The Hill (Ch 15)

Yvonne looked stunned, but a smile quickly came to her face. "I'm not doing anything important," she said. Reginald smiled back. "Good. How about you meet me at my room tonight around 9 and we'll have a bite to eat and talk a little," Reginald said. "Okay, that would be nice," Yvonne said behind her smile. She turned and walked away. "Nine o'clock," Reginald yelled in jest. "I'm there," she yelled back.

Reginald looked at himself in the mirror. "Have I changed that much in just a couple months," he asked himself. He thought about how much he loved Brandie and how she broke his heart. "This wasn't just for me, this was for us," he thought. "It's great to be famous and well off, but when I can't share it with anybody, what's the point," he whispered.

As he got out of his chair, he heard a knock at the door. "Come in," he said. "Bruh, me and Mike were just over in the lobby where the fans with backstage passes go," Duane said with a big grin. "The honeys over there are bangin'!" "Is that right," Reginald said with a smile. "Nigga," Duane exclaimed. "Mike just bagged two of them to go back to his dressing room with him. You know what time it is," Duane said.

Reginald shook his head. "Yall fools need to be careful that them girls aren't underage," Reginald said. "Reg, I don't mess with nobody without I.D.," Duane laughed. "Yeah, alright," Reginald laughed.

"Look here," Reginald said. "This TV appearance on BST, what's up with that?" "I talked with a producer, they just want you to sing 'My Vow', introduce a couple videos and do a 5 minute interview. It'll take about 30 minutes if you count the commercial breaks," Duane said. Reginald nodded, "Sounds good."

"What are you doing tonight man," Duane asked. "Me and Mike are headed out to the Sixers game. They are playing the Lakers. Kobe Bryant, baby," Duane yelled. "We won't be there until halftime though. You want in," he asked. "I'm having dinner with Yvonne tonight," he replied.

Duane bit into his cigar. "What? You trynna get them panties," Duane asked. "It's not that. I think she's cool and I could learn a lot from her. We just need to get to know each other, that's it," Reginald said. "Yeah, okay," Duane said sarcastically. "The only thing that kept you from hittin' that ass the first night was that you were still with Brandie, barely," Duane said.

Reginald sighed. "Whatever," he said. "Knock-knock," said Mike as he walked into the room. "I got two naked hoes in my dressing room," he said. "They will do anything, and they'll do it on camera," Mike laughed. "I'm good Mike, thanks," Reginald said. "Fuck, Reggie! We been on like 20-some stops and yo ass haven't got no pussy yet. You find Jesus or something," Mike asked. "Reggie is just about his business. He don't wanna mix it with his pleasure," said Duane as he walked to the door. He patted Mike on the back, "Now about these girls in your room." Duane and Mike walked out of Reginald's dressing room.

Reginald laughed to himself. "Them fools are a match made in ghetto heaven," he said. He opened his duffle bag and began to pack his things. When he finished packing, he took a limo back to his hotel.

As usual, there was a bottle of expensive champagne on ice waiting for him in his room. He climbed out of his clothes and hopped in the shower. He still had about 45 minutes before Yvonne would arrive. When he finished showering and drying off, he noticed the light on the room phone was blinking. He had voicemail. He dialed in the numbers and listened. It was Yvonne.

"Hey Reggie, I was just calling to make sure we were still on for this evening. I'm in my room, waiting. Call me when you're ready for me to come by."

Reginald dialed her room. "Yvonne, give me 10 minutes and you can come on by. I just gotta get prepared," he said. "Okay sweety. See you in a minute," she replied. Reginald finished getting dressed and sprayed on a little cologne. As he was brushing his hair, he heard a knock at the door. "Just a minute," he yelled as he trotted across the room to the door.

He opened the door and there was Yvonne. "You look good," he said. "Mmmm, and you do too! And you smell wonderful," she said. "Have a seat," Reginald said, pointing towards the couch. "I didn't order any food, because I didn't know what you might want to eat, but there is a bottle of champagne on ice if you want some," Reginald said.

