He laughed as he pulled back and nodded. “It’s been my pleasure. Lew is gonna go nuts over this thing. He told me you were talented. I had no idea what I was walking into, but then again I should know better than to ever doubt Lew. Are you ok with me sending him the mastered version of “All of Me,” and a raw version of “For the First Time? I think “For the First Time,” would be a great B side for the single. We can work on it later if you want. I’ll make it clear to him that’s not ready for release.”
She nodded. “Yeah, that’s fine. I have no idea why he wanted this song so badly or what he’s going to do with it, but thank you for pulling this together so quickly.”
He chuckled. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my career—when Lew says jump, it’s always in your best interest to ask “how high,” and follow through. I don’t know if I’d be where I am today without his support.”
Kit grinned. “Me too. I get it completely.”
He stretched. “Cool. Gimme about an hour and I’ll have it done. We’ll lock up and I’ll leave a master tape for you on top of the boards out here. I’ll messenger a copy over to Lew now, so you don’t have to worry about it. We’ve got a messenger on call. I know you still gotta pack.”
She grinned. “Oops, in all the excitement I forgot about that. I definitely do. Thanks again.”
He nodded and faced the boards, ready to get to work. “You got it. I’ll be in touch. We’ll figure out a good time to work on your next track.”
As Kit left the studio and trudged across the lawn toward her mansion, she took in the still of the wee hours of the night, still in awe over what had transpired.
* * *
Lew entered the room and tore open the sealed envelope the messenger had delivered thirty minutes prior, noticing five master copies just as he had requested. He glanced at the clock on the wall and observed it was a quarter past four. He took the tape and placed it into the player inside studio A, one of Diamond’s most exclusive studios in the building with the best sound and acoustics.
Jonathan entered the studio shaking his head in complete disapproval. “Dad, it’s the middle of the night. You should not be doing this. Mom’s gonna kill you. Remember what the doctor said.”
Lew waved his hand in the air, dismissing the comment, his reading glasses perched on his nose. “Don’t tell your mother. She doesn’t know I left. I snuck out… quietly.”
Jonathan rolled his eyes. “Please don’t tell me you drove here. You’re not supposed to be driving.”
Lew chuckled. “That’s what hired drivers are for, son, and I’ve got one on call for me twenty-four seven.” He took a seat behind the boards. “Sit your ass down. Let’s listen to this.”
Jonathan surveyed him. “I still don’t understand where you’re going with this. Kit is an exec and a producer, not an artist.”
Lew smiled wide. “Not yet. Let’s listen to what she put together with A-Dub. I’m curious. Humor me.”
Jonathan let out an annoyed sigh. “Ok. Hit play. Let’s hear this.”
They sat back listening intently with the volume cranked up as loud as possible. Jonathan watched his father, as the first few notes started. Lew’s eyes were closed and he was taking in every second. As the song started to open up, his eyes sprung open and he and Jonathan exchanged a look of awe and wonder.
Lew smacked his hands together and chuckled, making sure to stay present with the song, absolutely delighted. He loudly exclaimed, “I knew it! Yes!” over the music.
When the song ended, Jonathan was about to speak and Lew held up his hand. “No, no. No talking. We need to listen to this again, without my interruption. One more time, then we talk. He smiled and raised his eyebrows as his brown eyes twinkled. “And plan.”
* * *
Alexa’s violet eyes widened as a large smile spread across her face listening to the songs Kit had recorded the night before in her studio with legendary producer, A-Dub. When they were finished she finally spoke. “Kitty! Wow! These are amazing.”
She giggled, beaming with genuine joy for the first time in what seemed like years. “It was so much fun, Lex. I felt so alive. It was like all the life force of the Universe was flowing through me. It was electric and ecstatic and beyond words. I had forgotten the feeling. It reminded me of how it was… when I was in college, remember?”
Alexa nodded, unable to wipe the smile off her face. “I remember. Kitty, maybe you were meant for this all along. We’ve been in this business a while now. People get dropped from their labels all the time. You didn’t have a mentor back then to tell you to keep going, plus Darren’s iron fist didn’t help matters. Maybe this is your shot now?”
Alexa giggled. “I gotta say, I love seeing you this happy. And channeling your emotions through music? Best idea ever. Lew is a genius. I’m so glad you met with him yesterday. What has he said about the songs?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “I dunno if he’s even heard them yet. A-Dub was going to messenger them over. Jonathan let me take this jet, so Lew has got to have the phone number. We’ll be in here for the next four hours, so maybe I’ll hear from him.”
As she finished her sentence the phone rang. Alexa laughed. “Speak of the devil I presume?”
She giggled. “That was quick.” She reached over and grabbed the receiver. “Hello.”
