ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON THIRTEEN

Episode 143

                   The REBEL Show

Rebel ( clapping ) : That was magnificent. I enjoyed that song very much, Nettie Jean. You wrote it yourself?

Nettie Jean ( sitting beside him on the large plush overstuffed rainbow colored leather sofa preening prettily) : Why , thank you so very much, Rebel , sugar plum , honey bun. Yes. I did write it. I write all my music actually. I've been writing music and plunking on this old guitar here since I was just knee high to a darn June bug. I member when my daddy gave me my very first guitar. I was only eight years old, I was. It was my birthday. We weren't the richest family but my daddy knew how much I loved music so he gave me my heart's desire. My sister LuLu was so jealous. ( She laughed as she looked directly at the camera closest to her and Rebel. )

Rebel ( nodding as he sat in his own chair) : That is impressive. I'm not a country singer myself but that song struck something in my heart. Everyone knows I'm from Arkansas and down deep I still miss it. I also write most if not all my music and so does my bestie Reese. We both appreciate what talent and hard work goes into putting words on paper to make people like me look good. Thank you for that wonderful performance. Judges , what do you say ?

Mother Maddie: Well. Rebel , baby boy, you know I love me some good old fashioned down home music. The only thing closer to MY heart besides the Lord's music is country. In fact on one of my own albums I feature a couple of country artists singing some nice Christian songs. Nettie Jean , baby girl, you got the energy. I like the song but you need to work on breath control and pitch. Baby , you need to be heard all over the area not just this room. But I liked it. I liked it. I give her a five.

The audience clapped and Rebel smiled brightly as he nodded. Nettie Jean sat on the sofa with a fakely polite smile on her heavily made up face.

Scott : I'm no expert on music but I know what I like and I didn't like it. Sorry. Country just doesn't move me and your voice needs much work. I say two.

The audience clapped as Rebel kept smiling and nodding even as Nettie Jean's smile slipped away from her face.

River ( lifting up his colorful bangled hands to touch his face almost shyly) : I wouldn't say she needs work. It was rough but I think she has potential. Country isn't my cup of tea with gin either but I give her a five like Mother Maddie.

The audience clapped and Rebel smiled as he also said," Thank you, judges for that input ! Now we're going to hear from a young woman from Landover , Maryland who owns a day care center. Let's show much love to Miss Bliss Jones whose going to take us to church with a good old gospel classic song I know Mother Maddie will love !

Bliss Jones stepped out on the stage in a simply cut cherry red dress and matching high heels and a red carnation pinned to her short jet black hair. She strode confidently over to give Rebel a firm hug and one to a stiff faced Nettie Jean who tepidly hugged her back. Then she pranced across the stage to her performing spot where the spotlight hit her and she took a deep breath.

Bliss : I'm going to sing a song that I heard a lot growing up in my house. It's my Mama's favorite actually. It's called " There's A Leak In This Old Building".

Then she opened her mouth and out came a voice to rival that of the late Whitney Houston.

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Miracle clapped her small round hands as she watched the tall lean Black woman singing on the tv set in her adoptive fathers' living room. Spencer was also watching the show but only half-heartedly because he was still trying to call his father. And , his calls kept going to voicemail.

" Dad ," he said with a nervousness creeping into his voice as he left another message," are you alright? When are you coming back home? Tomorrow right? "