Three Chords, One Song
Page 27
Soleil had invited some of her former classmates from the Musicians Institute. But she hadn’t told any of them about their back-up band. She knew some of the young hotshots would shit bricks when they heard Page playing Soleil’s licks. She invited a few of her former students, especially the ones who had been so kind to her after they heard about Mik’s demise. Of course, Toby, their old manager, and Lieberman, Mik’s attorney, were there. Soleil had even tried to bring her grandmother Charity from Oklahoma, but the crazy old woman refused to come. But she accepted the large check that Soleil had sent her. Her old high school friends, who were still drinking their lives away a decade after school, tried to hitch a ride on the Gravy Train that they assumed was Soleil’s new identity, but she would have none of that. Fame hadn’t changed Faith’s oldest progeny one bit. Besides moving to a better apartment, purchasing a few gifts and making endowments, Soleil hadn’t spent any of her money. She was as proud of Soleil as she would be of her own children. And, in a way, Soleil was her daughter, too.
She had tried to invite some of Mik’s family in Pittsburgh, but none of them wanted to come. Deidre had never forgiven her for accepting Evelyn as part of her extended family, and she had never forgiven Evelyn for accepting her part of Mik’s inheritance. She could understand the feelings of her husband’s first wife, but she couldn’t understand her unwillingness to forgive. When Evelyn dedicated a classroom at the University of Pittsburgh to Mik’s memory, Deidre had seemed offended by her very presence. And she despised Mika, her only grandchild. The little girl had looked forward to meeting her grandmother. She could not understand why Deidre had only glared at her when she offered her hand in love and friendship.
Mariah touched the elaborate necklace she wore. Since she didn’t want a guard from Harry Winston following her for the whole evening, she had to buy the necklace and matching earrings. Thankfully, the record company agreed to pay for the earrings.
A soft knock on the door announced Soleil’s arrival. She was dressed head to toe in Roberto Cavalli. Those Italian designers sure loved black rock chicks. She had also gotten a dress from Dolce and Gabbana, the red dress she had worn on the red carpet. D & G had also done Soleil’s dress. The shiny leopard mini dress she had worn on the red carpet had caused more than one photographer to run out of film. But the Versace had been just what she wanted for her performance.
“You look beautiful, Mariah.” Soleil kissed her cheek. Soleil looked so grown-up now. Something must have happened during the six months she had been sequestered in London, working on her first album. But she would never know until Soleil was ready to talk. If she would ever be ready.
“Look at you, darling!” She hugged Soleil tightly. They were almost the same height, since Soleil had on low-heeled leather boots. Soleil wore black velvet pants with a matching jacket with purple lining and purple ruffles around the collar. She looked like she was channeling Prince, but on her it looked good.
“I feel weird without my guitar.” She ran her fingers through her hair. It had grown to her ears, golden and brown ringlets that bounced around her head. She wore purple eye shadow. A platinum skull pendant from Crazy Pig in London stared up from her bosom.
“I’m sure Jimmy Page will do just fine.”
Soleil laughed. “You think so?”
* * *
They went to the front of the darkened stage and stood on their marks. Jimmy winked at her and Elton blew her a kiss. Phil twirled a drumstick. Chris raised his eyebrows and grinned.
“The next song nominated for Song of the Year is ‘Another Chance,’ words by Soleil DeSalle and Mariah Williams, music by Soleil DeSalle, Mariah Williams and Mik DeSalle. Tonight, the song will be sung by Soleil DeSalle and Mariah Williams, accompanied by an all-star band consisting of Elton John, Phil Collins, Jimmy Page and Chris Squire!”
The screams of music fans were so loud that the floor appeared to be shaking. No one had leaked the news about the back-up band. Soleil and Mariah grinned at each other and moved to opposite sides of the stage to their mikes.
Mariah sang her heart out. She sang for her Mama, she sang for her Papa, she sang for all of the churchwomen in Birmingham who thought she had turned away from the Lord. But there was more than one way to praise the Lord, wasn’t there?
But more than anyone else, she sang for him. She glanced at the ring on her finger as she raised her arm. The spotlight hit the diamond for just a second. And she didn’t feel the emptiness any longer. She felt enveloped in his presence. She sang like she had on that long ago summer’s day, when she was a young singer in her new Afro trying to impress a beautiful blond guitarist in a dark rehearsal space. This is for you, Mik. I love you.
* * *
Of course they won Song of the Year. He wasn’t really gone. His spirit would continue to live on, in his music, in the blood of his children, in the fans that still remembered and those who were just finding out.
He had left them with One Song, and it had been enough.
