Intermission, p.1
Intermission, page 1
Intermission
Phyllis R. Dixon
www.kensingtonbooks.com
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Epigraph
PROLOGUE - CLOSING NUMBER
ACT I - BACKGROUND MUSIC
CHAPTER 1 - CARMEN
CHAPTER 2 - ANGEL
CHAPTER 3 - JADE
CHAPTER 4 - DOREEN
ACT II - COMPLICATED MELODY
CHAPTER 5 - CARMEN
CHAPTER 6 - JADE
CHAPTER 7 - DOREEN
CHAPTER 8 - ANGEL
CHAPTER 9 - CARMEN
CHAPTER 10 - DOREEN
CHAPTER 11 - CARMEN
CHAPTER 12 - JADE
CHAPTER 13 - DOREEN
CHAPTER 14 - ANGEL
CHAPTER 15 - CARMEN
CHAPTER 16 - JADE
CHAPTER 17 - DOREEN
CHAPTER 18 - CARMEN
CHAPTER 19 - ANGEL
CHAPTER 20 - CARMEN
CHAPTER 21 - JADE
CHAPTER 22 - CARMEN
CHAPTER 23 - DOREEN
ACT III - SAME OLD SONG
CHAPTER 24 - CARMEN
CHAPTER 25 - DOREEN
CHAPTER 26 - JADE
CHAPTER 27 - ANGEL
CHAPTER 28 - CARMEN
CHAPTER 29 - DOREEN
CHAPTER 30 - CARMEN
CHAPTER 31 - JADE
CHAPTER 32 - CARMEN
CHAPTER 33 - ANGEL
CHAPTER 34 - DOREEN
CHAPTER 35 - CARMEN
CHAPTER 36 - ANGEL
CHAPTER 37 - CARMEN
CHAPTER 38 - DOREEN
CHAPTER 39 - THE DIAMONDS
ACT IV - PLAYING BY EAR
CHAPTER 40 - ANGEL
CHAPTER 41 - CARMEN
CHAPTER 42 - JADE
CHAPTER 43 - DOREEN
CHAPTER 44 - ANGEL
CHAPTER 45 - CARMEN
CHAPTER 46 - JADE
CHAPTER 47 - THE DIAMONDS
CHAPTER 48 - JADE
CHAPTER 49 - ANGEL
CHAPTER 50 - JADE
CHAPTER 51 - DOREEN
CHAPTER 52 - CARMEN
CHAPTER 53 - DOREEN
ACT V - THE SHOW MUST GO ON
CHAPTER 54 - ANGEL
CHAPTER 55 - JADE
CHAPTER 56 - ANGEL
CHAPTER 57 - CARMEN
CHAPTER 58 - ANGEL
CHAPTER 59 - CARMEN
CHAPTER 60 - THE DIAMONDS
DAFINA BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2023 by Phyllis R. Dixon
To the extent that the image or images on the cover of this book depict a person or persons, such person or persons are merely models, and are not intended to portray any character or characters featured in the book.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
The Dafina logo is a trademark of Kensington Publishing Corp.
ISBN: 978-1-4967-4311-4
ISBN: 978-1-4967-4312-1 (e-book)
First Electronic Edition: August 2023
For my mother—she told me I could and so I did.
Acknowledgments
It has taken a long time to get here, but to quote the spiritual—I wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now. This journey would not have been possible without the love and guidance of my mother and best friend, Maggie Jackson-Hale, and my father, Timothy Jackson, who always told me to go read a book whenever I said I was bored. Special appreciation goes to three people who started on this journey with me but are no longer here: Kevin Clark, Karen Dean, and Fitzgerald Dixon.
