Diamond Revelation (9 page)

N
ina rolled up to The Diamond in her Range Rover, pulled into the lot, and parked as far away as she could from the building. She reached in her bag and pulled out the plastic baggie of chronic she just purchased and rolled herself a blunt. She looked around to be sure no one was watching when she lit it and took a big hit.

Her BlackBerry buzzed and vibrated, but she ignored it. “Can't a sista just get a few minutes to herself?” Nina yelled at the device. The day of Sky's showcase had finally arrived, and she wanted to be ready for anything. She inhaled one last time and carefully extinguished the marijuana cigarette. Waves of guilt flooded her heart and mind as she found a small container of air freshener and sprayed the car. She hadn't been high since the day she became a wife and mother.
No more after the showcase
, she had promised herself.
It'll all be over after tonight
. She rolled down the windows and sprayed Marc Jacobs in her hair and on her hands and clothing.

The BlackBerry vibrated again, and this time she answered.

“Nina.” It was Kenjay, Sky's young manager, who was also a rapper. He came to the studio one night while Missy Elliott was laying down tracks, trying to talk Missy into listening to his CD and Nina into giving him a deal. Kenjay said he was the next Jay-Z, but his rhymes were tired and his beats and flow were terrible. So he called himself a manager, ordered business cards, and became a permanent fixture in Sky's life. He was also from Brooklyn and grew up in her hood. Sky had been lonely ever since Sabre dissed her, so Kenjay quickly became her new best friend.

“What is it now, Kenjay?” He'd called on Nina incessantly during the last few weeks. The jury was still out deciding if he was more of a hindrance than a help.

“I need to get ten more of my peeps in the showcase.”

“Ten? Are you crazy? We're over capacity already.”

“But I gotta get 'em in.”

“Who are these people, Kenjay?”

“Some of my boys are flying in from New York. They've all got major connections in the biz.”

“What kind of connections?”

“One of 'em did some work with Keyshia Cole. He said she's looking for an opening act for her tour.”

“I haven't heard anything about Keyshia Cole going on tour, although it would be an excellent opportunity for Sky.”

“That's why I gotta get my boy in tonight.”

“A'ight, Kenjay, this better be legit. Call Anita and tell her I said to put them on the guest list.”

“Cool. I'm out.”

Nina clicked off and her phone rang again. “Talk,” she answered dryly.

“It's Kyle, your husband. Remember me?”

“Hey, honey.” Nina smiled into the phone. “You're coming tonight, right?”

“I might.”

“Kyle, please come. Sky's gonna knock this one out of the ballpark, to use one of your sports analogies. You have to be here.”

There was a long silence before he spoke. “I'll be there.”

“Okay, baby. I'll see you later. I love you,” Nina added sincerely, but he had already hung up the phone. She sat there thinking about her husband. Somehow things had really gone south in her marriage. Kyle would never hang up on her without saying good-bye or cracking one of his dumb jokes.
I'll take him away for some alone time as soon as all of this is over,
she promised, and typed a reminder to check into tickets for Hawaii and Jamaica.

Nina grabbed her briefcase and a few other bags and slid out of the truck. She thought she had lost her buzz until she felt a little off balance as she pulled open the door to the restaurant. Jade was in deep conversation with one of the finest black men Nina had ever seen. A smile lit up Jade's face as soon as she saw Nina.

“Here's Nina now. This is her event tonight, and I want everything a thousand percent right. It's a very important showcase for Revelation Music.” Jade spoke with authority. “This is Greggo, Nina. He's The Diamond's new restaurant manager.”

Greggo was a tall, handsome Jamaican man with smooth, dark chocolate skin and beautiful white teeth. He shook Nina's hand. “Everything is under control and running right on schedule.”

Nina watched him walk away. “Damn, girl. Where'd you find him? He is fine as shit.”

Jade's eyes widened, surprised by Nina's language. “Greggo's my cousin. Why are you talking like that? I should wash your mouth out with soap.”

“I'm sorry, girl. It's from being in the studio with those hip-hop producers.”

“Just watch the expletives. Next thing I'll be using them, and you know how Sean is. Sometimes I think I'm living with my father.”

