Chapter 1: 1966
It was a time to be alive in New Orleans; the lights in the French Quarter at night, the loud aroma of creole food, people that filled the streets and music that kept the city afloat.
As perfect as it appears to the eye, this was 1966 and it was also a time of lost, segregation and hatred. In the midst of the tension and beauty of the city stood her. Caramel skinned, green eyes, soft curls and a face of an angel. A creole woman. Bonnie Bennett. She was 17 and was already out in the segregated world ,working and hoping for was to sing , she wanted to be as big as Aretha Franklin or The Supremes. She loved Soul and Blues. This era was a huge time for blues but Rock n' roll was dominating and every girl was talking about The Beatles. It was hard for black female singers to break out in the industry; struggles with racism, abusive men and the temptation of drugs. Nothing bother Bonnie more than the segregated bathrooms at venues or the fact that Black performers couldn't stay in the precious white hotels. Bonnie was tired of doing the same old every night; working the tables then singing for 2 hours. She dreamed of New York or California or somewhere more progressive than Jim Crow Louisiana.
It was another night in the French Quarter and another packed night at The Underground Bar. The band's jazz sounds were electrifying, Bonnie fixed her dress as she began serving cocktails and wearing the same smile she's been doing for months. She was bored. She would sometimes stare at the blonde girl on the billboard,Caroline Forbes. Singer, actress and eye-candy for men. Bonnie didn't think it was fair she deserved a chance too she was mad at how hard it was on women that wore her skin. She was more than a waitress, maid or a housewife.
"You're on!" One of the waiters said. Bonnie swallowed the lump in her throat as she patted her hair. She walked out on stage, the lights glistened on her innocent face while the crowd stared at her mumbling. The musicians played their instruments she was nervous but swayed her hips slowly and a soulful melody escaped her lips. The crowd began to be more relaxed while some couples got up and to waltz. The nervous feeling fade away and Bonnie was singing down the house.
After the show Bonnie was sitting in the dressing room taking off her earrings once again dreaming about singing at Carnegie Hall like Billie Holiday.
"Incredible show" a soft British voice said behind her. She quickly glanced in the mirror at the white man. Her shoulders got tensed "Thank you"
"You write your songs?" He asked leaning against the door. She nodded as she wrapped her hair in a bun, glanced at him in the mirror again and turned around immediately to him "I know you. You're that guy in that band CruelWaters. I like yall more than The Beetles and I'm not trying to be mean even though some of my friends might debate that with me. What are you doing in my mirror" Bonnie asked chuckling.
"We are performing at a festival this weekend, my mates and I decided to grab drinks. Your voice is incredible. I thought I should come back here and tell you" he smiled. Bonnie left an awkward silence but was disturbed by a waitress "Bonnie your mama is on the phone " she said glancing at him. Bonnie nodded and got up " That's my cue. Nice meeting you."
Bonnie sat at the family kitchen table frozen staring down at the wooden table trying to drown out the sounds of her mother giving her the usual talk.
"You know I don't like you coming in this house after midnight. Those crazy klans are coming down from Shreveport snatching black people out the city and dragging them to the bayou to kill them." Abby Bennett yelled cooking eggs and homemade sausages. Bonnie's grandmother Sheila Bennett was glancing over her paper at Bonnie smiling. They both were tired of the same record everyday.
"And as for this music thing. Alaric knows I hate you singing up there for those hungry drunk men. God knows what they are up to. At the end of the Summer you are going to Philadelphia with your cousin to do nursing" Abby announced setting the table with breakfast.
"But mom I'm already saving up to move to California where everything is progressive. Music, great food and Hollywood. I have this whole plan. I have all these songs and I know someone will notice me like Billie Holiday"
Abby hit the jug of sweet tea on the table and placed her hand on her hips "What is wrong with you? Billie Holiday?Do you know what the FBI did to Billie Holiday?" she laughed and sat at the table "Little girl you're gonna learn that this world isn't for us don't matter how yellow you are they only see us in one way"
Sheila closed her paper "That's enough Abby. Bonnie do whatever makes you happy. We just want you to have a stable life out of Louisiana"
On off days she would sip tea and practice her vocals, she got distracted by Davina and Lizzie giggling with flyers in their hands. She remembered his face in her mirror, Niklaus Mikaelson from CruelWaters.
"Hey Bonnie. Do you want to come to the concert tonight? It is outdoor, there is going to be beer, food and rock n' roll" Lizzie said her eyes gleamed with excitement. Bonnie gave her a slight smile " I got a shift here tonight"
"And your crazy mama won't let you have fun for 5 minutes" Davina chuckled.
