When the music to “Cabaret” by Justin Timberlake starts, the lights flash once, and then I come out with a swagger that has everyone hollering for me. Reaching for my pole, I move myself against it before lifting my leg and using the pole as leverage as I lean back, my head almost touching the ground. Doing various poses and leg stretches, I finally get on the pole, spinning around it and giving the crowd a great show. The only thing that bothers me is that I’m pretty sure Phillip didn’t watch a lick of the performance, but the crazy thing was he was the loudest to cheer for me.
He’s so amazing.
As the song ends, the lights shut off and I slowly walk off the stage, stepping on all the money that has been left on the stage for me. Prissy grins at me as I pass by, and for the next few minutes, I count my money and lock it up before changing in to a pair of sweats. I leave my hair and makeup on since I know I’ll be meeting with the investors in a matter of minutes. Picking up my phone, I see that Jude will be home in less than an hour, and I pray that I will be done here.
Looking up at the mirror, I take a long look at myself, and I don’t like what I see. I want to take all this stuff off because it’s not me. I sorta don’t want to be Diamond anymore. As I take in the long, fake lashes, the dark makeup around my eyes, my lips done up to be bigger and fuller, my straight, blond wig, the dark brown eyes, I don’t like it. I know that if I get a job as a burlesque choreographer, I’ll have to be glamorous, but I can be me. I want to be Claire. I look around my area, and I’m not sad at all to pack up my things. Not one bit. I’ll miss the people, I’ll miss my friends, but I’m going to bigger and better things, with the love and respect of my family and Jude.
When Reese and Phillip come into my line of sight, I turn in my seat to grin at them.
“You were so good!” Reese says excitedly.
“Thanks!” I gush as I stand to hug them.
“Really good. Great job; it was amazing,” Phillip says, and I beam with pride.
“Thanks, I’m really happy. Hopefully, the investors like me,” I say, my hands fidgety at my sides.
“I know they will,” Phillip assures me. His eyebrows pull together and he says, “I really don’t like you as a blonde.”
I laugh. “Hey, it’s so no one knows it’s me.”
“I knew from first glance,” he says and I smile. “I know that face.”
“Me too, but that’s ’cause we know and love you so much,” Reese says with a loving grin.
“So what are you doing now?” Phillip asks.
“I’m waiting for the investors or Ms. Prissy or something. I’m ready to go. Jude should be back in town in a bit.”
He nods. “Okay, well, Reese is supertired, so we’re going to go. I’ll wait up to hear from you.”
I wave him off. “Don’t. I’ll call you guys in the morning.”
“Are you sure?” he asks uncertainly. “I don’t want to leave, but she’s about to pass out.”
“True, this baby is sucking my life away,” Reese says, but she doesn’t seem upset about it. “Don’t be mad.”
“Not at all. I don’t know how long this is going to be, so don’t worry about it. I’ll call y’all in the morning.”
“Okay,” Phillip says, kissing my forehead. “Good job tonight.”
“Thanks,” I say as Reese hugs me tightly.
I say bye, watching as they head out the back door before falling back in my seat to wait. Crossing my legs, I only have to wait a few more minutes before Ms. Prissy is coming around the corner with three men. All three are in expensive suits, all looking very important and serious from what I see as they walk behind Ms. Prissy to me. Today, surprisingly, Ms. Prissy is wearing a pantsuit, one that isn’t leather. Guess she really does want to impress. When she grins at me, I smile back as I stand.
“This is Diamond. She’s the choreographer of most of the numbers you saw today. She’s the one y’all want to see,” she says as she glances back at them. Looking back at me, she says, “Diamond, honey, these fine men are our guests for the night.”
With a bright grin, I say sweetly, “Nice to meet y’all.”
Two of the men smile, but I can’t see the third. When he does step into the light, time stops.
“Diamond, this is Don Jackson from Vegas, Bruce Phillips from Florida, and Mark Sinclair from New York.”
Oh. My. God.
Mark Sinclair.
Jude’s dad.