It All Started With A Song

This is a fictional story, but the idea for the title came from a good friend of mine who is a singer/songwriter. She is always telling me, "it all starts with a song." I don't profess to know a whole lot about the music industry, but the idea for this story just came to me one day, so I wrote it. I hope you enjoy it.

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As I drive down the highway headed to the Nashville airport, I hear my wife's voice come over the radio. It's her first hit song. She finally made it to the big time, but at what a cost. With tears rolling down my cheeks, and pain in my heart, I wondered if my marriage was over. She no longer needed me, and I just needed to get home to our eight year old daughter Casey.

Casey was having a hard time understanding why her mother couldn't be there much anymore. All I could do was explain that mommy was very famous now, and just couldn't be here.

I guess I should go back and fill you in on how I got to this point in my life. My name is Jeff, and I am thirty three years old. My wife Tanya is the same age as me. We have been together for about twelve years now, married the last ten. We live in Austin, Texas.

Tanya has that natural beauty that most women long for. She can grab the attention of everyone in sight just by walking into a room. She has long platinum blond hair. Her long legs fit well on her slim body. Top that off with a set of really nice tits, a very pretty face, and you have my wife.

I can't sing, play a musical instrument, or even carry a tune. I have no music ability what so ever. Tanya on the other hand, is very talented. She has the voice of an angel, can play guitar very well, and writes beautiful songs. She has been a struggling singer/songwriter the past thirteen years. She has been trying to put together that break through song that would put her in the spotlight on a national scale.

All this time I have worked very hard to help her achieve that dream. I own my own carpet cleaning business. I started the business right after Tanya and I got married. It has grown, and become quite profitable, but I work hard to make it happen.

I worked hard to support her financially in her music career. The recording sessions, demos, and bands cost a lot of money. She had this dream to make it big, so I did everything I could to help her. It's a tough business, and hard to crack, even if you are very talented.

About three months ago Tanya wrote this really beautiful song. It wasn't your run of the mill country song about cheating and divorce. It was about the love of a girl for her husband, and daughter. She wrote the song about me, and Casey. I literally cried when she sang it to me. She sang it with so much love and passion that I knew we may have a winner here.

We spent the money to have a demo record made. We hired the best band we could afford. It sounded awesome. It was time to take it to Nashville. We had not been able to get anywhere in Austin, so Tanya decided to go to Music Row.

She took her newly hired manager Loretta with her. I had to stay and work, and of course take care of our daughter Casey.

Tanya called me just about every night updating me on the progress. Things didn't seem to be going well. I missed her so much, as did Casey. It was taking all the money I had for her to be there. I couldn't afford to go visit, and she wasn't able to come home.

We were just about at the end of our rope when I got an excited call from Tanya. Long story short she was meeting that afternoon with a big record producer that was very interested in her song.

She said she would call me when she knew something.

She never called that night. I tried her cell phone, but it went straight to voice mail. I tried her hotel room until midnight, but no answer. This was not like Tanya. I hoped everything was all right. I left several frantic messages.

Tanya finally called me the next afternoon.

"Jeff, honey, I am so sorry I haven't called. It's been so chaotic since I last talked to you. I met with the record producer, Randy Atkins. He really liked my song, and we are going to make a single. He is going to promote it on every country station in America. Jeff, he says I'm going to be a big star."

"That's great honey, but I don't understand why you couldn't call me after the meeting. I also tried to call your room last night until midnight, but there was no answer. Where were you."

She was silent a moment, then started muttering about going here, and going there. I was now very suspicious. This didn't sound like my Tanya.

I had heard stories about how some record producers will get promising young stars to sleep with them in order to have the opportunity to become a star. Tanya and I never talked about the possibility, but I had to wonder.

We talked a little longer, then she suddenly said she had to go. She said she would call back later. It was two days later.

She called and told me they had made the record, and it would start playing on radio stations in a few days. She sounded different. She talked a lot about Randy, her record producer. Loretta was busy setting up appearances, and record store bookings.

