55. All Access Backstage Pass 📺

The audience was loud, roaring for one of the best performances seen on TV to date. Larry threw his hands in the air as the judges gave him a standing ovation.

The host of the show walked over to Larry. "What an incredible performance! If you want Larry to win, text his name to 843-741 or vote online at thepowerhouse.com/vote and click on his photo. Again, you're watching The Power House, and this is finale night."

Larry was guided backstage. My make-up artist touched up my makeup. The stylish fixed my hair.

"Jae A.B., once the curtains close, you'll stand in front of the microphone. The band will play as the curtains will open. Then, you can take it away," a man wearing headsets informed me.

"Okay. Thanks."

As soon as he walked away, a voice came over the speakers. "We're back on in 30 seconds."

That was fast!

"Good luck, girl," my make-up artist told me.

I smiled as I watched the curtains close. I took a deep breath and shook my hands as I walked onto the stage. My heart was pounding so hard that I thought it would break free from my body. I took another deep breath as I stood in front of the microphone.

"Jae," I heard Zeke's voice.

I quickly turned to my left to see him walking toward me.

"Thank you for doing this. I appreciate you." He took my hand in his. "You're going to be unstoppable after this." He whispered, "This is your stage tonight. Okay?"

I slightly smiled as I nodded my head. "Okay."

"We're celebrating after this." He left the stage just as I heard the host.

"This is her first television debut with two top 10 songs on the charts. Right now, please welcome Jae A.B.!"

The band began to play just as the curtains pulled back. As soon as I recognized the note, the music stopped and I belted out the lyrics to my song "Home."

"I'm falling faaasst!" I sang, "And I don't care how long it laaasst!"

The claps began and the band followed with that familiar 70s music sound. I smiled as I snapped my fingers. After singing the first verse, I sang the hook. Then, the beat changed and the audience really got on their feet when they heard the "California Love" beat for my song "Choose."

The woman on the front row nearly had me in tears of laughter as she sang with her hands. A few rows back, a man was blowing me kisses. I was so glad I was wearing my dark sunglasses. My eyes would be a dead giveaway.

I ended the song with, "Don't make me - don't make me choose!"

I thought the audience was loud before, but I was going to need earplugs. I waved at them all as the curtains closed.

"Ahh!" My stylish and make-up artist we jumping up and down, pointing at me.

As the crew began to take the microphone away, the final contestants began to line up on stage.

"Miss Jae A.B., I'm a huge fan of yours. Can I get a shout out on your social media or a photo with you after the show?" Sasha, one of the final contestants, asked me.

I smiled at her. "Sure. Just remind me, because I'll forget." One of the crew members called my name, guiding me backstage.

"I know you not gon act like you don't know me." Larry posed in front of me.

I played along, "Who do you think I am?"

He lowered his voice, "Jamie, we were co-workers at Music Bravos back home in East Grove."

I put my finger to my mouth. He was saying too much in a public place. I stepped closer to him. "How did you know it was me?"

"I didn't until I heard you talking. You got a unique voice. Man, I can't believe we both out here in Cali. You got two hit songs, signed to RiSe Records, and about to drop an album. I'm proud of you, girl."

I poked his chest. "If it hadn't been for that Facebook flyer you showed me, I probably wouldn't be here."

Larry chuckled, "Facts. We both took a leap of faith. Did you vote for me?"

"Not only did I vote for you, I got my cousin to get her followers on YouTube to vote for you."

"Oh, word? That's respect. I appreciate that. If I win, I want us to collab together," he told me.

I added, "Even if you don't, I'd still want us to do a song together. Do you have your phone on you?"

"Nah, they took our phones. I got good memory, though. What's your number?"

I gave Larry my number just as they called him to stand on stage next to the other two finalists - Avery and Sasha.

"Miss Jae A.B.!"

I looked around to spot a woman waving her hand in the air to get my attention. It was pretty hectic backstage. I made my way over to her.

"Hi, Miss Jae A.B. My name is Zaporah Colourful. I'm Zeke River's new assistant."

