Part Two: Destiny Takes Place
One thing I forgot to mention is that during intermission several people came down to the front row and chatted with us. A woman with her two daughters (my guess, anyway) told us that they were really enjoying the show, but were also enjoying watching us as well. When asked who their favorites were, the lady said that she loved the “angel in white with the fiddle”, and one of her daughters said she liked the girl wearing the green. That being said, I gave her my Chloe Agnew forum button that I got during dinner.
After the show, we all waited in the front row as the M&G passes stated, and were soon met by Mitch (a very nice guy
) who told us to follow him. As we made our way up to the door, we saw Rachel cutting across; apparently going backstage and finding out which girl would be there. We all chorused a hello and inquired how she was doing; she said she was all right and asked if we enjoyed the show. Need she ask?
She then said “I’ll see all of you in a few minutes.”
We went into the lobby where a table was being set up, and we forum people took our places at the back of the line. However, Glenn (Rotten Rebel) got to go first (lucky devil
). As we waited, many items went through my mind: who was it going to be? What was I going to say? Would I babble like an idiot? That had to be the longest wait of my life, I’ll tell you right now. Claire then appeared (very attractive girl, btw) and told us that she had pictures available for us to sign, but we were only allowed five items each. I quickly made sure I had all my things ready and waiting.
Then right behind us, we heard a “Good evening, everyone!” We all turned to see…Alex and Mairead walk right past us in their dresses. My jaw dropped, and a small twinge of disappointment did go through me, but as Scott told Chris, there would be other times. He was right, and disappointment quickly turned to “Oh, my god, they’re so beautiful up close!”
I started going into panic mode again as it got closer and closer to our turn. I started to pray ‘Oh, please don’t let me do anything stupid, oh, please don’t let me do anything stupid!’ Chris quickly told Rachel that the silver bag was for Lynn, who confirmed that she would get it right to her. I gave her my things to be named and couldn’t help but playfully ask “Hey, where can I get a top like yours?” She gave me a look that said “Yeah, people have asked me that question too many times.”
Then I heard Scott say “Alex, I’d like to introduce you to some long time fans; this is their first meet and greet. This is Chris, and this is Gaby.” Oh, man, here goes.
Alex smiled a knock-out smile and said “Well hello!” She examined our faces for a second and then asked “Are you sisters?”
We both did the ‘twin thing’ and said at the same time “Twins, actually.”
Rachel grinned and said “Well, that’s interesting.” As Chris spoke to Alex, she asked me how I spelled my name. I told her, and then saw that Chris had moved onto Mairead. It was my turn now.
I held out my hand to her. “Hi, Alex, it’s nice to meet you.”
“Hello!” She took my hand and shook it. “Gaby, right?
I nodded yes; after she let go of my hand, I stared down at it and said something that I didn’t mean to say out loud “Wow, you have a really firm handshake!”
Her reaction was “Oh, did I hurt you?”
“Oh, no, no, not at all! You didn’t hurt me; I like people with firm handshakes! I’m fine, really.”
“Oh, good,” she said, apparently relieved and a little amused at my sudden babbling. She signed my picture and then went on to sign my autograph book asking “Did you enjoy the show?”
I nodded. “Yes, I did. I bet you could tell from the front.”
She chuckled. “I could. Is this your first live show?”
“No we were at Red Rocks with the rain. Oh, I heard about the generator getting cooked at Powers Court.”
She laughed. “Yes, indeed.”
I then said “I think you’re a great addition to the group, and I liked your version of True Colors better than Cyndi Lauper’s version.”
She looked up at me with a grin and a wink that turned my brain to mush. “Well, David Downes did a good arrangement of it.”
“Huh? Oh yeah, he did!”
“And we have a great choir, too.”
“Uh-huh.” As she took my ANJ DVD liner, I said “I know you’re not in this one, but would you sign—“
“Of course!” She did, and then signed my TGJ DVD liner. I could tell it was time for me to move on, so I said to her “And your background in theater stands out as well.”
She gave me a flattered smile. “Thank you!”
I took her hand and shook it again. “It was very nice to meet you, Alex.”
“You too, Gaby. Thank you for coming to the show.”
And now it was Mairead’s turn. I jumped right in with “Hi Mairead!”
“Hello! How are you?” She took my hand in both of hers and shook. Boy, for someone so tiny, she’s got a strong grip!
“I’m fine, thank you.” I answered. She took my things and began to sign them. “Your playing was amazing tonight.”
“Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it.” She flashed me that ‘pixie dust’ smile, and I felt myself grinning back.
“I know you saw my ‘fiddler crossing’ sign upside down,” I admitted sheepishly, and she laughed.
“You said this isn’t your first live show?” she asked looking up at me before signing my autograph book.
“No, ma’am, it was the first night at Red Rocks with the rain.”
“Ah.” She nodded.
When she took my ANJ liner I immediately told her “That’s my favorite special.”
“Yeah, that was fun.” She said with a grin.
Before she signed my TGJ liner, I very tentatively said “Mairead?”
She looked up. “Yes?”
“I just wanted to, uh, tell you—“ At this point, I timidly placed my hand on top of hers. She immediately took mine in hers and didn’t let go.
I took a deep breath and said “Your playing is amazing, and,” I swallowed, “You and the girls are ambassadors of peace and light and music, and I hope that you’ll continue to so for the rest of your musical career.” It took
all of my composure not to break down as I gazed into those big beautiful green eyes shining with compassion and understanding.
She gave me the most loveliest, gorgeous smile I had ever seen and said “Thank you so much.” I felt myself grinning right back.
She let go, but before she went back to signing, I quickly said “Oh, my aunt calls you the ‘pixie’; she loves you and says ‘Hi’.”
She giggled and said “Well, tell her I say ‘hi’ back.” As she signed my liner she then said” Oh, by the way, I
love your hat.” I was wearing a gray fedora that complemented my pinstripe suit I was wearing.
“Thank you!” I said, then said good-humoredly “Do you want it?”
She laughed “Ha ha, oh no! I think it’d look better on you than me.”
I grinned, and then, picking up my stuff, I shook her hand again. “It was nice to meet you Mairead.”
“And you as well. You have a good evening, Gaby.”
I said I would and then walked away from the table, where Chris was waiting. We both beamed at each other, and I jumped up for joy, hearing perhaps Alex or Mairead chuckle.
Wow, what a night.
Part Three: Final Thoughts to come soon.
