Lewis, this is amazing,” I said. “I am so proud for you.”
He grinned. He knew I meant it.
“I couldn’t be happier with the way things have gone,” he said, squeezing Vivi.
She kissed his cheek. “I always knew my Lewis was somethin’ else.”
“That’s the understatement of the year, Miss Vivi,” Mayor Charlie spoke up. “Lewis has done so much good in such a short amount of time, bringin’ this town’s attention to the importance of preservin’ one of its most beautiful antebellum mansions and makin’ plans for a great sports radio station. I’m fixin’ to see if I can adopt him myself. Ever’body oughtta have a Lewis Heart or two in their family.”
“Thank you, Mayor, I just wanted to do right by the town I love so much and make this woman proud to call me hers,” Lewis said, looking at Vivi.
“Okay, it’s time for the dedication,” Mayor Charlie said. “Let’s get this show on the road, shall we?” He winked at Lewis and patted Vivi on the arm.
With determined, proud smiles, Lewis and the mayor made their way to the front steps of the Brooks Mansion, where a small entourage of local media had gathered. Dallas was there with her posse, plus some of the Birmingham TV stations and a few radio reporters. This was just the dedication, not the grand opening, but it would still make the evening news.
The mayor approached the crowd of reporters with his trademark swagger. He stepped up on the bottom step and faced the media, grinning.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank y’all so much for comin’ out today as we put to bed, once and for all, the fate of this grand old place. She has been on the Alabama Places in Peril list for so long, I can’t remember her any other way. Many options for her uncertain future have made headlines over the years. Threats to mow her down, rebuild her, replace her and build something else on these hallowed grounds have been the subject of years and years of debate and countless court battles. But I am here today proud to tell you all that this ol’ lady is tough like the stuff she comes from. She’s part of the very roots of this great town of Tuscaloosa, and she ain’t goin’ nowhere. My good friend has saved her from a near certain demise as a future shopping center.” He gestured toward Lewis. “Lewis, may I say from all of us here in Tuscaloosa, you have made us very proud.”
The mayor turned back to the crowd. “I give you the new owner of the Brooks Mansion, the CEO of the new radio station, WCTR, and the voice of your national champions, the Alabama Crimson Tide, Mr. Lewis Heart.”
The crowd erupted. Cheers and shouts of “Roll Tide,” the mantra for the Alabama Crimson Tide, were heard as others whistled. Vivi bounced and clapped, bursting with pride as Lewis approached the mic.
“Good afternoon, y’all. Enjoying this nice cool weather today?” Lewis was his usual charming, sarcastic self. The crowd laughed as Lewis grinned.
“I am happy to see so many of you on this sweltering day. It means the world to me to be able to save this fantastic piece of Tuscaloosa history and to make my dream come true right inside these doors—my own radio station broadcasting Crimson Tide sports twenty-four hours a day. Once we open in three short weeks, everyone is welcome to come inside for a visit. We’ll schedule tours, and maybe even have lunch on the grounds, to fully celebrate this magnificent thread in the fabric of the grand legacy of Tuscaloosa. I couldn’t be happier to give this mansion right back to the city that fought so hard to save her over the years.”
Lewis looked right over to me and winked. He included me in that fight and was proud of my part in the mansion’s preservation. I was overcome by this sweet gesture. I was fully aware, in that second, that he and I would always be on the same page. I was beginning to think Lewis and I had more in common than I had thought. We both loved Vivi and we both loved Tuscaloosa like no place else on earth. Maybe both of us had to get out from under Harry in order to shine.
“Well, my dream has finally come full circle,” Lewis continued. “The restoration of Brooks Mansion will begin at a rapid pace to be ready in time for the kickoff game. In fact, the pace will be unprecedented, with construction going on around the clock, along with a record number of people working on this project.
“Plans for the grand opening in three weeks are underway. The party will be right here and it will be a thing to remember. Look around you now ’cause, as my great-aunt used to say, ‘Y’all ain’t seen nothin’ yet.’ Thanks again for coming, and Roll Tide!”
Everyone was clapping and hollering.
“Isn’t he amazing?” Vivi whispered, joyful tears brimming in her eyes.
Lewis waved to the crowd, then reached his hand toward Vivi. A smile replaced her tears as she walked up toward the mic to be next to him. She waved to the people gathered, too, and everyone cheered. I swear they looked like the new first couple of Tuscaloosa.
I looked around the crowd of supporters and noticed Harry standing off to the side. I was sure he was jealous. I mean, Lewis was once the black sheep of the family, but he was quickly stepping into Harry’s spot on the throne. If I knew my old Harry, he wouldn’t take this turn of the tables for long. But just what he would do to get back in the spotlight, I didn’t know.
10
Harry Heart would not miss a media event for anything, and this dedication of the mansion was certainly no exception. Now that the speeches were over, he made his way over to the crowd of reporters to steal himself some camera time. He couldn’t help himself. The media might have gathered for Lewis today, but Harry couldn’t just let his brother have the spotlight. No, Harry Heart would go to hell and back to get on camera. He and Dallas shared that trait.
Dan “The Man,” Harry’s campaign manager, was right by Harry’s side, talking to reporters and making sure Harry said all the right things. He caught my attention and nodded his head toward Harry, standing in the middle of a small cluster of cameras, signaling that I was failing in my duties as a future senator’s wife. I knew I’d be stuck playing this role for a few more excruciating months, but I’d made a promise and I intended to keep it. I kissed Vivi on the cheek and whispered that I’d be right back. After shooting Sonny a look of apology, I reluctantly made my way over to Harry and Dan and took my requisite spot next to my husband, the candidate.
I had been an actress years ago, so now I acted happy and enthused. I hoped Sonny would understand. I had agreed to this farce, in large part, to protect him. People wouldn’t look kindly on the man who broke up the future senator’s marriage. The truth was, though he wasn’t exactly a model husband, he was exactly right for the role of senator. Our relationship issues aside, I trusted him to take care of the city that I love.
Harry was in full soapbox mode, sermonizing with quick one-liners and forced laughter. Cameras rolled and reporters threw him simple questions. I stood at his side, as obligated, smiling and looking approvingly at him—glancing every so often at Sonny, while inside I felt sick.
“Oh, yes, I am eager and ready for this challenge,” Harry said, wearing his starched white shirtsleeves rolled up to make himself look more like a man of the people. “I look forward to making your voices heard in our nation’s capital.”
He smiled his perfect megawatt smile, and it struck me as bittersweet that we were now so far apart. I had truly loved him once, and I’d been attracted to him from the moment I saw him. Even now, I could feel the shadow of the old familiar tug. He was still preppy gorgeous as he continued to wave and shake hands, but good looks and a few shared interests weren’t enough for me anymore. I wanted the fairy tale. The happily ever after. It’s hard when you’re painfully lonely, especially in the arms of the one you’re supposed to love.
“Fellow constituents,” Harry went on, “I know, with your help, we can make a difference in Washington and enhance the future for all in this great state of Alabama.”
Harry gestured to me. “Please say hello to my wife, attorney Blake O’Hara Heart. She will