Bohipsy bits

  

first class

took some time to feel free to fly

understand the sky is not restricted airspace

boundaries of conditions

judgments and roles

have no room there

do not attempt to ensnare these wings

or clip them in self-serving conveniences

enslaving Love and Truth

the proof of manipulator’s detection

is the poof before departure.

if you desire to share my Soul

ask yourself,

how far are you willing to travel?

© michele mitchell 2015

Photo credit: Love Flies 2011 www.wallpaper.com

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Segment Eight: Write In The Middle of IT

The Basement was filling up quickly even though the band has still setting up.

When Mekayla walked in she was pleasantly surprised that Brett had secured her favorite booth. When he stood up, she took survey of him again. He was wearing a lime green turtleneck and brown slacks. Brett’s smile was amazing as well as infectious. She couldn’t help smiling back at him as she sat down on her side of the booth.

“Hey” she said.

“Hey yourself, “Brett replied, “You look gorgeous.”

“Thank you.” All of a sudden Mekayla became self-conscious of the flattering peasant blouse she was wearing and hugged her shoulders to conceal herself.

Brett frowned slightly, “Are you cold?”

She shook her head, “Nah, I’m good.”

“You want a drink?”

Mekayla thought for a minute because she knew that if she started drinking she wouldn’t stop. Not that she was an alcoholic or anything and actually she preferred the herb to the alcohol, but when she drank she lost what little inhibitions she had.

Considering there was an attractive man sitting across from her, she was about to listen to some neo soul and she was out of herb, she replied, “Sure.”

Brett waved over the waitress who was a tall slender woman with an auburn Afro.

Jaqueline recognized Mekayla and softly smiled at her.

“What’s up Meek?” Jaqueline said.

“Hey girl.” Mekayla responded casually.

“Your usual?” Jaqueline said writing down her usual order for Hennessey on the

rocks with a twist of lime.

“Yes please.”

“And you?” Jaqueline gave Brett a somewhat sarcastic look.

“Heineken.”

Jaqueline nodded and without looking up asked Mekayla, “How’s your man?”

Even though Mekayla’s stomach dropped her facial expression never changed, “He’s good Jackie thanks.”

“Cool,” Jaqueline said while walking away, “I’ll be right back.”

When Jaqueline was out of earshot Brett resumed his grinning at Mekayla. “So does everyone know you have a man?”

Mekayla chuckled, “Yeah well he usually comes up here to see me perform.”

What she didn’t tell him is that on one particular weekend Mekayla performed a poem that publicly announced her love to Kevin and when she was done he came up on stage and hugged her. The crowd gave her a standing ovation more for the emotional reaction to the poem then the actual poem itself.

“Oh so he will be here for the Haunted Poetry Weekend?” Brett asked

Mekayla shook her head, “Nah, he has an away game that weekend?”

“Oh he plays ball?” Brett asked somewhat surprised.

“Oh no,” Mekayla corrected him, “He’s a high school coach.”

“Really,” he answered appearing interested. “And what do you do?”

“I teach creative writing at the after school program.” she answered.

“Do you like it?”

“I love it.”

At that point Jaqueline returned with the drinks and when she left the band began

to warm up. Brett looked around and realized that he didn’t have the greatest view of the stage.

“Damn.” he said.

“What’s wrong?” Mekayla answered.

“I really can’t see.”

“Well do you want to switch places?”

“But then you won’t be able to see.” Brett said matter of fact. “Do you mind if I

sit next to you or is that against the rules?”

Mekayla slightly frowned, “What rules?”

“Any rules that you and your man have established.” Brett said with sincere seriousness.

Mekayla’s frown became more than slight now, “My man and I don’t have any rules like that. Like I told you before Brett, he trusts me.” She slid over making room for Brett to join her in the booth. Brett pushed his beer over to the other side of the table and got up to sit next to her.

“Well do you trust me?” he asked her raising his eyebrow.

“I have no reason not to.” she answered straight-faced.

When Brett sat down next to Mekayla she was enveloped by his fragrance. It wasn’t exactly cologne, because it smelled more like a soft cleanser of some sort. Inside she smiled but outside she remained emotionless. The band was playing louder now signaling that they were ready to begin which solicited light applause from the audience. The band consisted of a drummer, bass player, and keyboard player. There were two singers a female, who Mekayla recognized as Jane, although she pronounced her name Ja-nay. Jane was an awkward looking pear shaped woman with long dreads and a bad attitude.

Mekayla knew her since high school and even though Jane had a strong voice, she was very stuck on herself. Mekayla always thought that artists, especially black female artists should stick together, but when she tried to approach Jane after an open mic one night and Jane snubbed her. After that, Mekayla refused to go to any of her performances.

The male singer was Malik, who was absolutely gorgeous, but only twenty-years old. Before Mekayla and Kevin got together, she thought about buying a PS2 or some sort of video game to get Malik over to her house. He was caramel, with perfectly trimmed facial hair, and his dreads were now past the “wild” stage. He only stood about five foot eight, but there was a sexiness that just oozed from him. It could possibly be the fact he could sing everything from Bilal to Gerald Levert. Ironically enough at that point the band started playing Bilal’s “Soul Sista” and Mekayla smiled widely.

“I love this song,” She leaned over to whisper in Brett’s ear.

When Brett responded Mekayla felt his breath on her ear and it made her flutter on the inside. “Yeah his whole CD is tight.”

Mekayla as a distraction picked up her drink and drank a little more than she was supposed to, which made Brett chuckle.

“You want another one?” he said intentionally moving closer to her ear. Mekayla leaned back and nodded to give more space between his mouth and her ear. Brett signaled Jaqueline over to the table. But she just pointed at Mekayla, nodded and spoke to the bartender. Brett trying to be casual leaned closer to Mekayla’s ear

“You smell great by the way. Is that Obsession?”

She nodded.

“I don’t know too many people that wear that anymore, but it’s a classic.”

The breath on Mekayla’s ear smelled of peppermint, which pleased her, however she took her hand and turned Brett’s face toward the stage.

“You said you wanted to see right?” Brett had a satisfied smirk on his face as he listened to the music. They sat and listened to Malik’s set, which consisted of Bilal, D’Angelo and Levert. Brett kept the drinks coming. The pair did not speak, and somehow during the course of the evening they inched closer together. Mekayla was always a touchy feely person so the closeness didn’t bother her at all. She must have been feeling her liquor because at times she would find herself closing her eyes and singing along to the music. Upon opening her eyes again she stared at Malik promising that if her and Kevin were to break up for whatever reason, she would go out and purchase a PS2, and she meant that shit. Her fantasy was interrupted because it was Jane’s turn and she sung a lot of Erykah, Jill, and Mary. They did three duets, and then took a break. Mekayla stood up.

“I’m going to get some air.”

“You okay?” Brett asked as he let her out of her booth.

“Yeah, I’m just feeling my liquor.”

“You want me to come with you?” Brett asked hopefully.

“If you want.”

The pair went outside and down the same alley where they first met. Mekayla leaned up against the wall and sighed heavily. Brett stood in front of her and looked into her eyes.

“You aiight?”

Mekayla closed her eyes half because she was uncomfortable, half because the sky above her was spinning.

“Yeah, I just shouldn’t drink that much.” Brett reached out to her and began rubbing the back of her neck.

She saw that as comforting, not sexual.

Brett saw it as loosening her up. They heard slight applause turn into an ovation as apparently the band took the stage again. They both recognized Dwele’s Whoomp coming through the walls into the alley.

Mekayla began to open her eyes but before she opened them completely Brett leaned in and kissed her full on the mouth. Her eyes sprung open but he comforted her by placing his hands on her hips and drawing Mekayla closer to him. Brett kissed her again and this time he kissed her passionately and Mekayla was held captive by his kiss and Dwele’s bass line.

to be continued…

 

Segment Seven: Write In The Middle Of It

Mekayla was suffering from the worst case of writer’s block and because of this she had become impossible to deal with. She could be laughing and joking one minute then the next minute become snappy and reclusive. Erik thought that if he volunteered Mekayla’s services for Haunted Poetry Weekend, it would keep her mind busy and off of the fact she couldn’t write.

It actually depressed Mekayla more. For one, when she called Kevin about the event he told her that he had to coach an away game that weekend and more than likely would not make it. If he doesn’t make it that will make a total of six weeks that her and Kevin had not seen each other, which was the longest time that they have spent apart since they became a couple. So every time she had to go to one of those

overzealous Haunted Poetry Committee meetings Mekayla was reminded of the fact she wouldn’t see Kevin.

Not only was she not seeing Kevin, but Mekayla noticed that she hasn’t talked much to Kevin either. At first she chalked it up to her being really busy, but one night when she was flopped across her pillows watching cable she realized it was Saturday and her phone hasn’t rung all night. Mekayla walked over to her desk and grabbed the phone to dial Kevin’s number.

When she reached his voicemail she dialed his cell.

When that instantly went to voicemail, she threw the phone onto her pillows and flopped down next to them.

Why the fuck ain’t he answering his cell? He always answers his cell.

Mekayla never had a reason not to trust Kevin before, but now she was feeling a little uneasy. Why was it that all of a sudden that he couldn’t just come up after the game? He never had a problem with it before, but he told her he would be too ‘tired” to drive up Saturday night. When Kevin and Mekayla got together they rarely slept, so she didn’t understand why he was tired all of a sudden.

And now he isn’t answering his phone.

What’s really going on here?

She grabbed the remote and mindlessly started flipping channels but there was nothing on TV to watch so she shut it off and tossed the remote next to the cordless phone. She jumped up from the pillows, walked over to her desk, and shook the mouse to her PC. Staring back at her from the monitor was a blank word document. Mekayla sighed, sat down and began to type.

Maria took a long drag off of her cigarette and stared into the horizon off of,

Damn

Mekayla stopped typing.

What the hell am I gonna name the boyfriend?

Erik was right I rushed this whole thing. Well I don’t have to give him a name right now.

Mekayla began typing again.

Maria took a long drag off of her cigarette and stared into the horizon off of his balcony. Going home from visiting him is always hard. It seemed that she is rushed to shower, pack and get everything ready for the ride to the train station. When they get to the train station the goodbye is casual as if Maria will be home for dinner. She often wondered if he knew she wound up crying for most of the train ride home.

