Entourage

By: Jasheem Wilson

Prologue

Clothes litter the otherwise clean floor. The bed-which is beside the room’s only window-squeaks moving side to side. The white walls glow dimly in the cover of darkness, as the smell of alcohol and unventilated air pollutes the room.

“Hold up…my phone,” Natalie says digging into the back pocket of her light blue jeans and pulling out a green and white Sidekick 3.

Pressing a button on the left side, her sidekick lights up; causing a bright light to reflect off her black framed glasses. She rolls over and begins to nervously fiddle with her phone.

At a blank screen; she flips her phone open revealing a small keyboard. She types ‘Squad Up!” and presses enter. Flipping her phone close Natalie takes a deep breath and rolls back over to face the stranger in her bed.

Natalie tries to avoid eye contact with him, which is surprisingly easy in the dark.

“Shall we finish?” he asks enthusiastically. Natalie wants to say NO! But instead gives a weak smile.

Smiling back the man grabs a handful of Natalie’s breast. He bites his lip as he scans her smooth vanilla body glowing in the darkness. Finishing his inspection he licks his lips and moves in for a kiss.

Anticipating his move Natalie tilts her head up like she is going to lay back. His lips meet Natalie’s chin.

Awkwarrrddd! Natalie thinks trying not to laugh.

He begins kissing her chin as if it was his intention. He moves down to her neck and begins to kiss and lick hard. Moving down to her chest; his kisses turn to sucking and licking as he reaches her navel.

Excitement sends a tingle down her spine as he moves closer and closer, then finally to her vagina. From reflex Natalie places her hands on the man’s head. Her eyes roll back in her head; moaning lightly her legs tighten around his head, her fingers run through his hair.

Just as quickly as it starts the ecstasy is gone. The man’s head jolts up at the sound of a door closing.

“What was that?” he asks Natalie whose expression of bewilderment silently lets him know she is as confused as he.

“Natalie!” calls a woman’s stern yet shaky voice. The two freeze and shocked horror invade their eyes.

“Natalie!” calls a second and powerfully deep voice.

The man in Natalie’s bed turns from the door to Natalie. Jumping out of bed he scrambles around looking for his clothes.

“Who’s that?” he whispers to Natalie never stopping the hunt for his clothes. Natalie takes her bra off the television and opens her mouth to speak. However, before she can speak the stranger says in a hushed whisper, “I thought you said you live alone.”

“I do,” Natalie answers helping him find his clothes. It didn’t take her much effort locating his clothes because she’d taken a mental note of everywhere he dropped an article of clothing.

“Natalie, wher’ you at?” yells a much younger male who was leaving puberty alone with a high pitched voice. The two freeze again at the sound of yet another voice which sounds even younger than the previous voice. “Yeah I hope you ain’t sleep.”

Scooping up the man’s shirt and belt Natalie whispers, “Come on.” Following Natalie towards the window as he zips up his pants the stranger asks, “What’s going on?”

Inviting the cool fresh night air in Natalie opens the window explaining, “I forgot it’s my dad’s birthday.” Natalie pokes her head out the window and looks around. “We have this weird thing where we spend the entire day together. Twelve to twelve and they’re…late!” Natalie sounds annoyed by the interruption. Handing the stranger his shirt and belt she says, “Here. Go out this way. Daddy will flip if he sees you.”

Horror struck the stranger says, “But we’re on the second floor.”

“I know,” Natalie responds as if the man does not have a valid argument. “Trust me. Just stay close to the wall, there’s a fire escape ladder…you’ll be fine.”

The stranger looks out the window, then back at Natalie with question in his eyes. The door knob jiggles and he hops out the window onto the thin ledge.

“I’ll call you,” Natalie says slamming the window close. Just as the door opens Natalie hops into bed.

“Natalie!” the man’s rough voice calls loudly as the lights came on. “What’s that smell?”

There is a scream from the other side of the window as the man that just climbed out of her window falls.

Natalie sits innocently under a mess of covers in the queen sized bed. Letting out a sigh and rubbing her head she says, “Thank God! Y’all got here just in time.”

The four voices hop into bed with Natalie.

“Woulda been here sooner but we had to wait for Falicia and Marques,” Darnell says stretching out at the edge of the bed. Sitting next to Natalie Falicia says, “yeah and good thing we decided to come down this way.” Natalie smiles as Falicia finishes, “When you said you was taking a dude home from the club I already knew.”

“Yeah, me and Nelly were already down stairs,” Bryce tells Natalie kicking his feet up on top of Darnell. “So what happened?”

“We met at the club and he was…he looked coo’,” Natalie explains shaking her head in disappointment. “It was dark and…”

“The devil is a lie,” Marques comments seriously and Falicia, Bryce, and Natalie laugh. Not cracking a smile Marques says, “I thought you was drunk.”

“And Horney,” Bryce adds.

“I thought I was too,” Natalie laughs. Then frowning she places her head on Falicia’s chest and says, “Man it was supposed to be my first sex slash one night stand of the year…I mean it was dark, he was black, so okay…but I can’t fuck with foe inches…”

Darnell, Marques, Bryce, and Falicia burst out in laughter. “I told you if you can’t feel it while yah dancin’ it’s a no go,” Bryce says smiling. Disgusted Darnell shakes his head as Natalie says, “at least I got some head.”

“That’s mah girl,” Marques smiles pulling out a black and silver Sidekick 3 looking at the time.

Sighing Darnell pulls out his gold and white Sidekick 3 and looks at its flashing screen. When it stops flashing he flips the screen up then back down in what seems like one motion.

“Who was that one of yo’ hoes?” Falicia jokes. “Naw worse.” Darnell responds balancing his phone on his chest. “My wife.”

“What! She need more money,” Bryce comments bitterly.

Darnell ignores the one of many comments Bryce has about his wife. Intending to change the subject and lighten the mood Natalie says, “Thanks again guys. I don’t know what I’d do without y’all.”

“Probably everybody,” Darnell jokes moving to the head of the bed.

“Its coo’ girl don’t trip. You’d do the same for us,” Falicia says producing a powder pink and white Sidekick 3.

“Or would you? DUM! DUM! DUMMMMM...” Marques laughs flipping his Sidekick open.

“I don’t even know his name,” Natalie says once the laughter stops. Natalie flips her Sidekick open and Bryce continues laughing at her booty call gone bad.

The room is quiet when Darnell and Bryce flip their devices open simultaneously.

Soon everyone looks at the screen in silence, Natalie’s S.O.S. on each screen. ‘Squad Up,’ the screen reads then ‘Good night.” In bold letters ‘ScorpionPrince signed out,’ appears as Bryce’s sapphire Sidekick 3 powers off. Next ‘YoungNat signed out,’ comes up as Natalie logs off of America Online Instant Messenger. Followed by ‘QueenBee signed out,’ as Falicia’s screen goes blank. The screen on Darnell’s phone goes black as ‘Lilplayboy signed out,’ shows on Marques’ screen, and YoungHollywood signs off. Marques sits his device down and turns off the lights.

Marques is the last person under the covers and the last to close his eyes.

Smiling into the still; darkness of the room Falicia says, “United we stand.”

“Divided we fall,” Marques says in a yawn.

Trying to hold back his laughter Bryce says, “Dem haterz gone hate.”

“And us Ballas, we still gone ball,” Natalie giggles loudly.

“Cause can’t na nigga sabotage,” Darnell says in a loud deep hyper tone making everyone laugh.

Then in unison they all shout, “The Entourage,” and begin laughing.

Bryce & Natalie

Winter 2001

“And how many of you show your frustration when you are angry?” Jordan asks the room filled with Ikea new hires.

Bryce sits in the center of the fourteen new hires chewing on his bottom lip. He looks around the room to see whose hand is raised and whose hand isn’t. He pays more attention to the guys with the curiosity of how they will answer.

No one in the room raised their hand at the trick question.

Bryce scans the room as Jordan rambles on. There are nine girls. Pretending that he is straight, Bryce smiles at an Indian girl and a black girl who has been staring at him since he walked in. Entertaining himself with the girls Bryce scans the room to looks at all of them. The Indian girl is just plain ugly but seems to have a lot of confidence. The black girl who was staring at him with the Indian girl he dubs doable. Everyone else looks just like ordinary girls, nothing special to him at all and he guesses he’d would mess with a few of them.

Shaking his head Bryce wonders what guys see in women; they’re nothing special, he thinks.

Bryce’s gaze wanders to the guys. There was a variety of them, dark ones, light ones, and mixed ones. One guy was dark with dreads and although Bryce thought he was hideous he couldn’t stop looking at him and shivering. His dreads look like they were accidents.

I guess that’s what they mean by grimy Bryce thinks as he looks at a light skinned guy with braids.

He’s cute, he thinks as he looks at a mixed guy in front next to an old white man and another grimy black guy. The mixed guy is sitting sideways in his chair acting like he is not paying attention to Jordan who Bryce gave a five out of ten.

“How many of you have girlfriends?” Jordan asks.

Bryce looks around; all of the guys in the room and surprisingly also a fat white girl raised their hands. Bryce’s hand went up with the other guys both to show he is straight and to show that he is not available.

Jordan nods with a smile, then shakes his head, “Never mind it would have been a bad joke. Okay it’s getting late now and you all are on the clock so I think you should at least work a little…” Jordan reaches into his back pocket and produces a small black Walkie-Talkie. “Shadow to the orientation room,” Jordan says into the Walkie-Talkie then back to the new hires he says, “You’ll be paired with another employee. You will be their shadows, wherever they go, you’ll go, you’ll know what they know. After a week we’ll meet back here to complete your training.”

A door to Jordan’s right opens and fourteen people wearing Ikea sweaters file in. Eight guys and six girls.

Bryce gets excited at the site of the guys. In his opinion they are a better selection than the others, except for two of them. Bryce crosses his fingers hoping to be paired with the one with the long hair. Bryce couldn’t exactly tell what he is and didn’t care. He just wanted him. Bryce puts his hands over his jeans as his excitement rises.

Jordan passes a short plain looking Latin girl with black hair and black glasses an Ikea waste basket. She reaches in and grabs a piece of paper and passes it to an angry looking black girl with glasses who looks like she has something or somewhere better to be and be doing.

I hope I don’t get her, or her Bryce thinks looking away from the two four eyes and back to his new fantasy with the long hair. I so want him.

The fourteen employees all have slips of paper that they’re looking at.

“Alright, just call out the name on the paper, when you hear your name called join your mentor and you guys go and get to work.”

An African American girl with heavy makeup calls the first name. The ugly Indian girl stands and walks over to her as another name is called and they leave the room.

Bryce has his fingers crossed as he thinks just don’t let me get nobody ugly.

As names are called and people leave Bryce’s hopes get high. With five people left his name has not been called and his long haired dream has yet to call a name. I’m all yours Bryce thinks trying not to smile. I got this, your fine, its Bryce time. I’m gonna get this nigga. Bryce’s mouth drops open when his dream calls the doable black girl. Bitch! Bryce thinks letting jealousy take over as he begins thinking of ways he can get back at the girl. Maybe I can act like I like her, he thinks as they leave. There are two people left, the black one and the Latin one. Oh please not her. None of them, I’ll take Jordan… I know her Bryce thinks staring at the Latin girl. Oh my gosh what’s her name?

The room is quiet. Shit I’d rather have the bitch with the attitude, ‘cause that other bitch is just nasty.

Bryce heard about her at school and from what he heard she’s nasty as hell.

Please not her.

“I ain’t got time to be babysitting nobody and it ain’t in my job description,” the girl with the attitude says folding her arms and tapping her foot. “Shondra!” Jordan says smiling. “I’m sorry to burden you with working at work, but I need you, if I didn’t believe me, I wouldn’t have asked.”

“What about Edda? She ain’t doing nothing.”

“Shondra!”

“What?”

“It will be okay.”

The Latin girl was laughing.

“Whatever. Stay out of my way, you,” Shondra points and leaves the room.

Damn Bryce thinks with mixed feelings.

“S’cuse me,” Bryce hears from behind him. A small white girl squeezes pass him and hurries for the door.

“She ain’t that bad,” Jordan says following the girl.

Great Bryce thinks as his stomach jumps.

He is left in the room with the plain looking Mexican girl with glasses. Standing in the silence and avoiding her eyes Bryce waits. The girl walks up to him, “Hi I’m Natalie.”

Natalie he thinks. That’s her name, yea it was Natalie.

Bryce gets ready to make his voice deep but decided against it. He wants her to know he isn’t like that and doesn’t want her. He doesn’t want there to be any misunderstandings.

Eew he thinks. She’s nasty.

“Bryce,” Bryce says with a bright believable smile. The silence takes over once again.

Can we go? he thinks.

“So you’re new,” Natalie says trying to make small talk.

Duh, Bryce thinks as he nods and silence takes over again. Oh my gosh, Bryce thinks can we like get on with this shit.

The silence becomes uncomfortable and unbearable. Bryce opens his mouth to speak when Natalie blurts out bluntly, “Ain’t you the one who fucked with Greg and them?”

“What?” Bryce could not believe his ears. His shock finds way to anger as he thinks the nerve of her. “No, you’re the one who sucked his dick in the parking lot,” Bryce shoots back.

“Huh?”

Both Natalie and Bryce look at one another dumbfounded.

“Wait, he said I gave him head?” Natalie asks wide eyed.

“Not just him and that’s what I heard,” Bryce said calming himself down.

“Wow, I heard that was you.”

“What?”

“Damn,” Natalie smiles and they both laughed.

