A French Song in New York

by Anna Adams

“I want you to know that I’m looking forward to working with—” Thomas began.

  “You can stop right there,” Mr. Soderline held up his hand. When it fell back to his side, perspiration had gathered on his brow. “I brought you here because I want you to know my opinion about you getting this part. You’ve obviously got people in high places rooting for you. But I don’t want any funny business. And I want to make sure that Maude is okay with this.”

  Maude’s first thought was for Matt. She imagined his reaction. His annoyance regarding Thomas’ participation in the musical had been subdued by the knowledge that his part would be a small one. What would he think of Thomas having a part that involved her professing her love for him?

  “I don’t have much of a choice, do I?” Maude finally asked, hoping she could have a say.

  Mr. Soderline shook his head and dashed her hopes.

  “What I want to know is whether you two will be able to work together. I don’t know what the status of your relationship is.”

  “There is no relationship,” Maude said through gritted teeth.

  “You two are professionals. And I want ... you two won’t screw this up for me, will you?”

  Mr. Soderline, a man usually full of assurance, looked unsure. Staring at Thomas, he wiped sweat off his forehead with a handkerchief and his lower lip trembled.

  “I’ve invested so much in this. It’s my comeback, got it.”

  “I promise you, we’ll both be professionals,” Maude declared firmly. “Right, Thomas?”

  “Absolutely,” Thomas snapped out of his growing discomfort. His easygoing demeanor disappeared entirely. “I’m always a professional.”

  Maude raised a dubious eyebrow, but quickly let it down once Mr. Soderline turned to her.

  “To prove your goodwill, I need a favor. You’re both dating celebrities and we want everyone to know that everything is hunky dory between the four of you. Would you mind making a couple appearances together, just the four of you before rehearsals begin?”

  “This isn’t a good idea and, honestly, I can’t promise Matt will agree.”

  “Lindsey will,” Thomas cut in quickly. “You’ll convince Matt that it’s for the good of the musical.”

  “Good, good.” Mr. Soderline pressed his hand against his heart. “One last thing. Maude, I need you to write one more song for the musical.”

  “I’ve already given you all the songs you needed.”

  “This would be the last one. It needs to be in French. At least partly. We’re really stuck and we could use your help.”

  Maude’s heart dropped. Her face hardened as she replied, “I can’t write a song in French. I’m sorry.”

  “What do you mean you can’t write in French? You do speak the language, don’t you?”

  “Of course I do. I just don’t write songs ... I ...,” Maude stammered, giving herself time to take on a different approach. “You chose Julia over me as a composer until she dropped out. I won’t be your second choice for this song. And I don’t have time to compose. I’m preparing a very talented student for the Lilac audition. I wanted to talk to you about her. She’s—”

  “Ah, it was worth a shot,” Mr. Soderline interrupted. “I’ll go with my second choice. I’ve got to run, kids. And remember, build a positive image for the press. I’m counting on you.”

  He took out his cellphone and left with it glued to his ear.

  The ‘kids’ looked at each other warily once they were alone.

  “Look, Maude, I really need this to work.”

  “It’s up to you not to mess this up. Can I trust you?”

  “I’ve changed. Besides, this is my last shot. I won’t screw this up.”

  “You say you’ve changed, but I haven’t seen anything to support this claim. I’m sure Lindsey had to pull a lot of strings to get you into this musical.”

  “She loves me.”

  “I hope you’re not using her.”

  “I’m not. She finally helped me get over the one person I thought I’d never get over. You.”

  Maude swallowed. But when she analyzed the lines of his face, she found no trace of deceit, only earnestness and anxiety. He was telling the truth.

  “I’m glad. I’m truly glad we can put all this behind us.”

  “So am I. Tell Matt that Lindsey and I would be happy to meet up with you guys. A double date.”

  “I’ll try,” Maude said. “But it won’t be easy to convince him.”

  MAUDE LOVED ROMANCE.

  After a candlelit dinner with Matt, the couple strolled through the streets of Manhattan until they reached Times Square.

