Perfect Match

In The Basement

Timothy Zachery Mosley let the music take him away. The beat, the melody. It all helped to move him in another direction. There were dozens of people scattered around his basement turned studio. The cast of "Empire" filled the booth at one part while Missy Elliott, Ginuwine, Magoo and Static filled the outside couches behind him. His sound team were hard at work mixing the main audio and chorus together while Jussie Smullet and Yaz waited to hear their final bar.

"Aye yo Tim, that shit is hot!"

He smiled. Missy was always there to encourage him.

"Thanks Miss."

"Yeah Timbo, you got to hook me up tonight!"

He smiled over at Gin. The reason he'd rushed home to his studio. Ginuwine's label wanted a new song from him immediately or they would sue him. Tim knew he had to come through for him, even after all the years of disagreements they'd had.

"Aye Tim, where Liyah?"

Tim closed his eyes on that question. He rubbed the bridge of his nose before responding.

"She had to go to Cali to meet Dada for their summer line."

No one said anything to him because they knew how he felt every time Aaliyah traveled. A bad experience had never gone away for him and he hated it whenever she traveled. It was one of their biggest argument triggers. Missy came over and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Tim, we understand. Frankly we feel the same way. But what can you do? This is her job."

He hated when people told him that! Without thinking he took his fist and hit the desk, hard. When he opened his eyes, everybody in the studio was looking at him. He cleared his throat, embarrassed.

"Everybody take 30."

Tim got up and walked out of the studio, going to the elevator to lead him up to his kitchen. He just needed a minute alone. Too bad he wasn't going to get it. As soon as he got off the elevator, Static, Missy, Gin and Magoo were waiting on him.

"Man, this has got to stop!"

Magoo spoke up because he knew he would be the only one to really reach him. Over the years, he'd always been by Tim's side so when the airplane scare happened those years back, he was the first one at Tim's side.

"Tim, listen to me man. You are hurting your marriage with this shit! Let it go man."

Although he heard Magoo, he pretended as if he didn't and opened the refrigerator. They all looked between each other before shaking their heads.

"Have you at least talked to babygirl? When was the last time you all sat down and really TALKED?"

He looked over at Missy while drinking his orange juice.

"We just talked to each other at therapy."

"Bullshit. We already talked to Willie."

"Then why did you ask?"

"To see what you were going to say."

He just looked at them. As much as he wanted to scream or yell, it wasn't part of his style. So he just remained quiet. How could he explain to them that it felt like a part of him left every time she went away, especially by plane? How could he make them see just how much Aaliyah being gone affected him? Missy understood.

"Tim, trust us when we say we know how you feel when she leaves. Hell, we feel the same way. But we know it's inevitable. It can't be helped. You know how Liyah is."

He gave a sarcastic laugh.

"Boy, don't I know it..."

'Look, I guarantee you'll feel a lot better if you just talk to her. Let's call her."

Just as he was about to reject the idea, Missy Facetimed her. She picked up laughing.

"Hi Miss! Muah!"

"Hey babygirl! Look who I got with me!"

Everybody said their hellos and greetings. When Missy handed the phone to Tim, they just stared at each other. Liyah decided to speak up.

"So are you going to just stare at me or are you going to speak?"

"What's up with you? You made it safe?"

"Yes, I'm at Kidada's house now. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah. Gin just got some things going on so I have to rush him a song tonight."

"Tim, get some rest. Don't be up all night."

"Like you care?"

Aaliyah just stared at the phone. The fact that he'd said that to her really hurt her. Instead of pushing an argument, she decided to disconnect the call. She said her goodbyes and hung up. Missy punched Tim in the arm.

"You can be such an asshole at times!"

"Yeah man, that was uncalled for."

"Gin, if you still want a song tonight, I suggest you shut up."

"Aye man, cool, cool. My bad."

He felt bad for saying what he did but what could he do? She knew how he felt but didn't give two fucks about it. Why should he?

"Y'all ready to get back to it?"

They all shook their head but followed him anyway. Something had to give between their two friends so things could get back to the way it used to be. A time when things were much more relaxed and fun.