"Hmmm? Well my brother, I hate to tell you this, but uh... you sound pretty much smack dab in the center of that already. With that said, I'll say no more, you still coming tonight?"
"Yeah... I'll be there." He confirmed grudgingly.
"All right, see you later."
Chapter 118
Sylvia was a nervous wreck. Tonight was just about vocal performers. She was worried about the song she'd selected to sing. While there were songs that would demand more from her, none touched her as this one did. She'd chosen it because once again, it conjured up all the things she felt about her husband. Tonight, all those apart of the contest had to show up two and a half hours before hand. They would be singing accompanied by a live piano player. No lead ins and outs of Karaoke. Each would be given just 30 minutes to find their key and collaborate with the player to find their form for the song they'd chosen. Sylvia had been singing all day long, creating areas to add more power and emotion, making the song she'd chosen her own. Meribel was a blessing because she was straight forward and honest with what sound good, what didn't. Just to make sure the song would work with the pianist, she'd called the club and spoken with Bruce the owner, telling him what song she planned to sing.
"Beautiful selection... I'm sure he won't have a problem with that." He stated to her enquiry.
"Good, can I please be the last to rehearse? I haven't found a gown for myself yet, I'm leaving now-..."
"That's been taken care of already. I'm providing the costumes for tonight's performance, you'll find five gowns in your dressing room, all you need do is chose which one." He informed her.
"Oh... um... thank you. How would you know my size? How would you know any of the ladies sizes performing?"
"I've been doing this for quite sometime... I can pretty much look at a woman and tell her size. I order gowns in sizes each way... guaranteed to hit it right."
"Well, what if the one I like, is of the size in either direction that is not mine? Then what?"
Bruce chuckled. "Trust me, I've got your size... so... make sure you're here ahead of time."
Sylvia clicked the phone off staring at Meribel.
"Well... looks like there's no need for us to go shopping. He says he has costume's for all the acts tonight."
"Great, that saves you money. That's the way it should be. What's wrong, why you lookin' like that?"
Sylvia shook her head, "No reason, I mean... does that make sense to you, that he would purchase dresses for four different acts, in various sizes and styles... I mean - why not save that for the act that you know is going to be there all the time? Buy dresses for that one... no waste, you measure her, and then order the variety... but... for contestants?" It just didn't make sense to Sylvia.
"Hey, maybe that's the way he does things... no matter, less money you have to spend."
"Yeah, I guess."
"You gonna practice a few more times?" Meribel asked.
"You think I need it?"
"To be honest, no... the last two times... perfect - I love your rendition of that song. It happens to be one of my favorites, it fits for Derrick and I as well."
"After tonight, I'm going to see my father, and then... I'm going home."
"Well well well... so you've had enough then?"
"I'm tired... sick of sleeping in a hotel. I mean, its been nice... but I wanna go home and sleep in my own bed. After my father, that's it - I've had enough. Any challenges or fighting to be done with my husband... I'll do it from the comfort of my own abode! Besides, I miss the kids, I miss my Angela. I wasn't cut out for this... I'm not a gypsy... up and down the road. Sides, I got a baby to grow." Sylvia smiled rubbing her midriff. "I just wanna go home now. It's enough."
"Me too... I was gonna ask you if you wouldn't mind taking me home after tonight, I need to get back to my family."
"Are we gettin' old?" Sylvia asked suddenly.
"Maybe not old, we just - well - it's the men... when you got the kind of men we do, waiting at home for us, this all - wears off kind'ah quick. For others, it may be a life, but - not for me. Not for you."
"Yeah... but I'm glad I did it. Otherwise, it would have come up later, and I would always wondered about it. Now, there's nothing left to wonder about."
"What will you do if you win tonight? Then what?"
"There's always a runner up. So... if by some chance I win... the second in place will have to be the one."
"You know what we need?" Meribel suddenly asked.
"What?"
"A Camcorder! You'll have this night recorded to look back on."
"DUH! Let's go! We can pick one up before we have to be there... why didn't I think of that!"
