CHAPTER THREE

After a long day at Riverview Park... As Kingston walked Barbara Jean to her door, she invited him in for a late night snack. "I'm kind of gritty, I'll go home and take a shower, I'll be back later," he told her. "you can take a shower here' Mama's at work," Barbara Jean offered. She did not want to risk him leaving, for fear he would not return. There was too much going on this Saturday night that he could get into. "Well, in that case, get on in there and fix me something to eat, girl." Barbara Jean and Kingston acted as if they owned the place. He, sitting at Mrs. Butler's table with nothing but a towel wrapped around that long, brown frame; and she parading around in her baby doll pajamas. Had Mrs. Butler walked in at that moment, she probably would have pulverized them both. Mrs. Butler worked at Cook County Hospital, on the midnight shift as a nurse, to support her three daughters. Barbara Jean was the youngest and the wildest. She'd had very few problems with the other two daughters; she had worked hard to set an example for them, and tried to instill in them decent moral values. Barbara Jean was more adventurous. After they finished eating and cleaning up the kitchen, they went into the living room and put on a stack of their favorite slow jams, and began to slow dance. As Kingston held Barbara Jean close, he inhaled her fresh scent. He liked the way she smelled, fresh and natural. Her scent intoxicated him and fueled his lust. He drew her yet closer and began to nibble at her ear. His breathing became heavier and their bodies gave in to the rhythym of their souls. Barbara Jean pressed against him tighter and tenderly nipped at his neck and chest, her tongue playfully exploring one of Kingston's most sensitive areas. There were no words spoken between them; but their bodies communicated on a level where each responded to the other's probing with unyielding enthusiasim. OPENING NIGHT! The group as intoxicatingly excited! they had been rehearsing with Red Saunders and his orchestra, the house band at The Regal Theater. Red was impressed with their uniquie style and vocal abilities. Red encouraged them to stick with it, for it had been quite some time since he had seen a group bursting with so much talent. He assured them they would go far. "If you've ever been to The Peps... you've seen this next group perform. Welcome to the stage...ladies and gentlemen...give it up... for Chicago's own...THE PASSIONS! announced radio disc jockey, E. Rodney Jones, the emcee for this evening's show. The Pasions bounded out onto the stage and assumed their positions. Lights low, silence filled the air for a few seconds. When Byron hit the first note, the crowd went wild, as usual. The Passions worked the crowd into a frenzy. They performed a short medley, each leading a song, showcasing each voice. They possessed a style clearly defined as their own. Their rich voices and smooth steps always mesmerized audiences. They were afraid to blink their eyes for fear they would miss something. Their act was short and sweet. They left the crowd panting for more. Gene Chandler was backstage observing them. He was due to headline a show next month. "Hey guys, you all were great! How about opening for me next month? Gene asked "Are you serious?" Cephus questioned. "We have to discuss it with our manager." Well, let me know as soon as possible, I believe in supporting local talent. Gene gave them a number to reach his office. Reese questioned Cephus' move. "It makes us appear needy," Cephus responded. "Hiilll, he already knows that! Where else have we performed besides church and The Peps ?" Al Sax had been observing them. He approached them and asked them if they were being represented. He offered them his services. Sax was well known and respected in the msic industry. They said they would think it over and get back to him. The group had a serious goal now. Each worked furiously to perfect his own part to become a finely tuned unit. They were hungry and willing to work hard to achieve the success they all craved.

Reese entered the living room as his father got off the phone. "Hey Dad, what's up?" "I'm in a bind, son, our entertainment for Congressman Dixon's fundraiser just cancelled. Now it's up to me to find a replacement." Mr. Davis, a Chicago policeman/precinct captain, was chairman of the entertainment committee. "Hey, I've got an idea, why don't you give the job to The Passions. We can get paid, not to mention the exposure it'l give us." "I don't think you guys can handle this crowd, they are older and don't relate to that junior flip music you all sing." "But that isn't the only kind of music we can sing." Reese built a strong case for The Passions. Mr. Davis finally agreed to give them the job. He warned, "this is an important event, not only will there be influential people there, the mayor will also be present. We want a professional show, on time, and no funny stuff." Reese assured his father he would make him proud. Reese ran around the corner to Byron's house, banging on the door. "Byron, Byron open up, man." Byron opened the door with nothing on but a pair of jeans, looking very annoyed. "Where's the fire, man?" "I've got good news," Reese said as he burst in the room. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Peaches sitting on the couch. "I'm sorry man, I did'nt know you had company." "It's alright, now that you've interrupted. We were just trying to spend a little quality time together, something we rarely have a chance to do these days. So, what's up ?" Peaches excused herself, went into the kitchen to make sandwiches. "Byron, man, I just got us another gig!" "Square business ?" "yeah, Dad's entertainment for Congressman's Dixon's fundraiser at the last minute. I talked him into giving us the job. He's not sure about the music we sing; but I assured him, we could be very accomadating. So this is very important. We'll need some material, we'll have to look good. We'll...uh, uh, I'm not going to ruin anymore of your quality time. I'll go home and call the rest of the guys." They were delighted when they heard the news. Later, Reese and Monica were discussing what they should wear. Monica suggested they wear tuxedoes. Reese agreed; it would give them a neat and elegant look. James was in charge of choosing the music. His parents would be attending the affair; he asked them some of the songs they liked. He got an idea of what 'old' people liked to hear. They all began to pay special attention to their parents' musical tastes.

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