Page 19 of Counterpoint and Harmony

With a shrug, as though listening to my song makes no difference to him, but he’s willing to humor me, Roger takes the memory stick from The Professor and plugs it into the laptop next to him.

After clicking a few things, the song starts playing, a driving beat with long chords layered over the top as the intro before I start with the vocals.

Roger’s face morphs from blasé disinterest to curious to impressed throughout the three minutes of the song. When it’s over, he sits back in his chair, elbows on the armrests and fingers laced over his midsection.

“Well,” he says after studying me for a long moment. “That was much better than I expected.”

I unstick my tongue from the roof of my mouth. “Thank you. I’m happy with how it’s turned out. And, as I said, it’s been well received.”

His gaze sharpens. “Who’s heard it?”

I glance at The Professor before looking at Roger again. “Well, my assistant and manager, of course, as well as The Professor’s interns and the people that work with him. But I also gave a little impromptu performance when I was in Spokane, Washington a couple of weeks ago. The crowd there loved it, even with just me accompanying myself on the piano.”

The look in Roger’s eyes turns calculating. “People liked that? Just you and your piano?”

I nod, not quite sure where he’s going with that.

He sits forward and taps his fingers on the table. “I don’t think this is a ballad, so it doesn’t really work for that. Do you have a ballad? One you’re working on?”

I glance at The Professor again, and he answers this time. “Yes, she has some lyrics and chord progressions that would make a nice ballad. We could put a soft beat underneath it, something subtle that would just add to the acoustic feel.”

“Excellent.” Roger smacks the table with the palm of his hand, now enthusiastic about the idea. “Work that one up next. And send it to me as soon as it’s done.” He looks at me again. “I like this impromptu performance idea to get you back out there, create a groundswell around the next album before it’s even really started. That’s a brilliant idea.”

Even though that hadn’t been my plan at all when I performed in Spokane, I nod. “Thank you.”

His grin now is all shark. “Yes. This is an excellent plan. I was worried you’d bring me a bunch of sentimental crap that isn’t even fit for album filler, much less single material. I see I was wrong. I had no idea you’d been working on anything.”

“It’s not something I’ve discussed widely. But I knew I’d need help from the best if I wanted to make it happen. Which is why I reached out to The Professor.”

Roger nods. “I see your time in the industry hasn’t been wasted.” He stands and moves to shake our hands again, and this time we all stand too. “This is very exciting. Get to work. Start figuring out when and where you want to put on more of these impromptu performances. We can do a mini tour and send you where you have the most fans. Show up, pop you in a small venue, have these exclusive shows.” I can practically see the dollar signs in his eyes. “Once the album is finally released, people will buy it in droves.” He shakes my hand and squeezes my arm with his left hand. “Good job, Charlotte. Very good. I’m happy to continue working with you.”

I smile back. “Thank you for meeting with us today.”

“The pleasure was all mine, I assure you.” With one more glance at me, he shakes The Professor’s hand and leaves the room.

My breath leaves me in a whoosh as it hits me that he went for the idea of me writing my own album. With help, of course, but still. This album can reflect me, my feelings, my words, my music. And I’ll get to play the piano for my ballad. Which was more than I’d dared hope for.

The Professor reaches over and squeezes my shoulder, giving me a wide smile. “I told you not to worry, that he’d love it. I know what Roger likes. That man knows a hit when he hears one. I can count on one hand the number of times he’s been wrong about a single hitting the top ten in the last few years I’ve worked with him. This is going to be your best album yet.”

A grin spreads across my face. “Thank you. And yes. It definitely is.”

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