Nev nods, her combed hair quivering from the intensity.
“Okay, then.” Mona tips her head toward the stage. “Let’s get you set up, Angie. I wanted you to sing the song first, and then we’ll go somewhere quieter to discuss the terms of the contract.”
I gulp as I take in the stage set up with a gleaming black baby grand. Like in the Bluebird, some of the world’s most magnificent voices have filled this place, have resonated among the pews and against the red and blue windowpanes.
As Mona leads us down the aisle, she says, “Kara will get you and your momma the form authorizin’ filming and broadcast of your performance. You’ll need to sign that one before you go onstage.”
Nev’s head keeps swiveling around as she takes in the place and then her mom and then the people milling around. There area lotof them…
When we reach the front row, the curly-haired assistant arrives with a clipboard, which she passes to Mom. My mother squints at it, reading it over carefully. Once she’s signed, she hands me the clipboard, and I append the autograph I left on the recording studio’s couch.
“Nevada, Jade, why don’t you two take a seat over here while I set Angela up onstage.” Mona points to the front row. After Mom takesNev’s hand and leads her toward the curved pew, Mona says, “I’m surprised my kids wanted to come.”
I find Ten sitting all by himself in the back row, watching me like a hawk. I hope this isn’t too painful for him. “Why? They’re your kids. Kids want to see their parents.”
An almost imperceptible groove appears between Mona’s eyebrows. If I hadn’t been standing so close, I would’ve missed it.
“Mrs. Stone, I have a request to make.” I say this softly so that no one else can hear me.
She cocks a perfectly plucked eyebrow. “I’m listenin’.”
Weeks ago, being the object of Mona’s attention would’ve been the highlight of my life. But that was weeks ago. “I’d like to sing my song as a duet.”
Her arms slide back along her sides, her rings sparkling wildly. “I suppose we could do that.”
“I want to sing it with your daughter.”
“With my”—she lowers her voice—“withNevada?”
“Yes.”
She peers in Nev’s direction. Nev flushes as scarlet as her mother’s blouse.
“Is this some sort of practical joke?” Mona asks.
“No.”
Mona’s looking at her son now.
“That’s one of the reasons I asked her to come today, although she’s not aware of it. I didn’t want to get her hopes up in case it wasn’t a possibility.”
“Can she sing?”
I smile. “Better than I can.”
Mona scrutinizes my face for a long second, her pupils pulsing in time with my heart. “The only way for her to sing is if her legal guardian—Jeff—signs off on it.”
“Not if it isn’t filmed, right?”
She bites her lips. It doesn’t ruin her lipstick. “I suppose.”
“Can we start with that? It’ll allow my voice time to warm up before my segment.”
For an interminable moment, Mona is quiet and still.
“Please? You won’t regret it.”
“Will my son be performing too?”
