Still Wind, Forgotten Days
Bobby A. Troutt
Copyright 2014 by Bobby A. Troutt
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Table of Contents
Living on Yesterday’s Dime
The Undertaker’s Daughter
Living Between Two Stop Signs
In the Cold of Night
Stolen Heart
The Thorns of Rose
The Valley of the Lost
*****
Still Wind, Forgotten Days
Living on Yesterday’s Dime
“Hear ye, hear ye,” cried out the bailiff as the judge took his seat at the bench, the Honorable Judge Donald Allan Collins presiding. All rise.”
“The sentencing hearing is now in session,” stated the judge.
Donald and the other attorneys stood to their feet as Judge Collins lowered the gavel down on the sound block.
“Lewis Moore, you have been tried and convicted by your peers in the state of Oklahoma judicial system. Do you understand?” questioned the judge.
“Yes, sir, your Honor,” answered Lewis.
“You have been convicted of aggravated burglary, selling and possession of stolen property, three counts of drugs for intent to resale and five other unrelated charges,” he stated. “Do you understand, Mr. Moore?”
“Yes, sir,” Lewis replied.
“I hereby sentence you to eight years in the Oklahoma State Prison at Akersville. Depending on your behavior, you will be eligible for parole in four years. Court is dismissed.”
The sheriff’s deputies escorted Lewis out of the courtroom. He was transferred that evening to the Oklahoma State Prison at Akersville which was located southwest of Oklahoma City. Lewis hoped he would only have to spend four years in prison. If so, he would be released in 1957. Lewis had an uneasy feeling about going to prison. He had heard a lot about prison life and none of it was good. He just hoped he could survive for four years without any trouble so he could get paroled. Lord, he thought, how in the world did I ever get so messed up?
The first year Lewis had a hard time; he struggled to stay sane. Lewis tried to be a model prisoner and kept mostly to himself. However, it wasn’t easy. It was easy for trouble to find you in prison. He had been involved in some fights and had other little problems with the other inmates. The second year was better for him. He was moved from the general population to the trustee’s cell block which wasn’t as bad. Lewis worked in the laundry room for about six months until a job became available in the kitchen after one of the inmates was released. Working in the kitchen was better for Lewis since he could get a good meal for a change.
The next two years seemed to go by fast. Once again, he stood before his peers at his parole hearing. The parole board listened to his testimony and read a recommendation letter from the warden on Lewis’ behalf. Considering it was his first offense and he had a good prison record, the board agreed to release him and gave him one year of probation. It was heavenly music to his heart and ears. Within a matter of hours, Lewis stood outside the gates of the Oklahoma State Prison at Akersville. He took a long, deep breath of fresh air before he lit up a cigarette. After taking a long drag of the cigarette, he blew the smoke out of his nose and smiled from ear to ear.
“Thank you, Lord,” he cried out as he looked around with tears in his eyes.
He took another deep breath, ran his fingers through his hair and finished his cigarette. The sweet sound of the parole hearing continued to sound loud and clear in his heart and mind. Once again, he was a free man. He couldn’t believe it. He looked at his watch; it was 12 o’clock noon. When he looked up the road, he saw a bus headed his way. It was the noon bus headed to Oklahoma City. Right on time, he said to himself as the bus slowed down. The bus stopped and Lewis got on. As the bus pulled away, he looked back at what he was leaving behind. But, he only looked back once. The last thing he saw of the Oklahoma State Prison at Akersville was the top of the guard towers that looked out across the yard.
Lewis was able to get a job at his uncle’s place in Oklahoma City. His uncle owned a small diner in Oklahoma City and he hired Lewis as a cook. After a year, Lewis decided to go back home to Dry Gut which was a small town not far from the east Texas border; it was about twenty-five miles from Rocky Creek, Arkansas. As he hitchhiked home, he couldn’t figure out why he wanted to go back to Dry Gut. His wife had divorced him while he was in prison and she also took his son, Daniel, with her. He hadn’t heard from his wife or son since the divorce. His mom and dad were also gone. His daddy had drunk himself to death and his mother died in a nursing home a few months before he went to prison. As car after car passed him, he couldn’t make any sense why he was going back. Yet, something deep inside of him was telling him to return to Dry Gut. As he walked on, the wind picked up and stirred the dust high in the air. The dust was so bad it was getting in his mouth and eyes. Luckily for him, a truck pulled over about fifty yards in front of him and stopped. He ran to get into the truck and thanked the driver when he got in. He was so thankful someone had stopped for him.
“Where are you headed?” asked the driver.
“I’m on my way home,” he replied.
“Where might that be?” questioned the driver.
“Oh, it’s just a small town,” he replied, “called Dry Gut.”
“I’ve heard of it,” the driver said. “I’m headed to Little Rock. I can take you that far.”
“That’s good,” Lewis said. “I can get out at junction 537 near Kendall.”
“You got it,” replied the truck driver as he put the truck in gear and pulled back out onto the road.
“I’m glad you picked me up,” Lewis said. “It looks like it’s going to rain.”