Mekayla stopped typing and reached into the drawer under the desk and grabbed her cigarette stash, which included a lighter and ashtray, and lit up. She often wondered herself what Kevin felt when they would leave each other? He always seemed to be okay, like it really didn’t bother him. Like dropping her off at the train station or gassing his car up was just something on his “to do” list.

He seemed to do it so effortlessly.

Mekayla never bothered to bring this up to Kevin because she never thought it mattered. They had that kind of love that went without saying. They could just look at each other and know what was on each other’s mind. So why was she feeling so insecure now? She began playing with her twists at the front of her head when the phone rang. Assuming it was Kevin, Mekayla got butterflies in her stomach as she picked up the phone.

“Hello?” she answered

“Mekayla?” the voice said.

“Yes?” she asked quizzically.

“Hey you, it’s Brett.” he said.

“Oh hey, ” Mekayla said walking back over to her cigarette to bring it to the pillow pile.

“Were you busy?” Brett asked hanging on the receiver to the pay phone for dear life.

“I was writing.” She said in a tone implying Brett disturbed her.

“Do you want me to let you go?” he asked hoping she would say no.

Mekayla took a long pause and puff before answering ” Nah, you aiight. What’s up?”

“Listen I wanted to apologize for last weekend at the coffee shop. I was completely out of line.” Brett said looking in his pockets to make sure that he had enough change for their conversation.

Mekayla’s face became sullen as she rolled over onto her stomach, “Please Brett, I forgot all about that. And besides I was out of line for flirting with you.”

The smile took over Brett’s face, “Ah, so you were flirting with me?!”

Mekayla could do nothing but chuckle.

“I thought so.” Brett said as he paused for effect. “So you aren’t seeing your man this weekend?”

“Nah”, Mekayla said blowing smoke.

“You wanna hang out or are you really busy writing?” he asked quietly depositing three nickels into the pay phone.

“Actually I have been blocked for a long time; it’s starting to piss me off.”

Mekayla metaphorically answered.

“Well The Basement has a neo soul band tonight, do you wanna go?” Brett asked completely missing Mekayla’s thinly masked metaphor.

Mekayla winced, “I don’t know if I should.”

Brett laughed, “Oh what Kevin doesn’t allow you to go out?”

“Don’t start.” Mekayla snapped.

“Okay okay,” Brett answered holding his free hand up in defense. “I’m sayin, call him, tell him you are going out, and meet me there in twenty minutes, ok?”

Mekayla pondered for a moment before answering.

What harm could it do?

She looked down at her faded T-shirt and jeans and said, “Aiight, but let me change into something a little more suitable and I’ll be there.”

“Great, see you then.”

Mekayla hit the button to her phone, put out her cigarette and rushed to her dressing area. She pulled out her favorite frayed flares and her tangerine peasant top that tied at the breasts. Her excuse for getting changed was just simply that she wanted to look appropriate for the venue. She convinced herself that she didn’t care what Brett thought, but subconsciously she did. Maybe it was because she hadn’t seen Kevin in a while and wanted to feel attractive. She knew that the outfit she picked flattered her assets and quite frankly at this point wouldn’t mind if they were noticed. Her common sense was battling her ego at this point.

She wondered what Kevin would think if she knew he was going out to meet a man he knew nothing about. But as Brett brought to her attention, Kevin has plenty of female friends she knew nothing about, and knowing Kevin was a sharp dresser, she was sure he didn’t dress down for them.

Oh well fuck it.

She would tell Kevin all about her evening when she got home. Mekayla knew technically she wasn’t doing anything wrong so Kevin had nothing to worry about.

At least that’s what she told herself.

She finished the look with her coffee clogs and hemp accessories. One good thing about having twists was that Mekayla didn’t have to do her hair. She walked over to the mirror and ran some tangerine gloss over her lips, sprayed her Obsession in places she probably shouldn’t have, grabbed her coffee suede sack and walked out the door.

At that point her phone starting ringing. On the fourth ring Mekayla’s machine picked up.

Ay this is Mekayla, I’m not available, but leave me a message.

“Ay yo sweetie, it’s me. I’m sorry I missed your call but I was in the shower. You are probably writing, so call me before you go to bed. I love you.”

to be continued…

Segment Five: Write In the Middle of It

It was a crisp autumn morning that Mekayla was not too thrilled to be awake for. She had put on her gray sweats with a Sixers hoodie and glasses and ran her fingers quickly through her newly twisted hair

The reason for her lack of sleep.

She looked in the mirror and smiled in approval. It was nine in the morning and Mekayla figured she would grab her laptop, walk to the corner coffeehouse, grab a Chai Tea and write a few pieces, possibly a few chapters. Then she would go home and take a quick nap before Erik came by to get his braids done.

Book bag clad, Mekayla power walked the blocks to the coffeehouse. Upon entering gave the what up nod to Ervin. Ervin smiled and put his newspaper down to fix Mekayla’s usual.

Mekayla took the back booth that was a corner window seat and set up to write.

“Nice hair.” Ervin said sitting down handing Mekayla her tea.

“Thanks Erv,” she said taking a sip. “Did it last night.”

“It’s becoming on you.”

Mekayla just smiled.

“Good job last night.” Ervin said getting up from the table, “Erik give you your money?”

Mekayla shook her head, “Not yet, I’ll get it from him later”

“Ok. When’s the last time you’ve seen that man of yours? He said going back behind the counter.

“Three weeks ago.” Mekayla said beginning to type.

“Damn, I dunno how you do it.” Ervin said going back to his paper.

“Patience, trust, and more patience.” she said somewhat under her breath.

Besides missing Kevin, having writers block is quite possibly the worst feeling Mekayla could feel.

She somewhat equated writing to achieving an orgasm.

When she’s blocked: she’s not writing anything, doing anything.

When she has a concept that needs to get out, it’s somewhat like getting rubbed through her clothes and being kissed passionately in a dimly lit parking lot. When she’s writing, she is in the moment creating images in your mind so folks can feel them.

When it’s done, she wants a cigarette.

Right now she is just blocked. Mekayla played with one of her twists hanging from her forehead and sipped her Chai. She was lighting a Newport when she heard the front door open. As usual she was having trouble with her lighter and she began to look up to ask Ervin for matches when she came face to face with Brett.

“You need a light?” Brett said reaching into his pocket.

“Yes please.” Mekayla said smiling and Brett leaned forward to light her cigarette. “Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome, Mekayla. May I sit down or are you busy?

“No go right ahead,” Blowing smoke.

Brett sat down across from Mekayla and Ervin approached him.

“Hey what’s goin on? You want anything?” Ervin asked.

“What are you drinking?” Brett asked Mekayla.

“Chai-Tea” she responded

“Is it any good?” Brett asked smiling.

Mekayla sipped again, “I wouldn’t drink it if it wasn’t good.”

Brett turned to Ervin, “Ok I’ll have one.” Ervin upon leaving rolled his eyes and

stuck his tongue out at Mekayla, which made her giggle.

“So,” Brett said when Ervin was out of earshot, “You’re up awfully early for someone who was sick last night?”

Mekayla nodded and flicked her ashes and looked at Brett over the laptop, “Yeah

I know but after I had a hot bath. I couldn’t sleep.”

“So you did your hair, looks good.”

“Thank you.” At that point Ervin came and left with the tea.

“I wish I coulda put chu to sleep.” Brett mumbled sipping his tea.

“Excuse me?” Mekayla said slightly frowning.

Brett put one hand up in the air as a sign of slight surrender, “Nothing I’ll behave.”

Mekayla when she hasn’t slept had a tendency to be playful, not to mention flirtatious. She never got carried away with it and usually knew when it went too far. Besides, Brett was an appealing subject.

“No don’t behave on my account.

“What about that man you are so in love with that makes you so happy?” Brett

replied sarcastically

“What about him?” Mekayla replied matter of fact sipping her tea.

“Well if I don’t behave myself, he may get upset.” Brett said in a hushed tone leaning forward in the booth.

“No he won’t.” she said abruptly.

Brett chuckled and leaned back, “Ok this is some sort of test, and you’re teasing me.”

“No,” Mekayla pushed the laptop aside so she could lean forward and look into

Brett’s eyes. “I love my man,” she said sternly. “I refuse and will not do anything to hurt him, so despite all of your sexual innuendo, I am completely and totally in control of my actions.”

“Commendable and noble, but I don’t believe you.” Brett responded smiling.

“Why is that?” Mekayla said never changing her expression while she put out her cigarette.

Brett leaned forward again. Mekayla could smell his soap, “Because underneath your sweet exterior, I’m sure inside you are not so sweet.”

“That depends.” Mekayla said leaning forward even closer.

“On?” Brett said licking his lips.

“The man and the situation.” Mekayla said looking dead in Brett’s eyes.

“I see, so how do I figure in on all of this.”

Brett wanted to kiss her.

“You don’t,” Mekayla said leaning straight back into the booth. “You know my

situation, I have a man.”

Brett frowned and sat back, “Tease.”

Mekayla laughed while sipping her tea. “No I was just proving my point.”

“How so?” questioned Brett tossing his hands up in the air.

“I am completely and totally in control of my actions.”

“But you set me up?” Brett challenged, “So that doesn’t quite count.”

“Not really, “she shrugged,” You think it was easy sitting that close to you and not acting on it?”

“So what are you sayin?” Brett looked confused.

“You’re attractive, I’m sure you know that.” She got her lighter to work this time and lit another cigarette. “You smell good and even in those baggy sweats and God awful white T-shirt, you look good.”

Brett frowned and pointed to his shirt, “What’s wrong with the white T-shirt?”

Mekayla exhaled smoke, “You a little old for that ain’t you?”

“I’m in my twenties,” he said defensively.

“Closer to thirty.” she spat back

“What’s your point?” he said frowning.

Mekayla pushed the laptop in front of her again, “I dunno, but I was gonna ask you if you were cold, it’s pretty brisk out.”

“Well” Brett admitted, “I was just coming up here to get a cup of coffee, until I saw you.”

She just looked at him.

“Ok Ms Mekayla, let me ask you this. If you are so happy with your man, why did you give me your phone number?”

Mekayla sighed, that’s what Erik had implied last night. Ok how does she tell a man that she gave him the number because he was cute, and gave her the high girl butterflies?

