1985 - California
MICHAEL
Kim beamed during that late night television program. I watched footage in this backstage room for the sake of privacy.
Onscreen, Kay sat in one chair across from the host, who questioned her behind a mahogany desk.
Kay smiled time and time again with with painted lips and stared down at a gold chain that draped around her neck.
Other wardrobe consisted of this dark and backless dress, which shaped her figure perfectly. Heeled boots swung as she comfortably crossed her legs.
"I know you've heard this question countless times, but how did it feel to work with Prince? Is he as wild as we've all thought? What did you learn, if anything?"
The host gestured hands with curiosity. Kay nodded and her curls shook on either side. Applause roared at the sounded name of my musical rival.
"Prince can be spontaneous, but is extremely hard working. He doesn't understand limits and it was liberating for me. You can be anything you want on that stage. And if I've learned anything from him, it's this: never let any other person tell you what to do. Record labels and even the best musicians in this business don't know everything. Follow your own path. If it wasn't for him, I'd never record a second album."
Kay laid out an entire philosophy on Prince and applause repeatwd I folded both arms while watching the screen. It was as if she and I never even worked under the same record label years ago. Frustration coursed through me before long.
Even the program didn't mention me. Was I not important? While cliche, possibilities seemed endless.
The footage then cut to a commercial break and I looked around, smiling for everyone. Frank smirked out of nowhere. My mind didn't know what to believe.
"Stop frowning. I know exactly what's going on. Just admit that you still care and move on with her. I know you want to." Frank teased me and slapped my shoulder. At the same time, there was still a serious tone in his voice.
Minutes later, the interview resumed. I sat right back down on the sofa and watched intently. My mind could only imagine what questions were next. This evening seemed upbeat and decent, but anything could've happened otherwise.
"We're back with Kim Walker. Now, let's go back to the topic of Prince, but moved towards a much more personal question. Many people believe that his current marriage to Brenda Michelle is fake and even speculate that the pairing is similar to his old relationship with Vanity. I mean, these two always work together. Aome insiders even believe that Brenda has entirely lost her sense of independence. Given your experience with Prince and Brenda during that "Purple Rain" tour, what do you think in all honesty?"
The host offered that loaded question and Kim nodded along while listening. I couldn't wait to hear the response.
"The marriage isn't fake at all. She loves her man, he loves his woman, and these two take those rings very seriously. I don't what's so terrible about that. As for them working together, that's B's decision. She finds inspiration with the man of her dreams. And if she wasn't helping with the tour, B continued shaping her own career. That woman has done so much more than people think. She's one of the hardest working people I've ever met."
While Kay answered, a picture of Prince and Brenda flashed onto the television screen. Prince once again held his wife from behind. Their stares faced the camera with power I hadn't seen before.
Even though Kay's response seemed genuine, I still couldn't believe that the marriage was real. Applause sounded once more.
"Well said. We'll be right back with a live performance from Kimberly after these messages."
A horn section part of this live band started playing. Audience members cheered once more in the name of encouragement for Kim.
The camera footage panned to this nearby stage lit with blue spotlights. I marveled at the setup, thinking about its possible craftsmen.
Frank laughed to himself in the corner when I turned away from that television monitor.
My mind now fixated on the upcoming performance. I even sang lyrics quietly while snapping along.
As expected, the commercial break kicked off moments later. I only waited, happy and anxious at the same time.
I didn't know what to believe again with my emotions, but Kim would shine again throughout her performance. Regardless of our problems together, there was no doubt in my mind.
--
Once the lights dimmed, I prepared to listen and watch. My own face shined with the color of blue. I quickly snapped along with the now familiar opening chords.
Kay centered the stage again with that keyboard and propped in microphone. Countless other musicians once again fenced the space around this woman.
Now, camera zoomed in to show her lacy and fingerless gloves effortlessly tapping or gliding along the instrument.
Her talented bandmates syncopated without even messing up.
No one fell out of place. She'd learned timing from Prince and The Revolution. I just knew.
The audience screamed out Kay began singing this remarkable ballad. I shut my eyes and followed those lyrics again, mouthing.
With all my heart, I love you, Baby.
Stay with me and you will see...
Out of nowhere, nostalgia kicked in. The camera recognized her hair. This time, the curls still fell around her gorgeous face.
A black sequin coat draped both shoulders. Those painted and knowingly juicy lips moved with every lyric.
Her entire presence just captured my soul right now. If bold enough, I could've walked out from backstage and surprised everyone. Bill and Frank would've killed me, though.
That packed television studio just mellowed to the sound of Kay singing brilliantly. Quiet Storm radio stations would never stop playing that now smoky voice as of late.
When this amazing live performance ended, I couldn't even hear myself think as the crowd screamed.
That television host walked away from his desk in a pristine suit and applauded. Kay bowed and blew kiss for the standing viewers.
"Kim's brand-new album "Return" is in stores now. Good night, everybody!"
Enough was enough.
I missed my girl.