"I miss you so much Tanya, can't you please come home for awhile baby."

"I'm sorry honey, I just can't. I have too much going on, and it is a very critical point in my career. Randy needs me here to make this work."

I was getting a little tired of hearing about Randy.

"What about Casey? She misses her mother so much. Maybe we could come for a short visit?"

"That's not a good idea honey. I'm going to be hoping all over the place doing my promotions. Give me a few more weeks, then I promise I will come home. Tell Casey I lover her very much, and will make it up to her soon. I love you too Jeff, and I'm sorry we have been apart for so long. Bye honey, gotta run."

With that she hung up. I said bye after she already hung up. I also felt I was losing my wife. I felt the tears come, but tried to suppress them. I had to do something. I didn't want to lose my wife.

A couple of days later the song was released. I heard it on the radio on my way home. It did sound really good. I tried to call several times but no answer. Same thing with her hotel room.

I decided I needed to go to Nashville and see my wife. I made plans to leave the next day. Casey would stay with my parents. I just had to see Tanya.

I arrived in Nashville the next afternoon. I picked up a paper and found out that Tanya was scheduled for an appearance, and news conference, at a local record store at 6:00. I didn't call before leaving, and decided not to call now. I wanted to surprise her.

I arrived at the record store shortly before Tanya was scheduled to arrive. I found a place near the back of where everyone stood, and kind of out of the way. I still could see the make shift stage they had set up pretty well. There were large posters of Tanya, and plenty of press and photographers. She really was becoming a star.

After waiting for a little bit, there was suddenly a lot of commotion. People started buzzing that Tanya had arrived. Sure enough this big black Limo pulled up and Tanya got out, waiving and smiling. She really looked beautiful all fixed up in denim and rhinestones.

Then some guy got out of the Limo right behind her. This must be the Randy person she talked about, her record producer. He walked her up to the microphone with his arms around her like they were a couple.

My heart sank. Could my fears be true? Had I lost my wife to the fame and stardom of Nashville? As Tanya began to speak, I stepped out so she would have a clear line of vision to me. I was hoping she would see me.

She was looking my way, but I don't think she saw me. All she saw was a crowd of fans idolizing her. I was probably the last person she was expecting to be there anyway. I kept trying to get her to make eye contact.

She started to speak telling everyone thanks, and how excited she was.

Then she said, "There is someone very important here today that I want to especially thank. He believed in me, and supported me from the start."

I thought, she does see me back here. She is about to acknowledge me as her husband, and the man she wrote the song about. Maybe I overreacted on everything, and she is glad I am here.

Tanya continued, "I owe everything to this man, and that man is Randy Atkins my wonderful record producer."

Everyone cheered as Randy kissed her on the lips. I had seen enough. I ran out before I threw up. I also had a hard time breathing. My beautiful wife, the woman I loved more than anything in this world, has forsaken her husband, and family for some two bit record producer, and his promise of fame and fortune. I could tell she had slept with him. It was obvious.

I wound up in some bar where I had a couple of drinks while I figured out what to do. Somehow I had to see her, and confront her. I came up with a plan.

I knew what hotel she was staying at, so I went there. My credit card was paying for the room. In fact, I made the reservation so my name was on the room. I showed the clerk my ID, and asked for a room key. I told them I was Tanya's husband, and was here to surprise her. They gave me a key.

I went to her room, and waited on my wife to come back. The room was pretty large with a small couch near the back of the room. The bed was close to the door. The lights were out, so she probably wouldn't see me until she was already in, and turned on the lights.

It was about 8:15 when I sat down on the couch to wait. It was about 9:30 when I heard the key unlock the door. As the door opened I could hear voices, one was my wife, the other was a man. My guess was that it was probably Randy Atkins. There was talking and laughing as the door opened, then it stopped. It was dark in the room, but the hall light was shining in the doorway. I could see them both with their arms around each other kissing. Then his hand moved inside her denim skirt. I sat and watched in horror.

Randy turned on a small light right in front of the doorway. He maneuvered Tanya quickly to the nearby bed. I could plainly see them, but they didn't see me yet. I sat perfectly still, waiting for my cue to turn on the lights.

