Delilah's Daughters

by Angela Benson

  “Thanks,” Veronica said.

  “But you really didn’t lose much, did you?” Ms. Jonas asked, tapping her pen on her pad. “You’re here with a deal with Legends. Where are your two sisters?”

  Veronica rubbed her palms down her thighs. “They’re at home in Birmingham.”

  “Home? What are they doing? Are they still singing?”

  Veronica wanted to stand, felt she needed to move around. “My older sister, Roxanne, is an entertainer for a major cruise line. She travels a lot. My younger sister recently quit her job as a jingle writer for a top advertising firm and is focusing on her career as a songwriter.”

  “How do they feel about you being here?”

  Veronica took a deep breath. “May I have some water?” she asked.

  Ms. Jonas smiled at her. “Of course,” she said. She got up, went to the wet bar in the corner of the room opposite the table where they sat, and brought back a bottle of water. “Here you go.”

  Veronica accepted the water and quickly took a few sips.

  “Feel better?” Ms. Jonas asked.

  Veronica nodded. “Much. Thanks for the water.”

  “Remember when I asked you about any scandals in your past?”

  Veronica nodded, taking another swallow of water.

  “Well, this breakup with your sisters could be considered a scandal. The media could try to present you as a fame-seeking diva willing to desert her musical family for a shot at fame.”

  “That’s not the way it was,” Veronica said, getting up from her seat. “I tried very hard to talk Legends into taking all of us, but they only wanted me.”

  “I know,” Ms. Jonas said. “But I also know that you and your sisters were offered another contract by a smaller label. You turned that one down to take this one by yourself. How would you explain that to the media?”

  Veronica picked up her bottle and took another swallow of water. “I don’t know,” she said.

  “And that’s all right, because figuring out the appropriate response is my job. Are your sisters supportive of your new career?”

  Veronica shook her head. “They didn’t want me to leave the group.”

  “That’s understandable. It’ll take them some time to get over their hurt at being left behind, but they’ll come around. Close families always come around, and I get the impression yours was a very close family.”

  Veronica sat back down, taking comfort in the words Ms. Jonas spoke. She wanted to reconcile with her sisters. The contract buy-out money had been offered as a peace offering, but it hadn’t been received the way she’d wanted. In fact, she thought the offer had served only to widen the breach between them. She cleared her throat. “You should know that I plan to use part of my Legends advance to buy myself out of that other contract with my sisters.”

  “So you’re paying them off?”

  “Certainly not,” Veronica said. “But that’s how they saw the offer.”

  Ms. Jonas stopped writing and looked up at her. “I’m not judging you, Veronica. You’re trying to make things right with your sisters. You’re treating them like business associates by buying yourself out of the contract, which is good business practice. We can work with that.”

  “Finally, some good news,” Veronica said dryly.

  Ms. Jonas chuckled. “Don’t worry. Your case is an easy one, so far. It would help us a lot if we could get some promo shots of your family reconciled, happy and smiling, sometime soon. If that doesn’t happen, we’ll have to go another route. But let’s think positive for now.”

  Veronica nodded, feeling safe in the hands of Ms. Jonas.

  “Can you think of anything else you need to tell me?”

  “Not a thing,” Veronica said. What more did the woman want? She’d already opened up a vein by talking about her family. She had nothing more to give today.

  Chapter 26

  A kept man. A leech. Dexter couldn’t get the words out of his mind. The voice of that PR woman rang in his ears even as he sat through the Friday morning retreat sessions given by the Legends publishing team. People would think he was a kept man or a leech if he didn’t establish an identity apart from Veronica, she’d said. And the book about Veronica was not enough to alter that perception. What will be enough? he wondered as one of the speakers yammered on about the art of writing celebrity books.

  The perceptions described by the PR woman had caught Dexter by surprise. He had never looked at himself in the way Ms. Jonas said others would, and he was sure Veronica hadn’t either. Well, she hadn’t until Ms. Jonas had suggested it to her, and even though Veronica hadn’t mentioned it, Dexter was sure the older woman had done so. Both he and Veronica had a lot on their minds last night, so much that they had gone to bed without their usual recap of the day, each hugging one side of the bed, keeping their bodies and minds apart.

