The Family Reunion Part 2

New Job

The next day I got up bright and early to find something suitable to wear for this new job. I tied my hair up in a ponytail threw on a t-shirt and some sweatpants before feeding Aaliyah. I wondered what job Anna was planning on helping me get and what I could do as far as a babysitter went. No one in my family could know where I was nor did I care to get in contact with any of them. As far as I was concerned if Mark turned on me that easily then so had the rest of them.

Anna came to my room around 9 that morning smiling brightly as she did the night before. In her hand she held something folded and sparkly too. I was a little taken aback at first, especially when she laid the clothes out, revealing a very skimpy outfit that only showgirls would wear. I laid Aaliyah down on the mattress and picked up the one piece outfit that had fishnet stockings where the pants should be.

"Um….Anna….exactly what job did you sign me up for?" I asked.

She smiled and gently touched my face, "You're very pretty, and you have pretty voice yes?"

I nodded, "Yeah."

"Then you sing on stage downstairs in the show. They pay very nicely and you can take care of baby." She explained.

"But…I haven't sang in a while. What if I'm no good?" I asked.

"Then you dance in background yes?" she said.

I rubbed my head, "Ok…but what about Aaliyah?"

"Aw yes, they have daycare downstairs too. You put baby in for three hours while you perform and then you pick her up. Simple." She said with a smile.

I couldn't help but smile at her willingness to help me. "Thank you so much Anna."

"No problem dear. Now hurry. You have first performance soon."

I nodded and took the outfit into the bathroom so I could change. I was nervous as hell as I slipped into the outfit instantly feeling like a stripper once I had it on. I wanted nothing more than to have a few drinks before my performance but I knew it wasn't going to be a good one if I did. As soon as I finished getting ready. Anna picked up Aaliyah and her diaper bag and together we headed downstairs where the club was located. Before going there, we dropped my baby off at the daycare. I had to be honest I was nervous leaving her there, but the woman in charge assured me that she would be safe.

It didn't surprise me at all that the place was empty, but the fact that there was one man sitting there at a table still made me nervous. He was a pretty big guy with a bald head and facial hair that was turning grey in some areas. Something about him seemed familiar to me but I wasn't sure.

"Ah hello Anna," he greeted her. "How are you today?"

"Oh I'm good sir." She responded as he stood up and hugged her.

He then looked at me with a smirk, "And who is this fine young lady?"

"This is Carmen," She said. "Carmen, this is my boss, Bill Goldberg."

My eyes popped open hearing his name, "Wait…the Bill Goldberg?"

He nodded, "Yes ma'am."

I smiled remembering the last time I seen this man. He was in a wrestling ring with my ex Rocky, but I wasn't going to tell him that.

"Wow it's a pleasure to meet you sir." I told him.

"Same here, now why don't we start your audition huh?" he said.

I felt my stomach drop as I glared at Anna. "You didn't tell me I had to audition first."

She scratched her head, "He told me not tell, he thinks singers should always be prepared to sing no matter what."

I sighed heavily not sure how I was going to pull this off. I walked up on the stage, grabbing a small black chair before hand and stood there waiting for his direction.

"Alright Carmen, I'm going to have my guys play a song for you and I want you to sing and dance to it as if you were dancing for hundreds of men. Ok?" he asked.

I took a deep breath remembering my dances from when I danced for Rocky. I nodded and waited for the beat to play. When it did, I was overjoyed when it was a song I knew, Lady Marmalade. Bill looked extremely impressed just from the first line that I sang to. I kept my eyes on him at first, but then pretended as if others were in the room. Anna watched from the sides with a smile on her face.

When the song was over, the two of them clapped their hands while I regained my stance. "Marvelous! You're a natural!" Bill said. "Oh Anna I had my doubts but you've finally found my lead singer for my shows."

I raised my eyebrow, "Lead singer?"

"Oh yes my dear. You have a voice that none of my other girls have, and your dancing is enticing and it'll sell this place out!"

I smiled, "So what hours would I be working? I have a daughter to tend to."

He tapped his chin, "Well I can always adjust Anna's schedule so she can watch your baby at night. That's when the club is normally full."

I glanced at Anna who nodded, "Si, si, I will watch her baby."

"Then it's settled, you'll work from 8-12 and I'll pay you $50 an hour, and an extra $50 per song you sing." He explained.

"Wow…how many songs would I need to sing?" I asked.

"Well while you're not singing I'll have you doing other things like waitressing or bartending. So it really depends on how I have the shows set up. And don't worry you won't be singing every single night, just every other night so you can rest that voice."

I smiled and hugged, "Thank you so much Mr. Goldberg,"

"Oh no, call me Bill honey." He said. "Can you start tomorrow night?"

"Yes sir." I said.

"And instead of Carmen, let's call you….Candy."

I smiled at the new stage name wondering how long it would before I remembered my real name. "Thank you sir."

He nodded and then sent us on our way. I couldn't help but hug Anna once we got outside of the club. I was so happy that she was helping me that I didn't even care about the other issues in my life anymore. Sure my heart ached when I thought about Mark and those hurtful things he said to me, but right now, all I could think about was making sure my baby and I stayed safe.