“The Catalyst” Series Book 6
		“Building a Legacy”
		Crumbly Writer All rights reserved © 2013
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07:  A Familiar Face, but an Unexpected Request

           

“So, welcome to my humble abode,” Alex said, leading Akilah into their hotel suite. “It’s a little less humble than we usually enjoy, thanks to your husband, but we try to keep it toned down by filling it full of people so it doesn’t feel quite so extravagant.”

“It be empty now,” Akilah answered with a smile.

They’d left the restaurant as Ahmed took the girls to the theater in a private limousine. Alex, however, insisted on taking a cab, something that had also made Akilah smile, thinking his humility ‘cute’. It was especially humorous since it meant sending the limousine which had been waiting for them home.

Alex tried to get Akilah to open up on the ride, but she resisted, still conscious of the social mores of her homeland. She didn’t want to speak openly in the presence of a strange male cab driver, or even telepathically with someone she barely knew. She mostly answered in single word responses, which frustrated Alex. But it was clear where her motivation lay, as her eyes would flicker to the driver whenever Alex asked something, so he didn’t take it too personally.

However, she began responding more fully in the elevator, and now that they were inside the expansive apartment, she opened up, taking off her covering scarf, revealing a dress which exposed a fair amount of cleavage.

“What would your countrymen think of that dress?” Alex asked with a teasing smile.

“They’d love it,” she responded, “though their wives would despise it and force them to renounce it. But this is America, and here I do as others do. What’s the saying, ‘When in France?’”

“Listen, Akilah, as much as I like you opening up, I get the feeling these words aren’t yours. Could you please tell Sanaa to take a break?” he asked, using Shanna’s actual name, since it was the one Akilah was more comfortable with. “I’d rather talk to you instead of her.”

“But me no speak good,” Akilah struggled to respond.

“It doesn’t matter. What’s important are your words, thoughts and emotions. It’s fine if you use Sanaa to translate my words, but I want to get a feel for you. I appreciate what you and Sanaa have accomplished, but think of this as a final exam, testing just how much you’ve achieved.”

“Sorry, me no understand. Slower speak, please,” she answered playfully, swatting his arm.

“That’s better. It doesn’t sound quite as rehearsed.”

Instead of moving directly to the bedroom, Alex sat them both on the couch, hoping to get to know her better first.

“Food be here brought again,” she cautioned him. “We must wait.”

“The hotel staff is bringing our food,” Alex gently corrected her. “And I’ll be glad to wait; we’ve got time to simply unwind. Now tell me about yourself.”

“Me simpu … simpler … simple girl,” she finally finished with a triumphant smile. “I come from small town you no hear of. No poor girl meet rich prince either. My father, well … seller?”

“Merchant?” Alex suggested.

“Ah, yes, merchant. I grow up, comfort, get good teaching. Ahmed, though, he school here. We meet arranged. We hit off, marry after year demand by Ahmed father.”

“An arranged marriage? And how did you feel about that? Did you feel any affection for Ahmed?”

“He sweet, social, imdress. I feel for him like you. He power, he lead, other follow. What draw me you, him too,” she struggled to express herself with her still limited language skills. Still, she was doing amazingly well for only a week. It seemed she and Shanna had perfected the telepathic linguistic training. Alex assumed they must’ve consulted Ahn, figuring he’d have to ask her. Still, she seemed to have learned more words than syntax.

“So you were drawn to his strengths, his confidence, his attitude, but also how he affected those around him. How importantly everyone else treated him.”

Instead of answering, she simply nodded energetically. “Like you. Everyone talk, you no. You no talk self.”

“No, I don’t like to talk about myself. I’m embarrassed by how everyone responds to me. I’d rather be an unnoticed kid. I’m getting used to how people respond to me, but it’s still a slow process.”

It was clear to Alex that Akilah was still having Shanna translate his words, as even with the telepathic communication, she’d wait after he said anything before responding, but he felt sure she was following his rules, speaking from her heart, while using Shanna to understand his meaning. When he spoke, her eyes would glaze over and remain that way until just before she started speaking, when her eyes would suddenly clear up again.

“So you loved Ahmed from the start?” Alex asked, interested in her response more than out of any interest in Ahmed himself.

“I knew fathers wanted, but then, he … impress me. Not love, but close.”

