Jake had heard his brother's chuckle and Lydia's laughter and cut them a brief glance wondering if he were the butt of their humor? He had finished his drink and was contemplating another one when one of the waitresses walked by, he lifted his empty cocktail glass to signal wanting another. Since she'd brought him that one, she knew what he wanted, with a nod she alerted him that his second drink was as good as ordered.
He turned back to watching Vivian. Studying her. She was breath-taking. He could see the whiteness of her teeth from where he stood hidden in the shadows. Smiling and laughing at something Meribel was saying. Then Dennis said something that made her laugh even more. He watched Sheila in her animated way add something that made Vivian really break into animated laughter. So pretty... so very pretty. He thought it oddly contradictory that someone so dark could have a smile and face that lit up a room, or... was it just that her face lit him up from within? He wanted to caress her skin. He wanted to walk up to her, right now, surprising her. He could see himself kneeling before her, reaching up to touch her soft cheek. She would then lean down so he could cover her mouth with his, accepting his kiss while no one else's would ever do. Were she to see him now, he knew she would be stunned. She didn't know he was there, watching her. Gazing at her, hungry to have her. He knew where he'd gone wrong. He should have never broken his own rules, calling to talk to her, thinking about her all the time, that's what got him to where he was right then. He wanted to go and take a seat at that table and grab her hand, so that all would know, she was his!
Jake squeezed his eyes shut, grinding his back teeth as he gave a slight shake of his head. Maddening - angry - discontent - struggle - fighting it.
"No dammit... I won't give in... I won't... moving you Saturday - then washing my hands of you. No more phone calls. No more day dreaming, no more-..." He stopped the low mumblings to himself because he'd opened his eyes to look at her again to see a black man kneeling beside her chair. Looking up into her face just as he'd just moments ago imagined himself doing. He was hitting on her. Granted, Vivian's look at him was of complete disinterest, but that didn't register with Jake, all he could see was the man trying to get in with someone that no man had a right to as far as he was concerned. No, maybe she wasn't officially his, not yet anyway, but he'd be damn if anyone else got in there before him! The waitress delivered him a fresh drink, took his empty glass as he paid her. Derrick saw it and shook his head - apprehension and dread coming to life within him. His brothers were such a trial for him. Between him and Shawn, they exhausted him.
Jake sipped at his second drink, his eyes narrowed over the rim of the glass as he baked watching her. Watching one attempt after another from men trying to get her attention. By the time the show started and the club owner stepped on the stage, two black men, one Spanish and a white guy had hit on her. The white guy buying her a drink. Lucky for her, she didn't accept it, because Jake imagined running and grabbing it from her hand slinging it in the man's face and breaking the glass against the wall. He took another sip.
The band was playing, 'The "In" Crowd' in subdued tones as the club owner stepped up to the microphone, "Good evening ladies, gentlemen and those that ain't so sure." He paused smiling for the laughter to recede. "I'm Bruce and welcome to Fitzgerald's! As many of you know, those of you whom have been following our contests, that tonight is the night of picking our favorite top female vocalist. Fitzgerald's aim is to bring you only the best in live enter-tainment! The contest tonight will assure that, just as in the days of old. Now I've been in this business for more years than I can remember and I've seen'em all, names too big and too many to mention. Who knows what this night will bring and so it gives me great pleasure, well it gives me great pleasure almost every night - but that's enough about my sex life. No, seriously-..." He paused for the laughter, chuckling himself, "... it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you four talented young women whom I'm certain will wow each one of you with their fantastic voices. However, as you all know - this is a contest, and only one can win. This is where true talent will be found, because all they will have to help them is our piano man, Dexter Brighton!" Who nodded his head towards the audience as he kept playing softly. "So if their voices are true, and the skill is real it will all be decided by the way you feel! Ah Yeah! Not only will that one win a place in Fitzgerald's as one of our live performers, but she will also walk away with a sum of $500 dollars prize money. Yet certainly, they are all winners having made it here tonight. As in the days of old, its the applause of the audience that determines the winner. So don't forget that at the end of every performance, they'll be rated by your response. Now I know what my choice would be, but its not up to me, its up to you. Your uncle Brucie only wants what you want." He clicked his tongue and winked at them. "So without further ado..." He turned to the small band present, "... okay guys off to the side of the stage." He turned back to the microphone and audience as the drummer, the sax player, the trumpet man and double base player moved out of sight leaving the piano player to accompany the female vocalist he was about to introduce. "... let us begin with our first performance tonight, as we welcome Angelina Dawson to the stage." A pretty red head strolled out amidst polite applause wearing a little number she'd picked up the previous week, shimmering dark forest green to bring out the hazel green in her eyes.
