Tainted Love

Part 2

The Beginning

Charlotte, North Carolina. One year earlier.

"Good morning," Emonie said as she walked in the kitchen door. She kissed Michael on the cheek and fixed herself a cup of coffee. "Where's Niyah?"

"She's still sleeping. She's been acting strange ever since she broke up with Chris."

"I've noticed it. She hasn't been herself. I've been thinking. Maybe we should do something to cheer her up." She sat her mug on the kitchen table. "It's been almost three weeks now. I thought she would've come around. Niyah's acting as if her life is over."

"I never liked him, anyway. To tell you the truth, I couldn't be happier. I was wondering how much longer Rabbit was going to put up with his bullshit. She's the reason I hadn't cleaned his clock a long time ago."

"As long as we're telling the truth, I always thought my little sister could've done better."

"He's too damn arrogant for me."

"We should do something to take her mind off him."

"Okay." She wondered where he was going with this.

"Hear me out. The best way to get him off her mind is to fix her up with someone else."

"You may be on to something." Emonie smiled. "That doesn't sound too bad. I was thinking a day at the spa or a shopping spree. How about a trip to Jamaica? But your idea sounds a whole lot cheaper than mine."

"What the hell is a shopping spree in Jamaica going to do?"

"Shopping will fix any problem. When was the last time the girl had a vacation? Every time we go somewhere, Rabbit is always called away. The woman is pushing herself too hard."

"You're right. The time we went to Vegas, she had to leave. The rest of the trip wasn't the same without her."

That's when Niyah walked into the kitchen.

"What are the two of you doing?" She gave Emonie a hug. Neither of them rushed to answer her question. "Okay."

Niyah fixed her morning cup of coffee. Not too long ago, she had the worst breakup of her life. She thought Chris was the one. She had a seat at the table. Niyah realized that he was one of many who had broken her heart. Has every guy I've gone out with been a loser? Or is it me? Michael and Emonie looked at her. It wasn't hard for them to tell that she was a million miles away.

"Rabbit, how are you feeling?" He paused. "Did you get any rest last night?" Michael asked.

"Huh?"

"I asked if you slept alright last night." He repeated himself.

"Not really."

"Everyone has rough spots after a breakup," Emonie told her. "It's for the best. You're too good to be with him, anyway." She smiled at her. "I know you didn't want to spend the rest of your life with that asshole."

"I'm done with men. I've been thinking about

becoming a lesbian."

Michael spit his coffee out.

"Damn, Niyah, I know you've had a lot of bad relationships. That isn't a reason for you to go to the extreme." He wiped the coffee off his shirt and tie. "Then again, the thought of two women being together is interesting. Maybe you should look into the lesbian thing.

What? I agreed with what you said."

Both women gave him a dirty look

"Don't worry. The sun will shine again. There's a mister right out there for you." Emonie tried to give her some words of encouragement.