“Ah, that makes sense, and it’s an honest explanation,” Alex said, just as there was a knock at the door.

Gini, who’d accompanied them to the apartment but who’d kept well in the background, glanced at Alex for permission. Alex simply nodded, and Gini opened the door, letting a hotel employee in, pushing a large cart full of snack foods. Another entered, pushing a cart with several bottles. Without saying a word, he quietly prepared a drink seemingly knowing what would be appreciated. When finished he glanced at Gini, who nodded. He then brought the drink to Akilah, who accepted it with a smile, thanking him in French. The hotel employees left after that, and Gini locked the door behind them.

“Me make this easy. Me get me drunk so you no need,” she explained, smiling at him with a smoldering look, but Alex still wasn’t ready to move it to the next level, still feeling like he didn’t know her quite well enough yet.

“So, Akilah, tell me more about your childhood,” Alex suggested. “What was life in your country like? How did you adapt to a world where you weren’t quite a full partner?”

“No,” Akilah answered, struggling to look at Alex to show her resolve.

“No?” Alex asked, a little confused by her refusal.

“No. Girls tell me you do this. You ask about us, no tell. Me no tell, ‘stead me want you talk,” she said, her diction growing a little worse as she tried to stress this point. “Me no want to hear speech, me want to know you.”

Though surprised, Alex could see her point—although he suspected she’d been put up to it by the other women in the Seer community. He could see them getting together, searching for new information on him, realizing they’d all heard the exact same stories and that he rarely revealed anything new. It was a defensive action he was well aware he employed too often, but he used it to keep the girls’ memories of him ‘pristine’, not wanting to sully his image if he wouldn’t be around for long. It was something he was very aware of, as his approaching death was made more real to him on an almost daily basis.

“All right, if you want to know about me, I can do that. After all, sharing is sharing. I assume you already know more than you want to about Cate and me?” he asked, just to be sure. She merely nodded, taking another sip of her drink.

“OK, let’s see. As you’ve undoubtedly guessed, I was a very shy kid. However, there’s a lot behind how Cate and I ended up that way. Being obsessive about my hobbies, like most young boys are, I spent all my time hiding in quiet corners of the house, reading. My father was worried about me, wanting me to be more active. He’d take me out to play sports, throwing a football or something, but it never worked. I wasn’t athletic and it showed. Instead I learned to avoid my father when he got that ‘I’m going to make a man of you’ look. It got so bad my mother discovered me one day, at the age of five, sitting alone in a closet with a book in my hands, trying to hide from my father.”

Akilah, though attentive, took a little while to process all of that. Alex realized he was throwing too many complex words and ideas around, but he relied on Shanna to translate his ideas for him. He also knew she’d convey his every sentiment to the other Seers as payment for their services. He realized the whole conversation would be easier if they conducted it telepathically, but she seemed hesitant to do so, and he really wanted the opportunity to watch how she reacted, something that was hard to do when the entire conversation only took a matter of seconds.

When Akilah’s eyes cleared, Alex continued.

“Becky read something years ago that helps explain it. She said almost all the athletic stars are born the same time of the year, and they succeeded in sports not because of any inborn talent but simply because when they arrive at school each year they’re bigger and more coordinated than the other kids because they’re that much older. The teachers and coaches then encourage them, telling them they’re special, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. The more they encouraged them, the more they’d work at it. Whereas kids like me, who by virtue of our birthdays appear klutzy and uncoordinated, are avoided and ostracized.”

Alex knew she’d need time with those concepts, even though the message was fairly universal, so he waited until her eyes returned to normal before continuing.

“Thus I kept to myself, both at school and at home. I found I’ve got a fairly vanilla face, plain and unremarkable. And being a little bigger than the smallest kids, but not overly large, I could easily blend in. In order to avoid being picked on, I’d stand in the middle of a crowd of other kids. Never interacting with them, just avoiding being noticed.

“I became quite good at it and spent most of my time observing the other kids. Any time anyone would approach, looking like they wanted to cause trouble, I’d start talking, just like I was having a discussion with those around me. Since they didn’t know me, they’d ignore me, but the new kids would assume I was busy so they’d avoid me. Thus I set up a pattern where I spent most of my life alone, watching and studying other people. And when I got home, I’d spend all my time reading, both as an escape and as a way of learning what I was missing by not mixing with the other kids.”

