Beautiful

20. Be a Man!

Be a MAN!

"Aquarian Skeene! What is your problem, man?!" Sean scolded.

"Yo Sean, what is your problem? Last time I checked, you were not my mama! What the hell you doing, screaming at me, and calling me by my government?"

"Someone needs to knock some sense into your head, man. We been boys for what, 98% of our lives? I've called you much worse."

"True but..."

"NO, listen to me," he broke in. "I've known Tierra almost as long as you, and we both know she is a good woman. But you know damn well, she's never let any man get close enough to be more than a business associate. Shoot, there are only, what, five maybe, maybe seven people she even considers friends and our circle is four of those seven. If you aren't going to tell her how you feel, then you've got to get over your feelings already. This is crazy. You're driving me crazy, and she is driving Shireece crazy."

Qu stood in front of his longtime friend, searching his mind for the right words to say. He invited Sean him over to play the newest edition of Madden on his game system. It was something they used to spend their time as youth doing often. But, as adult they rarely had time. Now, with Qu back in town and Sean a day off, it seemed the perfect opportunity.

Though Shireece wanted to spend some time with her husband, he made up an excuse about how Qu needed to discuss something important with him. He needed some guy time and wasn't in the mind frame for her quality time.

'Shireece wouldn't understand, I love her, but between Madden, and her, it'll be Madden every time.' He rationalized, as he drove to Qu's condo. When he arrived, Qu was an emotional wreck. The whole time they played the game, Qu went on and on about his feelings for Tierra. Eventually Sean had enough! He shut the game off, 4th quarter, third down, 30 seconds left in play. Qu had the ball and Sean was up by one touchdown. After Qu got over the initial emotions of wanting to murder his best friend for shutting the game off, they talked openly.

"I know, I know Sean, but I feel like, we've been friends for so long... Wait? What do you mean she's driving Shireece crazy? Is she talking about me?" his eyes lit up as he turned to Sean for answers.

"No, about, that Malcolm cat," the light in Qu's eyes disappeared. "I swear I know him from somewhere, man, and I can't place my finger on where. You know, stuff like that drives me crazy. Maybe its TV, he is an ex-baller."

"Whatever! I don't think she sees me as more than her pain in the butt brother. 'The twin, her mother never had', as she calls me. Besides her and what's his name, Malcolm, has been steady for like two months now. How can I get in between that? That's not my style, Sean."

"I don't know about that. But, I do know she is not happy with Malcolm. Shireece told me. But, she doesn't want to get her heart broken, or fail so she is hanging on. You know that girl never could admit defeat. She's going to make it work no matter what."

Qu paced around his game room, scratching his head. He finally stopped and walked and found his way to the kitchen. After pouring himself a glass of OJ, and offering Sean the same, he sat down at the kitchen table that separated the Kitchen from the game room, and slumped in the chair. Then he sat up, took a sip of his juice, and let his head fall to the table. His head made a thud sound as it met the wood surface.

"Qu!" Sean yelled from the other side of the marble kitchen island. "Man, you're seriously bugging."

"Well, what am I supposed to do? Just call her up like, 'Hey Ti, I know you've got a man and we've been friends forever, but I realize that I love you. I have for a long time, and I want to be your man.'? What type of nonsense is that?"

"YES! What is this mess that you're doing now? Is this working out better for you? What are you a man or a mouse?" Sean asked loudly.

Qu lifted his head and searched deep inside himself for an answer to Sean's seemingly obvious question, before reluctantly he admitted his status...

"A mouse dude, yup I'm a mouse."

"I'm calling your Parents. You've done lost your damn mind," Sean teased.

Qu ignored him and allowed his head to meet the table again.