Chapter Eleven
Chanhassen, Minnesota
February 19th, 2003
When I land in Chanhassen there's a rental car waiting for me as soon as I step off of the ramp.
" Here are your keys Miss Jackson. It's lovely to see you. " Jene, the head of airport security, says with a huge smile.
I smile brightly back at her. " Thank you, J ditto. " I take the keys from her fingers. " Don't work too hard now. "
" You know how it can be. Sometimes I feel like I live here. " She says rolling her eyes.
Laughing I get in and shut the door. I put my sun glasses and seat belt on before starting the car. I wave goodbye to Jene as I pull off. She really is a sweet lady.
Adjusting the seat a little I get comfortable for the hour of driving it takes to get to Paisley. I spend it listening to Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic. My personal fav of the moment.
When I get to the gate outside of Paisley I put the code in and it opens right up. I drive up to the huge Building and park next to Prince's custom made motorcycle. When I get out of the car I see him standing at the front entrance looking intensely at me.
" You didn't have to drive yourself here. I could have come to get you. " He tells me coming all the way outside.
I run up and pull him in for a hug. " I wanted to surprise you. "
He buries his face in my neck and sighs contently. " You succeeded, I missed you, Bianca. "
" I missed you too Spud. A lot. " I say letting the scent of him soothe me.
He pulls back and gives me a giddy smile. " Come on. We're working on some new songs I want you to hear. "
" We? " I ask as we enter the business side of Paisley Park.
Just as he's about to answer me one of the studio doors open. " Little brother? "
Well if it isn't Larry Graham of the Family Stone and Graham Central Station.
" Look who's here Larry. Miss thang has decided to grace us with her presence. " Prince says in his annoying pimp voice.
Larry rubs his chin and looks me over. Not in a creep way, just in a critical one. It has been so long since I've been looked at like this. I used to get it all of the time when we first left the church of Jehovah. He's judging me.
" It's nice to see you again Bianca. " He says simply.
I nod apprehensively. " You too Larry. It has been a long time. "
" Yeah... " He says letting it linger.
Typical Witness fashion. Don't talk to outsiders unless you absolutely have to. Fine by me.
" So you said you want me to hear some music? " I ask Prince.
The man himself notices the tension between Larry and I but lets it go. " Yeah come on. " He says grabbing my wrist and leading me into studio A. " I just finished this song a few hours ago. "
I sit next to him at the sound board and listen closely when the song starts. I can see Larry standing in the back watching our interaction closely. I pay him no mind as Prince's velvity voice takes my attention.
As war drums beat in Babylon, cinnamon girl starts to pray. I've never heard a prayer like this 1. Never before that day.
Tearful words of love for people she had never met before. Asking God to grant them mercy in this face of a holy war.
Cinnamon Girl
Cinnamon Girl of mixed heritage. Never knew the meaning of color lines. Nine one one turned that all she got accused of this crime
So began the mass illusion, war on terror alibi. What's the use when the god of confusion keeps on telling the same lie?
Cinnamon Girl
Don't cry, don't shed no tears 1 night won't make us feel. Cause we know how this movie's ending.
Cinnamon Girl
As war drums beat in Babylon
And scorch the blood red sky
Militants bomb the foreign gun
Both sides truly die
Cinnamon girl opens the book she knows will settle all the scores. Then she prays after the war that there will not be anymore.
Cinnamon Girl
When the last note has played I let out the breath I had been holding. " When did you write this? "
" Who knows? " He says giving me a pointed look.
Yeah, he doesn't count time... Which I think is BS. He just doesn't like to look back on the past because it will force him to remember all of the things he has done to people.
Don't get me wrong, I love the man... But I also know how he can be. Especially back in his prime. He used to be a full-fledged ass hole to most people when we first met. Never to me of course. Are you kidding me?
September 11th, 2003
We've been living our best life for the past nine months. In that time Prince had released his album Xpectation a few months ago and he's going on the road next month. He asked me to join him and of course, I accepted. How could I not? He has been a part of my career so much over the years... Vice versa? Not so much. I'm not about to turn down this chance.
In the down time from rehearsals, we spend our time together. In our own little bubble. Cuddled up on the couch under a purple fleece blanket is our current situation. I finally talked him into watching Halloween four and five. He has never seen them and it's crucial to me for him to experience it.
