Chapter 19 Kavita Ridley #2
Friday nights in Harlem were abuzz with anticipation.
It marked the end of the workweek, but more importantly, it heralded the grand opening of the latest speakeasy, discreetly nestled off Fifty-Second and Fifth Avenues.
The Golden Goose, a hidden gem, had only opened its doors a fortnight ago, and the news had swiftly reached Kavita and her friends Lila and Ellie, who, as always, managed to stumble their way out of the car.
A flock of men and women stared at Kavita as she passed them in line, as she always did.
She figured if they all enjoyed reading about her every morning so much, it was her right to get these special privileges.
She hit the goose-shaped brass knocker three times, as instructed.
The security guard dressed in an all-black suit popped out and instantly recognized her.
Kavita pushed the door open a little more before being stopped by him.
“Well, sweetheart, I let you skip the line, but you gotta say the code to get in.”
He chuckled, knowing it was nonsense. She did it anyway, ripping the paper out of her clutch.
“The geese strike at midnight,” Kavita told the man.
He pondered for a moment before pushing it open. “I could have sworn it was a goose.” The man broke out into mad, roaring laughter. “You have a good time tonight, ladies. Let me know if anyone gives you trouble.”
Kavita was no stranger to the dimly lit, gritty atmosphere of speakeasies, but the Golden Goose was in a league of its own.
The narrow, creaky stairwell led to a hallway adorned with royal-blue velvet wallpaper and golden sconces.
The warm glow of the sconces cast a golden hue on Ellie’s fiery-red hair.
The distant sound of a jazz band grew clearer with each step, and Kavita pushed open the door to a breathtaking sight that widened her eyes. She could tell Henrik felt nervous.
Kavita was struck by the beauty of the Golden Goose. She was enchanted by the fact that the rooftop was now a garden oasis with twinkling fairy lights and the moon’s reflection on the shiny black tiles on the floor. Ellie grabbed Kavita by the hand.
“Kavita, snap out of it. Four chairs have our names written all over them.”
Lila and Ellie flopped onto the ruby velvet armchairs, almost blending in with them in their red dresses.
Kavita took in everyone wearing different shades of red, and it was pleasing to see the backdrops of the surrounding greenery.
Kavita looked to her right to see a small elevated stage and a band that started to play dramatic entrance music.
She looked at Lila and Ellie in happiness, wondering why the music was getting louder, and the crowd clapped.
“Have any idea who might be performing?” Kavita asked her friends, who both shrugged.
An eavesdropping girl—probably a fan of Kavita’s—interrupted. “It’s not just anyone. It’s Josephine Baker. I would think the city’s most famous girl would have known.”
Lila caught that as a jab and was about to say something to the girl before Kavita cut in for herself.
“Surely I probably should have, but that’s usually for the unknown girls of the city to know. So I leave that job to them.”
The girl was snatched away as her friends side-eyed her for overspeaking.
Although only two years older, Lila hugged Kavita like a proud mother. “Thatta girl! You show them who Kavita Marie Ridley is!”
As Kavita returned Lila’s hug, the crowd hushed as the spotlight illuminated Josephine Baker.
Kavita and Henrik gasped at the sight of her.
She was like an enigma, an angel descended from heaven.
Her two-piece outfit was covered in crystals, diamonds, and feathers.
Kavita had never seen anything like it. She imagined that was what space would look like; the singer was like a pattern of stars, and they were the dark sky.
Josephine swayed her hips with vigor and elegance.
You couldn’t tell whether she was moving fast or slow.
The audience roared in applause at the end of her dance.
Josephine caught Kavita’s eye, in awe. As she stepped through the crowd, she headed straight for Kavita.
Josephine cupped Kavita’s face in her soft hands, which caused heat to rush to Kavita’s cheeks.
Her wrists smelled like jasmine and sandalwood.
The rumors about how she smelled like a million bucks were true, Kavita thought.
She would never tell them her secret scents, though.
“You’re truly as beautiful as everyone says, Kavita. I’ve been fond of you since I first heard about your family.”
Kavita’s eyes grew big, as she would have thought she was irrelevant to someone like Josephine. She had recently finished her first movie, and Kavita was just a girl who had risen from rags to riches. Nothing was exciting about Kavita when compared to Josephine.
“Fond of me? You’re too kind, Josephine. I’m in the graces of one of the most remarkable women of our time. I hope to be half the lady you are someday.”
Lila and Ellie shifted their chairs to move closer to be in Josephine’s presence.
“Ahh, excuse my manners, ladies. How gorgeous you both look.”
Lila, excited to get a word in, grabbed Josephine’s hand. “You are a stunning performer, and I hope you plan to stay in the city. It’s missing someone like you.”
Josephine laughed while rubbing Lila’s hand.
“I have to return to France. Although, I wish!” She stood up, bringing Kavita up with her.
“I’d love for us two to meet again. It always brings me joy to see another woman who looks like me. We are truly the diamonds in the rough, and you better never forget it. You hear me, hon?”
Kavita smiled because she knew it was true. There weren’t many people in places like this who had the same golden skin tone. Kavita nodded and hugged her. Josephine pushed her back.
“Oh no, honey, we kiss on both cheeks like the French do now,” she said kindly.
She took notice of Henrik and gave him a kiss on the cheek too. Josephine mingled with the crowd, her security close behind.
While looking at her brother, Kavita noticed a shadow come into view. It was Franklin. She let go of Henrik in shock. Franklin grabbed her hand, kissing it. “I missed you so much, dollface.”
He grabbed hold of her and kissed her passionately. It was almost too passionate, even for Kavita.
“If you’ll excuse us, I have something to tell Kavi,” Franklin said charmingly.
He pulled her into a corner, looking at the view, then her.
“Kavita, I want you to look at me and keep smiling,” Franklin said, beaming, nearly laughing.
“I need you and Henrik to leave immediately. Don’t tell Ellie or Lila, as they will make a scene.
Lucky has found out your father had a deal with Dale and ratted him out and the politician with the Farely Shipping Co.
for bootlegging. That ship was taken over by police.
Now he wants your father to pay for his losses. ”
Kavita wanted to hit him. How had he found out? Father kept his business a secret. What if this was all a joke to get Franklin back in with Lucky?
“You know what I think—”
“Kavita, leave now. I won’t promise you make it out of here if you don’t do it now, and quickly.
Have a smile on your face and tell your friends you are using the restroom and tell Henrik you need help with something.
Whatever you do, don’t tell him.” Franklin leaned in and kissed her on the cheek and walked away with a smile on his face.
Kavita told her friends she had to go meet with someone and for them to not wait on her. The girls were already too tipsy to even care.
Henrik saw men in hats who were very much armed coming up the stairs. He grabbed Kavita because, after seeing Franklin and his sister conversing, he knew they were there for her. He beelined straight for the exit door the performers took, away from the rest of the crowd.
Mr. Pierre stood out by the car, waiting with a gun in his hand. Franklin must have informed him as well.
“Kavita and Henrik, hurry!”
Mr. Pierre waved his gun as men came through the next alley, aiming guns toward them and shooting.
“Damn it, Kavita, what have you done now?” Henrik asked as they piled into the car.
Kavita didn’t say a word. Mr. Pierre zoomed through the bustling streets to their estate. Not that it was any safer there.