by Taras Ford
Taking the champagne glass from her perfectly manicured left hand and placing it on the shelf lining the window, he placed her ring finger in his mouth and pulled it out slowly. He winked at her and released her finger, then slid on the ring.
“We can get married anywhere you like—in Paris or at the courthouse. Just promise me we’ll do it soon.”
“I promise. It’s just…”
“What is it?”
“My folks. I want you to meet my parents. It’s time.”
“Yes. It’s time.”
“And your mother? Can I meet her?”
Nolen blinked at her surprised.
“It’s time Nolen.”
“Ok. Yes. Let’s do it.” Nolen lowered the lights to a low, soft, yellow glow. “We’ll be so good together,” he said. He slid his tongue inside her mouth, kissing her deeply, and she ran her fingers through his hair as the diamond sparkled on her hand as a testament of their love.
“Nolen,” she whispered.
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“I want to leave.”
He stopped kissing her neck and looked at her. “Leave?”
“Leave New York,” she explained, touching his cheek. “When the show is over, and we’re married, I want to move out of the city and go somewhere just for us.”
“I don’t understand. This show will make you a star. There will be much more.”
“I want our life to start immediately.”
“What about dancing and taking over Broadway?”
“I can still do it. I just don’t think the city is where we have to be.” He kissed her lips softly and rubbed his nose against hers. “First, you finish your dreams, and when you’ve done all that you set out to do, I’ll build you and the family we will have a palace anywhere on this earth.”
“Westmore?” she asked softly.
His face froze. “You want to live in Westmore?”
“I fell in love with it. I know that bad things happened there, but I think that we can have it all, with your family close by and mine. Besides, it’s close enough to New York so you can manage your business. It’s perfect.” Nolen smiled slyly. “Then, Westmore it is.”
Chapter 27
Opening Night
Six Months Later
“What the hell are you doing, Ms. Thang?” Juanita asked. “It’s opening night, and the director called for you ten minutes ago!”
Absorbed in her own reflection, Sydney didn’t answer. Her hair was full of extensions—long spiral curls teased outward and decorated with tiny purple and blue flowers. Her silver eye shadow, sparkling with tiny purple and blue jewels, matched her silver lipstick. She wore a full black leotard and stockings underneath her robe, but her four-foot-wide black wings, intricately decorated with blue and purple beads and sprinkled with silver glitter were not yet attached to her back.
Juanita came up behind her, smiling at Sydney’s reflection. She gave him a friendly glance and lowered her eyes.
“Ok, diva. We haven’t busted our sweet asses all this time for you to flake out on me now!”
“I can’t do it,” she shook her head.
“Did Ms. Juanita hear you say the word can’t?”
“I thought I could, but I can’t, Juanita. What if I mess up? What if I make a mistake or forget a verse? I’m not ready.”
Xenia exploded through the door. “What’s going on? We’ve got fifteen minutes before the curtain goes up!”
Juanita turned with his hands up. “I have this under control, honey. We’re working on some things.”
“Hurry up, damn it!” Xenia snapped.
Juanita closed the door and whirled around to Sydney.
“All right now. That’s enough!” he said, placing both hands on the back of her chair and leaning over her shoulder. He grabbed her chin, forcing her to look into the mirror. “Do you remember, girlfriend, that passion and thirst you had for the first audition? How badly you wanted your shot? How hard you busted your ass over these past six months to get to this day? Look at you! Today is the day, honey, and it’s time for you to shit or get off the pot!”
Sydney swallowed her misery. “It’s just—”
“It’s nerves, honey. Ms. Juanita understands that. But there’s a packed house, and your man has damn near stacked the place with every theater critic in this damn city. Everyone believes in you. Now, what do you believe?”
Staring at her reflection, she had a lot to be grateful for. Today her mother and father would see her perform. Thanks to Nolen her parents were not only in her life but supportive and as encouraging as always. He flew to Carolina and met with her daddy, asked for her hand in marriage. She never thought it would work, but it did. He always made her dreams a reality.