“Ah, no problem,” the truck driver replied. “I’m glad I could help you out.”
It began to rain as the big truck moved on down the road. They talked and listened to the radio. Not too far up the road, they stopped at a truck stop for a bite to eat. After a good meal, they continued on toward Little Rock.
“Do you like country music?” the truck driver asked.
“Sure, I do,” Lewis replied. “I was raised on country.”
“Me, too,” the truck driver said as they both laughed.
A few miles up the road, they came upon Junction 537. The truck driver pulled over to the shoulder of the road and let him out.
“This is the best I can do,” stated the truck driver.
“This is fine,” Lewis replied. “Thanks a lot for the ride.”
“You’re welcome,” responded the truck driver. “Good luck.”
As the truck driver eased back onto the road, Lewis waved and smiled. Lewis hadn’t been walking long when a man came by in a pickup with a load of hay on the back. The man stopped and asked Lewis where he was headed.
“I’m going to Dry Gut,” Lewis answered.
“I’m going that way,” the man said. “Hop in.”
Lewis got in and they headed toward Dry Gut. The man told Lewis he was taking the hay to town for a hayride.
“You like hayrides,” the man asked.
“I used to,” replied Lewis. “But, it’s been awhile since I’ve been on a hayride. In fact, I was just a kid when I had my last hayride.”
“Well, that has been awhile. You got any family in Dry Gut?” the man asked.
“No, I mean yeah I did. However, my mom and dad are deceased and my marriage ended in a divorce,” he explained. “I??
?m sort of on my own now.”
“Me, too,” the man replied.
The rest of the way to Dry Gut, they didn’t talk much. Lewis was tired and all he wanted to do was get home. They finally reached Dry Gut and the man stopped and let Lewis out.
“Here you are,” spoke up the man.
“Thank you, sir. I really appreciate the ride.”
As the man drove off, Lewis looked around. It had been a long time since he had been home. Other than its funny name, Dry Gut wasn’t much of a town. He couldn’t recall how Dry Gut got its name. Years ago, the county was a dry county. No hard whiskey or any alcohol could be bought in Dry Gut. However, that changed over the years. Lewis was glad to be home. As he walked around town to see how much it had changed, he was greeted by some and ignored by others. He went by the house where he, his wife and son lived before he went to prison. It still looked the same. The only visible difference was that a new family lived there. As he moved on about town, he tried to find out some information about his wife and son. All he could find out was that his wife and son had moved to somewhere in Kansas. Discouraged, he decided to try and let it go. He told himself he had to move on.
It had been a long time since he’d had a cold beer so he decided to go see if the old tavern, The Watering Hole, was still there. He ran in to a few of his old drinking buddies on his way to The Watering Hole. They were just as glad to see him as he was them. He was so happy to finally see someone he knew. He invited them to have a drink with him. As they approached the tavern, he stopped and looked at it.
“It hasn’t changed,” he said.
“Neither has the beer or the women,” replied his buddies.
As they entered the tavern, Benny, the owner, and Randy, the bartender, recognized him right away.
“Hey, men, look who’s out and decided to drop in,” yelled Benny.
Everyone in the tavern turned around to see who Benny was talking about. When they say Lewis, they applauded and cheered.
“Free beers for everyone,” cried Benny
Lewis took a seat at the bar with his buddies and anticipated the ice cold beer while Benny and Randy handed out drinks to everyone.
“A toast to Lewis,” exclaimed Benny.
Everyone lifted their bottles and glasses and toasted Lewis. Eventually, the tavern settled down. Several people went over and shook Lewis’ hand, patted him on the back and hugged him. Lewis was relieved that the people of Dry Gut welcomed him back.
“What brought you back to Dry Gut?” asked Benny.
“I really don’t know,” answered Lewis. “With my wife and son gone, I haven’t figured out why I wanted to come back.”
“I hate it for you, Lewis,” replied Benny. “Nevertheless, I’m glad you’re back.”
“Where are you going to stay?” asked Randy.
“Right now, I don’t know,” answered Lewis.
“Have you found a job?” asked Randy before an intoxicated man across the bar interrupted them.
“Well, well, well,” the intoxicated man said, “look at the pretty ex-con. Lewis, when did you get out?”
Lewis looked at him but didn’t say a word because he sensed troubled and that was the last thing he needed. Benny told the man to watch his mouth and to back off.
“It’s Raymond Green,” said Randy. “He’s nothing but a troublemaker.”
“Hey, jailbird, did you have a girlfriend in the big house or were you somebody’s girlfriend?” teased Raymond.
Irritated, Lewis jumped up and grabbed a cane from a man sitting nearby. Benny grabbed his arm and held him back. It was enough to make Lewis pause for a minute.
“Randy, how much will it cost me to get out of jail if I beat him over the head with this cane?”
“About twenty or thirty dollars,” replied Randy.
“To the sissy at the end of the bar,” Raymond said as he lifted his beer to Lewis.