She figured she’d flip the script.

“Why did you ask me for my phone number when you knew I had a man?” she replied.

“Touché. Brett replied.

Mekayla then realized that he wasn’t as bright as she first thought. She typed a little while and there was silence between them. Brett sat straight up as if he had a great idea. “Can I ask you a personal question?”

“Be my guest.” Mekayla said still typing.

Brett leaned forward and whispered, “How do you do it? I mean how can you go weeks at a time without…you know?”

“She masturbates.” said Ervin from over top of their heads as he handed the two of them fresh tea. Brett jumped, and his jaw dropped to the floor.

Mekayla smiled but didn’t respond.

Ervin walked away whistling to himself. Mekayla continued typing while Brett just stared at her. She had to chuckle because Mr. Aggressive seemed to have been shut down by Ervin the poetical coffee guy. She stopped typing as while watching him fumble for his cigarettes and decided to let him off the hook.

“You really wanna know how I handle it?” she asked

Brett just looked at her and lit his cigarette.

“I don’t. I don’t have to. My man is the type that could walk in the door right now and take me out to lunch, to a park, and then head back home. When I miss him all I have to do is say so and he’s here. Now I admit there have been times that I have gotten frustrated, but you get that with any relationship.”

Brett, a little more at ease, asked, “How long have y’all been together?”

“About a year.”

“And you never cheated?” he asked.

Mekayla paused an unusual length of time because answering this question so she wouldn’t give Brett the wrong idea.

There was a time she hadn’t seen Kevin in about two months and she went out with a friend and at the end of the night the friend kissed her– a

full kiss on the mouth tongue and all. It felt good and she didn’t stop it. But when he wentto kiss her again, she did stop him. Mekayla knew that if she didn’t stop him in her weak state, she would have gone home with him.

Luckily Kevin was waiting for her when she got home because she was actually contemplating seeing the friend again. But if she did, she would have to end it with Kevin.

Was her relationship worth a random and quite possibly unsatisfying piece of dick?

As she said before, she loved Kevin and she would never, ever hurt him. Thank God for patience, restraint, and divine intervention.

“Define cheating,” she said through an exhale

At that point there was a knock on the outside window which startled both Brett and Mekayla. Erik sighed as he pushed the door open to the coffee shop. He headed right to the back where the stunned Mekayla and Brett sat.

Well okay maybe Brett was a little more stunned than Mekayla

She just had a weird smirk on her face. Erik scooted Mekayla over looking at her the whole time. Then just for good measure kissed her on her cheek.

“Nice hair mami.” Erik said not taking his eyes off of her. “Who’s your friend?” finally acknowledging Brett was sitting there.

Mekayla returned Erik’s kiss just for the hell of it. “Thank you papi, and this is Brett. Brett this is my best friend Erik.”

Brett gave Erik the what up nod which did not impress Erik at all. He sat stone-faced until he decided to comment.

“You’ve been hanging out at The Basement lately?”

“A little bit” Brett said blowing smoke out of his nose.

Erik took off his navy hoodie almost knocking his hat off of his head. Mekayla noticed his braids were a mess and sucked her teeth. Erik initially ignored her and responded to Brett instead.

“Yeah, I think I’ve seen you there.”

He then turned to Mekayla, “Am I interrupting something?”

Mekayla put the last little bit of her cigarette out, “Nah, not at all, we were just talking about relationships.”

Brett began to shift uncomfortably on his side of the booth.

“Oh really.” Erik responded, “How is your relationship by the way? When was the last time you spoke with Kevin?” Erik asked in a tone that only Mekayla could pick up as sarcastic.

She gave him the same tone back.

“Last night actually, we’re great.”

“Well that’s good to know, when is he coming up again?” still in the tone.

“I’m not really sure,” Mekayla, becoming annoyed, answered through her teeth.

“Oh okay. Well maybe he can come up for Halloween because I just got this email about the Haunted Poetry Weekend.” Erik said pulling a piece of paper out the back of his sweat pants, handing it to Mekayla.

As she took the paper from Erik Mekayla’s expression changed from annoyed to serious. “Hey I didn’t get this?”

“I just got it. So you interested?”

“Hell yeah I’m interested.” Mekayla said looking over the paper.

“Tell Kevin about it.” Erik sighed as he took Mekayla’s tea and sipped it.

“I will.” she said not looking up from the paper.

“So Brett, you a writer?” Erik asked with a smirk on his face.

“Nah,” Brett shook his head and was becoming as uncomfortable as Erik was trying to make him. “I just like to listen.”

“I feel you,” Erik said with mock sincerity.” Some folks just like to be on the outside, lookin in, knowing they have no business on the stage.”

At that point Mekayla snapped out of her distraction, “Erik!”

“Poets have a lot of groupies.” Erik continued to speak and you could see the rage well up in Brett’s face, but he remained quiet.

“Erik, that’s enough.” Mekayla said starting to become a little loud.

“But don’t let me stop y’all conversation.” Erik said ignoring Mekayla. “What were y’all discussing?”

Brett all of a sudden got some balls and looked Erik right in his eye. “Infidelity.”

Mekayla buried her head in her hands.

“Oh really?” What about infidelity?” Erik said, his tone becoming serious.

“Mekayla asked me to define it.” Brett said matter of fact leaning forward.

Erik grabbed his hoodie off of his lap and began to put it back over his head this time exposing his unkempt hair.

“Oh that’s an easy question. Mekayla knows the answer to that as a matter of fact I think she’s the one who gave me the example I live by.”

Erik put his hat back on his head and turned to Mekayla.

“Can I tell him Meek?” Mekayla responded by lifting her head out of her hands.

“I knew she wouldn’t mind. Infidelity is the committing of any act that would anger you if you knew your partner did it.” Erik kissed Mekayla on her forehead and whispered in her ear.

“I’m not even Kevin and I didn’t like how this looked.”

 He then turned to Brett, getting out of the booth.

“Did that clear things up for you?”

Brett just chuckled slightly to himself.

Erik then turned to Mekayla.

“I’m goin to the gym so I’ll be over at two instead of three.”

She just nodded and Erik walked out.

Brett looked over his shoulder and then back at Mekayla.

“What the fuck is his problem?”

Mekayla waved at the air “Don’t mind him, he’s just real protective.”

“Is he gay?” Brett said snarling.

“You’re kidding me right?” Mekayla asked almost in a laugh.

“Nah, I’m just sayin he seems kinda soft to me.”

“Believe me Erik, is anything but soft.” Mekayla said starting to get a little annoyed.

“Is that your man’s boy?” Brett said still kind of frowning.

Mekayla chuckled, “Nah, as matter of fact, he hasn’t met him yet.”

“Wait a minute, “He said confused,” Y’all have been together a year and your man hasn’t met your best friend, who is also male?”

Mekayla slightly frowned but didn’t respond.

“Shit if I had a woman like you, I’d want to know everyone who was around you.” Brett said leaning back in the booth.

Mekayla shrugged, “Kevin isn’t insecure like that.”

“Doesn’t that bother you?” he asked.

Mekayla began packing up her laptop “Why would that bother me?”

“Well it seems to me, Kevin, really isn’t concerned about what you do?”

Brett said folding his arms planting the seeds.

“No.” Mekayla said firmly, “Kevin trusts me.” she said putting the laptop in her book bag

“So Kevin would have no problem with walking in here right now with you

sitting across from me?”

“No, not at all.” is what she said but in her heart she wasn’t sure. “He has female friends.”

“And you know all of them?” Brett asked.

He couldn’t have dug deeper if he had a shovel.

“For the most part.” Mekayla responded.

“I see, for the most part. So you don’t know them all? He asked again almost going for the kill.

Mekayla shrugged, “I’m sure there are one or two I don’t know.”

“My point exactly. Does Kevin know about me?” Brett asked now smiling.

Mekayla felt her stomach flip flop. She now knew where Brett was headed but tried to play it off.

“Shit Brett, I don’t even know you.”

“And yet you were flirting with me.” Brett paused slightly and began rubbing his finger along the rim of his cup. “Now using Erik’s telling of your version of infidelity. If you overheard the conversation you and I had earlier with Kevin and another female you didn’t know, what would you think?”

Mekayla felt her face engulf but she sucked her teeth casually.

“That’s stupid, I have nothing to worry about.”

Inside she felt as though she were about to throw up. She knew she was flirting with Brett and just the mere thought of Kevin flirting that way with another female set her stomach on fire.

“Are you sure?” Brett said grinning, “Because your face is turning beat red.”

“I’m just tired,” Mekayla said getting up putting her book bag on her back. “And you heard Erik; he’s coming back earlier than I thought. I haven’t had any sleep”

Brett grabbed Mekayla’s hand, “I’m sorry sweetie, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“You didn’t. But I have to go.” Mekayla was starting to get pissed off, but she couldn’t let Brett see that. He never let go of her hand, stood up and came out of the booth to give her a hug. The hug was a strong one but she didn’t hug him back. She just wanted to get out of there. Mekayla walked up to Ervin, who was still reading his paper, put money on the counter for the tea, and left.

Her head was spinning.

What the fuck just happened there?

All she knew is she had a need to call Kevin, on his cell, while his team is at practice.

Brett sat back down smirking. Knowing that the next time he saw her again Mekayla would have talked to and possibly argued with Kevin and all he would need to be was a sympathetic shoulder to lean on.

When Mekayla got home, she heard what sounded like a baby crying from her bedroom. She put her book bag on the dining room table and cautiously walked into her room. When she came to her back door leading to the fire escape, the crying became louder. She opened the door, looked through the screen and found a little tiger striped kitten wailing. Mekayla gasped and opened the door and cupped the kitten in her hands.

“Aww.” Mekayla said to the kitten, “Where is your mommy?” She continued to cup it in her hands as she walked into the kitchen. She placed the kitten in the sink, went into the fridge, and pulled out a bottle of spring water. Then she got a small bowl from the cupboard, placed it in the sink with the kitten, and poured the water in it. Then she heard more crying. Mekayla knew the kitten couldn’t get out of the sink without help, so she walked back into her bedroom and looked out the door to see a black kitten wailing. This time she picked the kitten up, put it in her pocket of her hoodie and climbed the steps of the fire escape to the roof. When she reached the roof, there was a basket in the middle full of a dozen kittens wailing and attempting escape

Mekayla looked around, but of course there was no one on the roof. She grabbed the basket and went back down the fire escape into the loft. She took the black kitten out of her pocket and put it back in the basket. She went into the kitchen to retrieve the other kitten, but when she did she jumped because Brett was standing at the sink petting the purring kitten.

