the love chronicles | short stories

hope

(n.b. trigger warning: brief mention of rape)

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INT. KOFI'S BEDROOM - EARLY MORNING

KOFI SCOTT (29) - a handsome African-American man wakes up in his bed with JULES FERGUSON (31) - a dashing Caucasian, laying next to him. Kofi is confused at first but then clarity hits him. Jules is already awake, silently observing him.

KOFI: Holy shit. We slept together.

JULES: Mhm. Slept is the right word. I slept so hard. Man, I think I drooled.

KOFI: Shit. I said that out loud.

JULES: (laughs) Yeah. Want to know something? That's the first time I've taken a man to bed to sleep. No hanky panky.

Kofi is quiet. Thinking.

KOFI: (shy, reserved) First time I've taken a man to bed. Period.

JULES: (beat) So I've heard.

KOFI: I had a really good time last night.

JULES: (smiles) Me too.

KOFI: (surprised) You mean that?

JULES: Mean it ... So have I exceeded my stay quota? Or can I make you some breakfast?

KOFI: Breakfast sounds good. I would like that.

Kofi moves to get out of the bed. He sits on the edge for a while, his back to Jules. Jules stares, admiring the sight of his sinewy muscles. Wanting to reach out and touch him but doesn't.

JULES: (clears throat) You grab a shower. I'll start breakfast. I know my way round your kitchen now.

Jules is heading out the bedroom and Kofi is heading to the bathroom.

KOFI: How domestic of us.

JULES: Right? It's fucking awesome.

INT. KOFI'S KITCHEN - TEN MINUTES LATER

Kofi walks in freshly showered. Sam Cooke is playing softly on the phonograph in the background. As he bends to pet his dog, Bosco, Kofi flicks his eyes up to look at Jules cluttering around his kitchen. Wearing a light blue shirt and loose pants, looking soft with his unyielding presence. His gaze lingers a second. He shakes it off and sits at his table.

JULES: Great timing. My infamous BEC. Enjoy.

Jules sets down two plates that hold bacon egg sandwiches.

KOFI: Smells fucking delicious.

Kofi grabs ahold of his sandwich, takes a bite and immediately closes his eyes. Chewing slowly and then opens his eyes wide.

KOFI: Oh my, God. Oh, my God. Jules. Shit. That's good.

JULES: Well. This sounds familiar.

KOFI: (chewing while blushing) Quiet, you. (beat) Seriously, though. What, did you put crack in this?

JULES: I'm not even touching that.