As much as Randy tried, he couldn’t stop Lewis from hitting Raymond over the head with the cane. The cane splintered in a million pieces when it struck Raymond’s head. As Raymond lay on the floor, an off duty officer, who was a friend of Benny’s, that was in the bar at the time came over and questioned what had happened. Benny explained everything to him. The officer let Lewis go and took Raymond to jail. Lewis went back and sat at the bar with a worried look on his face. Benny told him not to worry about going back to jail and enjoy the rest of the evening.
“Here’s one on me,” Randy said as he slid a beer down the bar.
“You going to be okay?” asked Benny.
Lewis replied, “Yeah, I think so. But, I was just thinking about a lie Raymond told on me about ten years ago.”
“That’s been so long ago. You need to let that go and forget about it,” said Benny.
“Yeah, you’re right,” replied Lewis.
“Hey, man, I’m sorry about your cane,” Lewis said to the man. “Here’s twenty dollars so you can replace it.”
“Don’t worry about it; I’ve got another one at home. It wasn’t worth that much anyway. Besides, I’m satisfied with seeing Raymond get what was coming to him. Someone should have done that a long time ago.”
“Hey, Lewis,” interrupted Benny. “You never did say where you’re staying.”
“Right now, I don’t know. I’m taking it day by day,” replied Lewis.
“Hold on a second,” stated Benny. “I’ll be right back.”
Benny went over and talked with Randy for few minutes. When he returned, he offered Lewis a job at the tavern and told him he could stay in the backroom until he could find something better. Lewis hesitated before he answered.
“I need another bartender to relieve Randy and I need a night bouncer to keep away trouble,” insisted Benny. “What do you say?”
“Sure,” answered Lewis. “When do I start?”
“Tomorrow night,” said Benny. “That will give you a little time to relax and get settled in.
“Okay, Benny, thanks,” Lewis replied. “Thanks for giving me a chance.”
“Then it’s settled,” said Benny. “Randy, fix Lewis one of those tornado twisters.”
“What’s that,” questioned Lewis, “a new drink?”
“You’ll like it,” replied Benny. “It is one of our bestselling mixed drinks.”
“What’s in it?” asked Lewis.
“Oh, some Oklahoma white whiskey, a jigger of straight bourbon and crushed ice,” laughed Randy. “Here, try it.”
“To Akersville,” Lewis said as he raised the drink in the air.
Lewis turned the tornado twister up and didn’t stop until the glass was empty. Benny and Randy laughed as Lewis coughed and tried to clear his throat.
“Huh, not bad,” he coughed. “It’s definitely been a long time since I had anything that strong,” said Lewis.
They were all laughing and having a good time when one of the girls waiting tables came over.
“Who’s the new cowboy?” she asked as she slowly rubbed and patted Lewis on the shoulder.
“He happens to be your new boss,” replied Benny.
“Hey, my new boss, what’s your name, cowboy,” she asked.
“Lewis,” he replied. “What’s your name?”
“Terri,” she said with a smile. “I’ll be getting off work in an hour,” she said. “Would you like for me to show you around?”
“What about it, Lewis?” butted in Benny. “Would you like some company?”
“Yeah, sure,” Lewis replied with a nod.
“Give him another tornado twister, Randy,” instructed Benny.
“No thank, Benny. I think I’ve had enough of the tornado twister. But, another beer would be nice.”
“Give him another beer, Randy.”
Terri grabbed a few bottles of beer and headed toward a table of men who were laughing and playing around. The hour passed quickly. Terri took off her apron, grabbed her purse and told Lewis she was ready to go.
As they walked out, the men in the tavern whistled at her and cheered Lewis on. She and Lewis went out for a late night snack. They sat in the park and talked for quite a while. He found out that she had only been in Akersville for about a year; she had moved to Akersville from Little Rock. They shared their life stories and enjoyed each other’s company. Lewis felt comfortable talking with Terri so he told her about his son and how much he missed him.
“One of these days I’m going to find him,” he stated.
“I’m sure you’ll see him again,” she replied.
“I hope you’re right,” he said. “It’s getting late. I better get back before Benny locks up.”
By the time they got back to the tavern, Randy was cleaning and stocking the bar for the next day and Benny was in his office taking care of the business matters.
“Hey, man,” Randy cried out when they walked in. “Did you have fun?”
“Yeah, it was nice,” Lewis replied.
“The nights still young,” Randy said. “Let me show you where you’ll be staying.”
“That would be great,” replied Lewis.
“Follow me,” motioned Randy.
They left the barroom and disappeared in the back where there was a stockroom which held odd pieces of furniture and a little bedroom off to the backside. The bedroom had a twin bed, mismatched furniture, a small eating table, a small closet and a bathroom.
“This is it,” said Randy. “It’s not much but it’s a place to stay. Plus, it’s free. I used to come here and sleep when my old lady and I were having trouble.”
“Oh, it’s fine,” replied Lewis. “It’s a lot better than spending the night in jail.”
“You got that right,” replied Randy. “Well, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Randy,” said Lewis as Randy left and closed the door behind him.
“It’s still a little early, Terri,” Lewis said. “You want to stay awhile?”
