getting used to no phone or TV. It sure gives me time to write. Speaking of writing do you remember the gorgeous guy who's a back up musician for White Line Fever? He hasn't been able to get me the spot at the Blue Bird yet but he wants to hear some of my songs. He is so gorgeous! He has shoulder length black hair, ice blue eyes, and is about six feet tall. He must work out a lot because he is so-o-o-o muscular! He could be a model! He says he know folks who are producers. Who knows stardom may be just a breath away.
Oh, I've been able to talk to Denise more. I think she must have had a mental breakdown or something. She tells me that she is from a wealthy family who live near Chicago but that she can't contact them because then "he" would come after them. She's got this wild tale about a guy whose a kind of vampire. She said for her his name was Dimitri, for her friend Chloe he was Gregor, and for another friend Shannon he was Rolf. She calls him a spiritual vampire. Honest to God. She wouldn't say much just that he's out there and that he becomes who ever he needs to become to lure his prey. She says he looks different to each woman he stalks. She says he drains you of everything that makes you "you" and then leaves you a dead wasted shell. Weird huh? It took me about two weeks to get this much out of her. The poor kid seems scared to death. She's constantly looking over her shoulder. She says he's watching her. I'm going to try to see if she'll let me take her the Mental Health Co-op or something. I think some medication might really help her. Each time I see her she seems weaker and more lethargic.
Well, TTFN (Ta Ta for Now)
Love,
Jenny
Dear Judy,
It me still without a phone but guess what, I am writing some of the best stuff I've ever written. I just know some of these songs will make it. Did I tell you about Vlad? He's the guy who plays with White Line Fever. He's the most intense person I've ever met! When ever I'm with him he just exhausts me! I swear I don't know where he gets his vitality. He just can't seem to keep his hands off me. And he has this way of looking deep into my eyes that just makes me want to swoon. Anyway, he's taken some of my latest songs. He knows some guys who are producers and he's pretty sure he can successfully pitch my songs to the producer people if I pay him $300 a month. If I cut things to the bone I may just be able to afford it. Keep your fingers crossed that the producers like my stuff. I've sent a demo tape of my latest songs with this letter so let me know what you think.
I've seen Denise again. She's usually alone when I find her but sometimes I see her with two other women who look as pale and drained as she does . They were the two she had told me about. They seem always to stay in the shadows and they try to avoid contact with anyone who ventures near. I finally was able to talk with them the other night. I invited them up to my apartment for dinner. I don't think any of them has had a decent meal for months. It's really weird but they all tell me they were very successful until they met the wrong guy.. Chloe says she's an artist and has had some of her work sold in New York. Shannon Neilson says she's a writer from Texas who has had several stories published. One was supposed to have been published in the New Yorker but I wonder if she's telling the truth. It's like she can hardly put a four word sentence together. Although they each described a different looking guy it was like they were all talking about the same guy. If they're all wacko they sure have convincing stories. I ordered three large pizzas and they ate every bit. I know I shouldn't have but I told them I would try to feed them once a week. Don't you dare tell Mom I've been talking to street people. You know how overprotective she's gotten since Daddy died. She'd be up here in the pickup so fast my head would swim.
Well gotta run. Why don't you come see me some week end.
Your soon to be a star friend,
Jenny
Dear Judy,
Well, girl friend, I think I'm in love. Yeah, Yeah, you knew it was just a matter of time with me but this is different. I have never been mesmerized by anyone like I am with Vlad. When I look into his eyes it's like I loose all track of time. Judy, he is so talented plus he has great taste. He says my music is destined to hit the top of the charts. I have given him all my song so he can pitch them to some producer friends of his. I'm going to have to come up with some more money but I know he's going to make me a star. Don't fuss at me for doing this. I just know I can trust him. If you could only look into his eyes you'd know you could trust him too.
I still like my job but I just want to be with Vlad all the time. I can't wait to get off work and see him. He makes me feel so special. I feel I am writing some of my best stuff right now. It's like being with Vlad brings up my deepest feelings. It's like he can see into my inner most self and pull out what's in there. Sorry I didn't mean to get all metaphysical on you but you just got to meet him. I tell you the man in intense!
Well, it's late gotta run. Give my love to everyone.
Jenny
Dear Judy,
Wow. The weirdest thing happened. I was having my street lady friends over for a meal last night. They have all gotten to be even more sickly looking over the last few weeks. Gosh I hope they don't have aids or something. Anyway, they all kind of floated into the apartment and sat down kind of huddled together in a corner. They looked so wasted. I asked them if they ate anywhere other than with me and Chloe said yes sometimes they ate down at the Mission. After the first few bites of soup they got a little more animated. Denise said I looked tired and asked if I was getting enough sleep. Wasn't that sweet that she was worried about me. I told her I was doing fine.
Shannon piped in and said, "You're not seeing any men are you? You've got to stay away from the men here. If you meet him you're lost, everything is lost!" She was starting to get more and more agitated so I assured her that "No, I was not seeing any men." How could I tell her about Vlad. She was so wacked out by whatever has happened to her that she sure wouldn't understand what I had going with Vlad.
