Sheet Music - A Rock 'n' Roll Love Story

“Then let’s go inside and finish making-up,” he teased, his face relaxing into a perfect smile.

She burst out laughing.  “You know, you are positively wicked, Mr. Wade.”

He stepped out of the jeep and slammed the door.  “Mrs. Wade, I’ve been called much worse.”

After making love to Annie, Michael remembered a long-standing invitation he had for an annual celebrity charity event that Carly Simon held every summer at her Vineyard estate.  She hosted the party on the same weekend every year and invited dozens of the Vineyard’s most infamous residents.  It was to benefit a camp for kids with cancer and the event raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the cause each and every year.  Although he had never attended the event, he always sent along a large donation.  This might be the perfect event to expose Annie to the limelight, he thought, rolling over to face her.

“Which night are you playing out next weekend?” he asked nuzzling contentedly against her back.

“Friday night, why?”

“How would you like to go to a charity event on Saturday night hosted by Carly Simon?” he asked with a seductive smile.

Annie studied his face for a few minutes, trying to judge whether or not he was teasing her.  “You actually know Carly Simon?”

“Afraid so.  Carly and I go way back to when she was still married to James Taylor.”

“You’re kidding?”

“No.  I’m not.  Every time Beth and I were in New York we always made a stop at their place to party with them.  Sometimes we’d go out clubbing or just hang out at their apartment.”

“Wow.”

“She does this annual charity event to help kids with cancer.  I’ve never been, but we could go to this one together, if you want.”

Annie sighed with reluctance and scrunched her face.

“They’d be lots of stars and photographers too.  It might be the perfect time for us to be seen together.”

“I thought you hated crowds like that?”

He laughed.  “Well, it’s not my favorite way to spend a Saturday night, but I’ll know most of the people.  It might be fun to see them on the island for a change instead of at an awards ceremony.  Plus, I haven’t seen Carly in years.”

“You don’t think I’d be too out of place?” she asked, cuddling up against his chest.

“No more than I will be,” he replied, stifling a snicker.

Annie went into town the next day and bought a body-fitting silver dress with spaghetti straps and scoop neck collar.  It hung half way down her thigh and sparkled when the light hit it.  Against her dark skin, the dress positively made her glow.  When she got back to the beach house, she tried it on for Michael’s approval.

“The invitation says, dressy casual, right?” she asked, shimmying into the garment.

“I believe it did,” he sighed, taking in her beautiful curves.  “You look amazing,” he added, shaking his head, as if he was at a loss for words.

A few days later she firmly attached herself to Michael’s arm as they entered the ballroom-sized yard tent that had been set up in the backyard of Carly Simon’s Vineyard estate.  White-gloved waiters greeted them at the door and offered them drinks.  Michael politely waved them off.

Annie’s eyes quickly scanned the crowded makeshift room.  The tent was so meticulously decorated, once inside, you’d never know you were beneath fabric.  A small jazz band played at one end, and two bars anchored the sides.  Cocktail tables were scattered about with twinkling votive candles and potted trees lined the perimeter with miniature white lights which cast a romantic luminance over the entire enclosed pavilion.

Annie stood in awe of it, unable to move forward.  Then, one by one, she slowly began to recognize the attendees.  Everyone from Walter Cronkite to Michael J. Fox filled the room.

Suddenly Michael heard Carly call out his name.

“I knew if I kept sending you the invitations, you might eventually manage to fit my party into your busy schedule,” Carly Simon said, while kissing Michael on the lips, making a loud smacking sound when she did.  Then she wiped the evidence of her lipstick off his lips with her thumb.

“Hey Carly, it’s great to see you again,” Michael smiled, as he loosely embraced her.

“And I see you brought someone with you, too,” she replied, reaching out to shake Annie’s hand.

“Yes, this is my wife, Annie Logan.”

“Hi, I’m Carly Simon,” she stated, as if Annie might not know who she was.  “It’s very nice to meet you.”

“She’s a stunner, Michael,” Carly said, her eyes darting back to him.  “I can see we have a lot of catching up to do.  I hope you’ll stay for the evening so we can do just that.”

“Of course,” Michael answered with a generous smile.

“Great.  Make yourself at home and mingle,” she instructed, drifting off to her arriving guests.  “And for God sakes, eat something!”

“Billy!  I’m so glad you could make it this year,” Carly welcomed.

Annie glanced over her shoulder in time to see Carly tightly hugging Billy Joel, who had just entered the tent with his wife.