Behind the Mask

Black Coffee. No Cream. No Sugar.

Picture this, Los Angeles, 2017.

A very frustrated Maquita sat idly on the Pacific Coast Highway, headed to meet one of her best friends, Jasmine at the Starbucks on the Promenade in Santa Monica. Thankfully, Jasmine bore the gift of patience because there was no telling what time she was to arrive at this sluggish rate. It couldn't be that bad because she could see the California Incline exit from where she was in traffic.  She people-watched through the lenses of her Ray-Bans. In the lane to the left of her, a black Bentley convertible rested. The people inside seemed to be unbothered by the lingering traffic. A very distinguished looking dark chocolate brother sat on the driver's side. He had the prettiest bright white smile with one and a half of a dimple. The snow bunny that accompanied him must have been hilarious because he constantly displayed all 32 teeth. Her boobs sat high and appeared lifeless. Her face, had one botox injection too many and one overly plump set of kissers. Maquita looked to her right and saw a beautiful blonde woman holding the hand of a caramel-complexioned little girl who adorned a curly fro. They were headed to the beach. Not far from the pair was a bald man resembling Montel Williams carrying a cooler. Maquita cut her eyes to her rearview mirror just in time to see two men pucker up to one another in the car behind her.

Maquita: Janet don't fail me now.

She turned up the radio, which blasted "Come Back to Me," by Janet Jackson. She finally reached her exit and as she turned right on Ocean Ave, her phone sounded off. It was a text from Jasmine.

@JazzyText: Almost there! See u in 5 minutes.

@MaquitaText: K! Parking now.

Maquita knew she was not parking. She was barely moving on Ocean.  When she finally pulled into one of the parking decks, it took her about 3 minutes to find a space. Once she parked, she pulled down her mirror to touchup her lipstick. Maybe, just maybe, the man of her dreams would be in the universe today. She placed her Apple EarPods in her ears and opened her car door. Her beige stiletto touched the ground displaying the leg of her olive green Super High Waist Denim Skinny jeans from Fashion Nova. The crop top she wore matched her shoes. Maquita, barefoot was all of 5'0 tall. She was a young, curvy little woman with a very natural beauty. She changed her look constantly because she loved everything from tomboy fly to sexy chic. She pulled it all off well. At that moment, she wore faux locs. Maquita moved to LA from NC to pursue a scriptwriting career. Though that dream is still in hot pursuit, she, however, managed to ease her way in as an Executive Assistant at one of the major networks. That job kept the Williams' paid; Williams' as in William Rent, William Lights, William Phone,etc...AHA! Her phone sounded off. It was a notification from Instagram: @wolfjames is live.

Maquita: Fuck!

She texts the group chat, Can't Get Right Crew, which consists of Maquita, Sharenna, Enjel, and Jasmine.

@MaqCGRC: Wolfie is live!
@RennaCGRC: 🏃🏾‍♀️💨

Maquita: My girl! I knew her ass would show up.

Sharenna was another one of Maquita's BFFs. She lived in Texas. Another satisfied single successful beautiful black Nubian queen. Sharenna was a nurse with a hint of sarcasm. Her ass knew how to make light of any situation, but was also a force to be reckoned with. Maquita and Sharenna were makeshift twins. They had more in common than the average bear. One thing that would take the Cant Get Right Crew out of reality is their celebrity crushes. They joked amongst each other about them. This little hobby of theirs never interfered with their real lives, but somehow helped them escape, even if it was only 5 minutes. For now, the man of the hour was Luke James. He was live talking reckless jargon and singing sweet melodies.

DIALOGUE IN THE LIVE:

Luke sings.

@itsrennaaa: Get it, Wolfie!

Jazzy_yones joins.

@randomperson: I love you Luke!

@randomperson2: Drip is my favorite song. I listen to it every day.

Justenjel_ joins.

Luke: Who wants me to come sing to them?

@iammlamb: Well, if you insist, Baby..💕😘

@itsrennaaa: Watch it, Maquita....Luke, 🙋🏾‍♀️

@justenjel_: 😂😂😂😂

Luke: Maybe later. I gotta go see about this shower. In the meantime, y'all be easy. I love all of you.

Live ended.

Maquita opened the door to Starbucks and saw Jasmine there.

Maquita: Hello, My Beautiful friend! Sorry I'm late!

They hug.

Jasmine: Yeah, I see Luke is a distraction.

Maquita: (Laughs) Isn't he though?

Jasmine, she was the softer side of the Can't Get Right Crew. The sweetest woman in the world and coy, too. She was also gorgeous and downright fitting everything so heavenly in her jeans. She often would cover up her curves in modesty. Maquita and Sharenna are slowly breaking her out of her comfort zone, but just a little bit at a time. Jasmine and Enjel shared the same name, so we call Enjel by her middle name instead. Enjel, also lived in Texas. The attractive chocolatey phenom was so witty and hilarious. Enjel could brighten up any room with her smile and charm. However, she dealt with the world a little differently because she had a disability. She handled the disability though, it didn't handle her.

Jasmine and Maquita stood in line to order their Starbucks when Maquita noticed a very old black couple holding hands at a table as they sipped their Frappes. Everything else in that Starbucks had disappeared while Maquita admired the two. Subconsciously, she heard Jasmine giving her order and completing her transaction. The way that old man looked at his date. The old woman delicately returned a smile to him. The Barista, a young, attractive Brunette tried to get Maquita's attention when it was her turn to order.

Barista: Excuse me what would you like to order?

Maquita was still in la la land. Jasmine was on the side waiting for her Latte and didn't notice Maquita daydreaming.

Barista: Excuse me...

Maquita snapped out of it.

Maquita: Oh, I'm sorry.

Barista: No worries. What would you like to order?

Maquita turned to look at the couple once more and then back to the Barista.

Maquita: Black coffee. No sugar. No cream.