#3 Turn Up for Real Read Free Page A

asked.
    â€œJust this guy who’s watched a lot of the practices and seen that you’re breathtaking.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” I said as I started wiping my face and my chest started rising. His every word made me feel good again. “You’re just saying that to take pity on me.”
    â€œYou got a little nervous in the last question. Who would have expected them to ask you the same thing? You heard what she said, and she nailed it, so that would’ve made anyone nervous. What could you have said differently to make you stand out? But you’re a great singer. Who wants to sing Broadway style? You’ve got soul. You should do something with that. You got on that stage and nailed it. You got everyone on their feet. You’re a star.”
    â€œAnd what would you like to be? My agent?”
    He leaned down with his lips no more than three inches away from mine and said, “I might want to be more than that.”
    I felt extremely uncomfortable, so I stood and didn’t even realize that my breasts were practically hanging out of the dress. I was giving him all kinds of free views, and I wasn’t even trying to do that. When he coughed and motioned for me to look down, I pulled up the dress, but when I looked down at his pants, I could tell there was a connection.
    â€œThanks for cheering me up,” I said. “I did do the best I could.”
    â€œAnd you’ve got lots of good stuff in you, so shake this off. It’s only the beginning. Can I get your number?” he asked.
    Before I could say yes or no, we heard this loud bang and then another clang followed by a boom. He dashed away, and I followed him. I came to a halt when he entered a door. In the office of the theater was an older lady being forced into a chair by two big, black guys who looked like they were bodybuilders or bar bouncers or something, and another tough guy was standing in front of her. I was careful not to let them see me, but I could not bring myself to walk away.
    â€œI want my money. Payday is today. Where is my money?” the leader raged.
    â€œI don’t know anything about that,” the lady uttered.
    Then the leader guy slapped her.
    â€œBoots, get your hands off my mom!” the stranger who was just comforting me yelled out. “My boy K.J. told me you’d be flexible.”
    The Boots dude looked him up and down. “Yeah, flexible on which limb to break if I ain’t got my loot. And K.J. trying to make me a record. He crazy anyway. You came to me ’cause you know I’m the only one around here who can give you dough quick. You know what I do if I don’t get it.”
    When I saw how serious this all was, I didn’t go in the office, but I didn’t want to move away because I didn’t want them to hear me. Boots came over and punched him in the gut. The stranger keeled over.
    Boots leaned down to him and said, “Today’s payday, A.V.”
    Was A.V. his name? I wondered what it stood for. Then I shook my head, realizing I needed to not care what it stood for. A.V. seemed to be in a mess.
    â€œWhat are they talking about, son? Payday for what? You told me you got the money from your dad,” A.V.’s mom said.
    A.V. huffed, “When has he ever given me a thing? I just said that so you wouldn’t worry.” A.V. turned to Boots. “Y’all didn’t have to come up here and demand it. I just need more time.”
    Boots told him, “Please. I’m not granting it. Just as quick as I gave you the money to keep this theater open, y’all better pay me. And don’t say you ain’t got it. Y’all on the news with the teen pageants, plays, and concerts going on … one event here after the other. Well, I want my money now, because it’s due.”
    â€œYou’ll get your money. Just let go of my son,” A.V.’s mom begged.
    â€œYou won’t have a son if I don’t