Shankar Vedantam

It was a place where Riley could rub shoulders with famous people, charm them with his warm southern accent, and impress his daughter on their way home.

Stasia was certain that her dad was something of a star himself.

Sometimes he'd tell her about his musical career as a successful promoter, singer, and songwriter.

Occasionally, he might even sing the song, his song.

It wasn't true.

Billy Hayes and Jay Johnson wrote Blue Christmas.

The person who made it famous?

Elvis.

If Riley had written Blue Christmas, money might not have been so tight for the family.

Stasia eventually learned about her dad's most important artistic endeavor, not a song, but a writing project.

To fund its creation, Riley solicited money from investors, some of whom he convinced to pour thousands of dollars into the project.

Sometimes investors and bill collectors would call to ask,

when they were going to get paid.

For many children, there is a moment when a curtain pulls back and parents are revealed for who they are, imperfect beings with flaws and failings.

But for Stasia, the father she saw when the curtain opened was hard to recognize.

It happened one day when she was 12, hanging out at home.

The caller demanded to speak to her dad.

Stasha said he was out.

How Stasia responded to that phone call when we come back.

You're listening to Hidden Brain.