“I told him I wouldn’t let my friend fuck with him,” Natalie laughs.

“And I wouldn’t,” Bryce says.

“Wow!” Natalie smiles again. Her smile is contagious and Bryce can’t help returning it.

“What else did you hear?” Bryce asks when he’s able to control his facial features.

“A lot,” Natalie smiles walking next to him and putting her arm around him. She leads him to the door. “Let’s get to work and talk about it,” she smiles walking with Bryce. As they walked at the door she said, “This is going to be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

Natalie

“Marcella!” Natalie yells. “Seriously! Marcella?”

Fadell sits on the couch in front of the television stuck. He stares straight ahead at the television not thinking or seeing. Natalie’s delayed reaction confused him. She was still confused herself as she replayed the last hour in her head.

She called out of work and decided to dedicate the day to just lounging around the house. After sleeping in late, eating a big breakfast, taking a long bath, watching television and then doing her nails, she found herself in the kitchen cleaning up and washing dishes out of pure boredom.

She’d finished washing the dishes when the door opened and Fadell walked in. “Oh hey babe,” he said closing and locking the door.

Hey my ass Natalie thought forcing a smile. Fadell walked up behind her as she dried her hands on a dish towel. She melted into him as he hugged her from behind. “I thought you had to work,” he whispers into her ear.

Her knees almost buckle.

He is so damn sexy she thinks. Why is he with me?

“I called out,” she says with her eyes closed.

Fadell releases her and says, “I’m tired.”

Here we go Natalie thinks. Leave it to a nigga, they always tell on themselves.

“Yeah I was with my mom and she worked me to death.”

Natalie nodded not affected by the lie. She could easily ask questions and watch him squirm or simply nip it all in the bud by telling him that she spoke to his mom when he left yesterday and again a few hours before he walked through the door. She was wondering where he was and why he hadn’t called her. Sighing so he could not hear she said the only thing she could say to him, “I love you.”

“Huh? Oh I love you too Marcella.”

Natalie stands in the kitchen staring at him as he sits down, kicks his feet up and begin watching television.

Natalie’s legs carry her out of the kitchen into the bathroom where she finds herself staring into the mirror. She turns sideways and stands up on her toes looking into the mirror.

I know it’s probably my butt. Maybe if it was bigger she thinks turning around to face the mirror and looking at her chest. Well my breast are big, but they don’t match my ass…I’m so fat, she thinks pulling her shirt up and looking at her stomach. Sighing she looks up at her face avoiding her eyes she scans for imperfections. Maybe she’s prettier than me she things as Bryce’s words run through her mind.

“You’re beautiful,” Bryce told her at a time like this one when she was not sure about herself. “You’re trippin’,” Marques had said, “You’re not fat…”

Natalie blinks away the stinging of tears and says, “I’m not fat…I’m beautiful.” The self-pity she was feeling fades in a flash as Darnell and Falicia’s words come into mind. Falicia said, “It’s nothing wrong with you.”

“It’s not you, it can’t always be you or your fault. It’s them. It’s not you Natalie,” Darnell told her.

The anger glows on her face and in her eyes as she said, “It’s nothing wrong with me, it’s not me, it’s him.”

At the end of her sentence Natalie was away from the mirror and out the bathroom stampeding down the hall to the living room.

Fadell sat on the couch watching Jerry Springer. The fact that he sat there clueless and as if nothing happened seem to make Natalie even angrier.

“Marcella! Who the fuck is Marcella?” Natalie yells. Fadell looks up at her dumbfounded. Natalie could hear the gears in his head working for a lie and she wants to hear it so she waits silently.

“Um, mah bad babe. I was with my momma all day and said it over a billion times. Marcella’s my mom’s name,” Fadell lied.

Natalie puts her hands on her hip and rolls her eyes with a sigh.

“Really? You think I’m that stupid?”

“What you talking about babe?”

“Yo’ momma’s name is Gwendolyn, and why are you calling yo’ momma’ by her first name?”

Fadell looks up at her then forces a laugh. “Chill boo I was just playing, it was a joke, I’m sorry don’t take it so serious, if I knew you was gone take it like that I wouldn’t have played with you like that…”

Natalie sucked her teeth and turned around looking for something anything. She sees Fadell’s Blackberry sitting on the kitchen table. Smiling she turns and moves for it. She hides the phone behind her back then walks down the hall to her bed room and takes a small stack of papers out of her top drawer. She makes her way back to the front room where Fadell is staring at her.

“You don’t know a Marcella?” she asks with a sympathetic look on her face.

Fadell shakes his head and Natalie nods.

“Well how did her number get in your phone?”

“Huh?”

Fadell was stuck and Natalie was smiling inside as she watched him stare at her in disbelief. “Oh um yeah yah no I know who you talking about… Na babe you got it all wrong I don’t know her…like I seen her before. See she this broad Tee met at the club and he put her number up in mah phone so he wouldn’t forget.”

Fadell seem happy with his lie as Natalie looked at him.

You are such a bad liar she thinks.

“First why would Tee put her number in your phone when he got his own phone? Second, why is her number on the phone bill? You talked to the hoe for over three hundred minutes last month and that’s just anytime minutes. Also the bitch’s number is on mah phone bill, so you talked to her on mah house phone,” Natalie says remembering all the late night calls when he excused himself from the bed and all the whispering on the phone and the hanging up when she entered the room.

Fadell has nothing to say. He just stares at Natalie unblinking. Before he can say anything and make up another lie Natalie says, “Okay let’s just say Tee came over at three in the morning and was in my room when I was sleep using my house phone to call her…I mean who am I to say that he don’t be coming over my house to talk to this bitch when he got his own phone to talk on. And it look like she got T-Mobile too, okay anyway…Fadell you don’t know her?”

Fadell shakes his head sadly and Natalie looks at him apologetically.

“Okay, I believe you baby…just answer me this…”

Fadell stands up and makes his way over to Natalie, “Anything baby.”

He opens his hands to hug her when she stiff arms him looks in his eyes and says, “If you don’t know her then why do this bitch gotta ringtone?” Fadell stood staring at her. “I ain’t even gotta ringtone…Get the fuck out.”

Fadell looks side to side.

“Go! Bye nigga! You ain’t missing shit. I done paid for ‘erything in this bitch including the close you wearing and you lucky I’m letting you leave with them.”

“Baby! Come on,” he pleads as Natalie pushes him towards the door and out. The struggle took about ten minutes and a lot of energy. Natalie was getting angrier just by looking at him. “Natalie,” he said.

He is so pathetic she thinks throwing his phone at him. She slams the door and locks it.

Shaking she paces from the door to the hall. The phone rings startling her and making her angrier. Knowing who it is she picks it up and says, “Yes!” She did her best to make her voice sound calm.

“Natalie, look stop trippin’, it was a joke I’m not cheating on you baby, I swear.”

“A joke? Nigga this ain’t a game. Gone and stop calling me you punk bitch.” Natalie slams the phone down trying to control her breathing and make herself stop shaking.

Doing a good job she sits down at the kitchen table. The phone rings shaking her up again, “Fadell stop fucking calling me.” She slams the phone down and closes her eyes tight to stop the tears from falling.

The phone rings again. Eyes still closed Natalie picks up the phone, “What!”

“Um, hello?”

“Yes!” Natalie’s attitude is evident. Although it is not Fadell she can’t control her feelings.

“Hi this is Naomi, Darnell’s wife. Is this Natalie?”

“Uh huh.”

“Oh I believe we met before I was looking for Darnell and…”

“He ain’t here,” Natalie says hanging up.

Breathing deeply and praying for peace of mind Natalie stares at the ceiling and the phone rings again.

“Whaaaat?” Natalie whines.

“Um hi, this is Naomi I just called and was talking to you and I think we got disconnected, because the phone hung up and I wasn’t finished talking.”

“No I hung up.”

“Oh, look I don’t know what you’re going through but your problem ain’t with me. I’m just calling because…”

“I know what you’re calling about and I told you Darnell is not here,” Natalie said through clinched teeth. “Now what else do you have to say, I’m not yo’ nigga’s keeper, and did you try his phone.”

“Obviously!”

“Then he don’t wanna talk to you. When he get around to it he’ll call you, I believe he should be at school, you call there?”

“Look Natalie, I don’t know you and you don’t know me so I would appreciate it if you lower your tone, we are both women.”

Laughing Natalie says, “Bitch you don’t pay na bill at Darnell’s and I’m damn sure you don’t pay none of these over here. I can answer my phone and talk on it the way I wan…”

“Bitch? Oh I got yo’ bitch,” Naomi yells.

“You got a problem then handle yours…you know where I live I’m sure you done followed him over here…you gotta problem let me know, I’ll be outside waiting,” Natalie slams down the phone picks up her Sidekick and breathes before she goes to work texting.

Falicia

Falicia stares into Rob’s blue eyes. They barely touch their food as they stare at one another. After nearly three years she was amazed how much in love she was with him and how he still gave her butterflies. She wondered whether he felt the same about her but knew he did because they had been staring at one another for almost ten minutes with the same goofy smile.

She felt Rob was the man for her, her perfect match. She felt she was lucky just for meeting him and not finding him too late before another woman snatched him up. He was perfect. He was independent, and she knew he was a good man when it took her over a year to convince him to move-in with her and when he agreed he insisted on paying half the rent and doing his part.

Falicia was use to taking care of herself and everyone else around her. Money was no object to her. Rob knew so but it made her feel all the better to know that the money was not why he was there.

“So…” he said not looking away from her eyes.

“So…” Falicia repeats in a low tone with a wide smile.

“I was just thinking, like I don’t know what you think is romantic…”

Falicia smiles and shrugs. “Well it depends what you mean.”

“Like wedding type of romance I guess,” Rob says looking down at their hands which are holding onto one another’s.

Falicia tries to keep her smile from getting any wider or sillier. She loved Rob so much, he did it all and was so shy. The shyness made her love him all the more. She thought that if it was not for the shyness he would have already proposed. The shyness and the fact that Rob is a perfectionist and is most likely waiting for the right moment. He wants everything to be perfect when he decides to pop the question and all the details for the wedding.

Falicia is caught off guard with the question. But she knows the answer because she’s been planning her wedding since she was a child, and her wedding with Rob since they’d met. This was the first time she was taking her plans out of her head and letting anyone know about them. She hadn’t even shared her dream wedding with Natalie, Bryce, Marques or Darnell.

Taking a deep breath Falicia looks up and says, “Well first off it would be a big wedding with all my friends and stuff there. I want the theme to be sent from heaven so everything is white and gold.”

Rob nods as he stares into her eyes and listens intently. Falicia knows it’s just a matter of time before her dream will become a reality. She can picture it as she speaks her dream into reality.

“I’d have everyone in white and gold, the groom’s men and the bridesmaids and everyone. But me and my groom will match…

“Like we will be in white and gold, I don’t know, it’s weird I have it in my head,” she says blushing.

“No, no you’re doing great go ahead I’m seeing it.”

Falicia smiles and continues, “Okay well everyone will walk in to Jagged Edge Let’s Get Married, and when that’s over and everyone is settled up at the altar I will come. I will be in the most beautiful dress and someone will sing me in. If I had my way Case would sing it himself but anyone with a good voice can do it. I will walk in to Case’s Happily Ever After.” Falicia sighs with a smile.

“And at the end the groom will carry his bride out the church,” Rob says trying to add to Falicia’s fantasy and she loved him for his suggestion.

Rob looks down at their hands locked together. He focuses in on the watch on Falicia’s arm then reaches into his pocket for his cell phone.

“It’s been an hour already?” he whines as he looks at the time on his phone. “Where does the time go?” Falicia laughs. “Babe you should just come and work at the club with me then we won’t have to worry about how long we spend on lunch.”

“Would that be fair to everyone else? I mean come on I’m bound to get the job. I’m sleeping with the boss.”

Falicia blushes as they stand up leaving behind their untouched lunch.

Hand and hand they walk out of the little restaurant off Mission. The two lose themselves in love as the dirty world around them melt away. Spontaneously Rob spins Falicia around in the middle of the street and pulls her close to him. Falicia’s heart skips as Rob says, “I love you.”

“I love you too…” she says and Rob kisses her softly. The world went mute at the touch of his lips and Falicia didn’t care if it stayed that way.

The noise was faint and in the back of Falicia’s mind at first. It then made its way to the front of her mind and grew louder by the second.

“Feels like I just walked right out of heaven…Feels like I done damn near thrown my life away,” Jagged Edge sings.

The traffic and sounds of the city come back with the ringing of her phone when Rob’s hold loosens and he says, “I think that’s you.”

Falicia smiles weakly, pulls out her Sidekick and flips it open. She navigates to the American Online Instant Messenger where she goes into the chat room labeled ‘Entourage.’

‘YoungNat: SQUAD UP’ Falicia stares at the screen then looks up at Rob.

“It’s okay I gotta get to work before I get fired,” he smiles. Falicia grabs him into a hug kisses him then runs off to her car.

Marques

Marques steps on the gas and eases off making the car drive down the 101 south in a jerking motion. Looking down at his pajamas he feels like getting off at the next exit, turning around and going back home to get dressed. He wasn’t Darnell, Darnell wore pajamas and could get away with them but not him. He wasn’t confident enough for that and if not for Natalie’s message and he having to pick up Bryce, then he would have risked the detour to go and get dressed.

Marques looks in the mirror as the car jerks down the freeway and wonders what’s wrong with him. Everyone wants to be his friend and never wants to be more than that. Bryce for one, he was supposed to be a potential boyfriend but once they met in person just wanted to be his friend.

