Motivation of Memories: The Second Book of the Labors of Love Series

Try Something New

Genevieve's POV

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asks scanning the room. Andre and Miko are here with Prince. They stare across the room at me. They all look like they have something to say. Was this some type of meeting?

"Your dad called." Prince says softly. "Your mom rented a venue for you to do some of your old routines."

"I know."

"You know?"

"Yes. She called me to ask me for my measurements so she could adjust all my costumes."

"Do you know what you're performing?"

"No." I put down my bag and attempt to walk further into the room but something keeps me glued to the door. "Do you?"

"Your dad said TWOO and E." I let out a sigh and feel more comfortable as I cross the threshold. These were some of my more common performances. I did them week after week after week. At least I don't need to practice as hard.

"Is that all?"

"He also said you gotta leave the encores alone and start smoking reefer to go to sleep." Miko adds loudly crunching through his words.

"Well then I suggest you stop eating all my snacks. I'll be needing them." I laugh but Prince's sternness makes the room feel cold.

"Don't get too excited. You know what your contract says about drug use." He says plainly.

"Yes. $100 fine for all infractions.  After accumulating $1000 in fines I will be up for termination as voted on by the band with your final approval." I flop down on the bed between everyone rolling my eyes. If I knew I would be lectured I would've stayed at the gym.

"Don't be like that."

"Me? What about you?"

"What about me? My band my rules and I don't care for your attitude."

"James Brown has given us countless albums high on PCP and whatever the hell else and you're worried about marijuana as a sleep aid."

"What if you become addicted?"

"I wasn't addicted when I smoked in high school." I shrug sitting up.

"This isn't high school. This is real life."

"Prince, let's be honest. You don't even hold your liquor well. So, you can spare me the lectures of the dangers of smoking. I'm half Jamaican. I know more about marijuana than the three of you combined."

"Tell me what you know."

"I haven't smoked since I graduated 5 years ago. I'm sure marijuana has gotten stronger since then but I also do not have a tolerance for it anymore."

"In English." Miko says confused.

"Because I stopped smoking and marijuana is always changing, I will probably need less."

"You know where to get it?"

"No but it isn't hard to find if you know who to ask."

"Okay. Here's the plan. I'll get a rental for the next few cities we're in. I'll call Ronnie and fly him in to escort you each night. Andre will take you until he gets here. Smoke, eat, and come back to the hotel."

"Okay." I stand up and walk over to one of my suitcases. I dig around inside until I find and pull out my makeup bag. "Here." I say tossing the bag to Prince.

"What is it?"

"My fine money. Four days a week for three weeks, right?"

"You just have $1,200 in cash?"

"It's actually a full $2,000. The extra should keep you from firing me."

"Why do you have all this cash?"

"Emergencies."

"What could possibly happen where you need this much money?"

"It enough to fly me and my luggage all the way back to Trinidad or the Congo."

"I can't take this."

"You are the one who brought up the contract. These are your rules."

"Your dad said he'd pay it."

"Then he can give me the money back when we arrive in New York."

"Why are you so calm about this?"

"Because I'm going to ruin my mother's plan." The three men look at each other puzzled then back at me.

"Ruin it how?" Andre chimes in.

"She wants me to do all the boring things I'm known for but I'm going to show them all the new things I've learned."

"Like what?" Prince says squinting.

"Wouldn't you like to know." I smirk.

"How do you even know what she's planning?" Andre asks.

"She hired the only other people who have done these dances as much as I have. They figured it meant I was coming back and told me."

"And you're putting together a show as a group that you won't rehearse for as a group until the day of?" Miko asks shaking his head in shock.

"We may not be rockstars but we are professionals." I smile. It's a crazy plan but it'll work. It has to.

"So what's the verdict on this reefer thing?"

"We have tomorrow off. Let's skip tonight and do trial run while we have the availability." I ask looking at Prince.

"Sure but I've got somewhere to be."

"You're leaving me?" I ask in disbelief.

"I have some business to take care of but you'll be with Andre. It'll be fine." I look down at my hands unsure of what to say. I regather my thoughts as they begin to slip away from my control then nod in response.

"Guys can I have some privacy? I'd like to take a shower and a nap." Andre and Miko take the hint and say their goodbyes as they leave. Prince doesn't seem to notice my frustration and goes to relax in bed.