Chapter 23: Julianna's Answer

Julianna paled. “Wh-what? No.” She pulled her hand from Richie’s and started to pace. Nobody paid her any attention. Her brothers were all shouting congratulations, and everyone was talking all at once. Only Richie her say ‘no’. She sat down hard on the floor, which got everyone’s attention.

Julianna’s voice shook as she addressed the concerned faces looking down at her. “What do you mean a duet? You mean just for Opening Night, right?”

Jon was shaking his head. “Nope, I mean when we perform it opening night, if we release it as a studio track, when it goes on the soundtrack – as a bonus track of course – all of it.” He smiled that heartbreaking smile at her. No wonder he always gets his way, she thought. Jon continued. “We keep hearing from fans that they want more Richie, and face it, this song was meant to be a duet. You know the story, hell, you wrote the story. It’s only right that you get to tell the end of it.”

“Besides,” Dave added. “We’ve all heard you sing with Richie. Your voices are perfect together. The two of you doing this song, well, it would be magic.”

Julianna thought for a minute. Am I really considering this? “I’m not a professional. I just mess around, singing with family and friends. I don’t think I’m cut out for it.”

Tico squatted down to talk to her. “Look, when Jon gets something in his head, it’s very hard --”

“Nearly impossible,” Dave interrupted.

“… nearly impossible,” Tico agreed, “to get him to change it. Now, if you want to see a true Jonny tantrum, then by all means, keep resisting.”

Jon flipped off his friend, saying “Fuck you, Teek.”

Tico turned to Jon. “You know I’m right man. Your ideas are always the best, but you are stubborn, and get pissed when you don’t get your way.” Jon glared at him.

Richie spoke up. “C’mon, Jon, you know it’s true, and it’s said with love.”

Jon’s expression softened, and he shrugged. “What can I say? I’m a control freak, and want things to go my way. Julianna, don’t make me yell at you. Apparently,” he winked at her, “I don’t lose gracefully. Please do this with us.” He held out his hand.

Julianna took his hand, and let herself be pulled to her feet. She took a deep breath, and nodded. “Okay. God, I don’t know why I’m agreeing to this. My cast and crew will love it, but if you really do release this on an album, Jesus, I can’t believe I just said that, I don’t think your fans will appreciate it.”

“Baby,” Richie said, “as long as we like you, they’ll like you. And,” he said, “we absolutely like you.”

Jon clapped his hands together. “Great. That’s settled. We’ll work out a rehearsal schedule, and get you the song in the next couple of weeks. For now, what do you say to us jamming with you guys?”

Julianna’s brothers grinned like kids at Christmas. “Of course, man,” Sal said. “We were just messing around with some old favorites. You guys lead on and we’ll catch up.”

And so, on they played, and the cameras captured it all.

* * * * *

They had worked out a schedule that everyone could agree to. They’d start rehearsals when Julianna got back from her trip to New York. The only real demand that Julianna made was that they use the studio in the barn. “I can’t yet bear to be in that house again,” she had said. The band agreed that her studio would work just fine.

For the next few weeks, Julianna was staying in the city, in the apartment she had bought soon after BIO was created. She was overseeing some of the rehearsals, and getting the apartment ready for extended use. For the last couple of months of rehearsals, and the first few weeks of the run, she liked to stay in the city, to be close to the action. That time was coming up fast.

While she was in the city, she hooked up for lunch with Estelle. The two women had been friends since high school, before Julianna transferred to Julliard, and had stayed friends through the years. Settling down to lunch in a deli in Times Square, Estelle demanded details about what was going on with the rental. They were careful not to mention any names; after all, you never knew who was listening.

“So,” Estelle said, digging into her Cobb salad. “Did you ever hook up with that man you were telling me about?”

Julianna giggled. “Yep. He came by because his friend told him about seeing me at the lake. E, he hopped over my wall and just about scared the ever-loving shit out of me.” She told her an abridged story of how she found out what was going on. “But, I returned the favor, threatening to call the police on him.” Julianna explained the prank she pulled, and the end result, sending Estelle into a fit of hysterics.

“God,” Estelle said, wiping tears from her eyes. “That’s a good one. Speaking of pranks, did you ever come up with something to get back at your brothers for?”

“No, but my new friends gave me some good ideas. I’ll have to see what I can come up with.”

“How are the rehearsals for the show going?” Estelle was a Broadway lover, and fiercely loyal to Julianna and Bring It On. She couldn’t wait for Tommy & Gina to open. “There’s a rumor going around that there may be some VIP guests in the audience on opening night. Can you confirm or deny that?”

Julianna looked around. “Not right now, there are too many people around. Later.” She winked at her friend, and nodded slightly, which made Estelle’s eyes go wide. “OK E, tell me all about that beautiful baby of yours.” With that, the conversation firmly turned toward their respective families.

Later, lingering over coffee, Estelle glanced around the deli and saw they had some privacy. “OK, spill,” she said, leaning in and whispering. “What’s up with the show?”

Julianna looked around, and leaned in close. “They’re writing a song for the finale, and will perform it opening night.”

Estelle gasped. “No kidding?”

“Nope, this is as real as it gets. And,” she leaned in closer, barely speaking, “Richie is singing.”

“Oh,” Estelle breathed, excited. Like Julianna, Estelle had a soft spot for Richie, and was pleased to hear he was getting more voice time with the band. “Jules, I’m definitely coming to opening night!”

“You were coming anyway,” Julianna laughed.

“Yeah, but now I’m leaving the hubby at home. I’ve got front row, right?”

“Always.” Julianna smiled. She couldn’t wait to see the look on her friend’s face when she stepped out to sing with Richie. That’s one surprise she was keeping as such. She wasn’t even telling the people at BIO.