68. Have Fun 🤪

"And now for her first time in Times Square, performing her newest song and two more hits - Jae A.B.!"

I smiled at the cheering crowd as they stood outside behind the rails.

In acapella, I sang my new song Easy. "I just want you to know-oh... I've been there, done that,  sooo..."

The flamenco guitar came in, followed by the other instruments, creating the salsa-inspired sound of the song.

"New York! Are you ready to have a jam session with me?" I asked. "Let me hear you!"

The audience roared louder.

I smiled before singing the first verse: I used to think I knew it all / I had a plan to never fall / I heard many people say it / I should've known life ain't perfect / Thank God for the lessons / I now count my blessings / Even when it hurts / It could be so much worse

I took my microphone off the stand as the trumpet and other horns played. I danced from the center to the right side of the stage as if I were Selena herself. Nowhere near close, of course!

"Clap your hands! Everybody, clap your hands like this!" I demonstrated as I clapped with my mic in one hand. I sang the hook: I just want you to know / I've been there, done that, sooo / Never think you're moving too slow / Just don't give up, oh-no

Then, I walked over to the left side of the stage to sing the rest of the hook: I just want you to know / I've been there, done that, sooo / When you see mee / trust, it was not easy

I walked back to the center of the stage. "Second verse!" I shouted.

Second verse: Judge a man not by his appearance / Some are wolves in sheep clothing, and / Discern the lies from the truth / but even liars speak some truth / The prize is not popularity / It's my soul to keep / doing the right thing / Hear me when I sing!

Then all the music stopped, and everyone on stage began to stomp their feet in unison. Together my background singers and I sang the hook. "I just want you to know... I've been there, done that, sooo... Never think you're moving too slow. Just don't give up, oh-no."

The music returned as my background singers continued to sing. I spoke, "Don't look at others and compare yourself to them. God made each of us different from one another. And what works for one, may not work for you, and that's okay. Focus on your own path. So let's live our lives being kind to one another, helping each other, and loving our neighbor. You never know how much of an impact you can be to someone else. At this time, I would like to thank you all for making this next song a hit. Can I take y'all Home with me?"

The crowd screamed as the music made a smooth transition from salsa to disco. "Clap your hands, everybody!" That familiar 70s sound had a few people dancing, and everyone was clapping their hands to the beat.

Verse: Can we be (so serious) / Got me thinking (so curious) / I'm in love with you (do you know) / that I would do (what do you know) / all that I can to make you understand / that I'm not going nowhere / I'm going to prove the love to you / And my love, you won't have to fear (do you know, what do you know-oh-oh)

Chorus: Yes, I'm falling fast / Don't care how long it lasts / Just give me a chance (to do) / a little romance (with you) / Baby! Let me (take you home) / Listen to me! (I'm what you want)

Then, the DJ scratched the song, mixing it with my first song ever.

"Uh-oh! I think it's time for me to Choose!" I pointed at the crowd. Tupac and Dr. Dre's "California Love" beat made everyone move.

I went straight into the hook: Don't make me choose / I've played this game before / I don't wanna play anymore / I don't wanna lose / You do something to me / You mean something to me...

I held the microphone out to the crowd as they sang the song. I ended the performance with these words, "Don't make me -- don't make me choose!" I posed with my hands on my hips.

The audience continued to cheer.

"Wow! Wow! Wow!" One of the hosts spoke, "That was an awesome performance by new artist, Jae A.B. As you can see, the crowd has not stopped screaming. I don't think I've seen the crowd go this wild in... in... it's been a while." She chuckled, "how about you?" She asked the other host.

"Sorry! I'm just speechless over here. Jae A.B. is definitely a rising star, and a legend in the making. I can't wait to interview her. We'll be back on Good Morning America."

I was guided off the stage to an area where three chairs were. I sat in the middle with a host on either side. My make-up artist touched me up before we were back on air.

"We are back with artist Jae A.B. She just had a great performance, and the audience is still screaming."

The second host asked, "Yes, they are. I wanted to ask you, Jae A.B., was the first song a Latin inspired song?"

I nodded my head, "Yes. In the studio, I kept thinking about the artists that inspired me when I was a kid like Selena, Sade, Whitney Houston, Brandy, and so many more."

"I think I even heard some disco and rap, too?"

I answered, "Yes. All of that. I want my first album to be a collection of who I am. I didn't grow up listening to one genre of music. I grew up listening to jazz, pop, rock, R&B, and reggae. Not every song will be a defined genre, but each song will have elements of different genres of music."

"I have to go back to that performance, because it felt like a mini concert. You have an incredible presence on stage. I have to know when is the album coming out and when is the tour?"

I giggled, "Honestly, I'd shout it if I had a specific date set. Do not worry. The album is coming very soon and the concert, for sure, will be next year."

"We've also heard that you could be performing at the Grammy's, and you're nominated for four awards. Is that true?"

I shrugged, "Please don't think I'm just clueless, but I really cannot confirm that. I think people are setting me up for success before I can make the landing. I'm really excited about it, though."

"We can, however, confirm that you are nominated for three IMI Awards which are Best New Artist, Artist of the Year, and Song of the Year. How do you feel about that?"

I replied, "Thankful and excited to be nominated."

"Now we just have to ask, because with everything that's been said about Aja Frost and happening at RiSe Records, will you and Aja Frost ever perform your record together?"

I smiled, "It's our song. She was the first artist I worked with, and when our schedules can come together, it shall happen."

