The Apple Tree - 18. Chapter 18

Since my schedule changed when Mr. Thomas hired Jane, I had mornings off except for Saturday. This gave me time to promote Tony's disc. It was a good thing I gave Anna the 20 discs yesterday before Tony's performance. After dropping off Tony, I went to the café to check on the discs I had dropped off yesterday before going to work. She sold them all and needed another 25 for backorders.

I went back to the electronic store to get the additional 30 and order 30 more. When the clerk saw me he had a big smile, "more discs? I have a proposition for you; I'll make 100 discs for 250 dollars including supplies. I can do this at home. If you need more I can do a limited number, but if this takes off, you're going to need a recording company and a recording studio."

I agreed to the proposition, gave him 100 dollars and the rest on delivery. He gave me his name and phone number. Looking at the paper, "Brad, do you know of anyone who has a recording studio?"

"You might try the college over at Edgemont. If they have a music department, they might have one."

Thanking him, I took the 30 and headed to Anna's. I told her I just ordered 100 disks and as soon as they are ready I'll drop them off. I had lunch and headed to the store.

Arriving, Mr. Thomas waved me over, "I heard we have a recording star working here."

"I think so however, the one singing doesn't think he's a star, wait a minute." I went to the car and got one of the discs. I kept 4 from the original 20. Returning to the store, "Here's a disc for you, let me know what you think."

I saw Tony and blew him a kiss as I relieved Jane at the register.

Driving home after work, "Tony didn't you study music at college?"

"It wasn't my major; I took it as an elective. Why?"

"Did they have a recording studio? I was thinking it would be nice to record some of the songs you have composed. You know, 'like music by Tony'. I know I'd cherish it especially if there were love songs."

He grinned, "You're a sneaky devil, but you're the devil I love. I guess if I make that disc, we can listen to it on the radio."

I just smiled and squeezed his hand which was resting on my thigh. And yes my little man took notice.

The next morning, after dropping Tony at the store, I drove to Edgemont to talk with the music department at the college about renting their studio, if they had one. When I arrived at the college, Anna called and said she needed more discs. I called Brad and checked on how many discs he had ready for pick up, then I called back Anna to tell her I'd have more discs for her later this morning.

I found the music department and waited till I could see the dean. While I waited I read the bulletin board outside of the office. I noticed they had live music on Friday nights sponsored by the music department. I immediately thought of Tony. While I was writing down the place and time, a girl approached me, "Are you interested in coming to this event? It's usually very good and the admission fee helps the music school"

I politely said no, I'm just waiting to see the dean. I gave her one of Tony's cards. "I know him, that's Tony Dante. He used to go to school here. I haven't seen him for a while. I suppose you are Jim."

"Yes, I'm Jim and what's your name?

"My name is Margaret but everyone calls me Maggie."

"Well Maggie, I'll tell Tony I saw you and you said hi."

We chatted a little more when a woman came out of the office, "the dean will see you now."

She started to talk to Maggie as I entered the dean's office. It was a typical dean's office, one chair in front of the desk if you could call it a desk. There was music spread all over it and I don't believe you could find a bare spot. I told the dean who I was, giving him one of Tony's cards, and what I was doing there. They did have a recording studio but before that would let us use it, he wanted to hear Tony. I agreed to have Tony at the school Friday night for a performance at their fundraiser. Now I just had to figure a way for Tony to have Friday night off. Thanking the dean, I headed to Brad's to pick up the extra discs.

"Tony, may I see you for a minute."

"Sure Mr. Thomas, I hope everything is ok."

"Jim gave me one of your discs. I think you're going to be a big sensation. My family played it all day and my girls liked it. I just want you to know that if you need time off to work on your career, just let me know. My oldest son just turned 14 and I think he should start learning the business from the floor up. I'll bring him tomorrow evening, and you can start working with him."

Tony thanked Mr. Thomas and started to believe what Jim was telling him. He loved music but never thought he was good enough to make a living from it. Maybe he was wrong.

Jim stopped and picked up additional discs from Brad. He paid Brad the other 100 dollars. He told Brad about his visit to the college and the concert on Friday night. Brad said he might bring his girl and go to it especially if Tony was going to sing.

With the extra discs, Jim stopped at Anna's café. When Anna saw him coming in, "How many do you have?"

"Would 100 be enough for a while?"

She laughed, "Maybe a week." Jim then told her about the meeting he had with the dean at the college over in Edgemont.

"Now I have to figure a way for Tony to be off Friday night so he can attend the concert. The dean wanted to hear him sing and then he'll make a decision about letting us use the recording booth."

Jim sat down in his usual booth and had his usual lunch. He had Anna make lunch for Tony as well. After eating, he headed for the store. When he arrived, Tony grabbed him and they went to the unloading area. Tony had the last truck to unload, so while he was doing that Jim told him about his trip to the college. He also told him that they had to figure a way for him to be off Friday night because he had to perform. Tony just smiled as he continued to unload the truck. Jim gave him his lunch, Tony paid for it with a toe-curling kiss that left Jim a little perplexed.

After work on the way home, Tony told Jim about his talk with Mr. Thomas. Jim was glad that the problem of Tony having the night off was settled. "I was really worried about you getting the night off. I was going to ask Mr. Thomas to work the register and I'd work your job. You don't know how glad I am that this will work out. I'll miss your concert but you can sing to me anytime." Smiling Tony leaned over and kissed Jim on the cheek and squeezed Jim's thigh. Jim noticed that whenever they were in the car together. Tony always had his hand on his thigh. It was like I want you to know I'm right here.