JAMAIS VU, kellyoncé

chapter three

three.

Beyoncé sat at the table, absentmindedly dragging her fingers across her lap. She nicked her cargo dress, fixating on fiddling open the pockets. The hickory smells of barbecue tickled the sensors in her nose, elongating the process of stuffing her face full of hearty delicacies. Every few seconds her mind drifted to what would be plated first. The endless selections aggravated the want as she knew she wouldn't be able to consume everything in sight.

No one but Tina could touch any cooking devices or utensils in her home. None of her friends or close relatives could hold a hand to her cooking except her mother. But because it was a special occasion, she allowed a bit of spoiling to occur.

Beyoncé sat back entertaining the thought of leaving her own party. The longer she waited, the more deviated plans arose.

She payed no mind to the people that ran in and out of her home, nor the blasting of UGK. It was odd of her to stay quiet while it occurred because she felt so strongly about both. The music seemed to be more of an afterthought to the lively chatter and laughter that filled the room, blending into the background like a forgotten dream. Many around her rapped the lyrics with ease as she struggled to keep focus in front of her.

Instead of reaping the joys of turning thirty-three, she became stationary to her wandering thoughts. She didn't stay disconnected for long as her attention was repeatedly pulled from several directions. Any lapse in time generated a new conversation.

"Bey, girl where's your damn head? Ain't no way I'm losing my book to they ass." Sanaa went through her cards, slightly panicking. She eyed Beyoncé across from her, attempting to pull her out of her rut.

She looked up from her lap and sent a small smile to her spades partner. Shuffling through the few remaining cards, her features went neutral. Neither of the three who sat at the table could tell what their fate would amount to.

"Naw sis take this ass whoopin' on ya' birthday! What you wanna' book next? I'm thinking I wanna' book a trip to Cuba wit' y'all money." With her top and bottom row clinched against her bottom lip, Solange grinned excitedly.

Michelle silently laughed as she pushed her own cards close to her chest. "Solo, give her a break. It is her birthday after all." She lifted her brow and grinned before her and Solange began to cackle.

There was no way they were going easy on her, regardless of if it was her special day. It was going to be a cold day in hell before they'd let her win again and take their money— not that either team needed the funds.

Sanaa found no humor in losing and especially didn't find excitement in thousands down the drain due to non involvement.

She threaded strands of her silk press behind her ear. A soft grunt in disbelief halted further taunting. "Hell naw, that's ten racks that I ain't letting y'all have! Fuck it, what you got?" Placing a queen of hearts down, she closed one eye and peaked out another.

Michelle placed a queen of diamonds down, while Solange had started the round with a six of spade. Beyoncé checked the page to see how far off they were. Slapping a jack of spades down, she picked up the individual wrapped stacks.

"I guess I ain't gotta wonder too hard about what imma' get for my birthday. 'Preciate y'all for donating to collections." Tossing half of the money to Sanaa, Beyoncé leaned back in the folding chair. She fanned the green and blue bricks across her face and allowed the breezed smell of money to temporarily immobilize the smell of the onset of grilled food.