  There, Matt stopped and, taking Maude’s hand, he cleared his throat.

  “There’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.”

  “Me too,” she blurted. Maude, submerged with guilt, raised troubled eyes and searched his face, wondering if this was the right time for a confession.

  She decided it was.

  “I met Soderline a couple days ago.”

  “Did you get to tell him about Grace like you wanted?”

  “Not at all. He had news for me.” She took a deep breath. “About Thomas.”

  Matt dropped Maude’s hand, letting it fall limply to her side.

  “What about him?”

  “Thomas will have a larger part in the musical.”

  “Love interest?”

  “You read it in Hollywood Buzz?”

  “No! I guessed it by the look on your face. Dead giveaway.” Worry furrowed his brow as he said, “Are you two ... is there a kiss?”

  “No, not at all. There’s no such thing in there. Uhn-huh.”

  “Good.” Matt sighed with relief and, turning to the Broadway lights, appeared to seek courage. “Maude, I need to­—”

  “There’s something else,” Maude interrupted. Emboldened by Matt’s relief, she continued. “He wants us to show the press that we’re all okay with, well, everything.” She winced. “He’d like for us to make some appearances together. All four of us.” When all she was met by was silence, she added, “You, me, Thomas, and Lindsey.”

  “Ha!”

  “I know, it’s kind of funny.”

  “It’s not. I’m not doing it,” Matt said stoutly.

  “Okay, maybe you should take some time to think­—”

  “There’s nothing to think about. If I’m in the same room as Thomas, it won’t be pretty.” He rubbed his knuckles until Maude thought he’d rip the skin off his hands.

  She placed her hands on his until he stopped.

  “You’ve got nothing to worry about. He’s not in love with me anymore.”

  “How do you know? Is that what he said?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why would you believe him?”

  “Why shouldn’t I? It’s been years now since he said he loved me. Obviously, he’s moved on.”

  “You’re naïve. I don’t know if you believe him because you’re gullible, or because you refuse to face the alternative that he’s in love with you and that you’ll have to work with him knowing how he truly feels.”

  “And you’re paranoid. Just like when I sang opposite Christopher in London. Remember him? You thought he was in love with me and all along he was in love with Tara.”

  “I was wrong then, but I’m right now.”

  “I saw it in Thomas’ eyes. He’s not in love with me. In fact, you should come with us and you’ll see that he’s in love with Lindsey.”

  “I won’t. Not even to prove you wrong. But if he tries anything with you while you work with him—”

  “He won’t. This is his last chance. He doesn’t want to ruin it.”

  “And I say, he’s a wrecker. He can’t help himself. He breaks everything he touches.”

  Chapter 7

  GROWING UP, JAZMINE had appeared in many music videos.

  Her father had allowed her to have cameos in clips featuring Soulville artists. He’d never opposed to any of his children’s creative en
deavors.

  Jazmine had never displayed shyness and showed a natural knack for acting.

  Until the director behind the camera was Dev Sunil.

  She had googled him. Discovering that he was a brilliant student filmmaker mortified her. Two of his long-featured films and several of his shorts were on Vimeo, and Jazmine watched every one of them in one evening.

  His characters were addictive, smart, funny, without the need for grotesque. The sceneries, stories, symbolisms, and silences all made for a rapturous screening. Where Jenna’s intelligence oppressed her viewers, Dev sought to enchant them with beautiful displays of his multi-layered knowledge. His intelligence not only included deep, thoughtful preoccupations, but also the most trivial of considerations.

  One thing was certain; he would one day be a success.

  These thoughts caused Jazmine great anguish.

  He was an artist with a passionate online fan-base, though he had not yet graduated from NYU.

  She had a mere two hundred subscribers on her YouTube channel with no music producer in sight. And sometimes, more often than she cared to admit, she questioned her talent.

  Dev’s artistry was undeniable.

  It was with these worrisome thoughts that she joined her band and Dev’s crew for the filming of Mr. Nice Guy at Coney Island on a lovely autumn day.

