I am only using characters from the Nashville Television Show. I have no ownership rights or claims whatsoever.
Please note: I have changed the baby's name from Jolene to Cadence to fit the show. I have also bought this in line with the show. The continuation will focus on Juliette's condition, behaviour and how these can be resolved.
And baby makes three.
Chapter 6. Crisis.
Rayna didn't even waste time with greetings. Just a polite, "Good morning," as Avery handed her the album. As the recording began playing she settled back in her chair fully concentrating on what she was hearing. Avery wondered if it was possible to enjoy music under such intense focus. His question was soon answered. Rayna did not move but just breathed, "amazing." As the replay progressed she never moved. Just utterances as," brilliant," "I can't believe this," "God, this is so good."
Avery knew she was sold by her responses but when he saw tears on her cheeks he knew he and Layla succeeded in reaching their pinnacle objective.
Glenn patted Layla on the shoulder and gave her a smile of congratulations when she looked at him.
The recording finished, Rayna leant back in her chair. "I don't know what to say. I can't find the words to describe it. Layla, I had no idea you were that good. You're not the same person on that demo. You're not the same person I've heard on stage. You've been transformed. Your singing is so mature, so emotional. God, it overwhelmed me at times. You're going to make a lot of money from this effort young lady. Bucky, anything you want to add?"
"Yes," Bucky said. "This is an absolute masterpiece of production. Best I've ever heard. It's a certain number one, no doubt about that."
"Yes, thank you Avery," Rayna said. "How much were we paying him for this Bucky? Half a million. It's cheap, a bargain. We'll make a mint off this. Definitely no more financial worries, not while we have these kind of people turning out work like this." She suddenly recognised the fact Bucky alluded to. "You're right Bucky, this will almost certainly be the new number one album. Pity for Sadie, she's been number one since we released her album. Now I guess she'll still be happy at number two."
"That's very interesting," Avery said. "With a bit of luck Highway65 could have both number one and number two albums. I'm wondering what Sadie is up to because we're in a great position to set up a tour. With these two I reckon we would pack them in to the rafters."
"You're right Avery," Rayna said. "It's almost a slam dunk tour and we could really make a lot of mileage. Wouldn't hurt your situation either would it? Big chance to show up Wheelin'-Dealin' records and the tours they're planning."
"No it wouldn't and I'm not going to pretend otherwise," Avery said. "We could kill a lot of pigeons here with the one shot."
"Bucky, I want this released as soon as possible. I think we should get Layla to the photographers this after noon and sort out the artwork. I want a super rush job on this."
"So, Avery," Rayna said. "I've been pretty worried about Juliette. How's she holding up?"
"She's still sick if that's what you mean but I'm playing it laid back, showing her full support and she's much more cooperative as a result. If we get this tour off the ground and with your help we may be able to shake her faith in Wheeler and Fordham. That'll be a significant step toward getting her to face facts. Besides I want her here with me. She's just wasted with them."
"Haven't you seen the latest charts?" Rayna asked.
"Layla and I've been buried with this album. They could have dropped a bomb somewhere and I wouldn't know. What have I missed?"
"Juliette's album. They released it last week and it came into the charts at number seven. On today's charts it's dropped to number eight. Knowing Juliette she's going to take that hard."
"Well, that's no surprise, I've heard most of it. Wheeler and Fordham will spin her some yarn about how the tour will fix it, but it won't. Rayna, this album will be lucky to stay in the top ten for another fortnight. Then it will all hit the fan big time as they say. Major Juliette strife. If we get a Highway65 tour going it might just give her a shove in the right direction. Do you think Sadie will come on board?"
"I'll find out and let you know. Hopefully, she's settled down after that business with her husband. I'll give her my best pitch. Of course what will go a long way towards convincing her is whether you'll go on tour as our band leader." Rayna gave him a quizzical look.
Layla interrupted enthusiastically, "yes please Avery, say you'll do it."
"I can do that," Avery said, "but right now I'd better get home and check on Juliette. Emily might be wearing I-tunes listing anger."
After he left Layla offered an appraisal of her experience. "He's so good. I've never met anyone like him. That album, it was 90 percent him you know. I could never have done that on my own in a million years. I'm so lucky you got him for me."
