“It’s been you all the time,” he said.
“Really,” I asked. I could not believe how close we were.
Actually he told me he wasn’t interested.
And he told me we could get at it another time.
So I jumped him and said the time is NOW.
Ha! Kidding ….
There was no guy. And there was no heart-stopping, passionate moment of love making. It was “just me” drumming up a chapter in my head while I was on my way to see Ms. Anita Baker at Radio City Music Hall. She’s an angel. … Right now I’m waiting for the concert to begin.
* * * *
Oh man…. I thought I wasn’t the only one attending the show solo. I was under the impression that this lady, a seat over to my left, was here alone, too, but her friend just arrived. Surely there is someone in this building who said to themselves, like I did, “Anita Baker is going to be in town, and I will be there to greet her!”
Right?
Well, let me sit back and not pose with this blackberry. I’m certain people are dying to talk to me ; ) … I’ll continue with post show analysis on my way home.
(Okay the neon stirrer in everyone’s $20 cocktail is way too much. I hope the drink doesn’t taste as tacky as it looks.)

It’s funny how the audience swells up to capacity within moments of show time.
Wait. Before I go … I just saw a man who looked JUST like Frankie Beverly (& Maze) sipping on what looked like cran & vodka. … But Frankie seems like a Hennessy man, or cognac, if you will, and he would not be chillin’ on the 2nd floor mezzanine level. It will be VIP for the legend, thank you very much. But this Frankie Beverly -look-a-like is, without question, a salt & pepper haired stunner.
(Okay. Really. The neon stirrer should be banned. Looks something used in a fed raid ….)
* * * *
Me and Anita Baker … Kindred spirits, I tell you.
She looked gorgeous on stage.
Her makeup (and yes I know where I sitting lol) … the eye shadow on her lids gave her this smokey, sultry look. Skin was flawless. She looked like she walked off the set of a 1986 video set. Seriously. I don’t think she aged at ALL!
Ms. Baker told us she just turned 51!
I shouted, “You a lie!”
She wore a black v-necked wrap dress with slits around the shoulder and arms for added sexiness. And a little ruffle on the front. She wore heals. I want to say silver because they had some glitter and shine from this bird’s eye view. Her smile had enough watts to brighten a room.
The stage was her ballroom. Oh, the way she moved around gracefully. It was comfort watching her. I felt as though I was home with my Aunt Anita and she was telling me incredible stories about love.
Love.
My goodness. … Each and every song made you want to be in love or feel love. Or just simply BE the definition of love and give it to someone.
And did I mention she invited more company? Picture it: You’re home with that favorite aunt, or your mom, or friend who is Anita … And she’s talking and telling you about “back in the day.” That’s how it felt. Then the door knocks. So Aunt Anita would tell me,
“Kat, baby, get the door for me.”
As she takes care of something in another room, I open the door and turn breathless. Tyrese is looking down at me.

“I want you to meet a good friend of mine,” she would tell me. … Tyrese came over to sing “Lately” …
{Lately … have I told you I loved you? Have I told you you still mean the world to me?}
Tyrese was fabulous. Evolving … Aunt Anita told him she wished she wrote those lyrics.
Imagine that.
That’s like Dorothy Parker or Joan Didion saying, “Oh, Kat, I wish I wrote that line in the piece you wrote back then.”
Yeah. I know.
While he was doing a little crooning with the ladies by the stage, Aunt Anita started singing some of his song and he just stopped. You could tell she took him by storm. He was like a little boy while watching her sing, so captivated by her voice — like we ALL were.
Her band and back-up singers were pure and organic. You have to love LIVE music just for that. It was totally unsaturated.
Anita Baker is Grace. Love. Soul. Laughter.
Closing time is always hard but Aunt Anita left me with some powerful reminders and stories of triumph. I left reminded that love makes you feel like You Can! …. Love is not demanding. It’s easy, yet it’s so hard. Love is unconditional. And love. … Love inspires. Inspires you to do something …