Cinderella - Part 5, "You Could Drop Jaws"

When NY returned from Mexico, we began to discuss which songs he wanted to use on his indie film and how we would go about recording them.  The demos I had of the songs would have worked, but NY did not want to have to buy them off of the producer who had cut them.  He chose Spin, Rhythm, and Secret Devotion.  One day NY sent me to the gym with Abercrombie so he could take care of some business.  Later, Abercrombie, Hills and I watched the film and he showed me the places in the film that NY planned to place my songs.  Abercrombie also told me a bit of the inside story of how NY had become frustrated with so many dead end opportunities to advance as an actor and decided to take his career into his own hands by making his own movie.  I loved the vibe of the film and thought it was stellar, especially considering NY had made it all by himself.

"You could drop jaws if you wanted to." - NY

Abercrombie lived in a condo off of Sunset and Doheny that he had custom interior paint, wainsncot, and crown molding in beautiful earth tones, along with rustic brown leather couches and dark wood furniture.  There were custom framed pictures of him from his earlier modeling years on his office wall.  One in particular showed him on roller blades with a baseball cap on, and his shirt in his back pocket.  He looked like an Abercrombie & Fitch model (hence the nick name) with a stop and stare all American build and bright, perfect smile.  But his looks were just gravy over the main course of what I saw in his character at the time.  I admired his ambition, professionalism, attention to detail, and no nonsense business demeanor that I assumed was the reason for all of his success.  When NY would have friends over late at night, they would all smoke weed and Abercrombie would ponder the universe.  I would always excuse myself and go to bed, but I would listen to Ab through my door and enjoy hearing him let down his guard a bit and talk from his heart.  His ideas of how the world worked were very disappointing and worldly in retrospect, so I was glad not to be a part of the conversation.  Everything they talked about sounded so stupid to me, probably because I was sober.

NY had to leave again for a few days to start shooting a new film so he left me to look after his house.  His friend I have nick named "Romeo" had been hired as his driver and body guard for his current project and had arrived promptly to pick him up.  Romeo was a 6ft, 2" tall Hispanic with shoulder length coal black hair.  He had massive arms and shoulders that would make The Rock look like a wimp, with a slender waist and legs.  He was an overt ladies man and I often cringed inwardly when he would discuss nights out with his boys where they all shared the same girl for hire.  He thought he was so smooth though, and would wink at me and open every door for me after blurting out his nasty business.  I guess he assumed I was so intoxicated by his game that I did not care or did not hear him.  The worst thing about him though was that even with all of the filth and pride, he was a very likeable fellow.  He had manners, was easy to talk to, and was such a hysterical character, you just had to like him.  He found a star shaped barrette under one of the car seats when he helped me out of the car once and he gave it to me and said, "This is for you, because you're a star", then he winked.  As cheesy as it was, I kept the barrette.  

Romeo and I exchanged a few words while NY gathered his bags and prepared to leave.  He told me how much NY liked my well presented cooking and even joked that he thought NY was in love with me.  I told him to shut up and get the bags and we both laughed.  Romeo stood in the doorway as NY approached me to say goodbye.  He looked at me with a sad face and hesitantly said, "I think I might miss you while I am gone."  He then put his massive arms around me and lifted my 115 pound frame like a rag doll as he hugged me warmly.  I clung to him as long as the moment would allow and then let him release me gently onto the ground like a ballerina.   That moment is emblazoned in my mind as one of the best experiences in my life.  I looked up to NY so much and his pure and innocent affection meant the absolute world to me.  Every other guy I had known had always pressured me to be physical so I was not interested in any of that.  No guy had ever just wanted to by my friend, no less help me grow as an artist.  I was truly honored and my heart soars every time I think of that moment.  I would not trade it for all of the money in the world.

NY and Romeo then left and I went straight for the fridge since NY was not around to count my calories.  He was always telling me to go to the gym and would give me a subtle look each time I would eat.  (Since I was small, I have been constantly hungry and ate several snacks throughout the day.)  He even once walked over to me while I was laying on his couch on my side and physically pushed my little stomach pouch into the center of my abdomen as if to say, "no saggy flesh allowed in my presence".  As humiliated as I was, I just brushed it off knowing that I would never want to be the superficial 3% body fat waif model that he chose to be at his side for the month, (or so I assumed of his love life).  I was a size 2 and though I was not chiseled, I felt like I was in decent enough shape.  I think NY just wanted me to be the best I could be and knew how competitive the Entertainment business was.  He had to be very disciplined with his diet and exercise routine and I am sure he expected the same of anyone else who wanted to be in the business.  Why should he have to work so hard if others could just get in looking average like me?  Perhaps these are some of the thoughts that motivated him to be so critical of my appearance.  

Another amazing memory I have with NY is the time he rented out his favorite Italian Restaurant and invited his closest friends to hear me play piano and sing.  The place was called Ca' Del Sole and 6 guests were in attendance, as well as NY and I.  NY wore an ivory thick knit sweater with a low turtle neck, black pants, and black weathered boots.  I got ready and presented myself in black leather pants, black heel boots, and a black t-shirt.  NY said I looked nice, (for the first time, a compliment...).  We arrived at Ca'Del Sole and joined NY's guests.  NY motioned me to sit by him, but there was a couple occupying the booth bench so I offered to sit across from him to avoid splitting up his friends.   The waiter quickly greeted us and NY ordered for me.  His friends were lovely people who were all in the industry and all spoke very highly of their host.  The restaurant had positioned a baby grand off to the side of our table for my showcase and after we had enjoyed our exquisite dinner,  I was invited to sit at the piano.  I played 3 or 4 songs and then joined NY and his guests at the table again.  They were all very gracious and kind about my songs and after another round of drinks and light conversation, we said goodnight and went our separate ways.  

On the drive home, I shared with NY how special the night had been for me with exuberant delight.  I told him that I must really be special if all this was happening to me.  NY quickly corrected me and told me that one's specialness is something that you let others say about you, but never say about yourself.  It's good advice actually, and I have tried to apply it.  But I never felt comfortable adopting NY's complete theology.  There were some definite holes, not that mine was any better, especially back then.  His correction shut me up and made me embrace the calming drive through the canyon.  Like thunder, his deep voice broke the silence as he spoke, "You could drop jaws if you wanted to Yvonne".  He explained that I had done well that night, but that he felt there was more in me.  He was never satisfied with just ordinary results and was always pushing me, and everyone around him higher.  I loved that about him and really felt motivated to work harder by the challenges he presented.  My dreams are often filled with visions of him and it haunts me to think about how many people he could influence if he were to give his life to the Lord.  I will never stop praying that he does.