Why am I always the friend? he thinks.

Marques switches lanes and tries to stay out of the mirror and look at the road. Marques tries to concentrate on driving because he knew he was not the best and he needs to practice.

But driving to him was just like his life, he was not confident in it although he could make everyone think he was. Pushing the car over eight and his heart over one eighty Marques tries to make the rush put everything out of his mind.

Let it go Marr…your sexy, he thinks, and fat. Why do you always do this to yourself?

Shaking his head Marques slams on the brakes and swerves into another lane missing a small Mazda. His heart pounded but he didn’t feel scared. There was a smile on his face, he felt alive; energized; pumped. He was ready for whatever Natalie’s problem was.

Marques slows down to sixty as he remembers that he’s in Bryce’s car and an accident was out of the question. Although Bryce called him four times Marques vowed to make it there safe if not on time, safe, and in one piece.

Bryce

Bryce’s foot is touching the floor and if he pushes down any harder the accelerator is going to go through the bottom of his car. He stares straight ahead as he speeds down 101 chewing on his bottom lip.

I have to get to her, I have to get there. I should have called he thinks as he swerves through the light traffic going over a hundred.

Bryce knows why he can’t call. “Squad up,” means go to where the person who wrote it is. If they are not home they will add a location. It means anything could be wrong from the smallest to the biggest thing. However calling was out of the question because if the person was in bad trouble then a ringing phone would give them away.

It’s probably nothing, Bryce thinks trying to calm his nerves. He does not pay attention to Marques sitting in the seat next to him gripping the arm rest and obviously scared at the speed that he’s going. I can’t be the last one there, Bryce thinks.

Trying to control his heart beat Bryce wonders if Falicia or Darnell is there already and if something had happened. He wouldn’t forgive himself if anything happened to Natalie. She was his best friend, his very best friend and he loved her more than anything.

He didn’t know why he was so protective of her but he wanted her safe and to make sure that she would be okay and that she is always okay.

It’s probably nothing, Bryce thinks again sitting back in the seat and gripping the wheel. Bryce switches lanes without putting on his blinker. Slowing to ninety Bryce exits the freeway thinking, hold on Natalie, here I come.

New Friend

Darnell takes a deep breath as he looks down at his scrubs and then up at the clock. Five minutes until the end of class and the teacher is still lecturing. Darnell writes down a note in his notebook and begins packing up for the day. Ignoring the look the teacher is giving him as she tries to keep talking without losing his train of thought. Darnell looks at Jon-Anthony who follows his lead and begins packing also. Taking the hint the teacher ends her lecture and says a goodbye to the class.

The class clears out as Darnell slowly puts his things away.

“Yeah we look good in these,” Jon-Anthony says looking down at Darnell. Darnell had to admit he liked the way he looked in his medical scrubs. Jon-Anthony on the other hand he didn’t know. Jon-Anthony looked tall and uncomfortable in the navy blue scrubs. Darnell smiles as he zips up his backpack and puts it on his back.

“Is your phone ringing?” Jon-Anthony asks. Darnell stands still and listens. “Damn,” he says as he takes his backpack off and digs into the bag trying to find his phone before it stops ringing. Grabbing his Sidekick and answering it before he looks at the caller id Darnell says into the phone, “Squad Up means you can’t talk.”

“Not always,” Natalie says.

“Look I’m sorry I’ll be right there I just got the message and class was almost over. I mean hell if it was an emergency I’m sure you would have dialed nine one-one before you sent out a Squad Up,” Darnell said sitting back in his chair.

“Oh well I mean I guess,” Natalie says as if she only called for conversation.

Zipping his backpack back up Darnell slips it back on and says, “So what’s up? You called me for a reason. Is everybody else there and I’m the last one again or something?”

“Oh nothing just seeing what you’re doing, what you’re up too.”

“Natalie you’re annoyed what’s up.”

“Do you love your wife?”

“Um what?” Darnell asks looking around the class room wondering if Natalie had someone on the other line or if something was really wrong.

“Naomi! Your wife?”

“I know who I’m married to.”

“Do you love her?”

“What? Why?”

“Well if you love that bitch I suggest you get yo’ ass here before she get fucked up,” Natalie says and hangs up the phone. Darnell looks at the phone and almost runs out of the class trying to gather his thoughts.

Darnell jumps into his car and starts it. Before he can back out he hears a tap on the passenger side window. Jon-Anthony was bent over looking inside the car holding onto the handle.

Fuck Darnell thinks as he unlocks the door.

Jon-Anthony hops in and closes the door, “You almost forgot me…how do you forget a whole person? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Darnell says reversing out of the parking stall and driving out of the school’s parking lot.

I guess I’m gone have to bring him with me Darnell thinks trying to find a way to drop Jon-Anthony off and be at Natalie’s at the same amount of time. Finding no alternative he asks, “Do you have anything to do?” Jon-Anthony shakes his head and Darnell says, “Good I gotta go somewhere.”

The ride was silent as Darnell cut through traffic and drove recklessly praying that he would not get pulled over. The trip to Natalie’s house took less than fifteen minutes.

When they arrive Jon-Anthony says, “Now this is what I’m talking about.” Darnell parks his car illegally behind a few others and takes in the sight. Natalie stands in the middle of the parking lot with her finger pointed yelling and screaming. His wife has her hair pulled back in workout clothes pointing at Natalie yelling. Falicia is standing in-between the two keeping them away from one another. Marques is leaning on a car and Bryce is standing next to Marques screaming.

Darnell opens the car door and gets out and makes his way to the group. Bryce is popping his ass and yelling, “We don’t fight, we don’t argue, Natalie just hit that bitch with a bottle.”

Darnell sighs as he approaches Naomi from behind. Bryce quiets down as Natalie and Naomi argue.

“Naomi get in the car,” Darnell says pointing to her Jetta with the driver’s door still open blocking Natalie’s black Toyota Corolla in.

“What?”

“Yeah get in the car,” Natalie yells from the other side of Falicia.

“Natalie shut up,” Darnell says turning around to see her. “Naomi get in the car and go home I’ll be there in a minute.” Naomi opens her mouth to say something when Darnell says, “Naomi!”

“Get in the car bitch,” Natalie yells.

“Natalie!”

“Bitch yous a bitch, bitch,” Naomi yells over Darnell’s shoulder.

“Ain’t nobody a bitch, shut up both of y’all. I will deal with this; Naomi go home, Natalie shut the fuck up,” Darnell yells leading Naomi to her car by her arm. “Bitch just mad because yo’ nigga rather spend time at mah shit than be at home with you,” Natalie yells then turns around and walks away.

“Natalie…Naomi get in the car now, I’ll be home in a minute. Natalie!” Darnell stalks after Natalie with Falicia, Marques and Bryce running behind them. Jon-Anthony slowly follows.

Natalie slams the door as Darnell walks in and it hits him. “Seriously? Just because your fucking relationship ain’t nothing and ain’t never gone be nothing don’t mean you gotta fucking try and ruin mine,” Darnell yells as he pushes the door open. “What the fuck is your problem?”

“My problem? My problem? I ain’t the only one with problems here nigga. Just because you too fucking chicken to stand up to your damn wife don’t mean I gotta be,” Natalie says as Bryce, Marques and Falicia sneak in the house and find seats.

“Nat,” Falicia says catching the end of her words.

“Nat mah ass, you too little Miss goody-goody. Think you fucking know everything.”

“Natalie?”

“Do I need to get on you too Marques? Do I? Really with your old scary ass always yes sir no—”

“Natalie that’s not cool what’s…”

“Bryce, shut the fuck up! I ain’t even gone start on yo’ ass okay.”

“Are you on your period? Or have you lost your damn mind? Just because yo’ fuckin’ no good ass nigga who we told you was gone cheat on you is cheating on you don’t mean you gotta take it out on everyone,” Darnell yells.

“Nigga I’m fucking tired of this shit I’m fucking grown y’all don’t like it then there is the fucking door; you brought yo’ ass in you can take yo’ ass out, and…” Natalie says seeing Jon-Anthony standing in the door frame. “And…and who the fuck are you?”

Everyone turns to see Jon-Anthony who cowers away then stands tall. “I’m Jon-Anthony,” he says in a low voice.

“Oh that’s my friend from school,” Darnell waves.

“How fucking rude,” Natalie says almost under her breath. Then smiling widely as she smoothes her hair says, “Hi I’m Natalie and this is Bryce, Falicia, and Marques… Come in, would you like a drink or anything to eat?”

Jon-Anthony walks in looking around and shakes his head.

“Anyway, um,” Natalie says. Every eye in the room is on her. Sighing and taking a seat she says, “I’m sorry guys. It’s just, he called me, Marcella….I mean really? Do I look like a Marcella? Bryce?

Bryce’s mouth moves as he shrugs.

“Marques?”

Marques squints and turns his head to the side and says, “You said a Marcella right?”

“No! No I don’t look like a Marcella. I mean maybe a Maria, I mean I would let Lupita slide, but Marcella?”

“Or Guadalupe,” Darnell said looking around for anyone who agrees.

Ignoring Darnell Falicia smiles and says, “Now the question is what we gone do about it?”

“Where that bitch at? We need to beat her ass we know her first name what’s her last name?” Bryce pumps himself up.

“Bryce it’s not the bitch. It’s him, we need to fuck him up,” Darnell said.

“I know where she lives,” Natalie says.

“No it’s not her…” Darnell says shaking his head.

“I know that, but where do you think he is?” Natalie says grabbing a jacket.

Smiling Darnell looks around the room and they all agree silently and head for the door. “I know you don’t know what’s going on,” Natalie explains to Jon-Anthony smiling from ear to ear as they walk down the stairs to the parking lot.

“I’ll drive,” Bryce yells as they walk through the parking lot.

“Jon-Anthony you can come with us,” Natalie says walking to Falicia’s car. “Bryce, Nelly and Marques follow us okay,” Falicia said unlocking her car as Jon-Anthony and Natalie gets in. Shrugging Darnell climbs into the front seat of Bryce’s car and Marques climbs in the back and within five minutes they were gone.

Marques & Falicia

Summer 2003

Marques walks down Mission thinking about what he can do instead of going home. Being too young to go to any night clubs and way too bored to go home he decides to eat. Looking up the street he decides on Jack and the Box.

Once at Jack in the Box’s door Marques says, “Damn.” A group of guys are sitting next to the door. After a few seconds of debating Marques decides against Jack in the Box.

Marques turns around and while crossing the street to the Metreon he sees a familiar face.

“Sara,” he calls sneaking up behind her. “Marques!” she yells giving him a hug. “What’s up? What are you doing?”

Marques shakes his head, “Nothing.”

Marques unconsciously follows her into the movie theatre.

“Oh yeah Marques there is this guy I want you to meet. He’s real cute and I think you’ll like him.”

Marques’ face drops as he gives her an I-don’t-know-look.

“He’s supposed to meet me here. I already told him about you…I just didn’t have the time to tell you about him seeing as you changed your number on me…”

Giving a weak toothless smile he says, “Well here I am.”

“Okay so he’s short and cute. He’s light skinned with short hair.”

“Top or bottom?”

“A bottom,” Marques nods at Sara and she continues, “He just graduated high school and just turned eighteen. He’s really nice.”

“Does he act gay?”

“Sort of, but not really. Marr trust me I know you’ll like him.”

“What’s his name?”

“His name’s Bryce…Hold up this is him,” Sara says pulling out her pink Razor as it vibrates. “Hello…where are you? Where I don’t see you.” Marques looks both way then at Sara. “He’s here. Somewhere outside…”

“I gotta go to the bathroom,” Marques says nervously as he sees a short guy in a hoody on a cell phone walk into the theatre.

Sara does not get a chance to speak as Marques vanishes around a corner. Finding a pair of doors Marques exits out the building. Looking behind him as his heart races he stars running down the street. Lungs burning and gasping for air Marques stops at a bus stop and sits down. Trying to control his breathing he looks up. In front of him is an abandoned building which use to be a night club called the Crib. He could remember the several occasions he and a few friends snuck in. And he thought the club was fun but because of lack of funds it closed a few months ago.

“I wonder what happened to it,” Marques hears from beside him. Leaning against the bus stop is a light skinned girl with a fur lined coat on. She does not look at Marques as he stares at her. Her attention is on the abandoned building.

“Didn’t have enough money I guess,” Marques explains.

“Yeah, money…it solves everything… I bet if more energy is put in rather than money it’ll be off the chain,” she says to herself more than Marques.

“It has potential,” Marques says looking at the building which use to be the Crib.

“I gotta question. Why do you think people stopped going to the club?”

“Just got boring, I dunno,” Marques shrugs.

“What would you do to make sure it wouldn’t get like that?”

“I don’t know, switch it up.”

“How?”

“Like instead of just…” Marques stops. He’d felt like he was just in a trance as the fresh cold air sweeps over him and he’d conversed with the stranger in the night. Swallowing hard Marques steps out of his comfort zone and says confidently, “Like instead of just a straight club it should double up as a gay club.”

Smiling the girl says, “Duh. I mean this is San Francisco and there are just as many gay people as there are straight ones. That’s a good idea. What else would you do?”

Surprised at her response to his suggestion and a bit proud Marques smiles. Becoming curious Marques asks, “Why are you so interested in what I’d do? I mean why do you even care about the Crib? You gone buy it or somethin’?” Smiling the girl says, “You never know.”

Marques looks at her thinking she’s maybe another crazy homeless person. He’d met quite a few and although he enjoyed the conversation, he tried his best to stay away from them. Because it proved to him how much of a life he really didn’t have, and how strange he really is. Before Marques contemplates his next move the girl moves in on him and extends a hand, “Hi I’m Falicia.”