Sending a big thank you to my agent, Marlene Stringer, for her tenacity and for sharing my vision. I’m grateful to the Dafina/Kensington team, in particular Esi Sogah and John Scognamiglio for their editing assistance and overall enthusiasm. I’d like to thank Tanya Beckley, Tyler Brown, Tujuana Burt, Sheryl Dean, Clarence Hale, Arlender Jones, Crystal Maddox, Jackie Miller, Patricia Montgomery, Mary Randolph, Juel Richardson, Annie and Caesar Slade, Michael Stewart, Betty Washington, Sharon Williams, and my St. Andrew A.M.E. church family for their encouragement and support. I would also like to thank my children, Trey, Candace, and Lee, for taking this journey with me (not that they had much choice).
Intermission is about sisterhood, and I appreciate the steadfast support of my Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., sorors, especially Kappa Eta Chapter and Memphis Alumnae Chapter.
And I thank you, for taking time out of your own journey to read this book. I hope you find it time well spent.
The first to apologize is the bravest.
The first to forgive is the strongest.
The first to forget is the happiest.
—Author unknown
PROLOGUE
CLOSING NUMBER
The Diamonds returned to the stage for their second encore. The sold-out crowd remained on their feet, clapping and cheering. The girls were drenched with sweat, but Angel’s waist-length curls remained in place and her makeup flawless, even though she sang lead on most songs. The audience response was such a rush, Doreen had been able to ignore the nagging voice in her head telling her it was time for a fix. Jade was blowing kisses and waving like Miss America. Even Carmen, who had to be cajoled back to the stage, was moved, and tears filled her glistening brown eyes. The Diamonds were not an overnight success, or a studio packaged group. They were four girls from Memphis who worked their way from a local teen talent show to this moment.
Their set had gone overtime, and the musicians were unplugging their instruments. Ray Nelson had surprised the girls when he interrupted what was supposed to be their last song. As the owner of Peak Records, he usually stayed in his seventh-floor office in downtown Memphis. But he had made a rare road appearance to present them their third gold record.
Jade hugged the plaque as tears streamed down her olive cheeks. Doreen jumped up and down so, her boobs almost popped out of her tube top. Carmen was speechless and forgot her Valentino stilettos were killing her feet, as Jade gathered them all for a group hug. Angel stepped in front of Carmen, then hugged Ray and kissed him on the cheek, while posing for the photographer. Angel thanked the fans on behalf of the group. The girls performed fifteen more minutes, until the lights came up and they were forced to leave the stage.
The girls had performed hundreds of shows, but tonight they had an extra burst of energy, knowing this would be their last show until fall. Their grueling six-month tour was finally over. They were as enthusiastic and eager to please as they were in 1991, when the original Diamonds—Carmen Ellis, and her neighbors, Doreen and Sophia Frazier—won the station WDIZ teen talent show. Gloria, Carmen’s mother, had signed them up, picked the songs, choreographed the steps, and directed rehearsals.
They had come a long way in six years. The Diamonds had a string of R and B hits and a couple of their songs had reached the pop chart top forty. But with their newest single, they were on the cusp of crossing over. Angel had insisted they get new management, and the change was already paying dividends. Meetings were scheduled to discuss a clothing brand and soda commercial, and Ray Nelson was negotiating with larger venues for their fall tour.
“That was great,” Ray said, clapping as the girls came backstage. “Angel, you held that high note so long, I thought you were going to burst a blood vessel. And looks like those extra practices paid off, since Jade’s two left feet finally mastered the step routine. Doreen, honey, I’m so proud of you. You’ve been able to stay clean. I knew you could do it, one day at a time. And Carmen, you’ve never sounded better. Your solo mesmerized the audience. Tonight was perfect—or as you young folks say, the bomb.”
“Thanks, Ray,” Carmen said, as she turned away from him and rolled her eyes.
“We have a few hours before the bus leaves. The band is headed to a party. Let’s join them,” Doreen said.
“No thanks,” Carmen replied as she stepped out of her stilettos. “I’m hungry, sweaty, and tired. I’ll meet you on the bus. Please be on time.”
“Carmen’s right. You should rest. You’ve only got a week to get ready for the Unity Festival in Durban. President Mandela is opening the festival. This will be major international exposure,” Ray said.
