Page 1 of Tumbling Hearts

June, 1976

It’s almost time to head on set.

Ray stands alongside the other members of the Dusty Brooms backstage. This will be their first television appearance, on none other than the famous Mike Douglas Show.

They’d been back in their home state of Michigan for not even a week before the Brooms’ manager, Dennis, received a call with the invitation. And so, shortly after, the band was in the skies on their way to Philadelphia. It was Ray’s first time on a plane, and honestly, it shook him up quite a bit. Thankfully he didn’t vomit. But it was alright, being able to sit in first class with Carol on one side, and Gene on the other.

Presently, Carol is waiting for the show to start in the studio audience. Gene is right beside him, though. Gene, the rhythm guitarist of the Dusty Brooms and Ray’s sole songwriting partner. Gene looks so handsome today—but doesn’t he always?—with his shaggy shoulder-length black hair and charming smile. Gene’s got on a dark red blazer with some glittery sequins lining the lapels, reflecting the dim backstage lights every time he moves. But what gets Ray melting most of all are Gene’s eyes—hazel, almost looking brown in the darkness, looking right at him with such tenderness. Ray gives him the same smile back, one meant only for Gene.

“You nervous?” Ray asks.

“Honestly, yeah,” Gene says, shrugging. “We’ve never been on TV before.”

“Well, at least the crowd will be smaller than at one of our shows,” Ray offers.

“Not really, no, not in the slightest,” Gene chuckles. “Just because we can’t see them doesn’t mean they won’t be there. People all over the country are going to be watching us—thousands of them, all from their own homes. Way more than a show. Fuck, I’m shaking, actually. Feel this.” Gene’s nervous laughter continues as he holds out his hand for Ray to see, trembling up a storm.

“Wow, yeah, you really are shaking.” Ray reaches out and grabs Gene’s palm, rubbing the middle gently with his thumb. “Everything’s gonna be fine. Think of what you said—you can’t see those people, so out of sight, out of mind, right? They won’t be actually watching the program until next week, anyway. Besides, I’m here for you. We’re all here for you.”

“Aw, look at you two, holding hands again,” Santiago, the Brooms’ lead guitarist, says from behind them. It makes Ray jerk—an explosive heat rushes to his cheeks, and he lets go of Gene’s hand.

“Hey, I didn’t tell you to stop!” Santi laughs.

“You were teasing us, though,” Ray says, pouting.

“So what? It’s funny.” Santi smiles, his big bushy moustache covering his upper lip.

“Well then,” Gene says, snagging Ray’s hand back. “Santi’s right; you didn’t need to stop. C’mon, comfort me, Ray.”

“I just was!” Ray laughs. His heart is thudding madly. His palm sweats under Gene’s touch. More than anything, he’d love to continue holding Gene’s hand and give him soft, gentle assurances.

“Comfort me more, then,” Gene says, giving him a smirk.

“Okay, okay, fine.” Ray shakes his head. He rubs Gene’s warm palm again with his thumb. “You’re going to do great, Gene. We’re all going to be fantastic, aren’t we?” He looks toward Santiago and the rest of the Brooms.

“Hell yeah, we are!” Santi pumps his fist in the air.

“You guys are a riot,” Pat, their drummer, says with a chuckle. Right next to her is their bassist, Stefan. To nobody’s surprise, Stefan says nothing, merely giving the group a thumbs-up.

“You guys are on in T-minus five…” one of the stagehands says, motioning to get all their attention.

“Right,” Ray says, while reluctantly, finally, letting go of Gene’s hand.

From behind the curtain, Ray can hear him—Mike Douglas himself—telling the crowd, “And now, here with me tonight are—the Dusty Brooms!”

That’s our cue.

Ray is out first, stepping through the curtain and past the threshold onto the stage. Gene follows slightly behind him, along with the rest of the band. Cheers and applause from the studio audience create a white noise, and bright, warm stage lights cast their glow onto the chairs surrounding the host. Ray takes a seat next to Mike Douglas himself, Gene plopping down next to Ray, while Santiago finds a seat on Mike’s other side. Pat sits on Gene’s other side, and Stefan quietly lowers himself on the last chair, next to Santiago.

“Welcome, Dusty Brooms!” Mike says. Ray looks upwards briefly, noticing the microphones hoisted on long, black metal bars. “So let’s see here… right next to me, I believe, is Raymond Roderick.”

The camera in front of the stage pans to Ray’s face. He gives it a smile. “Yup. I’m the frontman, lead singer. But you can just call me Ray.”

“Alright, Ray. Then next we have…” Mike continues.

Ray sees the camera pan to Gene. “Um, Gene Hillard. Rhythm guitarist,” Gene says.

Mike doesn’t say more, letting the camera panning speak for itself and giving Pat the cue to introduce herself next. She adjusts the sleeves of her blazer, then flicks her head to move her brown bangs out of her eyes. “Pat Taylor. I’m on drums.”