She would soon be a wife as well as a star, and it was really overwhelming. She thought about Nolen, who had brought her burnt toast and scorched eggs on a tray that morning and gave her a pep talk. He’d been more excited about her debut than she was, and he’d told her over and over again how proud he was of her.
Juanita was right. It was time to show the people that she loved how much she had to offer. “I believe in myself,” she said, smiling.
“Damn right, honey! Now it’s time to get your diva stroll on a roll!” Juanita said. “Where the hell is that damn hideous wing costume you need to get into?”
Sydney nodded at the closet door.
“Black Butterfly, my ass. It should have been Pink Butterfly, honey. Now that’s a color with some pizzazz!”
“Zenter Stage?” The door opened and Madame stuck her head in. The old woman gave the first smile Sydney had ever seen on her face. It looked painful and faded to fast for her to put it to memory. “We are ready no?”
“Yes Madame,” she nodded. “We are ready.”
Sydney rose and looked at both of them with a renewed strength. “It’s show time.”
“Nolen, how was she when you last seen her?” Trish asked, leaning over Todd to speak to Nolen. He turned from Sydney’s mother toward Trish and smiled.
“She was fine.”
Trish sat back and reached for Todd’s hand. They had eloped two months before. Flying to Jamaica on Nolen’s private jet, they’d had a small, intimate ceremony on a private beach with Nolen and Sydney at their side. A calypso band played an island version of “Here Comes the Bride” as Trish came down the aisle wearing a white sundress with a large white orchid in her hair.
She had a wedding night beyond her dreams. Todd was patient and tender, and she was eager and ready, their loving was magical. Now she couldn’t keep her hands off him. It wasn’t sex, what they shared went far deeper. They were connected.
From their private balcony to the left of the stage, Trish watched as a crowd of theatergoers filed in, all wearing expensive gowns or tuxedoes. Her eyes landed on Portia, laughing and talking to some girl that Trish had never seen before. Portia wore a backless peach cocktail dress, and her long spiral curls, pulled up into a ponytail, fell around her darkly tanned shoulders. To see her seated in the third row, coming to support Sydney, warmed Trish’s heart.
Portia spotted her in the private balcony and waved, smiling brightly.
Trish waved back, returning the smile. She’d always believed that Portia loved them in her own way, and her presence tonight was proof of that love.
Todd leaned over. “Is that—?”
“Yep, it’s Portia. She came. Isn’t that wonderful?”
Todd leaned over and kissed her forehead. “I think it’s great that she’s here.” Trish wanted Portia at the wedding, but they both decided best that she not attend. Todd respected their friendship, but he was still not a fan of hers. Some wounds took longer to heal.
“Are you sure Trish has no idea where we’re going afterward? Because you know how those two talk.” She heard Nolen whisper. She tried to pretend she didn’t, but her eyes slipped over to see the sweat on his brow. He was nervous. Sydney would get a kick out of it, but their men were plotting something. Trish
wondered what the celebration would mean.
“Chill, man,” Todd said. “It’s cool.”
Before Nolen could respond, the lights dimmed and the orchestra started to play.
The curtains rose slowly, and several dancers adorned with colorful wings in blue, yellow, red, orange, and green pirouetted across the stage, which was decorated like a forest, with glittering three-foot tall flowers.
Another dance troupe dressed as fairies glided across on their toes, their arms bent and hands clasped as they danced around each other. A beautifully dressed fairy stepped forward to sing about the Butterfly kingdom and the highly anticipated birth of a child to the King and Queen Butterfly.
Nolen settled into his seat as the stage lights beamed an array of bright colors across the dance ensemble. The drumbeats rose like thunder, changing the classical chorus to a more urban swing melody. Two beautifully adorned butterflies appeared, wearing crowns. The Queen Butterfly started to sing, and the lights focused on her. He looked over to Sydney’s parents and saw her mother crying. The smile on her father’s face looked permanent. Nolen relaxed.
