“Maybe because he knew you’d make a hit record out of it,” Dalton said with a giggle.
I shared a smile, tipping my spoon at him. “Okay, you got me on that one … hon. I like gay men like you, Dalton. I like my gays, gay gay so I know what side of their bread is buttered. You know?”
“Yeah, Yancey, you like your gays to do your hair and make your dresses. I totally see where you’re coming from.”
I looked at Dalton to see if he was serious and realized how stupid I sounded. I need to get back to the task at hand, getting those songs.
“Let’s talk about your music,” I said.
He, too, seemed relieved to change the subject. “Yeah, let’s get down to business, Miss Yancey. When do we go into the studios and record my songs?”
“Do you really think I’m the one to sing them?” I asked in that sugary voice that suddenly sounded so fake.
“Come on now, Yancey, cut the crap. You know I want you to sing the songs. That’s why I gave them to you. Don’t be coy, hon.”
“So you’re saying I don’t have to kiss your ass,” I said. I really like Dalton, with his dazzling charm and wit and the way he always seemed in control.
“Like my mother always said, ‘Never kiss anyone’s ass to get along with their face,’ Dalton said with a hearty laugh. Taken by surprise, I started laughing so hard that I quickly grabbed the glass of water at the table and took a sip to avoid choking.
“Are you okay, Yancey? We’re going to need those vocal cords. Let’s not damage them.”
A few moments later I felt back to normal. Dalton and I talked about the songs and some of his ideas for arrangements. This boy was not only a talented songwriter but also knew more about music than anyone I’d met in a long time. He shared with me that he also wrote Christian music and a couple of those songs were being considered by Heather Headley for her gospel CD. Maybe now was the time to bring up my God question.
Dalton and I decided to order a glass of champagne to celebrate our new collaboration and while we were waiting I asked him why he started the Bible studies every other day when we were on tour.
“Because I think prayer changes things. My faith is very important to me.”
His response startled me and I found myself studying him so intently that I could tell he was growing uncomfortable.
“What, Yancey? Is my wig not on straight?” Dalton acted like he was fixing an imaginary wig on his head. Leave it to Dalton to turn my serious question into something funny.
“I was just wondering because you know I’ve had a lot of gay friends but never one who was so into the church and God,” I said. Maybe my question had been thoughtless.
“Yancey, because I’m gay doesn’t mean I can’t believe in God. That I can’t love him like straight people. My faith is the most important thing in the world to me and I couldn’t imagine my life without God.”
“But you know what the churches and the Bible say about homosexuality.” It wasn’t like I knew this for sure since I’d never picked up a Bible in my life unless I was using it as a prop in some play I was doing. Neither my grandmother nor Ava had ever been high on the church but I thought it was because most of the church ladies didn’t like my mother and grandmother. The reason being neither had a problem dating married church folk.
“I know what it says but I know how I feel. God made me in his own image and loves me no matter what, Yancey. He loves me just like he loves you. Once I was in doubt and I talked to Nicole Stovall about it and she assured me that God loved me no matter what.”
“Oh, I forgot she has a direct line to God,” I said curtly.
“I get the feeling you’re not as big a fan of Nicole as she appears to be of you.”
“No, we’re cool. Perfect people just bother me,” I said. My fears about Dalton’s loyalty had all but disappeared. This child really got me.
The champagne arrived and I made an announcement that seemed to surprise Dalton.
“I don’t think God loves me, knows where I am or cares,” I said as I took a quick sip of champagne. Dalton didn’t say anything but just gazed at me in puzzlement. An agonizing silence stretched between the two of us until finally Dalton leaned over and put his arms around me, bringing me close to him and then hugging my neck. I pulled back and looked into his eyes. It was the first time that I’d noticed how beautiful they were, dark brown with a deep gold circle the color of clover honey. They were now glistening with tears and I realized Dalton was crying for me. I felt like he really cared about me, might even love me like a close friend.
“Who hurt you, Yancey?”
“What?”
