The sun was dipping below the horizon over the Cumberland river. Gunnar, Colt and Mason were anxiously awaiting dark to set off fireworks. Beverly had lightened up and was doing her best to be pleasant since learning of Deacon's cancer. She was still short with Rayna, but that had always been the case. As far back as Rayna could recall...to their first time meeting really, Beverly had hated Rayna.
Rayna wasn't sure if it was jealousy over the fame she'd achieved, that Beverly hadn't, or jealousy over Deacon. It had always felt very odd to Rayna. It was more like Rayna had stolen Beverly's boyfriend rather than her brother. Rayna gave up trying to understand it. In reality Rayna hadn't stolen Deacon at all. He'd left home at 16, years before he'd met Rayna.
Beverly resented Deacon for leaving her and their mother alone with an abusive father, but Rayna didn't entirely understand the logic there. Beverly was 3 years older than Deacon. If she wanted out, she could have left herself. Instead, she chose to stay and paint Deacon as the bad one for leaving. Perhaps she felt a need to stay and protect their mother. Rayna knew Deacon's father was an alcoholic and abusive, but Deacon rarely spoke of him. In 22 years of marriage, 24 years together she really knew very little about her husband's childhood.
Rayna had met Beverly and Deacon's mother for the first time a couple months after they married. It was Thanksgiving 1992. She was pregnant with Maddie. Beverly had a 2 month old Scarlett at the time. It was the first time Deacon had seen his new baby niece. Rayna's fears about Deacon as a father melted as soon as she saw Scarlett in his arms.
She'd never seen him like that before. He was so gentle and loving with a tiny Scarlett. He'd held her for hours that day, fed her, changed his first ever diaper, and even asked to give her a bath and sing her to sleep. Rayna knew watching him that day he'd be an amazing father to the baby she was carrying.
Beverly on the other hand appeared to be seething with jealousy that day watching Rayna and Deacon fawn over baby Scarlett. She took every opportunity to make snide remarks to Rayna. She was careful not to do it when Deacon was in earshot. Rayna was perplexed as to why this woman she'd just met hated her so, but she'd kept it to herself until later when she and Deacon were alone in their hotel room. Another oddity on that trip to Natchez...Deacon refused to stay with his mother and sister in the house he'd grown up in.
(that night alone at the hotel)
"Babe, is there a reason you didn't want to stay at your mom's house?" Rayna asked as Deacon slipped under the sheets with her
"It's complicated, Ray. It's just easier not to, OK?"
"You never talk about your family, or childhood. We're married now, Deacon. You can tell me anything. I know it wasn't great from the few times it's come up, but why won't you let me into that part of your past? Was it really that bad?"
"Yeah, it was and I really don't wanna talk about it now."
"OK, fine…what's your sister's problem?"
"What?...what the hell's that supposed to mean?"
"Deacon, Beverly took every chance she got today to make snide, rude, uncalled for comments. I've done nothing to that woman. I just met her. Why does she hate me?"
"I'm sorry, Ray. She doesn't hate you. She's just had a tough life and she's a little bitter and rough around the edges, but she doesn't mean it."
"Could've fooled me. For not meaning it, she sure makes it a point to do it every chance she gets."
"I'll talk to her, alright?"
"Don't bother! It'll just make it worse, like I ran back and tattled on her or something.
"Well ya kinda did!" Deacon snapped getting irritated talking about his family
"FINE, DEACON! Just forget I brought it up. I just wanted your family to like me. I guess that was too much to ask." Rayna rolled over and quietly cried facing the wall. Both hurt that Deacon seemed uninterested in being a happy family and possibly hormonal from her pregnancy.
"Ray…baby…C'mon….Don't let Bev get to you, OK?" he tried to roll her back to face him as she sobbed and pulled further away from him.
"Just leave me alone, Deacon!"
"Rayna, you're being ridiculous. Why are we fighting?" he pleaded
"I'm being ridiculous? You refuse to talk about anything that was part of your life before you moved to Nashville. You're sister hates me for no apparent reason. We weren't even welcome to stay at your mom's house….and I'm ridiculous?" she sobbed against her pillow refusing to face Deacon
"I knew bringin you down here was a goddamn mistake!" he snapped getting up and dressed
"Where are you goin?" Rayna quietly asked
"Out!" He'd snapped before slamming the hotel room door
He'd slipped back into bed with her a couple hours later, apologizing for walking out, and promising they'd talk about his childhood sometime soon.
