Tommy was transported to a hospital, where an orthopedic nurse was able to pop the shoulder back in place before swelling would have made it very difficult. The doctors concluded that after a period of rest Tommy’s shoulder would be as good as new. But for now Tommy was out of commission. The young Irishman was inconsolable. For just a few seconds he had allowed his mind to wander, and in those few seconds his chance for the glory of running the Kentucky Derby was stripped from him.
James arrived at the hospital and was shown to the young jockey’s darkened room, where he laid quietly on a bed. James quickly stepped in with words he hoped Tommy would find comforting. Yes, this one chance was lost, but there would be more. He would get his strength back in that arm and ride again. James assured Tommy that no one was disheartened; no one was giving up. Glory Be still had a chance. Tommy could play an important role in talking to his replacement, whoever that might be, about how to handle Glory Be. Tommy nodded, but his heart and spirit remained broken.
That evening James returned to the hospital with Wil and Capp and Tommy’s replacement, Eddie la Paz. Eddie was a previous Derby winner looking to make a comeback. He was good at handling determined horses, and willing to trust Glory Be’s racing instincts. He’d allow the horse to run the race he wanted but keep him in a winning position. Tommy spent an hour with Eddie talking about his experiences with Glory Be. At times he became very emotional and Eddie, knowing the depth of Tommy’s disappointment, waited while the Glidewell jockey gathered himself.
When the Glidewell team finally left the hospital, everyone was feeling better. But Capp needed a little distraction and, with James’s permission, he took Maizie out for a walk. Mary was less than enthusiastic, but James convinced her it would be a good thing for them both. Let go of a little steam after such a bad day.
“Maizie, there is a jazz club near here. James took us there the other night. The show reminded me of you and Meadowlark,” said Capp. “Want to go? We’ll only stay a few minutes.”
“Are you sure you want to go? It’s been a rough day.”
“Just for a few minutes.” Capp put his arm around Maizie and together they walked down West Broadway until they came to a club called the Derby.
“I see why James came here,” teased Maizie.
“He would have come if the Derby had been called Horse Manure. The jazz is good.” Capp guided Maizie through the door. They were seated at a table off to the side. Capp ordered soda water with grenadine and a maraschino cherry for the two of them. Maizie knew from the onset the jazz was not up to the standard she had come to appreciate. The piano player, bass player, and drummer made up a fairly good trio, playing easy jazz. The vocalist, however, had a small voice and seemed distracted, not delivering the words with feeling.
As the drinks were delivered, Capp reached to hold Maizie’s hand. “I’m so glad you’re here. It was a big blow today. Glory Be is a good horse, but he needs Tommy. They work together. I’m worried about tomorrow. Things are stacking against us.”
“What besides Tommy could happen?”
“Muddy track. Glory Be likes it dry.”
“You never know what might come along in a horse race,” said Maizie.
“Right. You never know. If you weren’t here right now, I’d be in the dumps.” Maizie smiled and took a sip from her drink. Capp began to scour the audience, looking at other couples at tables around the room. He noticed a table of four, drinking heavily, smoking cigarettes, and laughing. There was a blond seated at the table, her back to Capp. Something about the blond caused Capp to keep staring. Damn, he thought, it’s Tilly.
“Maizie, we better get going. By the time I get you back to the hotel, it’ll be nearly ten. We don’t want Mrs. Glidewell to worry,” he said, smiling with difficulty.
“One more song.”
Against Capp’s better judgment he agreed to stay for one more. He sat nervously, keeping his eye on the table of partyers. Tilly was animated, talking loudly, paying no attention to the entertainment.
A waiter on his way to the table next to Capp and Maizie suddenly lost hold of his tray filled with heavy drinks, and it flipped forward, off his shoulder. As the drinks hit the floor, and glass shards and whiskey flew everywhere, all eyes looked to the spectacle. When Capp returned his glance to the blond, his eyes met Tilly’s. She was glaring at him like a lion ready to pounce, her eyes steady, her body still. Suddenly she started toward their table. Capp waited anxiously. When she arrived, Capp sensed she was inebriated.
“Leave, Tilly,” said Capp as she steadied herself before them.
“Why? Look at your pretty little girl,” Tilly said.
“My name is Maizie. You’ve met me.”
“Now I remember you. So you remember me?” asked Tilly, touching her hair.
“Come on, Maizie, let’s go,” demanded Capp.
Maizie stood up, and Tilly grabbed her by the wrist. “Capp is so rude. Look, he doesn’t even invite me to sit down. And we were such good friends.” She tightened her grip on Maizie’s wrist and stared into her eyes. Turning to Capp she said, “You been talkin’ about me, Capp?”
“Let her go this instant.” Capp’s voice had a tinge of threat to it and Tilly complied immediately. “Come Maizie, let’s go.”
Tilly stared at Capp, daggers flying. “You know what, Capp? You’ve ruined me. You and your pretending to care for me. The farm is gone. My farm is gone!”
Maizie found Capp’s hand, and they walked toward the door over broken glass and a floor dampened with whiskey. Tilly watched them leave and then returned to her table and ordered a fresh drink and lit another cigarette, allowing her rage to deepen.
Chapter
