The Beautiful Katastrophe

(XIII) Truth

     It was nearing midnight when I hopped off my plane and stepped onto California ground.

Adrienne was there waiting to drive me back to our apartment. But as soon as she saw me, her smile faded and she asked me who died.

I shook my head. "I'm just tired."

"You look like shit."

I ignored her insensitive comments and let her load my bags in the car. I purposely sat in the backseat so I wouldn't have her glancing over at me every ten seconds. I did look like shit. I couldn't sleep on the plane. I literally cried the whole ride. I've never felt so guilty before and I couldn't script how the hell I would tell Michael. But I knew for sure I wanted to.

I didn't bother putting my seatbelt on as I laid in the backseat.

"Hey, puffy eyes," Adrienne called while cruising down the highway.

"Dri, not now, please."

"I know that face and that attitude. You fucked up, didn't you?"

I didn't respond. I shut my eyes and tried to force myself to sleep.

"Katina Nicole Desmond!"

"What?!"

"You let that little motherfucker hit it, didn't you?"

I grunted and sat up. "What, Dri? What the hell do you want to know?"

"You know you're going to tell me so you mind as well get it over with."

I sighed and planted my back on the seat. "I fucked up."

"Oh, come on, not Michael."

"I know..."

"How does a man buy you the world and you screw him over like some regular ol' Mill City cat?"

I had no explanation. Even if I did, I didn't feel like giving one.

"So, how did Prince do it this time?"

"I don't want to talk about it anymore."

"Just tell me."

"I was drunk, ended up at his house waiting for him in the middle of the night after his show...he let me in. I slept in the room I used to claim...he came in, pulled down his pants and fucked me. That's it."

"He fucked you with his heels on?" she asked, playfully.

"Wasn't the first time."

"I'm just saying, if he didn't even take his pants off, that's like saying, 'let me show you real' quick how I still own this pussy.'"

"You're so fucking stupid," I said, not amused as she laughed her ass off.

"That's a damn shame!"

"Well, when I woke up, he left me a cute little love note basically saying that he was ready to settle down or whatever."

"Geez, what did you do to him?"

"Nothing," I said. "He's always said that. I'm just not interested in being with him like that. He's an asshole."

Adrienne shook her head and turned on the radio. Our favorite song, Africa by Toto, was playing. She began humming along. I know she was waiting for me to join in and start karaoke with her but I was not in the mood.

"Oh my God," she said, turning the music down to buzz. "Prince must got some magical shit in his pants. Why the hell do all of ya keep running back to him?"