About the Author
Beatrice M. Hogg was born in Greensboro, North Carolina and raised in Lawrence, Pennsylvania. The daughter of an illiterate coal miner, she has a BA in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh and a MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University Los Angeles. Since moving to California in 1988, her articles and essays have appeared in many magazines and newspapers, such as the Sacramento Bee, Sacramento News and Review, Black Issues Book Review, Reminisce, Astronomy, and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Her work is featured in over ten anthologies, including Life’s Spices from Seasoned Sistahs, Amazing Cat Tales, Our Black Fathers: Brave, Bold and Beautiful, Eating Her Wedding Dress, Becoming: What Makes a Woman, Robot Hearts: Twisted & True Tales of Seeking Love in the Digital Age and Can I Sit With You Too?, as well as several online journals. For five years, she facilitated a writing workshop for women at St. John’s Shelter Program for Women and Children in Sacramento, CA. Besides her writing accomplishments, she has worked for various government agencies over the past thirty years, determining eligibility for programs such as public assistance, unemployment benefits, Social Security Disability and SSI. She is also an accomplished editor, having served as the Communications Coordinator for the 12,000-member National Association of Social Workers, California Chapter. She can be contacted at HoggPen57@yahoo.com and her short essays on family, music, and more can be found on her blog, www.marvellaland.wordpress.com.
2012 eBook Titles
*also available in print from Genesis Press
January
Blow by Blow*
Keith Thomas Walker
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-626-5
ISBN-10: 1-58571-626-X
The Art of Love
Celya Bowers
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-647-0
ISBN-10: 1-58571-647-2
February
A First Class Act
Mildred Riley
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-648-7
ISBN-10: 1-58571-648-0
So Different*
Ruthie Robinson
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-649-4
ISBN-10: 1-58571-649-9
March
Believe in Me
Regena Bryant
ISBN-13:978-1-58571-636-4
ISBN-10: 1-58571-636-7
Straight from the Heart
Sean Young
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-637-1
ISBN-10: 1-58571-637-5
April
Mind Games*
Bernice Layton
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-638-8
ISBN-10: 1-58571-638-3
Mama Said
Wendy Byrne
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-639-5
ISBN-10: 1-58571-639-1
May
Liar’s Web
Sandra Bell Calhoune
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-640-1
ISBN-10: 1-58571-640-5
Shadows of the Past
Alysha Adams
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-641-8
ISBN-10: 1-58571-641-3
Harlot*
Keith Thomas Walker
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-642-5
ISBN-10: 1-58571-642-1
2012 eBook Titles (continued)
July
Painted Passion
Latisha Brandon
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-644-9
ISBN-10: 1-58571-644-8
Seasoned Just Right
Renee Wynn
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-645-6
ISBN-10: 1-58571-645-6
August
Three Chords One Song
Beatrice M. Hogg
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-643-2
ISBN-10: 1-58571-643-X
September
October
November
December
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*Starred titles are coming soon…
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Celya Bowers
A Dangerous Woman*
J.M. Jeffries
A Dead Man Speaks
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A Good Dude
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L.S. Childers
A Lover’s Legacy
Veronica Parker
A Perfect Place to Pray
I.L. Goodwin
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Alicia Wiggins
A Taste of Temptation*
Reneé Alexis
A Voice Behind Thunder
Carrie Elizabeth Greene
Against the Wind
Gwynne Forster
All I’ll Ever Need
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Allegro
Bennett, Adora
Always You
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An Unfinished Love Affair
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Blood Seduction
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Corporate Seduction
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Cupid
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Kymberly Hunt
Do Over
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Gail McFarland
Dream Runner*
Gail McFarland
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Ebony Eyes
Kei Swanson
Enchanted Desire*
Wanda Y. Thomas
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Fireflies*
Joan Early
Fixin’ Tyrone
Keith Thomas Walker
Fractured
Wendy Byrne
Friends in Need*
Joan Early
From This Moment
Young, Sean D.
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Angela Weaver
Havana Sunrise
Kymberly Hunt
Heart of the Phoenix
A.C. Arthur
Holding Her Breath
Nicole Green
How to Kill Your Husband*
Keith Walker
I Take This Woman
Chamein Canton
I’m Gonna Make You Love Me
Gwyneth Bolton
If I Were Your Woman*
La Connie Taylor-Jones
Inside Out
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Ironic
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It’s in the Rhythm*
Sammie Ward
It’s Not Over Yet
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Lady Preacher
K. T. Richey
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Dyanne Davis
Lies in Disguise
Bernice Layton
Lies Too Long*
Pamela Ridley
Light’s Out
Ruthie Robinson
Look Both Ways*
Joan Early
Looking for Lily*
Africa Fine
Love in High Gear
Charlotte Roy
Love Lasts Forever
Dominiqua Douglas
Love Me Carefully
A.C. Arthur
Love Out of Order
Nicole Green
Love’s Secrets*
Yolanda McVey
Many Shades of Gray
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Misty Blue
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Mixed Reality*
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Mr Fix-It*
Crystal Hubbard
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Michele Cameron
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Nihon Nights
Haddad, Trisha; Haddad, Monica
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