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Gabriel passed me the big thick burger, and I broke off a small chunk for my naked chicken dog. Georgie gobbled it up and wagged his tail.
Chapter 21
Rae
“Welcome back to theLowdown with Jimmy Ray on KTXE Radio Elmer. Today we have the dynamic brother and sister duo of Wilson and Rae Phillips joining us. First off, Wilson, my man, thank you for that rocking Fourth of July party.” Jimmy Ray was a blast from the past, from his 1970s silver-gray porn-stash on his upper lip to his turquoise bolo tie. His DJ banter was lightly flavored with a Texas twang and littered with tons of cornball clichés.
“We loved having all of Elmer join us at Blue Star Ranch. A place like that needs to be shared with the community, and the BBQ was better than I ever dreamed it would be.” My brother loved every moment of this. He’d been smiling like a kid on Christmas since we’d arrived at the station.
DJs and talk radio hosts had always fascinated Wilson. He was living out a childhood fantasy, and seeing his excitement was enough to lift some of the gray haze that had dulled everything after the food park blowup with Atley two weeks ago. Since that night, Atley had been glacial when we crossed paths, not giving me the smallest opening to talk with him about that day.
“Right on, let’s do it again next year!” Jimmy Ray and Wilson shared a high five over the array of radio electronics separating them. “I hear congratulations are in order for you and Cameron Morgan.”
“Yes, Cameron and I are engaged.”
Jimmy played a canned applause track, and Wilson shot me a look of utter glee—total dork.
The KTXE studio resembled a fishbowl with floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides in the heart of the downtown square. I looked past Jimmy Ray and watched a jogger race up and down the courthouse steps. It had to be a vacationer getting in their miles before a day of wine tastings and Kelly Green’s BBQ; no one from Elmer would wear that much logo-covered spandex.
“Hard to beat a happy announcement like the engagement of one of Elmer’s favorite ladies to Elmer’s favorite new resident, but let’s give it that old college try.” Jimmy tipped his chin in my direction. “Hit me with the lowdown on The Stomp, Rae.”
“Thanks, Jimmy Ray,” I used my best and most chipper sales pitch voice. I sounded like a valley girl butwhatever. No future for me in radio. “Tickets are available online for the inaugural Blue Star grape stomp, to be held the last Saturday of August.”
“That’s only a couple of weeks away.”
“Yes. If you’re planning to attend The Stomp, I highly recommend you book your pedicures and buy your tickets now. They are going fast!”
“What exactly is a grape stomp?” Jimmy Ray teed up my sales pitch like an old pro.
“It’s a harvest celebration. Historically, wine was made by stomping grapes with your bare feet to release the juice. We’ve come a long way since then, but that doesn’t mean we want to forget our mushy squishy winemaking past.”
“Nothing like the feeling of grapes between the toes!” my brother added.
“Other than experiencing the stomping firsthand or foot, what else can visitors expect?”
“Food trucks, music, wine tasting, and air conditioning inside our newly restored dancehall.” August in Texas was no joke. The climate-controlled dancehall was a massive draw.
I ran through my well-practiced elevator pitch including the website address and ticket prices.
“Wow, sounds like the Phillips family has been busy.” Jimmy Ray hit a sound effect for a long, low impressed whistle.
“Oh, we’re not done! We have one last surprise for the listeners.” My brother copied Jimmy Ray’s style of banter perfectly. It was hilarious.
“No, we’re not!” It sounded like I was the host on a late-night infomercial. I sucked at radio. “This is a special invite for Elmer residents. Blue Star’s tasting room wants to invite all locals to our super-secret soft open this Saturday. We will have food from some of the coolest food trucks in Austin. Arts and crafts from Texas artists. Blue Star produce, honey, and beef for sale. All in the air-conditioned comfort of our fully renovated 1800s dancehall.”
Everything at the dancehall was ready for the soft open except for the septic system. Harley called and explained it was something about permits and back-ordered pumps. The details didn’t change the fact I’d needed to order port-a-potties. Easy enough fix.
“Ha, I remember when they moved that dancehall out to Blue Star. One section on a big old flatbed truck got stuck right hereoutside the studio window for half the day. What a mess. I’ll be excited to see it back in one piece.” Jimmy snort laughed at the memory of the disabled tractor-trailer.
“Saturday is your chance, Jimmy Ray. It’s turned into an incredible venue, and we’re excited to open it to our Elmer friends and neighbors this weekend free of charge.” Wilson’s ear-to-ear grin looked almost painful.
“So, Wilson, when’s the wedding? And am I invited?” Jimmy Ray asked. The old joke was the pre-arranged segue to the conclusion of our morning talk show appearance.
“Jimmy Ray, you know better than to ask a groom a question like that. My only job on the wedding day is to show up and say I do.”
A laugh track and KTXE station identification bumper rolled, and our five minutes of radio fame were over. I sagged back in my chair for a moment, pulled off my headphones, then stood. Jimmy Ray was on a schedule, and so were we.
“Thanks, guys. You two are great on air. I’ll be happy to have you back anytime.” Jimmy Ray held out his fists for us to bump. I was disappointed that neither he nor Wilson felt the need to blow it up after bumping knuckles. What a missed opportunity.