  “It’s time for lunch, man,” the brother who had been sitting to the left of him said.

  “Oh,” Dexter said, embarrassed to have been caught not paying attention.

  “Don’t worry about it,” the guy said. “That was a pretty boring speaker.” The guy extended his hand. “I’m Alex Barrow,” he said. “I’m doing a book on DJ Ray.”

  Dexter shook his hand. If this guy was writing about DJ Ray, the hottest rapper of the moment, he was someone Dexter wanted to know. “Dexter Timmons. I’m doing a book on Veronica Y.”

  “I’ve heard about her. I hear they’re pulling out all the stops for her first album. I wish I had it like that. Do you think she’s sleeping with Washington? I hear he’s a real ladies’ man.”

  Dexter’s jaw tightened. “I know she isn’t.”

  “Don’t take it personal, man,” he said. “These artists will do about anything for a contract, and the A&R reps know it, so they take advantage. That’s the way it works in this business. Too bad you can’t put that in the book. If you did, Legends would never let it be published.”

  Dexter decided against telling Alex he was Veronica’s husband. He would definitely be one to think along the same lines as Ms. Jonas. “Are you saying Legends censors their authors?”

  “I’m saying Legends wants their artists and their label presented in a positive light. Affairs between new artists and established A&R reps don’t fit the image they want presented to the public.”

  Dexter followed Alex to the hotel restaurant. “You seem to know your way around this place,” he said.

  “I’ve done several books for Legends, so I’ve attended several of these retreats. They always hold them here. I think they own the building.”

  After a waiter seated them at a table near the wall of windows with a view of the Atlanta skyline, Dexter asked, “How long have you been writing?”

  Alex chuckled. “You won’t believe this, but the first book I wrote was a celebrity book on my wife, who was a new Legends artist at the time. Her career didn’t make it, and neither did our marriage. Washington loved the book, though, and gave me a shot at another celebrity effort. That time the star made it and so did the book. Since then I’ve done five more books for him.” The waiter came then and took their orders. When he was gone, Alex asked, “So how did you end up here?”

  Dexter thought about lying but decided against it. “Veronica Y is my wife.”

  Alex sucked in his breath. “I’ve really put my foot in it, haven’t I? I’m sorry, man. I had no idea.”

  “No need to apologize,” Dexter said. “I appreciate the honesty. I can guarantee you, though, that my wife has not slept with Mr. Washington. She didn’t even meet him until a few weeks ago. She was on that show Sing for America. She and her sisters came in second place. They performed as Delilah’s Daughters.”

  “Hey, I remember them. They were good.” Alex winked. “And good-looking too.”

  Dexter chuckled. “I’ll take that as a compliment. My wife and her sisters are very attractive women. We just got to town on Sunday, and this week has been an eye-opening introduction to what our new life is going to be. The
business ain’t no joke.”

  “You’re telling me,” Alex said. “Are you up for it?”

  “I thought I was,” Dexter said. “But some things are coming at me that I didn’t expect. I’m trying to figure out how to deal with them.”

  “I know what you mean,” Alex said, “because I’ve been where you are. You have two things that you have to keep in check: your ego and your wife’s demands. You’ve got to keep your ego in check when you’re out in public. Your wife is the star, and the focus is going to be on her. You’ve got to accept that and be okay with it.”

  “Easier said than done,” Dexter said, thinking of his reaction to the fans Veronica acquired during the Sing for America competition.

  “Practice,” Alex said. “And pray. And get ready to be called Mr. Y.”

  “Ouch,” Dexter said.

  “I feel you, but that’s your life if your wife makes it big.” Alex took a swallow of the sparkling water he’d ordered. “Once you get your ego in check, you have to keep your wife’s demands in check. She can be a diva in public, as long as she doesn’t disrespect you, but at home she needs to be your wife. You’ve got to be the man in your home, brother, even if she does bring in most of the money.”

