alternatehistory.com
A Pin Drop
When The Gentleman is away, Ruffin and Kendrick will play... Hope you guys (and gals) enjoy!
February 9th, 1988
Once the tour bus had parked in an area outside of Morpeth, in Northern England, David Ruffin disembarked to stand outside for a spell. Some of the guys on the bus had managed to procure some cocaine, and Ruffin knew if he saw it and saw people doing it he would be a goner.
The tour had been going well, better than he had originally anticipated. The fans, after all these years, were still passionate throughout the United Kingdom; much more passionate than those in the United States. They weren't only playing to small club venues; they were playing to larger, more adoring crowds.
The only issue had been the voice of his best friend, Eddie Kendrick. Kendrick had always, even after chain-smoking and doing drugs throughout much of his life, maintained his impressive falsetto voice.
But over the last couple months, Ruffin had noticed that Kendrick couldn't hit the notes that he could before. He tried to chalk it up to age and wear and tear, but something wasn't right. The problem had first become apparent during the Reunion Tour six years ago, and it seemed that it had only gotten worse.
Ruffin's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of somebody stepping off the bus, hacking and coughing as they approached. Ruffin looked up and saw none other than Kendrick walking towards him.
"Man, that cough doesn't sound too good," Ruffin said, trying to bring up the topic lightly, "are you sure you shouldn't get that checked?" Kendrick shook his head.
"Ruff, don't you remember? During the Reunion - I went to a doctor, and they told me I had a... pin drop of cancer on my lung. Nothing to worry about..." Ruffin had to pick his jaw up off the floor.
"What?! Cancer! Isn't there treatment for that? Why aren't you doing nothing about it?"
"I don't want to lose my hair, Ruff. And I don't want to lose my last chance at performing. Alright?"
"Eddie, you gotta---" Eddie cut Ruffin off mid-sentence.
"No, no, no. Listen. I don't expect you to understand, but please listen. This is our last chance to get back to the top. Your voice is better than ever, it's top notch. If I go get the treatments now, I won't be able to perform for a long time, maybe never again. This thing might kill me, but if I die, I want to die on top. Now, you gotta promise me, Ruff. We aren't giving up 'till we get that number one hit, okay?" Kendrick stuck his hand out for a handshake.
Ruffin paused for a long time, looking at his best friend in the world, the man that was dying right in front of him. He couldn't believe that this healthy looking, young looking guy was in so much pain. He wanted to tell Eddie to get the treatments, to take as much time as he needed, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Ruffin returned the handshake.
"Fine, deal."
A voice called out behind the pair, "We're headed to the next stop!"
"Well, old pal," Ruffin began, putting an arm on Kendrick's shoulder, "on to the next one."
February 9th, 1988
Once the tour bus had parked in an area outside of Morpeth, in Northern England, David Ruffin disembarked to stand outside for a spell. Some of the guys on the bus had managed to procure some cocaine, and Ruffin knew if he saw it and saw people doing it he would be a goner.
The tour had been going well, better than he had originally anticipated. The fans, after all these years, were still passionate throughout the United Kingdom; much more passionate than those in the United States. They weren't only playing to small club venues; they were playing to larger, more adoring crowds.
The only issue had been the voice of his best friend, Eddie Kendrick. Kendrick had always, even after chain-smoking and doing drugs throughout much of his life, maintained his impressive falsetto voice.
But over the last couple months, Ruffin had noticed that Kendrick couldn't hit the notes that he could before. He tried to chalk it up to age and wear and tear, but something wasn't right. The problem had first become apparent during the Reunion Tour six years ago, and it seemed that it had only gotten worse.
Ruffin's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of somebody stepping off the bus, hacking and coughing as they approached. Ruffin looked up and saw none other than Kendrick walking towards him.
"Man, that cough doesn't sound too good," Ruffin said, trying to bring up the topic lightly, "are you sure you shouldn't get that checked?" Kendrick shook his head.
"Ruff, don't you remember? During the Reunion - I went to a doctor, and they told me I had a... pin drop of cancer on my lung. Nothing to worry about..." Ruffin had to pick his jaw up off the floor.
"What?! Cancer! Isn't there treatment for that? Why aren't you doing nothing about it?"
"I don't want to lose my hair, Ruff. And I don't want to lose my last chance at performing. Alright?"
"Eddie, you gotta---" Eddie cut Ruffin off mid-sentence.
"No, no, no. Listen. I don't expect you to understand, but please listen. This is our last chance to get back to the top. Your voice is better than ever, it's top notch. If I go get the treatments now, I won't be able to perform for a long time, maybe never again. This thing might kill me, but if I die, I want to die on top. Now, you gotta promise me, Ruff. We aren't giving up 'till we get that number one hit, okay?" Kendrick stuck his hand out for a handshake.
Ruffin paused for a long time, looking at his best friend in the world, the man that was dying right in front of him. He couldn't believe that this healthy looking, young looking guy was in so much pain. He wanted to tell Eddie to get the treatments, to take as much time as he needed, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Ruffin returned the handshake.
"Fine, deal."
A voice called out behind the pair, "We're headed to the next stop!"
"Well, old pal," Ruffin began, putting an arm on Kendrick's shoulder, "on to the next one."
- Meyer London
- Word Count: 550