Melissa Andrews learns of Suzi's past and advances her new career as a recording artist.

 

Melissa Goes to School

by

Karen Anne Summerfield
© December 2002

 

Part VI

Recording and School

 

It was near nine o'clock when Tina and I entered the house. After I'd freshened up, I made my way to the kitchen to find something to eat. Suzi was seated there, sipping tea.

"Good evening, Miss Melissa," she said as she curtseyed to me. "May I get you something?" The maid moved to the counter with her mug. "The family had pizza. I think there's a slice or two left."

"That would be fine. Finish your tea, I can fix it myself." Suzi gave me a hard look.

"Miss Melissa, it's my job and I do like performing it. It's my privilege to serve others," she softly stated. I saw nothing to be gained by arguing with her over such a small matter. Suzi soon heated the food in the microwave and set it on the table with a Coke.

"Please sit and talk with me while I eat?" I requested. She smiled, curtseyed and did.

"You told me yesterday that you've been where I am…"

Suzi didn't let me finish, "I wasn't born Suzi McGee twenty-six years ago, if that's what you're asking."

"It was, Suzi. If not too personal, I'd like to know how you got from there to where you are now. I've never met a girl like us before." She looked at me before speaking.

"No, I don't mind. I think it might have made things much better for me had I even known what I was and had someone who understood to talk with when I was little.

"I was born as a female … inside. My parents, especially my father, couldn't accept that. He thought he could beat it out of me and quite literally tried to quite often." She paused for a moment. I thought I saw her pretty eyes moisten.

"At thirteen, I ran away. I'll skip the sordid details, suffice that my teen years were spent in New York working for a pimp as a prostitute, street whore. I was heavy into drugs. I'm not proud of my past, but I can't undo it.

"About eight years ago, a john beat me near to death and left me in the gutter when he found out I wasn't quite the girl he'd thought I was." I listened quietly.

"I awoke in a luxurious uptown apartment; very sore and hurting all over." She paused for a moment then continued. "I'll skip names too, if that's OK, Miss Melissa?

"The couple who nursed me to health and got me off H were not your normal husband and wife. The husband wasn't even a man any longer. She'd had surgery three years prior.

"L, I'll just use initials, was C's maid and quite happy in that role. No one could tell by her looks, actions or speech that she'd not been born female. Anyway, the couple not only cared for me, they gave my life a meaning and purpose. I was afforded the opportunity to stay there as long as I wished, but I had to earn my keep by working as their maid.

"Remember my only previous employment was street whore," Suzi smiled at me as if that were funny. "Still, being a maid seemed demeaning," she giggled. "Rather silly isn't it, a hooker thinking of any legitimate job as being demeaning, rather beneath my station, sort of speak? I accepted the offer and have never regretted that decision since.

"I was sent to school where I was taught proper English, basic arithmetic, cooking... Well, all the things it takes to excel in this profession. I was also given proper medical and dental attention, the first since I'd run away from home. That's when I met Doctor Martin and later Doctor Jade and his family.

"I owed all the people who've helped me far more than the money they've spent on me, especially C and L," Suzi smiled.

"What else would you like to know, Miss Melissa? I love my job and from what I know, the majority of people can't honestly say that."

"Thank you. I do appreciate your sharing with me. If I may be excused it's been a long day and I'd like to go to bed, Suzi?

"Good night, Miss Melissa."

*****

"Hey, no fair! Foul!" Jasmine announced herself that way upon seeing me Saturday morning. "We agreed not to change our hair, Melissa," she pretended to pout when she sat for breakfast.

"I agreed only until after football season," I pointed out. "It was time for something different."

"Yes," she agreed. "I'm ready too."

"Calvin's taking me to the mall this morning; would you like to come?"

"If I may suggest," Tina entered the kitchen, "I think I can put your time to better use, Lissa." Her addressing me by my newly acquired stage name told me what she had in mind. "If things work out, which I'm sure they will, you need a lot more practice to 'clean up your act'."

"What are you suggesting, Tina?" Jasmine asked.

"Your sister is telling me that I need a lot of practice if I hope to make myself successful in the recording industry," I answered instead.

"Yeah, last night she told me about yesterday. I wish you nothing but the best of luck, Melissa."

Suzi carried over the plates, which Ann had filled.

"What's on your schedule today, Suzi?" Tina asked her.

"Just the usual chores, Miss Tina."

"I'd like you to work with us in the studio today. Lissa and I will straighten our own rooms, so that will eliminate those things."