He ordered her to get her clothes off, which she obeyed. He quickly stripped down to nothing. His dick was sticking straight out in anticipation, but it couldn't have been more than four inches long. He was somewhat chubby, and going bald. Tanya would never fall for someone like that for love or sex. It was obvious what was gong on. I just couldn't believe she would do this to me.

Randy laid on the bed and told her to straddle him, which she did. She crawled up on top of him, and lowered herself down on his little prick. Then she started riding him. I had seen enough, so I reached over near where I was sitting, and flipped on the light.

I yelled, "Surprise honey, you miss me?"

Tanya jumped off Randy and over to the side of the bed. She tried to cover herself up. She cried, "Oh God no Jeff, no, it's not what you think. Please no, I need to explain to you. I'm so sorry baby."

I walked over and just stared at her. At first I felt anger, but now I just felt hurt. I have never hurt so bad in my life, and I know it showed on my face. Tears were streaming down my cheeks as I said, "I guess this is what happens when you become a big star, or maybe this is HOW you become a big star."

I ran out the door. I could hear Tanya screaming, crying for me not to leave. I heard her yell at Randy, "get the fuck out of my hotel room."

The room was on the first floor, so I got to my car a quick as I could. I was too hurt, and humiliated to talk to her right now. I needed to get home to Casey.

As I was pulling out of the parking lot, I saw Tanya come running out of the hotel. She was dressed, and she was crying hysterically for me to stop. I kept going, and never looked back.

I went to the airport and was able to get a late night flight home. My cell phone kept ringing, all from Tanya. I refused to answer. She left numerous messages, none of which I listened to.

I got home around 4:30 that morning. I went to my cabinet and pulled out my best scotch. I sipped my single malt scotch for the next couple of hours as I cried my eyes out. I finally succumbed to fatigue, scotch, and heartbreak. I fell asleep right there on the couch.

I awoke about 2:00 that afternoon with someone kneeling in front of me holding and kissing my hand. It was Tanya. She was crying, and saying I'm sorry over and over.

At first I thought it was all a dream, and she had woke me up from the nightmare. Then it came back to me, and I said, "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be with your lover boy and all your music fans?"

"Jeff, I want you to listen to what I have to say, and I want you to hear, and see everything. I have something I need to show you after my explanation. When I'm through, you can ask me anything you want. Just promise me you will hear me out."

"I will, if you tell me everything, and you tell me the truth." I said.

"It will be the truth, and it will be from the heart, I promise you." She said.

"All right, you have my attention."

"First off, I just want to tell you how sorry I am about what I did, and especially how you found out. Believe it or not, I was starting to feel so guilty that I was about tell that pervert to fuck off, and I didn't care if I was a star or not. I hated myself for what I was doing. I sold out my family, my dignity, and my soul just to have a hit record."

She started to cry, and I could tell she was being sincere.

"After Randy listened to my demo, he flat out told me he could turn it into a top hit, and make me a star. He also told me that he would make all my dreams come true if I would have sex with him. I had heard about this sort of thing, but didn't think it still went on. I started to walk out, but he stopped me and told me to envision millions of fans idolizing me. He painted a pretty enticing picture."

She stopped to compose herself.

"Jeff, I don't know why, but I wanted that so bad. I thought maybe one time would be ok, and you never needed to know. I let him have sex with me on his couch in his office. I am so ashamed of myself I could hardly stand it."

"That wasn't the only time though, was it?" I said.

She looked down, and cried. "No, that time you tried to call my room after I recorded the song, we had sex in my hotel room. He basically told me that if I wanted this to go big time, I had to keep pleasing him. I knew it was you calling, but I couldn't answer. He wouldn't let me."

"Any other times?" I asked.

"Only last night when you caught us. He told me this would be the last time, and he would leave alone. He said I was on my way to fame and fortune as a singer, and a songwriter. I know it was selfish of me, but I wanted to make it to the big time so bad. It didn't seem like a huge price to pay at the time, but now I know it was more than I ever imagined. The look on your face alone as you left my room last night brought me back to reality." She said.