“What the fuck are you doing in here?” Mekayla yelled as she put the basket on the dining room table.

“Shhhh,” Brett said as he came toward Mekayla “You’ll wake her.”

Brett backed Mekayla into the table pinned her with his torso as he gently tossed the kitten into the basket behind her, but he didn’t move

“I’m going to ask you one more time,” Mekayla said through carefully measured breath and trembling,

“How the fuck did you get in here?!”

Brett leaned in to her ear and whispered “You let me in here.” Mekayla’s eyes fluttered closed as Brett began biting and kissing her neck.

“I didn’t.” Mekayla gasped giving in to his kisses. Brett lifted her up on top of the table as his lips met hers. He had the softest lips Mekayla ever felt against her own and she moaned with his tongue in her mouth. Brett moaned back and then pushed her legs open with his knee and began rubbing the fabric covering her newfound moistness.

Mekayla pushed his hand away.

“What, we are only kissing?” he kissed her harder and grabbed her breast and squeezed so her nipple was in between Brett’s index and middle finger caressing it until it a small lump formed through the fabric of her sweatshirt. He then lifted her shirt and bra and began tickling it with his tongue. Mekayla let out a louder moan and arched her back. At that point Brett climbed on top of the table and positioned himself accordingly. Kittens were wailing and jumping out of the basket but it didn’t stop

Mekayla from scooting out of her sweatpants and now damp underwear. Brett pushed himself in between her and the table legs began banging up and down on the wooden floor. The kittens were screaming now. The banging was getting louder. All Mekayla could do was moan and inhale his cologne. Brett was moaning. The banging was getting faster and louder, the kittens wouldn’t stop screaming. Everything just kept getting louder until Mekayla opened her eyes and found herself in her living room lying across her big fluffy pillows. The teakettle was screaming for mercy and she heard a banging at her front door.

Dammit I didn’t mean to fall asleep!

She walked over to the teakettle that was so hot she couldn’t even pick it up.

“Ow shit!” She yelled as she dropped it into the sink. The banging became louder at the door.

“Hold on a minute!!” she yelled as she ran her hand under cold water and hissed. She heard the top lock to her front door click open and she stood there trembling.

With her knee she eased open the cabinet under the sink and bent down and pulled out a small, metal, baseball bat. She stood back up and shut off the water as the front door opened. Mekayla lifted the bat up over her head and almost took Erik’s head off if he didn’t snatch the bat with one hand and twist Mekayla up on to her dining room table.

Ironically they were in the same position as her and Brett was in her dream but the bat was in between them.

“How many times have I told you that little bat ain’t gonna do shit?” Erik snickered as he kissed her forehead. Mekayla kneed him in the stomach just hard enough for Erik to let out a small grunt and stand back up laughing.

“Were you asleep?”

“Yeah,” Mekayla walked back into the living room and flopped back down onto the pillows. Erik put the bat on the dining room table and took his shoes off at the front door. He then walked behind Mekayla and playfully tousled her hair before he flopped down next to her.

“I really like your hair.” he said.

“Thanks.” she said as she sat up on her elbows and began taking out Erik’s braids.

Just as she began to frown above his head, Erik pulled a rat-tail comb from his hoodie pocket.

“Thanks, again.”

“I’m always prepared.” Erik said half seriously

“And if I didn’t know any better I’d swear you were white.” Mekayla joked. “Cause you’re always early. Weren’t you supposed to be at the gym?” she said tilted his head back to look at him.

“I changed my mind. Plus I wanted to see if you were okay.” he said looking up at her.

Mekayla pushed his head back down and resumed removing his braids “Why wouldn’t I be okay?”

“Brett is trouble.”

“Mmmm, I dunno. He seems okay.” Mekayla said not believing her own words.

“Nah, he’s definitely weird. Like if you were alone with him too long he may hurt you.

Mekayla’s thoughts went back to her dream. She closed her eyes and reminisced about Brett’s lips on her body and shuddered. She couldn’t understand why she had the dream and it was unsettling to her. She was thinking about Kevin and if he found out he woulda flipped. But it was a dream right, she had no thoughts of acting on it.

Or did she? Maybe the dream was about her own frustration of missing Kevin. Mekayla was going to call him as soon as she was done with Erik’s hair. She needed to talk to her baby.

“Why you so quiet?” Erik asked her.

“I’m thinking about Kevin.”

“Good. You should be. And you also should be staying away from temptation?”

Mekayla wrinkled up her face, “Who’s tempted?”

“Oh please,” Erik responded,” When I came up to the window you looked as though you wanted to eat that man alive.”

She chuckled, “I did not!”

“Meek, I know you better than anybody. And I have seen that look on your face before. You remember the bass player?”

“Oh God!”  That was so long ago!”

Erik chuckled, “It was, but he was the inspiration to a poem, wasn’t he?”

“Shut up!”

“See that’s when I know I’m right, because you always tell me to shut up.”

“Whateva!” she snipped

“Followed by a whateva.” Erik chimed back. “But seriously, what do you know about Brett?”

Mekayla shrugged, “I know all I need to know considering the situation. I’m not pursuing him Erik.”

“You better not be.”

Mekayla pulled Erik’s hair a little harder than normal.

“Ouch. Watch it.”

“Sorry.” she said half-heartedly.

The two sat in relative silence as Mekayla did Erik’s hair. Erik was concerned about her because she always seemed to attract the worst men. The last few people she was involved with either wound up cheating on her or just blatantly doggin her. The bass player was no exception. Erik felt kinda of bad because it was him who introduced the two. He gave her his phone number and Mekayla would strategically plan when to call him, but he was never home and never returned her calls. Because Erik knew Mekayla, he knew that only intrigued her. She had this theory that chaos caused her to be a better writer. She wasn’t wrong though. When Mekayla was going through things her poetry had so much flavor. But it bothered Erik that she had to go through hell to write the way she did. Mekayla became the definition of a “tortured artist”, until she met Kevin.

Kevin brought a glow to her eyes that Erik had never seen before. And although he was skeptical of the whole long distance thing, he for the most part couldn’t argue that Kevin made Mekayla happy. He just hoped that the artist inside Mekayla didn’t have her pining away for new torture to ruin her happiness.

All Mekayla wanted was to call Kevin and have him come up to kill the dream in her head.

Or, even better, outdo it.

to be continued…

Photo Credit: © Hassan Davis

Segment Five: Write In The Middle Of It

Sadiah must have slept the whole day because her stomach aching and her head was throbbing when she opened her eyes. The room was dark, but she knew Brett wasn’t in the bed with her because she could see the alarm clock blinking, eight-thirteen.

Damn I only have forty five minutes to get to the club. I can’t miss work again or Brett will kill me for sure this time.

She got up and shakily walked over to the sink and turned on the light. Her head almost fell off her neck when the light shined in her eyes, but she still backed up and took a survey of her appearance. All in all Sadiah, still thought of herself as pretty but she thought she may be a “little” skinny. She rubbed her hands over her false, swollen breasts.

But as long as I have these, I’ll have money.

She walked over to the bed and reached down under it. She pulled out an old gym bag, put it on the bed and opened it up. Sadiah then took a piece of newspaper, balled it up and stuck it in the drain of the sink. She let the hot water run into the sink as she squirted some cheap bath gel into it. Sadiah missed getting a bath but now a days the only way she could get a bath is if she went home with some john at the club. She winced at the thought, took a plastic razor out of her bag and placed it on the sink.

But anything was better than home.

When Sadiah was a little girl she would fill her oversized tub up with suds every night. Her mother would come in and wash her back and they would sing spirituals together. Sadiah’s mother was a tall, crimson complexioned woman, with waist length raven hair. Sadiah remembered that Mama had the softest skin.

Didn’t even use a washcloth when she washed Sadiah’s back.

She didn’t need to.

Her Daddy worked long hours at the meat packing plant but when he was home, he and Mama doted on Sadiah. There were always picnics in the park, walks in the Old Market to get ice cream, and of course church on Sunday. Sadiah couldn’t wait to turn thirteen because then she could join the young adult choir. Mama and Daddy both promised her that if she brought her algebra grade up to a B that she could join. The last day of the marking period when “Ms. Howard the Horrible” handed Sadiah her report card, she almost threw up.

Ms. Howard seemed to like all of her students except Sadiah. She just thought she was a spoiled snob.

So was her mother frankly.

Neither one of them had to lift a finger because Daddy took care of everything.

Shit some bitches get all the luck, Ms. Howard thought. If that red skinned bitch had to work two jobs just to put a roof over her head and take care of the two trifling boys that no good husband of mine left me with, Sadiah wouldn’t be so spoiled then, that’s for sure.

Sadiah waited until she was six blocks away from school before she opened her report card. With her eyes she skimmed past all of the other grades until the very last one.

When she lifted her thumb off of the square a “B” smiled back at her. Sadiah ran the rest of the way home.

When Sadiah got to the top of her block, she hesitated because she noticed there was a police car in the driveway. She began to pick up the pace again until she was running full speed into the house. When she came in the house a female officer was rubbing Daddy’s back and he was sobbing.

“What’s wrong?” Sadiah screamed as her report card fell to the floor when she knelt before him.

“Go take a shower Sadiah.” Daddy said between sobs. “We have to go to the hospital to say goodbye to Mama”

Sadiah took showers instead of baths every day for the next year.

A drunk driver coming home from the market at one clock in the afternoon killed Mama. That didn’t make much sense to Sadiah.

Who drinks alcohol so early?

Sadiah was a young thirteen but she did her best to keep the house in order while Daddy was at work. But most of the time she would fall asleep doing her homework which made her grades suffer. Instead of going to church on Sundays, now her Daddy would go out to lunch. Sadiah was mad at God and never wanted to go back. Daddy just found the memories too tough to handle. Most nights Sadiah could hear Daddy crying through her bedroom wall.

Then one week or so Daddy was coming home whistling and singing Godly songs. Sadiah was happy that Daddy was smiling but she missed him when he would go out at night. Sometimes Daddy didn’t come home until three o’clock in the morning. She would stay up until she heard the front door shut tight.

