1984
Lynette "Billie" Ford
"You're fired."
Our manager had let me go that next morning and his two blistering words had shown up, surprising me out of nowhere.
His last straw decided to reveal itself when frantic journalists swarmed the record store parking lot once again. Typical visitors couldn't even walk to the entrance anymore since TV station2 trucks hoarded space now. I'd never felt so defeated and confused. Vanessa even stood up for me by shouting out before we could even open for the day.
Nothing worked.
After crying in the back with Vanessa for almost twenty minutes, I pulled myself together somehow and didn't even bother to wear my uniform this time. Vanessa shook her head, blinked away tears, and hesitantly pulled her own uniform off the rack to work.
"You've got your own bills to pay, girl. Don't worry about me." I lowered my voice, completely understanding why my best friend wasn't stupid enough to drop of this situation alongside me. Even though she had lived with David for quite some time, there was no need for her to depend on him, especially with money, but I've digressed.
We hugged tightly one last time and I allowed myself to cry in her arms. Nothing could compare to this unraveling moment, not even when I graduated college. Her whispering assurance calmed me down, but I still couldn't believe what happened not that long ago.
"Call me if you need anything. You know that. He shouldn't have pulled out that firing card just because of the press." Vanessa actually wiped my tears. We had treated each other like sisters and today seemed no different, of course.
"Look outside, V! The reporters won't even disperse from this parking lot." I sniffled, finally settling those dam tears down, but still allowed myself to fume with anger. Vanessa clipped her nametag and smoothed the uniform, but still wanted to hear me vent. Her heart tore.
"I know. Just leave out the back door. I'll help." Vanessa offered one last chance to assist me before she could allow herself to work this time around. I nodded, wiping away remnants of my own sadness this morning. There was just no other choice right now.
"One, two, three!" After lifting my hoodie again, I ducked my head with Vanesa and we both dashed outside, Vanessa even acted if rain pelted down from the clouds. I'd be damned if somehow noticed me from this backway and had been insane enough to chase us this time.
Our coast looked clear, but I could still hear excited voices shouting in the distance. I actually wouldn't stop sprinting until Vanessa reached the car with me. I nearly pulled the door open just to give myself some kind of shelter. If Michael dealt with this kind of pressure every day, I'd only received one piece of it. Media outlets were just as chaotic to see someone like me.
"Go! Call me when you're home." Vanessa yelled from that back entrance. I completely understood her fear and punched the gas, not even caring if our manager noticed this madness afterwards. Burning rubber was my only goal right now. Enough was enough.
After calling Vanessa to say I was safe, telling Mom and Dad what happened broke my heart the most. I didn't know whether to fly straight back home or just pull myself together again. Dad would want me to stay home. Momma would've asked me to think about strategy, of course.
"You should sue, Baby Girl. I'll dial my attorney." Mom told me. I shook my head, even though she couldn't see my expression from this apartment.
"Momma, I don't have any leverage. Our manager owns the store. I just paid bills and can barely afford rent now because of what happened." I lowered my voice, feeling defeated all over again. Who knew that my dream would conjure up such madness?
"Billie, you don't understand. We can help you. Please don't be stubborn. Not now." Momma tried to reason with me once more.
"I know Momma, but..." I trailed off as soon as my mother spoke up again.
"Uh-uh. Don't make me fly down there. Let's handle the nonsense as a family. You deserve fairness. Don't you ever let people walk on you like this again." Mom stood her ground. I finally understood where I'd gotten my independence from.
"Yes, Ma'am." I knew so much better than to fight again.
We would take this madness down.
____
"Local singer Billie Ford has now officially won her defamation case against record store manager William Franklin. Ford recently received undisclosed finances in exchange. In court documents, Ford alleged to have been unfairly dismissed from employment after media outlets swarmed her workplace on a regular basis. More details will emerge as we continue this hour..."
I won the case, but didn't return to work. Not long after winning my case, someone else took over the store, leaving my previous manager out of his job. It wasn't my fault that the press actually wanted my attention now. Mom handled the finance trade. Dad stopped fussing and let me live. I then split the payment between checking and savings, allowing myself to finally breathe when bills didn't pile up anymore.
In other news, Vanessa and David were now engaged. I allowed myself to cry for at least an hour and dashed to the house incognito. Rocking my Adidas hoodie, I leapt over that short placement of the rusty iron gate without a care in this word and jingled her doorbell.
"Girl!" Vanessa widened both arms as soon as the front door opened. We almost fell over each other while hugging. I didn't even care.
If I was famous or not, she was there.
Stepping into this house, I closed the door before us. Vanessa's diamond ring blinded my ebony eyes. She couldn't help grinning as we reached the now crowded backyard. Family members laughed together and mingled under the heat of these summertime rays.
Lively music blasted around everyone. On the phone, Vanessa had told me that David proposed during dinner one night and these two never looked back. Their beautiful wedding would take place in the fall.
"Bout time you showed up." David teased and bumped my fist. I couldn't wait to get my own plate and catch up with everyone here. I had spent several years under this roof as V's best friend and knew better than to act like a stranger, especially around her family now.
"D, stop playing. You know I've been busy with my dreams again." I joked with David once more, but could finally start working on music again. Signing with major labels early sometimes led to chaos. Not everyone had the privilege of acting like Michael or even Prince these days. I'd just lay low until a sensible deal came along.
"Good. Proud of you." he said. I nodded, understanding what he meant. I would hopefully never see William Franklin again and would prove that I was better than his nonsense.
But for now, I'd toast to the happy couple.
