In the heart of Uptown Charlotte, where glitz and glamour collide with hidden desires, Penda (Taraji P. Henson) and Monique (Fantasia Barrino) share a love that ignites the cityscape. Their passion is undeniable, a blazing beacon of devotion that dr...
We arrived back in Charlotte around 9:45 PM after a long day. Wanting to unwind, I suggested to my wife and sister-in-law that we have a movie night. They eagerly agreed, so we gathered snacks and lined up a selection of movies. It had been over a year since they last had a chance to hang out together, and Penda was particularly excited to spend time with her little sister. We settled on three movies for the evening: 'Angry Birds' (chosen by Isabella), 'Steven Universe: The Movie' (my personal favorite), and 'Man of Steel' (Penda's pick). As we settled in with blankets and popcorn, I couldn't help but notice how happy they both looked, enjoying each other's company after such a long time apart."
As I nestled comfortably against my wife on the couch, enveloped in the warmth of our cozy living room, a subtle unease crept over me. It was that peculiar sensation you get when you sense eyes on you. Glancing up, I caught sight of Isabella standing near the doorway, her gaze fixed on me with an intensity that seemed out of place for a casual family gathering. Her expression was distant, almost as if she were lost in thought, until our eyes unexpectedly met. Startled, Isabella quickly looked away, pretending to be interested in the movie. The abruptness of her reaction left me baffled, prompting a silent question: "What the hell is going through her head?"
Trying to lighten the mood, I joked, "Hey there, Isabella! You look like you're in another world. Did you sneak in some weed and forget to share?" I chuckled, hoping to ease the tension that hung in the air. Isabella's response caught me off guard. She turned back towards me, a faint smirk playing on her lips. "I'm high on something alright," she replied cryptically. My wife, Penda, who had been quietly observing the exchange, couldn't resist adding her own playful remark. "Oh, Isabella, why don't you get high on refilling the popcorn instead?" she teased, gesturing towards the empty bowl on the coffee table.
Isabella chuckled softly, her demeanor relaxing as she joined in the banter. The tension that had briefly clouded the room dissipated, replaced by a sense of shared amusement and familial affection. By the second movie Penda was out cold snoring even. I picked her up and carried her to bed assuring Isabella I'd be back.
Isabella POV
"Wtf, why am I staring at her when my sister is right in the room?" I thought, frustrated with myself for letting old feelings resurface. "I thought I was over this childish crush." Shaking my head, I blamed it on the weed, trying to brush off the awkward moment. Monique returned to the living room, her presence bringing a mix of relief and distraction. "I can watch one more movie, then I'm out. I have to be at the gym by 6:30. It's already 2:45," she sighed, glancing at the clock with a hint of exhaustion.
"Okay, girl, I'm coming with you..... to the gym, not to bed," I blurted out, feeling the need to clarify my intentions awkwardly. Internally, I cursed myself for being so transparent. We finished the movie in a comfortable silence, the dim glow of the screen casting shadows on Monique's serene face as she drifted off to sleep in the armchair. I couldn't help but study her features in the soft light, marveling at how beautiful and composed she looked in repose. Her tattoos, each one a piece of art, seemed to tell a story of their own. "Why am I feeling like this?" I wondered aloud, torn between admiration and confusion. Just as I moved closer to Monique, drawn inexplicably to her sleeping form, Penda's voice broke the trance. "What are you doing? Why are you staring at her like that?" she asked, her tone a mix of concern and curiosity.
Startled, I fumbled for an excuse. "I was just... checking if she was okay," I lied, feeling Penda's gaze pierce through my feeble attempt at deception. After a long, scrutinizing moment, Penda seemed to accept my explanation. "Oh, okay," she said softly, though her eyes hinted at lingering suspicion. "Acorde, meu amor. Venha e deite seu corpo. Eu preciso de você ao meu lado," Penda coaxed gently, waking Monique from her peaceful slumber. Monique stirred like a marionette, sleepily bidding us goodnight as Penda led her away, wrapped protectively in her arms.
Alone in my room later that night, I lay awake, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The evening had been a rollercoaster of unexpected feelings and revelations, leaving me questioning everything I thought I knew about myself and my relationships. I woke up the a knock on my door and it was Monique asking if I still wanted to go to the gym with her I jumped up excitedly yes let me shower and get dressed.
Monique POV
We got into the truck and headed off to the gym. I gave Isabelle a tour of the gym and then went with my personal trainer. He was working me extra hard today. After an hour and a half of it, I went to find Isabelle. She was on the stair climber, and some girl was hanging around, clearly loving her body. I walked up and asked her if she was ready to go. I was hungry and needed a shower. She smiled and gave the girl her number, and we left.
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When we got to the car, I asked what she wanted for breakfast and surprisingly knew just what she wanted. "Spinach scrambled eggs with turkey bacon and some fresh fruit. Okay, you got it. I'm gonna get home and cook before Penda gets up for work," I said as we took off.
During the drive, I asked, "Why were you staring at me last night? Everything okay?" "You remember that conversation we had when I was about 14?" she asked. "Yes," I said. "I was just thinking about it and got lost in my mind, that's all." "Oh, okay," I said, kind of confused but didn't want to press the issue. "I see you got a number, smiling hard." "Yes, she's a little cutie, right?"
"Yes, she is," Monique said as we pulled into the driveway. Isabelle grabbed me and hugged me. "What's that for?" I asked. Just before I could finish talking, she kissed me. "Whoa, you are tripping! What the fuck?" I yelled. Sorry, I'm just really happy staying with you guys... and that kiss wasn't what you think," Isabelle backtracked quickly, already heading inside.
Maybe I overreacted. After showering, I started cooking breakfast. Just as I finished, my baby descended the stairs arm-in-arm with her sister, both giggling like schoolgirls. It was heartwarming. Isabelle looked at me, then at Penda, and placed a grateful kiss on her lips. "Thanks for letting me crash here till my place is ready," she said with genuine affection. Penda beamed proudly. "Anytime, baby. You're like my second heart!" "Yeah, yeah, yeah," Isabelle joked. "We all know Monique is number one!"
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"As long as everyone's clear on that!" I laughed, feeling the warmth of family banter. As we wrapped up breakfast, Penda announced she had to dash to work for a few hours. "Ugh, really?" I sighed, wishing for a lazy morning together. "I'll make it up to you later, mama," Penda promised with a kiss, rushing out the door. I bid Isabelle a good day, knowing I'd spend the rest of mine pampering myself with skincare, diving into my Bible, and jotting down thoughts in my journal.
