“She’s young. She just graduated from college.” He points to her diploma on the wall. “Do you think she can do for us what we need her to?”
I shrug. “You saw those awards on the wall. We’ll be part of the company and her father owns the business. It’s a family here.” Family is what I really don’t have aside from my grandma.
And he’s right. I have nothing to lose. Everything I had, I walked away from months ago. In my heart, I know I can only gain from being here. I stand and walk to the door, opening it slightly to let her know we’re done talking. When Ms. Moreno returns, she sets down two cups of coffee. Harrison and I both reach for our respective cups. The hot liquid feels good even if I can’t stand the taste. Somehow I think living off coffee is going to be a requirement of this business.
“Are there any questions I can answer for you?”
We both shake our heads. “Can we use your pen?” I ask. Her eyebrow rises in question as she hands her pen over.
“We discussed everything and we’ve decided to sign,” Harrison says as I scribble my name on the line. I hand him the contract and he does the same before he pushes it back to Ms. Moreno.
“Now what?” I’m eager to start whatever it is I need to do to get my career off the ground.
“Now we get into the studio. We’ll start with a small EP and set you up as an opening act with an established artist. Everything’s going to be moving really fast from here on out so be prepared for long hours and missed days at home. Is there anything I should know about? Any skeletons in your closet?”
Both of us shake our heads. I could tell her everything, but why? It’s not like any of my family members have come looking for me. My parents even know where I am, but they’ve yet to call or even show up demanding that I return home. It’s like I don’t exist to them and honestly, that’s fine. I’m happy here with my gram.
“I just want to thank you for this opportunity, Ms. Moreno,” Harrison says the words that have been sitting on the tip of my tongue since I met her in the alley.
“You’re welcome, but please call me Sam. The ‘miss’ part makes me feel old.”
Harrison gives me a sideways glance, mocking me. Yes, she’s young and very attractive, but I have no doubt she’ll do a good job for us.
“Do you have a band name?”
I glimpse at Harrison before turning my gaze back on Sam. “No, we don’t, but we can come up with one.”
“Perfect. Now come with me, I’ll introduce you to the team, show you where you’ll have studio time and we’ll grab lunch.”
I peek at my watch and see that we’ve been here for an hour and half already. It’s funny how fast time moved when I thought it was slowing down and torturing me. As Sam shows us around the building and introduces us to the people we’ll be working with, everything comes down on me tenfold. Just over a year ago I played a song for my girl only to have her look at me like I had two heads. Without words she made me feel like I was doing something taboo. She made me feel like I wasn’t good enough. In hindsight, I should’ve helped her see what I was trying to do instead of surprising her. I want her by my side. I want her holding my hand today, but that’s not possible. She couldn’t bring herself to understand that I was suffocating in the life I had. Since I’ve been in Los Angeles, despite the smog and pollution, I can breathe easily. The freedom I’m afforded to be myself allows me to be a new me.
Sam knocks and opens a door, ushering us in. Anthony Moreno stands and greets us. I met him at my grandma’s during her holiday party, but this meeting is different.
“Come in and sit down.” He motions to the open seats in front of his desk. “So I hear a welcome is in order?”
The man I remember at my grandma’s party stands in front of us. He looks different today, more businesslike and not like he’s schmoozing at a party.
“Yes, thank you for the opportunity,” I reply, grateful that I’m here today.
He leans back in his chair and makes a teepee with his fingers. He’s appraising us, watching for a sign that we’re about to crack. I’m stoic. Reserved. I refuse to crack again. I did that once, but it’s turned out for the best.
“Sam will treat you fellas right. She’s young, but hungry and wants to climb the corporate ladder. Isn’t that right, sweetie?”
“Yes, daddy. I already have big plans.”
“Excellent that’s what I like to hear. Welcome aboard boys, you now belong to Moreno Entertainment.” He stands and shakes our hands, effectively excusing us from his office. His last words resonate. I don’t want to belong to anyone but myself and now doubt runs through my mind. Did we make a mistake?
Chapter 36
“Okay here’s the deal.” Sam throws open the studio door and tosses a stack of papers down on the table. Her cell phone is attached to her ear and she’s clutching a Starbucks cup in her hand like it’s a lifeline. In the months that we’ve been working with her we’ve learned a few things: Don’t mess with her talent; she loves her Starbucks; and she’s always in heels. We’ve also learned that each and every one of us gets her undivided attention and she’s a spitfire. Everything that she said she was going to do for us, she’s done. We’ve been in the studio since we signed and our first EP is coming out in the next few weeks.
Tomorrow we’re having our first performance or as Sam’s calling it, our first gig. Harrison balked, but she reminded him that we aren’t being paid, we’re trying to gain a fan base. I don’t care either way. I just want to play and we’ll be playing in front of thousands of people at a huge music festival. It will be our first time performing at something of such a grand scale, and to say I’m scared shitless is an understatement. I don’t think I’ve slept in days and the closer the day of the performance gets here, the more my anxiety builds.
Sam continues to yammer in her phone. Her coffee cup is now on the table, which is good since her hand is flying around wildly. I strum my guitar quietly. She interrupted our practice session when she busted in here.
I look at Way Johnson, the ole timer who Sam picked up to round out our band. He’s been around for a long time and says he knew my grandfather, but never had the opportunity to play with him. Says it would’ve been a great honor and is more than humbled to be playing with his grandson. It’s times like that when I wish I had known him, even if it was only in memories. Way plays every instrument you can think of; the piano, bass, cymbals and he can play multiples at the same time. He performs in a suit or African grab and a hat. He also moves like he’s blind, even though he isn’t.
Way brushes his finger across the cymbals and gets Sam’s attention. She looks at him, rolling her eyes. He laughs, but I know it pisses him off when she does this. We only have tonight left to practice and she’s wasting valuable time. There’s no reason she can’t be behind the glass having her conversation.