One Sunday while they were at lunch he told her why he was so happy.

“Sadiah, we have a guest for lunch today.” Daddy said across from her in the booth smiling.

“We do?” Sadiah said munching some French fries.

“Yes, and she is a really nice lady and I want you to meet her. I like her Sadiah.”

Sadiah hasn’t seen her father smile this much since he would smile at Mama singing at church. Even though she felt funny about the whole situation, she figured if this woman made Daddy smile as much as Mama did, she can’t be all that bad. Just then she saw her father get up and smile. Out of the corner of her eye Sadiah watched her father lead a woman to the table. Sadiah picked up her milkshake and turned around in the booth.

“Sadiah, I like you to meet…” Sadiah was so shocked her glass hit the floor and shattered. The milkshake splattered all over Ms Howard’s dress.

Within the year, Ms Howard had moved in and kept her Daddy happy but made Sadiah’s life hell. When Sadiah would come home from school there was always loads of laundry to do, dishes to wash, and toilets to scrub. Sadiah just knew that Ms. Howard dirtied the place purposely just so Sadiah could clean it.

Not to mention that, Ms Howard called her names like, spoiled prissy bitch, and would hit her with a broom when Sadiah didn’t finish her work fast enough. Ms. Howard often threatened her that if she ever told Daddy, she would have her youngest son Zeke come over and teach her a lesson. Sadiah knew what she meant by that and she shuddered at the thought. She didn’t even like boys yet and Zeke was not only eighteen but he was ugly, fat, and slow. So because of that, Sadiah kept her mouth shut.

One day, Sadiah came home and noticed that Ms Howard was gone and Daddy was sitting in the living room goin through a whole bunch of tapes.

“Where’s Ms Howard?” Sadiah said looking around the house.

“Oh, she’s getting her hair done,” Daddy said without looking up.

Sadiah chuckled.

“Be nice Sadiah,” Daddy said slightly smiling himself.

“Whatcha got there?” Sadiah said as she sat on the couch next to her father.

“Oh,” said Daddy fondly, “Some tapes of your mother singing at church.”

“Oooooooh,” Sadiah said, “Can I have one?”

“Sure.”

Sadiah snatched the tape from her Daddy and began running up the stairs.

“Where you off to? We have a stereo down here?” Her father called after her.

“To take a bath!” she shouted back. Sadiah ran into her room grabbed her tape player and rushed into the bathroom. She filled the oversized tub with hot water and squeezed some of Mama’s lavender bath gel in it so it could suds up. She stripped naked and looked in the mirror hanging on the back of the door.

Damn I’m built like a boy.

She quickly turned away from the mirror and put the tape in the player and let the sounds of Mama fill the bathroom. She delicately got in the water because it was hot and she didn’t want to burn her stuff. Once all the way in she began singing at the top of her lungs. She would reach over the tub and hit rewind so she could re-sing her favorite parts. Her Daddy tapped on the door.

“Diah?”

She shut off the music, “Yes Daddy?”

“I’m going out for a while, I’ll be back,

“Okay Daddy.” she began rinsing herself.

“Diah?” he said again through the door.

“Turn the music back on. You sound just like your mother.”

Sadiah smiled and turned the music on so Daddy could hear her sing. She stayed in the tub for hours. She even drained then refilled the tub when the water got cold. She heard the front door shut and started singing louder for her father. She heard him come up the stairs and she even smiled knowing that Daddy was smiling too. Then the bathroom door came crashing open and the mirror shattered on the wall behind it.

There stood Ms. Howard grimacing at Sadiah.

“What the fuck you think you are doing?” Sadiah was stunned. Ms Howard unplugged the radio and smashed it against the wall.

“I said what the fuck you doing?”

Sadiah was angry now and stood up in the tub. “I’m taking a fucking bath, you dyke looking bitch.” All Sadiah remembered after that was being hit back into the water. She had hit her head on the wall and became dizzy and sick.

Ms. Howard was screaming at her saying, “I’ll show you a dyke you spoiled bitch.” Next thing Sadiah remembers was Ms Howard coming at her with a plunger. Sadiah tried to shield her face expecting blows but Ms. Howard jammed it under the water instead.

Sadiah screamed.

Blood filled the tub.

Her womanhood was jabbed until she passed out.

The only thing Sadiah regretted was not saying goodbye to Daddy. She stole money out of his wallet left in the middle of the night.

Left with a gym bag full of clothes and some of her mother’s tapes. She’s been on her own for about two years now.

It hasn’t been all-bad.

One of her johns bought her these tits and when the club is closing the owner sometimes lets Sadiah sing.

But only sometimes.

Sadiah shaved her legs in the sink and looked in the mirror.

Yeah, she thought, it could be a lot worse.

to be continued…

Photo Credit: © Hassan Davis

Segment Four: Write In the Middle of It

Brett walked the seven blocks in no time. He stopped at the older white house on the corner with the broken awning and pushed the heavy door open. As he was climbing the steps, you could hear a baby crying from behind a wooden door, a couple arguing, glass breaking, but by the time he got to the top of the steps that led to his room, they were a muffled choir of noises below him. He sighed, unlocked the door then let it slam behind him as he walked in. He pulled a cord, which turned on a light over the sink which enabled him to see the small dingy room.

In the room was a bed, a nightstand, a round table with a chair, and the sink. Sitting on the table was a rotary phone and a TV that did not work. There was a lump in the bed. Brett sighed and rolled his eyes as he shook the lump. A disheveled head rose up from it. She groaned slightly and pulled the thin cover up to her neck to hide her obviously naked body.

“What chu waking me up for?” the female said wiping her chin

“Why aren’t you at work?” he spat back.

“I’m sick,” she said pulling the cover around her neck.

“You’re always sick.” Brett growled as he sat on the opposite side of the bed to undo his shoes. Sadiah let the covers fall, slithered her naked body behind Brett and began kissing him on his neck. Brett didn’t exchange Sadiah’s affection but continued to take off his shoes. Sadiah would have been a pretty girl if she weren’t so worn out looking. She had a light cinnamon complexion with wide sleepy eyes and full pouty lips. All her mussed hair needed was some oil sheen and a comb, and it would have framed her round head perfectly. Her wiry body housed breasts that were too round and perfect to be real.

Sadiah pressed them up against Brett’s back as she began to lick and suck his neck.

“Will you stop?” Brett snapped as he shrugged her off of him.

Sadiah sighed as she put her chin on his shoulder, “What, you didn’t miss me?”

“How can I miss you, you are always here!” Brett barked.

Sadiah scooted off of the bed initially in anger but then knelt down in front of him. Brett winced in disgust as his gaze traced over her skinny body.

“Here, this will make you feel better,” she said as she lowered herself to her knees rubbing his hand. Brett sighed slightly as she put his index finger into her mouth and sucked on it seductively. It was at that point she noticed the ink on his hand. “What the fuck is this?!?” Sadiah growled as she threw Brett’s hand back into his lap. Brett smiled a sinister smile.

“Oh that’s Mekayla!” he said matter of fact.

Sadiah jumped up and slapped him in the chest. “I’m home from work sick and you are out fuckin around.”

In one swoop Brett got up, grabbed Sadiah by her throat and threw her into the wall. “Like hell you’re sick!!!” He shouted. “Your ass is fiendin!”

Sadiah moaned slightly but Brett didn’t notice she was semi-conscious because he was still shouting at her lifeless body.

“How many times do I have to tell you if you would just take your ass to work and make some money so we can get out of this shithole, I wouldn’t have to act like this!!!”

Brett was pacing around the small room like a caged animal.

“Look what you made me do! Look at you now! Now your trick ass ain’t going to be able to work for another couple days.” He stopped suddenly and stood over her. At that point Brett watched Sadiah’s eyes flutter shut as blood started trickling out of the corner of her mouth.

“Shit,” he said under his breath as he scooped her up and uncaringly plopped her onto the bed. He looked at her non-existent ass and shook his head.

I shoulda went straight to the strip club.

The ironic thing was Brett never actually stepped foot in the club that night. He was going to but for some unknown reason he stopped at the 7-eleven to buy condoms just in case he met a willing ho.

Sadiah was standing by the coffee machine getting a cappuccino. Maybe it was the fluorescent lights but she was the purest, prettiest little thing Brett had laid his eyes on. Even with no makeup, she glowed. Unlike the heavily made up whores he usually brought home.

He walked over to her and spit his best game, but she didn’t seem at all interested, paid for her coffee and left. Brett ran out of the store after her. After hours of small talk and giggles, he found her even sweeter, and wound up bringing her home. Brett thought she was so different, he never did buy the condoms.

What he didn’t find out until after he wore the pussy out, that Sadiah actually was a dancer at the club he forgot to go to, and the reason she was so small is because she was a sixteen year old run away from Nebraska with a nasty heroin habit. He often wondered if Sadiah was her real name. Because Sadiah didn’t have a place to stay and Brett did like the sex, he let her stay there. He figured in a few weeks she could make enough money to get a bigger place and then he would go back to hustlin so the girl could at least go to school.

But Sadiah shot up the money before she made it and was in mad debt to every dealer on the block. The first time he put her out she wound up knocking on his door at four-o clock in the morning, so swollen and bloody he could barely recognize her. He cleaned her up and carried her over his shoulder the twenty blocks to the rehab. She stuck to it for twenty-two out of the twenty-eight days and then showed up under the broken awning as if nothing happened

Brett was dependent on drugs in another way. He was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic and was on a number of pills to keep him sane. He collected a small disability check and was able to keep that box of a room and even held a little job until Sadiah started selling his medication. If he doesn’t take his meds correctly, Brett can become vehemently violent. And because Sadiah seemed to be the cause of his problems, she became the recipient of his rage. He never realized he was doing it because he wasn’t himself, but once his medication was regulated he looked at the bruises he inflicted on her, Brett became overwhelmed with guilt.

Hence, Sadiah was still there.

Brett sat in the chair and watched Sadiah sleep to make sure she was still breathing. He took a broken pencil that lying next to an expired TV Guide and scribbled Mekayla’s number onto a page, ripped it out and put it in his shoe.

I have got to get that woman. She is the woman I thought Sadiah was.

