One Man's Music: The Life and Times of Texas Songwriter Vince Bell

XV. Room 933

74 XV Room933 OnJanuary8,Ibegantowrite,left-handed in a scrawl, on a yellow legal pad that I still have: Drink Water. No people. Goodbye. I just want something wet. Help get my head up. Tom Pacheco. Oxygen. Juice. Turn off the fan. Suction. I’m tired but I’ll do what you ask. Let me have some Coke to drink. I’m tired. On January 9, I was transferred out of the ICU to Room 933. Letters and cards that survive include: Vince— You picked a hell of a way to quit smoking. We didn’t want to wake you, but anybody that sleeps for two weeks deserves to be woken up. Glad you’re back with us, you were a long way out there. Hang in there, Earl Room 933 � 75 I love Vince. Me too. You were asleep. Nice room! Catch ya next time. Stephen and Franci Dear Vinco, I was so sorry to hear about your accident. We are all so glad to hear that you are on the road to recovery. Do what the doctors tell you. Joy Western Union Telegram Alexandria, Virginia Vince, get off your ass. We love you and are talking to God and anyone else who will listen and get you well. Do what the doctors tell you unless it’s unethical. Much love and more later, Lucinda, Clyde, and Hobart Dear Vince, Knowing that wishes have power, take heart! All will be well. Providence and Donn Billings Dear Vince, Was very distressed to hear of the accident. I sincerely hope you are bearing up well under it all. I know how really awful it cangetsometimeswhenitfeelslikeyou’velostsomuch.Iknow there just isn’t much anyone can say. You were a really good friend to us when we needed it, would like to think we could returnit.Don’tknowifthere’sanythingwecandofromthisdistance , but we’re here and extend whatever support we can. May peace return. Joanie Dear Vince, Wewerebothshockedandsadtohearaboutyouraccident. Being so far away makes it even worse. There’s not much we can do except hope and pray for your full recovery. 76 � One Man’s Music: The Life and Times of Texas Songwriter Vince Bell We sorely miss Vinco music. Our collection of Vince Bell music on tape has impressed our friends, but the tapes are wearing thin from use. Must get back to Texas to refill my supply. Can never forget the good times you gave us—the inspired madness at the Fair for the “Christmas Song” before you left for Tahoe, the joy of your return to Houston and the KPFT benefit with songs about your trip, opening night at Sweetheart of Texas Concert Hall and Saloon, a night at the Old Quarter (20 degrees outside, 21 degrees inside), froze our asses off and sang harmony, the Level Flight Band, more madness at Liberty Hall. If we can be of any help just let us know. We’re far away, but have many friends in Texas for support. God bless you, get back Vince. With love, John and Kathi Lopez P.S. Enclosed is a photo to help you remember who the heck we are. Vince, We came by but missed you. A few smokes to tide you over. See you soon. Love, Stephen and Franci Kathleen Vick came to see me every day. “It was a very big day when Vince got out of intensive care. He had a therapist, kind of his compadre , who was there all the time teaching Vince to feed himself. Vince had to completely start from the beginning. I thought this would be a big breakthrough, but I realized at that point that it had just begun. His surviving the wreck and getting out of intensive care was not the relief, not the, ‘Oh well, it’s done now. All we have to do is wait a little bit and he’ll be back to normal.’ That didn’t happen. It was never going to happen. The real work began then for him. Room 933 � 77 “Only after he regained consciousness and was taken off the machines and put in his own room did he start asking himself, Who am I? What am I? What’s going on? How did this happen? What do I have to do? Why can’t I do what I think I should be able to do? The hard part really started then. “The therapist told me that Vince was...