"Layla," Rayna said. "Look, I'd better straighten you out before your girlishness gets ahead of you. It's very easy to get a strong attachment for Avery, but don't allow that to happen. You'll only wind up hurt. He's completely devoted to Juliette and that will never change for him. I've never seen anyone as dedicated as he is to her. You'll never be more than a business associate and a friend to him. You should understand, when I first asked him to work with you he refused. He felt Juliette wouldn't agree and he was right. She didn't. But he changed his mind when Juliette got sick. I don't want you to take this the wrong way because now he has worked with you he'll continue to work with you. However his only motivation this time was because he wants Juliette to understand she made a mistake going with Wheeler and Fordham. You're part of his plan. Simple as that. But from your point of view, you are now his friend and you're 'in' his business circle so you will always be 'in'."
When Avery got home Juliette was out of control. Emily was trying to calm her but was having no success. "Please Avery," Emily begged. "Can you do something? I don't know what to do."
"Hey baby," Avery reached for her but Juliette twisted away from him.
"Leave me alone. Don't touch me."
"Baby, what's wrong? What's the matter?" Avery was trying to calm her but he knew exactly what the problem was. He'd expected this before he even got out of the car.
"It's all going to shit, nothing is working out." Juliette was pacing the floor, kicking at cushions or anything else in her path.
He caught her on his next attempt. She struggled to break free but he was stronger, he held her and then pulled her head into his shoulder. "Baby, it can't be all that bad now come on, calm down."
Emily watched Avery calm Juliette. Avery may have thought he had no skills helping someone with a mental disorder but he had a real knack of getting Juliette to respond. That was the secret as his doctor had told him, love, support and sympathy. Emily would care for Juliette but only Avery could have this effect on her.
"Avery, none of this is working out. My album is only number eight. I can't ever remember when I had an album that far down."
"Baby, that's ok. It's no big deal. You might be setting your aim a little high. Look, you haven't made an album in over a year. You've been completely out of circulation all that time. You might be asking a bit much to expect to jump back in on the top rung. I don't want to say too much. I don't want to step on your management's team's toes but why don't you ring them and get their ideas."
"She looked into his face. "Do you think so?"
"Of course I do, absolutely."
She rang Wheeler and after a few minutes seemed much more composed. "He thinks it will be much better once the tour starts."
Emily excused herself. "Now you have bought that up I'd better go and pack myself. I've got to start my own tour job tomorrow."
"There you are then. Now seeing as you're leaving me tomorrow on this tour, tonight, fair lady, allow me to take you to dinner."
"Well, thank you kind sir, it will be my pleasure."
The next day, after Juliette left, he received a call from Rayna. "I've spoken to Sadie. She's getting her life back together and she thinks the tour might actually help her. She's in."
"Great," Avery said, "can you get Glen and Bucky onto it. I'm going up to Ohio for a couple of days. I want to see Cadence and give my Doctor an update with how I'm travelling with Juliette. I'll see you in a few days."
Avery enjoyed Marysville and Cadence. It wasn't until he saw her that he realised just how much he missed her. He thought how great it was that he could play little baby games with her and how she laughed and smiled in response to him. When he talked to her how she made little baby gurgles and sounds. To him he thought she was trying to speak. He was becoming impatient. He needed Juliette well again. He needed his family complete. He wanted this more than he had ever wanted anything in his entire life.
He discussed his progress concerning Juliette with Doc Edwards. "I really need to know Doc if I'm on the right track with this. Juliette still has this obsession but so long as I don't threaten that she's almost normal. I say almost because she will throw up defences over incidents which she seems to get out of reality. She sees some things, some of which are irrational, some even imagined as direct threats and reacts sometimes very angrily. If anything threatens her career image or how she visualises that or even if she thinks a threat could happen there is a severe reaction. That is her fervent obsession, her career as she sees it. She was very secretive about what she was doing and it took me quite a while before she would allow me any insight into that. I've decided to humour everything she does unless it's self damaging. I don't interfere with any aspect of her career and I want her to see me as completely supportive of her, encouraging even. This seems to give me some management of her 'out of phase sessions' if I can call them that. I've found though, and this surprised me, she is responsive to our love. I can use our love to control her to a certain extent. Break her train of thought. There was one instance where I was trying to get her to open up and include me and she was very opposed to doing this. However as soon as I suggested she may not love me, or she could be unfaithful to me her attitude changed completely. I would have to say Doc, she became completely coherent and rational. It was the strangest thing but despite everything our love, deep down, seems to carry significant importance with her. I really feel that ultimately this will be the key to getting through to her."
