While Bennett was in town, he organized a piano concert for me to play. It was a debut for his orchestra in New York and my name as the headlining pianist. Ken waited with the stage hands, like he usually did, and they showed him the ropes that moved the curtains.

I stood side stage, wearing a floor length, red, satin ball gown with a round train that pooled on the floor behind me. I had fresh flowers pinned up in my hair. I gripped the edge of the red velvet curtain while ...