  It was one of those days when the sky could easily trick a person into believing summer was not yet done when, in fact, a rainy day was just around the corner.

  Dev had brought along his friends for lighting and sound, one of which was infatuated with Haze.

  “Jazmine,” Dev said, “your character is sick of her nice boyfriend. We’ll be putting you in different situations here on Coney Island. He wins you a teddy bear, buys you cotton candy, but you don’t care about any of it. You end up dumping him. Got it?”

  “Got it. I read your script, you know,” Jazmine answered, on the defensive. Why did she feel dumber than she was?

  She’d initially loved Dev’s idea for the video. Now, as she stood in the middle of Luna park listening to the wild screams of delight coming from the Thunderbolt Roller Coaster, she wished the whole ordeal was over.

  The first scene took longer than anticipated. Jazmine was petrified of doing it wrong, so she did nothing. Todd, the actor playing Mr. Nice Guy, handed her a teddy bear, yet she could not move an inch away from him and stood, helpless, until the director yelled, “Cut!”

  “Jazmine, you might want to try and step away from Todd,” Dev suggested. “You’re supposed to withdraw from him.”

  After an avalanche of failed takes, Dev called for a break. Jazmine joined the rest of her band near the hot dog stand on the beach.

  “You suck,” Haze said.

  “Didn’t you say you were a natural?” Tatiana whined.

  “How long are we going to wait? Our instruments are bored,” Rachel moaned. “I’ve got to study this afternoon.”

  “You’ve got to study every afternoon,” Jazmine snapped.

  “Hey, don’t take your frustration out on me! You’re the one who can’t do the simplest thing Dev tells you to do.”

  “What’s your problem anyway?” Haze asked. “You’re petrified.”

  “I just-I’m just intimidated,” Jazmine sighed.

  “Rex is super cute. I can see why you’re scared,” Haze said.

  “I don’t care about the sound guy. I-It’s Dev.”

  “Not my type, but I can see why you’d like that goofy director kind.”

  “He’s not goofy. He’s actually really talented.”

  “You sure?” Rachel asked. “I heard him say he was going to enter a hot dog eating contest with his friends during lunch break.”

  “That was my first impression of him. Then I watched his films. Girls, they were phenomenal.”

  “Guy didn’t put mustard and ketchup all over the hot dog.” Haze stuck out her finger and smeared the condiments over the sausage. “Why is Dev working with us if he’s so good?”

  “I have no idea,” Jazmine wailed.

  “Hey, you’re the one who always says that we have to believe in this band,” Tatiana argued. “Now, suddenly, because of some cute guy, you’re rethinking that?”

  Jazmine pondered.

  “It’s not because he’s cute,” she finally said. “Of course, I like him. But the problem is, sometimes I can’t help but realize that so many artists are way ahead of me. I don’t have anything worth showing. All I have right now is a wispy dream.”

  “Some people don’t even have that.” Tatiana stroked Jazmine’s arm.

  “Some have more. And it’s in our nature to pay closer attention to those who have more, compared to those who have less. What if we don’t make it? Have you ever thought of that? What if we don’t even have the basis: talent?”

  “If that’s what you believe, then maybe we should quit right now,” Haze said. “I’m not staying with a bunch of losers.”

  “I hate to say it, because she just called me a loser, but Haze is right,” Rachel said. “If we don’t believe in ourselves, we’ll fail for sure. You’re the one who created Blaze. You want to give up because we didn’t interest a producer.”

  “Isn’t this why we’re making videos?” Tatiana asked. “To build a following. If you don’t want this anymore, just tell us, so that we can get on with our lives. I’m going to take a walk on the beach. Call me when you’re over your stage fright.”

  “I’m going to study. Call me when it’s our turn to film.” Rachel joined Tatiana and they headed toward the beach.

  Only Haze remained.

  “Aren’t you leaving, too?” Jazmine asked, aggrieved.

  “Nah, those two are part-time artists. They haven’t been in the game as long as you and I have. Rachel wants to be a doctor and Tatiana’s got a degree. They’ve got serious back-up plans. We don’t.”