"Girl how much money have you spent since you left home?!" Meribel asked.
"Don't go there! I'll have to face that later! Right now, I'm gonna spend this last bit. Besides, that's something else I've always wanted and never got."
"Doesn't Shawn have one?"
"Yeah, but he's not here is he?"
"Now you sure you can handle this?" Shawn asked Jake standing in Lydia's living room. She'd just finished off laughing more than she had in sometime. All three of the McPherson brother's stood in her living room. She couldn't decide which of the three was more charming. All three were handsome devils, that was for certain, but she had a feeling, that baby boy was something! Shawn had been filling her in most of the day on what was happening to him. So it seems he was falling for Vivian. But fighting it every bit of the way according to his older brother.
While she'd never given in to thoughts of being with a white man, she knew from that afternoon and evening, had any like the three standing before her now been around, she might have been tempted. They were lively, funny and very respectful in front of her. Right then, Shawn was trying to get his brother Jake, to understand how his little camcorder worked.
"So all I have to do is hang it down in front of me like this? Make sure this button is switched up to the red and it'll do the rest?"
"Well yeah, but you have to make sure to keep it on her up on stage, especially on her. If you mess up with the others performing, that's fine - but have it right when my wife's performing. And this is the zoom."
"Derrick... you should do it - you're use to this kind of thing." Jake whined.
"Give it here Jake! I'll do it, you always did get out of doing any work!" Derrick fussed holding his hand out for the recorder.
"I just don't wanna deal with Shawn if it doesn't come out right." He shot back, pulling the strap from around his head. "Ma'am... you just don't know what I went through as a little boy growing up under these two. Especially Shawn... he use to beat me up all the time." Jake whined extra pitiful, looking the part of the poor innocent victim.
"Tell her why?!" Shawn ordered.
"Because I was the youngest, they use to make me do everything when mom and dad weren't home, if I didn't do it right, they'd beat me up." He lied going to sit next to Lydia, as if she would protect him from it happening now. Lydia played along with it, she already knew who the devil was, but she was enjoying it too much to let on.
"That's a shame! Shawn I'm shocked at you! Pickin' on the baby - po'thing - no wonder he don't wanna hold the camera."
"That's right ma'am, that's why... he's brutal... you don't know him like I know him."
"Ma'am, Mrs. Martin, if you believe him, you can believe we're the long lost son's of JFK." Derrick spoke up.
"I'on know now, the way he carried on, ya'll might be."
They all laughed, happy to have met her. They made her dress extra nice and then took her out to dinner, spoiling her with the type of attention she couldn't help but lap up. After dinner, they would head over to the jazz club. She would be riding with Jake and Derrick. Shawn was taking his motorcycle. He didn't know what he might need to do and wanted his own wheels.
"How do I look?" Vivian asked Sheila and Dennis. They were dressed and ready to go, had been waiting on her to walk over from her new home which was just a bl
ock away behind them, she could have easily crossed the alley and down a bit straight over to their back yard, but Vivian didn't do alley's, especially dressed as she was.
"Goddamn girl! You be gettin' into some shit don'cha!" Dennis whooped.
"You like?" She asked, turning to give them the full effect. Sheila shook her head, she loved her Vivian, she was like the daughter they would never have. It didn't bother her at all that Dennis wolf called her a bit... because she looked that good, even Sheila had to give it to her.
"You tryin' to get you another man on the hook? Wearing that... you about to."
She was wearing an out of sight, standing out loud, zebra skin dress, that cost an arm and a leg with the matching high heeled boots. The bold black and white print was absolutely stunning against her dark skin, fitting her figure like it was poured on, reaching mid-thigh. She had her afro shaped to perfection, her make-up, not that it took much for her, was exact as it should be.
"I don't look cheap do I? I don't wanna be lookin' like no prostitute."
"Girl... ain't no hooker I know can afford to look like that!" Sheila stated honestly, "You look like a fine ass proud to be, African princess - strut yo' goddamn stuff baby girl! Shit! If Jake saw yo' ass tonight, he would flip out!"
