However, in that audience, there were two people who knew the true story about Tangia, that she was just another sweet young girl who live a fairly sheltered life. That is until she got stupid and let a much older man take control of her body, mind, and soul. Their questions were not the same as the rest of the audience; they knew Tangia, née Sadie Cooper, was about to unveil the biggest bombshell: her long lost daughter.
"So, Ralph," asked Darryl after the pair settled into their seats. "How do you think this performance will come off? I mean, she said her daughter was accompanying her towards the end of the act. The daughter would be...about the same age as you."
"No," corrected Ralph, "she'd be the same age as Beverly." He laughed, adding, "Wonder what my wife would make of this, my attending this concert. You know I never told Bev about my Tangia obsession. Maybe it was all for the best. She'd never understand, what with her being so conservative about that type of thing."
Darryl shrugged, asking, "By the way, how is Beverly these days? I haven't seen her since you guys had me over for that barbecue last month."
"Oh, she's doing okay, busy as ever with our child and house stuff. You know, she quit her job so she could be with our daughter more. I'll admit I've haven't been as attentive to her as I'd like. Job pressures and all. I told Bev you and I were taking in a ball game, but I don't think she bought it. Really, Darryl, Bev is the one reason I really didn't want to come here tonight in the first place. She doesn't go for, what she calls, raunchy music. I like some of the new hip-hop stuff but can't bring it into the house without Beverly raising a big stink."
Darryl chuckled, "And you didn't think she'd go crazy if she ever caught you watching Tanya Deep!"
++++++
The lights lowered; the entire auditorium darkened. Suddenly a spray of multi-colored spotlights, illuminating the stage with such brilliance. A booming male voice, obviously one of the city's top DJ's, resounded, "Ladies and gentlemen, Soul 107.7 proudly presents 'Flashback to the Day'. Sit back and groove to the sounds of the glory days. And we have a special treat: The return of the tantalizing, hip-shaking, heartbreaking, lovemaking, queen of the booty call – Tangia!"
Of course, the star attraction wouldn't make her appearance until after several second-rate oldies acts, mostly local and regional recording artists who made their mark during the late 50's into the mid-60's, performed their respective sets. All Ralph and Darryl, and the rest of the audience, had to sit through three bands, usually the ubiquitious doo-wap or girl group. The people didn't want to see these folks; they wanted to see Tangia.
"You know," said Ralph, tapping his foot to the soulful sounds of doo-wap group The Five Wonders and a couple of girl groups he remembered as a teenager, "it's amazing how much people change over the years. I mean, look at the Wonders. I remember when they entertained at my senior prom. Of course, the lead singer was much slimmer then. Look at 'em, all paunchy and gray-headed."
"And," retorted Darryl, "he can't sing. Listen, he's not hitting the notes like he used to. Not that it matters since he couldn't back then, either."
Both men shared a good laugh as they sat through a passable performance, neither paying particular attention to the acts coming and going. They wanted to see Tangia, of who Darryl asked, "Say, what does she look like now? You said she had gained weight but still looked good."
"Well," replied Ralph, sipping a lukewarm soda, "she looks great now. She said she's been on a strict diet and exercise regimen. Plus getting a complete makeover. Darryl, you wouldn't believe what losing a few pounds, getting a new hair style and makeup can do for a woman. I mean, she looks good! And what she wore when I went to visit her...Man, if she can wear those painted on leather pants and look ten, maybe twenty years younger, then I can imagine what she'll wear tonight. If she can still shimmy that sexy body...I'm just curious about this daughter."
"Yeah," rejoined Darryl, "Wonder if she looks as good as her momma."
The men would have to wait out a twenty-minute intermission to witness what everyone hailed the comeback of the year. Already, during the break, out in the lobby, tongues wagged about this "surprise" Tangia promised. What could it be other than Tangia moaning and wriggling her way through one sexy song after another as she did back then.
"Ralph?," called out Dinah who swam across the room, drink in hand. Accompanying her was Lachelle and that same woman who, a few weeks ago, sat in the back of the diner, deep in conversation with Dinah. Only now did Ralph learned this woman's identity, and the major role she played in Tangia's amazing comeback.
"Ralph," said Dinah graciously, "may I introduce Niki Egan, the woman responsible for putting this show together. But more importantly, she persuaded Sadie to resurrect her career. And she helped Sadie find her daughter. Oh," she added, taking Lachelle by the hand, "This is my granddaughter, Lachelle. She helps out at the diner when she's not in school. Studying pre-law, and we're so proud of her, just as we're proud of Sadie."
Now both Ralph and Darryl were quite surprised, but not wholly, that Lachelle was Dinah's granddaughter. However, there was something Ralph had to ask Dinah: Sadie's daughter.