“Somebody hurt you bad, baby girl. I can see it when I look into your eyes. I can also tell you that God will never hurt you.”
“I’ll be okay, Dalton. The past is just that, the past,” I said.
He pulled me close again and gently butted his forehead against mine. Low and intimate he said, “God loves you just as much as he loves me, Yancey. So trust me when I say he always loved you. Always will. One day whoever hurt you will have to answer to him.”
CHAPTER
21
The limo pulled up at the service entrance behind the building. Mike, the driver, got out and opened both doors for the excited teenage girls.
“I can’t believe this is happening to me,” Caressa said. “This is so exciting.”
“Believe it, Caressa,” Madison said, stepping out of the car. “I think you better get used to this because this is going to be happening a lot.”
“They closed the entire store for us?”
“Yes, they did.” Madison was pretty amazed herself that they had done it, but she wasn’t going to let on to her friend. “I can’t wait to see what kind of new party dresses they have in. We have to get you a wardrobe for when you go to Auburn.”
“You’re going with me, aren’t you?” Caressa asked, sounding concerned.
“I think my schedule will permit it,” Madison said, and then both girls broke out giggling. She walked up to the back door and knocked a couple of times and a young lady opened the door.
“You must be Madison B. Come on in. We’ve been waiting for you,” she said.
“Thank you, and this is my best friend, Caressa. My daddy told me I could bring a friend.”
“That’s no problem at all. We’re happy to do it. We’ve already pulled out our best dresses for you. Some of them haven’t even been put out yet.”
Madison and Caressa followed the lady through the door and into a back space covered with boxes, gift wrap, ribbons and dresses in plastic bags.
“This is our shipping area for online orders,” the woman explained, more out of nervousness than anything else. “Are you going to wear these dresses on your tour?”
“Maybe, but these will be for my two television shows,” Madison said.
“OMG. You have television shows too?”
“Yes, she does,” Caressa stepped in proudly. “Madison B. is going to be bigger than Hannah Montana and Raven Simone.”
“Sounds that way,” the woman said, smiling as she led them into the showroom. “Okay, where do you want to start? Pants, skirts or dresses?”
“I don’t know,” Madison said, having not given it much thought.
“Then why don’t we start with some of our new party dresses.”
Madison and Caressa followed the straw-thin young lady with brunette hair to the front of the store, where several strapless dresses in different colors hung on a metal rack.
Madison raced toward a short dress with pink chiffon on the top and black silk on the bottom. She caressed the fabric and said to Caressa, “This will look beautiful on you.”
“It is pretty,” Caressa replied. “But are you sure you don’t want it?”
“Not if you do.”
“You pick first, Madison,” Caressa said.
Madison paused and stared at Caressa for a moment in an exaggerated manner. Finally she smiled. “Look, Caressa, this isn’t al
l about me. I want you to get some nice things as well. Go try it on,” Madison said as she took the dress and handed it to Caressa.
“Oh, thank you, Madison. You’re the best friend in the world.”
“She sure is,” the young lady said. She smiled at Madison and said, “I think I have a pink and green dress over here that you might like. It’s made by the same designer as the dress you picked out for your friend.”
Two hours later, both Madison and Caressa left the store with two bags of new dresses, skirts, blouses and shoes. When Mike saw them coming out the door he leaped from the car and raced to the young ladies to assist them.
Caressa slipped her arm in Madison’s and whispered, “Thank you for the best day of my life, Madison.”
“No problem, and I hope you know this is only the beginning, girl. Only the start.”
CHAPTER
22
Ava finally spotted the power couple enjoying lunch at the beach bar. Perfect timing, she thought as she whisked by the hostess and headed straight to the table in the private dining area.
“I’d been hoping I’d run into you,” Ava said, kissing a startled Sonja on the cheek.
Regaining her composure, Sonja said, “Ava, right?”