The moment approached for the expected birth, the scene changed to a large, dark bluish-gray cocoon surrounded by large colorful flowers and green vines—the baby’s nursery.
The King and Queen performed a duet as the other butterflies, fairies, and forest creatures danced around the cocoon. Then the Princess emerged with great fanfare, but as her black wings spread and opened, the lights darkened, and the dancers faded backward. The light shone on her, and she stretched, stepping out of the cocoon as a graceful butterfly.
Nolen smiled as Sydney’s sultry voice mesmerized the audience.
The royal family, however, was not impressed. Viewing the Princess’s black wings as an evil omen, they banished her to the Black Forest to dwell with other unloved creatures. There, the young butterfly blossomed under the caring, watchful eye of the Widow Empress. All of it done through dance interpretation, and mixed with solos by Sydney. Iridescent colors glittered over her black wings; the princess calmed the creatures of the night, binding them to her for eternity. They crowned her Queen of the Forgotten Ones. Ultimately, the Princess killed the evil Moth Witch who had cursed her birth and took her place as the rightful heiress to the Butterfly kingdom, bringing peace and prosperity throughout the land.
The show ended with a standing ovation. Nolen excused himself as the audience clapped and called for an encore. Sydney and her cast came out for the curtain call, bowing graciously.
The cast finally left the stage when the curtain came down, and Sydney headed to her dressing room. In the narrow backstage hallway, she met Xenia and George, who were both smiling.
“Sydney, you were fabulous tonight!” Xenia said, kissing both her cheeks.
George nodded. “A star is born!”
She beamed with happiness. “Thank you both. Thank you.
Xenia grabbed her hand and looked her in the eye. “We haven’t gotten along much, I guess that is both our faults. I am glad of my choice to include you in my ballet. You truly are a star.”
“Thank you Xenia.”
Madame Gustav stepped toward her with opened arms. Sydney leaned in to the embrace. Madame released her grabbed her face and kissed her forehead, and both cheeks. No words passed them. The tears in her eyes and Madame spoke volumes. Even Bet, who had eventually warmed up to her, came over and kissed her. She had never known what a dream realized felt like until this moment.
Juanita hurried toward her clapping wildly. “We did it, girlfriend! We showed them all, honey!”
“I couldn’t have done it without you,” she said, kissing his cheek.
“Damn right, girlfriend,” he said, putting his hands on his hips. “I’ll be your personal stylist from here on out! I’ve got visions of pink, honey, that will knock your socks off!”
“Ok, Ms. Juanita!” She laughed, giving him a big hug of thanks.
So excited that she could barely breathe, she entered the dressing room where Nolen waited for her. He looked dashing in his tuxedo. She rushed into his arms and kissed his face. He guided her mouth to his, trying to hold her, but her wings prevented him from hugging her properly.
“Did you like it? Be honest! Did you really like it?”
“Of course, of course,” he said, touching her face.
“I did it for you, just as much as for me. Everything I do now is for us! I love you!”
“And I love you. Everything we do from now on will always be for us, and our family.” A knock interrupted their special moment. He smelled so good, looked so good, and her adrenaline had her blood boiling in her veins. She could barely keep her hands off him. So much happiness filled her. Still the persistent knocking ruined their moment. She figured it would be her parents to congratulate her.
Trish walked in. Her golden hair hung behind her shoulders, pushed back by a rhinestone headband.
She handed Sydney a bouquet. Todd followed her inside, beaming. Her parents arrived and her dad swept her up in his arms. He cried. She couldn’t believe the sight of tears on his face. “You okay daddy?”
“Yes baby girl. I’m so proud of you Sydney. So proud.”
Sydney hugged his neck tightly with one arm, the flowers crushed between them. “Thank you daddy.”
“You were fantastic, Sydney!” Trish said.
“Thanks, sweetie,” Sydney said, kissing her on the cheek and laying the flowers on the table behind her.