“Sure, I mean, if you want me too,” she replied.
“It would mean a lot to me,” he said.
He hugged and thanked her for spending time with him. They kissed, hugged and made their way over to the bed. As they undressed each other, their silhouettes embraced the walls of the room. Click went the light and darkness filled the room. All that could be heard were moans and heavy breathing. Out of the blue, Lewis stopped and sat up on the side of the bed. Concerned, Terri clicked on the light.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Nothing, nothing,” he replied. “I don’t know but it’s not you, it’s me. I…forget about it. Terri, get dressed and I’ll walk you home.”
“It’s almost morning now,” she replied as she eased over to him, kissed him and rubbed her body against his.
“It’s been a long time,” he explained. “Four years can change a man.”
“Relax, I’ll take good care of you,” she insisted.
He gave in and rewarded her kiss with his. She reached for the light but he stopped her. He took her hand away from the light and gently kissed the back of it. They didn’t say another word. When Lewis finally awoke, Terri was gone. He was worried that he had made a mistake until he rolled over and saw the note she had left for him. He lay in bed for a while with his hands behind his head and a big smile on his face. He finally got up, took a shower, got dressed and headed out the door to the barroom. Benny was back in his office and saw Lewis when he walked by. He motioned for Lewis to come in. As Lewis drank his breakfast, Benny filled him in on his job. It wasn’t a hard job; it was really simple. However, Benny told him the bouncer’s job could get sort of nasty at times. After Benny finished filling him in on his job duties, they left and headed down the street to get a bite to eat. They had been there long when Terri walked in and saw Benny and Lewis finishing their breakfast. She waved and went over to them.
“Look who is here, Lewis,” chuckled Benny. “Did you two have a good time last night?”
“It was great,” Terri replied before Lewis had a chance to say anything.
“It was definitely great,” Lewis looked up and said.
“Will I see you tonight?” inquired Terri.
Without hesitation, Lewis nodded his head up and down.
“Yes, I’m looking forward to it,” he replied.
“Me, too,” she giggled. “Well, I got to go. I’ll see you later.”
“Terri, watch Lewis,” Benny said, “and keep him out of trouble.”
“See you,” she said.
“Bye,” they replied.
The rest of that day, Lewis piddled around and visited some of his old friends and neighbors. Most everyone seemed to welcome him which made him feel better and a little more at ease. But, you know how life is; there is always that person or people who have to be different and difficult. There were several who slurred and made fun of him. After the day passed, he went back to the tavern, sat in his room and thought about his past. He just couldn’t seem to let go of some things from his past. No matter how hard he tried, he figured he would have to carry those things with him for the rest of his life.
When it was almost time for him to go to work, he looked in the closet for a change of clothes and noticed an old guitar. He got it out and started strumming and picking it. Many years had passed since he had played a guitar. It brought back good feelings and memories. As he played it, he softly sang some of his favorite old songs. He was not only a picker but a beloved writer of music. Deep down in his heart, his lifelong ambition was to write songs and sing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. But, as he grew up, life turned him a different way and his dreams settled in the back of his heart.
That night, the tavern was packed. The tables were full and the smell of whiskey and smoke hovered about the room.
“It’s Friday,” yelled one patron.
“I’ll drink to that,” cried out another.
“Hey, Terri, what about another drink?” asked another.
“You bet,” she replied.
Randy and Lewis fixed drinks and served plenty of beer. The tavern was a block building; it was nothing fancy. The bar area had a giant mirror behind it and bar stools in front of it. The rest of the tavern was filled with tables and booths scattered about. The flashing neon sign, The Watering Hole, flashed on the outside and the neon lights that lit up the room on the inside advertised beer and whiskey. There was a small stage in front of the center of one wall and a dance floor down in front of the stage. The music was provided by anyone who wanted to sing. Some of the singers were pretty good and others were booed off the stage. The bar stayed busy serving drinks, a lot of beer and some mixed drinks. The tornado twister was a big seller along with Oklahoma whiskey straight, whisky and coke, 7-up and scotch, Kentucky bourbon and of course Jack Daniels anyway you wanted it. There were always a few arguments but they didn’t get too out of hand. You know how it is in bars. It was mostly out-of-towners that brought in trouble; they always thought they could take over and run the place. But, Benny was strong and kept the trouble down to a minimum. Of course, there was always one that still tried to cause trouble no matter what. However, Lewis had no problem handling those situations.
Weeks went by and everything went good for Lewis. He and Terri kept each other company. Whenever Lewis got a chance to be alone, he played the guitar and sang in the back room of the bar; he was actually very good. One day when Lewis was in the back room playing the guitar, singing, resting and killing time, Terri dropped by to see him. As she started to knock on his door, she heard him playing and singing. She was amazed by what she heard. She was still listening at the door when Benny came by. She motioned for him to come and listen to Lewis. He, too, was amazed by what he heard. Terri and Benny smiled at each other before Benny headed on to his office and she knocked on the door. Lewis told her to come in. Hurriedly, he placed the guitar back into the closet. She never mentioned to him that she had heard him playing and singin
g and neither did Benny. Two weeks later, however, the scheduled singer sent word they wouldn’t be able to sing that weekend. When Benny got the word, he wondered who he could get to perform. He asked Terri if she knew anyone who could fill in. She smiled at him and he knew exactly what she was implying. Friday night rolled around and there was a full house. The night went on as usual until it was time for the special singer to sing. Benny slowly walked upon stage and explained that the singer canceled. However, he told them not to worry because he had a bigger and better surprise. Lewis listened as Benny continued to explain. Terri stood beside Lewis with both of her fingers crossed.