“Yes, love, and this must be the handsome man you were telling me you were lucky enough to marry. I’m Ava Middlebrooks of Palm Springs, California,” she said, extending her hand to Sonya’s husband. “You must be Dennis. What a pleasure to meet you.”
“You’re from Palm Springs? I’ve been thinking about building out there,” Dennis said.
“Then we have to talk,” Ava said, pulling up a chair.
“Would you like to join us?” Sonja asked.
Ava patted her on the arm and said, “I already have, love. Pay attention.” She zeroed in on Dennis. “What are we drinking?”
“Champagne,” Dennis said.
“But of course,” Ava replied, “Dom in the middle of the day sounds wonderful. And I’m famished. I think I’ll order a steak. Medium rare, of course, and a baked potato.”
“I don’t think they offer baked potatoes during lunch. I tried to order one the other day and I had to wait until dinner. I just love baked potatoes with cheese,” Sonja said.
“Nonsense, child. It’s all in how you ask, and if they tell you no, then you ask somebody else. Isn’t that the way you do it, Dennis?” Ava asked with a smile. She was wearing a snow-white wrap dress with a plunging neckline. Her hair was pulled back in a bun and covered by a bright yellow hat with a polka dot band. Ava had on gold open-toed mules and carried a matching bag. Her eyes tilted down as she sourly examined the bright orange shorts set Sonja wore.
“I like the way you think, Ava,” Dennis said, smiling back. “Do I know you from somewhere?”
“Most smart men do.” The waiter appeared and handed Ava the menu. “Now, let me see what kind of salads they have. After a workout and a swim I have quite an appetite. I guess I can always go back to my diet when the vacation is over. A diet I will be happy to share with you, Solange, when you decide to get rid of those pesky ten pounds. Potatoes can be fattening, you know.”
“It’s Sonja,” she corrected gently.
“Of course it is, sweetie.” Ava turned her full attention to Dennis. “Now, when do you think you might be building in California? I have seen some of your homes and they are something else. I think they will be a big hit in Cali.”
“What kind of business are you in, Ava? I think we met with Seneca on his yacht on Fisher Island.”
“Oh, you name it and I’ve done it,” Ava said, ignoring the Fisher Island statement. “But basically I’m a woman who aims to please her man. I know you can appreciate that, Dennis.”
The older man was enthralled by her flirting. “Are you married, Ava? You look so familiar.”
“Maybe you know me from my show business career. I was a huge cabaret star. Currently I’m between husbands. I’m a widow.” She looked away misty-eyed. “I lost my husband at a very young age. But I’m always looking. You’ll have to introduce me to some of your business associates.”
Charmed by her directness, he asked, “Sonja, who do you think might be good for Ava?”
“I have no idea,” Sonja said flatly.
“Now don’t tax yourself thinking about it, sweetheart. I’m sure if Dennis puts his mind to it, he will think of somebody. Sonja tells me you have a home in Tampa Bay. I was thinking of visiting there in the fall. I’m a big Tampa Bay Bucs fan. I bet you even have a box. Maybe I can be your guest at one of the games.”
Sonya jumped in, “I’m in charge of the guest box. That’s my job.”
Ava turned a tolerant smile on her, like a mother with an awkward teenager. “Oh well, great. Let me look at the schedule and I’ll tell you which games I can make.” Ava looked around the restaurant and said, “Now, where is that waitress? Good help is so hard to find.”
JUST AS AVA WAS preparing to get into the limo for a trip to the airport, she heard a female voice call her name. Ava turned and saw Sonja walking toward her. She was wearing a tiger print swimsuit top and a see-through sarong. Ava imagined Sonja had missed the memo about no animal prints after age thirty. She figured Sonja had missed a lot of memos about taste and class.
“Sarita. How are you? I’m on my way back to New York,” Ava said as she approached Sonja for a fake kiss. Ava was a bit taken aback when Sonja backed away.
“First of all, and for the last time, my name is Sonja. I don’t want to have to tell you again.”
“My, my, aren’t we touchy, hon. But you know how it is. I’ve always been so bad with names. Where is that lovely husband of yours?”
