Free I'm Glad I Did by Cynthia Weil Page B

and my family would have to recognize that.
    My fantasies were off and running. This song would climb the charts. Luke and I would become a team professionally and romantically. We’d write every day and go to the writers’ parties at Good Music. Bobby would love us. We’d be inside the magic circle …
    The list was filled with girls groups like The Chiffons and The Ronettes. My heart sank. There wasn’t a single person there who was right for our song. I was hoping to see Ray Charles’s name. He had the vocal chops to handle it. But he wasn’t looking for songs this week.
    In the meantime, Rona took it upon herself to help mebook the musicians for the demo. “I’m getting you the best guys,” she said. “So you can look to them for advice. If you get stuck, don’t be ashamed to admit it. They’ll guide you.”
    â€œThanks, Ro,” I replied. I picked up the enormous pile of lead sheets on her desk and headed for the copy room. “You’re the best, you know that?”
    â€œAbso-elvis-lutely, JJ,” Rona replied. “All I ask is that you play it for Bobby ASAP so he’ll get off my back about you delivering.”
    I scurried away. I had no intention of playing it for anyone until the right singer was about to record.
    BY SIX THIRTY, I was exhausted. If I hadn’t had Dulcie to look forward to, I would have gone home. I left my cubicle door open and noodled around with some arrangement ideas until she finally arrived.
    â€œBrought you a little something to listen to, baby girl,” she announced, setting a stack of 78 RPM records down on the piano. “This is just a small part of my collection. These are the ladies who taught me everything I know. I thought you might like to listen to them.”
    I stood up and flipped through the pile. I had read about these women, but I had never heard some of them sing. Dulcie’s idols ranged from Bessie Smith to Alberta Hunter, from Blue Lu Barker to Billie Holiday, from Sister Rosetta Tharpe to Ruth Brown.
    â€œI can’t thank you enough,” I gasped. “You know, I’ve always been fascinated by Rosetta Tharpe. I think it’s ’cause I love her name. It’s so poetic.”
    A shadow passed over Dulcie’s face. “That’s what Inamed my little girl … Rosetta.” Her voice caught. “I felt the same way. Rosetta is a beautiful name.”
    â€œDoes your Rosetta live with you?” I asked, wondering what was wrong.
    â€œMy Rosetta’s all grown up now, older than you. She’s a grown woman. She lives here in New York, but it hasn’t been right between us for a long time. We don’t talk, but I know where she works, and maybe someday …” Her voice trailed off.
    Her eyes clouded, and I took her hand.
    â€œI’m so sorry I brought it up,” I said.
    â€œNo worries,” Dulcie assured me. She sniffed and straightened. “It is what it is, and it will be what it will be. Now let’s get into my rehearsal. It ain’t gonna take long.”
    â€œWhy is that?”
    â€œÂ â€™Cause here’s what I do. I sing the song down three times. After that it’s in my bones, and it just gets stale. Got it?”
    â€œI got it,” I said, and that’s what we did. I played, and Dulcie sang “I’m Glad I Did” three times. Each time better than the last.
    â€œYou happy with the way I sang it?” she asked.
    â€œIt’s kind of perfect,” I told her. “Now what?”
    â€œBobby got a record player in his office?”
    â€œSure he does.”
    Dulcie’s face lit up. “Then let’s go in there and play some music.” She tucked the record stack under one arm and threw the other around my shoulders. We made ourselves comfortable in Bobby’s office. He’d claimed he had the best speakers in the whole building, and maybe he did,because when I