Prologue ~ She's Gone Country
Posted on Wednesday, 2 June 2004
“Thank you Ms. Wickham,” the businessman stood up and shook the young lady’s hand. “I hope that you prove to us that you will sell.”
“I assure you,” the young lady stood up as well. “You did not make a mistake. I will see you Saturday night.”
“Be there at six to get ready.”
“Will do.”
The lady had to hold in a squeal of happiness until she was out of the building. When she did, people on the street turned around to look at the lunatic, but the young artist paid no attention to them.
Right away, she took out her cell phone and hit the speed dial.
“Hello?”
“Jane! You’ll never guess what I just did.”
“Lizzy! Did it go through?”
“Yep. You are talking to the only future country star in your immediate family!”
Chapter One ~ I'm a Redneck Woman
“Hi Charles,” the tall blonde kissed her boyfriend’s cheek before sitting in the chair next to him in a restaurant in downtown Nashville. “Hi William,” she turned to smile to the man on the other side of her.
“Good evening, Jane,” William nodded.
Her boyfriend greeted her as well before asking, “How was your day?”
Jane turned to look at the young man with blonde curls and green hair. “It was awesome,” she grinned. “We did a finger paint portrait of our families today. The kids loved it.”
“Well anything that gets their hands dirty, kids usually like,” Charles laughed.
William chuckled as well, “Hey! I still like getting my hands dirty.”
“What? In tree pulp?” his friend bantered, causing Jane to laugh.
The three settled into easy conversation as they ate dinner together. Ever since Jane and Charles had begun dating four months earlier, William Darcy, Charles old friend from college, joined the couple each week for dinner. Occasionally, Charles’s older sister, Caroline joined them, but this week she had gone with her married sister for a week at a spa.
Her absence was not unfelt. And that is not said in a good way. Whenever she was in his presence, she would occupy William’s time and patience. The ability to breathe free without Caroline hanging on every word de-stressed him more than he could admit.
“So, gentlemen, what are you doing this Saturday?” Jane broke William from his reverie with her question.
When the general response was “nothing,” she stated, “How about going to a… honky-tonk?”
William blanched. A honky-tonk?
Charles was more vocal about this idea, “Jane, darling, I didn’t know you liked going to places like that. I mean, I know you enjoy Country music, but a bar of that sort…?”
“Well, you see, my sister…”
“Which one?”
“Elizabeth.”
“Oh, how is she doing?”
Jane rolled her eyes in a teasing manner, “If you let me talk, you’d find out.”
“All right,” Charles nodded.
“Well, she was offered a record deal.”
“Really?” Charles and William said at the same time.
“In what genre?” William asked.
“Country,” she stated, causing William to scowl. “Now I know neither of you really prefer that type of music, but Elizabeth is performing on Saturday evening, and I wanted you both there to support her.”
Charles immediately acquiesced, “Of course! I’d love to support Elizabeth! I’d love to hear her stuff, too.”
However, William was a bit more hesitant. “Is this a sister I’ve met?”
“I don’t think so,” Jane shook her head. “And she’s not like the other sisters…”
“Lizzy is Jane’s twin,” Charles informed him.
“Oh really,” William raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t know you had a twin.”
“I guess that hadn’t come up,” Jane shrugged. “Anyway, are you guys in?”
“I am,” Her boyfriend immediately agreed.
“I don’t know…” the other friend trailed.
“Oh come on, Darcy!” his male counterpart urged. “If you have nothing else to do… You don’t have a hot date do you?” He teased.
“No,” William sighed before giving an answer, “Fine. I’ll go.”
“Thanks you guys,” Jane gave a big smile. “I promise it’ll be worth it.”
Five minutes until Showtime.
Elizabeth looked at herself in the mirror, making sure that her make-up was perfect and there was no resistant fly-aways. She didn’t know why she was so anxious; after all, it was just like every other performance. In fact, she was only going to perform two songs. She was just a number of acts the record label was previewing to the bar that night.
“Except this time I’m performing with a record deal,” she muttered to herself.
“And pray, tell me, how that would make you any less awesome?”
Elizabeth laughed as she turned around to hug her sister. “Jane! I’m so glad you can be here!”
“How could I miss such an event?” She pulled away to look at her twin sister. “You look perfect, Lizzy.”
“Thanks,” she nervously stuffed her hands in her pocket. “Who all’s here?”
“Charles and William.”
“William?”
“He’s Charles’s best friend. I persuaded him to come. The more support, the better, right?”
Elizabeth grinned.
“So who’s looking after Emily tonight? The usual crowd?” Jane asked.
“Well, yeah, she’s at the parents’. But Mary will probably be the primary caretaker.”
“Of course. The auntie Mary loves her job.”