“Dennis is getting a massage, but that of course is none of your business.”
“Now, Sonja, why so bitchy so early in the morning? I guess you must have caught Dennis eyeing me like a Thanksgiving turkey with stuffing when we broke bread. Not to worry, child. If he makes a play for me, I promise you’ll be the first to know.”
“I’m not the least bit worried about you, Ava. If Dennis were to leave me, it would be for someone a lot younger and a lady with real class and not the fake shit you bring.”
Ava was delighted to see Sonja’s claws bared. How little this clueless wonder really knew. “Oh my, my, love. Is that the ghetto I hear seeping out? I must say, it did take a little longer than expected,” Ava said with a satisfied smirk.
“Call it whatever you like, but I want you to know my husband told me all about you last night when we retired to our suite. So I don’t think it would be wise for you to come and visit us. Football games or otherwise.”
Ava reacted like she was speaking in tongues. “What in the hell are you talking about, and try not to use the ebonics? As you can see, I have a driver waiting on me, and I don’t want to waste time with the translations.”
“He told me about you and his friend, and I’m warning you, I will find him and let him know where to find you.”
“Him? Does this imaginary friend have a name, love?”
“You know the name, bitch. So don’t you forget that you’ve been warned.”
As a parting shot, Ava decided to return the heat with a little fire of her own. “Sweetheart, dumb little no-class tramps don’t warn Ava about shit. Now if you’re finished, I have a plane to catch,” Ava said as she ducked her head into the backseat of the limo. But before she was almost in, Ava backed out slowly and turned toward Sonja. “And in case no one told you, it’s never proper to wear open-toed sandals without getting a pedicure.”
CHAPTER
23
I sat at a corner table of Blu, a popular midtown restaurant, nervously stirring my iced tea. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been so uptight about a meeting. It was an important meeting, one that could get my life back on its proper course.
The only way I was going to get my show and rid myself of both Ava and Lyrical was to bring Madison into the mix. I’d attempted to avoid involving Madison but I no longer had
any choice. Derrick could make that happen. Which is why I phoned him. When I told him I wanted to fly to California to discuss an important matter he told me he was actually in New York and reluctantly agreed to meet with me the next day.
I got to the restaurant about fifteen minutes early to secure a table facing the door. I wanted to flash my winning smile the moment Derrick entered the establishment. I now sit there nervously anticipating his arrival. I look at the tea glass and see that all of the white crystals of the sweetener have dissolved. I pull out my compact to make sure that my bright red lipstick is flawless. I still had ten minutes before Derrick was scheduled to arrive.
Taking a sip of the sweet tea, I thought about Derrick and our relationship, and wondered if he had fond memories of me. We’d met during my freshman year at Howard University. I’d dropped my student ID card, and when I bent down to pick it up, Derrick beat me to the punch. Our hands touched and the feeling was electric. I knew I was going to fall in love with this man.
The first two years it was a perfect love affair and I thought I’d met the man I was going to marry. Derrick was in the ROTC with hopes of becoming a civil engineer. He, like me, was a first-generation college student. He had the most beautiful hazel-brown eyes and a boyish vulnerability that I found hard to resist.
Right before my senior year I discovered I was pregnant. My whole future was about to start and the timing couldn’t have been worse. My first reaction was to get an abortion, but Derrick was adamant that we get married and have the child. A couple of months into my pregnancy, he started to waver about our future and I decided to give the baby up for adoption. After our daughter was born, Derrick double-crossed me and managed to adopt her without my knowledge.
We lost touch until a few years ago. Derrick showed up in Vegas to tell me that his sister Jennifer, who had raised our daughter, was dying of breast cancer and that he needed me to raise Madison. This was a time when my career was on the landing strip for a big takeoff, and being a mother was the last thing I wanted to do. But Derrick said that enough time had passed. If I ever changed my mind and wanted to be a part of Madison’s life, he would welcome that.
Mama Dearest Page 19