This Can't be Life (14 page)

“It’s okay, Monie. It’s okay,” she whispered as she held me.

“I hate feeling like this. I would say sorry, but I meant what I said, Tali. I really did.”

“I know and it’s okay to have your own opinion, Simone. I can’t be mad at you because of that. I just want you to let go and quit being so hard.”

“I’m not trying to be hard, Talise, and you know that. This is just me and I can’t act like it’s not how I feel.”

“I know. That’s why I love you, because you keep it real. Now let’s go before Stacey comes in here after us and you know he will,” she said, laughing.

When we walked back to the table, Stacey had already paid the bill.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Yeah, we are,” I replied.

“You still want to go out?” Stacey asked.

“Hell yeah, even more so now. You still down, Stace?” I asked, looking at my beautiful friend who had gotten up from his seat and started stretching.

“You know I’m not tired. As long as you drivin’, I’m riding,” he replied, passing me the keys.

“Let’s go take the party pooper home then,” I said, poking Talise in her side.

“Whatever. I’m tired and I don’t feel like going to a club. That place gets too crowded anyway.”

“I don’t care about it being packed. As long as I can get my dance on, I’m cool,” Stacey said, pumping his arms back and forth looking like Rosie Perez in the beginning of
Do the Right Thing
. I grabbed Stacey’s hand and gave Talise my other to hold as the three of us walked out of the restaurant. This was my crew, my family. I don’t know what I’d do without them in my life.

Stacey

“I’ll be right back. I have to go release myself before I burst right here on this dance floor.” I handed Simone my drink and took off for the men’s room inside Guys and Dolls. I walked into the bathroom and was happy to see that there was a stall available. I bum rushed it like a runnin’ back. Anybody in my way was destined to get they ass knocked over. After four Long Island Ice Teas, a few shots of Sake and zero bathroom trips, I could’ve pissed right there in the middle of doin’ the Stanky Leg. I swear I be gettin’ my groove on.

“Damn, this my song!” I said aloud, as I rushed out of the stall headin’ to the sink to wash my hands. I was singin’
Empire State of Mind
by Jay Z and I swear to you, I was soundin’ better than Alicia Keys. I was just twistin’ my hips and enjoyin’ myself right there in that bathroom when I felt someone starin’ at me. I looked up to see the most beautiful man. He diverted his attention when he saw that I caught him peekin’ and walked into the stall that had just become available. I dried my hands and walked out of the restroom, preparin’ to have to search for Simone. Knowin’ that girl, she could be anywhere. She’s always doin’ her own thing. I found her standin’ at the bar with some man in her face, as always. Simone was definitely a dip magnet. She could practically pull any man she wanted…and those that she didn’t. I walked up and grabbed my drink, still gettin’ my groove on. The DJ just mixed in 50 Cents’
Baby by Me
and I was feelin’ it. This was exactly what I needed this Saturday night. I scooted onto the dance floor all by my lonesome and started cuttin’ a rug. I didn’t come to the party to stand around and look cute, especially when I could do both at the same time.

I did a little turn to get a 360 of the club because, once again, I felt someone starin’ at me, hard. I could literally feel the energy. I spotted the same guy from the bathroom who looked strikingly familiar. He was standin’ in the far corner of the VIP area surrounded by an entourage of people. Again, when he saw me look his way, he turned his head.

“Monie, have you ever seen that guy before standin’ right there?” I asked, pointin’ my shy observer out after Simone walked up on me shaking her ass, trying to prove somethin’. “I know I’ve seen him somewhere. I just can’t place his face.”

“Yeah, Stace. Duh! That’s Tyron Marks, President of QP Records. Hello! Where have you been in the last decade, my brotha? He’s the man. Why?”

“Because I caught him starin’ at me in the bathroom and then I just caught him starin’ again. But when I look, he acts like he wasn’t lookin’. I ain’t crazy. I felt him lookin’. I even caught him,” I replied, pullin’ Simone’s arm to lead her toward two stools at the bar that had just been vacated by two chicks in mini, mini skirts. I plopped down and looked over in Tyron Marks’ direction and, again, caught him lookin’, but this time, he didn’t immediately turn away. We locked eyes for a good four seconds, makin’ my heart skip a beat and my stomach flutter.

“What in the fuck was that?” I asked aloud, not expectin’ an answer.

“I saw that shit, Stace!” Simone shouted, too loudly, into my ear. “You know he’s dating that singer, Tomi Jordan? They’ve been together for years now.”

“Yeah, I remember who he is now. Damn, that fool want some of this! I want to give him some, too,” I said, laughin’ and nudgin’ Simone in the arm.

“Yeah, he’s had some dick before. A lot of those industry fools be fucking guys. Just be careful, babe. I’m going to the bathroom. I’ll be back.” Simone walked off and left me sittin’ there, wonderin’ what that man had sent through me. It was electrifyin’ but also terrifyin’. I could feel his power. It was as if his eyes looked straight through to my soul. Damn! I ain’t scared, though. I ain’t scared.

I heard the doorbell ringin’ from the lounge chair I was lyin’ on in my backyard by the pool.