"Suzi, I'll do your chores. Dr. Jade informed me that he and Mrs. Jade will not be in for dinner either today or tomorrow and Mr. Theodore left yesterday with plans not to return until tomorrow evening."

"Thank you Ann," Suzi curtseyed to their cook. "I'll owe you one."

"No you won't," Ann countered. "You do more than your share of the chores around the house. I don't know where you get all your energy sometimes."

"Miss Tina, I'll attend to Miss Melissa's room and yours this morning," Ann informed.

"Thank you, Ann" Tina did not decline the offer, as I'd have done; I just wasn't used to having servants wait on me.

"Suzi, I'd like you in one of your French uniforms; the one with the pouffy sleeves. Run and change, please? Oh, leave your hair up."

"Yes, Miss Tina."

"She really looks cute in those, Lissa. You'll agree when you see," Tina grinned.

"My big sister's a big kink, if you haven't figured it out yet, Melissa," Jasmine quipped. Tina smiled and didn't deny the assertion.

"We need to develop an image for you, Lissa." I was with her in her huge closet, as she looked though the myriad of clothes there.

"This will do. Since you’re a schoolgirl, I think I’ll dress you as one for today in gray, white and black plaid. Grab those lace up boots, Lissa; the patent platform ones." From a dresser, she took out a medium gray sweater with long sleeves.

"That’s all I ever get to wear: my school uniform or my cheerleader uniform, Tina," I half-heartedly protested.

"Well, consider this as your study or practice uniform then." She handed me the short, pleated skirt.

Suzi looked incredibly cute in the black satin uniform with a very full, petticoat filled skirt that didn't cover her black net-sheathed cheeks, a tiny apron and headpiece. She curtseyed and modeled for me. "Like, Miss Melissa?" After the revelations regarding Suzi's past, I began looking at her differently; trying to determine a flaw to reveal that she wasn't exactly as she appeared. The maid knelt and picked up one of the boots to put on my foot.

"I don't get to dress really pretty very often. Mrs. Jade thinks that net tights and really high heels on the maid aren't appropriate except for special parties," Suzi explained without anyone asking. Her ankle strapped pumps had to have needle-thin heels at least seven inches high!

Suzi had red hair, several shades lighter than my chestnut tresses. It was pinned on top with elaborate curls and I guessed it to be quite long, a few loose tendrils dangled on each side of her head. The maid was of average height at about five foot eight with very large breasts, small waist and very shapely legs, which were enhanced by the black hosiery and pumps. She quickly laced up the knee boots.

Tina had changed to a short black leather mini and white blouse.

"Suzi is a considerable help in the studio. She knows the equipment better than some of the techs at the record company. Don't you, Suzi?"

"I've a good teacher, Tina," Suzi said as we entered the room.

"Don't be offended, Lissa; down in the studio, Suzi has my permission to drop many of the formalities and even start giving us orders. I also suspend most of the rules she's expected to obey in the house when she's with me down there. Listen to her instructions and follow them," Tina stated.

"We'll start with some basic dance routines. Select some appropriate music, please, Suzi."

While waiting for things to start, I stretched, the same as I did before cheerleading, to limber up. Tina had her own routine.

"No complaints, this time, Lissa, I’m wearing the same basic boots as you are." The tops of hers were shorter and fastened with large buckled straps instead of the laces on my knee high ones. I adapted to her different warm-up routine.

"Ready?" I nodded. "Left, right, left, right, left, turn, right, left, swing your hips, move your shoulders and head, right, left, right, turn." I followed her moves and we repeated it several times without her commands. "That’s it, move to the beat. Good."

As we danced, Suzi came dancing between us and performed the same steps. I noted she was smoother and more fluid then either of us, despite the extreme height of her delicate looking tap shoes; yes, metal plates were nailed to her soles. "Good Suzi," Tina encouraged. "I see you’ve been practicing."

"I dance around the house all day while doing chores, Tina. It helps to make them go a lot more quickly and it's fun exercise," Suzi explained with a big grin. "Your mother permits me to use my Walkman as long I keep it hidden under my skirts during the day."

"Maybe I could use you in my act when I put it together, Suzi. You’re really a good dancer." I'd meant what I’d told her about her dance moves, but couldn’t dwell on it because I needed to concentrate on following Tina’s moves.

We worked until lunchtime then returned to the studio. "That's enough exercises for now, Lissa, come over to the piano. She rummaged through the sheet music, pulling out a few songs then motioned for me to sit next to her.

