Off Record

/Twenty-Three/

October 14, 1990

30 seconds. That's how long it took for us to get in the car. How did they know where we were? How did they know we were together.

"Sasha..baby, are you listening?" Prince asks, cutting through my wondering thoughts. I clear my throat, "Yeah."

"Are you going to be okay until I get there?"

"I-I told you, you don't have to come. I'll see you next weekend. I'm fine— I knew it was only a matter of time."

"I can hear it in your voice, you're not fine. Chelsea can have me there by the morning."

"No baby.. I'm just still processing it." I look over the National Enquirer cover that has my face plainly printed on it. The subtitle was less than clever.

Prince has captured the heart of the Princess of Jazz musician, Duke Pearson.

It felt unreal. Even though Karen called me about it two days ago, actually seeing myself...

Prince was opening the car door for me outside of what looked like Mac and Keisha's house. I had stopped to give him a kiss—it was quick, but whoever took the photos were so good, you would think it was a photo shoot.

"I'll be there in the morning—"

"Prince. I'm serious, I don't need you to come right now. They'll be all over you if you show up after something like this. Stay in L.A." It hurt me to lie to him. I actually did want him here with me, however Karen suggested against it until the news died down. I was also on edge with the magazine and had to go to New York to smooth things over because of how it looked.

"Promise you'll tell me if you do need me.." I could hear the earnestness in his voice. He was worried about me and how this would affect our relationship.

"I always need you..I love you so much that this isn't as world ending as I thought it was going to be. I promise I'll tell you if it's too much." Another lie. It was too much for me to take in this morning. I cried on the phone with my mother but she got me through it.

I know you never wanted this life Sasha Renee. It's hard to come to terms with. So I'll tell you what Calvin's mother told me; You fell in love with an extraordinary man and if you love him, you can accept his extraordinary life.

He sighs, unsatisfied with my answer. "I love you too mama. I don't know how long we can do this long distance thing. Not being able to comfort you like I want is killing me—"

The sound of someone opening the door stops him from finishing. They ask him a question.
"Tell him I'll be back in 5 minutes... I'm not working on anything else except my album after this. If I have to book the studio at Chess for months, I will. I just need to be with you every night."

The thought made my stomach do backflips. "You just want to raid my fridge for my cheesecake." I joke to lighten the mood, finally smiling.

He reciprocates with his tone turning more playful. "That and I'll make love to you every night, make you breakfast every morning, rub your feet, take out the trash sometimes—did I mention make love to you every night?"

October 16, 1990

"You don't have to say anything, this is just a formality so that they know they can't fire you for something not listed in your contract without repercussions. Now..Mr. Nelson's lawyer is also dealing with the National Enquirer, so you don't have to worry about that anymore... Sasha?"

Karen grabs my hands from twisting the rings on my fingers. "You're not going to be fired. You hear me?"

"Yes ma'am." I take a breath looking into her blue eyes, feeling calmed from my previous state.