He got up and walked over to the sink and swallowed a variety of medications then stuck his head under the faucet to wash those pills down.As long as he stayed regular, he could get Mekayla. Shit he was good looking, intelligent, and he could put the thing down. He never had a problem pulling women. He just has a problem keeping them. It seemed that once women found out he didn’t work, and had a disability they stopped messing with him. That’s why with Mekayla he had to do it differently.

Meet her after work hours and on weekends. He would never go home with her and he damn sure ain’t going to take her back to this room. If he could hide the money from Sadiah he’ll send Mekayla flowers once a month and do cheap romantic things like, picnics and museums and walks in the park. So what if she had a man. He ain’t here. And once he starts planting those insecure seeds in her mind, then he’d put the thing down on her.

Then she’d be his. And he would just leave Sadiah.

What else could he do?

He tried to do right by the girl but she’s a junkie and she’s wearing him down. Brett continued to watch her sleep, sometimes wishing the breathing would just stop.

***

Fear came over Mekayla and the warm water she was in seemed to instantly get cold. Her high was gone completely now and she began to tremble. She looked around her loft as she rose out of the tub slowly, this time grabbing a body towel from a basket to cover herself. For what seemed like several moments she held the phone to her ear silent as she stepped out of the tub.

“Kevin, stop playin,” she said trying not to sound scared.

“I told you” the voice said slowly, “I am not Kevin.”

Now Mekayla was pissed and she snatched the towel around her to completely cover herself. She stomped over to the back door in her bedroom and rechecked the locks. “Who the fuck is this!?” she shouted into the phone.

“Whoa lil Meek, calm down!” The voice chuckled. “This should make you feel better, you beat me by four points.”

Mekayla hung her head and sighed as she recognized Erik’s voice, “Dammit E, you scared the shit outta me.” She trudged into the living room and shut off the music abruptly.

“What did you think I was a stalker?” Erik continued to laugh.

“Funny you should say that but yeah.” Mekayla walked back behind the Asian screen and pulled the plug out of the tub dropping it into a basket. She fell across her king size four-post bed and looked up at the sheer crème material overhead. She let the towel fall open and reached under her big fluffy pillow for the baby oil and began rubbing it over her body.

“You talkin about the clean cut cat with the earring?” he said

“Yeah,” she said slightly frowning, “How did you know?”

“He’s been checking you out for a couple weeks now Meek. I would have pointed him out to you but you have Kevin and all.”

“Yeah well, he followed me into the alley tonight,” she said now sitting up so she could rub the oil on her legs.

“Are you serious? He didn’t hurt you did he?” Erik said with a concerned tone.

“Nah, nah, he was cool. I gave him my number.”

“You did what?!” Erik’s loud tone made Mekayla think he was angry

“What?! Is that wrong?” she said defensively

“Hell yeah! What the fuck is wrong with you? What about Kevin?”

Mekayla took the phone from her ear and looked at it quizzically. “I’m not doing anything wrong. Brett just wants to be friends. Besides, you don’t even like Kevin”

“I never said that,” snapped Erik

“Yes you did, you said he’s playing me.” she shot back.

“I’ma stop you from smoking for real. That’s not what I said. I said he might be playing you. But that’s beside the point, you love him right?”

“Yeah.” Mekayla said sitting naked on her bed twisting her hair so it could dry that way.

“So why give another man your number?”

Mekayla sighed, “Look I’ma big girl I can handle it. If Brett gets outta line, I can nip it in the bud.”

“And what if you can’t?” Erik blurted. “How are you going to explain to Kevin, who comes up whenever he feels like it without calling mind you, that you have a black eye or a split lip. Or better yet, how am I going to explain to him why you are dead.”

Mekayla burst out in laughter, “You are taking this too far don’t you think E?”

Erik’s tone didn’t change, “Maybe, but you didn’t hear how scared you sounded on the other end of the phone.”

Mekayla hung her head in defeat and quickly changed the subject, “So I won huh?”

Erik sighed and said unenthusiastically, “Yeah you did.”

“So am I gonna get my money tomorrow?”

“You’re braiding my hair right?” he asked half-assumptive.

“Of course” she said smiling.

“Aiight I’ll come over around three.” Erik finally was easing up.

“Cool and we can restart the book.”

“What do you mean restart?” Erik asked quizzically

Mekayla hopped off the bed and went into the bathroom to get some small black rubber bands out of the vanity. She shook the plastic container and realized it was almost empty. “Yo bring some rubber bands tomorrow, I’m almost out.”

“Aiight, but what do you mean restart the book?”

Mekayla was looking in the mirror re-twisting and adding rubber bands to her

hair. “I deleted it.”

Erik sighed, “Damn Meek, I didn’t mean for you to delete it, just tweak it a little.”

“Well you were right. Besides I think Kevin was getting a little pissed at the parallels.”

“Yeah,” Erik said “and now that you met your ‘Amir’.”

Mekayla stopped twisting and glared at the phone again “What are you talking about?”

“Brett” Erik said in almost a whine. “Ugh I don’t even like the fucker’s name.”

“Aw c’mon he’s harmless.” Mekayla said bringing the rubber bands over to the bed. She reached under the pillow this time for a pack of Newports, lighter, and then slid an ashtray out from under her bed. She sat and listened to Erik chatter his warnings of strangers to her but tuned him out. She only responded with the occasional mhmmm as she lit her cigarette and inhaled deeply.

What Erik thought about Mekayla and what he knew were two different things. Mekayla by nature loved drama and tended to surround herself in it. It also seemed to make her a better writer. That’s why maybe Transportation Conversations wasn’t as good as it needed to be. It lacked the real drama. By putting herself in a similar situation she could feel all of the emotions her characters were feeling.

That’s why she hasn’t written a good poem since her and Kevin got together. She’s too happy and love poems are so overdone.

Not that she disliked being in love. Mekayla swam in it. Kevin did things for her emotionally that no other man ever did. He was her best friend, her lover, her confidant, and her protector. But he was also miles away. She never cheated on Kevin even though she did get lonely. She couldn’t jeopardize her relationship for some quick and possibly unsatisfying dick. That’s why it was hard to understand the butterflies Mekayla got from hugging Brett. Okay he was attractive, seemed to be built nice, and he smelled so good. Maybe she liked Brett because he represented the drama she was lacking. Maybe she just missed the touch of a man.

Mekayla realized that it was getting late and she still needed to call Kevin. And she didn’t like the fact she was thinking about Brett so much. Erik was still chattering about her safety, so she had to cut him off.

“I feel you E, but I hate to cut this short,” she said.

“You gonna call Kevin.” Erik said.

“Yeah, even though he is a night owl, I better get to him before I get too sleepy,”she said putting out her cigarette.

“Are you gonna tell him about stalker dude?” he questioned.

Just then Mekayla’s other line beeped rescuing her from answering Erik’s question. “Shit E, this is him.”

“Aiight, but Meek, if you ain’t hiding anything you should tell him.”

“See you tomorrow, E.” Mekayla clicked over without waiting for Erik to say goodbye.

“Hello?” Mekayla answered as if she wasn’t on the phone.

“You on the phone?” Kevin asked. Kevin was sitting at his computer where he spent most of his time. His long, thick legs were cramped under his desk. He always said that he was going to get a new one but never had the time. Kevin was a big man. He stood about six foot and weighed a good two forty easily. He had a perfect caramel complexion that encased a smile that made Brett’s look like a dull star in the galaxy. His eyes, although shut at the moment, were a chocolate brown. His hair donned meticulous braids, which were still a little short for Mekayla’s taste, but shit they will grow and she’ll have a lot of fun playin in that thick hair of his.

“Yeah, you know with E.” she replied knowing she couldn’t and didn’t want to

keep anything from her baby.

“Oh aiight, tell him I said what’s up.”

“I will.”

“Did you win tonight?” Kevin was always interested in her poetry.

“Yeah but I had to leave early, I wasn’t feelin well. Erik is gonna bring by the money tomorrow.”

“Oh ok, what’s wrong with you?” Kevin eyes popped open with concern.

Mekayla didn’t want to answer him. Kevin hated the fact that she still “indulged”.

He thought that shit was childish not to mention bad for her. So she said what she thought he wanted to hear, “Nah, I think I may be getting the flu.”

Kevin nodded and re-closed his eyes, “You drink your tea?”

Mekayla just then remembered that she left the water for the tea in the kitchen,

“Shit I was about to but…”

“You got in the tub,” Kevin chuckled his reply.

“You know me too well, “Mekayla chuckled back.”Listen I have something to

tell you.”

“Is it serious?” he replied eyes popping open again.

“It may be.” Mekayla winced and sighed.

to be continued…

Photo Credit: © Hassan Davis

Sneak Peek: Write In The Middle Of It (Segment Three)

The man easily towered over her and would have typically been perceived as dangerous, but he smiled a smile that was so warm it lit up his brown complexion with an amber glow.

“I’m sorry,” he said, “Did I scare you?”

“Hell yeah,” Mekayla said slightly frowning, “I am usually out here by myself.”

Oh that was smart, Meek. Just tell the strange man that no one comes out here so he can rape your ass.

“My bad, I just followed you out here to tell you that you are very good.” The man said still smiling.

Glowing

Mekayla then began to take inventory.

Glittering eyes.

Hair cut close.

Bling in his left ear.

Attractive.

She thought to herself and then shuddered.

Kevin would have her ass.

“I’m Brett.” He said as he extended his hand to her.

“Mekayla.” As she went to extend her hand, she realized the blunt was still in it and became embarrassed.

Brett chuckled as he switched hands for Mekayla to shake.

“It’s cool.” He held on to her hand a little longer than customary.

But somehow it seemed okay.

“May I say Mekayla, that you are adorable as well.”

Mekayla let her hand fall from Brett’s grasp as she blushed. To ease the tension, she handed him the blunt and began twirling her bangs.

“Thank you.”

Brett took a hit and said through an exhale, “That your man wit choo?”

She shook her head, “Nah, he’s my boy.”

“I see. You have one though huh?”

Mekayla nodded.

“Thought so.”

Mekayla smirked, “Is that right?”

Brett took another hit, “Well hell yeah, you look well kept.”

Mekayla laughed, “Oh yeah?”

Brett nodded as he handed Mekayla back the blunt, which she put out against the wall.