"You have no idea how much I'm hurting Tanya. The look on my face was the hurt you put there. I was hoping maybe my plane would crash on the way home. I wasn't sure if I would ever see you again. I thought you found something better, and the hell with me." I said.

She looked into my eyes and said, "Jeff, my dear husband, this had nothing to do with anything you did. It was not love. It wasn't even about sex. I didn't fuck him because I was horny, or needed some strange cock. In fact, the sex was terrible. I had to fake everything, and prayed he finished as quick as possible. It was disgusting, and humiliating. I did it only because he promised to make me a star."

I looked down at her crying at my feet. I could tell she was being honest with me.

"As I look back on it now, I was nothing more than a prostitute. I sold out my body, which belongs to you, for a fleeting moment of fame. I can tell you now, it's not worth it. There is something I want you to watch."

She set up her laptop, and put in her flash drive. She started the video.

"This is a press conference I had this morning in Nashville. Loretta recorded it so I could show you. After you left I called Loretta frantic about what had happened. She didn't know I had slept with Randy. We stayed up all night talking, and planning what to do."

The video started with Tanya standing at a microphone in the lobby of her hotel. There were numerous TV cameras, and lots of reporters and writers.

She explained in detail what had happened from day one with Randy Atkins and the record company. She was crying, and looked really hurt. You couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

This is what said towards the end, as she looked right in the camera with tears streaming down her face.

"I've hurt my husband, and my family very much by my selfish acts. I was blinded by Nashville's promise of fame and fortune. I convinced myself I needed to do whatever it took to achieve my goals, even if that meant prostituting myself. I know now that I was wrong. It was not worth the pain I caused my wonderful husband. As a result, I am leaving Nashville immediately, and will never be back. I don't care if I ever write, or perform another song again. All I want is my husband and family back. I am asking him right here in front of the whole world to forgive me, and just let me come home to spend the rest of my life by his side."

She ran away from the microphone with reporters chasing her, and shouting questions. She then turned off her computer.

She looked up at me and said, "Please forgive me Jeff. I made a mistake, and take responsibility for that mistake. I don't want fame, fortune, record contracts, or any of that bullshit. I just want to be your wife, and Casey's mother."

I stood up looking down at her. I took her by the hands, and lifted her up. I looked into her eyes. I wanted to see if she was sincere. I knew she was. I took her by the hand and led her upstairs to our bedroom.

"Sit on the bed honey. First off, I'm pretty sure you know that what you did was wrong, and not very smart. You never should have given in to that scumbag. You should have exposed him immediately, and you should have called me. I would have been there in a heartbeat to help you deal with it. Second, I am so sorry that you had to experience that humiliation. He gives good men a bad name. Tell me something, when you were at that press conference before you came with him to your room, what were you feeling?"

"On the outside I was all smiles, but on the inside I felt terrible. I knew he was going to come back to my room again, and I wanted so bad to expose him at that press conference. Before I went to the microphone, he told me to give him credit and thanks for all my success." She said.

"I know, I was there, and heard you." I said.

She gasped and said, "What do you mean?"

"I was in the back with other fans. I tried to get you to notice me, but even though you were looking my way, you didn't see me. When you started talking about thanking someone very important in your life, I thought you had seen me, and was about to recognize me. Instead, you said you owed everything to Randy Atkins. That hurt Tanya, after all we have been through, and all I have done for you, it hurt pretty bad." I said.

"Oh my God Randy. What a horrible wife, and person I was. I promise you what I said was not true. I do owe everything to you. You have always been my inspiration, and my biggest supporter, not to mention my best friend in the whole world. I am so sorry. How can you ever forgive me?"

She broke down and cried like I have never seen her cry before.

I sat down beside her on the bed, and put my arm around her. I rubbed her back while she cried. Then she put her face on my chest and bawled like a baby. I just let her cry. At that point, I knew I had already decided to forgive her.