Frankie’S Angels

By Cynthia Harris Casteel

Frankies Angels will become the next Waiting to Exhale. This one comes with a Maze Concert. Cynthia Harris Casteel tells the story of five women who call themselves Frankies Angels. Their love for Frankie Beverly and Maze has helped them endure the joys and pains of life. They discovered their common denominator on the Maze website and now they are on their way to Washington D.C. to meet at the first Angel Convention and a Maze concert. Some are actually expecting a surprise visit by Mr. Beverly. Before they get to the convention and concert, their life stories are revealed. The reader gets to understand why a Maze Concert is a necessity for these ladies. Frankies Angels are deeply in need of a spiritual healing and only Maze featuring Frankie Beverly can be the fix.

Although this work is fiction, Cynthia incorporates real facts about their favorite singer, Frankie Beverly. The reader gets a taste of facts mixed with a toss of fiction. Your imagination will take you along with them to a Maze concert. If you have never attended a Maze concert, this book will take you there and if you have had the fortune of attending a Maze concert, youll understand exactly what they feel.

Though the name Frankies Angels gives the angels an angelic tone, youll be shocked to know the real deal about some of the angels from their past to the present. Come meet, Candice, Tish, Twana, Mozelle and Ernestine.divine messengers of light.

Be prepared to laugh and cry as you travel on the wings of Frankies Angels.

Happy Feelings!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 4, 2005
• ISBN: 9781463491352

Cynthia Harris Casteel

CYNTHIA HARRIS CASTEEL, born and raised in Maryland, is a retired teacher.  It has been her dream to become an aspiring writer.  In theater, she wrote and directed, “God, Not the Wizard” and “What’s the Matter with the Chillen?”  Cynthia owns her own production company, “Everyday People Productions”. She loves to write plays so this is her first novel.    She is the founder of the real Frankie’s Angels, an organization that was started in the year 2000.  The mission of the organization is to spread happy feelings.  The love for Frankie Beverly and Maze was the driving force behind the concept.    Cynthia currently resides in Clinton, Maryland with her husband, Charles .  She is working on a book of poems, entitled “Mental Pause”. 

Book preview

Chapter 1

A Place in My Heart

Candice

The Angels convention was approaching and I wanted to look my very best. After all, this was the first time meeting some of the angels. I might even get to see that fine Mr. Beverly up close and in person. Through e-mail he did tell me that he was going to attend the meeting. I hope he was joking because a quick glance at myself in the mirror made me realize that I wasn’t ready. I wouldn’t want anyone to see me looking like this. I had gained far too much weight to be considering myself the queen of the crop. Menopause was starting to take its toll on me. I looked in the mirror and wondered who had stolen my identity. Who was this woman who called herself one of Frankie’s Angels? The once beautiful Candice Martin had worn a size six. She had long, flowing silky hair and a shape that would have made Marilyn Monroe die all over again. Her skin use to be as soft and golden as the golden time of the day and her smile was just as radiant. This woman that I was looking at in the mirror is so different. Mother Nature had called my breast and every other part of my body to come on down. The mirror did not lie. I had dark marks on my face; marks that said I had lived a rough life. Thank God for Fashion Fair, I smiled as I continued to observe in the mirror the new Candice Martin. Mirror, mirror on the wall, I don’t know this person at all, I laughed as I chanted in the mirror like I was a fairy tale princess.I paused and said to my self, What the hell, I’m fifty two years old. Who could expect anymore considering what I had been through?

The time for the convention was growing near and I had a lot to do, but for some reason it was hard to put my heart and soul into it. Just the little everyday things of life had been enough stress and preparing to meet with a group of women only increased the pressure. Keeping up with my husband and my step-son had taken all the energy I had. Picking up my to do list, I added, go on a diet .

I have to call the hotel in Washington DC and then I need to call Tish and Ernestine. Out of all the angels, Ernestine is my girl. The Angel convention would not be the first time we met. Fortunately, I live in Maryland and Ernestine lives across the bridge in Virginia. We were introduced to each other by way of the Maze website and then we made arrangements to meet at a Maze concert. Thank God our personalities clicked. You know there are times when you can just tell that a sista is feeling you and you were destined to be friends. I believe that God puts people into your life for a reason. I could count on Ernestine. She was reliable and most of all nice. I reminded myself of how grateful I was that she lived in Alexandria,Virginia. We both lived close to Washington DC and since that’s where the convention was going to happen, she would be a great asset.

Tish, on the other hand lives in Los Angeles. Ms. Priss as I’d like to call her is the well-traveled, well educated fifty year old angel. It always helps to know someone with the kind of cash flow that she has. She is the co-founder of Frankie’s Angels so I try to include her in all the planning. As soon as I call her she’s going to want to make sure that things are done exactly the way they should be. You can’t be mad at a sister for that. I must admit she knows how to handle her business. She is a conservative, beautiful sister; I try to tell myself and yet, when I first met her at a Maze concert there was something mysterious about her. I don’t like to talk about my sisters, but in my head, I’d say that she’s a little too stuffy for me. Stuck up would be the more appropriate description. Sometimes she thinks that she is the founder of Frankie’s Angels and I just have to remind her that I am the founder. She was the first person I started talking to on the Maze website. I ain’t ego tripping or nothing like that, but I’m the one responsible for all this convention stuff that’s about to happen in the next couple of months.

