“They are trying to bully us into disappearing,” Diana said one night as she looked at the legal documents. She felt a deep sense of dread that their lives were about to be ruined by people with too much money.
Harrison was furious when he found out about his uncle’s involvement. “They don’t own the music, and they don’t own you,” he told Rosie during a practice session at a local community center.
Instead of fighting them in a courtroom, Harrison decided to take the battle to the public. He organized a concert at the historic Roosevelt Theater and invited every music critic in the state.
On the night of the show, the theater was packed with people from all walks of life. Rosie stood behind the red velvet curtain, her heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird.
“Just remember the kitchen table,” Harrison whispered to her as the lights dimmed. “Play for the girl who had no keys to press, and the rest will take care of itself.”
Rosie walked out and played with a fire that brought the entire audience to their feet. The performance was so undeniable that even the harshest critics wept at the beauty of her compositions.