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When I enter the small studio, I settle down on the piano bench with a pencil, a book of blank sheet music, and Kenya’s Melody in my ear. Slowly, painfully, I play the melody. As I flirt with the keys, the music transforms. The haunting melody layers depth, darkness, and emotion that wasn’t there the previous times I resisted giving birth to it. A feverish need takes over me every time I get the right sequence.
The studio becomes my home and office. There is no reason to leave. Khadijah stops by with food and essentials while I develop a routine. The smile on her face when she sees me struggle through the notes, buoys my spirits. For two straight days, I don’t sleep until I transcribe the bare bones of a song.
It’s rough and needs polishing. With the melody finally on paper, I sleep for an entire day. Then, I begin to refine. In my waking moments, I play, I write, I adjust, I record, I listen.
I fall in love again and again; with music, but most importantly, with Kenya. When Khadijah stops by for another listen, I know this is the hit she’s been longing for.
She calls Rhys, Hanson, and Stewart to preview the song.
The day they arrive, the fog that has bogged me down since my falling out with Kenya is reduced to a negligible mist. I play the demo I taped for the band.
Stewart says, “We need to record this now. This is your next big single. Forget gold, this baby will take you to multi-platinum status. How soon can you guys get in here?”
“We’ve been itching for something new for a while,” Hanson responds.
While they congratulate themselves for what is yet to come, I interrupt their celebration. “I have a request.” I wait until everyone quiets. “This needs to be the last song we perform at Escondido Bay’s Founder’s Day.”
“Are you sure, Cameron?” Rhys catches everyone’s attention. “That doesn’t give us much time to rehearse and work out all the kinks.”
“We can do it. We’ve done covers in less time.” Khadijah stands beside me with her hand on my shoulder. “Those last-minute performances were some of our best.”
As I glance around the room, a sense of confidence fills me. The familiar feeling is welcome after months of feeling like a limb has been missing.
“Alright, let’s get to work. Deej, you’re going to have to warm up your voice to hit some of these combos.”
“I’m going to do for this song what Whitney Houston did for the Star-Spangled Banner. No one will be able to improve on it when I’m through.”
CHAPTER 36
Kenya
For weeks I’ve worked tirelessly to bring Founder’s Day to life, doing everything I can think of to prevent myself from dwelling on the empty co-chair position during committee meetings and the empty bed when I’m at home.
The days have taken their toll, so has Keating. She never lets an opportunity to tell me what a fool I am pass her by, and I let her. I deserve to take her licks since I’ve sat on my ass and waited for this day to come.
With so many activities planned, a town-wide picnic at the park, a reenactment of the events leading to Escondido Bay’s founding, the carnival games for the kids, food stalls, and the parade, I haven’t had time to think for myself. I’ve had even less time to seek Cameron out and risk the biggest gamble of my life.
If I don’t take advantage of his presence here today, I doubt I’ll get another chance. Boy, do I want another chance.
I flag down Mrs. Pembroke. “Have you taken your breaks today?”
“I have. I spent them with the family. I have to say, Kenya, you pulled everything together really well. I wouldn’t be surprised if the town makes you plan all future Founder’s Day events.”
“Please don’t put that out in the universe. Where today is done, I’m going to sleep for a week.” I wave to Ms. Nina, who has cornered a family of four.
I’ve caught her a few times handing out pamphlets to recruit new members to her Swamp Friends group. I let this slide. Whatever she is telling the family has the boys bouncing in excitement.
“Mrs. Pembroke, can you take over for a while? There’s something I have to do before the band takes the stage.”
“Of course. You’ve earned some time for yourself with all the running around you did today. I’m always amazed at the energy you young ones have.”
I hand her my binder that contains every detail of all the events. Inside there are times, places, contact names, performers, and other things I’m too afraid to forget in case an emergency occurs. Mrs. Pembroke greedily grabs the binder. I sense a power trip in the making, but it’s not my problem. There are only two events left. Liquid Obsession’s concert and the fireworks to close out the night.
At the stage, most of the band mills about, but the one person I need to see isn’t here. I approach Khadijah, cautious of my reception given how badly I hurt her brother.
“I figured I’d run into you, but I was hoping not to see you until after our performance,” she says.
“Look, I get that I’m not your favorite person right now, but I really need to talk to Cameron. Do you know where he is?”