Suddenly, I start to move towards my walk-in closet, thinking about what I’d wear the weekend of the convention. We would all meet on Friday night and then there’s the meeting on Saturday afternoon, topped off with a Maze concert that Saturday night at Constitution Hall. Of course, I’d need an outfit for all three occasions. Perhaps we would all dress alike in t-shirts. That would certainly make my life less complicated.

Standing with my hands on my hips, I realized that my mind had shifted to overflow. I had too much going on in my head. I sat down on the end of the bed, smoothing out the wrinkles on my beautiful rose embroidered bedspread. I take a deep breath realizing that my thought process had sizzled out for the day. Whenever I start to feel this way, I know it’s time for a spiritual healing. I have two resources, prayer and a Maze song.

Anyone who is a Frankie Beverly and Maze fan knows that when the going gets tough, the tough gets going to a Maze song. It does not matter what you are going through, there is a soothing song that you can find to fit your need. Whether you want to get back in stride, get through the changing times, be right on time, feel like running away or if you just want to spread some happy feelings, there is a song that will take you there and bring you back. I tried to think of my favorite Maze song, but I realized that my mind was not cooperating.

Leaning back on the bed, I closed my eyes and thought of all the songs that had gotten me through the ups and downs of life. For every life experience I’ve ever encountered, there was a Maze song. Mr. Beverly’s music always made me feel like he was singing for me only. I reached for my CD collection, tucked in the corner near my stereo. I was indecisive. I couldn’t figure out what song would fit my need. Allowing my fingers to make the selection, I pulled out one. I pressed the CD opener and my fingers continued to do the walking. I pressed a number, any number and just like that, my song for the moment was, A Place in My Heart.

I leaned back on my bed and closed my eyes. I listened to the words and for the first time that song touched a place within me. I absorbed the words with a new meaning and it was like I was touched by an angel. I don’t know just where you come from. Those words made me think of how this whole organization came to be and how Mr. Beverly had won a place in my heart.

I was off into la la land, absorbing every word, every beat, every note. Frankie Beverly and Maze’s music allowed me to work my imagination. My mind shifted to the seventies. My cousin, Elva and I use to hang out together in those days. We attended a Maze concert in Valley Forge, PA. That crazy girl insisted that we find the hotel in which Maze was staying. After the show, we went on a search in the little town of Valley Forge. We actually lucked out, found the place and she had the nerve to go to the hotel lounge and call Mr. Beverly out for a picture. He was so sweet and charming and believe it or not, without any hesitation, there he was with that sexy little smile, standing in between us taking a picture. He had won a place in my heart from the very beginning. He did not say a lot, but allowed his soft brown eyes to speak for him. His eyes revealed that he was a person of integrity, one with a kind spirit and a giving heart. He loved his fans and you could feel it.

A knock came on my bedroom door and I answered it with hesitation. I was in my Maze zone and I thought everyone knew I wasn’t to be bothered when my Maze music was on. After several knocks I opened the door only to find my tall, thin, step-son standing there with the cordless phone. Candice, you had the music so loud, I didn’t think you’d hear me, he said. It’s Dad. I turned down the CD player, hating to give up a minute of my Maze time. I had drifted on a memory and that’s where I wanted to stay. Jason said he wasn’t coming home tonight. No problem, I think to myself. I could use a husband free night. I have a lot to do. He was on an emergency business trip and I think to myself that these emergency trips have been popping up a lot lately.

I’m sorry honey, but I’ve got to make a quick run to New York for the company, he says.

I’m glad you have some extra clothes with you, Jason, I say.

Yeah, well, you know these trips can just pop up, so I’m always prepared.

I wasn’t feeling Jason, but I managed to get out a chuckle.

Who’s that you listening to, Maze?

Need I answer that, I reply.

He laughs and we say goodbye.

My husband is fifty-five years old. I just don’t see him as an old player and in my attempt to remain positive, I don’t want to think that he’s having an affair, so I exhale and then chalk this one up as another business trip.

I close the door and continue to make an attempt to get back into my Maze zone. I think of Frankie’s Angels and I think of Mr. Beverly, I don’t know just where you’ve come from….

It just seemed that destiny had done its thing!

I push a button on my CD player and the volume goes louder, You have won a place, a place in my heart.

