Things We Lost In the Fire

After Dark

Prince's Perspective

     After entering the kitchen, I hopped up on a bar stool prepared to watch Jazz in action. I don't really cook so I didn't even offer to be her sous chef. I couldn't help but giggle as I watched her navigate through this foreign kitchen, hopping up on the counter tops just to reach the shelves. I could tell the wheels were turning in her head, trying to formulate the perfect dish to cook. As she kneeled on the countertop, her toned caramel thighs flexed every time she readjusted her position. Once she found the seasonings she needed, she made her way to the opened fridge door examining the contents. As she bent down to look in the vegetable draw, her perfectly plump behind teased me. God I hate khakis, but they look heavenly on her. In the midst of my admiration, I had to shake those thoughts away, feeling my oncoming erection. Damn, calm down this is not why you wanted her to come tonight.

"So since its late, I'm not going to get all fancy. I'm gonna make you spinach quiche", she said with such enthusiasm.

After she finished cooking, she plated my quiche and awaited my final verdict. I couldn't lie, it was amazing. "Girl you put your foot in this!". Her face lit up in excitement.

"You know it's just a lil' somethin somethin", she said as she brushed her shoulder and popped her imaginary collar. "At first I was thinking about a curry dish, but I changed my mind."

"Girl what do you know about curry?"

"Excuse you? My dad is Trinidadian thank you very much,"she stated proudly. That explains why she looks more exotic than her sister. Morgan's a beautiful black queen, but the moment I laid eyes on Jasmin I was rendered speechless. God took his time creating those sisters.

   As we sat at the island and ate, I reminded her of when she told me earlier she had to vent about something. She filled me in on all the drama that happened last weekend. Her mom must be something else to show her ass like that just because she didn't get to help plan her grandson's party. She also told me about her visit to her parents house. I had no clue she even lived with her sister until she said that. I guess you never can tell what is going on in a persons life by looking at them. "So, I told you how my life is right now. How's everything, how are you doing?".

The way she asked me that, I knew she wasn't looking for a superficial answer. But my natural instincts told me to do so. "I'm fine, everything's good." I could've at least tried to sound more convincing. And as I stared into her inquisitive chestnut eyes, I knew she didn't believe me.

She readjusted in her seat and briefly touched my knee, sending a jolt of electricity to shoot through me, before asking, "How are you really? I can see it all in your eyes, you're not just physically tired but you look emotionally drained as well."

She was right. This girl barely knows me, but can read me like a novel. I hate opening up to people because I feel like once I do, their departure from my life is around the corner so why waste the time. But I could tell Jazz really cared about how I was doing.

I let out a deep sigh, "I don't know, it's just a lot going on right now. I'm in between tours and constantly writing and in the studio. In the midst of all that my...my wife..Mayte..we've been fighting. Ever since...", I paused mid-sentence, feeling those deeply buried emotions resurfacing, afraid I was going too into detail. She sensed that and told me it was okay. She's an understanding soul.

Trying to lighten the mood, I grabbed her hand leading her outside towards the playground. Outside, she made a fast break for the swings, "Come push me P!"

After hanging out at the jungle gym like two kids recently freed from detention, she inched towards the basketball court while yelling, "I bet you can't beat me one on one!"

Picking up the ball I yelled, "Bet!", and checked the ball. I could tell by the way she dribbled the ball she wasn't a novice player. Finally, a girl that knows something about basketball. She took an opportunity to cross me up, almost making me fall flat on my ass and made the layup. I might have to lace up my Nikes for this one.

After I let her beat me 5-4, we made our way back inside. "So, I know you didn't learn to play like that from watching the Bulls play."

"I used to play city league, in middle school, and just playing with my brothers. I wanted to play in high school but never had time."

"I played in middle school and even varsity in high school. I may have been the smallest one, but everyone was getting crossed up by Prince with the big ass Afro." She couldn't help but laugh at that. "Come on, lets go back to the studio so you can find out why I wanted to come see me."

   As she sat in an additional chair at the soundboard, I fiddled with the switches trying to key up the right song to play for her first. "So aside from missing that pretty face of yours, I wanted you to come over because I wanted you to here some songs that I was thinking about putting on my next album. It'll be like a compilation of songs I've recorded over the years that'll finally get put together. I'm only going to play you a sample of the songs from the whole set."

   From the very millisecond that Dream Factory faded in, I could tell she was really feeling it. But the song that really got her hype was 18 & Over. I had a feeling as soon as I looked over the title track earlier she was going to love that one. As soon as my voice came through stereo shouting, '18 & Over! I want to bone ya!' she couldn't contain herself. As she felt the bass vibrate through her body she jumped up dancing and rolling her hips sensually to the beat. Singing along, she would occasionally gasp at some of my x-rated lyrics, not knowing I could rap like that. I guess she's never heard Violet the Organ Grinder. If I wouldn't have filmed the video back in the day, she'd definitely be cast as the lead lady in it.

As the last song faded out, she gave me all her feedback, not afraid to tell the truth. "...but honestly, from what you played me, 18 & Over is one of my favorites!" She began to rap, "...I'm your nigga now, I'm about to read your rights...". She couldn't control her giggles.

"But I loved it all, I'm honored you let me hear this much P."

"Well, I value your input. It really means a lot that you took time out to keep me company."

"No problem, I'm always here if you need me. No BS, I'm just a phone call away." I could hear the sincerity laced in her confession.

"Come on, let me walk you to your car." I don't watch the clock, but I know by now some hours had passed since she first pulled up but I still feel like the visit was too short.

As I hugged her goodbye and helped her in her truck, I felt a hint of sadness thinking about the uncertainty of when I might see her again. We discussed earlier about how once the end of June/July rolls around, I'll be touring nonstop till January. That paired with her working, taking care of Noah, and college, our schedules are completely out of sync.

"Remember, I'm only a phone call away."

"Oh trust me, I'll call you. Bye Jazz."

"Uh uh, goodbye means forever. It's see you later."

"See you later Jazzy." She smiled and proceeded to pull out of Paisley Park. As her car faded into the distance, the lingering aroma of her perfume caused a smile to form on my face. I can't wait to see her again.

I think I've found a friend in her.

*Aww how cute :) what do y'all think about their relationship so far? The next chapter will probably jump ahead a few months since he's gonna be on tour.*