Alex again waited for Akilah to translate and process his description. This time, when her eyes cleared, she frowned, as if commiserating over his painful childhood. Reaching out, she placed her hand on his, trying to ‘feel his pain’.

“Actually, it wasn’t as bad as it sounds,” Alex explained, trying to assure her he didn’t regret it. “I was comfortable on my own and uncomfortable with others. Dad eventually stopped reading me stories at night, but while he was he’d use all these different voices, making the imaginary world of books sound more interesting than the regular world where kids would berate me for not knowing what was popular. Thus books and my imagination became more fascinating than other people. I took to studying them, watching and observing people like I’d watch insects working to keep their hive alive, always scurrying around. I knew I’d never understand what any single individual was doing, but it was fascinating to watch how busy and driven they were.

“Now, moving beyond my story, let me discuss my sisters. Cate was just as you’d expect. She idolized me, but never found my silence disturbing. She was happy just cuddling with me, reading my book over my shoulder, soaking up whatever energy I may have been bleeding out at that young age.

“My other sisters, however, weren’t anywhere near as understanding. Becky, the oldest, matured early. Being bigger than all her friends, she learned she could get what she wanted by pushing everyone else around. I learned to avoid her early, because she’d frequently push me out of the way to get whatever she wanted. However, that behavior only lasted so long. While she blossomed early, the other kids quickly grew as big as her, and when they did, they’d no longer put up with her attitude anymore.

“That was when Becky turned to books as well. Already a good student, she decided she’d do better not antagonizing people, so she started to focus on her studies. Because she was competitive from having been bigger than everyone else, she turned that competitiveness to her studies. She took to science because she found she could best the boys at their own subject. When they’d stand around talking about the latest science fiction movie, she’d calmly detail why it didn’t make any sense. She’d score points for being up on the latest movie, effectively win without ever getting into an actual argument, and she soon found herself excelling in fields with few other women.”

At this point, Akilah knew she’d gotten more than she’d asked for. Knowing this was going to be a long story, she cuddled up against Alex, allowing her to look away from him—which made dealing with his bright aura much easier—and spent her time touching him as she listened to the soothing cadence of his voice, even as she struggled with the meaning of his words. The fact she could soak up his energy, reveling in how powerful he felt and how closely that mirrored what she felt for her husband, certainly played a role as well.

“However, that didn’t change her attitude around the house. She still picked on me, as small as I was, but it was mitigated by escaping into her books the same way I did. But then Melinda started picking on me, while Becky would ignore each of us, letting us squabble amongst ourselves.

“Melinda, having learned how to behave at her sister’s knee, imitated Becky’s earlier behavior. She’d tease me mercilessly, utilizing her bigger size and maturity. Eventually my screaming for her to leave me alone would provoke Becky, who’d storm out, tell her to leave me alone, and then give me a wedgie, just so I wouldn’t think I’d won anything. That’s not the best dynamic to build a lot of family camaraderie. Becky and I would try to escape into our books, Melinda would look for something to entertain her, while Cate would seek me out in my hidden refuge to share my isolation. However Cate seemed to have somehow picked up something from both Becky and me. She adopted Becky and my love of learning as well as my love of studying people. She took up Becky’s interest in science, largely so she could spend time with me without disturbing me. Melinda, though, really had no interest in science.

“She progressed from being a bully at home, to learning about boys. She became the black sheep of the family, always getting into and causing the most trouble. Not only that, she also learned how to cop an attitude from the other girls at school, so she was always putting Cate and I down for being such dorks, though she never attacked Becky since she still idolized her.

“The result of all of this was we became a house full of loners. My dad would go to work, only to come home disappointed in a non-manly son and a house of non-communicative women. Becky would disappear into her room with her school work, leaving Melinda storming through the house looking for trouble while both Cate and I would try to find a place to hide. Cate would read whichever of my many books I wasn’t reading at the time, soaking it all up, asking me whatever she didn’t understand.

“Mom, meanwhile, was driven to distraction. While not exactly outgoing herself, she realized we had a very dysfunctional dynamic going, but she couldn’t very well disapprove of our studious behaviors, especially since we were all much better behaved on our own than we ever were if she got us together. In the end, that’s the sentiment which won out. It was simply easier on everyone for us to not interact than it was teaching us how to be social butterflies.

