June 1995 – 3:00 AM after "Primetime" Interview
MICHAEL
I snuck down to the library as soon as Lisa fell asleep. Though exhausted, I dialed the phone waiting for Brenda to pick up for the third time. Years ago, it'd be at least one in the morning and I'd talk to her halfway across the globe. This scared me in a way.
What the hell? I thought to myself.
On the fourth try, I succeeded. Her voice croaked into my ear without shame. I pressed my lips together, but failed to calm down. Thankfully, I'd already closed the door when all of my panicking started. I rubbed down my face listening to her.
"Who is this?" she asked.
"It's me." I hissed, clenching my teeth. "Why didn't you pick up the first few times, girl?"
"Michael? What the fuck? It's three in the morning. I know it's hard, but go to sleep, or at least try. Lisa's probably waiting for you."
"She's already asleep, but you still didn't answer my question." I rolled my eyes. "Why didn't you pick up the first time?"
"That's none of your business." Brenda mumbled while irritated, but I didn't even care.
"Yes, it is." I said. "It's my business because I've been trying to reach you ever since I got home. Didn't you watch the interview?"
"Yes, but what does that have to do with anything? You two defended yourselves and handled the questions rationally. Why should I get involved?"
"Moral support." I huffed. "Checking on me because it was stressful as hell."
"I wouldn't call this late at night to give moral support, Michael. What the hell do you want from me? There's clearly something else bothering you."
I sighed out loud again, confessing. "All right. I miss you."
"What else is new?" Brenda mumbled back. "Get off and leave me alone."
I chewed my bottom lip and leaned back in the chair. "My hands will never compare to your hips. Trust me, baby."
"Tough. Make love to your wife this week and you should feel better."
"Yeah..." I hesitated at first. "About that. She's been upset."
Brenda almost gasped on the other line listening to me. "What the fuck have you done?"
I could feel my entire face scrunch up nervously and soon squirmed in the chair. "I may or may not have said your name during sex. She's asked questions and everything."
"And?" Baby Girl dragged on the other line.
"I've never told her exactly who you are." I promised.
"Why not?" Brenda asked.
"Baby, it's too risky." I answered, shaking my head. "I don't want her to know about our relationship because she might believe that bullshit about you and cause even more problems."
"I don't care about people's opinion anymore. I'm practically retired, Michael." Brenda sighed again, yawing a little.
But soon, my hearing kicked in even more. A male voice stifled in the background. Behind this desk, I paled more than humanly expected.
"Baby, who is that?" I asked Brenda.
"Like I said, it's none of your business, Michael. Good night." she hung up almost immediately.
**
BRENDA
"El, stop. You'll be late for the flight back. Didn't you say we have to leave early?" I could feel his lips on my neck and I chuckle hoping to escape the sweet hold around me. Sun hardly gleamed outside the window later that morning.
"Yeah, but it can wait for a few more minutes and I just wanna look at you. I can't believe we did that last night. It's been too long, baby."
"You got lucky, mister. That's what happens when exes drink and party together." I finally ended up leaving the bed. He looked at me while covered in the sheets still, chewing his bottom lip, hard. Never did this man's hair ever stop that infamous wavy style. He smirked underneath that tiny mustache, tilting his head like a puppy or something.
"You really like kicking people out, don't you?" El stated to laugh.
"You're the one visiting family out of town. Are you sure nothing's wrong? From what you've told me, it's been a while since everyone's been together given careers and all." I asked, putting in my earrings for a second.
"Mama just wanted the family together, girl. I'm fine." I watched El carefully move out of his place in the bed and walk over to me. His eyes were suddenly pained and sad. I didn't know what to think, but allowed him to kiss me for a moment. He smiled, only for such joy to fade once I turned back.
"She misses you. Mama, I mean."
I sighed out loud and turned away to look for my purse. "I miss her, too, but things are different. I can't just walk into her house like old times, El. It's been years. And I thought you weren't here to reconcile with me?"
"I've change my mind." he peeked in the mirror beside me.
I scoffed. "Oh, please...how many kids do you have now? There's no way I'm putting up with that kind of drama, especially since those children have no idea who I am in the first place."
"Baby..." his voice trailed off.
"Drop it and come on. Your mother is gonna lose her mind if you're late."
__
With a few incognito bodyguards surrounding the open-air terminal, El leaned in to kiss me as I gripped the steering wheel. I couldn't resist blushing now, but knew better than to give us away. Earlier tension seemed to melt away bit by bit during the car ride.
He reached out to caress my face and I found myself back in 1982. The boyish and shy grin I'd seen years ago came right back to his lips. His cheeks never failed to turn red around me after all these years. He kissed one last time and whispered goodbye so softly, I barely heard. Within seconds, he vanished into the building. My mind had been placed right back into reality.
__
"Brenda, what's wrong? You haven't call me back since early this mornin'...
"Baby, it's Michael. If you need anything, I'm here."
"I miss you, babe."
One beep after the other, he left messages. I slugged back a Corona watching mindless television over take-out later that night. At least retirement felt good sometimes.
A chuckle escaped my lips thinking of Lisa's possible consequences after Michael revealed those crucial mistakes during sex. He must've snoozed in a guest bedroom for weeks at best. After all this time, I still kept a hold on him.
Someone who didn't really care about me anymore.