Shaking her hand Marques tries to think of a fake name. Giving up he reluctantly exclaims, “Marques.”

“Marques I’d like to talk to you a little more about how you would run a club. See I’m in business school and I need a little insight.”

“Okay?” Marques says thinking maybe she isn’t homeless.

“How about we talk over some food? My treat,” Falicia says trying not to give Marques any excuse to say no. Pulling his arms into his shirt to try and stay warm Marques thinks about the offer. Realizing he has nothing better to do he says, “How about Ihop?”

Smiling brightly Falicia nods and then explains, “I’m not too familiar with the City. So you’re gonna have to show me where it is.”

“No problem. We can wait here for the bus or walk. It seems far but it’s not…Plus the bus won’t be here for another thirty minutes, and I prefer to walk anyway,” Marques blurts out nervously. “What about you?”

Reaching into her coat pocket Falicia pulls out a small black device. Holding it up in the air she presses a button. Marques hears a car alarm and looks to his left. His eyes rest upon a black BMW with tinted windows and black eighteen inch rims. Marques looks at Falicia in awe as she shyly says, “I prefer to drive.”

Scorpion Prince

“Why come every laundry day starts with the same thing?” Darnell asks taking his clothes out of a drier.

“Well how much can we do with dirty clothes?” Marques asks folding a green shirt. Darnell rolls his eyes as Natalie silently agrees with Marques.

“No I mean we wash talk about our day and our A.K.A. Bryce’s issues,” Darnell clarifies half laughing. Then pulling himself together Darnell finishes, “Then about now Natalie says…”

“I’m so done with niggas,” Natalie says finishing Darnell’s statement. Natalie smiles as Darnell sighs shaking his head. Folding a white pair of boxer briefs Bryce says, “I told you, you should just try—”

“Bryce! NO!” Darnell says cutting him off. Bryce and Natalie laughs as Marques smiles. “Natalie will not be a lesbian…she will not try a female at all! Damn you already got Marques, leave it at that,” Darnell argues.

“Me?” Marques says surprised. “I am not gay! I’m bi.” He mumbles the last words. Darnell looks up from his black socks, and then begins frantically looking around the empty laundry room. No one speaks, as everyone tries to avoid Darnell’s gaze.

“By what?” Darnell asks seriously. “By the washing machine? By the drier? Bilateral? I don’t understand. By Bryce? Please elaborate.”

“No bisexual…as in I go both ways,” Marques smiles.

“Where? Down a one way street?” Darnell asks. “When’s the last time you had sex with a female?”

“I haven’t yet,” Marques mumbles. “But I plan to,’ he quickly announces. “I’m saving myself for that one.”

“Point proven,” Darnell says folding a pair of black and gray jeans.

“What about you?” Natalie asks coming to Marques’ defense.

With a smug look on his face Darnell answers, “Well I didn’t want to brag…but ah since you asked…back in the day I use t0—”

“Ahhh I mean now,” Natalie interrupts. Ignoring Natalie’s interruption Darnell continues, “—have sex every so often with ah different ones.”

“No you didn’t you were a virgin when you got married. I remember your first time, you called us. It was your honey mood you lied and told her you had to go to the bathroom and—” Marques interrupts.

Darnell ignores Marques and continues, “—but now I’m married…so yah know.”

“Okay but you didn’t answer the question,” Natalie reminds him.

“Oh once a year thank you very much,” Darnell announces proudly.

“You mean once every pay check,” Bryce mumbles causing Natalie and Marques to laugh.

“Are you saying—” Darnell begins but stops once he sees the look on Bryce’s face.

“Yeah that’s what I thought,” Bryce says seriously. Quietness takes over the room. Bryce slams a pair of socks on the table and yells, “This is just straight bullshit!”

Bryce’s voice echoes through the laundry room then dies into quietness. Darnell opens his mouth to speak but decides against it.

After what seemed like hours Natalie breaks the silence by singing, “Awkward.” Then laughing with Marques she says, “Damn Bryce that was so random.”

Obviously annoyed Bryce throws his clothes into his laundry basket and storms out of the wash house.

“What was that all about?” Marques asks.

Shrugging his shoulders Darnell sits his shirt down and starts after Bryce.

“I got it,” Natalie yells humorously and stops Darnell. “You just finish up and we’ll meet you upstairs.” Natalie grabs her basket of folded laundry and walks out the wash house in search of her best friend.

* * *

The sun shines brightly, sending its burning rays down to earth. The wind sits lazy around the atmosphere giving the air the fresh stuffy smell hot air produces.

The apartment complex is nothing fancy. Seven separate buildings with two floors, leaving four apartments to a building. The heat makes the swimming pools liquid sky blue waters look tempting even to those who cannot swim.

Natalie finds Bryce sitting on the concrete steps leading up to their apartment. Bryce is hugging his legs to his chest looking down at the pool. Natalie is surprised to see he is not alone.

“Hey Jon-Anthony!” Natalie yells loudly at the guy standing behind Bryce.

Jon-Anthony smiles waving shyly.

Feeling close enough to speak without yelling Natalie says, “Nelly and Marques in the wash house. Can I have a few minutes with Bryce?”

Natalie can swear she sees a frown cross Jon-Anthony’s face, but disregards it as the sun once he cheerfully says, “Okay.”

Natalie sits next to Bryce and watches Jon-Anthony walk out of view. Putting her arms around him she says, “What’s up?”

“Nothin’,” Bryce says still looking down at the pool. “Just thinking about Nico and stuff…I don’t know what to do.”

Bryce almost holds his breath as he watches the pool in hopes that Natalie isn’t looking through him and his lie. No not his lie, he would never lie to Natalie, she’s his best friend. He is just hiding; that’s it hiding; he hopes she doesn’t see that he is hiding something.

“Just talk to us,” Natalie says knowing Bryce has way more than his younger boyfriend on his mind. “You know we’re here for you Bryce. We can get through this.” Looking up at her Bryce smiles and Natalie adds, “It’s not like you’re in love with him.” Natalie was asking more than commenting. Not receiving an answer Natalie asks, “Do you?”

Bryce screams putting his head in his hands.

“I don’t know,” his voice sounds stressed. “Awe what is it sweetie?” Natalie asks patting Bryce’s back now really concerned for her friend.

“Natalie it’s not Nico,” Bryce confesses reluctantly. Natalie watches the back of Bryce’s head as she waits for him to finish. “It’s the other guy,” he sighs.

“The married one?” Natalie asks.

“I’m thinking about him, Bryce admits. “I’m really feelin’ him and he keeps telling me he’s gone leave her and how much he wanna be with me.”

“Oh!” Natalie says as everything falls into place and becomes clear to her. “I see and Darnell is s’pose to be leavin’. I feel you.”

Bryce lays his head on Natalie’s lap. “Awe poor boo boo,” she says stroking his hair and trying to think of ways to cheer him up.

“Look I’mma call Lee Lee and tonight we drop ‘erything. We gone go out and do it big like the Entourage always do,” Natalie says trying to hold back her excitement. Bryce lifts his head and says in a baby’s voice, “Klub K-oz?”

Natalie nods with a smile on her face.

“Ain’t it gay night?” he asks.

Natalie nods.

Frowning Bryce begins to whine as he says, “Nelly ain’t goin’ foe that.”

Natalie nods smiling wider.

“We won’t tell him,” Bryce says losing the baby talk and looking as if he is reading Natalie’s mind with great difficulty.

Natalie nods no longer able to hide her excitement.

“He ain’t gone be happy,” Bryce tells her in a nagging tone.

“He’ll get over it like he always does,” Natalie says finally speaking. “And you know he don’t stay mad that long. Plus if he doesn’t know what night is gay night by now then he deserves it.” Bryce smiles wickedly. “Ten minutes top and he’ll be having fun with us,” Natalie says mirroring Bryce’s smile.

Scorpion Prince 2

Darnell stands leaning against the wall looking upset.

Falicia smiles at him from the bar and says, “Y’all didn’t tell him again.” Laughing Natalie shakes her head. “I don’t know why. Y’all must like seein’ that boy mad.” Letting Falicia’s words sail in one ear and shoot out the other Natalie takes a sip of her drink, then turns and shoves it in Marques’ face.

Marques silently declines as Falicia says, “I mean two of his best friends are gay and they go to straight clubs. It ain’t like he wouldn’t come if he knew.”

Natalie finishes her first drink and calmly says, “Oh I know.” She does not explain herself any further.

Falicia hands Natalie a fresh glass of hypnotic and brandy. Natalie and Marques hops off their bar stools. Falicia hands Natalie another drink, “Give him this and tell him I said, let it go.”

“Where’s Bryce?” Marques asks walking beside Natalie to Darnell. The music grows louder the closer they get to Darnell. “I don’t know,” Natalie yells over the music. “Lee Lee said somethin’ ‘bout a dance group.”

“Oh yeah Gwen Stephanie’s record release,” Marques yells back as they approach Darnell.

Natalie hands Darnell the cranberry and gray goose and yells, “come on let’s find Bryce.”

Walking into a crowded room full of music, lights, and dancing; Natalie looks at her phone as the screen flashes. Rolling her eyes she takes a sip of her drink and turns it off.

“Damn, Jon-Anthony keeps callin’ me,” she yells to Darnell as they squeeze through the sweaty crowd.

"He called me seven times,” Marques yells.

Darnell takes his phone off its holster as it flashes and vibrates. He looks at Jon-Anthony’s number and powers his phone off. Darnell shrugs and Marques pulls his phone out and turns it off.

Taking another sip of her drink Natalie looks around the four corners of the club, and becomes annoyed when she doesn’t see Bryce. Natalie looks up on the stage, and then turns to the cages suspended in the air. Turning in a circle she starts to take another sip of her drink but stops. She faces the back wall left of the stage. On a balcony type platform four poles are parallel to one another. Slowly Natalie lowers her drink.

“Is that Bryce?” she screams more than ells as she points over to the poles. Darnell and Marques follow her finger, to the last of the four poles.

There spinning around a pole wearing tan shorts, a very colorful shirt which stopped under his chest, and a long blond wig is Bryce.

Smiling Marques screams, “Go Bryce!”

Darnell does a double take while Natalie looks at her drink then back up at Bryce. Moving with the beat Marques yells, “Get it!”

“Is he drunk?” Natalie asks obviously still in shock.

“I don’t think so. He’s still got that glazed look in his eyes,” Darnell says wondering what was wrong with Bryce.

“Am I drunk?” Natalie asks searching for answers.

“No,” Darnell responds killing her last theory.

Marques dances his way over to Bryce with Darnell and Natalie following him in a fog of confusion.

Spotting his friends Bryce jumps down off the pole and into the crowd to greet them.

“What the fuck!” Darnell asks mugging Bryce. “Oh no, we don’t do that. You look like a fucked up ass Lil’ Kim, and that’s saying something you know how she looks now.” Darnell barely stops for a breath. “Oh hell naw, Bryce that’s a no, no.” Darnell continues outraged.

“Be quiet,” Marques says giving Bryce a hug. When Bryce moved to hug Natalie, she yells, “Bryce baby are you drunk?”

“No! Why?” Bryce asks clueless with a cheerful smile. Natalie waves her hand up and down Bryce’s body and says, “When did we become a cross dresser?” Bryce throws his head back laughing.

“Ahhh shit na, look at mah boi all growed up,” Falicia yells as she joins her friends in the crowd.

“Boy?” Darnell asks.

“Well if you’re happy,” Natalie says.

Bryce hugs Falicia then yells, “I’ll be back.”

Bryce runs off and up a stair case. Natalie shakes her head then pours the rest of her drink into her mouth. Watching Natalie, Darnell finishes his drink. The lights turn off as the music stops and the D.J. yells into the microphone.

Turning to Falicia Darnell says, “I’m gone need another one of these.”

“Later,” Falicia says grabbing his hand and pulling him through the club.

Natalie and Marques follow and look up at the stage when Falicia says, “Look!” pointing.

A spotlight shines down onto the stage as a tall man in high heels, women’s clothing and long blonde wig in a ponytail walks out. Music starts and the crowd goes crazy. The man begins lip syncing Gwen Stephanie’s Wind it up. Still shocked from Bryce, Darnell and Natalie stand like stone watching the concert. While Marques and Falicia dance and sway to the music.

“Look! Look!” Falicia yells pointing to the stage. Marques and Falicia go wild. Darnell and Natalie look up at the stage at the same time and begins to yell and scream. Bryce is on the stage as a boy this time dancing with a group of background dancers.

“Look at mah boy,” Natalie yells clapping as Falicia and Marques chants, “Its Bryce time.”

Darnell can’t help but smile and join an already dancing Falicia, Natalie, and Marques.

Lil’playboy

The fluorescent lights are so bright the dirty hand prints left on the walls are invisible. Two examination tables with curtains around them are across from the door and to the left of the white board. Nine tables are packed in the room along with twenty seven students ranging from eighteen to fifty years of age. Wearing a white lab coat the instructor lectures.

Seeing double Darnell forces himself to sit up straight. All he can remember from the previous night is Gwen Stephanie and Lil’ Kim dancing around a stripper pole. Due to the throbbing pain in his head everything seems to bother him. Especially the brightness and noise level of the room.

Darnell is snapped out of his trance like state by the sound of his name, which in reality was called more than once. Darnell stares at the teacher until his eyes focus and his recollection kicks in. He responds, “I am so sorry.” He puts a lot of emphasis on the ‘so.’ “I wasn’t paying attention; I have a horrible hang over.”

