How Did This Happen? Chapter 2

I drove home to get myself ready to go to Los Angeles. Everybody was excited for me. I was on every local news station in the city doing interviews. Almost everyday I was at another party or a cook out. It was like I had to visit almost every single family member before I left. Found out that that I had more “friends” than I thought. Here I thought I barely had any…funny how people want to be your friend through the good times and not through the bad. Through all that craziness I found time to call Heather just to check up on her. Talking to her was like bringing me back to reality. I had people asking me for money and I hadn’t even left yet. I had other people asking for my autograph, and I haven’t even trained one contestant yet. Yet, when I talked to Heather, I remembered I was still a regular dude trying to get by.

The time came where I had to go. I had my parents take me to the airport. I’ve never been on an airplane, yet ride on first class, so I was completely nervous. I figured I’d buy some new clothes and stuff with my first pay check so I only brought a couple of weeks worth of clothes, with a couple of my best suits, and some other stuff that was in compliance with what I could and could not bring on the plane. I slept the whole time so I can’t really explain what the plane ride was like. I remember we made a couple of stops before we actually got to Los Angles though.

I got off the plane and met the producer at the baggage claim. After we gathered my bags we went out to the limo waiting outside. We made our way to the rented pent house that I was going to stay at during the competition. The first month was already paid so I could have enough time to save up from the pay checks to pay for the rest of the competition. I got out the limo and walked into the building. Then went up to the penthouse as soon as the door opened, my jaw dropped.

This place was bigger than 3 times my room back in South Carolina. It already had furniture and a TV in it just waiting to be used. I had to slap myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. I got my camera out and took a picture so it would last longer. The producer told me that I had the rest of the day to just enjoy my place, and that the next day he’ll take me to the studio where I was going to be. I called my parents to tell them I made it safely. After that I called Heather and she was happy I made it. She then asked me something that really caught me off guard. Good thing I was sitting down during the conversation.

“Brian, can I ask you a question honestly? If you don’t want to answer it because it’s too personal, I understand.”

“No, Heather, go ahead. Ask me anything.”

“Well I was reading in the Bible where it says, ‘whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart,’ and um, I was just wondering…”

“Yeah. Can’t really get mad, I said ask anything right? It’s like this Heather, I’ve always thought you were an angel, and I’m going to admit, that I had an issue with sex without physically having it if you know what I mean. But I’ve since repented and moved on, but when I look at you now I see the beauty within and out. For that I apologize for my thoughts.”

There was a silence then Heather came back on the phone.

“I forgive you, Brian. Thank you for being honest.”

“Don’t mention it. Just be ready when I find some break time and I come to visit.”

“I will. Well I got to get back to baby-sitting. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

The first thought that came to my mind was if this girl is not the one, then she better be an imaginary friend or something because I didn’t want my business out in the street.

The next day I woke up the sound of my cell phone ringing. It was the producer making sure I was up and getting ready for the day ahead. After I took a shower and got dressed, I went to the lobby and waited. As I was getting my mp3 player out, I found a picture of my parents and dog, Ginger. I remembered how sad Ginger looked after I left the house. My mom’s going to be staying up by herself now with nobody to talk to besides the dog because Dad goes to bed early every night. If anything made me feel bad for leaving home, that’s it.

The producer came by in his hummer and then we headed down to the studio. What my job was going to be, at least for the first couple of days, to listen to the songs they were going to perform and try to help with the mistakes I catch up on. The first contestant, Stephen, came in looking cocky and really felt like he had that competition locked. I saw right through it. As he sang the song, he did so many runs, I barely understood the lyrics.

“Whoa! Hold it,” I said interrupting him as he continued to go and go. “Look, Steve...”

“Stephen.”

“Stephen, I’m glad you know how to run. Heck I wish I could run myself, but the judges need to understand what you’re singing. All that running makes it hard to understand what you’re saying if you saying anything at all. Know what I’m saying?”

“My chorus teacher told me that all the time, but I never listen because well, I know I can sing. And I don’t need no bootleg teacher, or no second-rate average Joe from the streets to tell me how to do what I do. Peace I’m out of here.”

I knew right there and then that I was going to have a long day. Later on I met the eighth contestant, Cindy. She was a very sweet girl. She seemed to have a good head on her shoulders. When she started singing, it sounded so smooth and jazzy. I really didn’t have to say anything to her, other than the fact that she needs to open her mouth more when she sings so it doesn’t come out sounding like a mumble.

The rest of the day had its up and downs. I had to deal with a lot of attitude, and on the other side, I had dealt with some really nice people. It was enough to drive a person to suicide. During my lunch break, Mom called me and said that the Student Loans people are looking for their money, over 5000 dollars. I had to call them myself and told them that I needed a few more weeks. I told them what was going on, and even though I was way overdue with payments, they let me have just enough time to get my pay-checks so I can pay them off. I couldn’t wait to get that burden off my back.

So after my day was over, I met with the judges and producers. I gave them my take on the singers and their ability. I caught a taxi back to the penthouse and my face hit the sofa. I got a good minute and a half worth of sleeping, then I got a call from Heather.

“Hey Brian, how’d your first day go?”

“I am wore the heck out, baby. I’m willing to bet that most of these contestants are on some type of drugs, and whatever that drug may be, I don’t want any part of it.”

“I understand,” Heather said laughing a little.