  Dexter hadn’t really thought about how the money and who was making it would affect his marriage. He was used to Veronica deferring to him and had assumed things would continue that way. But Alex had a point. Once Veronica hit it big, she might try to bring that diva attitude into their home. He’d have to be on the watch for any of that so he could nip it in the bud. “You paint a pretty bleak picture, man.”

  “Just remember who you are. Keep your identity and don’t let anybody try to tell you who or what you are. You have to know that for yourself.”

  Dexter shook his head. “I don’t have identity problems.” At least, he hadn’t before that meeting with Ms. Jonas.

  “Then you haven’t spoken with Ms. Jonas or else she’s changed her spiel. I was fine until I spoke with her. Things went downhill fast from there. She had me looking at myself differently and thinking that my wife was looking at me differently. Before I knew it, my marriage was over.”

  The waiter came with their food. When he left the table, Dexter said, “I met with Ms. Jonas today, so I know what you mean.”

  After taking a bite of his hamburger, Alex said, “Then I see why you couldn’t concentrate on those sessions. That old woman can mess a brother up really bad. Don’t let her do it to you. Trust your wife. Support her. And forget what other people may be saying about you or your marriage. Believe me, if I could get a do-over, I’d take it. Jann and I had a good marriage.”

  “What’s Jann doing now?” Dexter asked.

  “She went back home to North Carolina. Said Atlanta wasn’t for her. She was right. Legends almost killed her spirit, but she’s got it back now. She’s remarried with a couple of kids, singing in the choir every Sunday, and as happy as can be.”

  “Why didn’t you go back with her?”

  Alex opened his arms wide. “Because I love it here, man. I love being a part of the action, even if it’s behind the scenes. I like knowing the real stories behind the artists.” He tapped a finger to his temple. “My retirement book is up here. I know Legends will fight my publishing it, but I believe I’ve found a way around them. I’m just waiting on the right time.”

  Dexter chuckled. “I can’t believe you’re telling me this, man. How do you know I won’t take it back to Mr. Washington?”

  Now it was Alex’s turn to chuckle. “Because deep down you know Mr. Washington doesn’t care about you or your wife. When he looks at her, he sees dollar signs. When he looks at you, he sees somebody he has to put up with in order to keep his moneymaker happy. Why would you give him the heads-up on anything I’m doing?”

  “Good point,” Dexter said, concluding he’d made a good contact in Alex. He decided to make good use of it. “I want my wife and me to be successful in this business. The two people who seem to have the most input on that are Charles Washington and Tia Martin. What can you tell me about them that may give us some leverage down the road, if we need it?”

  Chapter 27

  You should have come with me, Roxanne,” Alisha said into her cell phone. She sat on a concrete wall outside the conference center at the Los Angeles Music Pavilion. “It’s been phenomenal.” She pressed the Home key on her phone so she could see the time. “Look, I’ve got to run. I’ve got a mentoring session in ten minutes. You’ll never guess who I’m meeting with.”

  “Don’t make me guess,” Roxanne said. “Tell me.”

  Alisha laughed. “I’m not telling you,” she said. “You’ll have to wait until this evening. After the mentoring session, I’m going out with a group of folks I met here. It’ll be late when I get in, but I’ll be sure to call and let you know how everything went.”

  “Alisha, don’t you dare hang up this phone without telling me who you’re meeting with.”

  Alisha kept laughing. “Bye-bye, sis. I’ll talk to you tonight.”

  “Alisha—”

  Grinning, Alisha pressed the Off button. Then she picked up her book bag and headed toward room 215, where she was scheduled to meet with the mentor. Roxanne would be amused to know that Alisha herself didn’t even know who the mentor was. ASCAP was funny that way. If you wanted a mentor, you had to complete an application packet. This packet was distributed to several potential mentors, who selected mentees from among the applicants. Alisha knew she was very fortunate to have been picked. She pressed her hand down the front of her dark blue two-piece suit. Her advertising wardrobe was paying off big now. She knew she looked every bit the part of the professional. Taking a deep breath, she pulled open the door. She froze in her steps when she saw who was seated at the table. It can’t be, she told herself. It can’t be.

