Page 54 of The Duet

“I have a bone to pick with you.” Isabel walks up to me.

She does? “What did I do to offend the great Isabel Adler? Before you tear into me, I want to say that what you just did out there was spectacular.”

“Thanks. Sometimes, you just really want to… sing, you know? I’m sure you understand. You’re a singer. Has it never happened to you that you just can’t keep it in? Because making music is the most exhilarating activity on earth?”

“Um, yeah. I feel like that pretty regularly, actually.”

“About that…” She leans against the kitchen counter, which is surprisingly clean for a house that’s hosting a party. “You stole my song, but I want you to know that you’re very welcome to it. You and Lana.”

I chuckle. “I hardly stole it. I just sing it with Lana occasionally. It will always be your and Lana’s song.”

Isabel purses her lips and shakes her head. “Nu-uh. I know when a song has found a better owner, for lack of a better word. And as I said, you’re very welcome to it, because the version you and Lana bring brims with all sorts of musical deliciousness. It’s so sexy, Cleo. It’s like watching foreplay, to be perfectly honest.”

Did I step into an alternate universe when I walked through that kitchen door? “Thanks, I guess, but, trust me, the original is a big hit for a reason.”

“Because it brought Lana and The Lady Kings back. And Lana and I are both queer and the song is full of irresistible innuendo. And we’re both pretty good at what we do, but—” She holds up a perfectly manicured finger. “When you and Lana sing it, there’s an extra special seductive sauce added to it.” She flashes me a smile. “While we’re being honest, Leila and I have a bet going on this.” She pins her gaze firmly on mine. “Are you and Lana sleeping together?”

“No.” My voice catches in my throat, as though it’s a hard thing to admit.

“I could have sworn that you were. Then again, I’ve been wrong about many things a lot of times in my life, so there you go.” She sidles a bit closer. “Anyway, the song is yours now. Thank you for taking it to the next level. Your voice is dynamite, but I’m sure you know that. All I can say is take good care of it. And use it well by singing the hell out of that duet.”

“Um, I’ll try.” It’s only half a lie. After seeing Lana sing with Izzy and her words on the couch earlier, part of me is considering going back on stage with Lana after we’ve left New York. I just have to figure out how I can protect myself from feeling too much while still doing the song justice—while bringing the kind of performance that makes Isabel Adler tell me that I’m very welcome to her song.

“Great, because I have a favor to ask.” Isabel flashes me a smile. “I’d love to see you and Lana perform it live. Leila and I have only seen it on the internet with sub-par sound and we want the full experience.” She takes another step closer. “We crave it. That’s how good it is.”

I can only nod. I’m flattered but also trepidatious, because the reason everyone’s going so gaga over our rendition of this song is the very thing I need to shield myself from.

“But, Isabel—”

“Izzy, please.”

“Izzy, you can’t deprive your hometown audience of you singing that song with Lana. It’s what people will be expecting now.”

She waves her hand about. “Not if they get you and Lana instead.”

Looks like I won’t have much choice but to go back out there with Lana—and put all of my heart on display again.

“Audiences crave a special moment like that duet. Something they can take home and remember forever. Something out of the ordinary that they’ve witnessed. Because that’s what music does.” She sounds wistful. She clears her throat before continuing. “If there’s one thing I know, that I’ve learned in the hardest possible way in this life, it’s that music is the strongest legal drug in the world. It has so much power. It can convey so much emotion.” Her voice breaks a little. “I lived without music for ten long years. They were the worst years of my life.”

I’ve read Izzy’s biography. I know what happened to her voice and how long it took for her to return to the stage.

“That’s why now, very much against doctor’s orders, I take any chance I can get to sing. When I have people over, I will always end up at my piano, because why not? A duet with Lana Lynch? Yes, please! Because it can all be over in a flash. Take what you can get, when you can, Cleo.” She puts a hand my shoulder and gives it a little squeeze. “Sing my song with Lana as many times as you can.” A hint of smile appears on her lips. “Excuse the hyperbole, but it’s what I used to specialize in.” She chuckles. “But I’m convinced that every time you and Lana sing that duet, you leave the world in a better state than it was before.” She drops her hand and holds it up. “Such is the power of music—and the magic of you and Lana on stage.”

The kitchen door swings open, and a man walks in. “Ah, Harry,” Izzy says. “Just the man I was looking for.”

Before I exit the kitchen, Izzy says, “I know you won’t let me down, Cleo.”

It looks like I’ll be back on stage with Lana sooner rather than later, no matter my trepidations.

Chapter 31

Lana

It’s our last concert in New York and my wish is coming true already. With Izzy’s blessing—and on her insistent urging—Cleo’s singing “I Should Have Kissed You” with me tonight. Izzy is probably even harder to say no to than Leila.

As much as I loved performing with Izzy, I can’t wait to have Cleo by my side again. I’ve not only missed her off the stage, but up here as well. Because this is where we are at our best, where our differences don’t matter, and we can go beyond all that holds us back in real life. When we sing “I Should Have Kissed You”, for five too short minutes, we can pretend that what we had between us was real. We can expel the residual feelings it has left lingering inside our hearts. We can sing it all off us and give the audience exactly what they want while doing so.

From the corner of my eye, I see Izzy and Leila in the wings. All The Other Women are there as well. In fact, things are looking rather crowded at the side of the stage, as though I’m not the only one looking forward to Cleo’s return.

---