" Oh before I forget I'm going to be leaving for Atlanta on Thursday. " I say shoveling some more popcorn into my mouth.
Prince sighs dramatically and scoots closer to me. " For what? "
" I really want to work with Iggy Azalea. Tiny and Tip are hooking me up. " I explain.
He didn't speak for many moments in true Prince fashion. " So you wait until days beforehand to tell me? What if I had something planned? "
" Did you? " I ask giving him the side eye.
... " No, but I could have. "
I roll my eyes. " I'm only going to be gone for a couple of days. Which reminds me I'm also going to be going to Vegas in the middle of November for a few days. It starts on the eighteenth of November during the little break we're having. "
" Okay, that's not okay Bianca. I need you to tell me these things as soon as you know. " He says obviously angry.
Oops. " I'm sorry I tried to schedule this during that time because I don't want to miss any shows. Please don't be mad at me. " I say giving him the puppy dog face.
He gives me side-eye and pouts.
" Aww, Spud I'm sorry. I just have another obligation. " I tell him pinching his cheek.
He hmmphed. " It had better be good. "
I jumped up on my knees in excitement. " My dad wants me to direct his new video One More Chance. "
Straddling him I lean in and kiss the tip of his nose. " This Number One's project is important to him. I have to be there. And then I'm coming right back to you I promise. "
Atlanta Georgia
September 17th, 2003
Tips fiance and the mother of his children Tiny welcomes me into the huge house they own. She was in the group Xscape back in the late nineties and they had hella hits. Tiny is sweet as pie and I love her to death.
When I walk into their living room the kids bombard me with hugs. " I missed you guys. " I say trying to hug them back all at once.
Tip comes in to see what the commotion is and looks genuinely surprised to see me. " Please tell me you didn't forget that I was coming. "
Realization dawns on him. " Damn my bad shorty. I've been busy working on this album. "
" Please tell me that you at least let Iggy know before you forgot. " I say shaking my head.
Just then the door bell rings. " Looks like he did. " Tiny says laughing at her soon-to-be husband.
A few seconds later she comes back in the living room with a Bombshell Blonde. I mean this girl is gorgeous with an hourglass shape to boot. Damn, I have such a girl crush.
" It's nice to meet you. " I say holding my hand out to shake.
She shakes it and smiles. " You as well Miss Jackson. " She says in her adorable accent.
" Please call me Bibi. I'm glad you could make it. " I say sincerely.
Tip claps his hands together to get our attention. " Well let's get into the studio and down to business. "
I roll my eyes and give Iggy a side smile. We go into the studio and I play them the instrumental. " It's called Problem. I'll get in the booth and lay down my vocals and you can write a bangin verse. "
Hey, baby even though I hate ya, I wanna love ya.
I want you!
And even though I can't forgive ya, I really want to.
I want you
Tell me, tell me, baby. Why can't you leave me? 'Cause even though I shouldn't want it.
I gotta have it.
I want you
Head in the clouds. Got no weight on my shoulders. I should be wiser and realize that I've got,
One less problem without ya
I know you're never gonna wake up. I gotta give up.
But it's you
I know I shouldn't ever call back, or let you come back.
But it's you
Every time you touch me. And say you love me. I get a little bit breathless, I shouldn't want it.
But it's you
Head in the clouds. Got no weight on my shoulders. I should be wiser and realize that I've got!
" So Iggy what do you have? " I ask stepping out of the booth.
She smirks. " I'm getting in the booth. Play that last part back. "
It's IggyIggs! Oh! What you got? Smart money betting I'll be better off without you.
In no time I'll be forgetting all about you. You saying that you know, but I really really doubt you understand my life is easy when I ain't around you!
IggyIggy too Biggie to be here stressing.
I'm thinking I love the thought of you more than I love your presence.
So the best thing now is probably for you to exit.
I let you go let you back I finally learned my lesson.
No Half Steppin either you want it or you just playing.
I'm listening to you and I can't believe what you're saying.
There's a million yous baby boo so don't be dumb, I got 99 problems but you won't be one like what!
I squeal in excitement and clip my hands together. Tip plugs his ears and looks at me like I'm crazy. " Sorry, she's just so good. "
Iggy comes out of the booth and I jump up to hug her. " That was great. Just what I wanted. And in one take too. This is going to be big, mark my words. "