“So there you have it,” Alex concluded. “That’s why I’m so reticent, shy and retiring. Today, even when I try to reach out to others, I do so by avoiding revealing myself, falling back on my experience of observing people to learn about them rather than speaking up for myself. I became a ‘sharer’ rather than a ‘taker’. I never spoke about myself, always distracting others by getting them to talk about themselves, simply because they’d become so involved they’d never stop to question why I wasn’t talking.”

Alex’s monologue was cut short here, however. Akilah had been sitting there, soaking up his energy, listening to this amazing man reveal his most intimate secrets. Instead of turning her off, it turned her on knowing he’d revealed things to her that he hadn’t with anyone else. Putting her empty glass aside, she turned and kissed him, wordlessly telling him just how much she admired and desired him, and how even if he wasn’t ready, she was.

For his part, Alex was ready as well. Although he usually liked to get to know about his lovers before doing anything, he’d often done that simply as a way of distancing himself, effectively gaining insights into them while revealing little of himself. However, he now felt he’d gained enough insights from how Akilah reacted to his story to gauge just what motivated her, as well as understanding just how emotionally supportive she was. Returning her kisses, it wasn’t long before clothes started flying, and they didn’t even make it to the bed in the other room, with Alex mounting her right there. Gini simply shook her head at their antics, though she didn’t look away either.

Akilah, for her part, didn’t need any foreplay. She was more than ready, and had been for some time. She’d have been happy to have gotten down to the basics as soon as they entered the apartment. But despite encouraging him to open up, hearing him exposing himself while feeling his unadulterated power course through her was more than she could stand. Encouraged to express himself, Alex dove in. Having learned from Cate, Alex now knew it wasn’t necessary to hold back, so he allowed himself to seek his own release. He knew he now shared enough with Akilah to fully open himself to her, after all, trying to give her a few more orgasms wasn’t going to reveal any more of how she’d respond to his activation, so now he worked at hiding himself again. Namely trying to hide a specific piece of himself deep in her ‘inner psyche’. It didn’t take long before she was screaming out his name, both in English and Arabic, demanding he make her his over and over, as both came in blinding orgasms which swept Akilah away into blissful darkness.

---

“Hello, we’re back,” Cate yelled in warning as they entered the apartment, jingling her keys. Kitty and Chalise both quickly scanned the room, making sure everyone was decent before allowing Ahmed or the other girls into the suite, but everything looked clear. The room had been aired out and they were both leaning back against the couch, Akilah resting comfortable against Alex, smiling like she’d had a religious epiphany that no one else had shared.

“I see you had a good time,” Ahmed teased, seemingly unfazed by what had just transpired. “You missed a good show, but you’ve seen several Broadway plays before, whereas these girls were astounded to see their first. It was fun revealing something like that to a bunch of theater virgins.”

“It was amazing,” Chalise told Alex as Akilah got up to greet her husband, kissing him gratefully for what he’d allowed her to enjoy. She knew she’d have to dance around this topic delicately for a bit, but what she’d gained from the experience more than made up for it.

After they’d had sex that first time, and before he’d recovered enough to try for a second, Alex finally got her to open up about herself. But instead of speaking of her childhood, she’d talked about what she hoped to get out of her odd arrangement with her husband.

“He want me to succeed on me self for first time,” she’d related. “Now I have chance to be own self. I can grow my own org… organ…”

“Organization,” Alex suggested.

“Right, now I grow my own organization, be independent, initiate things on my own. What more, since I have backing of your group, my word be … stronger. When I speak, now it have weight, not just with Ahmed, but with our government. Once they see what we capable of, they allow me to do more than we ever imagine. This be an opp…, an … opposite … like we’ve never seen. Like your own women’s lib. I will have freedom, power, independence. I not only share with Saudi women, but I use it like never could before.”

That enthusiasm for her newly blossomed potential had overflowed her ability to control it, and she and Alex had soon found themselves in another locked embrace, this time in the bedroom, leading to yet another blinding orgasm for her, followed by a few lesser ones in the shower as they tried to clean up afterwards. Luckily for them, Ahmed had the wisdom to take everyone out for treats, drinks for the adults and desserts for the younger girls. He was a consummate host, having thrown numerous social events, so he kept them occupied and distracted, giving the two lovers plenty of time to finish up, and giving everyone a night they’d remember.

