Author's Note: Readers, here's the chapter you've all waited for. Michael finally meets Kim face to face. Enjoy!
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1982 – California
MICHAEL
(Bridge)
Won't you stay with me until the mornin' sun?
I promise you now that the dawn will be different.
Lady can't you see that heaven's just begun.
It's livin' here inside our hearts...
(Verse 3)
There'll be no more mountains for us to climb.
(I can't be still you thrill me baby be mine).
This will be a love lasting for all time.
Girl you got to hold me.
We can touch the sky and light the darkest day.
Hold me only you and I can make sweet love this way.
There's no more I can say...
As soon as I finished the chorus, we paused for lunch. Bill and security filed out to patrol. Engineer Bruce Swedien already departed to find an undisclosed location on the premises. Rather than head toward the break room, Bill led Quincy and I toward an apparently much bigger space. Near the end of that same hallway, I noticed these wooden double doors. From inside, voice echoed. My eyes quickly narrowed just before one of other bodyguards opened that entrance.
Buffet platters jam-packed tables that lined each corner of the room. Quincy licked his lips while scanning the various food choices. I rolled my eyes, but smiled. Label executives crowded this very space as anticipated. Just when I aimed finally pile on salad, something caught my eye.
CBS Records president Walter Yetnikoff sat across someone I didn't recognize. This woman offered the CEO a lipstick-painted smile. These two dined over selected plates and exchanged happiness in one way or another. It wasn't until I racked my brain that the visit of a strange quickly made sense. I shook out of this trance moments later. I soon walked over to introduce myself respectfully.
Aspiring performer Kim Walker gifted us with a strong demo. I'd just never met she in person. Not until this afternoon at least. Out of respect, Walter excused himself the table and Kim stood up to greet me. I nearly dropped my jaw at the sight of this woman rocking this black pantsuit. Heels and all. Enticing but not racy. Her choices had been a delightful fashion assortment in my eyes.
When we shook hands, I even noticed the gleaming and silver timepiece of her wrist. Curly hair tied back, but still drooped around the dark complexion of her face. in that moment, I licked my lips for once. Girlfriend had my nose wide open and I'd only heard this woman sing beforehand. Young brother Randy could've driven a truck through my nose.
Damn. I thought to myself.
"It's so good to finally meet you. I'm sure you already know who I am, but hi. My name is Michael. Your music has great potential." I answered honesty. There was no other choice but to remain professional. I didn't want to seem desperate in front of this woman. For all we knew, she could've been my upcoming labelmate.
We both strolled side by side toward the platter tables and plated our food during this continued chat. Questions raced through my mind as I remembered listening to the three-track demo. While naturally short as a complete bundle, everything from Quiet Storm to catchy keyboard melodies captured my interest.
"Thank you so for much for this opportunity, Michael. It sounds cliché, but I'm so grateful that you guys are interested. I've honed my craft for years." Kim responded and walked back with to an empty table. After we sat down together and individually prayed, I forked a cherry tomato in my salad.
This woman chose her meal, but happily waited for me to ask questions. Kim probably didn't want to mention anything else unless I brought up something. I'd appreciated her modesty and compassion right now. An overeager person would've rambled on and on about their talent or whatever. Voices continued chatting all over the room.
"So, I noticed that two of the records involved you playing piano. What was one of the first songs you ever learned?" I wiped my mouth before questioning her and offered a smile. In that moment, she beamed, but remained calm in one way or another.
"With Classical music, I learned Greensleeves first. Eventually, I moved to the synthesizers and grasped Superstition. Cliché, but I love Stevie Wonder, man." Kim offered one more gorgeous smile. It took everything in me not to scream and pledge admiration toward the same man. I'd known Stevie since the Motown days and learned so much from him over countless years.
"Are you kidding? We've met and he's remarkable, girl. Don't downplay your respect toward him. Even I've gushed over his work. You may not know this, but he's even written a record for me and it's on "Off Wall." I whispered to Kim instead. I beamed for the millionth time discussing Stevie now. Kim understood my happiness and simply nodded. From within, I knew this woman squealed through excitement, though.
"I'll have to check your liner notes next time." Kim winked. I almost rolled my eyes at her. Conversations pushed around us as expected. Yet, I would only concentrate on her. Just when I planned to take one sip of my drink, Walter stood in the middle of this room. Of course, I immediately when his New York accent reached my ears. Voices hushed in all directions at this point.
"Everyone, I'd like to make an announcement. Today stands out because a special guest has joined us for lunch this afternoon. Please welcome Ms. Kim Walker. She is a potential artist for the label this year. I respectfully put down this drink and applauded with everyone else. Kim already brushed off his pantsuit and stood up. A confident smile reached her lips before long.
Kim quickly strolled over to Walter and he offered this friendly kiss on the cheek. Seemingly expected camera men quickly crouched down to take photographs. I understood in one way or another. Anything could've taken place with her in the coming weeks. As I've mentioned, snapshots felt perfectly logical.
I could only pray for the best now.