“Tonight, The Watering Hole would like to welcome Lewis Moore to the stage for his first debut,” announced Benny.
Shocked, Lewis turned to walk away. Terri held tightly to his arm and encouraged him to give it a shot. When he turned back around, he saw Benny holding his guitar.
“Come on up, Lewis. Pretend the stage is your backroom.”
By then, the crowd was chanting his name. Lewis jumped upon the stage and took the guitar from Benny. He was so nervous and afraid he would get booed off the stage. It was an awkward moment for him.
“I’ve never sang for an audience before,” Lewis said.
“Give it a try, Lewis,” cried a man sitting at the bar. “Let’s see what you got.”
Lewis nervously strummed the strings and cleared his throat. After a few verses, it became natural to him as he opened up his heart and sang. At first, the crowd was rowdy and loud. But, by the time he was halfway through the song, they were mesmerized by what they were hearing. His velvety, country voice had moved about the room, pierced through the noise and humbled the crowd. Terri’s eyes were filled with tears. Benny also had a few tears in his eyes but he tried his best to hide his emotions. Everyone in the tavern had gathered around the stage to listen. His words were like satin and the notes he strummed were as ivory as he played and sang. His country style voice was that of a polished pearl. A new country, twinkling, shooting star took off that Friday night amongst the other country favorites. When he finished the song, he thanked the crowd and started walking off the stage. However, the crowd cheered for more. With tears in his eyes, chills ran down his back and his heart raced. Lewis, for the first time in his life had found his place in the world. Terri couldn’t keep from crying. She went upon stage and gave him a hug and a kiss. Benny, well, lowered his head into his hands, nodded his head and shed a few more tears. Lewis sang two more songs. Some of the tavern patrons danced and others listened and enjoyed their drinks. When Lewis finished singing, he went back to bartending. He finished the night filling glasses with Oklahoma whiskey and straight bourbon. He received praise and encouragement from nearly everyone. They gave him plenty of pats on his back and words of encouragement to pursue a singing career. He felt his childhood dream was coming true; he believed he would actually make it to sing at the Grand Ole Opry. Saturday night proved to be even better for Lewis. The word of his talent had spread fast. People from all around came to hear him.
The next couple of months, Lewis played, sang more and wrote more songs. He became restless and wanted to share his songs with a broader audience. Benny also noticed that Lewis didn’t seem as content. Benny knew deep inside that Lewis wouldn’t ever be happy and content unless he tried to fulfill his dream of singing at the Grand Ole Opry. Terri had noticed as well. She loved him but she didn’t want to hold him back from pursuing his dream. Benny and Randy weren’t too surprised, one day, when Lewis came to the tavern to say goodbye. He told them he was on his way to Nashville to sing at the Grand Ole Opry. They understood and had been expecting it. They told him they would miss him and hated to see him go. But, they knew Lewis had to find his way and wished him the best. After he left the tavern, he stopped by to see Terri. As soon as she saw him with his guitar on his back and a suitcase in his hand, she knew exactly what she was about to hear. Terri wished him luck. They hugged, kissed and said their goodbyes. Although she didn’t want him to go, she never said a word because she didn’t want to hold him back. He told her he’d be back for her when he made it big. She knew he meant well. She believed in him and if there was anyone who could make it, Lewis could. But, she also knew different. She knew the music business was tough. Even if you were good, it was still a rough life.
As he left Terri’s that day, he looked back and saw her looking out the front door; he waved at her and she waved back. That afternoon, Lewis reached the main highway leading to Little Rock. He stuck out his thumb to catch a ride with only his suitcase, guitar and the dream in his heart. He eventually got a ride into Little Rock. But, he walked most of the way there. Since he was running a little low on money, he had to find work doing odd jobs before he could continue his journey to Nashville. The money he had saved at The Watering Hole was almost gone. He saved a little money by sleeping in the park. After a week in Little Rock, he moved on over the Mississippi River into Memphis. He tried his best to get some help in the recording business. Unfortunately, everywhere he went, he was turned down. They all told him he had a good voice and liked his songs but they were afraid to take a chance with him because he was unknown and their budgets were low. After two week in Memphis, he hit the road again and hitched a ride into music city (Nashville).