"Let me hear what you can do with this, Lissa," she began to play the familiar strains of Faith Hill’s, The Way I Love You. "Do you think you can sing this?" I was keeping time with my hands and fingers.

"I can certainly try.

"From the top, Tina."

"Miss Jasmine called to inform that she's spending the evening with Mr. Jackson and will be home about eleven o'clock, Miss Tina."

"Thank you, Ann. We'd like to eat about six, please?" Ann acknowledged with a curtsey.

"Suzi, go back on duty. Wear that uniform for the remainder of the evening, please?" I'd noted that while ordering their servants, the Jade's never failed to say, 'please' and do it politely.

"Come on upstairs, Lissa." I followed to the top of the stairs. "If you don't mind, I'm going to take a nap. Meet you in the den at five thirty, OK?"

"Sure."

*****

Sunday morning, Tina took me home. I had homework to complete and she'd other things to do. It had been one of the best weekends in my life!

I surprised myself with how quickly I completed all my assignments by late afternoon. In a very good mood, I changed into tights, a leotard and the platform boots Tina had given me to 'practice' with and went to the kitchen with a handful of CD's. Most of our house has wall-to-wall carpeting and I was going to work on my dancing after I'd prepared supper for mom and me.

"Hi, Melissa," Mom greeted. With my music blaring and concentrating on my steps, I'd not heard her come in.

"Hello, Mom.

"Hi, Mr. Benedict." Knowing that she hated loud music, I turned off the stereo before engaging in conversation.

"Let me run up and slip on a skirt, before we talk." Mom nodded agreement.

"My weekend was fantastic, how was yours?" I joined them in the family room with a soda.

"Very nice," Mr. Benedict replied. "Your mother and I had a very pleasant visit with my parents."

"Except for all the snow," Mom countered. "It took us eight hours to drive home and it was only a three-hour ride on Thursday.

"It's starting to snow again and the forecast calls for a foot or more tonight. I know that disappoints you," she teased.

"You know I really don't mind school. Before you ask, yes, all my homework's done, Mom."

"I'm pleased. Roy and I have some news for you, but first tell us about your weekend, Melissa." I wondered what their news was, but was excited to tell about mine.

I skimmed over my nice Thanksgiving dinner with the Jade's and started to tell the good stuff.

"Friday, Tina and I went to New York," I began.

"Did you buy those boots in Manhattan," Mr. Benedict was looking at them when he asked.

"No, Tina gave them to me. We didn't go to the city to shop. Tina took me to her recording company's studios. Tina is a recording artist, Mr. Benedict."

"Tina Jade!" He visibly brightened. "I'm not particularly fond of her style of music, but I've seen her videos on MTV. Very nice." I smiled knowing he was reacting to how attractive my friend was.

"Was it fun watching her record, Melissa?"

"Not exactly, sir."

"Nothing like you see on TV, I think; boring just standing around watching everyone work, I can imagine. I'm sorry you were disappointed seeing that it is nothing but hard work and nothing like the glamorous life they pretend it to be, Melissa," Mom said.

"No, I wasn't bored at all. They even let me do a record and shot a video with me," I countered.

"I'm sure you'll have many fond memories of your big day for years to come," Mr. Benedict said apologetically.

"Well, it wasn't quite like I'm sure you're both thinking." I'd originally thought to just tell them outright, but had a better idea.

"May I show you what I did, please?" He and mom exchanged looks.

"Of course, dear." They were humoring me. That was OK. 'Just wait until after, Melissa,' I told myself.

I put the CD in the machine. "Please come by the kitchen; I can't dance here on the carpet." I smiled when I saw a brilliant flash before Mr. Benedict's hand enveloped mom's. I knew what they wanted to tell me.

"OK Stand there." When the music began, I began to perform as I had for the final take then began to sing on cue.

"Ooooh … I'm gon-na make you pay,

You stole my man… just to play

And now, you're gon-na pay

You think you're cute and getting away,

Boy, do I have news for you

Bitch… you're gon-na pay!

And MAKE MY DAY!"

They applauded when I finished several minutes later.

"Very, very nice, Melissa," Mr. Benedict complimented. "Maybe you should consider a career other that haute coutre." I'd moved to my purse, took out the papers and walked closer.

"I am." I handed mom the thick contract documents.

"What's this?" She unfolded them and her mouth dropped open. "Oh my gosh!