"Well little lady, are your ready?" Bruce asked her.
"I sure hope so." She returned smiling brightly.
"Ladies and gentlemen, singing - 'The Way He Makes Me Feel' - Angelina Dawson!"
Sylvia was rehearsing still when she heard the first contestant start to sing. Her voice was so stunning she had to stop and listen. A few verses in, led her to gentle reflections about Shawn. She took a seat in the chair in front of her vanity mirror, listening to the smooth vocals of a sung she now wished she'd chosen. She loved Barbara Streisand, especially the music from her Yentl soundtrack. She took a deep breath and knew how true those words, the way a man could make you feel. As she listened, she realized she was most certainly in a serious competition. That first one out, sang strong, controlled and sweet - holding on to the melody and every note.
"Jesse James - we definitely going home after we find your grandpa. Listen at her, what a voice. Your mama must be crazy. There's no doubt in my mind now, that with your father, is where I belong. Tomorrow, your grandpa..." Sylvia sighed long and deep, "... then its home to face your father. He was not so happy the last time we spoke but then neither was I, letting that - ugh! I can't believe she stooped so low. Never mind - we'll be home soon, and that will be that."
She fell silent as she slipped into a daydream of Shawn, rubbing her midriff gently. Seeing him that first time as he stepped into the post office, their eyes meeting immediately, his insufferable grin. Sylvia smiled and then chuckled in the isolation of the room, seeing him in her minds eye doubled over in laughter as she lay embarrassed and stuck in his back deck railing, she laughed out loud at the replaying scene in her head, he'd had tears running from his eyes. Then their first kiss, inside her front door, taking her completely by surprise. Just the reflection back on it took her breath away. Never had she imagined in a hundred years to be married to such a man, yet... they were married, the vows had been said. She thought of that day, standing and exchanging vows with him, nervous, unsure, wondering had she lost her mind.
"Yes, I have... and my heart." She murmured softly, speaking to no one in particular. She couldn't believe it was almost two weeks since she left home. It seemed longer, much longer, an eternity in fact. The first contestant was wrapping up her song, it ended sweetly. Sylvia waited to hear the applause, it came loud with whistles and all.
"Oh yeah! Give that lady a hand, did I not tell you, this was gonna be some kind of show? Well done Angelina Dawson... well done!" Bruce cheered her as he went on to prepare the audience for the next act. "Next up to take center stage, let's all welcome Lana Claiborne!" He announced. Lana Claiborne strolled out wearing a red, sequence, slinky gown that l
ooked like it was glued to her wide curves. It was a very risqué, revealing little number that dipped down her back with the drape stopping right before the crack of her rear was exposed, the front was no better, but the men in the audience sure appreciated it as their whistles and wolf calls attested to. She had a head full of gorgeous dark hair cascading over her shoulders and down her back over her shoulder blades. Bruce would have been impressed if it hadn't been for the fact that she'd already given him a little, "treat" in his office. He just hoped that backstage performance didn't hamper her on stage performance.
"Well Ms Lana Claiborne, you ready?!"
She smiled, slow and sultry, "Always." She purred casting eyes to the audience of men, who were enjoying her performance without the singing.
"Act two, singing, 'Cry Me A River'!"