Once in Nashville, he tried to find any job he could to make some money so he could find a place to live. After a few days, he finally got a job at a meatpacking plant and he was able to get a room in a boarding house on East Jackson Street which was not too far from downtown. He worked nights and during the day he pitched his songs and voice to record companies with no luck. Some of them wouldn’t even talk to him and others thought he might make it if he had a good song but they still weren’t willing to take a chance on an unknown artist. Nor did they have the budget to support a newcomer. He soon realized there was a lot of politics in the music business. On weekends, he took his guitar down on Broadway and set up on the sidewalk; he played and sang to the passersby. Some people stopped to listen and dropped a few coins in his can but others walked on by. For the first two years, he tried diligently to break into the business. Eventually, he realized he was fighting a losing battle because there were so many others there trying just as much as he was. Nashville was full of singers and songwriters trying to make it big.
Lewis had written Terri every week and she had written him back. However, after two years of rejection and discouragement, the letters stopped. He started drinking and using drugs to stay positive and upbeat. He didn’t realize the alcohol and drugs were only bringing him down and making things worse. Since Terri hadn’t received a letter from Lewis in a while, she wrote to him and told him she was going to take a bus to Nashville to see him. He wrote her back and told her where to meet him. When she got to Nashville, he wasn’t there. She waited and waited; he never showed up. Later that evening, she got a bus ticket and left Nashville saddened and disappointed.
The lifelong dream Lewis had was crumbling. He drank more and used drugs more often. He had to give up his room at the boarding house because they didn’t allow alcohol and drug use; he slept wherever he could. He started having run-ins with the police and trouble with other people. Even with everything going on in his life, he still tried to pitch his songs. On one of his better days, he pitched a couple of religious songs at a gospel publishing company in Nashville called The Morning Star. Just a Drop of His Blood and The Sheep Knows the Voice of the Shepherd were the two songs he pitched to them. They decided to take a chance with him and it paid off. The songs eventually went twenty-one and twenty-five on the gospel chart. Later on, the company published another one of his songs titled I’m Washed in the Blood of the Lamb. The song went to number sixteen on the gospel chart. His gospel songs brought in a little money for him to get by on but his heart was still country.
The following year, Lewis called out unto the Lord, after he had tried
everything else, and tried to once again get his life back on track. The Lord had always tried to help him but he was so messed up he couldn’t see it. His whole dream had become a nightmare and he wanted to get his dream back. For four years, he beat the streets of Nashville with no luck so he decided to leave and pursue his dream elsewhere. Lewis tried his luck in New York and Los Angeles; just like Nashville, he only received a pat on the back. He had heard I’m sorry, son, we’ll keep you in mind and it’s not exactly what we’re looking for so many times he couldn’t take it anymore.
Broken and beaten down, Lewis returned to Dry Gut. Benny no longer owned the Watering Hole, the United States was entering war in Vietnam and the French were pulling out. The new owner of the Watering Hole had done away with the live performances and put in a jukebox. Rock-n-roll was the music at that time. Country still had its pull but rock-n-roll was what the young people were crazy about. Lewis went by Terri’s house to see her but she wasn’t there. He asked around to find out where she lived. However, no one had seen her since she took the bus to Nashville. He eventually found out that she might have moved to Virginia because she had an aunt who lived there. Knowing Terri was gone, didn’t help his situation. She was the main reason he went back to Dry Gut. After two months in Dry Gut, Lewis hit rock bottom and decided to take his life; he wanted to die. Thankfully, the Lord intervened. One day, as he passed by one of the stores in town, he heard Just a Drop of His Blood playing on the radio. As he listened to his song playing on the radio, his whole life flashed before him. Tears filled his eyes and he started shaking and trembling uncontrollably. Randy just happened to be passing by and saw him.
“Lewis is that you?” Randy asked.
Startled, Lewis just looked at him. Randy didn’t know what to think. Lewis’ appearance was awful. He looked like a homeless man without a dime to his name. Lewis stood for a few minutes and looked at Randy. He wasn’t in the mood for any company.
“Do I know you?” Lewis questioned with an attitude.
“It’s me, Randy. Don’t you remember me?”
“No, I don’t,” he replied. “Leave me alone.”
“Lewis, let me help you,” Randy insisted.
“I don’t want or need your help,” Lewis cried.
Randy grabbed Lewis and held him tight. Lewis did remember Randy but he was so embarrassed he acted as if he didn’t. Lewis knew he had gone as far as he could go so he accepted Randy’s help. Randy put him into his car and took him to the hospital. A month later, Lewis was discharged from the hospital. Randy helped him get accepted at a boarding house not too far from Dry Gut. While at the boarding house, he not only found deliverance from alcohol and drugs; he also found the Lord and himself. Two months later, he knew what he had to do and that was to write and sing country. He was confident he would make it because he had a new song, Jesus, in his heart and life. He had written some new songs and one of them was titled Elaine; it was Terri’s middle name. He decided to return to Nashville and pitch the song.
Once again, he didn’t have much luck. He had been back in Nashville for about six months when he met Walter K. Stewart, a record producer at Barefoot Record Company. Walter had just bought the company and was signing new artists to his new record label, Old Hickory. He told Lewis to come by and he would give him an opportunity to show him his talents. Lewis took him up on his offer and went to see him the very next day. As he sat in the waiting room, he could hear them in the back recording some songs. It seemed like he sat in the waiting room forever. He became more and more nervous with every minute that ticked by. All he could do was pray.