The class bursts into laughter and the teacher frowns.

“Well then we’ll make it a little more interesting then,” Dr. Abey says lifting her eyebrow. “I’m going to make this worth half your final grade.” She pauses looking around the class as she hopes she is setting an example. For she knows Darnell is the life and heart of the class. “So that…” she starts but does not finish as Darnell cuts her off.

“I know if I get it wrong, and a hundred on my finial it’s actually a fifty.”

Nodding her head slowly Dr. Abey asks, “What muscle is this?” She points a little below her shoulder. “What injection is given here? What angle is the injection injected at? And what is it administered for?”

The class is quiet and seems worried for Darnell.

Noticing she has an advantage and figuring that she has found a way to control Darnell she says, “Why don’t you come to the front of the class?”

“Because I don’t want to,” Darnell mumbles.

Taking a deep breath he lifts himself up and slowly makes his way to the front of the class room.

Standing in front of his peers he feels as if standing is taking all of his strength.

“We don’t have all day,” Dr. Abey says, causing a few students to laugh nervously. “Anytime.”

Darnell begins to feel dizzy, so he closes his eyes and breathes in deeply.

Dr. Abey smiles, “well you usually have a lot to say…how about you apologize, take your seat and I’ll think of a way you can earn extra credit.”

Loving the new found control she has over Darnell through his grades. She starts back to the front of the class with the look of victory glowing on her face.

Looking both ways with confusion on his face, Darnell puts a finger in the air. In an annoying voice Darnell says loudly, “Sir! Sir! Excuse me! Sir!”

Stopping in her tracks Dr. Abey looks insulted and shocked. “I told you I have a hangover. I was just gathering myself,” Darnell says over the roaring laughter of his classmates. Once the class settles down Darnell continues, “The muscle is the Deltoid. It is a Deltoid injection. It is used for administering vitamins, and allergy medication. However most commonly the flu-shot.” Pausing for air Darnell can tell everyone is shocked by his answer to the questions.

Most of the class takes him as the happy go lucky class clown, and only heard rumors of his intelligence. Some know why he is one of the three class leaders, but few knew of his perfect academic record.

“The ang…” Dr. Abey begins but does not get to finish due to Darnell’s rude interruption.

He raises his hand putting his finger back up into the air and loudly says, “Sir!” The class laughs at the teacher again. “The shot is given at a ninety degree angle. Thank you,” Darnell smiles to the class. Then turning to Dr. Abey Darnell says, “Now apologize.”

The class erupts into laughter and cheers. Darnell walks back to his seat, however, before sitting down he raises his hand. The class gives him their full attention. Before being acknowledged Darnell says, “Does this mean I just earned fifty points towards my final?”

“Yes it does,” Jon-Anthony answers and Darnell sits down saying, “I thought so.”

Darnell smiles at his laughing class and angry teacher.

“Whelp can’t say it was fun,” Jon-Anthony jokes. Darnell begins packing his things in his back pack as the class departs.

“Where were you guys last night?” Jon-Anthony asks. Putting his books in his bag Darnell does not answer. “I was trying to call you guys but none of you answered.”

“Oh,” Darnell says trying to sound surprised.

“You didn’t see my missed calls?” Darnell shakes his head and Jon-Anthony adds, “I left y’all all messages.”

Shrugging his shoulders Darnell says, “Mah phone been trippin’.”

“Oh, well what y’all do?” Jon-Anthony asks cheerfully.

Swinging his back pack over his shoulder Darnell lies, “Oh I don’t know about them but I spent time with the wifey.”

“Oh okay,” Jon-Anthony says.

Feeling awkward Darnell says, “Yeah I’m ‘bout to go to work.”

Darnell has a feeling Jon-Anthony knows he is lying about the other night. “See you tomorrow,” Darnell calls with a smile as he rushes out the room. Jon-Anthony stays behind in silence as he watches Darnell walk out the door and turn out of view.

Lil’playboy 2

Darnell sits on the edge of the bed. Sighing he kicks his shoes off.

The bathroom door opens and a small woman walks out. She looks at him, the beauty of her youth still glowing made her look as young as she did in high school.

Darnell looks up at her in her pajama pants and white tank top then back down as he goes to work on his socks.

“Waz wrong witchu? Better yet; where the hell you been?” she says in her soft deep voice.

Shaking his head and taking a deep breath Darnell thinks I’m not in the mood and responds, “Bettering myself and taking care of you.”

“Oh so you finally went to school and work?” she comments climbing into bed. “Am I making good grades? Are the bills getting paid? Do you have money in yo’ pocket? Are you in need of anything?” Darnell asks with his back to her.

Sighing Natalie says, “It doesn’t even matter. It wouldn’t change anything.”

“What?”

“Goodnight Darnell.”

“No, no, no, no, didn’t you want the marriage consoler? And didn’t I pay for it? And didn’t she sit there and listen to us? And didn’t she tell us what we already knew? So let’s listen to her, communication. Isn’t that what I paid her all that money to tell us? So come wit’ it, we communicating. Let’s communicate what is it that you need Naomi?”

In a sad barely audible whisper she looks down at the covers and says, “Love.”

“Love Naomi? Wow! Seriously? Out of everything, time, affection, attention, you pick love?” A sudden silence took over and Darnell can tell the silence means she is staring at him and thinking of a comeback.

“Naomi why do we always do this? What happened to us?” Darnell whines attempting to stop the argument before it goes any further.

“Life,” she replies. “Darnell you always go and do your own thing with yo’ friends…”

“Oh wow. I don’t know which one of your friends got you on that hype,” Darnell says staring at the wall. “But I, um suggest you think before you listen to them. Because if she’s single which most likely she is, then you need not listen to her.”

“Whatever Darnell,” Naomi says staring at the back of his head with her arms folded.

“Okay gone head and listen…Yo’ friends ‘bout to fuck up yo’ marriage,” Darnell says turning to face her.

Naomi sees the sad empty look in her husband’s eyes and for the first time she is scared for her marriage.

“So you gone leave me?” She says trying to hide her fear with her anger.

Darnell turns away from her; he could never lie to her face. Letting out a laugh to hide his nervousness Darnell says, “Girl please.” Standing to stretch he adds, “And give you the satisfaction of taking half of me? Hell naw!”

“That ain’t funny nigga,” Naomi yells as if she cannot believe her ears. “So is that why we still together?”

Darnell is aware of his wife’s fear and knows she is speaking from it more than anger. But he can’t keep lying to her; he can’t keep hurting the both of them. He has to let her know, he has to end it. He knows that they were causing one another too much pain. But he still loved her. He didn’t want her to hate him. This means the lies have to stop. Staring blankly at the wall he takes a deep breath that burns his chest, then swallows hard and chooses to speak from his heart.

“Huh you scared?” Naomi asks trying to get an answer and a reason to continue the argument.

“No Naomi,” Darnell sighs sadly.

Once again Darnell turns to look her in her eyes and again her fear is there. Naomi stays quiet as she tries to make sense of what Darnell’s eyes are trying to tell her. She knows what his mouth won’t say, his eyes will.

“When we were at the altar I promised to love you,” he explains.

“What happened to honor and obey?” Naomi asks once she is safe from his gaze. Turning to once again paralyze her Darnell answered, “The same thing that happened to the love in your vows.”

Naomi remains quietly locked in her husband’s eyes. She knows there’s something there, but she cannot tell exactly what it is. She knows it’s more than him not being happy. It’s something else, something way more.

“See,” Darnell says in the same calm tone he’s been talking in. “I can’t do this,” Darnell exhales. He meant to say ‘I can’t do it alone’, but the last words never came. He gets up and walks to the door.

Shaking her head and breathing deeply. She is back, free from her trance and she asks, “Where you goin’?”

“I don’t know. I need to clear my mind, sort some things out. I got a lot to think about,” he says opening the door. He steps out and slowly begins closing the door. “Darnell!” Naomi calls stopping him instantly. He opens the door and looks at her.

Again she feels she cannot move as she stares into his eyes.

“I’m pregnant,” she blurts out uncontrollably. She did not want to tell him like this. But she panicked, she was desperate, she didn’t want him to leave. She needs him to stay. She doesn’t want the conversation to end, in fear so would her marriage.

Darnell’s expression is one of stone as he looks deep into her eyes. She feels his eyes stabbing recklessly at her soul and shredding her heart. She feels like he is looking deeper than just her soul, like he is looking through her. She does not know what to expect as she stares at the shell of the man she married.

What is he going to say? What is he thinking? She thinks.

She wants to tell him she loves him, she needs him, she’s sorry; but she feels it’s too late nor would it matter.

The silence is driving her insane, as it kills her softly. Yet she loves it as it keeps her heart beating the longer he stays with her.

Her heart sinks as Darnell finally speaks in the same chilling tone. Looking at her he says, “I know, but don’t let that be an excuse.”

Young HollyWood

Looking around and ducking behind the popcorn machine Marques holds the phone to his ear.

“You always almost left her,” Natalie says.

“Really,” Marques tries to whisper into the phone so as not to draw any attention to him.

“What made you stay this time,” Bryce asks sarcastically.

“Natalie…Falicia,” Darnell calls hoping for backup.

“No Natalie and Falicia,” Marques says forgetting to whisper. “Darnell we understand, but your only twenty years old. Your still…”

“Whatever Marques. Your sixteen days older than me and you know if you was in my situation you would not be thinking like that…so miss me with that one,” Darnell argues.

“Nelly, Marques is right,” Natalie admits honestly.

“I’m twenty seven and you know what Rob and I go through,” Falicia adds. “I’m still considered young. But I know I ain’t gone get no younger. Rob and I are still together because we are still in love.”

“On the other hand there’s me,” Natalie says talking over Falicia. “I’m twenty three and you know ‘bout my relationships.”

“It’s hard to find love,” Falicia says. “We understand that, really we all do…”

“Fa’ real Nelly,” Natalie adds. “Yall been together ‘bout seven years, married for two, we know.”

“We also told you not to marry the bitch!”

“Bryce!” Natalie yells loudly.

“Follow your heart baby,” Falicia says as if Bryce had not said anything. “Now if you do that and still be in the same boat. I don’t know what to tell you.”

“Me neither, but tell me later…Holla,” Marques says watching his boss walk by. Just as he hangs up the phone he says systematically, “Hi how may I help you.”

Looking up his fake smile fades when he realizes who’s standing in front of him. “That’s better that smile was not the business,” Jon-Anthony says smiling.

“What you doin’ here?” Marques asks leaning against the cash register and looking out the Metreon’s glass wall across from him.

“I mean this is the movies,” Jon-Anthony reminds him. “What time you get off?”

“Eleven forty five,” Marques answers dully.

“You wanna catch a movie?” Jon-Anthony asks eagerly looking at his watch. Marques puts an I-don’t-know look on his face and says, “I gotta see.” Noticing Jon-Anthony’s expression change Marques quickly says, “I mean I’m tired from the club last night and…”

“The club?” Jon-Anthony says surprised. Marques nods, “Yeah we all went for the record release party. But um, Nell is having a problem so I gotta see ‘bout the movie.”

“How ‘bout we all just see a movie?” Jon-Anthony slowly suggests.

“Cool I’ll call ‘erybody and we’ll…” Marques says fanning himself.

“Go talk to um,” Jon-Anthony says.

“No I’m at work and the dude I’m talking to would kill me,” Marques tells Jon-Anthony hoping he doesn’t see his lie or insecurity.

Jon-Anthony laughs making Marques feel uncomfortable. “I gotta go.”

“Okay later,” Jon-Anthony says as Marques vanishes between two doors that say ‘Employees Only.’

Young HollyWood 2

“Watch one day I’m gone have Natalie with a girl,” Bryce says pushing his chair up on two legs and resting against a wall.

“What? I didn’t say anything,” Darnell whines putting down the PlayStation controller.

“But you wanted to.”

Marques laughs at the two as he feels an argument brewing.

“I just don’t get it. What do niggas want nowadays?” Bryce shrugs and Marques Finishes. “I mean I got mah own shit. I pull mah own weight and pay mah own bills. I just don’t get it. What do people want?”

“See, Marques what you need to do is be more confident,” Darnell says standing up and pulling his pants up high. “Grab yo’ dick,” Darnell says grabbing his crotch firmly. “Look them in the eyes,” he turns to Bryce who is looking at the many pictures of Beyoncé scattered around Marques’ walls. Darnell waits for Bryce to turn his attention away from the pictures. “Make sure you got that eye contact yah dig?” Darnell says still holding his crotch and Bryce’s gaze.

Marques and Bryce fights back laughter as Darnell continues.

“Then you pimp up on um real smooth like.” He smoothly walks over to Bryce with a slight limp. He slides himself in-between Bryce’s legs. Still looking in his eyes Darnell lets go of his crotch, it rubs against Bryce. “See don’t forget to let go when you up on um, kay?” he says and Bryce turns his head to laugh.

Darnell gently grabs Bryce’s chin and moves it so that Bryce is facing him bringing the eye contact back. Darnell turns to look at Marques and says, “Pay attention this part’s important.” Turning back to lock eyes with Bryce Darnell says, “Now you put on a deep voice and say.”

Darnell clears his throat and says in an unnaturally deep voice. “Aye, whad it do Lil’ Daddy. I been peepin’ you all night and I like what I see.” Darnell licks his lips slowly then continues, “Mah name is Marr a.k.a. Marr-Marr a.k.a. Bid Daddy a.k.a. Sexy Virgo a.k.a. Young Hollywood a.k.a. Big Wood!”