Vivian sipped her drink, she was having such a good time. Feeling a bit giddy - but elated. Now and then, she had weird sensations that coursed over her body, making her shiver and get goose pimples in a way that she couldn't explain, it was as if someone were watching her. She knew that was all nonsense, perhaps the alcohol was going to her head. Sheila had asked her was she okay, she had smiled and nodded that she was, because she was... nevertheless, strange feelings were definitely awakened within her. She put it down to the atmosphere the club evoked, the songs that were being sang, the live and incredible band that was jamming so rhythmic and easy. She was in love with this world, and as she sat taking it all in, only thing that was missing was a man by her side. No, not any man. She could have chosen any number of them on the way there and once they were seated, any of those that had approached her. There was only one man that she wanted, and that was Jacob Patrick McPherson - her Jake. She would never tell Sheila that she'd regretted moving out. Sheila would think she was crazy. Not to mention stupid. But Sheila wasn't in love with Jake, she was. While she didn't have a whole lot of experience with different men, she didn't need a lot to know when she'd found her perfect match. Come hell or high water, she would hold out until he came around, if he ever did for that matter. She couldn't help but wonder what he would think when he went to her house and found she'd moved out already. She was a bit afraid that her actions might turn him completely off, and so she'd been tempted twice to call him and let him know she'd moved out already and where.
Despite her feelings, she'd held herself back from it. Sylvia had said, if Jake really wanted her, REALLY wanted her - he would find her, but she need not make it easy for him. As hard as it was to listen to Sylvia, she'd done so. She had pulled herself away from the phone and accepted that the deed was done. She had to exercise one hell of a feat of self-control to maintain the decision, but she'd succeeded... so far. It was after all, only Thursday. There was still Friday and Saturday to struggle through. There was no since in crowing victory just yet. Swaying to the song, she sipped her drink, feeling the liquid fire ignite the blood in her veins, she had a very low resistance to alcohol because she wasn't a drinker, but tonight, this night, she was determined to have a good time, even though Jake was no where in sight - she would push him to the back of her mind, and live for the moment.
Jake was returning from the men's room and a keen urge rode him to head out on that floor to the table where Vivian sat. Derrick must have sensed he might, because he was waiting at the end of the hall for him. "Come on, won't be much longer now... stay put okay?"
Jake almost snarled at him to leave him the hell alone, but he obeyed and returned to his spot leaning against the wall. Remembering that he was there to see Sylvia perform, while his brother attempted to get his wife back. That was the one thing that kept him under control. He was on his third drink now, and feeling it. His brother walked past him on his way to the men's room. He looked over at Lydia and decided to go into the booth and sit next to her for a bit, just to clear his head. He sat down and scooted up next to her, and leaned to her ear. "You okay Mrs. Martin? Anything I can get for you? A drink?"
Lydia smiled as she looked at him. "Just to sit here and listen to the music, watch the ladies sing, I'm just fine. How you doin'?" She asked.
Jake laughed, as he leaned his long body back, looking from Lydia out at Vivian, he sighed, "I'm gonna finish this drink and make it my last, 'fore it makes me do something stupid. If I succeed in that, I'll be okay." He answered honestly. "When do you think Sylvia will be performing?" He asked.
"Don't know sugga, but I hope she is as good as what we been hearing so far. Your brother say she got a beautiful voice."
"My brother says, that so do you... you should be up there singing!" He encouraged grinning up at her, unable to help himself from flirting and winking at her.
Lydia shook her head and laughed at him, "Boy you know you is the devil! Wicked as they come... lord have mercy!"
He laughed with her and took another sip of his drink, only to have the smile that was on his face slide off as an Italian guy boldly moved a chair to the table where Vivian sat.
"Aye m'man ... what's up? You get a invitation or something?" Dennis addressed the tipsy Italian.
"Aye man, what you gone do with all these fine women? Lemme' take one off your hands?" He demurred, eyeing Vivian. "This one here." He reached up and caressed Vivian's bare arm.