  “You won’t exactly be out on the street if you fail.”

  “Neither will you, Ms. Baldwin. But that’s beside the point. When you want to succeed as much as you do, it’s normal to have moments of doubt.”

  “I’ve never really had them before.”

  “That’s because you weren’t a professional before. You were in high school. The stakes are higher than ever now. You didn’t go to college and you’re not counting on your father’s successful business. You’re on your own, and that’s scary. Because whether you succeed or fail, it’s all on you. Who wants to fail at something they’re passionate about?”

  “Is that supposed to cheer me up?”

  “I’m just telling you I understand. I know I make fun of you guys. Truth is, that’s why I wanted to be in a band. To have a shoulder to rely on whenever I’m overwhelmed with doubt.”

  “You have doubts?”

  “Any artist who says they don’t is a freaking liar. And the others, oh my God! There’s always someone ahead, someone who seems to have it together, someone more popular. It always feels like you have to catch up.”

  “Exactly!”

  “And there are those moments when you’re positive you stink. Well, in your case, it’s often, right,” Haze joked.

  “Who ate onion rings just before a gig and kept blowing in my face during the entire performance?”

  “I’m not going to deprive myself of the pleasure of eating good food just because you can’t handle a little bad breath.”

  “The audience had no idea what I was going through that evening. They said we had great chemistry though.”

  “That’s all that matters,” Haze laughed. “Look, Jaz, I can’t guarantee we’ll succeed. No one can make such promises. But I can promise that I’ll have your back when you’re not feeling up for the task.”

  Jazmine smiled gratefully.

  “I can even play your part in this video if you want.”

  “I’d like that. And I’m sure you just want to get closer to the sound guy.”

  “His name’s Rex.”

  “My sisters say I shouldn’
t date the guys we’re working with.”

  “They’re your sisters, not mine.”

  “Not so sure your sister, Helen, would disagree with Maude. Isn’t she Maude’s number one fan?”

  “What she doesn’t know can’t hurt her.”

  Haze finished her hot dog and joined the crew.

  “I’m taking over Jazmine’s part. You guys ready to see some Oscar worthy acting?”

  Jazmine laughed, relieved and hopeful once again.

  How strange that Haze should be the one who understood her best. Were the seemingly confident people those who, in reality, feared failure the most?

  As she watched Haze play her scenes, Jazmine thought how lucky she was to have her in Blaze. Not only was she a talented singer, she exuded life.

  With someone like her in the band, how could they lose?

  At the end of the day, the party wrapped up everything and explored Luna Park.

  Haze and Rex headed for the Thunderbolt Roller Coaster, while Rachel, Tatiana, and the rest of the crew rode the bumper cars.

  Jazmine and Dev went to the Soarin’ Eagle.

  They boarded the four-across trains as they passed slowly along the moving walkway. The trains were upright so that Jazmine and Dev entered from a standing position. Before departure, a cage latched down over the backs of the trains, and Jazmine felt confident she’d be secure for the duration of the trip.

  “You sure this thing is latched on properly? It’s not super tight. I mean, I could easily slip and fall.” Dev asked, nervously playing with the cage. “We’re going to be horizontal in about two minutes. Like eagles. I just want to make sure I’ll be soaring like an eagle, not crashing like one.”

  “Don’t worry. This is safe.”

  “How do you know?”

  “You can hold my hand if you want.”

  The train started its clunky ascent up the spiral lift hill.

  “Yeah, I’d like that.” Dev’s eyes bore into hers as he took her hand. After the lift, the train went down a short, steep drop and then ascended slowly back up. As a hairpin turn occurred, taking riders through the first Barrel Roll inversion, Jazmine kept her eyes wide open.

  She was soaring. Without fear of falling or the slightest anxiety. Sure, her heart raced as if she were performing in front of a crowd. Similarly, the feeling was that of excitement, not fear. Dev, scared out of his mind, gripped Jazmine and squeezed her hand until she thought her bones would tear through her skin.