“So everything worked?” Ahmed asked, unable to restrain his curiosity any more.

“Na’am,” she answered happily. “I can speak with Alex and his women anywhere, anytime, no matter the distance,” she said, once again relying on Shanna for the proper English translation before answering, no longer having to struggle with how to express herself. She’d passed her test with flying colors, and could now rely on her instructor for additional on-the-job lessons.

“Good, we’ll put you to the test, asking Alex and his girls for help on our way back home. Our private flight is scheduled to leave in a little while; we’d best make our exit. Alex, it’s been a delight, and I look forward to our future associations. I’ll try to find some new women for you to activate as I’m anxious to get a group of them active in our country. I think they can advance our medical care and establish themselves in business and education quickly. I think this will advance both our objectives. شكرا, my friend. This means a lot to both Akilah and me. More than you can imagine.”

Alex and the others bid them farewell, with Alex thanking him for what he’d done, not only for him, but for his movement and his many followers. However, once they’d left, the girls turned to him, smiling broadly.

“So tell, how’s a little Arabic tail?” Kitty asked saucily. “It is as repressed as you’d thought? Or was she a huge can of repressed desire, waiting to boil over?”

“You know I’m not going to tell you something that personal, though I’m sure if you ask Robin, she’s already gotten a full description,” Alex responded. The girls all spun on Robin, expecting a full confessional.

“I have, though I haven’t had a chance to really consider it in all its juicy details,” she related, able to let her inner sluttiness out for once. The entire time she’d been with Alex and the others, she’d never really let that part of herself out, but now with this group of horny, gossipy girls, she felt free to play it to the hilt.

While she proceeded to relay the details, Cate cornered Alex. “How about you? Have you gotten enough food? And if so, have you had a chance to consider how you’re going to handle everyone tonight?”

“Yeah, I have,” Alex admitted. “Luckily, Akilah has given me a wonderful out. I can simply claim exhaustion, excusing myself and wanting nothing other than to sleep with my two girlfriends. I’m sorry, but you’re going to be on your own tonight, while I have a miraculous recovery once I cuddle up with my two snuggle bunnies.”

“That’s OK,” Cate laughed, her own tensions eased. “As long as that slut Winona doesn’t get her claws in you, I’ll be fine. But just remember, I want a chance at you myself before Kitty and Chalise have to leave, both as a group and individually,” she warned, finally rushing to back to the others, wanting to hear the dirty details herself. Gossiping about sex was almost as good as participating in it herself.

The evening ended up well, the girls all having a good time laughing over the details of Alex’s sexual encounter. Cate was disappointed Winona enjoyed the details just as much as the others did, disproving one of Cate’s main assertions about her, though not dislodging her main objection to her rival. She took Alex’s protests of exhaustion as he’d anticipated, though they all feasted on his left over snack, finishing it off, knowing Cate had yet another set aside in case he’d need it later. Which came in handy when Alex was forced to exert himself a little further that evening, leaving him fully drained, falling into an exhausted but pleasant sleep. Kitty and Chalise were pleased they’d managed to win out in the end. They were happy with their experiences in San Francisco so far, but were still waiting to see what the rest of his ‘meetings’ might reveal.

---

The next morning they had to hurry to make Patricia’s morning appointment, which Alex still had no clue about. However, given how the previous one had turned out, he wasn’t about to turn his nose up at it.

Alex, meanwhile, was in a quandary. Considering what happened the previous night, he didn’t think showing up with a crowd of women would be appropriate, but he also didn’t want to leave three Native Americans unused to an urban environment on their own. He finally decided that whoever wanted to see him was looking to him for a favor, so it probably wouldn’t hurt to bring them along as it wouldn’t likely change their presentation much and the girls knew not to interfere with the negotiations. So they all ended up heading to the restaurant in a couple taxis.

The famed Gary Danko, while brighter and having a whole different look, was just as impressive a restaurant as La Folio had been. Suspecting the extra people would screw up the plans, Alex contacted Patricia, letting her know how many people he was bringing. She’d just laughed, telling him she’d convey the message, so Alex hoped they’d managed to make arrangements. He was half expecting to find no one there, figuring they’d decide to not bother.