"Excuse me! Do not touch me!" Vivian ordered.
"Man, what the fuck wrong with you?! You don't just sit yo' ass down uninvited and start touching people! You need to get the hell up from this table, now!" Dennis demanded.
The Italian looked from him to Vivian, all four of them could see the look in his eyes, what he would just love to say to her, there was full blown lust in his deep brown depths. As if Dennis hadn't spoken he said softly, "Come on now, woman like you - don't make since for you to be here alone." He disregarded the fact that Meribel was also there and alone, since Dennis was with Sheila.
Vivian crossed her arms over her breasts, sitting back in her seat, her body language stating loud and clear, she was closed to him and unwilling to offer him any hope. Dennis was looking around for one of the bouncers, he needn't have worried, one of the bouncers paid to keep the peace, had his eyes trained on the audience scanning it for any possible trouble, noticing the move by the Italian, a clear indication of something developing, he stepped up to the table and asked. "Is everything okay here?"
"My man here done lost his way. Made a mistake and sat at the wrong table, why don't you help him find his own." Dennis directed.
"Sir - where's your table?" The large white bouncer asked. Two others, both black stood by watching in the distance to see if he might need any help. All three massive in size.
The Italian sighed, unwilling to take his eyes off of Vivian, who was looking ahead, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a gaze, he stood as if broken hearted, grabbed his chair, eyeing Vivian still, he cooed before parting, "You change your mind, I'll be right over there." He smiled and winked at her.
The bouncer escorted him back to his table, where he sat staring at Vivian for the rest of that evening. Never realizing that someone stared hard at him just as well, the feelings that motivated it in that person completely opposite to what made him stare.
"Girl when you come out with us, don't you wear shit like that no'mo! Need a goddamn can of Raid for these motherfuckers!"
Meribel chuckled as she tried to maintain a hold on the video camera to record each performance.
"Don't tell her that Dennis! Why shouldn't she look good when she come out, she ain't got no man!" Sheila defended her. "Is anything wrong with the way she dressed?" Sheila asked Meribel. "No! If I could wear stuff like that, I'd have it on! You look good mami!"
"Excuse me for being the only man here, but is she not suppose to be working on Jake?! What the hell happen to that?!" He asked Vivian. "Um hm, I bet if Jake ass was around to see yo' ass like that, he wouldn't like it! No man that feels anything for a woman he serious about, want her out dressed like that unless she on his arm! Hell, some don't want'em like that even then!" He fussed.
"
Well he ain't here is he?!" Sheila returned to her husband. "So she might as well do a lil'fishin'. Can't hurt none."
"That's right, and after what he did... why not?!" Meribel added.
"Well what he do?" Dennis asked.
"Thought you didn't wanna know!" Sheila reminded him.
"Damn right I don't, leave me out the shit! Do what you wanna do."
Vivian sighed, she wasn't the least bit interested in fishing. There was only one fish for her, that big fish that kept escaping every woman's hook, she wanted that one... period. She dressed the way she did because she needed to feel good about herself. Being the darkest child of her sisters forced her to use every opportunity there was to say, "Hey, look at me, I may be black ... but what I got, how I look, is what you want!" It may not be the right way to be, but that's how it was for her, she needed regular shot doses to her self-esteem, so she wasn't about to dress down.
Jake finished off his last drink, no longer in the good mood talking to Lydia had put him in. He sat, once again quiet. Derrick had returned and noticed that he'd finally come into the booth with them. He was dying to ask Lydia what had taken place in his absence but dare not. Jake was after all, sitting right there.
The first two acts had performed and for intermission, the full band re-claimed the stage playing, 'Take Five' - Shawn was sitting in the chair in front of the vanity with his foot propped up and the chair tilted back on two legs, the same way he'd sat in his mom's kitchen chairs back when he was a young man, only to receive a slap on the head about sitting that way, for fear that he'd fall while breaking her chair legs in the process.
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