"Did you get a chance to meet her?," he asked politely, not wanting to pry so obviously. "You know she invited me to meet with her a few days back, and she has met this daughter. I just wondered–"
"If I met her," replied Dinah cautiously. "Sadie just told me so much about this woman, but I've never met her in the flesh. I've talked to her on the phone a couple of times, and Lachelle has met her..."
Dinah didn't want to discuss Sadie's daughter anymore and was relieved when the bell alerted the end of intermission. My goodness, she thought, this man is poking his nose into something he has no business with. Let him see Sadie's girl on stage.
"Come on, Ralph," said Darryl, tugging his friend's sleeve. "The last act is about to start. Don't want to miss out on Tangia's big comeback. It's all you've – well, myself, too – wanted to experience."
******
Streams of brilliantly bright white and pink lights bathed the stage as the audience settled for the final act. This was what they waited for, to witness Tangia's amazing, long anticipated comeback. As earlier in the evening, speculation flew about as to Tangia's appearance and ability to recapture the sexy siren of years ago. Well, she was in her fifties and not able to move like she did back then. Maybe she shelved the daringly tight dresses in favor of more comfortable attire – something more suitable for her age. Whatever the case, the audience fell silent as the emcee announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is what we've all been waiting for. The incredible comeback of the decade! The delectable, dynamic, goddess of 'Rough Love'...Tangia!"
The audience went wild, applauding and whooping as the band blared the familiar percussive "hoochie coochie" beat that signaled Tangia's entrance. More suited to a stripteaser than an R&B star, those insistent drumbeats pounded out in steady rhythm as she slithered onto the stage, bumping and grinding all the while. Thanks to modern technology, and to make easier her sexy moves, Tangia opted for a headset mike. No getting tangled in wires or hanging onto a hand mike that can get in the way. The whoops and wolf-whistles of the gentlemen – Ralph and Darryl included – were a collective testament of approval. Tangia, even in her advanced age, proved to still have it, the same sultriness that made her a star. Even the women in the audience called out their approval. For what was once taboo, this woman could finally display her raw, frank sexuality without a bit of shame. In this slice of 21st Century pop and soul, such things are commonplace – not so in Tangia's heyday. Just witnessing her on stage was proof enough that she relished being the limelight again, and that her brand of unbridled passion could at last reign supreme.
Clad in a clinging gold lamé gown that in no way hid her spectacular curves, Tangia exploded into her set, performing the scanty string of hits. There were only four albums, and each spawned two or three singles, all of which seldom got airplay due to the raunchy lyrics. But who cared now? Anything goes. Besides, the audience was just too thrilled to see the delicious Tangia wriggling her way through song after song, cooing and purring in her unmistakeable smoky voice – a bedroom voice that enticed and enthralled.
She wasn't too worse for wear, even after all these years. The sexy moves were still there, and she could still throw that good body around. She spent an entire song – "Wanna Beg" – grinding her hips in a fashion that would put younger, more agile burlesque queens to shame. Tangia never forgot the element of surprise in her performances.
Toward the end of the first half of her set, while singing the signature "Rough Love", Tangia shimmied across the stage, grinding those delectably plump hips that showcased her dress' tightness. Gradually, she slipped the straps from her shoulders then reached behind, deftly undoing the zipper. She never lost her momentum; her smoky voice belted out those naughty lyrics well-punctuated by orgasmic moans.
Still writhing in sexual ecstasy, Tangia let the dress fall to the floor, revealing that fantastic body clad only in a daring gold lamé bikini. Relishing the crowd's wild approval, she climbed to the top of the speakers, still moaning and wriggling, still belting out the closing lyrics of the song. Atop the speakers she writhed and rolled about as in orgasm, her body moving as smoothly as a turned-on snake.
"She looks good," whispered Darryl, trying so hard not to let his hand travel down inside his pants. Tangia had that effect on men; it was not unusual – back in her heyday – for her male audience to indulge in collective masturbation. The very sight of her sinuously squirming form, the sound of her deep throaty moans, sent any red-blooded male into throes of hardening passion.
Ralph shifted in his seat, feeling the unwitting hardness deep in his groin. Just watching this woman work her wicked magic gave him fits of unquenched lust. How different she appeared now, not the friendly, pleasingly plump lady who served him ribs and greens. That woman – Sadie Cooper – died a second time, killed off by Tangia's insatiable desire to reclaim her title as the raunchy sex queen of R&B.
