Music: Raising Her Voice

Mary has a theory about where the songs come from. “Sometimes,” she says, “people just have something in their soul that they bring with them. I think she’s channeling.”

Singing and songwriting were second nature to Lelia. Stage presence was another matter. “I used to be awful,” she giggles. But she watched a lot of TV. She studied famous people, asking herself: What is it about them that makes you want to watch them? But she doesn’t want to be Britney or Ashlee or Jessica. There are limits to what she’ll do to get ahead. Lelia and her mom aren’t religious, but they’re spiritual. They believe that things happen at the right time and for the right reasons. They have faith that they’re exactly where they need to be right now, and that all things are working for their highest good.

That, they know, is why Lelia recently discovered a book called Relationships Made Easy, that says there are nine types of personalities. “My type is the Achiever,” Lelia says. “Nothing’s going to get in the way.”

“This book has changed our lives,” says Mary. “It’s helped Lelia understand why she does what she does.”

“I will not think about my emotions, ever,” says Lelia. “Then I’ll wonder — why does everybody else think about their emotions and not me? I’m just — get the job done.”

Given you all that I have
I want it all back now …
Look at me and turn away
I’ll be gone without a trace
You could love me anyway

Lelia writes a damned fine torch song for a 15-year-old who never thinks about her emotions. Maybe she really is channeling.

Lelia wanted to sing, and her mom let her sing. She wanted to make a CD, so Mom paid for her to make a CD. What does Lelia want next? Where does she want to be in five years?

“Five-year plan,” Mary murmurs. “We have that.”

Lelia knows. She wants to headline her own tour. She wants to win a Grammy. She wants to sell 10 million records and perform at the Tweeter Center. “The sky’s the limit,” she says. “If I set my mind to it — ”

“If you believe you can — ” Mary says.

And the red flags flip up in your head: Drugs! Booze! Sex! Look at what’s become of Whitney Houston! Won’t the music business chew Lelia up and spit her out? “It will just add to her life experience if it does,” Michaela Majoun says evenly. “Lelia’s poise says something good about where she’s at.” She pauses. “Lelia’s an old soul.”