Read Online I'll Sing for my Dinner by BR Kingsolver - Free Book Online Page A

us,” she said. “We hardly ever get to see him anymore.”
    “Guilty as charged,” Dave said. “But he’s making a lot of money.”
    The fake pout disappeared into a bright smile. “Money’s good!” she said. “I guess I can forgive you.” She extended her hand and said, “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Thomas. Don’t mind me, I’m in a mood tonight. I’ll be more subdued when I come down off the performance.”
    “That was quite a performance,” he said. “Are you interested in singing professionally?”
    “I am a professional,” she said proudly. “I get paid.”
    “What I mean,” he said, “is I could book you into larger venues, ones with more exposure. I could put you in some big clubs in Denver and Boulder. I think you have the kind of talent to pitch to a record company.”
    Her demeanor changed entirely and the smile disappeared. She became very serious, and very distant.
    “Thank you, Mr. Thomas. I appreciate your interest. I don’t think I’m interested, however. I’m content just playing here at the Roadhouse.”
    She turned away and went to the restroom.
    He looked at me. “Did I say something wrong?”
    “No. I’m sorry, Dave,” I said. “I don’t know where that came from. I thought she’d be excited. You really think she has what it takes to make it?”
    “All the way, Jake. You were right. She’s a rare talent. The voice, the instrumental dexterity, and her stage presence are incredible. I think she can go as far as she wants to.”
    He shook his head. “I also think that she’s too much for me. What I would do is take a small advisory fee and set her up with a big agent on the West Coast, someone with top-level connections. But we could start building her brand here in the Denver area while I can find the right situation for her.”
    “I’ll talk to her, Dave. I never expected her to take that attitude. You saw her. She lights up on stage. She lives to perform.”
    That night, I said, “I’m sorry, Cicely. I thought you’d be excited by the chance to get some gigs. Dave thinks you have the talent to become a big star. He’s not just blowing smoke. I’ve known him a long time, and he’s a straight shooter. He knows the music business.”
    She put her arms around my neck and kissed me. “Thank you. It was very sweet, but I’m not interested. I’m happy here with you. All I want is to help you make the Roadhouse a success. Is that such a bad thing? To want to work with the man I love?”
    Put that way, what could I say? She took me to bed, and all thoughts of anything but her went out of my head, as they always did.
    ~~~
    Chapter 8
Cecily
 
    I lay awake, listening to Jake breathing. I couldn’t remember ever being so happy in my life. I had a man who loved me, who treated me like a princess. I was able to perform, and people liked what I did on stage. It was everything I ever wanted. No, I wasn’t rich and famous. I wasn’t traveling around the world, seeing my name in lights.
    But those were the dreams of my younger self. Before I screwed up my life and discovered what was really important. Maybe I should have given Jake a different name instead of telling him my real one. I hadn’t even thought about what it might mean to have my real name on that sign above the Roadhouse. But I also never expected to find love and kindness when I entered his bar. I didn’t even know those things existed. Before I met Jake, they were only words.
    All I could hope for is that Mr. Thomas went away and left me alone.
    Of course, there was another issue that I was refusing to confront. If I loved Jake, and I did, how long could I go before telling him everything? He deserved the truth. I knew that I would be angry if I found out he had a big, horrendous secret that might explode in the middle of us, wrecking our lives and our plans for the future. I was so afraid he would send me away, or turn me in, if he knew my deepest secrets. I couldn’t imagine how he would react if he