"I've barely mentioned our daughter to her," he continued. "I'm not sure what her reaction would be. I thought it best to leave that until after her treatment starts. Now things are starting to break down for her. Her career is under pressure. Her album is not doing well. Doc, I really feel things are going to deteriorate for her fairly quickly."
"First thing my boy," Doc said. "You're on exactly the right track. Everything you're doing is exactly what needs to be done. I'm sure you can see now why it was so important for you not to leave her. Believe it or not she's made significant progress because of what you've done. Mind you, she's nowhere near being out of the woods. There's still a lot more needs to be done but if she was on her own this could not be achieved; in fact she would most likely be significantly worse, maybe even suicidal. That is now something else you need to guard against because as things come apart for her, suicidal behaviour becomes much more likely. I did tell you didn't I, about eighty percent of all cases with this disorder will develop suicidal behaviours? The more her obsession begins to come apart the more likely she is to harm herself. Be very guarded against this. You're right about love as well. That's the main reason you needed to stay with her. People in this condition do not become mad. They are very aware of the things most important in their lives. They may become obsessed, confused, even aggressive but believe me she knows she loves you and she knows you love her. That she will never lose. While you're with her, supporting her, demonstrating love and understanding ultimately you'll be who she turns to when everything else gets out of control. Just watch she doesn't hurt herself. This is going to wind up ok my boy; it will all be good in the end."
Avery spent another day with Cadence and then headed back to Nashville. He rang Rayna as soon as he got home. "Hi Rayna, what's going on?
"You're back in town Avery. Thank God. Now, I have to bring you up to speed. We've released Layla's album and it's opened at number three. It's caused a riot. Stores are selling out of it. It could be setting some kind of record on I-tunes they aren't sure. We're being overrun with the media wanting to interview her, put her on shows, you name it. Glenn's had to come in here, he can't handle it all. Layla's been sitting in the corner of my office for two days looking like a stunned catfish, she can't believe it. Next, the tour is all go. We open in LP field on Saturday week. Rehearsal is tomorrow and then every day till we get it down. There's no time to waste. We were a bit concerned just going with Sadie and Layla but Gunner and Scarlett have come on board and they want to open the tour. Now even though they don't have an album we reckon it'll be great exposure for them. How do you feel about that?"
"That'll be great," Avery said. "It'll balance the show and it gives us an opener so we don't have one of our stars hanging out on their own."
"Exactly! Now there's still more. We've also booked a tour venue in Cincinatti for the following week. I don't think that's going to be the end of it either. This, I think is going to be very big. So tomorrow after rehearsal can you come into the office and we might look at some further dates?"
He packed his gear away and put his bag in the top of his closet. He parked in front of the television and began watching a movie from somewhere about the middle. He wasn't even paying attention to it when his phone rang. "Emily," he said. "How's Juliette?"
"Oh, Avery things are not good here. Everyone's miserable and Juliette is very low. They came to the Houston show and it was only about half capacity. Luke knew ticket sales were slow before we left and he thought they would pick up closer to the show but it didn't happen. Now he's abusing everyone. He tore into Juliette, telling her she had to improve. He's bullying her because her album sales are slow. She's in her room at the moment. Wheeler's got her in tears. They saw where Layla's album was released and they've been hearing ever since what a sensation it is. It's driving Wheeler crazy. He also demanded Juliette get you to join him. When she said she wouldn't do that, and besides, you'd never leave Rayna, he actually told her to tell you, if you didn't join him, then she was to threaten to leave you."
"What's his phone number, give it to me." He wrote it down. "Where are you?"
"San Antonio. The concert is on Saturday."
"Ok, that's three days. Do you know where the plane is?"
"Yes, it's here at the airport.
"Good. Now you and Juliette get on the plane and come straight back here. Ring me thirty minutes before you land and I'll meet you." He ended the call and immediately called Luke Wheeler.
"Wheeler, this is Avery Barkley. What the hell are you doing? Abusing Juliette you cowardly, low bastard. You know she's sick. I'm bringing her home right now. She'll be back in time for the next concert. I always said you were a mongrel but this is disgusting even by your standards. It's weak as piss you low prick. Try any more of that shit with her and I'll personally come down there and take you apart."
Wheeler laughed, "You think so you little runt? You've got a big opinion of yourself."
"Yeah, well I might be a runt but I can handle myself. I'd take a tub of guts like you before breakfast. I've had enough of you and your crap. In future this is how it'll be. Juliette will do the concert then she'll come straight back here until the next one."
"That won't work, she needs to do rehearsals."