"Look, Roy." When she held it for him, I saw the ring to confirm my guess.

"Should I start to call you, 'Uncle Roy', now, Mr. Benedict?

"Congratulations to both of you. I'm very happy for you." Mom looked at me in question.

I positioned her hand to see her diamond. "This is gorgeous." I embraced my mother, hugged and gave her a kiss.

"Great, Mom, really great! I’m very happy for both of you."

"Uncle Roy," I giggled. "I’m going to have to get used to calling you that. Congratulations. Mom’s just the greatest." I gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek."

"Melissa, how about dropping the, ‘uncle’, and just calling me Roy. I’d feel more comfortable with you that way."

I’d not started cooking; it was easy enough to simply make more hot dogs and beans. As we ate, we discussed my possible career in the recording industry.

"Melissa, what weaknesses do see that you might have that you should improve?" Roy asked me.

"Not that I don’t need improvement with a lot of things, but I think I could be a better dancer. Tina also suggested that I should learn to play an instrument."

"You used to play the organ, Melissa," Mom said. "Maybe Roy would help you bring it up from the basement and set it up with you." She referred to a small electric organ that had been my great aunt's and I’d taken lessons on up until a few years ago.

"Where should I put it, mom?"

"How about in your study room; I'm sure you can make room. I really would prefer it not to be downstairs," she answered. The antique had been imported from Austria and was a good instrument with beautiful sound, but I had to agree, it fit not fit in with the décor of our home.

Our house is a three bedroom one, but the smallest, mom had, had converted into a study and hobby room for my use when we’d moved, since we never had overnight guests before. Mr. Benedict helped me carry the heavy organ there and we’d little trouble moving some things and setting it up next to my computer station.

"Can you still play?" he asked when I'd carried up the bench by myself.

"I’m sure I need a lot of practice, but I’ll try." I sat and played a few songs I still remembered. He seemed pleased.

"I’m sure those would sound much better on a grand piano," he kindly overlooked the mistakes I’d made.

"Well, I’ll need a few hit records before I can afford one," I joked. "There’s really no room for a piano in the house anyway, Roy."

He grinned, "No, but I’ll get mine tuned for you and look forward to hearing you play when you move in, Melissa." I’d, for the moment, forgotten that he and mom were getting married and I'd never visited Mr. Benedict's house before.

"Have you set a date?" I asked.

"We were thinking in the spring, but nothing’s finalized. I wasn’t sure that your mother was going to accept until I asked her."

Mom came in as we were talking. "I doubt there’ll be school tomorrow, Melissa; I just looked outside and there’s eight inches on the ground and it’s still snowing hard. The Weather Channel is predicting twenty to twenty-four inches by dawn."

"Thanks, mom."

She laughed, "You actually look disappointed. I don't think you ever looked that way that way before; hearing school was canceled. Want to tell me?"

"Surprise as it may be to you, I enjoy school. My straight A's should evince that."

"Evidence, Melissa; 'evince' is incorrect; it's not a word," the school Principal wrongly attempted to correct my choice of words.

I reached for the dictionary next to my computer and handed it to him. "Respectfully, sir, the word is 'evince'." I changed the subject.

"Mom, I'm seriously considering dropping out of the cheerleaders; at least for basketball season."

"Why?" she exclaimed. "I thought you really enjoyed it!"

"I do. I think though, if you give permission and sign my contract, I want to explore this music thing. You know I've always enjoyed music, but never did a thing with it.

"While I continue to study at school, I also need to dance much better and learn to play well. If we can afford it, I'd like to take lessons, please? Cheerleading will leave me no time to do everything I think I need after I do my studies. I promised you … school would be first." It was a solemn promise I had made to mom when she went along and helped me transition to being Melissa, full time. I'd not broken it and had no intentions to start doing so.

"I stand corrected, Melissa. Thank you," Mr. Benedict passed my dictionary back to me. I replaced it with only a nod.

"I think we'll need a lawyer to review those documents before I can sign on your behalf," Mom changed the subject.

"My nephew's a corporate attorney," Roy volunteered. "I could ask him for an opinion if you'd like, Ellen?"

*****

As predicted, school had been canceled, though it had stopped snowing with only a foot and a half on the ground. It was my job to shovel the driveway and walks, so I dressed appropriately in jeans over two pairs of heavy tights with a heavy sweater and low-heeled boots then went to breakfast.

" 'Mornin', mom."

"Good morning," she returned. She was seated at the kitchen table reading the morning paper.

