Any Way the Wind Blows - E. Lynn Harris [58]
“What did he want?”
“I guess he called to congratulate me on my success. My song is the talk of the country,” I said proudly.
“Child, you better get the getting while the getting is good, ’cause there ain’t no real singers out there. I mean, Britney Spears and that group Destiny’s Dolls. Those girls are something else! I mean, what kind of parents are raising these children?” Ava asked as she looked around my apartment.
“I think it’s great that Destiny’s Child has parents who are so involved in their careers. And if record sales are any indication, they’re doing a pretty good job,” I said. Ava rolled her eyes at me and then glanced around the room. I could tell from the look on her face that her next topic of conversation would include a few body blows to my budding recording career. To avoid that, I got up from the sofa and went over to my desk and pulled out one of my early reviews from Entertainment Weekly.
I stood near my dining table and said, “Listen to this,” as I began to read the review. “Motown’s Yancey B has a hit on her hands the first time out. With great lyrics matched with lovely melodies, the results are exquisitely brilliant. An album that tells a story with each song. Yancey B’s Broadway-trained voice, with a little bit of soul and pop, shines on the first single, ‘Any Way the Wind Blows,’ and with this beautiful voice Yancey B is going only one way. Straight to number one. Grade: A+.”
“Did you write that?” Ava asked coldly.
“No, I didn’t. That’s from Entertainment Weekly,” I said proudly.
“Do you have anything to drink? My throat is parched,” Ava said as she gently touched her neck.
“What would you like?”
“Water or wine. I don’t imagine you have any snacks around,” Ava said. I walked into the kitchen and pulled out a bottle of water and silently congratulated myself on my self-restraint. I wanted to tell Ava to get her ass out, but I was not going to let her ruin my day. I walked back into the living and placed the bottle of water on a coaster.
“What, no glass? Who do you think I am?” I turned toward the kitchen to get a glass when she said, “That’s all right. I can drink it out of the bottle.”
Ava drank almost half of the water and set it back on the table. Suddenly her voice changed, taking on the dramatic manner she used to describe her latest schemes. “Yancey darling, I have figured out a plan to make you even bigger than most limited-talent girls ever get. We might have to eliminate a few with Enquirer-like scandals.”
“I’m not interested,” I said firmly.
“What! Are you crazy? One hit doesn’t make a star.”
Just as I was getting ready to tell Ava where she could go, the doorbell rang. I rushed to the door and looked out the peephole. An older white man stood there holding a sign with my name on it. I quickly opened the door like I was trying to escape from prison.
“I’m here for Miss Yancey Braxton,” he said.
“I’m Miss Braxton. I’ll be with you in a few seconds. Come on in,” I said. I usually didn’t invite drivers into my home, but I figured it would be one way to get Ava out of my house, since I knew she didn’t associate with hired help.
“So I guess you’re kicking me out?” Ava said as she got up from the sofa. I reached in the hall closet and grabbed my leather jacket. I grabbed my bag and gave Ava one of the fake smiles I’d learned from her, then said, “Good seeing you. I’m off to shoot my video.”
“I’ll have my driver follow you. Maybe I can give you a few pointers. You know what, maybe we should consider being a duo like the Junes. I mean the Judds. No, scratch that, it means I would have to admit to being a mother,” Ava said wistfully. “But I can still help with your first video.”
“Sorry, the director insists on a closed set. Make sure you lock the door when you leave.” As I followed the driver out the door, I heard Ava say, “Call me when you change your mind. I’ll be at the Plaza.”
Beauty Bonding
Miss Yancey B walked into the studio looking fabulous. If I were into women, then Yancey would be the kinda bitch I’d date. Beautiful, talented and