by Zuri Day
“The address to my next performance,” she responded. “This weekend, if you can make it.”
“For sure I’ll be there. Can I bring some others with me?”
“From here?”
“No, a couple of my brothers maybe, if they want to come.”
“I guess that would be all right.”
“So my psychological strategy worked after all.”
“Yeah, but don’t push it.”
“Hey, I’m just saying . . .” He looked at the card. “I guess I’ll come to see you then . . . and find out if you need a bucket to carry a tune.”
She opened the employee entrance door and tried to slam it before Doug could enter.
He laughed and pulled it open. Watching the confident sway of her ample hips made his smile widen.
9
Jan’s second week on the job looked nothing like the first one. Turns out Melissa hadn’t missed Monday because of too much partying. She’d really been sick, not returning to work with a doctor’s excuse until Thursday. Joey returned on Tuesday, but for some unexplained reason the lobby was busy all week. Doug was right. If this was any indication of what the holidays would look like, Jan didn’t have to worry about spending her afternoons at the counter with nothing to do.
More of a problem was trying to balance her passion with the means for a paycheck. Because of the extra hours she’d worked this week, there hadn’t been as much time to rehearse with the band for this Friday’s performance. Good thing this was a regular gig with a band she trusted, that she’d sang with off and on for almost a year. They’d done a quick run-through on Wednesday night and rehearsed last night until almost two a.m. Jan was dragging, but she knew that once she hit the stage the excitement at performing would carry her. Plus the club, Breeze, catered to the grown and sexy thirty and older crowd, a receptive audience of other hard workers who lived for the weekend and were ready to party down. She always had a good time there and expected tonight to not be an exception to the rule.
Besides a busy week and a show tonight, there was another reason for Jan’s good mood. Doug Carter. With Melissa and Joey absent, she and Doug worked together almost every night once the counter closed. The more she was around him, the better she liked him. Sure, he was a little too carefree for her taste, content to cruise through life being average. But he was thoughtful, caring, and, like her, seemed to love his family. Most importantly, though he’d tease her in secret, he’d kept his word about not sharing her dreams of a singing career with the other coworkers. She almost hoped that he’d change his mind or forget about tonight’s singing engagement. But a small part of her wanted him to show up, so she could show out. The stage was one place where Jan let her hair down, relaxed, and had a little fun.
With no time to return home before hitting the club, she’d talked Doug into letting her work through her dinner break, “just this one time, nobody will know,” and left the job a half hour early. Fortunately Breeze was off of Manchester Avenue, about ten minutes away. She arrived at ten past eight, with only a couple early birds at the bar and a couple sitting at one of the back tables.
“Hey there, Mr. G.” She greeted the man who looked like he’d run security since Jimmy Carter was president. “You going to keep the peace for me tonight?”
He patted his jacket pocket. “If they don’t start none, then there won’t be none.”
Inside the club she greeted a waitress cleaning off tables and hugged the bartender, who poured her usual single glass of chardonnay. She wasn’t a huge drinker, so that one glass sipped nice and slow as she dressed and put on makeup loosened her up enough to become the diva the night required.
“You heard from the band?” she asked Frank, the club’s manager, whom she passed in the hallway.
“You didn’t see Thump out there?”
“Our fearless band leader? No.”
“He’s around here somewhere. Sunny called. He’s on the way. You know how long it takes him to set up that mega drum set.”
She laughed. “Indeed.”
Frank gave her the once-over. “You’re looking good tonight. Got a little pep in your step I didn’t see last time.”
“Thank you.”
“What’s got you so happy? You got a new man in your life or something?”
“Yes, his name is Benjamin and he hangs out in my wallet.”
Frank laughed. “Sounds like I need to hang out with you. My friends are usually George and Abe.”
Jan’s phone vibrated. “I’ll see you later, Frank.”
“Have a good show.”
Jan rushed into the office that doubled as her dressing room and hurriedly placed down her garment bag and carry-on to grab the phone from her purse. It was one of two calls she’d hoped to receive. “Crystal!”