“Who in the hell is at my door?” I said aloud, like someone was goin’ to answer my question. I wasn’t expectin’ anyone, especially on a Sunday, one of my few days off. Everybody that knows where I live knows not to drop by my house without callin’. I’ve been workin’ 14 and 15-hour days since Simone was in the hospital, so I didn’t want to see anyone today.

“I’m comin’!” I yelled, walkin’ down the hallway that led to the front door. “Who is it?” I asked, as I looked through the peephole.

“FedEx, you have a package.” I was skeptical, but I opened the door anyway. I signed for the package and walked back out to my cozy spot by the pool. I sat down and began to tear away at the box. I wasn’t expectin’ anything and I sure as hell didn’t know that FedEx delivered on Sundays.

I tore open the package and almost pissed my pants when I saw what was inside. A big black dildo that had to at least be 12 inches in size, if not more, a small bottle of KY Jelly, and a note that simply read,

I think of you and only you

when I’m pleasing myself

with this toy.

Think of me when you please

yourself. It’s exactly my size

and exactly the one I use.

I thought you should have it.

Enjoy,

Forever…Me

“What the fuck?” I yelled, as I jumped out of the chair, sendin’ the package and its contents tumblin’ to the ground. I started pacin’ back and forth. I had no clue what to do about this nasty shit. I knew who this was from without a doubt, and I was beyond livid; this shit has gone too far now. I picked up the box and tore off a paper towel from the roll that was on the glass table next to my lounge chair. I used the paper towel to pick up the large mass of black rubber and dropped it in the box, doing the same with the KY Jelly. After returnin’ the items to the box in which they came, I walked into my house and put the package on top of my bedroom closet and pushed it all the way to the back. As much as I wanted to burn that shit in my fireplace, somethin’ told me to keep it.

I went into the bathroom and turned on the shower to the hottest temperature that I could stand, stripped naked, and hopped in; I felt dirty. That was some nasty shit and it really spooked me out that that sicko knows where I live. After showerin’, I knew I had to get out of the house, so I called my buddy, Ron, to see what he was up to. I needed a good, stiff drink.

“Hey, what’s up? I need a drink. Do you know that sick motha fucka that sent me that watch sent some sick ass shit to my house?” I said in one breath, after he answered the phone.

“What? What did he send you?” Ron asked, soundin’ like someone’s sister instead of the plump five foot six, full bearded, cocoa brown complected man that he was.

“Just come and get me and I’ll tell you on the way to where ever you’re takin’ me. Just get me the hell outta here.”

“All right, I’m on my way. I’m already in the car. I was heading to Robertson to pick up some outfits. I’m styling for
The Game
starting tomorrow. I’m about to come up
Laurel
Canyon
right now from
Ventura
.”

“Cool. Honk when you get out front and I’ll come out. I need to get the hell out of this house. It’s fucked up when you don’t feel comfortable in your own shit,” I said, still pissed off.

“That bastard ain’t that crazy. He don’t know who he fuckin’ with. I’ll be there in 15 minutes.”

“All right.” I hung up the phone and threw on my Rock and Republic, dark denim jeans that fit my ass just right, not too tight and not too baggy. I slipped on a V-neck tee and my brown Gucci sneakers. I pulled my hair into a bun and grabbed my Louis backpack. I was out the door before Ron could even toot his horn.

I felt a little more relaxed once outside the house, although still perplexed. We did some shoppin’ on Robertson for his gig the next day as I filled him in on the disgustin’ shit that the stalker sent. I followed it up with the story about Tyron Marks at Guys and Dolls. By the time we finished, it was close to
8:00
and both of us were starvin’.

We walked into Spago in
Beverly Hills
and were seated immediately, thanks to Ron’s super fashion stylist status, which I always tease him about. Ron could get you into the Pentagon with all the connections he has. We ordered our drinks and food and continued our gossip session when, in walked the man that had to be my soul mate, because I felt him near before I even saw Tyron Marks’ face.

Talise

I awoke at
11:00
a.m.
with a headache that hurt worse than anything I’d ever experienced. I only had one hour to prepare for my date with Malachi
, and I really felt like canceling. I honestly didn’t feel like being in the company of anyone, especially someone I didn’t know, but I also didn’t want to sit in the house and mope all day, either.

I tumbled out of my bed, walked into my bathroom, and headed straight for the medicine cabinet. I was relieved that I’d kept the bottle of extra strength Tylenol that Simone left in my car a couple of months ago. I’ve never been too keen on taking medication, but this was an emergency. It felt like my head was going to explode. I grabbed the bottle out of the medicine cabinet, opened it, and dropped a couple of the pills into the palm of my hand and then walked to the kitchen to pour myself a glass of orange juice to swallow the two capsules down with.

“Yuck, this is so disgusting,” I said aloud, sounding like a kid as the two pills slowly made their way down my narrow throat. I walked back into my bathroom and began filling the bathtub, skipping any bubble bath, afraid that the scent might add to my excruciating headache. After brushing my teeth and washing my face, I went to retrieve the
Essence
magazine that I hadn’t had a chance to read, and then I immersed myself into the steaming hot water.