Darnell cracks first followed by Bryce and Marques. Darnell backs off Bryce and lays face down on Marques’ bed still laughing.

“I’ll pass,” Marques says laughing.

Getting out of the chair Bryce rolls his eyes and walks over to Marques’ bed.

“I guess,” Darnell says as Bryce climbs onto his back.

“No really Marques I feel you. I have the same problem, but I feel used ‘cause I got it and they don’t got shit. Just looks and a big dick,” Bryce says massaging Darnell’s back.

“That’s because you’re dating mutant twelve year olds,” Darnell says into Marques’ bed. “Shut up,” Bryce says punching him in the back.

“He might as well be. Your twenty two, he’s seventeen,” Marques reminds Bryce. “But if you really like him then I got yo’ back, I support you.”

“I support you too,” Darnell says looking up from Marques’ bed. “But I’m not bailing you out.”

Marques lets out a fake laugh.

“MARQUES!” yells a grumpy cigarette stained voice. “You and yah friends need to shut up wit all that shit. It’s almost nine they need to be going.” Darnell looks up at Marques with a mug on his face and says, “What!”

“Darnell please don’t start with him,” Marques says. Then screams down the stairs. “Yes sir, I’m sorry.”

“See, on the real that’s yo’ problem,” Darnell says getting up so fast Bryce falls off his back.

“Why do you let him treat you like that?” Bryce asks climbing to his feet.

Turning around to face the wall Marques says, “He’s sick. He don’t know better.”

“And now you’ve got an excuse for him,” Bryce asks more than says.

“You guys don’t understand,” Marques cries.

“Hold up! What?” Darnell says raising his voice in shock. “Who don’t understand?” Darnell walks over to Marques grabs his arm and spins him around. Marques avoids Darnell’s eyes by looking at the floor. “I don’t understand?” Darnell asks angrily. “Marques!” Darnell’s eyes begin to water as he says coldly, “I watched my mother die for nine years, for nine years I took care of her…my biological mother. Now who don’t understand…that man is not your father, he is yo’ momma’s husband.”

Bryce hugs Darnell who begins to cry, more for his friend than anything else.

“Marques that man is yo’ down fall, you cannot keep letting him do this to you,” Bryce tells Marques. “He’s tore you down. You work day and night to pay his bills. You take care of him.”

Drying his eyes Darnell says, “He walks all over you and your self-esteem.” Releasing Darnell from his hug Bryce grabs his keys and starts down the stairs.

Bryce is first outside the door. Darnell turns to Marques before walking outside and says, “Look I love you and I hate seeing you this way. Ya’ momma already left him Marques…it’s your turn.”

Marques hugs Darnell then gives him a weak smile. Darnell turns around and runs to Bryce’s already running car. Marques waits for the car to drive off before he close the door. With his back against the door Marques catches the tear before it falls down his face.

“Marques! Now that yo’ fag pack is done bullshittin’ bring yo’ ugly fat ass in here and get mah food,” his step father yells.

Marques rubs his red eyes frowning as anger flashes across his face. Marques’ heart reflects the rage on his face. He knows his friends are right, he knows he has to do something.

Just as quickly as his anger came it passes, and is replaced by grief.

Clearing his throat and making sure his tears and all signs of weakness are gone he says in an artificial deep voice, “Yes sir!”

Falicia & Marques & Bryce & Natalie

Fall 2003

“Why is Denny’s always like this?” Falicia asks Marques sitting next to her in the booth. Marques shrugs his shoulders with a small laugh.

“I mean ain’t nobody here and we been sitting here just how do you say waiting for a menu.” Marques nods and she continues. “Well I’m just gone... Marques, Marques look, he’s fine.” Falicia points at a guy passing by the window. “Shit I want his friend,” Marques exclaims looking out the window at the guys passing by.

“Oh, oh what about this one?” Falicia asks looking at a light skinned guy pass by the window with a Mexican girl.

“He’s got a girlfriend.”

“If that’s his girlfriend then I’m yours.”

“You think he’s gay?”

“I know it. Come on Marques,” Falicia elbows him making him smile. “Look, they coming in.” Marques and Falicia silently watch as the couple stroll in. “They ain’t gone get a seat ‘til tomorrow. Watch,” Falicia smiles.

The two are approached by a waiter and the girl turns around looking at the empty seats.

“See right now she’s thinking is you serious? My bunions hurt, I been walkin’ all day.” Falicia and Marques laugh and he adds, “And you got like forty empty tables. What my money ain’t good enough?”

The two start exchanging looks as the waiter waits quietly.

“Awe look they look so sad,” Falicia whines.

“And hungry,” adds Marques.

Talking to themselves the two turn and start towards the door.

“I’m gone ask um to eat with us.”

“What?” Marques yells looking at Falicia as she clears her throat.

“Yeah, look, we at a table big enough for like five people. Plus I’m bored,” she tells him as he starts to hyperventilate. Forcing himself to breathe normally Marques tries to relax as the couple make their way by the table.

“Excuse me,” Falicia smiles. “I know how y’all feelin’ and what y’all probably thinkin; we been here for like an hour and ain’t even got our menus… I think it’s ‘cause we didn’t wait for our seats, we just rolled up in here and sat down and got comfortable.” The two exchange looks and give Falicia a weak smile as they silently ask one another if they knew her.

Smiling back and guessing what they were thinking about her and the way she just started talking to them Falicia continues, “They did bring us water though… But anyway y’all look hungry so how bout y’all sit with us?”

The two exchange looks again and coming to a silent agreement the guy says, “It’s okay.”

“Come on its plenty of room. We don’t mind; really. Don’t be shy.” Again the two look at one another then back at Falicia as she says, “My treat.”

“Well why didn’t you say so,” the guy laughs. Grabbing the girl’s arm he says, “Come on Natalie.” Squeezing into the booth the guy says, “Hi, I’m Bryce.”

Marques’ breath catches in him as Bryce and Natalie shake Falicia’s hand. Natalie squeezes into the booth as Bryce grabs Marques’ hand to shake it. Marques would have turned red if his skin tone permitted it.

Once the two were comfortable in the booth the girl says, “I’m Natalie.”

Young Nat

“Okay I’ll go!” Natalie says not sure if she agrees with what came out of her mouth.

“That’s mah girl,” Falicia smiles. “You know you like him.”

Natalie says nothing letting a silence she does not like fall over the conversation. Natalie feels like everyone inside the fast food place are silently watching her. “So what’s going on with Rob?”

“Oh! Yeah!” Falicia says as if she is reminded of a problem she was happy to forget. “He’s been so distant lately,” Falicia takes the final bite of her Big Mac. “But wasn’t he talkin’ ‘bout marriage?” Natalie asks getting into the conversation. Washing her burger down with a Sprite Falicia nods. “Then remember the ring I found in the drawer? Remember?”

Natalie nods eating a French fry slowly. Looking up at the ceiling Falicia says, “And then he gave me an invitation to a wedding.”

“Whose?” Natalie asks surprised. “I don’t know…but I do know his friend was supposed to be getting married, but I didn’t expect it so soon.”

“Oh maybe he’ll propose to you at the wedding,” Natalie says the first thing to pop in her head.

“I don’t know I think he’s the best man. So the ring probably belongs to Mike,” Falicia says locking the thought of Rob proposing to her in her mind.

Natalie opens her mouth to speak but is interrupted.

“Wow! It’s hard to get a hold of you celebrities.”

Falicia smiles at Jon-Anthony as he helps himself to a seat next to her.

“It’s been real busy,” Falicia explains.

Natalie stands up ad says, “Gottah go back to work.”

Natalie rushes to the exit door leaving Falicia and Jon-Anthony in McDonalds. Natalie is crossing the street when her phone rings. Natalie pulls her phone out of her pocket and presses talk, without a hello Falicia begins talking. “Jon-Anthony wants to know what we’re doin’ tonight.”

“I don’t know tell him we’ll call,” Natalie says stopping on the curb.

“Okay…anyways I want y’all to go with me to the wedding. But this might be a Rob and Lee Lee thing,” Falicia says.

“I vote Rob and Lee Lee,” Natalie says walking alongside the big blue IKEA building.

“Okay I’m gone call and get more votes,” Falicia says in a sigh. “Let me know,” Natalie says hanging up the phone.

Walking into the parking structure Natalie takes a deep breath. “Four more hours,” She says to the sliding glass doors.

Natalie & Bryce & Darnell

Spring 2003

Come on Natalie thinks looking at the clock.

The day is slow and dragging on. She thought after she was done photo copying the docking lists that it would be time to leave. However, ten o’clock just wasn’t coming fast enough. And the fact that she literally had nothing to do only added to her anxiousness.

Looking around the empty warehouse store she pulls out her phone hoping the time would be faster. It isn’t.

Sitting behind a computer terminal she wonders what Bryce is doing. He’d already been off for half an hour and said he’d wait for her. They were going to the movies and Natalie knew that, that’s what was making her so anxious.

It is going to be her and Bryce. Their best friend night. She’d always looked forward to them, however, this one in particular all week. Over the last few weeks Natalie was feeling as if they were growing apart and didn’t have time for one another. So she couldn’t wait to catch up with him and see what’s been going on lately. She wants to know the latest about everything. Although she knew there was nothing new since they spoke on the phone all the time and saw one another at work practically every day. Yet and still she felt distant from Bryce and a face to face is all she wants.

Taking a deep breath she begins to think about Bryce’s birthday and wondering what they were going to do. They hadn’t discussed the surprise with him yet.

Two minutes she yells to herself looking at her cell phone.

Wow that’s a long time she thinks sarcastically.

Slipping back into her thoughts she begins thinking about her friendship with Bryce, Marques and Falicia. Bryce had been her best-friend for two years now and Falicia and Marques came along not shy of a year. It always amazed her how fast she’s grown to trust, love, and confide and in some ways depend on the three so fast.

One more minute Natalie thinks. Her attention is drawn to the janitor. Always a Mexican she laughs to herself. Composing herself Natalie gets up and starts for the break room to clock out.

Her little joke about the janitor makes her Miss Bryce even more. He seem to be the only one who’d laugh at her jokes and the only one she could tell them to.

Clocking out she smiles at the door as she rushes out.

“Bye Natalie,” someone yells but Natalie acts like she does not hear them as she rushes out the building thinking shut up.

Laughing at herself Natalie sees Bryce as soon as she exits the building. Bryce is standing in front of a white car talking to a black guy with braids wearing yellow Sponge Bob pajamas and a black wife beater. Inside the white car is a dark girl and an even darker guy.

Natalie slows her pace as the black guy looks at her.

He’s cute I guess, Natalie thinks. Must be one of them guys trying to get with Bryce as usual.

Bryce turns around as Natalie approaches with a small smile.

“Natalie remember that guy I told you I met on Myspace?” Natalie nods as Bryce says, “Here he is. This is Darnell.”

Darnell smiles and shakes Natalie’s hand saying, “Hi, nice to meet you Natalie.”

Wow! Natalie thinks. He’s real cute.

“Can he come to the movies with us?” Bryce asks and Natalie’s heart falls.

No! she wants to say. However thinking twice and not trying to come off as a bitch she smiles and says, “Yeah sure why not, hmmm...”

She hopes her answer does not sound forced as Bryce overly excited says, “Okay cool.”

Turning back to Darnell Bryce smiles and Darnell says, “I just gotta drop them off…is it okay if my fiancé comes?”

“Fiancé?” Natalie says then covers her mouth. She did not mean to say anything. Darnell nods and Natalie thinks he can’t possibly be on the down low. He’s probably just acting because of you so you don’t think he’s gay, Natalie thinks.

Noticing she is the center of attention she smiles and says, “The more the merrier.” Hopping there would not be more and the sarcastic tone in her voice was not noticed she adds, “The movie don’t start ‘til eleven. How long is it gone take you to drop them off?”

Looking up at the night sky Darnell looks at Bryce and says, “About ten minutes.”

“Okay um meet us here in like fifteen minutes. Me and Natalie are gone wait and talk.”

Yeah talk is right Natalie thinks angrily as she waves at Darnell as he drives away.

Young Nat 2

“Whatever Darnell you’re an undercover faggot,” Bryce says walking into the kitchen.

Sitting at the dining room table Falicia looks up from her stack of papers laughing as Darnell shakes his head. Waiting for Bryce to come out of the kitchen Darnell sits silently. Bryce walks out of the kitchen to see if Avatar is back from commercial. Smiling Bryce tries not to look at Darnell. A battle he knows he’ll lose.

Rolling his eyes Bryce looks at Darnell whose stare was burning a hole in the back of his head.

“Awe here we go,” Falicia smiles looking back down to her work. “What?” Bryce says staring at Darnell’s stone expression. “You’re gay.” “Yah daddy,” Darnell breaths effortlessly.

“Would you two stop for once,” Falicia laughs.

The door opens and Marques walks in looking around.

“Where’s Natalie?” he asks breathing hard and closing the door. “Well good I thought I was gonna be the last one here,” he adds before anyone can answer.

“Shit she was ‘spose to be here thirty minutes ago,” Bryce says looking at his phone. “She ain’t called?” Marques asks. No one answers and he asks, “Y’all ain’t called her?”

“Text or I.M.,” Darnell says calmly. Marques looks around the room shocked at what he is hearing.

“What? I wanted to but they wouldn’t let me,” Bryce confesses going on the internet on his phone.