"Yeah tell me about it" Bonnie exhaled.
It is a known fact that everytime there is a concert or festival drunks would continue their party at a bar. Today was jazz night at the bar couples were dancing, drunks from the festival were getting even more drunk and grabby with Bonnie. She hated it. Strange white men groping her was not what she signed up for she tried to remain polite she really needed the tips if she wanted to get out of Louisiana.
The singer Alaric hired tonight was gorgeous and the boys couldn't take their eyes off her. Blonde, green eyes and curves that could stop traffic. She even sang in French which drove those drunk men wild. She was like a seductress. She was owning her sexuality and didn't care about nothing else. Bonnie wish she could be like that. Olivia winked at Bonnie as she took her tray so she could finally get a break from the crazy bar.
Bonnie rushed out the backdoor exhaling as she ran her hands through her curls.
"Rough night, love?" A familiar voice said. She looked at up at him smoking a cigarette and smiling at her.
"You ...again"
"This time not in your mirror"
She laughed "Yeah its been crazy. Guess the festival went well"
He smiled and nodded. There was an awkward silence. Bonnie was playing with her fingers and staring at the sky.
"Smoke?" He asked offering her a cigarette. She refused. He examined her " Is this what you want to do for the rest of your life? You seem miserable in there"
"Well it's not much for a girl like me to do around here. I need the tips so I can move to California and be a singer" Bonnie folded her arms. He nodded and smoked "You wrote that song last night?"
She smiled "Yes. I'm always writing"
He ran his hand through his dark blonde long layered hair. He tossed the stub "I think you can do much more with that voice. We'll be in touch" he said walking away. Bonnie looked him puzzled.
For the next 3 days Bonnie was losing her mind. Abby Bennett dragged her to every house she worked at to teach her a lesson about what it is like in the real world for girls like her. Abby cleaned houses for rich white people in the city, Bonnie tagged along to help out during the day. She was forced to listen to her mother's repetitive lectures, some bosses were nice others were downright grossed out by them. Bonnie didn't want to be a victim, she kept thinking about what he said about doing much more with her voice. She wondered if she hadn't searched within herself. Bonnie loved music and writing but was there more?
Friday Bonnie had the house to herself, Abby was working in Baton Rouge while Grams was visiting old friends in Georgia. Bonnie sipped her tea while listening to her Billie Holiday records, she began daydreaming what it would be like to perform in New York.
It wasn't until a loud banging on the door did Bonnie realise she had fallen asleep, her body bounced up immediately wondering who that could've been. Grams was gone for the weekend and Abby wasn't going to be back until tonight. She swung open the door to him smirking "What are you doing here? You shouldn't be here!" She said panicking as he walked in uninvited. She wasn't sure how things worked in England but this kind of behaviour was unacceptable in the South. He was walking around the living room observing everything "How did you even find me?"
"Your boss Alaric told me where you lived... Cozy" He touched the mantelpiece with pictures of Bonnie and her family.
"What do you want?" She asked stepping back.
"Billie Holiday. I HAVE THIS RECORD AT HOME " He said smiling. She smiled slightly alittle more relaxed "She's my hero. Ugh I dream to be like her in those beautiful gowns and that magical blues that came out of here"
"Boring" He said sitting down crossing his legs smirking.
Bonnie defended Billie's legacy for 5 minutes; raising her voice and flaring her arms. He sat back and observed her from head to toe.
"Billie Holiday is a legend, love. You can't do something that has already been done"
She went silent.
"Do you want to be the girl that everyone says she reminds me of Billie Holiday or a legend in your own soil?"
Bonnie shrugged. CruelWaters were signed to Niklaus brother's label The English Rain. His brother was looking for a female musician for the label Niklaus thought Bonnie would be perfect. Bonnie laughed so loud she was sure her ancestors buried miles away could hear her. He was ridiculous or insanely high.
" Now what would your brother want with a girl like me? Rock n' Roll isn't even my thing. I have a plan and I'm going to California before the year ends"
"Alright, love. You'll go to California and some label guy finds you, they will see exactly what I see infront of me and they will sign you. For awhile it will seem all bright and beautiful in Hollywood then you won't be allowed to perform in some of the venues in the South because...well you know why. They will never defend you. Those men in Hollywood would make you do things you would regret doing. They will put you so high and drag you down so low."
Bonnie jaw tightened she sat opposite him and stared in angered.
"Even if I wanted to go to London...my crazy mother won't let me. She won't even let me go to California " Bonnie folded her arms.
Klaus smirked "Luckily I'm great with mothers"