“Hey, girl.”
“Wait, you don’t sound happy. You didn’t get a sitter?”
“Yes, but baby has a fever.”
“No!”
“Sorry, Jan. Hubby and I were so looking forward to an evening out, but I can’t leave with her sick.”
“I understand. I was looking forward to having you in the audience.”
“Who knows? Maybe there’ll be a special man listening to you tonight.”
“Will you ever stop trying to get me hooked up?”
“Sure. Once you get the ring.”
Jan eyed the clock on the wall and wrapped up the call. She finished applying her makeup while thinking that if Starr acted on the text she’d sent earlier and came to see her performance tonight, she might not only get that elusive record deal, but be on her way to snagging the ring her cousin so wanted her to have. And in her heart of hearts . . . the one she wanted, too.
* * *
Doug slipped the security guard a tip and motioned his guests to follow him. They were led to a side table close to the stage.
“This woman must really be special,” Doug’s brother Byron commented as he pulled out the chair for his wife to sit. “Not only got you into a club on a Friday night but paying extra for a good table? The only tip you normally leave is how to find lost mail.”
“Keep your day job, boy,” Doug replied. “The comedian gig is clearly not for you.” Doug looked at his play big sis. “Ava, watch your brother and make sure he doesn’t embarrass Cynthia too bad.”
Byron put an arm around Cynthia’s shoulders. “You handle the stage. I’ll take care of my wife.”
The four ordered drinks and appetizers, trading barbs and jokes that kept the table laughing. By the time their food arrived the band was on the stage, getting the crowd warmed up with a rousing instrumental.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” said the man playing lead guitar after walking to the mike. “Please put your hands together and help me welcome the beautiful, talented, one and only Ms. Jan Baker!”
Doug looked around, noting a few whoops and whistles amid the enthusiastic applause.
The band switched songs seamlessly. The bass guitar player moved out of the shadows as the lead drifted back. As he played sharp key licks, a voice rang out from behind stage, singing a jazzy grown and sexy version of how she was all about that bass.
“Good evening, Breeze!” Jan strutted from behind the curtain in a form-fitting leopard-print dress, suede stilettos, and a big-hair wig. She worked the stage as she continued to sing, subtly turning sideways and winking at the crowd as she showed off her body’s bass that she was all about.
“She’s pretty,” Cynthia said as she swayed in her seat.
“And can sing!” Ava added. She turned to Doug. “You say she’s your coworker?”
Right now, Doug couldn’t say anything at all. He was transfixed, almost spellbound by the super-sexy singer strutting her stuff, working the room, flirting and dancing, and looking like two million bucks. The conservative, pretty-in-a-plain-way woman who worked the counter and helped him process mail was nowhere in sight. Before him was a sultry Siren, a vivacious vixen who made his mouth water and his soldier wake up. In sh
ock, he missed the amused look that passed between his siblings, and the eyes now fastened on him amid a group just entering the club.
Jan commanded the stage. Her smartly designed first set was a perfect blend of fast and slow, old and new. After trading riffs with the bass player to close the first song, she segued into Mary J. Blige’s “Real Love.” Couples spilled onto the dance floor. Single ladies sang along with their hands in the air.
“Come on, Doug,” Ava said, drinking the last of her lemon daiquiri. “You can’t expect to sit all night with the band jamming like this.” She stood, dancing in place and reaching for Doug’s arm.
He moved it out of her reach. “Girl, you know I don’t dance.”
“That don’t matter.” She took a step toward him. “You know I have no problem acting a fool, so if you don’t want to be embarrassed, you’ll take me out on the floor.”
“Ask Byron to dance with you.” Doug crossed his arms and affected a look perilously close to a pout. “I don’t want to get out there.”
Byron leaned forward. “What’s the matter, Dougie? Not feeling so fresh? Scared your girl will see your rather limited moves and send you packing?”
