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

Who R U, Really

Genevieve's POV

"Genevieve, why are you so mysterious?"

"How am I being mysterious?" I speak covering my mouth with my hand as I talk with a mouthful.

"Why didn't you tell us about your cover band?" Andre says grabbing a slice of pizza.

"You never asked!" I say swallowing my last bite of crust.

"But you never talk about it."

"It wasn't even on your job application." Prince chimes in, passing me a napkin.

"Because it was my hobby not my job." I shrug.

"What was your role?"

"We all switched around. Charlie would watch her neighbors kids some nights so I'd play drums for her. Link broke his hand and I took over on guitar for him for a while. I was originally one of the background singers but, Ruiz would work nights so I'd replace him on lead vocals most nights."

"Why work nights in air quotes?" Andre snorts.

"Because he's never had a fucking job in his life! He mostly blew us off for dates and then would complain that he'd give the band more time if I took him seriously."

"Took him seriously?" Prince asks unsure of what she means.

"He wanted me and was mad that the feeling wasn't mutual. So he would intentionally plan dates during performances hoping to make me angry enough to give him a chance."

"How'd that work out for him?"

"The only reason he's still in the band is because he's our only male singer."

"Why didn't you give him a chance?" Wendy asks pushing her plate to Lisa.

"Because he doesn't like me he just wants to fuck me."

"Doesn't that imply that he likes you?" Miko says earning a disappointed look from all the women at the table.

"He has these fantasies about us. The Hot Mexican Bad Boy and his Caribbean Bombshell. He just has a thing for Black girls, loves my body and he thinks it's sexy that I speak a little Spanish."

"You call yourself Black?" Prince asks looking at me almost offended.

"I'd prefer not to but America doesn't see all of my heritage and culture. It sees dark skin and thick black hair."

"Ain't that the truth!" Andre says taking a sip from his drink.

"The label does not bother me but I acknowledge that it is not the best fit." I reassert.

"What is?" Prince asks.

"I'm not sure. I really don't think about it much anymore."

"But you used to think about it?"

"When kids ask you daily what are you or where are you really from the question might start to consume you but I realized America's obsession with labels and boxes doesn't make sense."

"What doesn't make sense about it? Seems pretty clear to me." Miko chimes in eating the last of his food.

"Then tell me what the clear difference is between Black and African American."