They were interrupted by a knock at the door and a producer sticking his head into the dressing room. “Two minutes. You better get backstage.”
“Well, that’s my cue, Jane.”
“Break a leg,” her sister leaned in to kiss Liz on the cheek. “I’ll be out there cheering you on.”
Why am I here? William Darcy thought to himself as he fought his way through the crowd. Because Bingley’s girlfriend just had to ask me. He winced as a singer was announced and a cheer went up through the crowd. At least this can be considered… classy. Even though I would not call this place classy. I’m just happy there aren’t any drunken brawls going on… yet.
“There you are! You just missed my sister being announced.”
“Yeah, well I had to fight my way through the crowd. Is she onstage?”
“Yeah,” Jane pointed with pride. “There she is.”
William stared in shock. The woman standing on stage was not a tall blonde bombshell like Jane. Well, she was tall, but with long, wavy brown hair. Not the short, straight blonde hair that Jane. And she definitely was built differently; where Jane was lanky, her sister was bigger, although fit, with a round face.
Her outfit consisted of tight jeans with an equally tight shirt that just showed of a bit of her midsection. Her eye make-up was heavy, although no make-up was seen on any other part of her face. Two big silver hoop earrings and an acoustic electric guitar completed the ensemble.
“I thought you said they were twins!” William shouted over the crowd to Bingley.
“Hey Darcy! I never said they were identical!” Charles winked back at his friends.
“Shh! She’s starting!” Jane turned to quiet them down.
Well I ain't never
Been the barbie doll type
No I can't swig that sweet champagne
I'd rather drink beer all night
In a tavern or in a honky tonk
Or on a 4 wheel drive tailgate
I've got posters on my wall of Skynard, Kid and Strait
Some people look down on me
But I don't give a rip
I'll stand barefooted in my own front yard with a baby on my hip!
William knew he must have been standing there with his mouth wide open. This is Jane’s sister! Why she’s a … a… Even in his thoughts, William didn’t want to pin a label on her. But any word he would’ve used, no woman would’ve wanted to hear.
Cause I'm a redneck woman
I ain't no high class broad
I'm just a product of my raisin'
Elizabeth loved this. Performing. Her favorite part was watching the audience’s reaction and interacting with them. She had been performing ever since she could remember, even if it wasn’t very formally.
And I say "hey y'all" and "Yee Haw"
And I keep my Christmas lights on,
on my front porch all year long
She especially loved to see her family and friends out in the audience supporting her. As she caught Jane’s eyes she gave her a little nod and a smile as she watched her twin sing along to all the words of the song. Even Charles looked like he was attempting to have a good time.
And I know all the words to every Charlie Daniels song
So here's to all my sisters out there keepin' it country
Let me get a big "Hell Yeah" from the redneck girls like me
Hell Yeah!
Hell Yeah!
But one person didn’t. That must be William; he’s sitting with them. Elizabeth frowned as she watched the stranger stare with first a look of shock, and then a not-so-pleased look on his face.
Oh well, Hell with him.
Victoria's Secret
Well their stuff's real nice
Oh but I can buy the same damn thing on a Wal*Mart shelf half price
And still look sexy
Just as sexy
As those models on TV
No I don't need no designer tag to make my man want me
You might think I'm trashy
A little too hard core
But get in my neck of the woods
I'm just the girl next door
William looked at Jane. What exactly was “their neck of the woods?” He supposed the song didn’t have anything to do with Elizabeth’s life, but for some reason, he got a feeling that wasn’t the case. Come to think of it, he did not know much about Jane. Just that she was an elementary school teacher.
And that Bingley’s absolutely besotted by her, he thought. But what else? Did the Bennets come from a culture so described in her sister’s song?
Hey I'm a redneck woman
And I ain't no high class broad
I'm just a product of my raisin'
And I say "hey y'all" and "Yee Haw"
And I keep my Christmas lights on,
on my front porch all year long
And I know all the words to every Tanya Tucker song
So here's to all my sisters out there keeping it country
Let me get a big "Hell Yeah" from the redneck girls like me
Hell Yeah!
Hell Yeah!
Watch it Darcy, he warned himself. Don’t take this song too literal.
But he knew by watching her that she was a different kind. A true redneck.. A true…
I'm redneck woman
And I ain't no high class broad
I'm just a product of my raisin'
And I say "hey y'all" and "Yee Haw"
And I keep my Christmas lights on,
on my front porch all year long
And I know all the words to every Ol' Bocephus song
So here's to all my sisters out there keeping it country
Let me get a big "Hell Yeah" from the redneck girls like me
Hell Yeah!
Hell Yeah!
I said Hell Yeah!*
* “Redneck Woman” Performed and written by Gretchen Wilson