Yvonne looked uncomfortable. "I don't drink anymore Reggie," she said. "I stopped drinking after..." she said cutting herself off abruptly. Reginald sat down. He felt awful. "I'm sorry, Yvonne," he said. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

"Well, we hadn't talked in a while, but I decided that I was too old to be making a fool out of myself," she said. "I'm 36 years old, there is no reason I should be running around all times of night drinking like a fish. I don't want to set that kind of example for my fans, and I don't want my friends and family to see me as some lush or something," she said. Reginald just nodded. "I respect that, and I'm proud of you," Reginald said with a smile. The two embraced tightly. "How about a bottle of water, then," laughed Reginald. Yvonne smiled, "Sounds good."

Reginald got up and opened the mini-fridge. He grabbed a couple of bottles and walked back to the couch. "Do you know what you want to eat," he asked. She looked at the room service menu. "I like lobster and steamed vegetables," he said. "Okay, I think I'll get a steak and salad," Reginald said.

After Reginald ordered the food, they engaged in small talk and began getting to know each other a little better. Reginald already liked Yvonne and while she was 14 years his senior, he felt very relaxed around her. So relaxed, that he found his arm around her shoulder and he held her close while they talked. It was very natural, and not like a teenage boy on his first date.

"So Reggie, what made you want to sing," Yvonne asked. Reginald smiled as he closed his eyes. "Have you ever just been natural at something," he asked. "That's how I am singing. I remember being in Christmas plays at church and singing when I was a little kid. My great Aunt Iris would always sing to me and keep me involved in something musically. I didn't grow up with my mother. She died when I was only two. My father couldn't handle her death and he disappeared. We never saw him again.

Since my grandparents passed before I was born, my aunt Iris raised me. She took me to church and I sang in the choir. I started singing in community center dramas. I sang in school, in the male chorus. I'm just good at it and I love to do it." Yvonne sat back and smiled as Reginald reflected.

"My aunt was a great lady, though. She died just before I started singing at Duane's club," he said. "She used to sing old gospel hymns all the time and I used to sing them with her. Imagine a three year old singing 'Wade in the Water', but that was me. When she died, I was all by myself. I don't have anybody else, at least not by blood. I don't have any family except my boys, Vance, Farley and Tommy. Then I've got Duane and..." Reginald paused. "Well, them and Duane."

Yvonne could see hurt in his eyes. Reginald looked at her and cracked a slight smile. "I'm sorry that I made you re-live that Reggie," said Yvonne. "I kind of heard about you and your girlfriend splitting and I was definitely a part of that. That's part of why I didn't approach you up until earlier. I didn't want to overstep my boundaries." Reginald smiled. "Hey, it's fine. You didn't break us up, she did. Put that thought out of your head," Reginald finished. Yvonne sighed hard.

"What about you, Yvonne," Reginald asked. "Why aren't you seeing anybody? If I'm not prying too much."

Yvonne forced a smile. "I'm sorry, I am prying," Reginald said. "No, it's not that, it's just that I was seeing somebody for quite a while," she said. "I had been with my ex boyfriend for almost five years," she said. "We broke up about six months ago and I haven't been with anybody since. About a year ago, I was pregnant and I miscarried," she said. "For the next six months, he accused me of horrible things." Reginald swallowed. He felt worse for bringing up her past relationship. "Finally, I couldn't take it anymore and I left."

"Since then, I've been focusing solely on my career. People who aren't a part of the business have a hard time relating to those of us who are involved. They just don't get it. That's why I'm alone. At this point, I'd rather be with a man who's in the business in some capacity. At least then, he could relate and understand where I'm coming from. But most of the guys are like Big Mic. They just want to screw me and then go on to the next girl. Then there are the guys like you."

