Months hurried while Prince kept working. American cities partied with concerts all night long when "Parade" was first released. By this point, his crew traveled worldwide, having started in August. The press still scrambled to cover everything.
The tour ended for good at Yokohama Stadium in Japan, but I regrettably couldn't join him. As for me, jet lag hounding from my own work kept us apart for once. We had tried it all. Long distance calls. Written letters all the time. Endless possibilities.
Out of nowhere, unforgettable news dropped:
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"Shattered Greatness: The Revolution is no more!"
I'd never called Prince so quickly in my life. I couldn't care less about the ungodly hour or fuss about time zones. He was up. Always awake.
"What the hell is going on?" My voice nearly shouted into the phone. "I heard that the band is done."
"We are." Not even struck by my shock and anger, Prince answered back, hanging up without giving another explanation.
****
Ever since The Revolution broke up, Prince drifted in or out of my bed, not once showing affection. Only mute looks faced me when my husband woke up almost every morning.
"Will you talk to me?" I crossed both arms and we stood in the living room not long after Prince returned from overseas.
"There's nothing to talk about." Now, Prince's gold wedding band beamed once more as he scribbled in a notebook and sat on my couch.
."What did I do wrong, Prince? You can't go silent forever." I defended myself.
"What happened with the band has nothing to do with you." Prince's eyes locked towards me.
"You're still talking about my friends." I held my heart.
"Friends or not, it doesn't matter anymore." Prince nearly rolled both eyes and my frustration kicked in again. "I've moved on."
"Good night." Debating further would've led to all kinds of madness tonight. I knew so much better.
_________
The next morning, I found a letter on my pillow.
Ro,
I'm sorry.
Last night broke my heart and I didn't mean to hurt ur feelings.
I completely understand just how much they mean to you, but times have changed.
I want more. Now, the melodies resting within my spirit ask for something else.
But no matter what happens, I can't lose u, my beautiful, amazing wife.
Please forgive me.
4ever urs,
-Husband.
___________
"Let's do it." Prince whispered in bed not long after he returned from the studio later that night.
He embraced one of our pillows towards his bare chest and watched my side profile, starry-eyed to butter me up for sure. His rare beamed through flickering screen lights.
"Do what?" I'd aimlessly watched television and didn't even know what he referred to.
"Our public debut as a couple. No magazine route." Prince sat up and my heart suddenly leaped.
"What? Are you serious?" I almost yelled at him, turning off our television and cutting on our nightstand lamp. "When? How? Tell me everything!"
***
Prince and I returned to MTV for the hour. Rather than choose anyone else to give this interview, I would handle this exchange.
We partnered to film one big-time special. Media footage. Pictures. Commentary pulled from other people that we knew, including Jerome as promised. Everything approved to show on screen would lead up to our anticipated moments as a couple.
Filmed on location elsewhere to keep our home private, cameras panned over New York City and showed this towering yet luxurious hotel. As one grand piano had centered the living area found in our suite, I stood by, addressing every angle.
"Hello, everyone. You're watching MTV. I'm your host, Rochelle Davis-Nelson!" The biggest smile reached my lips when cameras moved to show Prince "entering" this same room moments later.
Our true and genuine embrace was then seen around the world. No games. No pretenses. No scandals.
"I love you." Prince said. Small microphones had clipped onto our wardrobe, but he didn't care and "whispered" in my ear anyway.
"I love you, too." I mouthed this response back to him, still attempting to stay professional.
He looked so handsome, dressed in black once again. Out of respect, he took off his sunglasses and looked at me, fighting an adorable smile.
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***
"From Dirty Mind or Purple Rain to Parade, Prince will forever evolve, even while chasin' love. Heaven brought us together for the very first time on June 7th, 1984, officially marking his birthday." My own voice over emitted as pictures flashed.
"My best friend, you know that?" Prince had repeated himself. Various compliments scooted near flirtation, but I stayed cool, no pun intended.
"In all seriousness, you're one of the only reporters that I'll ever trust. You always get the job done without embarrassing folks." Prince cleared his throat and offered the truth.
"Thank you." I said. Footage showed us smiling towards one another, beyond grateful at this point.
_________
When the broadcast aired, headlines erupted. Of course, my phone wouldn't stop ringing.
So many questions.
Did I really fit in with him? Would I tour as a Paisley correspondent? How much did I know about the Revolution break up? On and on.
Though showbiz just kept talking, we felt unstoppable together.