They never really did have that talk. Things between Rayna and Beverly continued to deteriorate and be tense over the years.
Beverly had come to Nashville to try for her own career in country music about a year and a half after Deacon and Rayna married. By then Rayna's career had taken off. Deacon was mostly her band leader, but still working on his own career.
Beverly and Deacon played some small shows around town, and Beverly hoped she and Deacon could tour together, but he was a family man by then. Rayna's career was in full swing, and Maddie was a little over a year old. He had his hands full and touring with Beverly wasn't possible for him.
Of course, Beverly had blamed Rayna and left Nashville after several unsuccessful attempts at getting noticed in the country music world. She'd gone back to Natchez to live with their mom and waitress at the diner. She'd had a couple failed marriages and several bad relationships. All of course she somehow attributed to Rayna stealing Deacon from her.
July 4th 2014
Rayna was shaken from her Beverly memories and early marriage memories by thundering booms as Mason, Gunnar and Colt began their fireworks show. She closed her laptop and got up to join her family outside.
She slipped out onto the porch and curled up in the hammock with Deacon. To her surprise he'd been dozing in the hammock all evening. She thought he'd hide out in the bedroom with the excuse he was tired, but he'd instead opted to nap lazily in the porch hammock near everyone.
"Did you have a good nap?" she asked as she curled perfectly into his side resting her head against his chest
"I did. Wakin up to a boom like that was a little unnerving, but I'm good." He smiled and gently kissed her as they watched a few more fireworks light the sky above the river
"You happy we decided to have this get together?" she asked
"Yeah, it's been nice havin all the kids under one roof for a couple days and even Beverly seems to be tryin harder to make peace."
"You don't miss your usual riverfront show downtown?"
"A little, but I've been doin that for years. I'm right where I need to be tonight." He smiled and held Rayna a little tighter
"Oh…I forgot to turn on the radio. We can listen to WSM broadcastin from the Nashville fireworks downtown." Scarlett said as she scurried to turn on the outdoor stereo system
It'd take about a million midnights And a good long whiskey rain It's gonna take a hurricane The sky so blue And I'll be just like new It might take every inch of Texas And the dark side of the moon I'm gonna find a place I ain't missing you And I'll be just like new When the sun stops shining When the liars quit lying When I finally face the truth I'll be pushing up roses When I start getting over you And I'll be just like new New (ooohhh) I'm praying for a tree to grow a dollar I'm hoping for a cold california summer I'm wishing for a heart that ain't broken in two And I'll be just like new When the sun stops shining When the liars quit lying When I finally face the truth I'll be pushing up roses When I start getting over you And I'll be just like new New (ooooohhh) When the sun stops shining When the liars quit lying When I finally face the truth I'll be pushing up roses When I start getting over you And I'll be just like new Just like new Just like new
"That was Deacon Claybourne with "Like new". We sure miss him this year down here at Riverfront Park. He normally plays a short set before the annual fireworks begin, but sadly we just learned today the legendary music man is battling liver cancer.
It was announced last week that his label Belcort Records was cancelling the reminder of his final farewell tour "Boots and Bars". No explanation was given at the time.
Sources close to the ailing musician have since confirmed that he is in fact battling liver cancer. His prognosis is not good. He's awaiting a liver transplant. Without it, his condition is terminal.
It'll be a sad day in Nashville. Wherever he is tonight, we want him to know our thoughts and prayers are with him.
Sad indeed. He's been a major player in country music over the past 25 years. We sure hope he feels well enough for a couple more shows. Such a shame to see so much talent gone too soon." The WSM announcer said before launching into more music
"You're dying?" Beverly asked
"We're trying to stay positive Beverly. He's on a transplant list and his doctor is hopeful we'll find a donor before…." Rayna trailed off close to tears
"I got tested, but wasn't a match." Scarlett sadly told her mother
"…and what about YOU, RAYNA?" Beverly hissed
"I'm not even a blood type match. I'd do it in a heartbeat but…"
"Gunnar got tested, but he wasn't a match either. Colt's gonna get tested when he gets back to town tomorrow. Maddie is a blood type match, but she's out cause she's pregnant." Scarlett's eyes filled with tears
Deacon wasn't sure what to say. He was reeling from hearing the news out loud about himself on the radio.