“Not my will Lord, but your will be done,” he prayed.
About an hour had gone by before Walter asked him to come in. As they talked, Lewis looked around and saw gospel records of his which had been recorded the first time he was in Nashville. He didn’t have to say anything because Walter had already noticed the expression on his face.
“Do you like gospel?” Walter asked.
“Most of it,” Lewis replied.
“Me too,” agreed Walter as he sat back in his chair. “I sang in a quarter when I was younger. Hey, I’ve even sang your songs.”
“What do you think about them?” inquired Lewis.
“I believe you have great potential, Lewis,” he stated. “And I believe your heart, which seems to be true, is in your song. However, it is apparent your heart is also in country. I like your style and rugged look; it goes well with your songs. How would you like to sign with me?” questioned Walter.
“Oh, that’s great,” Lewis explained. “Thank you, Walter. I mean thank the Lord and thank you. This is wonderful; I actually have a record deal.”
“Believe it,” laughed Walter. “You know the Bible says we sometimes entertain angels unaware.”
Tears ran from Lewis’ eyes and he thought, my Lord God, how great you are.
“What do I need to do?” asked Lewis.
“Bring me some of your best songs. We’ll make a demo tape and then we’ll go from there. Hey, by the way, where are you staying?” inquired Walter.
“Well, I really don’t have anywhere to stay,” Lewis replied. “I have to find me a place. Do you have any suggestions?”
“Actually, I have a two room apartment above my garage if you’re interested. You’re welcome to stay there until you get on your feet,” explained Walter.
“Sure, that would be great,” responded Lewis.
“Come on, it’s close to lunch time. We’ll get a bite to eat and then I’ll show you the room,” instructed Walter.
After lunch, Walter showed Lewis where he would be staying and told him he would see him in a few days at the studio. Lewis couldn’t believe it; his luck had finally changed. Above all, he realized God had made a way for him. For the next few days, Lewis rambled through his box of songs and tried to find the ones he thought were the best. Lewis found all the songs he wanted to present to Walter. He took them into the studio and about three weeks later they had decided which ones they would put on the demo tape. Once it was complete, Walter sent it to several radio stations to get it some airplay and it did. Walter also encouraged Lewis to continue doing gospel as well; Lewis agreed. Two months later, Walter released Lewis’ first gospel album and it went number eight on the chart. Lewis loved the Lord but he missed country. He eventually persuaded Walter to release Elaine on a single. Within two weeks after it was released, it went to number ten on the country chart and fifteen on the pop chart. Within four weeks, Elaine was number one on the country chart and seven on the pop chart. Radio stations WHIN, WAMG and other country stations around the country boosted his songs. Elaine was selling like hotcakes. Part of Lewis’ dream had come true with the Lord’s blessing. His music career had really taken off but he didn’t forget everything the Lord had done for him so he continued writing gospel hits along with country hits. His songs brought Nashville alive.
Even though Walter was excited about his music career, his heart was still heavy. He constantly thought about his son and Terri. He wished he could experience his success with them.
Lewis went on tour around the country. Some of the record companies that had turned him down offered him a job and his own record label. But, he chose to stay with Walter and Barefoot Records. While touring the country, he performed on the Louisiana Hayride. His next stop after Louisiana was Kansas City, Kansas. It was the final stop on his Midwest tour. That night after the concert, Lewis was going to his dressing room when a young man called out to him.
“Dad,” the young man said.
Lewis turned around and couldn’t believe his eyes.
“Daniel, is that you?”
Silence fell and tears filled their eyes as they reached out to each other.
“My God, my God, it is you, Daniel,” Lewis cried as they hugged each other.
“Dad, I’ve been trying to find you for so long.”
“What abo
ut your mama?” Lewis asked. “How is she doing?”
“Mama died about three years ago,” Daniel stated. “I’ve been living with one of my cousins since she died.”
“Well, son, I’m glad you found me,” Lewis said. “Why don’t you come and live with me in Nashville. We have a lot of catching up to do.”
“I would love to,” replied Daniel.
“Let me get changed and we’ll head back to Nashville. Go ahead and get on the bus and I’ll be right out.”
They talked all the way from Kansas City, Kansas to Nashville. One couldn’t talk without the other trying to talk at the same time. Finally, after several hours, they saw the lights of Nashville lighting up the sky. It wasn’t long after that when the bus pulled up at Lewis’ home; he took Daniel in, showed him around and told him to make himself at home.
“Wow, look at this place,” he exclaimed. “Dad, it’s beautiful.”
“It’s just a place to stay while here on earth,” Lewis replied. “It’s the Lords, mine and yours if you want to stay.”
“I do. I do,” Daniel cried. “Dad, I don’t want to lose you again.”
“You won’t, Daniel,” he replied. “I will never let that happen again.”