Marques pulls out his phone and Darnell says, “Relax. She’s probably gettin’ some or—”

“She’s probably stranded,” Bryce interrupts. “Or he did something. Or—”

“She’s probably needs some time to herself,” Falicia stops Bryce. “If she don’t call in ten minutes we call her.”

After Falicia finishes her sentence Natalie walks in the door. Leaning against the closed door Natalie has no recognizable expression.

“Oh hell naw what he do?” Bryce says running to Natalie’s side. “You should of called, did yo’ battery die?

I’mma kill that nigga,” Bryce yells. “Natalie!”

“Bryce calm yo’ happy ass down,” Darnell says in an annoyed tone.

“See I told y’all we should of followed them,” Bryce continues ignoring Darnell’s demand. “We should not have let her go. Natalie are you okay?” Bryce is trapped in his own little world.

So much so he does not hear Natalie say, “I’m fine.”

“I told y’all,” Bryce rants. “I told you…I told you…and…”

“I told you not to wear them shoes with that shirt,” Darnell interrupts. “Or them tight ass pants, as a matter of a fact I told you not to wear none of that.”

“How about you shut the fuck up,” Bryce says rolling his eyes.

“He’s perfect,” Natalie says loud enough for Bryce to hear. Her expression is still flat. “Everything was going great, and then I ruined it. I told him I…we couldn’t see each other anymore,” Natalie finishes sadly.

“Awe come here sweaty,” Falicia says walking over to Natalie with open arms. Natalie walks into Falicia’s arms and once safe begins crying.

“Natalie we know you’ve been hurt,” Marques says rubbing her back.

“But you can’t make every guy pay the price,” Bryce finishes.

“Why not?” Darnell mumbles from his seat. “Yeah she can.”

“All guys ain’t the same,” Falicia says as Bryce joins the hug.

Darnell nods and mouths ‘Yes they are.’

“He wants kids too,” Natalie says into Falicia’s bosom. “But I just can’t get hurt again.”

“Just take your time,” Marques says joining the hug.

“Yeah and if you want kids and a legit baby’s daddy, you know we are still hear for you. You know as backups,” Bryce says.

Standing up to join the group hug Darnell says, “Stop being a pussy.”

“I love you guys,” Natalie says smiling.

“And you guys love you too,” Darnell yells awkwardly. Natalie can’t help but laugh as she says, “You are such a dork.”

Queen Bee

“Rise and Motha Fuckin’ Shine,” Falicia yells jumping on the edge of the bed then running back to the kitchen. “Get up it’s almost one.” Bryce puts the pillow over his head. “Breakfast will be ready in a minute,” Falicia yells.

“Natalie call yo’ mother, you know she done tried callin’ you.” Natalie grabs her phone and pulls the covers over her head. “You can’t make it today,” Falicia yells reminding Natalie.

Falicia puts three strips of bacon on five plates.

“Bryce! Marques! Yall call yall mommas and say good morning or somethin’. And it’s already too late you’re not gone make it on time. Marques call in, use a sick day.”

Bryce reaches for his phone with the pillow still over his head. Marques gets up and sits on the edge of the bed to make his calls.

Falicia scrapes eggs onto the plates and says, “And Nell call yo’ wife. ‘Cause I know you didn’t tell her you wasn’t coming home last night.”

Darnell grabs his phone and joins his four friends making calls.

Falicia puts the toast on the plates and begins pouring juice into glasses and yells, “Come on…get up!”

The four slowly make their ways to the dining room table after making their calls. Marques is still on the phone when he joins Bryce, Natalie and Darnell at the table.

Falicia sits Marques’ plate in front of him and takes her seat.

“Any new business?” Falicia asks once Marques gets off the phone.

“My mom needs help painting,” Natalie says rubbing the sleep off her face.

“Cool we’re there,” Falicia tells her. “When?”

Everyone pulls out their Sidekicks, “I’m free the thirty first,” Darnell says looking up from his device. “Natalie?” Falicia asks.

Natalie looks around for any objections, and seeing none says, “The thirty first it is.”

Sitting his Sidekick down Darnell says in a flat strained tone, “My wife wants to start spending more time with you guys. So she can get to know y’all.” Darnell begins shaking his head as everyone sighs.

“What you not paying her enough?” Bryce says waking up. “I should make her jealous.”

“Bryce drop it and stop acting like that,” Darnell says playing with his eggs.

“Damn Bryce we all ain’t feelin’ her like that. Why are you trippin’ so hard now?” Natalie’s question is interrupted when Falicia looks up from her phone and says, “Well how about tonight?” Falicia seems not to have been paying attention to the conversation.

No one speaks, just look at one another uncomfortably.

“’Kay then,” Falicia says. “Tonight, K-oz its Beyoncé’s record release. We’ll go out to eat after.”

The silence comes instantly as everyone looks at Marques. His eyes are big as he fans himself with his hand.

“B-B-Beyoncé?” Marques stutters as Natalie and Bryce laugh.

“Uh-oh,” Falicia smiles.

“Uh-oh,” Darnell repeats followed by Natalie’s, “Uh-oh.”

“Oh no, no,” Bryce laughs. The four continue their chant as Marques jumps out of his chair dramatically, knocking it a few feet behind him. Turning around Marques begins shaking his ass. Still chanting Falicia followed by Bryce gets up and joins.

“Uh-oh, uh-oh, uh-oh, oh no, no,” Darnell chants banging a beat on the table, as Natalie stands up and begins singing Beyoncé’s Crazy In Love.

She obviously does not know all the words, as she mumbles and makes up most of them.

Laughing Darnell does the beat, Natalie sings and Falicia, Bryce, and Marques dance the moves from the video.

Queen Bee 2

“That was so weird,” Darnell says out loud as the five walk through New Park Mall. “What?” Natalie asks walking with her head up looking through the sun roof.

“Hanging out with the wife like that,” Darnell answers.

“I know, you can tell she don’t like us,” Bryce says seriously.

“Well you don’t exactly hide the fact that you don’t like her,” Darnell tells him. “Yeah Bryce I don’t remember you being like this at the wedding. Why all of a sud—”

“Did she have a good time?” Falicia asks not intending to interrupt Natalie.

Falicia’s question seems to be on everyone’s mind.

“Yeah,” Darnell says reluctantly. “All though she wasn’t trying to show it. She had hella fun.”

“Is yo’ relationship better?” Natalie asks.

“Don’t know,” Darnell says nonchalantly.

Stopping to look at a white dress in a window Falicia says, “Well does she like us?” Darnell laughs comically and Bryce says, “Shit we shoulda killed two birds with one stone and invited her to Natalie’s mom’s to paint.”

The group laughs walking into a bridle store.

“What about this one Falicia?” Natalie says pointing at a plain traditional white wedding dress.

“No,” Falicia smiles.

“So why is we here again?” Darnell asks looking at the dress Natalie picked out.

“Accessories,” Falicia says slyly turning red.

“Come on I’m telling you he’s gonna propose at the wedding,” Natalie says pointing at another dress. Falicia gives a thumbs down as Natalie says, “I mean come on. He bought you a dress and a voucher for a day at the Spa. He even got yo’ hair nails and make up covered.”

Falicia blushes and Marques says, “Damn now that’s a good man.”

“This?” Natalie asks pointing to a white dress with diamonds around the breast straps.

Falicia turns her head to the side thinking of the possible alterations.

“You like?” Natalie says and Falicia nods. “Nelly, you’re the expert. What do you think?” Natalie says holding the dress up to Falicia.

“I think she ain’t no virgin, that’s what I think,” Darnell answers taking the dress and putting it back on the rack. “Now here we go,” Darnell says picking out an all-black dress and holding it up to Falicia.

“No,” Falicia laughs along with Natalie and Marques. Darnell puts the dress back. When he turns around his mouth drops and his eyes grow, leaving Darnell with the look of pure horror. Natalie, Marques, and Falicia turn around and Darnell says, “Bryce! She is not wearing those, take them shoes off they look horrible.”

Bryce is wearing a pair of white and powder blue high heels.

“What? No there not…I like um, besides they aren’t for her they’re for me,” Bryce says looking down to admire the shoes. “They’re male clogs.”

“No! No! No! Bryce if you have to put male in front of anything believe me it don’t belong to a dude,” Darnell says still looking disgusted. “Just like that corset you got.”

Bryce shakes his head, “It’s a man girdle.”

“With breast pockets?” Darnell says in a whiny voice.

“It’s for your chest,” Bryce argues.

“Bryce male chest sizes are not measured with cups. It has 14A written in it,” Darnell explains.

“Nelly it’s a girdle for men! And these are shoes for men!” Bryce assures him.

Falicia, Marques, and Natalie watch their friends holding back laughter, and knowing the argument is coming to an end.

“Bryce read me what size it says the shoes is, everything words and all,” Darnell says calmly leaning against a rack.

“USA ten and a half…W,” Bryce reads.

“Okay and where did you buy your corset…I mean man girdle?” Darnell asks looking as if he is really interested in knowing.

“Victoria Secrets,” Bryce says in an arrogant manner.

“I rest my case your honor,” Darnell turns around and walks out the store.

“Well that was fun,” Falicia says laughing and following Darnell out the store. “Come on Bryce,” Marques says laughing at the blank clueless look on his face. Bryce kicks off the shoes and follows Marques and Natalie out of the store.

Darnell & Natalie & Bryce & Marques & Falicia

Winter 2004

“Natalie this is my fiancé Naomi,” Darnell says introducing Naomi to the girl he’d met just two weeks earlier through Bryce who he’d seen for the first time in person about half an hour longer than he’s known her.

Natalie smiles at Naomi then gives her a hug. “Nice to meet you…are you enjoying the party?” Naomi nods shyly as she hangs onto Darnell’s arm. “Can we sit down?” Naomi asks.

Nodding Darnell tells Natalie, “We goin’ to sit down for a while. Talk to you later.”

Darnell and Naomi make their way through the crowd of people in the house and find seats.

“Whose party is this?”

“Bryce’s,” Darnell tells her as they make themselves comfortable on the couch.

“Is he gay?” Naomi asks as she watches several females kiss and several guys holding hands. Darnell nods and Naomi asks suspiciously, “How did you two meet?”

“I already told you he know my play sister Shondra. I saw the two in a picture together on Myspace and I asked how he knew her and yeah the rests is history.”

“Oh,” Naomi says cautiously. “Well where is he. I mean it’s his party and he ain’t even here.”

“I don’t know,” Darnell says looking around for Bryce.

“Well he needs to hurry up so we can meet and I can get out of here.” Darnell smiles at Naomi and takes hold of her hand. Looking up into his eyes she smiles. “I love you,” he says leaning close to her face. Smiling she says, “I love you too my little playboy bunny.”

Darnell kisses Naomi for about thirty seconds when a camera flashes.

“Awe, look at the cute couple,” Natalie smiles holding a silver digital camera. Darnell and Naomi try to hide their smiles. “Darnell! We need your help.”

Darnell looks over at Naomi then back at Natalie.

“Yeah see Bryce’s got this big entrance he wanna make but it takes four people…and the person that was ‘spose to help ain’t showed so Bryce told me to come get you.”

Darnell looks at Naomi then once again at Natalie.

“Please!”

Darnell looks around at all the unfamiliar faces and gives a weak smile.

“Naomi tell him he should help. It’ll be fun.”

Smiling Naomi says, “Yeah you should help. Go have some fun with your friends.” Darnell looks at her in awe.

She knows why he is not all that willing to help out. She knows he is shy and how attention frightens him. How it makes him nervous.

However, just to be funny she’s agreeing with Natalie, “Go on baby.”

Darnell shakes his head as Natalie says, “Yeah come on baby”

“For me,” Naomi says pulling him towards her and licking his ear. Darnell bites his lower lip as a tingle shoots down his spine. As he stares at Naomi, Natalie grabs his hand pulling him to his feet.

“I hate you,” he whispers to Naomi.

“I love you too baby. Now go and make me proud,” she says slapping his butt. Smiling he takes Naomi’s hand and presses it to his crotch. He bends down to her ear and whispers, “I hope you can finish what you just started.”

Licking her lips Naomi winks at him as he straightens up.

“You two look cute together,” Natalie says leading Darnell down a hall and up a stair way. “How long y’all been together?”

“Almost four years.”

“Damn near common law,” Natalie says knocking at a door. “That’s so cute.”

The door opens and a dark skinned guy sticks his head out.

“Just me,” Natalie says and the door swings open. Darnell walks in after Natalie. “It’s me,” she says out loud. “I brought Darnell.”

“Good,” Bryce says. Bryce is sitting at the edge of a bed looking straight as a light skinned girl holds his face in one hand and tweezers in the other.

“Okay done,” she tells Bryce. Bryce turns around to look at Darnell.

“Oh my gosh Darnell thank you so much. I don’t know what happened to my other friend. You don’t know how much this means to me…how do I look?”

“Cool,” Darnell smiles as Bryce hugs him.

“So how are you?” Darnell nods saying, “I’m okay.”

“You enjoying the party?”

“It’s cool, I was just wondering where you were. Naomi’s been trying to meet you…”

“Oh you brought your girlfriend?”

“Fiancé,” Natalie corrects Bryce. “And they look so cute together…you gotta see. I got a—”

The light skinned girl clears her throat and everyone falls silent. “Well since y’all ain’t gone introduce us I guess I will,” she says walking over to Darnell. “Hi what’s your name?”

“Darnell,” Darnell answers shaking her hand.

“I’m Falicia,” She says with a flawless smile. She is so beautiful Darnell thinks as his heart slows down. Looking into her golden eyes Darnell hears her say, “And this is Marques.”