"Pants, Melissa?" she questioned with a grin. "I think that's the first time I've see you in jeans since we moved."

"My skirts and dresses are hardly appropriate for shoving the drive, mom." I sat with my cereal, juice and milk."

"You needn't worry about that today. Roy's an early riser and finished it about twenty minutes ago. I think he's warming up in the tub.

"What are you going to do with your day off today?" she asked.

"Put on a skirt and heels," I laughed. "Seriously, I though I'd like to practice for awhile and maybe do some designs."

"Fashions?"

"Yup. If I'm going to be a performer, and I think I will, I'm going to need some appropriate things to wear."

"I was very impressed with your little performance last night. Roy said so too," Mom told me.

"Have you given much thought to your wedding, Mom?"

"A little; Roy and I talked about it during the drive back yesterday. It won't be a very big wedding and I'm not going to wear a gown. You may if you'd like, but I know I'll have to twist your arm to get you to wear one," Mom joked.

"I telephoned your Aunt Jane last night and she'll be Matron of Honor. I'd like you to be my bridesmaid, Melissa."

"I accept; you know I appreciate the honor. Thanks, Mom.

"Any restrictions on my gown?"

"I'd like it to be long and nothing far out. You know what I mean."

"No problem. It's a fantasy to wear a beautiful wedding dress and this is as close as I'll ever get, I'm sure."

"Why do you say that Melissa?" Mr. Benedict had come into the kitchen. "You are a very pretty and talented girl. I'm sure any decent man would be more than thrilled to marry you."

I dismissed his observation, as it wasn't the time to explain. "It's just a feeling, Roy. We'll see." I was a little saddened, but forced a smile.

*****

"Did you hear that they're going to cut our squad to only five for basketball season?" Aleisha asked. At lunch I'd sat with the rest of the cheerleaders on Tuesday as I usually did.

"Jazzi and Melissa are safe; Mrs. Stinson could never cut our two stars," Helen stated.

"Kitten, you'll be one of the cheerleaders too," Carol offered. "I hope it isn't me. I really like it."

"Well, I was going to tell you today anyway." I had their attention. "I've good news for one of you. I'm not going to continue."

"You can't quit…" "The team needs you, Melissa…" "Does Mrs. Stinson know yet?" Several were talking at once.

"No; I'm going to tell her during study hall," I answered.

"Why?" Jasmine questioned.

"You know the reason, Jasmine." I turned to my friends.

"An opportunity came up on Friday that I'd like to pursue. I'd prefer to…"

"Melissa is going be a rock star." Jasmine let the cat out of the bag. "My sister's record company made her an offer … one of those she can't refuse."

"Kewl!" "Wow!" "Really!" "Tell us Melissa!"

The news had traveled very fast throughout the entire school; before lunch period ended, I think.

"May I talk with you, Mrs. Stinson?" I asked as I entered her office.

"Sit down, Melissa … or should I start calling you Lissa Landers?" she displayed a big smile.

I smiled, "Jasmine has a big mouth. The word traveled faster than I thought possible."

"You're wrong about your friend." I watched her unfold a copy of Notes on her desk to a page she'd marked with a paperclip. "Read this." Her finger pointed to the column, 'Latest Vibes'. My eyes moved to the star she'd placed in the margin.

'Watch for Lissa Landers - this star is going to rise fast; bursting the scene with her debut single - Make My Day! Noise from the Exotique studios, in NY, is that a disk was cut and a video shot there on Friday. Notes' prediction is that this redhead will be the hottest since Tina Jade.' I looked up.

"It doesn't leave much to your imagination, does it, Mrs. Stinson?" I smiled at her.

"Not when you know that Tina is Jasmine's sister and records for them… no.

"So … I hope the only reason you're here is to tell me that you're not going to continue cheerleading and not that you're quitting school, Melissa?"

"I'm not quitting school, but you understand…"

"I understand fully. The demands on your time will be extreme soon. If I can ever help you, in anyway, my door is always open to you." Mrs. Stinson penned a hall pass for me.

"I wish you nothing but the best of luck, Melissa."

"Thank you, Mrs. Stinson." I curtseyed and returned to study hall.

 

 

 

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© 2002 by Karen Anne Summerfield. All Rights Reserved. These documents (including, without limitation, all articles, text, images, logos, compilation design) may printed for personal use only. No portion of these documents may be stored electronically, distributed electronically, or otherwise made available without express written consent of the copyright holder.