Off Record

/Thirteen/

September 8, 1990

"Go back to sleep." Prince chuckles softly. I was sleep. He was the one making noise while looking through my notebook. If I wasn't halfway unconscious, I would've cussed him out for not asking.

I don't know how long he's been awake or I've been sleep but the sun wasn't up yet, so within a few minutes I was back in dreamland.

Music that wasn't from the stereo in my room wakes me up again. When I turn over on my back I also smell food. Jesus, please don't let this man have burned down my kitchen.

I sit up and rub my eyes, scared to look at the time. 10:56 AM. "Damn." My throat feels scratchy so I clear it to no avail. "Are you serious?" I say to myself. I was hoarse.

Getting out of bed, I pull a pair of sweats and a t-shirt from my dresser and head into the bathroom. After brushing my teeth and washing my face, I throw on the clothes then go to find the man responsible for my hoarseness.

When I get to the kitchen it's empty. "Prince?" I call out, rounding out to the living room. Empty. I still hear music though. Walking towards the room in the front hallway, I see that it's closed, however the music was definitely coming from it.

He had to have went through all the keys on my chain to find the one that fits this door.

I open it quietly, the sound of the piano growing louder. It's almost like déjà vu seeing him sitting there. He just has on a pair of black pants. There's no sheet music on the stand, so it must be from memory or creating itself.

The notes are seductive and have me standing there for longer than I should have. Breaking myself from my trance, I knock on the door to get his attention.

He stops and takes something from in front of him. I walk further in the room as he turns around on the bench. "The dead has risen." Prince jokes, putting what I now see is a tape recorder on the bench beside him.

"Have you been up this whole time?" I ask softly to not show how hoarse I am.

"No, Casey woke me up an hour ago with some of my things from the hotel. You have a few messages on your machine though." He stands, pulling me to him for a kiss.

"It's probably my mom or V."

"Are you hoarse?" A smirk already forming on his lips. "No." I shake my head and make my way out the room.

"Yes you are." He laughs, following close behind me. "I'm sorry mama, I'll make you some tea."

He was never going to let me forget this. I nod and sit at the counter to play the 3 messages on my answering machine. The first one is from my mom.

"Good morning Sasha Renee. I thought you said we would reschedule breakfast for today, but you haven't called, so I'm going out with Vanessa. She told me Victoria mentioned the twins had a party last night and I'm guessing that's why you're still sleep. Drink some coffee if you have a hangover. Love you."

"Your mom has a nice voice. Does she sing?"

I shake my head yes, still not wanting to let him hear my voice. The next message is from Neal.
"I know it's a Sunday and I usually wouldn't bother you, but I'm going to be in town this week and wanted to talk to you about something. Call me back tomorrow. Proud of you Pierce."

Taking my pad from the counter, I write a reminder to call him tomorrow. Hopefully it was good news he wanted to talk about.

When I glance over at Prince, I see he's taken out a cartoon of eggs. Maybe he can cook.