She turns away from Darnell and his heart returns to normal. The dark skinned boy who answered the door smiles at Darnell and waves.

“Okay now that we all know one another. Shall we get ready,” Falicia says.

“Right,” Bryce says. “Okay Darnell you and Marques are gone be my body guards and Natalie and Falicia is my groupies. Kay? Y’all gone walk me down the stairs.”

Darnell nods thinking easy enough. Bryce opens the room door and everyone follows him. As Darnell stands in front of Bryce next to Marques he is handed a pair of black glasses. Natalie and Falicia each grab one of Bryce’s arms.

“Okay,” he says and Natalie yells down the stairs over the party noise, “here he comes.”

The party seems to die as Usher featuring Lil’ Jon and Ludacris starts to play. And the five; the Entourage start down the stairs.

Sabotage

The blinds glow brightly, trapping the sun outside where it belongs. Cigarette smoke lays a thick haze around the darkness of Falicia’s living room. The mixture of contained light and smoke gives the room a dusty faded look.

Falicia is sitting in an arm chair in the corner when Natalie, Marques, and Bryce arrive.

“I didn’t know you smoked,” Bryce coughs closing the door and his nose.

“Lee Lee what happened?” Natalie asks walking across the room.

“Better yet where have you been?” asks Marques leaning on the wall with his arms folded.

Mustering a weak smile, “I’m okay,” she lies.

“How was the wedding?” Natalie asks standing in front of Falicia.

Falicia looks up at Natalie and her eyes begin to water. Natalie steps back in fear. She’s never seen Falicia anything but happy. She doesn’t know what to say or do since Falicia is always the strong one.

Bryce looks around and notices all of the pictures of she and Rob are missing. “Where’s Rob?” he asks searching the walls.

“Gone,” Falicia whispers in an unrecognizable tone.

“What?” Marques yells in disbelief.

“Awe baby, y’all broke up?” Natalie asks not wanting to believe it or get any closer. “What happened?” Bryce asks.

“The wedding,” she lets escape her throat in a hoarse voice.

“At the wedding?” Natalie yells. “That bastard broke up with you at the wedding?” “It’s too damn dark in here,” Marques says not knowing what else to say. Marques reaches for the light and flips the switch. As light comes in Falicia closes her eyes.

Bryce gasps covering his mouth.

“Awe Lee, Lee,” Natalie exclaims looking at Falicia’s smeared makeup and running mascara.

She is wearing the dress she wore to the wedding she attended earlier in the week.

“He bought me all of this for that wedding,” Falicia smiles weakly as her cigarette burns.

Marques frowns, “Falicia what happened?” Natalie puts her hand up and Marques quiets himself. Falicia continues, “I was late.” She gives a little laugh looking at her burning cigarette. “I didn’t know where to sit,” she says as tears begin to form in her eyes. “I—” she starts and everyone jumps as the front door burst open.

“Darnell!” Marques calls as his heart races.

Standing next to the door which is off its hinges. Darnell is breathing heavily with eyes of glass. Scanning the room Darnell locks his eyes on Bryce.

“Nell? What’s wrong?” Bryce asks trying to control his breathing and slow his heart rate.

“As if you don’t know,” Darnell says through clenched teeth.

Everyone looks at Bryce who is just as confused as they are. The look in Darnell’s eyes and the tone of his voice snaps Falicia out of her depression as she realizes her friends need her.

“Well I don’t,” Natalie speaks up. “Naomi left me,” Darnell says staring Bryce down.

“Damn you too?” Marques asks.

Falicia gets out of her seat and walks over to her helpless friend. She tries to hug Darnell, but his body is stiff as he stares at Bryce.

“You just didn’t want to see us together,” Darnell says fighting back tears.

“What?” Bryce asks.

“Darnell what’s going on?” Natalie demands walking over to Bryce’s side.

“Ask Bryce,” Darnell tells her.

“Ask me?”

“No! I’m asking you,” Natalie says as Falicia backs off Darnell’s stiff body.

“You told my wife?” Darnell says trying to sound calm.

“Wait! What?” Bryce asks.

“What the fuck did you say to her,” Darnell says letting his anger slip.

“Nothing! I don’t talk to her,” Bryce says honestly.

“Then how did she know?” Darnell asks.

“Huh? I don’t know,” Bryce replies frozen with horror.

“I don’t believe you.”

“How does she know what?” Marques asks

“Talk to us Nelly,” Natalie says.

“Yeah we can get through this,” adds Falicia.

“I can’t do this,” Darnell says, this time meaning it he turns and walks out the door.

“Nell!” Bryce calls running after him.

“Leave me alone,” Darnell turns to say pronouncing each syllable.

“Nelly talk to us,” Falicia pleads.

“I’m done talkin’,” Darnell says walking away from the door and vanishing down a flight of stairs.

“Bryce stay here,” Natalie tells him following after Darnell. Bryce ignores Natalie’s orders and follows after her with Falicia and Marques close behind. “Darnell!”

“Natalie forget it. This shit done fucked up mah relationship with my wife and mah marriage,” Darnell says stepping off the last step.

“I thought you was leavin’ her anyway,” Natalie says from behind him.

“I was,” Darnell says putting emphasis on the ‘I.’

“Well,” Natalie yells from behind him. Darnell ignores her as he turns into the parking lot.

“Nelly! Just stop!” Natalie yells breathing heavily. She grabs his arm and he stops. Natalie walks in front of him and says, “We’re your friends; we want to help.” Natalie looks at Bryce, Marques and Falicia approaching them.

Shaking his head Darnell walks to the other side of Natalie and says, “Friends? No! Friends don’t ruin each other’s lives.”

Darnell looks at Bryce and says angrily, “And that punk bitch done did it. I can’t forgive him for that.”

Bryce catches a glimpse of rage in Darnell’s eyes and becomes frightened. He also feels the rage in his heart and the sadness of his heart breaking takes over.

“Nell,” Bryce says in a calm honest voice. “I love you. I would never do anything to hurt you. I swear I have no idea what you’re talking about…if you want to talk just me and you lets go. So we can figure this thing out, we can get through this. We friends.” Darnell says nothing as he looks through Bryce. “But what I need from you is the benefit of the doubt. I need you to believe me,” Bryce finishes beginning to cry. Looking in Darnell’s eyes he thinks he sees his old friend. He soon realizes he is wrong when Darnell turns around and continues walking. With each step Darnell takes, Bryce’s rage outweighs his anguish. “You know what?” Bryce yells. “Fuck you!”

Surprised Darnell stops and turns around.

“I have been nothing but a friend to you…I’ve been there for you. I’ve done everything for you…and this is how you repay me? You turn yo’ back on me? It’s cool I don’t give a fuck no moe’. Fuck you!”

Bryce turns around and begins to walk in the opposite direction towards his car. “Bryce!” Marques calls after him. Shaking his head Bryce continues walking and so does Darnell. “Wait!” Natalie’s apparent desperations stops the two dead. “Y’all can’t just walk away, walk out of each other’s…out of our lives, Falicia says. “We need you…we need each other.”

Bryce turns to look at Darnell hoping Falicia’s words got through to him. Not saying anything Darnell turns around stubbornly.

“Nelly,” Natalie calls before he can start walking again. “What about the Entourage?”

Darnell turns around to face her. He looks from Natalie to Marques. Then From Falicia to Bryce. The rage in his eyes no longer resides there as sorrow moves in. Natalie’s breathing begins to ease. She can tell Darnell is thinking. But she is also afraid of the fact that he is thinking so hard and long. She knows Darnell is not rushing to an answer because his next words will change all of their lives. Natalie opens her mouth to speak but stops.

Darnell takes his Sidekick holster off and tosses his phone to Natalie. As she catches it he says, “Fuck the Entourage,” walks to his car and gets in.

Bryce does the same saying, “I have to do what’s best for me…we all do.”

Darnell starts his car and backs out of the parking stall. Before he drives off Natalie knocks on his window. Rolling it down Darnell keeps his eyes forward. Handing him his Sidekick she says, “Just in case.”

Darnell puts the car in drive.

“Please Nelly,” Natalie pleads. “For me, just leave it on…just in case something important comes up.”

Never taking his eyes off his front window Darnell takes the Sidekick and throws it into the back seat. Darnell steps on the pedal and speeds away cutting Bryce off.

Marques and Falicia joins Natalie watching their two friends drive out of their lives.

“This is one of those sibling rivalry things right?” Marques asks praying it is. “One of those arguments they always have right?”

No one speaks.

“Everything will blow over and be back to normal by next week right?” Marques crosses his fingers as he waits for an answer.

“I…” Natalie says hoping Falicia has an answer for the question which is on both their minds.

As the silence persists Falicia knows they are waiting for her to give them comfort from her answer. But for the first time she knows she cannot give them one. He watches Darnell car turn out of sight and Bryce’s break lights disappear.

A tear falls down her cheek and she says, “I don’t know.”

Eight Years Later

Marques Lewis

A total of five certificates litter the otherwise empty wall. Family pictures are strategically placed on the wide brown desk. The room is small and closely resembles the office of an old fashion private dick. The only thing missing is the black in white enhancement.

Marques stands in front of a window reading a newspaper.

‘Marques Lewis: Oscar Nominee.’

Marques reads on the front page of the New York Tribune. His eyes water a little, he cannot believe it.

“I know it seems like yesterday you were turned down for that part in Dream Girls,” a round pink man with a salt and pepper walrus mustache says. “If only they could see you now.”

“With or without me, Walt, it’s a great movie,” Marques admits thinking of his signed copy of the D.V.D. “Plus Jennifer Hudson won an Oscar from it.”

Shrugging his round shoulders Walt says, “Anyway I’ve set up a few interviews and some photo shoots for you so…”

“I’ll be ready in a few hours,” Marques sighs turning to look at the clock over the door.

“Um and I just got this new script that I want you to look over.”

Marques faces his agent.

“I know I know you just finished a movie, but why stop now? This script is great; I mean this will be a big boost for your career Marr baby.”

“I’m nominated for an Oscar,” Marques says wondering what other kind of boost Walt wants. “Marr-myster, I know. But this movie has it all and I think you’ll be great. Look just check it out okay.”

Marques nods and Walt says, “Marr-inator. You’re tired I know. But we gotta keep you out there. What if you don’t win?”

“What if I do?” Marques responds.

There is a loud beep from the phone on Walt’s desk. A lady’s voice cracks over the phone, “Mr. Lewis your Limo is here.” Looking at his agent in silence Marques turns to the phone and says, “Thanks I’m on my way.” Thinking; Marques slowly turns around to look at his agent. “Okay!” Marques says dully.

“Okay?” Walt cheers. Walt turns Marques around and begins walking him to the door with his arm around him. “Okay,” Walt says again.

Stopping at the door Marques says, “So…” Wondering if he is going to get a little more information about the movie he is considering.

“Oh! Right. Um, I’ll have the script delivered to you tonight,” Walt says pushing Marques out the door. “Remember,” Walt tells Marques. “You’re hot,” and he closes the door.

Marques Lewis 2

In front of a big screen television, Marques stretches out on the white couch in his living room. Taking a little over a sip of water Marques swallows a handful of pills and picks up the binder of pages on his coffee table. Sitting the script on his lap he grabs the remote control and turns the television on.

“Marques Lewis is in, he’s got the Oscar in the bag,” a male reporter says.

“Yes this young fire ball came out of nowhere. I’d say the greatest actor of his time,” another reporter says.

Smiling and a little tired of hearing about his success Marques mutes the television. Marques looks down at the script and freezes. His heart skips a beat as he reads the title, ‘P.A.L. Peace at Last.”

It can’t be he thinks with mild excitement as he reads, ‘Darnell Quincy Johnson.’

“Wow!” Marques says to himself. “Darnell’s going to have a movie.”

He laughs at the thought of a movie being written by his old friend and staring him. Opening the script to the first page Marques thinks it’s been a long time.

Wondering how much like the book the movie will be Marques begins to read. Marques doesn’t finish the first line when he hears a low melody. Looking at the television which is muted on a commercial Marques sits the script on the coffee table and gets up.

Listening for the tune Marques creeps around his sofa. Marques begins to think his mind is playing tricks on him as he starts back to his spot on the sofa. Then…he hears it again. Straining his ears Marques walks through his house as the music becomes louder. Making his way to his bed room Marques opens his door and hears, “Baby I swear to you, its Déjà vu.”

Marques dances to his bed and opens the drawer on his side table. He looks at his Sidekick ringing for the first time in the better half of four years.

Picking it up Marques sees his America Online icon blinking. Marques fiddles with his Sidekick until he is at his America Online Instant Messenger, where he sees ‘Entourage’ in bold letters.

Walking into the living room Marques wonders what the message can be. Opening the chat room he reads, ‘Queen Bee: Squad Up!’

Smiling Marques looks up and his attention is drawn to the television. Marques freezes for a few seconds, the sound of his Sidekick hitting the floor stirred him. Slowly Marques walks over to the television and turns it up.

“K-oz night club owner was found hanging in her mansion,” one of the reporters who complimented Marques announces. “Police wonder if foul play was involved. The popular night club and its owner are worth millions…”

“It appears to be a suicide, however with the amount of money involved in this case, we’ll investigate,” an officer says.

“An autopsy may prove different,” a reporter says. “The statement ‘where there is money, there is murder has been coined from this incident.’”

“Thank you, Patty,” a reporter says as he comes onto the screen. “Another question is who would want to kill such a loveable woman? Who stands to inherit her fortune?”

Tears fall from Marques’ eyes as he whispers, “Lesha?”

>End of Sample<