"I know... I wish he could see me, but ain't no chance of that, he not coming up until Saturday."
"Where you won't be."
"I know." Vivian wilted. "Maybe I shouldn't have moved out so fast, what if he can't find me? What if he don't want to?" She asked.
Sheila turned to Dennis, "Baby... she 'bout to drive me nuts about this man. She 'bout to become a orphan she don't leave me alone about Mr. McPherson."
"Baby you the one brought him up!" Dennis pointed out in Vivian's behalf.
"Thank you! Okay... wasn't me!" Vivian exclaimed in her own defence.
"'Sides, you know the girl in love wit' the man, what you expect?"
"Yeah what you expect?!" Vivian decided to ride with it. "I can't help it! I don't wanna want him, but I do."
"Girl you best get you some backbone when it come to him and keep it when you facing him! How soon we forget, just the other day he had you over there kickin' Edwina's end like a ghetto child! Now you know I raised you better than that! Fightin' over some man!"
"I do have backbone when I'm facing him, its... when he leaves that it dissolves." She defended herself. "However, you was over there too wantin' to kick her butt!"
"That was different, it wasn't over no man, it was over principle! Big difference."
"Yeah yeah yeah... well ya'll can discuss that on the way! ZACHARY!! We leavin'! Don't be here actin' no fool while we gone, you hear me boy?!" Dennis asked his second son, the sixteen year old. The younger two ran out to kiss them goodnight and wish them a good time. Jimmy, with his cast on his arm, and Tyrese, the youngest.
"It ain't like you gonna be gone all night, it be straight when you get home."
"I know. Just makin' sure you know that's what I expect." He finished heading out the door following his wife and Vivian to the van. Vivian was wearing a light weight, black, leather dress-coat, that fit perfectly over her dress, she was runway model material and then some.
"Believe me you gonna do just fine. That rehearsal went great! You'll win hands down, no doubt about it. And that gown... girl... you need to keep that. I'd see about buying that off of him." Meribel commented in Sylvia's dressing room.
"I know, I just love it. It fits me so nicely, and I love the see through little panels here and there."
"Well, all things considered, you be glad your husband ain't here to see you in that. Even though its not revealing anything important, it is sexy as hell! That gold trim, cream body and glittery threads, girl you know that gown cost some money."
"Well, at least I get to enjoy wearing it for one night huh?" Sylvia blew out, and then inhaled deep. "Once again, I just want it over."
"You'll do fine, I better get out there so I can have this ready to record you."
"Thanks Meribel... for everything! You've made these last few days so much more enjoyable for me, I'll never forget it."
"Hey... you're not the only one who enjoyed herself! I got something great out of this too. Break a leg, or... an arm, whichever one means good luck!" She chuckled and headed for the door, just as she was going out, Bruce, the club owner was getting ready to knock.
"Excuse me." Meribel bid him, nodding and making her way out towards the audience as he leaned in and took a look at Sylvia, asking, "Can I come in?"
"Sure... come on. How do I look?"
"Like a star! Just as I'd thought you'd look. No one else would do that gown justice - the color and the style, all made for you." He stated sincerely.
"Well, any chance I could talk you into selling it to me?"
"You win tonight, and become part of Fitzgerald's - it's yours." He stated, looking over her body as the gown fit her ample curves like a glove. She had incredible skin, the kind that made a man wish to caress it all night.
Sylvia shifted uncomfortable with him staring at her as he was, and spoke up saying, "Well... I should probably rehearse, practice a bit more, before its my turn."
He only stared at her mouth, she gulped, with her heart racing.
"Why? You sound amazing. Why tamper with perfection? You'll be a sensation, I don't doubt it for a moment. You know... I can easily see, a contract in your future. You ever consider singing professionally? I have connections, I'm almost 100% certain, I can get you a recording contract."
"You think I'm that good?" Sylvia asked stunned.
"Yes, and then some. You most certainly have what it takes, the entire package, from head to toe with a voice that none could deny. Let me manage you? Let's talk contract after the contest."