Reginald looked surprised. "Like me?" "Yeah, like the new kids who are all bright-eyed and innocent," she said. "You guys are perfect, because you haven't been in the game long enough to become jaded. You haven't developed all the terrible habits and you're definitely a good guy. The only problem is that you're my nephew's age." Reginald smiled and began to chuckle. "No, I'm serious," Yvonne said. "If I dated you, everybody would think it's strictly physical on my part, then everybody would say that I'm using you and taking advantage of you," she continued. "And what would you say," asked Reginald. Yvonne paused, "I'm not sure, but it wouldn't be a superficial relationship. I think you're truly one of the good guys." Reginald reached for Yvonne's hand. He took it and kissed it softly.

As the night stretched on, the two became more and more comfortable together. It was apparently that they were both lonely, even though there were always people around them. They had both been missing the companionship of a strong relationship.

Their ages were a small factor, but they managed to not make it an outward issue. Reginald saw Yvonne as a beautiful woman who was possibly damaged goods. But he knew that she had a good heart. He also believed that she couldn't possibly be after his money. She had more than he did. He believed that maybe with some work, they could take their friendship to a different plain.

Yvonne saw Reginald as young and impressionable. She knew that if she wanted to use him and take advantage, she could. He was way too trusting. But that wasn't why she was here. She was enjoying his company and the maturity he showed towards her. She was flattered that he was so attracted to her, but more than anything, she enjoyed the respect she got from him. Even though he saw her at possibly her lowest point, he still treated her like royalty.

As the days went by, after their night together, Reginald and Yvonne began to grow closer. Their relationship hadn't become a physically intimate one, but it was emotionally intimate. He thought the world of her and he wanted more with her. He wasn't sure if she was ready for that, so he didn't push her. He just let things take their natural course.

The following Saturday, in New York for the first time, Reginald found himself on television. It was his first live appearance on television. BST's top rated show simply entitled, 'Live.' It was hosted by former singer and producer, Carmen Lane. Carmen knew music. She only wanted the most talented performers on her show. Reginald felt very blessed to have been invited.

Before the show began, Reginald sat on the couch next to Carmen. She was very friendly, but also professional. He felt completely comfortable, even though there were millions of people watching him, live.

"Mr. Morgan, I'm just going to ask you a few questions, let you introduce a couple of videos and then you perform. That's it, it's nothing else to this, okay," said Carmen.

"I've got it," Reginald replied. "And you can call me Reggie," he smiled. "Okay, thanks Reggie," she said as she smiled back.

As the cameras began to roll, Carmen introduced the show and walked over to the couch and then introduced Reginald.

"So, Reginald, first of all, thank you for coming on the show," Carmen said. "Thank you, it's a blessing to be in this position," he said. "How'd you get started in music," she asked. Reginald briefly told of his great aunt, and how he sang from three years old up until now. "Which singers are your main influences," she asked. Reginald smiled. "I love old school. Luther Vandross, Barry White, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, those are some of my heroes in the industry," he said. "I also used to love the groups in the late 80s and early 90s, like Mint Condition, Troop, Boyz II Men, and Jodeci," he finished.

"I grew up on those people too. Most singers your age think old school is music that came out two months ago," Carmen said with a smile. Reginald laughed. "Not me, I respect those who paved the way for me," he said. "I can dig that. Reggie, can you introduce the first video for me," Carmen asked. Reginald looked at the monitor.

"This is 'Our Love' by my good friend, Yvonne Summers," said Reginald with a smile, as the video came on.

Carmen put her hand on Reginald's knee. "Reggie, how long are you going to be in town?" "I'll probably be here tonight and tomorrow. I have to head back home to see some of my friends, while I've got a couple of free days," said Reginald. "Okay, why don't you come out tonight with me to a party?" Reginald was definitely interested, but he didn't want Carmen to get the wrong idea. But on the other hand, maybe it was he who was getting the wrong idea. "I'm sorry, I just need to clarify, are you asking me out, or is this business," Reginald asked. Carmen twisted her long brown hair around her finger, "A little of both."

To Be Continued...