The three girls from Utah oohed and aahed in a slightly condescending way, hinting they didn’t really approve of such extravagance, but Alex ignored them. When he announced himself to the maître d', the man didn’t bat an eye, calling someone to escort Alex and his group of seven to their table. Alex didn’t know whether they could have arranged a private room on such short notice, so he was anxious to see where they would be taken.

They were led to an out-of-the way table, but still in the main room. There, waiting for him, was the last person he expected to see. It was Diane Kennedy, the lead act in Patricia’s concert tour, the same woman who, at their only meeting, had cursed him for getting in her way. He didn’t think she even knew he existed and yet here she was, going out of her way to speak to him for some unknown reason. He wasn’t looking forward to this, not liking the woman’s prima donna attitude. He was glad he’d inconvenienced her so much.

As they approached, she stood up, extending her hand.

“Alex, I presume?” she asked, not recognizing him, just as he’d expected.

“Yes, I am, though I have no idea why I’m here. I hope you don’t mind that I brought a few friends?” he asked, enjoying being able to play prima donna to one, figuring it served her right to be on the other side of the glass.

“Well, it was a bit unexpected and we had to move out here from the private room I’d reserved, but we’ll make it work,” she said, never once acknowledging his question.

Alex introduced everyone, never bothering to explain how he knew them, or even why they were there, figuring he didn’t owe her any explanations. Sitting down, Diane wasted no time.

“I know you’re wondering what I’m doing here,” she said, flashing a dazzling smile, “but I’ve got a huge favor to ask.”

“And you’re asking me because…?”

“Not an unreasonable question,” she conceded, biting her lip. “Let me back up a bit. I’m going to be honest with you here. As I’m sure you know, my tour hit California about a week ago. I was actually glad when Patricia quit the tour, as I was convinced she was stealing my thunder just as the tour was finally beginning to experience some success. Since the show set a new record for the tour, I was feeling on top of the world. However, the next concert, a two day event in San Diego, was a bust. The attendance was way down, and the crowd began leaving midway through the performance.

“While I was initially pissed and unable to figure out what had gone wrong, the concert sponsors threatened to pull their funding unless I did something.” Alex couldn’t help but smile, since that was exactly what he’d figured would happen, and what he’d secretly been hoping for. “So I returned to LA to try to talk Patty into rejoining the tour.”

“I’m guessing she said no.”

“Exactly,” Diane replied with a frown. “Not just no, but ‘Hell no!’ She said the new album she was recording meant more to her than whatever she could earn on tour, and that cutting it was a personal choice she wouldn’t walk out on.” Alex wanted to add that she’d end up making more money from it than Diane would earn from her whole concert tour, but decided to hold his tongue just to watch her squirm as she tried to explain her motivation. He liked to see her admit she was wrong for once.

“Figuring it was a lost cause, I asked her if she had any ideas, and then I asked her if she could connect me with you since you were reportedly her source of inspiration and were responsible for attracting a lot of the fans, as well as causing them to leave during my performances.”

“Yeah, sorry about that,” Alex lied, enjoying watching her twisting in the wind.

“She told me I’d have to talk to you, that her success—and our numbers—were all due to you.”

While Alex knew it was coming, he sat back and considered his response. “And just what is it you think I can do for you?”

“Frankly, I don’t know,” she responded, shrugging while maintaining constant eye contact. “But I figured at the very least, you’re Patty’s lucky charm and that maybe whatever you did for her you can do for me.”

“Just out of curiosity, do you even know who I am? Like what my last name is?”

She just looked at him, like she couldn’t believe he’d asked that. “Of course I know who you are. I needed to know that to draw up the…. You helped Patty achieve what she did,” she finished, correcting herself.

“No, Patricia earned what she achieved through hard work. I just inspired her to work hard enough to get it,” Alex lectured her before relenting a bit. “I’m not sure what I did for Patricia would work for you. It’s more of a personal thing. I … inspired her, bringing out the best in her.”

“And couldn’t you do the same for me?” Diane pleaded, glancing at him with large puppy-dog eyes.

“I’m sorry, it’s kind of a one-to-one thing. I don’t think I could do it with anyone else.”

“Humph,” Winona snorted. “She’s not the only one you inspire like that.”

