She couldn't run from it forever. Once her dark secret catches her in a chokehold, Raven Rosario has only one choice to set herself free: pick up the phone and dial her ex's number.
|2018 Purple Eggplant Winner for Best Short Story|
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September, 1987
It was an industry after-party, kind of dry if you ask me. But when he walked into our space, the mood immediately shifted. I looked to my left at Rebecca Blake, the woman who initiated the meeting, then back to the man who approached us, decked out in denim and peace signs, one even hanging from his right ear. Underneath his jacket was nothing but chest, abs and a chunky cross pendant hanging between his manly pecs. I tried not to study his ensemble too hard but I was really digging his look. There were so many intricate details I wasn't able to catch earlier when he performed on the MTV stage.
"Prince," Rebecca introduced, "this is the silent choreographer you never got to meet."
"Funny," I said glancing at her. It was more so him being a "silent artist". In '86, I choreographed his female dancer for his Kiss music video. Rebecca, the director, got me the gig but I never even met Prince. Our back and forth communication went through the dancer and Rebecca during rehearsals. Prince never showed up to any of them. It was weird and nothing I was professionally used to.
Rising from the patterns on his jeans, my eyes finally latched onto his, unprivileged at the time to see their true beauty because of the harsh lighting in the room. My hand reached out first and when his touched mine, a shock pricked us. "Ooh," I said cheesing, jerking my hand back. But he didn't seem fazed so I quickly went to shake his hand again. "I'm Raven Rosario."
"And I'm in love."
Laughing, I glanced at Rebecca who was just as tickled. "Aww, you're so sweet," I said to him.
"Thank you," he said, speaking of my work I guess. "I regret not being able to meet you initially."
"Oh, well..." My shoulder bumped the air. "Things happen. It's okay." His fine self was definitely forgiven.
"You have to come dance with me." He wouldn't let me go.
"Dance?" Very first time an invitation made me nervous.
"Yes, you're stuck with me now." Real smooth he pulled me close, his jaw bumping mine as his lips reached my ear. "Cause' after you, mama, there aint' nothing else to see."