"You need the practice. She doesn't. Now, just so we're clear pull, any more of these stunts and I'll pull her off the tour. Then that should be something to see. A talentless, trucking moron, trying to sell tickets to hear music that has all the character of a wing nut. Don't give me reason to speak to you again because the next time it'll be in person and you'll find out what your balls taste like."
Avery met them off the plane. "I must look terrible," Juliette lamented. She hadn't long collected some semblance of herself after her ordeal.
"You're beautiful," Avery said. "You're here now, everything will be alright."
"I still have to go back there on Saturday and then the Saturday after that. Avery I don't like him. He's not the kind of person I thought he was."
"One thing at a time," he said. "If you're upset about going there next Saturday I'll go with you. How's that sound?"
"Would you do that Avery? I'd be much happier if you were there."
"Sure," then he smiled at her. "It's a date."
Next morning Juliette came into the kitchen to see Avery loading guitars and gear into his car. "Do you have to go out?" she asked.
"Yes, it's all happened so suddenly I'm not sure where I'm up to. Highway65 have set up a tour starring Sadie and Layla and seeing as they're both my artists I'm the band leader. We're holding daily rehearsals because we don't have much time. Say, if you like you can come along. Otherwise I can get Emily over to keep you company."
"I'd like to watch you," she said. "Let me get ready. Can you make me a coffee to go?"
Juliette's attitude encouraged Avery. She might be starting to realise her situation. There's no hint of her asking for help but her faith had been shaken in Wheeler and probably Fordham as well. She was starting to turn toward him.
Rayna was sitting in the front row listening with a huge smile on her face. Juliette sat beside her and Avery could see they were exchanging comments. He had to make himself concentrate on the music and not allow them to distract him.
During a break Rayna called him over. "Well, I've just picked up your next job," she said. "Gunner and Scarlett are getting some material together and soon they'll be ready for the studio."
Avery was casual. "Well you won't need me for that. Gunner is very capable of doing his own production."
"That's not Gunner's opinion. He wants you. He says you're the best he's ever seen and seeing this is his first album he wants it to be the best. He seems to be impressed with Sadie and Layla."
"Ok, but after the tour, is that alright?"
"Of course, we still have some time. Just so you know having Juliette here has been very informative. She's been keeping me posted on the latest Avery news."
"Has she?" Avery responded with a smile. "I'll sort her out when we get home."
"Promises, promises," Juliette said laughing.
For the rest of the week Juliette seemed to gain a measure of release by listening to Avery's rehearsals. "Avery, this is going to be very good," she told him. "I wish you were in charge of our show but I know that can't happen. I can make wishes though, can't I?"
"It'll happen baby, It'll happen. There are things we need to work on and fix. Then who knows? The famous Barnes/Barkley team might get back together."
However, despite how much Juliette wished otherwise events were continuing to deteriorate. The day of her concert in San Antonio her album had slipped to number ten. She was very distressed, "Avery what can I do? Maybe if I organise some radio interviews, that might help."
Avery decided now was the time to subtlety inject some criticism of the directions Wheeler and Fordham were taking her. "I don't know about that Baby. Are you getting much air time on the radio?"
"That could be part of the problem, maybe I'm not."
"Then maybe it's time to ask if your team is who you should have behind you."
"What do you mean?" She was immediately defensive. "They've released my album, and set up this tour. I think they're doing all they can."
"I'm just trying to come up with ideas Baby, just tossing stuff around. Talk to them." But he knew, these results would not be fixed with more radio air time.
The San Antonio concert was an even bigger failure than Houston and Avery expected that. Houston received very indifferent reviews and this carried over into San Antonio. It would affect the Dallas show probably even more so."
In a venue that seated over fifty thousand the official attendance was under twelve thousand. These barren expanses were distracting for Juliette. She was having some difficulty concentrating on her music. This situation was a new experience, an empty house. She felt almost as if she was singing to herself.
Avery was backstage and when her set was over she gave him a look of resignation as she passed. She was immediately confronted by Luke Wheeler.
"Just what the hell do you call that?" Wheeler was almost yelling with anger. "That was as pathetic an effort…"
His outburst was cut short by Avery who grabbed him by the throat and forced him back against the wall. "No more," Avery wore an expression that suggested he was ready to kill. "No more, if anyone is to blame for this fiasco it's you. She's done everything right. You'll stop right now or I'll rip out your voice box. Clear?"
