Chapter Thirty-seven
Angel panned the camera around to the audience. It almost felt like they were live on American Voices in Southern Soul Café. Eddie had implemented a superb marketing campaign in such a short period of time, because they really drew a crowd tonight. Latecomers were standing against the wall now to see the live performances.
She saw Wes come in and sit down at Candace and Darnell’s table. Angel thought, No telling what they are talking about. She was sure Candace would make it known that she was aware of their growing friendship. Angel smiled. She was so happy that Wes took the time to have lunch with her and Grams the other day. Even her uncle Jacob, who was always in an odd mood, had commented that Wes was a good kid. Of course, Wes was clearly no kid.
Angel turned the camera back to the stage to focus on Eddie. Someone came to stand beside her. “You are everywhere with that camera.” Angel closed her eyes. Why is he here?
She needed to focus on what she was doing, but she turned her attention to Kenneth and pointed to the camera. “I’m a little busy right now.”
Kenneth jumped further into the conversation, as if he didn’t hear her. “The competition is pretty stiff here tonight. So who do you think will win?”
“I don’t know.” Angel didn’t want to admit it, but Kenneth was looking good tonight, which made her want him to get away from her even more. Kenneth had always been a careful dresser, and tonight he had chosen a snug pair of jeans and a button-down shirt, which probably could have been buttoned up more. Why won’t he just go away? Here she was, finally thinking of moving on and happy about getting to know Wes, and her past was standing next to her, being annoying. She didn’t need this right now.
“And how do people vote?”
Angel frowned at him. “Didn’t you hear the rules? Eddie has said them several times already from the stage. We will upload the contestants on the YouTube page. People will be able to vote as many times as they want. Whoever has the most views wins the talent show. The winner will be announced next Friday.” Angel looked around and asked, “Where’s Denise?”
“Why aren’t you singing?”
“What?”
“Come on. You can sing. Why aren’t you up there?”
“I’m videotaping the event, Kenneth.”
“I can take over the camera while you go up there.”
“No thanks. It’s too late, anyway, not that I’m interested.” She wasn’t going to tell him that she had finally caved in and agreed to Eddie’s request that she sing with Southern Soul at the end of the show. For most of the week, Angel hadn’t been sure what she would sing, but a song came to her when she woke up this morning. She had been singing the song throughout the day.
Angel looked to her right and saw Denise was a few feet away. Denise was watching Kenneth, who at that moment had decided to step uncomfortably close to Angel.
“Denise is looking for you.” Angel pointed in the direction where Denise stood and turned back to the camera. She sensed Kenneth leave her side. A minute later, Angel observed Kenneth approach Denise, who was glaring at him. Denise jabbed Kenneth in the chest with her finger and walked away.
Angel felt a slight pang for Denise. Kenneth had always been a flirt. He wanted what he wanted no matter who got hurt in the process. Angel had learned the hard way, and it appeared Denise was getting a dose of the same medicine.
Angel wanted someone she could trust, someone who was always a gentleman and respected her. Even more importantly, he had to be a man of God. A man who sought God for guidance was going to think long and hard about how he treated a woman. Angel liked how Candace and Darnell interacted. Now, that was a couple who’d been through a lot together, and they really supported each other.
She kept an eye on the stage so she could make adjustments to the camera, but she also watched Wes, who seemed to be deep in thought instead of focusing on the stage. He was always dressed so preppy, but tonight he was a little more casual. Angel thought it was the first time she had seen him in jeans.
As if he felt her stare, Wes turned in her direction. He smiled and winked at her. That made her feel much better after having Kenneth interfere in her zone.
Angel caught sight of Eddie, who was weaving his way through the crowd toward her. “How’s everything going?” he asked when he reached her.
“Everything is going good. I can’t wait to get the videos online.”
“Good! I’m happy about the turnout, and we have some great talent, but I know they haven’t seen the best yet.” Eddie grinned.
Angel stared at him. Then it dawned on her. “Oh yeah, when do you want me onstage to sing with Southern Soul?”
“I would say in the next twenty minutes. Can you find someone to help with the camera?”
Angel looked over at Wes. “I think so.”
“Good! I can’t wait to hear you. Make Nick and your momma proud.”
Angel tried to figure out how she could get Wes’s attention without leaving the camera. She pulled her phone out and sent him a text. A few minutes later, he was by her side.
“Thanks. I appreciate you doing this for me,” she told him.
“Not a problem. I’m excited that you are going to sing tonight.”
“I’m actually pretty nervous now. Will you pray for me?”
Wes grabbed her hand. “You will be fine, and yes, I will be praying for you. Now, go show them how singing should be done.”
She laughed, liking the fact that Wes was holding her hand. Angel didn’t want to let go, but she did and walked through the crowd.
This was crazy. What in the world was she thinking? Her mind locked in on how the crowd seemed to have grown more. The last contestant was a male singer, and he was belting out the final lyrics of the song “I Believe I Can Fly.” She heard a round of applause from the audience as she entered the back of the café. To get to the stage, Angel walked through the kitchen. She thought she heard someone down the hallway, near the offices. Angel peeked around the corner. Kenneth and Denise were leaning against the wall. Was Denise crying? Angel stepped back. That was their business.
She continued to the stage from the back as the music grew louder. Angel observed the members of the band. The Southern Soul band members onstage were from a very different generation than her granddad’s. Angel recognized only Eddie. Angel stepped closer to the opening to view the crowd from where she stood. She specifically looked for Wes, Candace, and Darnell. Good. She could see all of them. She wished Grams could have been there.
Angel stepped back and bowed her head. Her stomach was in knots. She prayed for that same peace she’d felt when she sang earlier this week with Grams. Angel also prayed for the song to touch someone who needed to be encouraged. It was one of her favorite songs by Nicole C. Mullen.
She opened her eyes to see Eddie beckoning her to come on the stage. Angel inhaled a deep breath and exhaled as she walked out onto the stage. She heard Eddie say, “Now, this here young lady comes from generations of Southern Soul singers and musicians. Her granddad, Nick Roberts, was one of the founders of the band. Tonight, as we close out, I ask Angel to share her voice with us. She hasn’t done this before, so give her a round of applause and show your support.”
Angel hugged Eddie and then stepped to the microphone that the other performers had used throughout the night. There were so many people in the audience. She focused on where Candace was sitting, beaming like a proud big sister. And then Wes. His smile was all for her.
It seemed like so much had happened to her in just the past few weeks. Some days she didn’t know whether she was coming or going. She didn’t know if she would find out the truth about her mother. Focus! Angel turned to the band members and nodded. As they began to play, she became one with the music and opened her mouth. Her focus shifted to the one who she was really singing to tonight. By the time she got to the chorus, all the knots in her stomach were gone. “Well, I know my Redeemer lives, I know my Redeemer lives, all of creation testifies, this life within me cries, I know my Redeemer lives.” Whatever lay ahead for her, she knew God would be there.