Rum and Coke

“So, I listened to the album last night,” Cayla Harris, the interviewer from AP gushed. “Loved it, truly and utterly amazing. Now, what went on in the writing process? I mean, what inspired you to write this extremely retro sounding album?”

Ellie leaned back in the comfortable armchair and crossed her legs. “I didn’t like anything that was being produced. I mean, it’s all trash and over-produced. I mean, there’s gotta be something wrong when you prefer listening to old CDs than you do the radio or Mp6s.”

“I see. So, in another interview you said that all of the songs are different scenarios. Are you surprised to hear that kids are actually implementing these scenarios?”

Ellie let out a deep-throated chuckle. “Is that what all the fuss is about on the news? It’s about bloody time! To answer your question, no, I’m not surprised. I’m amused. Kids always copy what they hear- it’s part of their charm.”

Cayla nodded. “I see. Well, I’m a little ashamed to admit this, but I googled you last night, and was very surprised with what I found. You were originally trained as a dancer, correct?”

“Yes, I was trained as a dancer.”

“What made you switch to singing?”

Ellie took a deep breath. Now…now is the time to let most of my secrets out, she thought. “Bernadette Peters,” Ellie replied. “Her voice- god, I didn’t know what I was listening to, but it was something magical. I couldn’t have been more than five. After that, I started getting heavily involved in stage productions. My first one was a straight play called Fair Ladies at a Game of Poem Cards.”

“That’s very fascinating. And singing? When did that begin?”

“I was singing all along, basically. Just, no one knew it. I would listen to all the actors in musicals and I started singing their songs along with them, although I was really quiet about it. My first actual singing performance was when I was in Pre-K. I sung “Being Alive” from Song and Dance. Everyone was amazing. I didn’t get it at the time, I just did what I always did.” Ellie locked eyes with Cayla. “My name quickly began to grow after that night. My mom didn’t know what to do. Suddenly, everyone wanted me in their productions. It didn’t matter that I was only six. They wanted me on their stage. They wanted my name in their program. They wanted my name in their lights.”

“Oh my,” Cayla gasped.

Ellie nodded. “Yea, my step dad had to step in and regulate things. It was pretty crazy, but then things settled down and we got into a sort of rhythm until we were certain that I wanted to be a performer.”

“Ah. I see,” Cayla replied. “Oh, I noted here that your mother passed not too long ago. Feel free to stop me if I get too personal-” Cayla added as an afterthought as she noticed Ellie’s pale face.

“No, it’s- it needs to get out, just not now.”

“I can hold off publishing it for another month if you’d like.”

“I just need you to wait until New York. I’ll tell my story as long as you wait until after the New York date. I actually really like you, and I feel like I can trust you. So please, promise me.”

“I promise,” Cayla replied, surprised at how fast the words flew out of Ellie’s mouth.

“Yes, my mom died a few months ago. I won’t go into the details of her death. That’s when I stopped acting professionally. A few weeks after the funeral, I received a note that my mother had written before she died. In it, she wrote of how proud she was and she gave me a few hints about my biological father. You see, my mother had always been super secretive about him. She would make up stories about how he was never around- but I never believed them.

“Anyways, the note said that he was in California. And, at about that time is when Bailey, our rhythm guitarist, found out about this tour.”

“So, you went for alternate reasons.”

“Yea, I never dreamed that we would actually get the gig. I mean, we’re four losers from the Big Apple trying to fit into L.A. It’s pretty hilarious if you stop and think about it.”

“So, the guys…”

“Right, the guys. I actually got along with everyone except Brian from the get go. Brian and I-well, we didn’t get along at all at first. It wasn’t until everyone pointed out our similarities that we realized we could possibly be related. Then, the guys started asking my band and I about our home lives and my mother’s name was mentioned….several times. And they finally made the connection that our- my mom’s and my- last names were the same.”

Cayla laughed. “Yes, that does sound pretty funny.”

“Yea, then there was no contest. I was Brian Haner’s daughter.” Ellie beamed, happy to get so much weight off her shoulders.

Cayla nodded. “Well, I’m happy to hear that you found your family. Shall we continue? I just have a few more questions to ask.”

“Ask away.”

“What happened with Bailey? I didn’t see her perform last night. Did something happen between you all?”

“Bailey had to leave tour for personal reasons. We don’t hate her at all for it. There are just some things that you have to do. No, Bailey knows that she can come back anytime and we will welcome her back with big arms and giant smiles.”

“And if she doesn’t come back?”

“We understand, and we can always go and visit her. I have her house key, she cannot get away,” Ellie laughed at the end.

Cayla smiled. “Awesome. Well, it’s been a pleasure meeting you. I’ll let oyu go and do another sound check.”

“Great. It was nice meeting you, too,” Ellie said, accepting the other woman’s hand.

“And, don’t worry. Unlike most journalists, I keep my word. Your secret is safe with me.”

“Until New York?”

“Your secret is safe with me. Period,” Cayla smiled.

Ellie smiled back and mouthed a ‘thank you’ before leaving the room.

"What's got you excited?" Brian asked as he joined Ellie. He had been sitting outside of the room while Ellie went through the interview.

Ellie beamed at him. "After our New York date, everyone will know who my father is."

Brian's smile stretched across his entire face. He roughly pulled her into a bone crushing hug. "Thank you. I love you so much."

"Me, too, Dad. Me, too."