“Yeah, you do. I hope he’s treating you right.”

She smiled at the thought of Kevin, “He sure is.”

“Damn, just my luck. First woman I met saw since I moved here who seemed to have her shit together and she’s taken.”

Mekayla could do nothing but smile and attempt to change the subject,” are you a poet?”

“Nah”, Brett said shaking his head. “But I dig that shit though. You do that a lot around here?”

She nodded, “Yeah here and all over.”

“Well I was going to ask you for your number because you’re fine,” Brett said smile sparkling. “But… I’d like to keep in touch with you, so I can see those other events if that’s okay.”

Mekayla laughed, “Oh really ‘Brett’, don’t bullshit a bullshitter.”

“No seriously,” Then he said mockingly,” Besides I would tell your man who I was, no disrespect.”

“He doesn’t stay with me”

Shit you idiot why did you tell him that?

“Well then,” Brett took a pen out of his pocket and began writing on his hand, “What is it?”

Mekayla shook her head, “I am not giving you my phone number!”

Brett said with a sinister grin, “Okay look, even if I promised to keep it poetical?”

Mekayla began walking away, “Nice meeting you, Brett.”

“Mekayla,” Brett gently grabbed her elbow, “Okay maybe I approached you wrong, but seriously I’m new here and I don’t know anyone and I felt you on stage. I want to surround myself with positive people; it’s not my fault you are so damn sexy.”

Mekayla glared at her elbow and then back at Brett. He sighed in frustration and let her elbow go.

“Look I promise, just a friend okay, if I cross the line all you have to do is tell me.”

Mekayla took the pen from Brett’s hand, scribbled her number on his palm, and walked away. Her high was completely blown. Brett watched her walk away, licked his lips and smiled to himself before he followed her.

Maybe it was the weed wearing off so quickly but Mekayla felt like she was dragging on the way back to her booth. She said a few pleasant hellos to the people in the crowd that acknowledged her presence but began to feel really uncomfortable and was damn near tearing her bangs out of her head.

That’s it I made up my mind, I am goin to start twisting my hair tomorrow.

Mekayla eased by the stage where a poet she had never seen before was projecting his little heart out. She reached the booth and found Erik scribbling on a napkin.

In the meantime, Brett followed Mekayla’s every movement but decided not to follow her over to the booth. He sat on a stool on the opposite side of the room that had a clear view.

“How did I do?” Mekayla said softly as if unconcerned

“The usual, you’re winning.” Erik said still scribbling not looking up.

“Ok, cool.” Mekayla all of a sudden started feeling warm and began unbuttoning her blouse while looking around the room. The room itself started looking cloudy but the people became quite clear and really animated. Mekayla had difficulty breathing and felt as though her body temperature was rising by the minute. She started fanning herself with a cardboard advertisement as sweat started forming on her forehead.

“God!” she sighed as she buried her head in her hands, “I’m fucked up.”

Erik didn’t look up but smirked, “You hit it too hard.”

“Nah, E, that ain’t it, I ain’t feeling well.” She continued to fan herself. “Would you be mad if I left?”

Now Erik never knew Mekayla to leave a poetry event early, and he looked up with concern, “Hey you ok?”

“Yeah” she nodded and got up from the table.

Erik got up and grabbed her elbow, “You want me to take you home?”

“Nah, I’m gonna walk.” She gave Erik a hug. She grabbed him before she let him go and whispered in his ear. “Aye yo, if you don’t beat me by at least three points you splitting the money with me.”

Erik chuckled as he let go of the embrace, “One and a half.”

“Two.” Mekayla smiled but staggered a little. At the same time they held up a finger and said,

“One”

Their normal goodbye.

Erik stayed standing as he watched her leave. He was kind of worried. Mekayla usually didn’t look this weak when indulging. He’ll call her when he got home.

Brett watched Mekayla walk up the steps to the street, still smiling, and began following her.

As soon as Mekayla hit street level, she instantly felt better. The cool air hit her open chest and she was able to breathe easier. Still she began to button herself up because one more button and all off her business would be exposed. She only lived a couple of blocks away and decided to round the corner to climb the fire escape. She lived in a third floor loft apartment, which for some crazy reason had a back door that led to that fire escape. Mekayla often sat out there to clear her thoughts. Tonight, she was sitting up there to feel better before she went to bed. She propped herself up against her back door and closed her eyes.

Man I’m too old to be indulging like this.

She sat and began twirling the hair at the back of her head when she heard shuffling footsteps.

Where the fuck did she go? Thought Brett to himself. He was right behind her until she turned the corner, and now she’s gone. He walked up the street and squinted as if maybe she was hidden by the streetlight. Then he slowly walked backwards before turning around. Mekayla looked down, squinting as well and then giggled when she realized it was Brett. He looked up but couldn’t spot her right away.

Mekayla then shifted her body so her feet were on the first step of the fire escape as she called down to him.

“You a stalker?”

Brett looked up and flashed that glittering smile, “Hey how did you get up there?”

“I flew.”

Awkward silence cause her to relent.

“I used the ladder like everyone else.” she said sarcastically.

“Can I join you?”

Mekayla shrugged, “Suit yourself.”

She watched Brett climb up the ladder and noticed he had an athletic build. She casually smiled to herself as she closed her eyes again and went back to twirling her hair.

I’m only gonna be out here for a minute because I have to go in and call Kevin.

Brett stopped and stood on the space before Mekayla’s steps and leaned against a brick wall. She didn’t open her eyes, but she knew he was directly in front of her. She could smell his cologne. It was crisp but not intrusive. She inhaled slowly so she could get her head together because it was spinning. When she opened her eyes Brett has his eyebrow raised at her.

“Why did you leave out of there so fast?” he asked her.

“Mmmmmm, “Mekayla’s eyes reclosed, and her lips dwelled on that hum for a moment. “I wasn’t feeling well.” Her eyes reopened, and she got a full view of Brett and she gave an approving smile. When Brett began to move closer to her, she snapped out of her admiration.

Oh my God, what am I doing?

Mekayla attempted to ignore the butterflies in her stomach but they were starting to swarm.

I just need to get in the house without that man knowing where I live. I should have never got his attention.

As if on cue, Brett gave her an escape.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked.

“That I need to get home,” she replied,” I have an early day tomorrow.”

“Well I can walk you home if you’d like?” He offered.

Mekayla stood up and realized that the butterflies are now swarming all over her inner thighs. Not since her first phone conversation with Kevin had such a sensation come over her. She was strangely aroused by the feeling but confused at the same time. Because Mekayla was the type of female to act on her attractions quickly and without rational thinking, she thought she better nip this in the bud as quickly as possible.

“No, thank you though.”

Little does he know that we are literally standing at my back door. I’ll just climb down the fire escape, say goodbye to him at the corner, and then go in through the front of my building. Yeah that’s it I can manage that.

She made her move towards the steps and Brett let her go in front of him.

That’s it; let me watch you walk away. He focused on her plumpness. Mmmph, I would just like to get at that, once.

“Well as long as you’re gonna be okay.” Brett responded instead.

“Yeah, I just needed some air. And I wanted to go in and drink some green tea before what’s tryin to get me, actually gets me.” Mekayla said as she jumped off the ladder. Brett followed and she gave him a polite smile.

“Well thank you.”

“No problem,” he looked up and down the street. “Which way?”

Mekayla pointed, “You can walk me to the corner.” They began walking.

“You really don’t want me to get to know you huh?” Brett asked.

She shrugged, “It’s not that. Like I told you, I have a man and adding male friends to my life can complicate matters.”

“Does he live far. I mean I don’t think I could let you live so far from me.” he said awaiting her reaction. They stopped at the corner.

“Well our situation works for us.” she said matter of fact.

“It must, you seem very happy.”

When Mekayla thought of Kevin most people could tell by the warm familiar smile that comes across her face and she was wearing that smile.

“Yes, I am.” She pointed behind her. “I live that way.”

Brett motioned his head in the opposite direction, “I live down there.” There was an uncomfortable pause between them that was broken by an awkward laughter. “Listen, can I call you sometime?”

Mekayla nodded, “You have the number.”

He glanced at his hand and smiled, “That’s right.” He held out his arms, “Can I have a hug goodnight or will that complicate things?”

Mekayla smirked but hugged him as friendly as she could, but when she went to let go, Brett held her just a little bit longer and her knees melted like butter and her body molded to his athletic frame. She didn’t know why this felt so good to her, but it did. She let out a small sigh of satisfaction, but then realized what she did and backed off quickly.

Brett was smiling sheepishly.

“Ok, I’ll call you.” he said.

“Ok, goodnight.”

They parted at the corner and Mekayla decided to walk past her building until Brett was out of sight. When she turned around he was no longer in view and she backtracked, hurriedly shuffled up the steps, and unlocked the front door to the building.

As she climbed the steps she couldn’t wait to get into her loft. She spent every last dime in her savings to remodel the place. She unlocked and opened her door and even in the dark, you felt as though you were surrounded in sunshine. The walls were warm amber and the wooden floors were shined to perfection. Mekayla flicked a switch and track lighting filled the loft. She smiled and took off her shoes at left them on the long, shaggy, crème rug by the door. After she dead bolted her door she walked over to her sand-

washed wall unit and turned a couple knobs. Dwele’s: The Truth came blaring out of speakers that were mounted in the corners of her ceiling. Mekayla swayed backward into her kitchen singing to herself as she took the teakettle off of the stove to fill it water. She came out of the kitchen, smelled the daisies that were in a crème vase on the sand washed dining room table then danced down a small hall which led to a huge bedroom capped with skylights. She danced over to the east wall and peeked out the door to make sure Brett was not lurking in the shadows, and then locked both doors.

Over on the other side of the room behind an Asian screen was her bathroom which was flattered in the center by a claw foot tub. Surrounding the tub were wicker baskets filled with towels, bath gels, faux sunflowers and candles. The dressing area and commode were off to the left. She grabbed a plug from one of the baskets and put in into the tub, turned on mostly hot water, and squirted some Obsession bath gel into it.

Okay yeah, Obsession was kind of old, but it was one of her favorites and since fall was approaching, what a better way to start it off. She began to shed her clothes and let them stay where they fell as she danced back down the hall into the living room which was full of crème, amber, orange and black fluffy pillows. Mekayla didn’t own a couch, but she did have four tree stump tables squaring off the sitting area. She did have a flat screen TV on the wall facing that area. On either side of the TV were shelving full of books.