“Excuse me?” Diane asked, turning to regard the woman she hadn’t even acknowledged before.

“I’m just saying that Alex inspires a lot of people, but he’s right, his inspiration wouldn’t work with you.”

“And do you sing?” Diane asked dismissively.

“Not all soul singers are aging white women,” Winona snorted, causing Alex to smile. Even Cate grinned at her response.

“Would you like to show us whether you can sing well enough to fill a stadium?” Diane challenged, fully expecting her to back down.

“Sure, I’m not frightened by you. As I said, Alex inspires plenty of people. He’ll allow me to excel.”

“Do you even know the music?” Alex asked, confused by this sudden turn of events, thinking she was getting herself into more than she could handle.

“When everyone told me her music was dedicated to you, I asked her to send me some of it. She sent me the lyrics and the music for one song. When I asked for more, she sent the rest. I’ve been singing the songs ever since; in the shower, after I go to bed, while I’m working by myself. I’ve memorized each of them.”

“OK then,” Diane said, still sure she was going to humiliate this overconfident girl, “show us what you can do.”

Alex was about to step in, to prevent her from being humiliated, but for some reason he held back. Winona squared her shoulders, took a deep breath, and began singing, first in a low hesitant voice, singing a cappella, but as she continued her confidence grew and her voice increased in volume, tenor and pitch. And the sound…. Her voice was truly a treasure. Her rendition of the song was different, as it was apparent her training was operatic rather than blues-based, but she made the song her own, and her voice took over the entire restaurant.

It was strange, as well, hearing the song sung a cappella. One couldn’t lose the meaning in the tune, and the double meaning and its implications suddenly seemed blatantly obvious, at least to Alex. Although he was impressed, he also felt himself blushing at what she was singing about him.

She sang the entire song, finishing with a resounding climax, putting her whole self into the song. The entire restaurant had fallen silent since she’d first began, and everyone in the building was staring at her, including the kitchen and wait staff, who came out to see what was causing the ruckus. When she finished, silence descended, and an awkwardness surrounded them. But then one person started applauding, and a few more did, then most of the people did. Someone actually stood up, giving her a standing ovation, and soon he was surrounded by others. It lasted for a little while, leaving Winona blushing as much as Alex. Finally, sensing her ill ease, the applause finally stopped and everyone sat down, with various people telling her how wonderful it sounded.

“Wow, I had no idea you could sing,” Diane said, obviously stunned.

“I told you, you simply assume only older white women know how to do anything. I trained in opera when I was in high school and a music teacher took notice of me, but I wasn’t willing to move to a city to receive additional training, so I never followed it up. That life never appealed to me.”

“Well, I’ll tell you here and now,” Diane responded, grinning like she’d just won the lottery, “I’ll hire you on the spot, especially if you come with Alex. Whatever he does, he’s apparently done it with you as well. I’ll even include any additional training you desire, but frankly, I’m not sure you need it.”

“What exactly does it involve?” Winona asked, never having thought it through and not having been around when Alex had been on the concert tour.

“I started this tour in New York City, and I’ve just reached California,” Diane explained, suddenly more than willing to spare time for the woman she hadn’t paid any attention to only minutes before. “We’ll continue north to Washington State, then head east across the northern end of the country, ending up in New York again. There’s a fair amount of money involved, not to mention a national stage and a lot of media attention.”

“I’m really not interested in any of that,” Winona informed her, “and frankly, your idea of what’s important in life really doesn’t impress me. Still…,” she continued, considering it.

“Why is it everyone is suddenly uninterested in fame and fortune?” Diane wondered aloud. “Anyone else in the country would be all over this.”

“Alex’s influence happens on a whole different level than you’re used to,” Winona told her, before turning to face Alex. “What do you think, Alex? It would give you access to the crowds you used to get. What’s more, it’ll get your message out. Having me singing the same thing Patricia did will give it more attention, more gravitas, and it will boost Patricia’s sales as well.”

“I think we need to ask Patricia what she thinks about someone doing her material,” Alex warned.

“OK,” Winona challenged him with a grin. “Ask her.”

Alex blushed, but did as she suggested. Diane just stared at them, not quite sure what they were getting at.

“She says she’s fine with it and she’ll actually help. She’ll help you prepare, take you through her routine, and allow you to do whatever you want with it.”

