The Aria Within the Rhapsody **ON HIATUS**

Chapter 16: Today's the Day!

*Time for a dedication. This chapter is dedicated to my best friend's grandfather who passed away back in 2017. She called him Pop Pop. Growing up, this man was a second grandfather to me and having my characters call Bomi Bulsara Pop Pop is a tremendous honor. Rest easy, Mr. Harry! You are truly missed. This one is for you!*

*13 July 1985*

It's twelve noon in London, 7AM in Philadelphia, and around the world it's time for . . . LIVE AID!

Ash's POV:

Hello, readers!!!! It's been a lot of minutes hasn't it! Things are. . . Ok. . . around here. . . Aria is different. Stuff happened to her with Papa's friend Paul and she just hasn't been the same Ria like she was before. Oh! Before I forget, guess what, readers!! It's finally here!! The Live Aid show is finally here! That means Ria and I finally get to see our first Queen show. Everyone is nervous because Papa hasn't been feeling very well which means he has to stay away from Ria. He had to go see Dr. Atkinson to get some medicine for his throat bringing me with him. He keeps telling everyone that he will be fine, but I'm not so sure. Oh well. I suppose we will have to just wait and see what happens. When Ria went missing, Papa didn't let me go anywhere without him. Not even to the backyard! Things changed after she left. I tink (think) I changed too. She doesn't really talk about it anymore and she's not the same sissy anymore. Every little ting (thing) scares her now. She still plays with me and all dat (that) stuff, but she's. . . I can't say the word yet. . . Jim has been here for tree (three) whole months and Papa hasn't been happier! I mean they have had their share of fights, but they are still happy. Let me tell you Papa was not happy when Jim told him that sissy went to him first before Papa. Papa didn't speak to no one 'cept (except) me and the cats for two days. Ria had to splain (explain) to him that she was scared to tell him what happened cause she tought (thought) dat (that) he would be mad at her. After dat (that), he wasn't mad any more! He said sorry to Jim and dey (they) had a nice moment togter (together) and we were a family again.

*Cough* *Cough* Oh! Papa's up! I would go say good morning, but dat's (that's) anoder (another) rule. When Queen has a big show, Ria and I have to give Papa his space so he can get into the zone. It's always been like that ever since I can member (remember). I go about doing my morning chores like getting dressed and dat (that) kind of stuffs. Papa meets Ria and me at the bottom of the stairs at twelve o'clock and leads us to the car out front. Guess what! We are going to Mimi's and PopPop's before the show! Da (the) last time we saw them was for Ria's birtday (birthday). Oh yea! She's 11 now! But Papa wants Mimi and Pop to meet Jim. "Ash!" Papa calls for me, "Come on, love, or we will be late!" I scoot my boot as Papa says and get my bottom in my booster seat. "Are you excited to see Mimi and Pop?" Papa asks wrapping an arm around Ria and me. "Yes!" we shout. Papa giggles at us and goes to talk to Jim. "Can you believe it, Ria? Our first Queen concert is tonight!" I say to my sister while bouncing in my car seat. "Cool it, Ash. Your making my stomach funny." she says laughing at me. I can't help it! I'm just too excited! To make the drive to Mimi's even better, my favorite Queen song decided to come on da (the) radio! "Ter!" I squeal, "It's my song! Turn it up please!" I bounce up and down in my seat with my sister dancing next to me. "Papa, Jim! It's Gaga! It's Gaga!" I keep squealing. "I hear it, lovie. I hear it!" Papa smiles at me as I keep bouncing and singing at the top of my lungs. "ALL WE HEAR IS RADIO GAGA RADIO GOO GOO RADIO KAKA! ALL WE HEAR IS RADIO GAGA RADIO BLAH BLAH! Radio was new!! Radio! SOMEONE STILL LOVES YOU!!" I sing at the top of my lungs. I know all the words and all of the claps too! I love the claps! It's so much fun, but I will tell you da (the) song I don't like. Not at all. I do not like the Break Free song. No sir! I don't like that video. I don't like the song. I just don't like it. I member (remember) when Queen was making it. *Flashback: 30 March 1984* "Hair (where) Papa?" a two year old me asks Phoebe. He brought me to a place hair (where) Papa and my unckies (uncles) were making a movie for dare (their) new song. "We'll see him soon, bub. He has to put on his Halloween costume for their movie." Teebee (Phoebe) telled me. "Hen (when) he done?" I ask again. "Yes, bub. When your Papa is done, we can see him." Teebee (Phoebe) telled me. I sit on my play mat and play with my toys and stuffies. A lot of minutes go by and I got bored. Teebee (Phoebe) was talking on da (the) pone (phone) and I wanted Papa. I get up on my feet and walk to the door. I get on my tippy toes and turn the handle and set out to find my papa. "Papa!" I call out for him. I put my little hands on my ears tuz (cause) it was too loud. "Papa!" I call again. I'm getting scared. "PAPA!" I scream for him. I look all over when I hear Unckie Woggie (Uncle Roggie). "Woggie (Roggie)!" I look all around when I find yellow hair. "Woggie (Roggie)!!" I call as I run as fast as my little legs could carry me. I stop and my eyes go wide! Dat not Woggie (that not Roggie)! "Hey, little one!" she says as I slowly back up. Why does dis (this) lady talk like Woggie? "Ash?" I turn around at my papa's voice but don't see him. I see a lady dat (that) sounds like Papa. I fall onto my bum and put my little hands on my eyes. I start crying out for Papa tuz (cause) I so scared! "Ash! It's me! It's Papa!" da (the) lady telled me. "NO NO!! I WANT PAPA!!" I keep crying. "FUCK!" the lady shouted, "WHY WON'T MY BABY COME TO ME? I'M A HORRIBLE PAPA!" "Fred. . ." Unckie Deetie's (Uncle Deaky's) voice talked, "Fred, he's scared. Calm down. You don't look like you so he's scared. Don't say you are horrible. Because you're not." "Ash?" I turn and look at Teebee (Phoebe) and wrap my little arms around him and hide my face. "I'm so sorry Freddie! I was on the phone and I didn't hear the door open. I'll take him back to the play area." Teebee (Phoebe) talked. Before I knew it, we were back in the room, but I didn't want him to let me go. "Papa. Papa." I kept crying over and over again when. . . new arms are 'round me. I know deez (these) arms. I know dis (this) hand on my head. "Shhhhhhhh. Shhhhhhhh, my love. It's ok, baby. I'm here. Papa's got you. There's nothing to be scared of. Shhhhhhhhh. Papa's right here, baby boy." I look at da (the) face and touch it wif (with) my hands. It's Papa! "Papa!!" I talked loud and hold onto him again. "Yea, baby. I'm your Papa." he smiled and held me tighter, "I'm so sorry I scared you, monkey!" he gave my head kisses, "Papa was wearing a Halloween costume for the movie." I look at him. "Papa durl (girl)?" "No. . . Papa is a boy remember? Papa and Ash have a penis." he telled me. "No touch!" I telled him loud. "That's right, baby. No one touches your penis unless you are having your nappy changed or bath time and Papa has to clean it." he talked and gave me more kisses and hugs. *End of flashback*