"Last question! Are you dating? I'm asking for my nephew."

We all laughed.

I stated, "I'm not dating."

"Thank you for coming to GMA, Jae A.B. We would love for you to come back."

"I would love that, too. Thanks for having me."

They played my new song "Easy" as they went to another commercial break.

After the interview, I was led to a room aka Jae A.B.'s pop-up shop and meet-and-greet where several fans waited to see me. The pop-up shop included CDs - yes, I said CDs. The CDs had a photo of me on the cover along with my name and title "Collector's CD." On the CD, were five songs. My three songs: Choose, Home, and Easy. The acoustic version to Home, and the instrumental to Easy. There were three different posters: the 8x10, 16x20, and 24x36. Each one had a different image of me. There were also purple karaoke microphones with my name on them, a purple faux fur pillow with my name on it, and sunglasses with my name written on the temples. It was a cute pop-up shop that one of the new team members suggested. From the looks of it now, there was barely anything left to buy for myself. I know it's not for me, but I want something to remember this occasion by. Fans lined up to get their merchandise signed and take pictures with me. It was a lot of fun seeing people up-close from kids to older people - older than my parents' ages.

Our driver took Monica and I to the restaurant where Zeke wanted to have brunch.

"Does that say Lucio's? I know we are not at one of the most famous and expensive 5 star restaurants in the NYC?" Monica quickly grabbed her phone. "How do I look? Does my hair look cute?"

I told her, "Your hair looks just like mine. Do not go in here acting like you've never been to a high-end restaurant before."

"I know how to act. I had money before you did, boo-boo," Monica teased.

The driver opened the door. Our security was out of the car before our feet could touch the ground. Paparazzi was everywhere snapping pictures. It caught me off guard that I left everything in the car from my purse to my phone.

Monica was right behind me as the security led us inside the restaurant. On the way to our table, we walked passed actors, comedians, and other singers. I'm so glad I was wearing sunglasses.

"Ah, I can't believe it's you! Can I please take a picture with you?" I heard Monica shout.

I froze in place before slowly turning around to see Sports Anchor, Tommy Troy. Yes, he's handsome, fine, and everything you'd want a man to physically look like with a voice so full of bass, you'd melt. Of course I saw him, but I held my composure unlike some people I know.

I quickly  walked over to my cousin. "Monique... We gotta go eat. I apologize about that." I told Tommy.

He smiled, "Are you Jae A.B.?"

I nodded my head.

"Can I take a picture with you?"

Before I knew it, a host of celebrities were trying to take a picture with me. Monica took endless amounts of pictures for them. I don't trust that she didn't put her phone number in a few of their phones. She's quick with it.

Finally after several minutes, we were seated at a private table with Zeke. His food was half eaten while ours were covered - thankfully. The waiters removed the silver domes and left us.

"Having fun?" Zeke asked Monica.

She smiled at him. "A lot!"

Zeke chuckled, "Glad to hear. Jae, you killed that performance. I hope you don't forget to celebrate as much as possible, because all this noise can and will die out in a few years."

I arched my brow. What was he trying to say?

"You should invite your cousin on tour with you. She'll remind you to always have fun and celebrate even the smallest things," he said to me.

I looked across the table at my cousin while she danced and ate. In other words, I need to loosen up.

That night, back at the hotel, Monica and I went to the roof top in our regular faces and pajamas. We looked out at New York City and it's beautiful lights and buildings.

Monica nudged me as we stood side-by-side. "What you thinking about?"

I sighed. "Earlier, Zeke was telling me to celebrate everything, even the small things. After everything that happened today, it made me think about time. Seven months ago, I was just Jamie Sawyer. I was stuck and would've lived that way for the rest of my life."

"Stop all that lying, cuz. You know I wouldn't have allowed that."

I lightly laughed, "I know, but this was a risk that I took. You know I don't take risks."

"Don't I? But I have to say, your risk taking didn't start in California. It started with a guy named... umm... A.B.? Yeah, that's his name," Monica said.

I sighed, "I knew you were gonna bring it up."

"I peeped it a long time ago. So, what's up? Are you and A.B. like a couple now? Can I plan the wedding? Tell our mamas to get ready?"

I stopped her. "Hold up, chica. We are nowhere near that." I sighed, "I really like A.B., but a long distance relationship is not possible at this point in my life."

"Says who?"

Him - I wanted to say, but instead I said, "It's getting late. We have early flights to catch."

Monica's phone made a noise. She said, "Well, I think y'all can do a long distance relationship. A.B. is like the church husband every girl wants - faithful and fine. And you're the good girl that never goes bad." Monica's phone made two more sounds. "Who is texting me?" She pulled out her phone. Then she let out one of the most exaggerated gasps. "Jamie, look!" She held her phone out to me.

On her screen was an image of Monica and I walking into Lucio's Restaurant today. The caption read: Seeing double! Is Jae A.B. a twin? Sources say that the woman is Monique English. Jae's look-a-like assistant.

"They think we're twins," I continued, "We need to get back to Cali ASAP. I don't want rumors to start, and then your identity to be revealed which will then reveal my identity." I started to walk away.

Monica said, "I should probably fly back with Zeke, then."

"No! People will think he and I are dating," I nearly shouted.

Monica laughed, "Not necessarily. He could be dating your twin." She winked before skipping ahead of me.

I immediately laughed. Monica and Zeke? Together? Zeke has never dated a woman like Monica. He wouldn't survive it. If that's what she wants to think, I'll allow her to have a little fun.