Chapter 2

Look at California

Tish

Who on earth could be calling me this early in the morning? I roll over to check my caller I.D and it’s Candice Martin. Candice Martin is the founder of Frankie’s Angels. She has given me the title of co-founder, what ever that means. I can’t say that I stood right beside her when this whole idea about being guardian angels came up, so she really deserves the credit. I feel that this is a great opportunity to meet Mr. Frankie Beverly live and in living color. I believe in taking advantage of a good opportunity. I know she wants me to do something for this convention, but like I said, if this will give me the chance to meet Frankie Beverly than I’m all ears. Allowing the phone to ring three times, gave me the chance to clear my morning throat. I sat up in my beautiful bed, running my fingers over the five hundred thread count sheets. I thought of how blessed I was as I caressed the smoothness.

Hello, I manage to sound wide awake.

Hi, Tish, this is Candice. Did I wake you up? Girl, sometimes I forget you are three hours behind us, but I need you to do me a favor?

Hello Candice, so nice to hear from you. I tone up on my manners. How have you been?

I’m great! I’m just trying to get things together for the convention.

Acting like I didn’t know it was coming, I ask, What can I do to help?

I need you to get me the e-mail addresses of all the angels. Girl, you know, I can’t keep up with the addresses, but I need to send everyone an e-mail.

That’s no problem, you know I have everything you need and it’s all in order. By the way, did you call the hotel?

Yes, it’s all set up. We got a discount rate on the hotel and now I just need to secure the room for our meeting.

That’s good. I replied. Have you checked the website lately?

No. Candice answered, What’s up?

Girl, that foolish Twana is on there. You know, the Ghetto Angel of all time. These people are so ignorant and I just hate the way they write. They can’t spell or punctuate or anything. It’s so embarrassing.

Candice laughs and says Girl it’s the teacher in you. You’re too perfect and you can’t expect everyone to be like you. The website is not the place for you to grade papers and judge people like they are your students.

I don’t care. At least, people should learn how to write a sentence before they get on there.

I’m feeling you. Now if you just forward those e-mail addresses to me and stop sweating the small stuff. Got to go, Jason is on a business trip and I’ve got things to do. Talk to you later.

She hangs up. I put the phone down slowly. My mind led me to an intolerable thought about dumb people.

Nothing bugs me more than dumb folks. I have been an educator for some twenty years and I just hate to see some of these idiots get on the website and write like ignoramuses. Twana, the youngest Frankie’s angel writes like she never went to school a day in her life. If we call ourselves Frankie’s Angels we should be well represented in every aspect. If I could only get Candice to lay down some rules for this meeting that we are having in DC.

Speaking of DC, I’m the one who has to fly all the way from California to Washington. I really wish the convention could have been here in sunny California. Besides, I had some hesitations since the sniper situation. Man, am I glad they captured those two fools. Who would ever believe they were black? Actually I feel sorry for them. I wondered if those two had ever in their life listened to any Maze music. It was the kind of music that would make you want to do right. I tell you the world and its crazy people was my thought for a brief moment. I didn’t want to focus on the negative this morning. I had too much to be grateful for.

I decided to get up and move over to the sitting area of my bedroom. This was another opportunity to count my blessings. Without doubt, I was living large.

I loved the feel of my flowing silk night gown. Though simple, it made me look extremely elegant. I was wearing my favorite color pink and as I stepped into my pink high heel slippers, I felt like I was the queen of the world. Every woman should wear pretty lingerie, I thought. It does help you feel like a queen.

Maria, my housekeeper, had already set up the table with my morning tea and the paper. I opened my windows to catch a glimpse of the beautiful California sun. Below me, the palm trees swayed as though they were waving good morning. I took my first sip of tea and the taste of mint was refreshing. Anyway, I started thinking of how I was dreading this meeting because I feel like the angels we have are a bunch of idiots. I just don’t like ignorance. These folks were discovered by way of the internet and you’ve got to be careful with internet fools.

I happened to have met Candice on the internet. I am a die-hard Maze fan. I have every Maze song there is going back to the Butlers. Maze is the only band that can sing to me. I crossed my legs as I picked up the newspaper in search for some exciting news, but after that talk with Candice, all I could think about was Maze.

I closed my eyes and laughed as I thought about last month. I had gone to an Al Green concert. Oh how I wished I could have been a genie or some sort of magician. I would have waved my wand and transformed Al Green into Frankie Beverly. Perhaps I am spoiled by the warm feelings and the love that radiates from a Maze concert. All the rest are just damn right boring! I may show up at a Maze concert any where in the world. Trust me I have not missed one on the West Coast.

I would love to meet Mr. Beverly and Candice promises me that we will get that opportunity. I’d do anything for that chance. She told me to stop acting like some crazy fan. I don’t think she understands how much I’d like to meet the man. They communicate through e-mail.

Sipping on my morning tea, I start to think about the time I traveled to Maryland to see Candice and Maze, of course. She’s was rather spiffy for a fifty two year old, but I found her to be a bit insecure, always looking in the mirror and putting herself down. And I think her husband thinks he’s a player. So sad for an old man, I laugh to myself. The only man that age that could