"Look, I appreciate all of you, but I don't want anyone takin this on. I caused this with my drinkin. I'll suffer the consequence." He was off the hammock and had slipped into the cabin to be alone before Rayna could stop him
"So is this why you called me here?" Beverly scowled Scarlett's direction
"Not the only reason mama. We'd been talkin before I knew he was sick. I just thought maybe you'd…."
"Maybe I'd WHAT? Show up after 15 years of being ignored by my family, and donate a piece of my liver to save a brother who hasn't called, written, or given a damn about me till now?"
"Beverly, Deacon didn't have anything to do with calling you and having you come here. He feels horrible about the past 15 years. He cares about you. You know he does. He's sent you checks every month since even before he had the money. Please don't blame him for this." Rayna pleaded
"…and you, RAYNA! Did you think flyin my here on a fancy private jet, drivin me out here in a limo and makin me think I was part of the family again could make up for 15 years?" Beverly sneered
"No, Beverly. You're right. We should have stayed in touch. We should have tried harder to be a family years ago, but please don't hold it against Deacon now when he needs you the most. He's too proud to ask, but I'm askin Beverly. Please please please consider getting tested and maybe saving your brother's life?" Rayna pleaded
"The answer is NO, RAYNA! I don't owe any of you ANYTHING!"
"Mama….PLEASE?" Scarlett begged
"What will it take Beverly? Anything you want is yours. Money? Give me a number? You want a record deal? Highway 65 can give you that chance you always wanted to make it big in country music." Rayna was grasping at straws now for anything to spark Beverly's attention
"All I wanted was a family that gave a DAMN about me!" Beverly sneered
"We do, Beverly, and if you save Deacon's life I'll owe you everything."
"Sure, right, RAYNA! Either way I'll lose. I either do it and as soon as you have what you want, I'm nothing again, or I refuse and I'm nothing again. Either way none of you will give a damn about me in a couple months."
"That's not true, mama. I wanted you to meet Clay and be part of your grandson's life before all of this." Scarlett cried
"Beverly, just think about it? You and Deacon used to be close. You can have that again." Rayna tried a different angle
"NO, I'M NOT DOIN THIS! I'd like to leave first thing in the morning. You said I could go anytime, you'd have the limo and jet ready. I'm goin home as soon as the sun comes up. Right now I'm goin to bed. Ya'll can leave me the hell alone." Beverly snapped as she went into the cabin and slammed her bedroom door
Several hours later Rayna cried alone on the porch staring at the river as the moon's glare reflected off the calm glass like surface. Everyone else had gone to bed. The fire was burned down to red embers. The sulfur smell still hung in the air from fireworks.
"Hey…I missed you. Why don't you come to bed, Ray?" Deacon asked as he stepped out onto the porch
"I don't feel like sleeping, Deacon." Rayna tried to muffle a cry
"C'mere, baby. I wish like hell I could hold you and make it all better, tell you it's all gonna be OK." He pulled her into a tight embrace and just held her as she sobbed
"She said "No". How can she be so heartless? How can she just let her own brother die?"
"I dunno, Ray. I can't blame her. It's been 15 years. I can't fix that. I can't take back all that time. She has a right to make this choice and if she said no, that's it. We have to accept it and hope for a miracle from somewhere else."
"I can't stay positive anymore, Deacon. I'm failing miserably and I'm so afraid of losing you." She held him tighter than she'd ever held him as she cried
"Hey….c'mon…why don't you come to bed? I'm here now. Let me kiss and massage all the stress and pain away. We've got right now. Let's forget the world and everything else right now. Let me make love to you? Let me hold you the rest of the night and just forget everything but each other, OK?" he wiped the tears from her cheeks as he led her into the cabin and to their bedroom