“When did this come up?” Carmen asked.
“Somebody canceled and the promoter called. Funny how a hit record changes things. ‘Searchin’ for the Right One’ is racing up the charts,” Ray said, while lighting a cigarette. “And get this, he’s paying twice what we initially proposed. We’re rescheduling your Soul Train and MTV Jams appearances. If you had shown up for mic-check, you would’ve heard my announcement.”
“I have an announcement too,” Carmen said, as she picked up her bags and slung her shoes over her shoulders. “I quit.”
“Again?” Ray sighed and checked his pager. “I guess you didn’t hear what I said about more money. You’ll clear almost half a million dollars.”
“And I guess you didn’t hear what I said ,” Carmen fired back. “I quit.”
“I know you’re still upset, but you can’t take what happened earlier personally. I think you’ll feel differently once we get back to Memphis, relax and unwind for a few days.”
“I give less than a damn what you think,” Carmen snapped.
“You and I may not always agree, but isn’t this what we’ve been working for?” Angel asked, as she flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Girl groups are hot right now—look at Destiny’s Child. We’re finally about to make some real money.”
“Tonight was magical,” Jade said, as she grabbed Carmen’s hand. “Don’t let a misunderstanding block—”
“I understand quite well,” Carmen stated. “I understand treacherous, backstabbing bullshit when I see it.”
“This is crazy. Musicians are updating charts, travel arrangements have been booked and wardrobe is expediting new costumes,” Ray said, blowing smoke in the air. “The Diamonds are hotter than ever. Besides, I have a contract, and you gals owe me a lot of money. You think recording sessions, designer clothes, room service, hotels, and travel are free? I own your ungrateful ass. You can’t quit.”
Carmen waved his cigarette smoke away, stepped around him and said, “Watch me,” then disappeared offstage.
ACT I
BACKGROUND MUSIC
CHAPTER 1
CARMEN
Twenty years later . . .
Carmen placed the pineapple cake on the stand and licked icing from the spatula. It was Saturday morning, but her kitchen smelled like Sunday dinner. It seemed strange not to gather at her mother’s house for the Fourth of July. Gloria always invited the neighbors and the celebration became a combined block party and family reunion. But over the last nine months, Carmen and her siblings had gradually moved more of Gloria’s things to her house. So now, it was easier for Carmen to host the family.
While the other Diamonds splurged on drugs, clothes, cars, trips and more drugs, Carmen bought her mother a house and one of her own. Other than dusty gold records on the dining room wall, those houses were the only tangible evidence from her days in one of the hottest girl groups of the nineties. One of her proudest moments was handing her mother a deed stamped paid with her name Gloria Mae Ellis typed in the owner space. When her mother finally left her last husband, Carmen, her older sister Faye, and younger brother Sonny moved five times in two years, outrunning eviction notices. Gloria found a job at McDonald’s and worked her way from fry cook to district manager. She also worked part-time at the radio station and sometimes sang with bands in Beale Street clubs. Carmen loved singing with the girls, but her goal was to make her mother’s life easier, and ensure they never again had to worry about a roof over their heads.
Angel, Doreen, Jade, and Sophia begged her to party after shows, but Carmen preferred to read and hoarded her money. The girls said she squeezed a dollar so tight you could hear George Washington holler.
The subdivision was new when Carmen moved in twenty years ago, and the two-story colonial had seemed like a mansion. There were some newer features she wished she had, but her home had the most desirable trait of all—it was almost paid for. Between her music teacher salary, sporadic child support, and an occasional royalty check, she had managed to provide her children stability and security.
When people learned she had been a Diamond, they expected her to have a bankroll stashed away. But even though the Diamonds sold millions of records, when she left the group in 1997, Peak Records claimed the Diamonds owed the company money. Carmen sued for unpaid royalties, and they countersued for breach of contract. Lawsuits dragged on for years. They finally settled four years ago, and after taxes and legal fees, Carmen got forty thousand dollars—not the high six figures she expected. After a new roof, braces for both kids, and a splurge trip to Disney World, her windfall had dwindled to less than twenty thousand. Money she added to her children’s college fund.