After a few minutes we got her calmed down and the three "wan beauties" finished their meal. I walked them downstairs and I caught sight of Vlad walking up the street. As he walked under the street light Shannon turned even more pale than she already was and whispered in a low voice, "Oh my God! We're done for. Run! Run!" Before I realized what was happening they had all disappeared. They are really gun shy, especially of men.
Vlad asked me who I'd been talking to and really kind of fussed at me for taking in street people. I guess he's right they could be psycho but they are just so pitiful. Maybe he's right and I shouldn't see them anymore. What do you think?
Gotta run. Love Ya!
Jenny
Dear Judy,
Well, I can take part of your advice and not see the ladies anymore. I guess they must have gone underground. I haven't been able to find them anywhere. A girl I work with says a lot of those street folks just travel from city to city living off the public dole but I just can't see how Denise and her friends would be able to travel far. But Judy, you have to understand I can't quit seeing Vlad. He is so much a part of my life now. I can't write if he's not around. You have to meet him. If you did then you would understand.
How are things in Gadston. Hasn't Jimmy asked you to marry him yet? You must write and tell me everything.
Love and Kisses,
Jenny
Dear Judy,
Oh God!! The worst thing has happened! I noticed and article on the front page of the Tennessean about a woman's body being found in an alley behind Dillard's downtown store. I looked at the photo and it was Denise! The weird thing was that she looked like an old, old woman. I know it was her though because she was wearing the same dress and necklace she had been wearing the last night I saw her. The story said that an autopsy would be preformed to determine the cause of death. Too weird.
Yesterday on my lunch hour I went to the police station and talked to a Detective Hale. I told him what I knew about Denise. He was a nice man. He said they had been able to identify her from her finger prints. Guess what, everything she had told me was true. She was from a nice family in Kankaee, Illinois. Her dad taught at the university there and her mother was a librarian. She had moved here to take some courses at Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt. She had been this child prodigy and was supposed to be one of the best base violin musicians in the country. Detective Hale said that after a few months her parents said they just heard less and less from her. They were shocked to hear that she was living on the streets. Detective Hale said her parents had made several trips down here looking for her several months ago. They had determined that she had dropped out of Vanderbilt and got the idea from friends that she may have run off with some guy named Dimitri. I told him how she'd said she was afraid of Dimitri. Detective Hale said the police had had no luck in tracking down this Dimitri because they got so many conflicting descriptions of him. He said Denise's parents would be down tomorrow to pick up the body. Those poor folks are probably blaming themselves for not doing more. I wish I had known how to get in touch with them. If she had only told me the name of the town she'd lived in I maybe could have found them. I feel just terrible.
Well, I'd better get back to work.
Jenny
Dear Judy,
Yes I have kept my word and have not talked t Chloe or Shannon. You are right, I don't need to be hanging around strange people. That's a pretty easy promise since I haven't seen them since that last night they ate with me anyway. They must have gone deep underground.
I can't promise not to see Vlad anymore though. I have to be around him. He's like an addiction for me. I write my best stuff when we are together. He just seems to draw the lyrics and music out of me. God I love him!!! You have to meet him. I've told him all about you and the terrific outfits you've designed. He says he wants to meet you too. Just wait until you see him. He says he knows people in the fashion industry who might be able to help you get started in the industry. He says it's almost impossible to get any thing done unless you know somebody. Please say you'll come up.
Better run. Love Ya,
Jenny
Dear Detective Hale,
I am writing to you because I don't know where else to turn. The receptionist said you were out on a case so I am leaving you this letter because I have to get back to Gadston.
You met my friend Jenny Wheeler after the death of a woman named Denise Honeycutt. You are going to think I'm crazy but I think some musician named Vlad is trying to kill Jenny. In fact, maybe he already has. I also think that Vlad and Dimitri are the same person. I went by Jenny's apartment today and almost everything was gone. There was only a mattress on the floor and her guitar. She would never go anywhere without that guitar. Her daddy gave it to her before he died and it means the world to her.
Anyway, Michael, the guy who lives across the hall, said Jenny had been pawning her stuff to raise money. He said she was giving this Vlad guy all the money she could so he could get her songs published. He said the guy Vlad was really gaunt looking. He said the guys is deathly pale and looked like a walking skeleton. That sure wasn't the way Jenny described him though. I think this guy is bad news. I know this really sounds crazy but I think he's a vampire.
So that you will maybe believe me, I've had your receptionist make copies of the letters Jenny has sent me since she moved here to Nashville. Maybe they can help explain why I think this Vlad guy is involved.
I know you're busy but please say you'll help me and my friend. I've looked for her everywhere and now I have to go back home and I still can't find her. If you meet this Vlad please don't mention my name. I don't want to ever meet him. I just want Jenny back. Please call me at 904-555-1212
Sincerely,
Judy Herbison.
Barbara Blann: "I have had several poems published in minor publications and have had stories published in Alpelion, Dragon's Lair, and Legacy. I am a committed Anglophile and sci-fi/ horror buff. I live in Franklin, TN (a suburb of Nashville and the nearest thing to heaven I've seen) with my English Professor husband and daughter. I am probably the only person in Middle Tennessee who is not trying to get a song published."
Email: KUAFAN@yahoo.com
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