She then hugged her mother. The dressing room was cramped with everyone talking at once. Nolen just stood to the side watching her. He pulled her father aside and soon her mother and father were saying they’d see her for dinner. She kissed them goodbye.
“I loved the show, Sydney,” Todd said.
“Thanks, Todd.”
“Well, get dressed, sweetheart,” Nolen said. “I had Charles bring you some clothes to change into. We’re going somewhere special to celebrate!”
Nolen left with Todd to give the girls some privacy, he passed Portia coming down the hallway with a girl he’d never seen before. Nolen had included backstage passes with her tickets in case she’d wanted to congratulate Sydney.
Portia smiled shyly and nodded at the men. “Hello.”
“Hello, Portia,” Todd said.
Nolen said nothing but fixed his eyes on hers. Portia swallowed under his intense gaze. “This is my roommate, Maggie.”
Both men shook Maggie’s hand, and she said that she was glad to meet them.
“I’d like to thank you for inviting me, Nolen,” Portia said. “I know Sydney didn’t extend the invitation.” Nolen nodded. “I’m glad you came, Portia.”
She looked over at the door marked with the name Sydney Allen in the middle of a gold star. “Is she in there?”
“Yes, she and Trish are inside,” Todd said, the crease between his eyes showing that he still distrusted her.
“Can I go in?” Portia asked softly.
Nolen nodded. “Come on, Todd. Let’s find Sydney’s parents and make sure they get to the destination ok.”
Todd stared at Portia for a moment longer. She gave him an apologetic smile, and he turned to leave.
Maggie followed the men out front to give the old friends some privacy as Portia turned to knock on Sydney’s door.
Sydney heard a soft knock, but before she could answer it, Portia stepped inside.
Trish was pulling the costume wings off Sydney’s shoulders. Sydney’s head turned out of Trish’s grasp and her heart hammered in her chest. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to see your opening night. Sydney, you were wonderful. I mean the entire play was fantastic, and I’m so proud of you.”
Sydney didn’t respond, but Trish smiled sweetly. “Portia, I’m glad you came,” she went to her and threw her arms around her neck, giving her a warm greeting. The embrace between the two seemed genuine. Sydney held Portia’s questioning stare from over Trish shoulder.
Instead of speaking Sydn
ey began taking the extensions out of her hair, avoiding Portia’s gaze. Part of her was happy to see her. She had always hoped that the three of them would be together on this night to celebrate.
“You look stunning, Trish!” Portia gushed, admiring the expensive gown.
“Thanks! You look good too! I see you have a tan. Did you get some far-off photo shoot?” Portia blushed. “I don’t model anymore. I actually work at the community center. We just got back from a retreat with the kids.”
Sydney looked up at Portia in amazement as she slipped into her robe. “You stopped modeling? When?”
“Didn’t have much of a choice,” Portia said. “I sort of burned my bridges and lost my agent in the midst of it. Besides, modeling was just a way to feed my insecurities. I’m learning a lot from the kids I work with. It would be nice if you could teach dance there. Or maybe Trish could teach art.”
“I think that’s a wonderful idea. Don’t you Sydney?”
Sydney nodded. “Me too. I always wanted to, never had the time.” Portia approached Sydney. “I know you said we could never be the friends we once were, and I accept that, but I’m so proud of you and the woman you’ve become. I feel like I played a small role in that, and it makes me even prouder.”
“Thank you,” she said, hugging her.
Portia hugged her back with what remained of Sydney’s wild curls in her face. Finally letting go of the embrace, all three girls wiped their eyes.
The limo pulled up at the private airport, Sydney glanced suspiciously at Nolen, who was leaning back in the seat with his eyes closed. “Where are we going?” she asked. “Where are my parents?” He opened his eyes and grinned. “They’re here.”
“Here? The airport? Why?”
“You’ll see in about seven hours.”
“Seven hours!” Sydney exclaimed.
Trish frowned. “What?”
Todd laughed. “Will you two calm down? It’s a celebration.”