Sylvia shook her head smiling, "I'm sorry but-..."
"Ah ah ah ah ah - don't answer yet. After the contest, after the show - we'll talk. I can work with you, whatever your concerns."
"It's not that - its'-..."
"AH! After the show... okay? I have to talk with the others, break a leg!"
Sylvia stood a moment in a daze as he closed the door behind him. There was a time when she would have gone for it perhaps. Not now, not when she had Shawn, Angela and Jesse James on the way. Even if it could be worked out, she couldn't see Shawn tolerating her being on the road. For that matter, she couldn't see herself in that position. No, tonight... she would have... and then, she would move on, see her father and it was back home to Wisconsin. She turned to the speaker, the first act was beginning. Introductions were being made, and the contest began.
Chapter 119
"Now Lydia, please don't forget, she isn't to know I'm here. I'll be waiting back stage for her after her performance. Derrick will take you home afterwards." Shawn nervously entreated her.
"Chile I know. I kep'it from her so far ain't I?"
"Yes ma'am, and I thank you for that."
"Don't you worry 'bout nothing but keepin' a hold of her when you got her." Lydia couldn't help herself, she'd taken to grinning just imagining the merry chase her daughter sent this man on. She would have to take the time to really give her daughter a look over to get to know the woman she was, while she told her how proud she was of her.
"Jake... Derrick... stay - out - of sight! Please! If she catches sight of either of you, she's gonna know."
"Hey... don't you worry about us, we'll keep to the back in the shadows, waiting for her performance."
"Thank you, Paul knows you're coming and he's already made sure that when you're spotted, you're let in, just say - Paul Pewsey - you're in. He's described you anyway, so kind of wait for last to go in."
"No problem." Derrick answered for Jake and Lydia.
"Okay... well, here goes - just in case I don't see you guys again tonight, I'll ring you in the morning Lydia, Derrick - Jake. If things go right, you won't be hearing or seeing me again tonight." He grinned ultra happy. He was nervous, excited and at the top of elation knowing h
e'd finally be getting his wife back, one way or the other.
"We'll be fine, good luck! We're gonna sit here and watch the arrivals." Jake announced from the parking vantage point in the lot across from the club that was quickly filling. They had front parking pointing at the street and could see the front entrance of Fitzgerald's.
Shawn nodded and walked back to his bike, climbed on, started it and road back out onto the street, weaving through the building traffic, down the block and around the corner out of sight.
"Lord'o'mercy that man look the part on that bike don'he?" Lydia complimented with a shake of her head.
The two men chuckled at her enthusiasm to subtly whoop at their brother. "Yeah he is ma'am, Shawn's the rebel biker, that one there, is the cowboy, never busted a bronco though-..." Derrick started out, making Jake grin because of the dirty thought that went through his head that he wished he'd been able to say, but not in front of Lydia, most certainly to do with a lot of riding. However his mannish snigger, coupled with the twinkle in his eyes told her what he was thinking.
"You aught'ah be shame of yo'self fo' what you thinkin'!" She scolded him even though she was smiling.
Jake feigned surprise, "What?! What'd I do? Ma'am - they have all judged me wrong, don't break my heart believin' it's true. I'm just a lonely cowboy." He flirted with her, puppy dog, hazel blue eyes, gazing softly into hers.
Lydia threw her head back and crowed with laughter, "Lord look at this one here!Boy behave yo'self! You ain't foolin' me!"
"Ach - I'm heart broken. Forever bein' misjudged, misunderstood-..."
"Give it a rest Jake - jeez-louise!" Derrick chuckled, and then captured their attention when he muttered, "Whoa! Look at the dress... good God ah'mighty! Once again, the dress has arrived!"
Both Jake and Lydia looked out the windshield to see Sheila, Dennis and Vivian preparing to cross the street. The traffic was getting a bit thick, so they had to stand and wait to cross. Vivian had taken off her leather dress-coat because she'd grown warm in it. Now, standing in that dress and spike heel boots, she was disrupting the flow of traffic. Men were stopping to yell out their windows at her.
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