“Like you said, this little part here is strange. I can’t seem to wrap my head around it.
“Think of the tension,” Sonya said. “Those two notes come together during the line, ‘come to the end of my life’. Those notes are fighting one another. It’s not meant to be a pretty harmony. It’s meant to bring a sense of unease to the listener.”
April nodded. “Okay. I understand. Let’s try again.”
They sang the song once more, playing with the emotions, whispering certain lines softly then belting it out, making it a truly special rendition. Finishing their last run through, they were surprised by the soft applause of Dr.Ang.
“Angels,” he said, a broad grin on his lips. “That’s what you two sound like together; earth angels. Sonya, you have the more mature, earthy tone while April; you have a sweet yet raw quality to your voice. And together, it’s heaven.”
“You’re too sweet,” Sonya said.
“And biased,” April added. “He thinks I always sound like an angel, even when I first get up in the morning.”
“I have an idea,” Sonya said. “Why don’t we go and share our version of this song with Betty, see what she thinks.”
“I’m not sure I’m ready for that yet,” April confessed.
Baffled, Sonya looked at her. “Why? Why wouldn’t you be?”
“I heard that she could be a little intimidating.”
“Oh,” Sonya said with a laugh.
“I would like to meet her, and I know I’ll have to at some point, but... I heard that she could be tough when things don’t go her way. What if she doesn’t like me?”
“Don’t worry. First off, Betty has to be a little hard and demanding if she wants to get what she needs out of her cast. Sometimes that determination comes out as rough or intimidating, but she really is fair.”
“If you say so.”
“Besides, with me at your side, she won’t dare take a hard line with you.” Sonya put a protective arm around her daughter’s shoulder, said goodbye to Dr.Ang and headed out of the small bungalow.
“I love how confident and self-assured you are,” April said as they slowly walked to the studio. “I’d heard that women out here are just playthings. They’re used and discarded like a worn-out toy. But you...You’re different, aren’t you?”
Sonya bit her lip. “Is that a good thing? Perhaps I’m too hard and no one wants me as their plaything.”
“Ah, you know that’s not true.”
Sonya shrugged. “Some people don’t like a woman who is too self-assured, a woman who is a little aloof.But not all, there are some level-headed people out there with good old common sense who aren’t intimidated by smart people but knows how to work with them.”
“I think the only people who might not want to be around you are the very same people you wouldn’t want to have around. There’s a difference between being someone’s plaything and being a playing partner...you know, on the same level with one another.”
Sonya stopped walking and turned to her daughter. “When in the world did you get so wise? You’ve just barely arrived, new to the entertainment business and yet you seem to grasp what others don’t after years out here.”
April laughed. “I guess Dad taught me that I was worthy of someone’s love and respect; that I wasn’t just a plaything.”
“Good job, that man.”Sonya resumed walking.
But as they walked, April looked at her, tender yearning in her eyes. Did she have any clue? Was it possible that she questioned their true connection?
No, dear. Don’t even think of it. It’s far too dangerous for the world to know that you are mine.
“This is so much more exciting than I expected. There’s something magical about this place. How do you not get lost in all this?”
“Actually, I did a few times, at the beginning. I once walked into the wrong studio and interrupted the taping of this really funny show. Everyone stopped to look at me. It was so embarrassing.”
April laughed and leaned into Sonya. “I hope I don’t do something like that. I think I would die.”
“No, you wouldn’t. Don’t be so afraid to do embarrassing things sometimes,” Sonya said with a laugh. “They make for good stories.”