Off in the west corner was her computer area where she now stood completely naked. Before she turned on the computer she caught the reflection of her plump body and wrinkled her nose up at it. Mekayla clicked and scrolled until she got to Transportation Conversations and deleted it. Hearing the teakettle whistling, she slid over to the kitchen, shut the burner off, darted into the bathroom, shut off the water in the bubble filled tub and then slowly eased herself into it. She began rubbing her limbs with the soft sponge she grabbed out of a basket. She closed her eyes and hummed to the CD. Lifted the sponge and let the water soak her head. Took her fingers and wildly shook her head so that it stood on end.

The start of the transformation.

She caressed the sponge over the softer parts her body.

She missed Kevin. And even though this CD is the bomb, it didn’t help her with her emotions. It’s all about relationships that were mistakes and even though she was secure in her relationship, the words to the songs bothered her. She sprang out of the tub and dripping wet darted over to her wall unit and pressed another button and Jill Scott softly entered the loft. Mekayla now hugging herself to not catch a chill, sprinted back into the bathroom and hopped back in the tub. Reaching behind her, she rolled up a towel and stuck it under her neck so she could soak for a while. She closed her eyes and sung The Way along with the CD.

That’s more like it. This is how love makes you feel.

She felt better when the phone rang. Reaching in yet another basket she picked up a cordless phone and answered,

“Hello?”

“You are in the tub aren’t you?” A voice said.

“Hey Kevin baby, I was just thinking about you.” Mekayla said eyes still closed.

“Really that’s weird?” The voice said.

“Why is that weird?” She said playing in the water.

“Because this ain’t Kevin.”

Photo Credit: © Hassan Davis

Sneak Peek: Write In The Middle of It (2nd segment)

Mekayla handed Erik her plate as he was cleaning up, “I guess we are okay. I don’t have any real complaints. We never fight.”

“Because you don’t say shit that’s why.” Erik said now putting the plates in the sink.

“True, but I don’t get a chance to. By the time I’m ready to cuss his ass out, he redeems himself.” Mekayla said sipping her juice.

“He knows you too well,” Erik said returning to the stool. He reached in his pocket and pulled out a fat bag of green and began dumping it onto the table.

Mekayla sighed.

Thank God.  I thought he was going to wash the dishes before we sparked up.

This was the only “bad thing” Erik did. But of course he didn’t think it was bad because it was natural.

Smoking with Erik was the best because she could let everything off of her chest and he wouldn’t judge her and plus then she could braid his hair quicker with him more relaxed.

Erik reached over and pulled a package of blunts from a drawer and began to cut one open. Mekayla was staring intently as if she were a dog waiting to be fed.

“Damn ma, calm down.” Erik laughed. “I know you had a rough week but you look like you’re about to mug a brotha.”

Mekayla realizing she was about to pounce leaned back off the counter a little and laughed. “My bad E. So why do you say Kevin knows me too well?”

“Cuz he does,” he said tending to the blunt as if it were a science experiment.

“I mean I’m not saying that the brotha is playin you, I don’t know the guy…” Erik stopped dumping in mid sentence,

“Yeah why is it I haven’t met him yet?”

Mekayla sighed, “Shit I dunno E, I barely see him.”

“Well that’s going to have to change and soon. I usually can get a feeling about a brotha as soon as I shake his hand.”

“Yeah well I shoulda let you shake all of my boyfriend’s hands. It woulda save me some heartache” she smirked.

“I really didn’t have that much time.” Erik scoffed.

“Fuck you!”  Mekayla laughed.

“Never and you know this, “Erik smiled back and began operating on the blunt again.

“Like I was saying, I’m not saying the brotha had bad intentions by you at all, but if y’all never fight and he always says and does the right thing he may be playing the fuck out of you.”

“For what though? That doesn’t make much sense. Why go through all that?”

“Because he can.” Erik began licking the filled Philly and changed the subject. “We goin to slam tonight?”

“Shit,” Mekayla frowned slightly, “I don’t have any new poems memorized.”

“Well Meek, you always freestyle better after some la, ” he said holding it up to

the light.

“True.”

“So we goin, I need the money.”

Mekayla laughed, “You so arrogant, you said I freestyle better after the la.”

Erik lit the blunt, took a hard hit and blew the smoke over Mekayla’s head, “I said better, but not as good as me.”

***

“The Basement” was exactly what its name described. It was the basement of a bar that was turned into a dark gathering spot for poets from all over the local and not so local area for a weekly poetry slam. Since the bar made an adequate amount of money on liquor sales, the host provided the slam winners a cash prize that was split from the door cover. Some weeks, the prize money could buy groceries.

Other times the money just bought more drinks.

Erik and Mekayla, when their schedules and pockets allowed, were regulars at the venue, and most of the time they would leave with pocket money.

Mekayla was so lifted she had her face pressed against the cold green vinyl backing of the booth the pair would always share. They liked it because was off to the side of the stage so they were hidden from the general audience but still had an excellent view. The crowd because was focused on the poet on the stage at the moment. Dottie had to be close to fifty with a very bad orange-crush dye job on puffy poodle hair. Dottie’s poem went on and on about a relationship that she probably fabricated in her own imagination.

Erik sat across form Mekayla fiddling with a straw wrapper while mumbling to himself with his eyes closed. Mekayla slowly lifted her face off of the vinyl and it made that pseudo-ripping noise, which caught Erik’s attention, and his eyes sprung open.

“What?”

Mekayla head moved towards the stage so slowly that Erik’s gaze had no choice but to follow hers. Then she moved her head back just as slow and lowered it onto the table.

From that position she hissed, “When is this fucking poem going to end?!”

He chuckled so loud that some of the audience actually turned to find the source of the interruption. But he hid himself successfully behind one of the beams in the bar.

Then he whispered, “Meek you ain’t right. Don’t get me started laughin when I’m high because I won’t stop.”

Mekayla looked up mad as hell and hissed through clenched teeth “I ain’t jokin.

She gets on my fucking nerves! Why do they let her compete? Why week after week do we have to hear that same poem?”

Erik trying not to succumb to his laughter said, “Oh c’mon she’s harmless, and she makes you look even better than you are.”

“I don’t need her help.” She said as she then propped herself across the booth so

her feet stuck out. Dottie finished up her poem and the crowd gave her more than adequate applause.

Then the host came to the stage.

Ervin was a tall wiry man in his mid-thirties with long raven hair and a goatee. He grabbed the mic as if he were well acquainted with it.

“Let’s give Dottie another hand!” Ervin spoke with a calm enthusiasm that Mekayla always admired. The crowd didn’t applaud as loudly as the first time.

Ervin responded with, “or not.”

There were slight giggles from the crowd. “Ok judges, your scores please.”

As Ervin rattled off some average sounding numbers, Erik kicked Mekayla from under the booth. “You’re next.”

“I know that shit.”

Erik frowned, “Ugh I don’t like the mean Meek. You’re gonna have to smoke some more outside.”

At that comment Mekayla smiled slightly “After that poem I’ma need to smoke the rest of it outside.”

Erik chuckled as Ervin totaled up the scores for Dottie and grabbed the mic to introduce Mekayla.

“And now our next competitor, makes every microphone a phallic symbol, the magical Mekayla.” Ervin then leaned to the side and waved his arm as if he was a magician acknowledging his assistant.

“I hate when he does that shit,” Mekayla muttered through a smile.

Erik laughed and sat on the edge of the seat of the booth so he could get a closer look at Mekayla as she made her way to the stage. Although he said he hated the mean Meek, he loved to see her perform that way. Most nights she blew all of the competition away in the first phrase. Mekayla reached the stage and gave Ervin a big hug and then she pretended to jerk the mic, which made everyone laugh.

“Don’t let this affect my score judges.” She said in a phone sex operator voice,

which caused the crowd to laugh like hell again. “I’m really not in that kind of mood anyway.”

“Since when!” shouted Erik to heckle her

“Since now,” Mekayla spat back smiling. Someone from the crowd let out a “wooooooo” of approval and she giggled, closed her eyes, took a deep breath and began her piece:

ask me why i don’t trust a man’s smile

kind words or subtle flirting

coercing me to let my guard down

 it’s not that i don’t believe in forevers

decorated with happily ever afters

sprinkled with commitments

 like every little girl groomed for rescue

i too waited in towers and straddled the balcony

between common sense and reality

 my prince looked up amazed

said he had traveled a ways

and never seen a beauty like mine

 smile like mine

spirit like mine

lips like mine

 he begged for just one kiss

to tuck under his robe

to treasure…forever

he beckoned me to think with

my heartbeats and butterflies tween my thighs

and leap…so i did

 into his arms

into his charms

with no fear in my heart no sense of alarm

 until with my very first kiss

he bit my lips

ripped my blouse,

my skirt, then my innocence

repeatedly

until the pain became a numb throb

when his pretty, pretty princess fell limp 

he threatened to slice a royal smile

into my throat unless i kissed him

like i loved him

 needless to say i am still alive

 

i was reminded of shaniya davis

who had no fear in her eyes

as she was sold and carried over her threshold

and for her i cried

for me i cried

for you

i cried

 i never meant to fight you with my tongue

beat you with my shield

you never gave me

any reason to feel defensive

 except you were amazed by me

never seen a smile like mine

spirit like mine

wondered what it would be like to kiss

lips like mine

 it’s not that i don’t love to see a man’s smile

hear his kind words or succumb to his flirting

my inner princess is just afraid to fall limp and let her guard down

she is still throbbing

still hurting

She gave a slight nod and darted off stage to thunderous applause. She headed right to Erik, who hugged her and handed her the half blunt in her cupped fist. She darted past the still clapping crowd, up the steps, and down the alley. Mekayla never stuck around to hear her scores because it made her nervous. She leaned against the wall, lit the blunt and hit on it hard. Upon exhaling, she heard  Ervin’s muffled voice along with the crowds applause, and she smiled to herself with her eyes closed. She didn’t hear the footsteps coming towards her, but when she looked up a man was standing in front of her and startled her.

“Shit!” she exclaimed.

to be continued…

Photo Credit: © Hassan Davis