Watching that fantastically toned sepia body writhe and roll about the speakers, listening to that throaty voice cooing and moaning with unabashed desire, Ralph toyed with the idea of having his way with this woman. Why not? Wasn't it obvious during that meeting last week? Why else would Tangia invite him for a heart-to-heart talk. Sure, she revealed all about her early life: Damon, the infamous sexual persona, the Grade B skin flicks, the unexpected pregnancy...
She wanted to hook up with...me! She still wants me...What other reason could it be. Why would a woman I, in reality, barely know spill her guts...Reveal the long-lost child...All of it. No woman opens herself like that to a stranger, unless...
"She wants me...," he muttered under his breath. Ralph felt his erection throb as Tangia closed the first half of her set. The stage darkened yet the band continued playing. She was gone, albeit momentarily. No other woman, not even his wife, had that effect on him. Ralph waited with bated breath as the lights slowly came up again, this time bathing the entire stage in bright hues of pink and gold.
He still had those backstage passes. Perhaps he'll let Darryl have his moment with Tangia, but later, after the show, after the polite conversation, he'll linger long enough to ask Tangia...
What was he doing? He had a good wife...Beverly was wonderful to him, faithful and true. She gave him two beautiful children, made a good home for the family. Never, not in the ten or so years of marriage, did she allow scandal and shame to sully the Burton name. Ralph couldn't ask for a better woman, yet he wanted to be with Tangia.
He didn't dare say a thing to Darryl, who himself was presently lost in his own little world. Maybe he's fantasizing about Tangia, too. No! She belongs to me, and me alone. Darryl better not mess up a good thing...What am I thinking! I can't hook up with Tangia! I have Beverly, a good woman who's always been by my side through good times and bad...
Now, Ralph wanted so much to jump up onto the stage, grab this woman and ravish her on the spot. No, he wasn't that crass, but deep down he wanted her more than any other woman, even cast aside his wife just to be with Tangia.
She slinked onto the stage, this time clad in super-shiny, skintight golden spandex disco jeans and a equally clinging halter top of the same material. Prancing about the stage in golden high-heeled sandals, Tangia treated her audience to her famous "R&B sex queen" dance, a highly sexually charged performance that took no prisoners. She slithered and squirmed, pumping her hips, stroking her toned torso and thighs while emitting moans and coos of carnal delight. This was her moment in the limelight -- again. No more slinging soul food or scrimping on minimum wage. No more cringing at the Svengalian Damon, no more hiding the fact that she had a child out of wedlock. Tangia was hers at last. From this moment onwards, she would call the shots, mastering every career move without a man telling her how or what to perform. Already she had a new recording contract, music videos in production, several movie offers, even a cable TV special lined up. However, this time she will have someone to share that success, and she was prepared to introduce her new partner this very night.
After the dance, after the thunderous applause of the audience died down, the band launched into a sexy, drum-laden set of new material – songs recently penned by Tangia herself. Before beginning, however, she announced to her audience, "I thank you for coming out tonight. Tangia lives again!"
More applause, more whistles and whoops of approval. More than once, she heard from the balcony, "I love you, Tangia!"
They love me...They'll love me even more once I introduce my child...my partner...
"I love you, too, baby!," she cooed back sultrily. "But, there is more to love tonight. See, a while back I had a baby, a daughter. That's why I dropped out the scene. But now I'm back, and she has agreed to perform with me tonight. In fact, this is her first public performance, and I know you will love her as much as you love me. So give it up for my daughter, my baby....Tauné!"
All eyes focused on the thirty-something woman slinking out from the wings. She was quite pretty, all toned and lithe, just like her mother. Her coloring was reminiscent of warm maple syrup, the glistening ebony hair cascading around her shoulders. Tauné, dressed in a skintight spandex catsuit of brilliant red, pounced onstage like a jungle cat, her deliciously curvy body wriggling non-stop. In a voice as breathy and luscious as her mother's, Tauné merely said, "This first song was written by my mother, especially for me. I dedicate this song – 'Jump Me' – to a special man sitting out there..."
There was something very familiar about this woman, this Tauné. Ralph Burton, whose life up until now was as ordinary as anyone's, just sat there and watched as Tauné moaned and swivelled her way through what promised to be a first major hit. He watched, and Darryl watched. It did not take long for the latter to say in hushed tones, "I know I've only met her a couple of times, but...Damn!"
An equally stunned Ralph now knew exactly why Tangia expressly invited him to this concert, gave those complimentary tickets and passes...Told him everything – but not everything – about her long-lost daughter...Took a peculiar interest in him...
He nearly fainted.
"Bev...Beverly is Tangia's daughter...Now rechristened 'Tauné'...My wife..."
Go to The Conclusion!
Copyright©2005 by P.R. Parker. All Rights Reserved.