“One, she’s not my girl. Two, I don’t scare easily.”
While distracted, Ava grabbed his arm. “Then prove it. Come dance with me.”
Reluctantly, he did. Fortunately for him, while out on the floor Ava bumped into a former classmate, literally. He was relieved of duty and made a beeline to the bathroom both to freshen up and to get his head together about how his heart was feeling. Seeing Jan in her element had him about to catch feelings and ready to break his own rule about dating a peer. Two pairs of eyes followed his moves this time.
He was gone less than five minutes but upon returning to his table it seemed the crowd had doubled. He stopped at the bar for another ginger ale and decided to stand there awhile, where he could watch Jan in near obscurity. He smiled and bobbed his head to the beat as she demanded that men put a ring on it, felt special when she sang one of his old-school favorites even though there was no way for her to know about his boy crush on Michael Jackson, and allowed himself to simply enjoy her sultry, soulful rendition of Jill Scott’s “He Loves Me,” not realizing that he was jealous of who she might be talking about until much later that night.
What he did realize was an undeniable attraction for the woman who he’d admitted was fine but written off as not his type. Before the night was over, he decided as he watched her sashay from the stage with a wave and blown kiss at the end of the first set, this was a mistake he was going to correct.
10
Jan sat exhausted but happy in the office-turned-dressing room for tonight’s show. The wig had come off, the false eyelashes had been placed back in their case, and the torture device advertised as a body shaper had been tossed into her travel bag along with the dress that had made shaping necessary. Now in a much more comfortable flared-leg jumpsuit, Jan gathered the rest of her wardrobe and toiletries while talking to two of her favorite people in the world.
“I still can’t believe you tricked me, Chris! You don’t even do stuff like—” Her hand stilled in midair as her eyes slid from her cousin to Crystal’s husband, Brent. She stabbed him in the chest with a manicured fingernail. “This was your idea.”
Rather than deny it, Brent smiled triumphantly, basking in the success of their deception.
Jan looked at Crystal. “So the baby didn’t have a fever?”
“She felt a little warm,” Crystal replied with a Cheshire smile.
“Yeah, I just bet she did.” She tried but Jan couldn’t drum up an ounce of attitude. She was thrilled that the two of them were enjoying a rare night out together. “However it happened, I’m so glad you guys could come. It really meant a lot having you here.”
“You had a nice crowd,” Brent said. “Is it always like that?”
Jan shrugged. “Depends on what else is going on. I think this was one of the largest so far, though. I saw several regulars who’ve been to all the shows.”
Crystal beamed at her cousin. “Look at you. Being all star-like with fans and stuff.”
“I don’t know about all that.” Her smile dissipated. “But speaking of stars, too bad Nick didn’t make it. If he’d seen me tonight, I would have definitely made the cut for the reality show, might even have gotten a deal.”
“There are more people producing than that egomaniac. Just keep doing your thing, cousin. You never know who’ll show up.”
“What about the people on your job?” Brent asked. “Did you invite them to come check you out?”
Jan shook her head. “Not everybody. Only my supervisor.”
Brent nodded knowingly. “Trying to get in good with the boss. I see you.”
“Not at all. But in order to try and get off a little bit early some nights, I had to tell him why.”
Crystal’s interest was obviously piqued. “Was he here?”
Another nod. “I saw him early on, sitting with a lady and another couple.”
“Oh.”
“No need to sound disappointed, Chris. It’s fine with me that he brought a date.”
“I know. I was just hoping—”
“No, you were just meddling.” Brent shook his head. “Always trying to play matchmaker.”
“Honey, I just want everybody to be as happy as I am, with a wonderful man like you.” She watched as Brent searched for a comeback but finding none, offered a sheepish smile. “Yeah, that shut you down, didn’t it?”
“I’m about to shut down, too,” Jan said between a yawn. “A hot shower and a soft bed are calling my name.”
She looked around the office a final time, making sure she had all her things. “Y’all ready?”