  A big smile on his face, the man stood and extended his hand. “I’m Morgan Sampson,” he said. “And you must be Alisha Monroe.”

  Alisha heard the words, but she couldn’t really make sense of them. This couldn’t be Morgan Sampson, not the Morgan Sampson. There had to be some mistake.

  A smile still on his face, he said, “Are you all right?”

  Those words seem to unfreeze Alisha’s feet. “I’m sorry,” she said, walking fast to reach him so she could shake his outstretched hand. “Yes, I’m Alisha Monroe. It’s so great to meet you, Mr. Sampson. I know all of your work.” Alisha kept shaking his hand. “I can’t believe you’re really here. I can’t believe I’m really here.”

  Morgan Sampson laughed a deep laugh from down in his belly. “Believe it,” he said. “Now sit down so we can get to know each other. I’ve read your application, of course, but why don’t you tell me a little about yourself and your interest in songwriting.”

  Mr. Sampson’s warm smile made Alisha feel comfortable, so she began to talk. She told him about her parents, her sisters, and how her love of music developed.

  “You’ve been writing since you were a child?”

  She bobbed her head up and down. “My parents encouraged all of us. I’ve always been the writer. My sister Roxanne is the singer. And Veronica is the dancer and entertainer.”

  He nodded. “Go on with your story. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

  Alisha proceeded to tell him about the origins of Delilah’s Daughters, the impact of their father’s death on the group, and the Sing for America contest.

  “Delilah’s Daughters should have won that contest,” he said. “You and your sisters have something special.”

  “I wish the voters had seen it.”

  Mr. Sampson waved off her comment. “Annie Jones wasn’t bad, and she’ll have a decent career because her fans will buy her first couple of albums. After that, she’ll fade because her ceiling is low. The ceiling for you and your sisters was high. Why did you split up?”

  “My sister Veronica got an offer she couldn’t resist from Legends.”

  “Don’t take it personally. Charles Washingto
n looks for a certain type of artist. I’m not surprised he didn’t offer the group a contract. Gospel groups aren’t his cup of tea. I can see him branding your sister as a pop-gospel artist with the emphasis on pop. Delilah’s Daughters was very much gospel-pop, with the emphasis on gospel. That was the power and strength of the group. You and your other sister aren’t giving up on the group, are you?”

  Despite the conversations she’d had with Roxanne and her mother about relaunching the group with her mother as a member, Alisha had refused to invest all of her energy in the project. There was too much risk for failure and disappointment. A few words from Mr. Sampson had changed all of that. No way was she giving up on the group. Not after Morgan Sampson himself told her they were special. “We’re not giving up, Mr. Sampson, but we needed some direction, and I think you’re giving it to us.”

  He smiled. “I’m happy to know that I’m helping. The purpose of these mentoring sessions is to provide insight from someone who’s been in the business a fairly long time and who has attained a certain amount of success. I’m not always right, but my instincts are good. I can spot talent, and you and your sisters have it. I could see that from the show.”

  “I can’t believe you watched us.”

  “I’ll be honest,” he said. “Don’t be embarrassed. My son DVR-ed you and made me watch it.”

  Alisha laughed. “I’m not embarrassed,” she said. “I think I owe your son a dinner or my firstborn child. I’m not quite sure which one.”

  “You have a wonderful sense of humor, Alisha. That will also help you in this business. The only thing you can take seriously is your music. Everything else has to be viewed through a lens that can see the humor and ridiculousness in everything around the music. If you do that, you won’t get caught up in the drama that ensnares so many young artists.”

  “I’ll remember that,” Alisha said.

  “Did you write any of the songs you sang on the show?”

  She nodded. “We only got to perform a couple of my original songs over the length of the competition. We mostly did stylized arrangements of existing songs.”