As the time passed, Lewis and Daniel spent a lot of time together. Lewis saw a lot of himself in Daniel and he had a lot of his mama’s ways too. Daniel shared some of the same dreams as Lewis. He, too, wanted to write and sing country music. For the next year, they were inseparable. They wrote, sang and picked their guitars together. Every part of Lewis’ dream had come true except singing at the Grand Ole Opry. Everywhere Lewis went he shared his testimony of Jesus and witnessed to others. In his heart and mind, he gave all glory, vanity, praise and honor to the Lord. A man asked him one time how could he sing beer drinking music about cheating and all other worldly things and be right with the Lord. Lewis’ answer to him was that he didn’t know. He told him he just sowed the seeds and evidently he had sowed a seed in him since he was questioning him about it. The man never said another word.
Not long afterward, Lewis and Daniel wrote a song together. They took it to Walter to see if would be interested in recording it. It didn’t take long for Walter to say he would record it. After they played and sang a few verses, Walter knew in his heart it would be a hit. The title was Living on Yesterday’s Dime. When it hit the air waves, it climbed the chart to number one overnight and became their signature song.
One afternoon, unexpectedly, Lewis told Daniel he would be gone a few days to take care of some business. Daniel told him he wanted to go with him but Lewis said he needed to handle it by himself. Daniel understood and told him to be careful and he’d see him when he got back. Daniel didn’t question his dad. He knew he had his mind made up. That next day, Lewis left for Dry Gut, Oklahoma. He wanted to find Terri to ask her if she would share the rest of her life with him and Daniel. He didn’t have any idea where she might be but he figured if he asked around enough, surely, someone would be able to tell him where he could find her. It had been such a long time; he knew it was a long shot. When he finally reached Dry Gut, everyone was glad to see him and congratulated him on his success in the music business. He took a little time to share with his friends and to catch up on the happenings in Dry gut. He found out Benny suffered a heart attack about two months prior and died as a result. Randy had taken a truck driving job and moved to Tupelo, Mississippi. Lewis searched and asked around for any information about Terri but only came up empty. After all his efforts were exhausted, he gave up and headed back to Nashville. The night he left, it was raining really hard. He not only had to fight the traffic but the storm as well. Not far from Little Rock, a truck crossed the centerline and hit him head on. The driver of the truck was killed on impact and Lewis was thrown through windshield and laid helpless in the road. He was taken to a nearby hospital in Little Rock where he almost died. It took several hours for the doctors to get him stabilized but he was still in critical condition. The police contacted Daniel and told him what had happened and what hospital Lewis was in. Immediately after Daniel hung the phone up, he called Walter to let him know what happened. They flew to Little Rock to be by his side. However, by the time they arrived, Lewis had gone into a coma. Every day, Walter and Daniel stood by his bedside. About a week later, Lewis opened his eyes. Several weeks later, Lewis showed signs of improvement. Unfortunately, though, when Lewis opened his eyes he still had a long way to go. He was paralyzed from the neck down and couldn’t talk. The doctors had done all they could for him in Little Rock so Daniel and Walter had him moved back home to Nashville.
The news spread like wildfire across the country. People from everywhere prayed for him and sent him cards, letters and flowers. Daniel was so afraid he would lose his dad again. It was only a couple of days after Lewis was transported back to Nashville when Walter found out from one of his friends that the opry had been trying to contact Lewis about performing at the opry. Walter’s friend wasn’t sure if the opry was still interested because of the accident. Walter knew how much it would mean to Lewis to perform at the opry so he called them with an idea. At first, they didn’t want to accept his idea. It took several tries for Walter to convince them. Then he had to convince Lewis and Daniel. When he explained his idea to them, Daniel didn’t think it would work until he looked over at his dad lying in the bed blinking his eyes to indicate yes. Daniel asked him if he was sure and again, he indicated yes by blinking his eyes. Walter was ecstatic. He knew that was the final piece to Lewis’ dream and so did Daniel. There was not a dry eye in the room. Walter confirmed the idea to the opry and they set a date.
The time finally came. That Saturday night, Walter rolled Lewis out on stage in his wheelchair and Daniel stood by his side with his guitar. The crowd gave them a standing ovation. They cried out we love you and the applause was deafening. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. When the music started, Daniel started singing Elaine. Lewis sat in his wheelchair and thanked the Lord for completing his dream. As Lewis listened to Daniel playing and singing, he felt as if someone was watching him. He moved his eyes from the cheering audience over to the side of the stage and thought he saw Terri. She appeared to him like an angel; she was more beautiful than he remembered. Lewis wanted to go to her and hold her once again. But, he couldn’t. Immediately after Daniel finished singing Elaine, he sang Living on Yesterday’s Dime; it brought the house down. When he finished, Daniel yelled out thank God we are country boys to the screaming crowd. Lewis looked back over at Terri and she waved. When he blinked, she was gone.
That night, history was made at the opry. Lewis often wondered if it really was Terri he saw or if it was someone who resembled her. Lewis never found out that Terri had passed away soon after her trip to Nashville to see him. After that night, Daniel took care of his dad until he died from a blood clot to his heart, a year later, in 1973.