The oven had warmed the house, and Carmen cranked up the air conditioner. She had planned to bake last night, and not heat the kitchen today, but Nathan called and she decided the cake could wait. They went to get ice cream, then to Lake Park to watch fireworks, and then, went to make their own fireworks behind closed doors. The memory brought a contented smile, and she hummed an Aretha Franklin tune as she loaded the dishwasher. The back door opened and she looked up. “It’s about time you got here. Oh,” she said when she saw it wasn’t David.
“You certainly aren’t healthy for a girl’s ego. Here, I had this in my freezer.” Gloria handed her daughter a container of hogshead cheese, a dish saved for special occasions.
“Sorry, Mama. I was expecting David.”
“I just talked to Faye. She said business was slow, so she let David go around ten. He was getting a haircut, then coming home.”
“He knows the barbershop is packed on Saturday mornings, and the buses are slow,” Carmen responded. “He asked to take my car; maybe I should’ve let him.”
“He probably stopped by his little girlfriend’s house. I’m sure he’ll be here soon,” Gloria said, as she sat down and pulled a rib from the pan.
“He’ll get an earful from me when he does get here. David promised to help.”
“You know,” Gloria said, pointing the rib at her daughter, “If you had brought your fast tail home at a decent hour, you could’ve gotten an earlier start.”
Carmen breathed deeply and ignored her mother’s commentary on her private life. “I had planned on being outside, but it’s starting to rain, so we’ll all be inside, and the house is a mess.”
“It’s family. We’re not guests. You’re stressing over nothing,” Gloria advised as she reached for the cake.
“You know you’re not supposed to eat this,” Carmen said, sliding the cake stand away from her mother.
“Living with you is like being in basic training. I checked my sugar, it’s fine.” Gloria was diabetic and had a stroke just before Christmas. The doctors said it was a light stroke, although it still sounded serious to Carmen. Thankfully, other than weight loss, she had minimal side effects, but she needed to start dialysis. Since Faye and her husband kept long hours at their florist shop, and her brother Sonny shared a small apartment with his newest girlfriend, they convinced her to stay with Carmen, at least until she adjusted to dialysis.
“David knows I’m going to fuss so he won’t answer,” Carmen said, calling him again.
“You’re too hard on him. He’s an A student, on the student council, basketball, and debate teams—and he has a job. Faye says he’s one of her best workers,” Gloria said. “Let him enjoy this time in his life. Hope should get out more too. She said she had to work today. That child has the rest of her life to work. She should be on the phone giggling about boys.”
“Hope has enough time to worry about boys. I’m glad she wants to be independent and have her own money. And I don’t want David thinking he can get by because he’s cute and can bounce a basketball. I definitely don’t want him living with me when he’s thirty-five, like some people.”
“Sonny has his own place now, and he’ll have plenty of money when he gets his lawsuit settlement.”
“He’s been waiting on that settlement for years,” Carmen said. “And he’s moved in with his girlfriend. That’s not the same thing. She could kick him out at any time. Then he’ll be back at your house.”
“I wouldn’t mind. I don’t like my house being empty. Sale papers and the Yellow Pages were sitting on my porch this morning, announcing to all thieves the house is empty. Folks these days will steal the butter off your bread. And the post office isn’t forwarding all my mail. What if the sweepstakes prize patrol comes and I miss them?”
“Most of those so-called sweepstakes are scams. And insurance covers your stuff if there’s a break-in.”
“That stuff, as you call it, is priceless—all my pictures, my mother’s dishes,” Gloria said. “My album collection shouldn’t be left in a hot house. Angel sent me designer shoes and hats from around the world. Heat isn’t good for them either. And my fur is there. Angel gave it to me when I joined her at President Obama’s inauguration. The more I think about it, the more I worry about my house,” Gloria said. “I don’t need to be babysat. I want to go home.”