“What? How could…?” Diane asked before her curiosity got the better of her. “She’s willing to surrender her rights to the material?”

“She says she’s willing to allow Winona to do it, and her only, simply because it will ‘aid my mission’,” Alex informed her.

This just confused Diane that much more as she glanced back and forth between the other people at the table, none of whom seemed surprised by what was happening.

“What exactly, then, is your mission?” she asked.

“That’s between me and the artists I inspire,” Alex told her before turning back to Winona. “Would you be willing to do this? After all, it would mean entering the worst of the western world. You’d be in the heart of the soulless cities, surrounded by people screaming and yelling. You wouldn’t have a moment’s peace and you wouldn’t be able to escape into the silence of your homeland.”

“I’d be willing to face hell itself to assist you,” she answered sincerely.

“It’d also mean performing in front of crowds,” Diane warned.

“Alex will provide the confidence I need,” she responded confidently. Alex wasn’t so sure.

“That means performing in front of twenty thousand or more people,” Alex cautioned her.

Winona blanched at the figure, before pulling herself back together. “That’s OK. As I said, when I’m singing, I’ll only see you.”

“You realize, you’ll have to watch Alex deal with women every single day and throughout each concert,” Cate reminded her, anxious to see how she’d respond. Winona stopped for a moment to consider it. Diane again glanced from Cate to Winona to Alex again, not sure what was going on, assuming they were simply teasing.

“It doesn’t matter,” Winona replied, shaking her head to clear it of her internal conflicts. “As long as I’m helping Alex and he’s there to inspire me, I’ll have no problems singing my heart out,” Winona answered with conviction.

“Done!” Diane shouted, grinning broadly. “I’ll contact my lawyer and get him to arrange some papers. I’ll give you what I was paying Patty, and you can sign as soon as you’ve read it over.”

“I think you may want to talk that over with your financers first,” Alex warned.

“I’m sure they’ll agree to it,” she assured him, grinning confidently. “Restoring this show is in their best interests.”

“No, I meant they may not want you to lowball her, since it may mean your success.”

“Oh,” Diane answered, considering it herself. But then she recovered, deciding to move ahead before sweating over the details. “I’ll put a band together. You can reject any of them you want. I’ll get the current tour delayed for at least a week and we’ll start practicing right away here in San Francisco. I know a very nice closed set that’s currently sitting empty that we can use. It has very nice acoustics, although the seating and facilities need some work.”

“Is there anyone you want to discuss this with before you commit to it?” Alex asked Winona, still hoping he wasn’t getting her into something she wasn’t prepared for.

“The only one who matters is you,” she answered. “If I can help you, I’d walk through fire.”

“Man, when Patty said you inspired her, she wasn’t kidding. It’s amazing you have this much sway over someone. I think I underestimated you. Maybe you really were responsible for Patty’s success.”

“Excuse me, but her name isn’t Patty. That’s her stage name. Her actual name is Patricia,” Alex informed her, finally tiring of her using the wrong name.

“Oh, sorry, I’ll try to remember that in the future,” she said, not sounding like she meant it. “Look, I’ll do this on one condition,” Diane said, addressing Winona.

“Yes?” Winona asked, not sure her conditions mattered. After all, Winona was only doing it because it would help Alex; she wasn’t about to dicker over it.

“I want Alex to be there. If he inspires fans, and inspires this kind of performance and commitment from you, then he’s got to commit to this as well,” she said, turning to regard him.

Alex looked at her and shrugged. “Sure. It looks like I’m going back on the road.”

“OK, but no hiding in the back of the theater, and no taking my audience half way through the show,” she insisted.

“I only did that so we’d have time to talk.”

“Hell, you’ve got the rest of forever to talk to your fans. Surely they can sit on their hands until the concert is over.”

“OK, since you asked so nicely, I’ll concede,” Alex responded, openly mocking her, but agreeing to it nonetheless.

“Good, let me call my people. Sorry we never got around to ordering. You folks go ahead and order whatever you want, I’ll be back when I get this stuff started and we can share a drink to seal the deal.”

“Sure, go ahead. After all that negotiating, I’m starved,” Alex told her, shaking his head as she headed off to make some phone calls. He wasn’t quite sure how he’d talked himself into this, especially since he liked her even less than Cate liked Winona.

           

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