Free The Pages We Forget by Anthony Lamarr Page B

She placed a sarcastic tone in the words that were told to her. “If it’s always about the music, why can’t I simply record the album and let that be enough?”
    â€œYou already know why,” Bernard replied. He stopped jotting notes on the yellow pad and laid the pen on the counter. “When I said that, I was talking about composing and singing, because regardless of how personal recording this CD was for you, releasing it is business.”
    â€œWell, I’m tired of the business. I’ve recorded the album, and I’ve shot a music video to go with it. That’s going to have to be enough,” she snapped. “I’m done! Through! I can’t do this anymore, Bernard. I can’t!”
    â€œWhy?”
    June hesitated. She knew she could trust Bernard with her secret. He wouldn’t tell Alex, but he would find a way to talk her into telling him. She met Bernard, who was Alex’s roommate and best friend, shortly after she met Alex. Since the beginning, Bernard had managed hers and Alex’s careers. He was their third partner in White Flowers Entertainment. He was also Trevor’s godfather, and next to Leatrice, June’s most trusted confidant.
    â€œJunie, if you can give me one good reason, or any reason, for rushing this CD, then at least I’ll have something to go on this afternoon when I tell the label what you’re requesting.”
    â€œTell them that Torrence will have the master ready for them in a week and I want the CD on the market exactly one month from today. That’s what you tell them. If that isn’t good enough, then the hell with them.”
    Bernard walked around the counter and sat next to June. “All right,” he said. “Let’s forget about the label for a minute. This isn’tabout them now. It’s about you and me and me being able to do my job, which is to take care of you and your career. Junie, I can’t do that job if you don’t talk to me and at least let me know what’s going on.”
    â€œSounds like you’ve been talking to Alex,” she said.
    â€œYeah, we talked.”
    â€œWell, I’ll tell you, like I told him. This is one of those times when you’re going to have to trust me to know what I’m doing.”
    â€œFine. You can start by telling me what you’re doing.”
    June looked away, but she could still feel Bernard’s discerning stare. He was waiting for an answer.
    â€œI’m listening.” He pressed on, no longer willing to blindly acquiesce to her request. “You said trust you, and I’ve trusted you. I had my doubts at first about this CD, but I stood behind you because singing is what you were born to do. Nobody does it better. That was trusting you. But what comes after singing and recording is my game, and like you, nobody does it better. I trusted you to do what you do, now you need to trust me to do what I do. You can start by letting me know what your plan is.”
    Bernard wasn’t as physically striking as Alex. He was thinner and shorter. And, he was going bald and gray. What Bernard lacked in physical prowess, he more than made up for in confidence, business savvy, and sharp-as-a-whip wit. He was always dressed in blue, gray or dark pinstriped suits by his favorite designers, Ron and Ron Delice. His regal demeanor was adornment enough. He was a commanding presence, so it took a great deal for June to say, “I’m doing it my way, B. Nobody else’s but mine.”
    â€œOkay.” Bernard gathered his notes and put them in his leather briefcase. “We’ll do it your way.” Bernard’s face was stoic. He was there at the beginning. It was Bernard, even more so than Alex,who was responsible for her success. Alex wrote the songs and produced the music, but he was the one who sold her to America and the world. Her career had been a paint-by-numbers blueprint that he drafted. “I better get