I shook her hand. "Hi. Nice to meet you. And Colourful is your last name?"

She nodded her head, "Yes. It's my real last name."

"I love it."

"Thank you! Zeke wanted me to keep you updated. We can go to his dressing room to watch the rest of the show or wait in the car with Maximo."

"The car, please. I have to call my family."

"Sure thing." Zaporah led the way out of the building. Maximo stood by the open back door of the vehicle.

"Congratulations! You sung like an angel."

"Awww. Thank you, Maximo!"

"Miss Jae A.B., I'll be standing out here so you can have privacy."

"Thank you, Zaporah! Also, just call me Jae."

"Okay. I will." She closed the car door.

I reached for my purse under the seat. I opened it and pulled out my phone. Just like I knew, Monica text me a million times. I laughed at the videos and photos she took of me on her TV screen. My parents and her parents were at her house watching the show.

I called her phone. It rang twice before she answered with a scream.

I took the phone away from my ear. "Monica!"

"Cousin, you did so good! You looked like a real superstar. I'm so proud of you!"

"Is that Jamie?" I heard my mom's voice in the background.

Then, I heard her voice clearly. "Baby, you did wonderful! Me and your dad, well, everybody was up and dancing when you were on that stage. You looked like Marilyn Monroe, better yet, Mary J. Blige with your gray hair and dark shades. And you gotta get me a fur coat like that one you had on. Honey, that thing is sharp!"

I chuckled, "Thank you, mama! I can't wait to see you. I'm flying back home on Sunday."

"We'll be here and happy to see you, baby!"

My phone beeped as I was getting another call. I looked at my phone to see A.B.'s name. "Ohh, mama. I gotta go."

"Alright, baby! We love you!"

"I love you, too." I clicked over and asked, "Did you see me?"

"Did I?" A.B. lightly laughed, "If I didn't know about the hair and sunglasses, I wouldn't have known it was you. You were a natural. You didn't look nervous at all."

"Oh, my goodness, A.B. I was so, so, so nervous. I was looking at the audience and saw how much fun they were having, and that was it. I was calm after that."

"I'm glad to hear that. My uncle was shocked to not only see but hear you sing. He said if he'd known you had a voice like that, he would've drove you to California himself."

I chuckled, "How is Mr. Dave?"

"I came to the hospital to spend some time with him, and --"

"He's still in the hospital?" I grew concerned.

A.B. said, "Yeah. Last week, he had a fever, but they took care of it. He'll finally get discharged tomorrow."

I exhaled, "Thank goodness! A.B., you're a great nephew and son and... friend. Thank you for calling me. I really needed to hear your voice."

"It's no problem at all. I know you got a lot of people to talk to so I'll let you go."

"Okay. Tell Mr. Dave I said hi, and I hope to see him soon. I'll be flying back home on Sunday."

A.B. stated, "I'll pick you up when you land."

Why does he keep doing this to me? I swallowed, making my mouth drier than it was before. "Okay. I'll send you everything tomorrow."

"Call me if you need anything."

"I will."

"Bye, beautiful."

I blushed. "Bye, handsome."

He ended the call. I took a deep breath as I looked at my phone. A few seconds later, I opened the door to see Zaporah looking at her phone.

"I'm off the phone. You can sit in here with me if you want."

"Yes! They're about to say the winner." She showed me her phone as she got in the car.

"The second runner-up is... Sasha!" the host announced.

"I voted for her to win," Zaporah said.

We looked at the screen. Avery and Larry stood in front of one another. Larry said a few words to Avery and they shook hands.

"Larry is so humble," Zaporah mentioned.

The host smiled, "The season one winner of The Power House is... Congratulations, Avery!"

Zaporah and I looked at one another and nodded our heads. The silence said it all. As much as we wanted Larry or Sasha to win, their opponent had an even better chance as the winner.

"Look at Larry. He looks so disappointed in himself. It's okay, Larry. This isn't the end. You, too, Sasha. Y'all got talent!"

I smiled as I listened to Zaporah. Why was she sounding a lot like someone I know? Yep, my cousin Monica.