Avery's hand was jammed so tightly under Wheeler's chin he couldn't open his mouth. "Clear," he strained to speak but could only move his lips.
"We're getting out of this circus now. She'll be back next week." There was not one voice of complaint or criticism as they left. Fordham particularly made a mental note that Barkley's threats may not be idle boasts. Best he was avoided.
On their way home Avery pointed out that the night of Juliette's Dallas concert was also the night of the Highway65 show. "I won't be able to go with you and I'm worried with you there with Wheeler. I don't trust him."
"I wish you could be there, but I'll still have Emily."
"Look, I don't like it. I'd be a lot happier if you just dumped it. Don't go at all."
"I agreed to do these three shows so I'll go through with them. I don't trust Wheeler either but I think he's just got a bad temper. I'm a bit stuck, he does hold my contract."
"The contract thing means nothing. That's easily fixed but I'll be plain, I'm very uneasy about Dallas. After this is over you and I are going to sit down and have a serious talk. There are things that need sorting out both with you and your career. Things can't be left like this."
"I'm still working Avery, Rayna cancelled my contract, remember?"
"You can't really be serious and call what is happening here working. Your album is at number ten, it might even be lower by now and you're playing to empty houses. How long do you think that'll keep going?"
The look on her face suggested to Avery that his comment awakened a realisation in her. "What am I going to do Avery? I don't know what to do."
"That's why we'll have a talk after this. You think about it. Then we'll get some things worked out. Now onto a pleasant topic, are you going to keep coming to my rehearsals?"
"Of course I am, you couldn't drag me away."
"That's great! I really value your opinion. You know, I just want to pick your brains."
The Highway65 show was a raging success. The house was packed. The crowd was fantastic. Avery could see his two charges, Layla and Sadie were exhilarated well above the normal and it came through in their performances. Even Gunner, was glancing across the stage to him with a broad grin of acknowledgement. This is exactly what Highway65 needed. Real evidence the label was to be respected and recognised in the industry. Pandemonium was the order after the show. The media were trying to interview Rayna, Layla, Sadie, Gunner, Scarlett, anyone they could get near. Promoters were inundating Bucky or Rayna when they got the chance, trying to book the show for their venues. Cincinatti were trying to get an extension, the show next Saturday had sold out and people were still clamouring for tickets. The organisers of this show wanted a repeat performance. It was total chaos. Avery calmly packed his guitars and other gear. He leant back in a stage chair and surveyed the scene. "I did this," he congratulated himself. The chaos was ignoring him. "Yep, I did this. Pretty fair effort even if I say so myself. Juliette shares this as well. She was part of it and she'll be proud. But not bad, not a bad effort at all."
Just then his phone rang. It was Emily. "Emily," he said. There was too much noise, he couldn't hear her. "I can't hear you. Wait while I get away from this. Just a minute."
"Ok Emily, how's Juliette?"
"Oh Avery," she sounded as if she was crying. "It was a terrible disaster. I don't know how to tell you this. I'm so sorry."
"Just go from the start Emily."
"The house was nearly empty. It was only about six thousand. Wheeler was in a foul mood, the worst I have ever seen from him. He was cursing, throwing things. He was awful." Emily was sobbing. "After Juliette did her set Wheeler attacked her much the same as he's done at the other shows. I managed to get between them. She ignored him and we went to her dressing room but he followed her. He kept screaming at her about how she was hopeless and washed up and wrecking the show. Then he told her he was dropping her contract and to get out. He said he would make sure she never worked in the industry again. Juliette just snapped. I don't think it was just her, I think the stress triggered her disorder. She started yelling back at him how she wasn't the only one at the show he should take half the credit for the show being a joke. She was screaming just as much as he was. She told him he was a second rate musician and a third rate label head and she quit anyway. Then she said if he wanted to know how someone with talent does this job he should go and ask for lessons from her husband. Avery, it all happened so fast. I didn't have a chance to stop it. Avery he hit her. A big man hit Juliette. He didn't just hit her, he punched her in the face. He hit her so hard she bounced off the couch and landed on the floor. Oh, Avery, I'll never forget it. I thought he might have killed her. She was crumpled on the floor making little whining sounds like a puppy. I started screaming I think, I don't know. I just got her out of there and bought her home. I've tried to ring a few times but the phone rang out. You must've been onstage. She's just huddled in a ball in the corner of the couch. Ever since we got on the plane all she's said was 'Emily, please get Avery.' She just says it over and over."
"Tell her I'm coming, I'll be right there."