Brent and Crystal stood and followed her out of the office and down the hall, waiting while she collected her pay from Frank, who sat at the bar chatting with the bass player.
“Damn! The clock sure struck midnight, didn’t it?” Thump teased Jan as usual and got on her nerves the way he intended. Nicknamed because of the way he played the bass, he’d been one of Jan’s biggest supporters ever since the day she’d auditioned for his band. He’d hired her on the spot. “You not only lost your glass slipper but that sexy dress, too.”
Jan laughed and punched his shoulder. “Forget you, boy.”
“Just messing with you.”
“I know.”
Frank counted out several twenties and handed them over. “You did your thing tonight, baby girl. People really enjoyed it.”
“Thanks, Frank.” She looked at Thump. “Bye, fool.”
“You take it easy. Hard driving a pumpkin in the city.”
She waved him off and motioned for Crystal and Brent as she walked to the door. They stepped out to a comfortably cool night, typical for mid-October, with a light breeze and a full moon. The crowds had left and few cars were on the street.
Brent looked at Jan. “Where’d you park?”
“In the parking lot.”
“We’ll walk you to your car,” Crystal said.
“Thanks.”
They rounded the building. Jan’s eyes went straight to a sight she’d hardly expected. A shiny, electric blue Kawasaki motorcycle parked by her car. And sitting on it, the man whose image refused to stay away as she earlier sang about walking in parks after dark.
Brent’s steps slowed a bit as he asked Jan, “Do you know him?”
“Yes, it’s fine.”
“Who is it?” Crystal asked.
“My supervisor.”
“Oh. And without his date. Hmm . . .”
Jan cut her a look. “Don’t start.”
The man stood as they approached. “I thought you’d never come out of there.”
“I didn’t know you were waiting.” The three reached him and stopped. “Why are you waiting?”
“Because I had to see if the sister on that stage tonight was really the woman who worked on Normandie Avenue. You look a little like her e
xcept she had big hair and even bigger swagger, nothing like the reserved woman I know.”
“In that case, I’m sorry you waited. She disappeared as soon as the show was over.”
“Man, that’s a shame. I wanted to tell her how good she was tonight. She was the truth! Right up there with anybody on the radio; better than most of them actually.”
Jan warmed at his praise, and at his gaze. “I’ll tell her you said so.”
“Excuse my rude cousin,” Crystal said, stepping forward. “I’m Crystal, and this is my husband, Brent.”
Doug held out his hand. “Doug Carter. Nice meeting you.” The men exchanged greetings.
“Jan said you came with guests,” Crystal continued, ignoring her cousin’s tug on her jean jacket. “They couldn’t wait with you?”
“No, my sister, Ava, has an early appointment in the morning. So her, my brother, and his wife left a little ways into the second set. They enjoyed her, too, though. We all did.”
“Ah, your sister.” Crystal emphasized the word, chuckling as she subtly shifted away from the fingers now trying to pinch her through layers of clothes. “That was nice of you, Doug. Not only coming to show your support but inviting others to join you.”
“I wish I could take the credit, but Ava would have come anyway.” He shifted his attention from Crystal to Jan. “Turns out she already knew about that bad sistah who throws it down at Breeze. Had been to see you a couple times.”
“Really? What a coincidence. I guess even in a city as large as LA it can be a small world. And though your sister already knew about me I appreciate you coming out, and bringing some of your family.”
Doug’s voice dropped a notch. “My pleasure.”
“My goodness, look at the time.” Crystal grabbed her husband’s arm. “Doug, could you please make sure my cousin gets home safely?”
Jan cut her eyes at a wide-smiling Crystal. “I’ll be fine.”
“Don’t worry, Crystal. I’ve got her.” He looked at Brent. “It was nice meeting you, man. You too, Crystal.”
Crystal waved. “Likewise. Hope to see you again.”
“Bye, Crystal.” Jan was trying to speed her cousin’s departure and then her own. “Bye, Brent.”