“I hear you, girl, but that's just his way of loving you. And Kyle
is
his older brother.” Nina laughed and Jade joined in.

“You're in an awfully good mood. You sounded so stressed when we spoke earlier.” Jade led her to a table and placed a plate of assorted rolls in front of her.

“Just lettin' off a little steam. I had to chill before I blew a gasket. I've been stressed about this showcase for weeks.”

“Well, you can relax now.”

“I won't relax until Sky's CD is in the store and at number one on
Billboard
's Hot 100.”

Nina was just about to bite into a roll when her cell rang. She groaned and looked at the display. “It's Sky. I'd better take it.” She spoke into the headpiece. “What's going on, Sky?”

“Nina, my clothes for the showcase don't fit,” Sky yelled.

“What do you mean your clothes don't fit?” Nina yelled back. “I saw you in them the other day and you looked wonderful.”

“I got my period today. I'm really bloated and I can't zip up my pants.” Sky was crying hysterically.

“Calm down, Sky. Call Kenjay and have him take you shopping,” Nina commanded.

“I don't want to go shopping with Kenjay. He doesn't know anything about fashion. Can't you take me?”

Nina let out a long sigh. “I have to arrange the seating for the show, Sky. Isn't there anyone else you can call?”

“I'll take her shopping,” Jade offered.

Nina focused on Jade. “You have a restaurant to run. You can't go shopping.”

“That's why I hired Greggo. It'll be fun.”

“Okay.” Nina resumed her conversation with Sky. “Jade's gonna help you pick out something.”

Sky sniffed and blew her nose. “Is she the pretty black Chinese girl who handpainted our jeans for the So Fine showcase?”

“That's her, but Jade's not Chinese.”

“I loved those jeans. I still have mine,” Sky continued.

Nina clicked off her BlackBerry and looked at Jade. “I have been putting out fires all day long. I put one out and another is already blazing.”

“How do you say it? I got this.” Jade smiled again and Nina teared up. “Aw, honey. Everything's gonna be just fine.”

“You don't know how hard things have been,” Nina cried. “I've been in the studio for weeks. Kyle's mad at me. I haven't spent any time with Niki, and Mr. Katz is just waiting for me to fuck up so he can fire me.”

Jade was silent as she rubbed Nina's back. Nina reached into her handbag and took a credit card out of her wallet.

“Girl, put that thing away. I told you, I got this.”

“You're the best friend in the world. I could have never done this showcase without you.” Tears streamed out of Nina's eyes.

“Just don't stay out all night again without telling Kyle.”

“You know about that?”

“You know there are no secrets between the Ross brothers.”

That's what you think,
Nina almost said.

“Sit here, do your seating, and take your calls. I'll be back with your superstar artist.” Jade grinned.

“Jade, don't let Sky talk you into any of that tacky hip-hop shit.”

“I got this, girl.” Jade was out the door.

Nina's focus had been solely on Sky, and now the significance of the event hit her like a ton of bricks as she looked over all the RSVPs—Big Boy at Power 106, the hottest hip-hop station on the planet. Everyone wanted to be on Big Boy's show. Dre and the Game, Lil Jon, E-40, and Eve were just a few of the celebrities attending.
Billboard, Vibe, The Source,
and
XXL
were also on the list.

Tonight isn't about Sky or me, but Jamil,
Nina realized. People were coming to support Jamil and the new venture that would carry on his musical legacy. Sky and Nina had been given the opportunity of a lifetime.

Nina was shaking when she left Greggo to finish the seating arrangements. She snuck back out to her truck to finish off the blunt. Her nerves were fried and she needed to chill. Surprisingly her phone was quiet.

When she returned to the restaurant she was nicely buzzed. Jade and Sky walked in right behind her. Nina followed them into Sky's dressing room so the hairstylist could put a few curls in her hair.

“Where's my tea?” Sky demanded. It was more than obvious that she was nervous. “I need tea. I have to warm up my voice.”

There were no beverages or food in the dressing room, only a huge bouquet of flowers.

“Sky needs tea. And there's no food in the dressing room,” Nina barked at Greggo. “Where's the food for the dressing room?”

“There was no food or tea ordered for the dressing room,” Greggo replied.

“Singers always need tea before a performance.” Nina looked at Greggo like he was an idiot. “Even if they don't drink the damn tea, it's always there.”

“Then that request should have been included in the artist's rider,” Greggo fired back smoothly.

“Didn't you get a rider?”

“If we had, we wouldn't be having this conversation.”

“What's going on?” Jade walked up as things continued to escalate between Nina and Greggo.

“There's no tea or food in Sky's dressing room,” Nina repeated.

“We can fix that. Greggo, have one of the girls take a teapot of hot water, tea bags…”

“Honey,” Nina cut in.

“And honey into the dressing room,” Jade requested.

“Those things should have been there in the first place,” Nina snapped.

“What about my sound check, Nina? I haven't had a sound check.” Sky looked beautiful in the Versace dress and shoes that Jade had helped her pick out, but she still seemed to be coming unglued with every passing minute.

“I'm going to kill Kenjay's fucking inexperienced ass,” Nina yelled. “He's supposed to be handling these things, not me.” Nina took out her BlackBerry. “Kenjay, where the hell are you?”

“I'm just leaving the airport. I'll be there in a few.”

“Get your ass over here now and take care of your artist,” Nina ordered.

“I'm on it.”

“What do you need to do a sound check, Nina?” Jade asked calmly.

“The sound engineer and Sky.”

“He's here. Let's do it now.”

Nina dug in her briefcase. “Thank God I brought copies of the tracks.”

People were beginning to arrive when Sky did her sound check. Jamil's mom, Janice, arrived with friends and family members. “I am so excited about this evening, Nina.” Janice kissed and hugged her. “People have been calling me all day.”

Nina smiled warmly. “Tell me about it.”

“Everything looks perfect. Jamil would be so proud.”

Kyle came in with Germain, and Nina went to greet him. “Hi, honey. You came.” She kissed and hugged her husband. “I'm so glad to see you, baby.”

“What about me? You don't see me standing here?” Germain teased.

“Hey you.” Nina hugged Germain. “Where's your wifey?”

“She's a little under the weather, but she sent me to represent.” Germain's smile could melt ice.

Sure she's under the weather.
Nina knew how Topaz could be when she didn't want to do something, but Nina couldn't believe that Topaz didn't show up for the showcase.
She should be here to support Jamil. He signed her to her first deal.

“You handsome gentlemen are sitting at my table.” Nina pointed at a table in front, next to Janice Winters.

Sabre came in with Dr. Lawrence. Missy showed up unexpectedly with a small entourage. She was in town and wanted to see Sky perform live.

“Oh my God,” Nina whispered to herself.
Celebrities are showing up that didn't RSVP.

She found VIP seats for everyone, then 50 Cent rolled in with a large group. He had two reasons for coming. He was one of Jamil's friends and he had heard about the restaurant.

Nina went back into Sky's dressing room grinning ear to ear. “It's standing room only. You'll never believe who came.”

“Who?” Sky demanded.

“50, Missy, Dre, The Game…”

“50 Cent is here?” Sky's mouth dropped open in surprise. “I love him. I can't believe he came to see me.”

“He's here.” Nina smiled.

“Nina, you'd better come out here.” Jade was at the door again. “Kenjay is here with about twenty people and there's no more room anywhere.”

“Leave his tired ass outside. I don't have any more time to waste on his incompetent ass. It's showtime, Sky.” Nina was ordering people around like the commander and chief. She finally joined Kyle at their table. As the houselights dimmed, she could hear Kenjay outside yelling.

“I know somebody betta let me up in this piece or there won't be a show tonight. I'll blow the motherfucker up.”

Nina closed her eyes and prayed security would keep him outside as Sky walked onto the stage. Her background singers were in position and the track was bumpin'. Sky danced around and stepped up to the mike. She looked out into the crowd and saw Dre and The Game, then looked down at 50 and caught the worse case of stage fright. She began to sing and her voice screeched—like fingernails on a chalkboard.