1985 – "Purple Rain" Tour
MICHAEL
Kay smoked in the parking lot. I dodged a lecture for this woman by standing not too far away and remained tight-lipped. Silence and wind haunted the space between us. For the millionth time, her shoulder draped in purple. Her curly hair almost greased with Activator at this point. The cigarette rested between her black-painted fingers. Within, my heart still dropped.
Everyone gained a vice, but I just couldn't understand why folks would bring poison into their systems. Drugs or not. I wasn't trying to be this renowned killjoy, but life was too short for wasting away. I wasn't planning to die at the hands of my own problems, either.
Fury coursed through my veins when Kim hadn't turned around. Still, I knew so much better than to debate anything. She probably would've slapped me for stomping that cigarette into the pavement. I'd seen Brenda perform the same act twice on Prince before. These "Jersey Girls" did not play around. Telling these ladies to stop smoking would probably trigger the next World War, but I digress.
It wasn't long before I finally gained the courage to clear my throat beside Kay. The cancer-stick still rested between her fingers and it burned to a nub in one way or another. Its smoldering embers flashed into my eyes. All without blinding. Crisp air of the evening wafted toward my shoulders. I wouldn't tremble in the name of possible chills.
Right now, something crossed her mind. I wanted to figure things out before anything escalated. There was no other choice, especially considering that time between us seemed rare. There was only a matter of time before she left my side again. I wanted us to be happy, not worried more than anticipated.
"Kim, what's wrong?" The question slipped out as if I had known this woman for decades. In that moment, she turned around without even dropped the shrinking cigarette. I cringed but wouldn't yell about the poison this time. Silence fell between us once more. Yet, I could only hear the click of her heels on the sidewalk pavement. A car or two passed by us for a moment, but I wouldn't really complain.
"I don't want to talk about this. What happened between Prince and I tonight is none of your business. I'm sorry." Kay stomped the cigarette with her boots and walked off. I almost jogged toward a limousine and noticed Bill stand nearby with another guard. I opened the back door for Kay and slid onto the leather right beside that woman.
The door slammed behind us and my sleek black limousine rolled out. We'd stay back at her place instead of partying. I just couldn't take the idea of Kay remaining silent. Music quietly played up front. Still, Kay immediately reciprocated when I reached over to hold her hand in the darkness between lampposts. Even yellow cabs as Kay and Brenda called them passed by my expensive automobile.
At this point, a Luther Vandross ballad mellowed out everyone who occupied this vehicle. I understood in one way or another. Kay even dropped her greased curly hair onto my shoulders. I took the gesture as a sign of peace. My woman didn't want to fight anymore. When she turned her head, we shared a deep kiss. I felt nearly intoxicated all over again and we never even made love yet.
I wanted so much more than the expectedly gorgeous body of this beautiful woman. Without a charming personality, physical behavior would never arrive in my relationships. As mentioned, I was never one to "hit and quit" like Prince or anyone else I'd known.
Knowing love, the way I do.
I can say for certain that it's true.
There's a chance for me and you.
I surely feel like the time is near.
The picture in my mind is very clear.
I think love has brought us here.
I remember not too long ago
I was just a lonely person with a lonely heart.
And I was hopin' there could one day be.
Be a chance for me to.
Get the love that I'd been missin.
Sometimes love takes a long time.
Wait for love and you're gonna get the chance to love.
Wait for love, wait for love, oh my...
("Wait For Love" by Luther Vandross, 1985)
__
I woke up the next morning without that woman. Her "side" of the bed felt cold. Joseph and Mother knew all about my relationship now, but I wouldn't take the angry lecturing from my father anymore. Mother thankfully welcomed Kay with open arms. The hopeful connection reassured me considering that Kay simply respected our values as decent people. None of us deemed perfect, but at least Mother could smile and not worry about my heartache any longer.
Mike,
Back at rehearsal. We've got one more performance in California tonight before heading to New York and elsewhere. Feel free to visit me again if you've got a chance. In all seriousness, I'm sorry about smoking last night. That bad habit always kicks in when I'm stressing out. I'd also like to apologize for not telling you what was going on. But some things are just private for Prince and I don't want to cause any drama.
Call me soon if you're gonna see the show tonight, Baby.
-Kay.
I held onto my heart in a cliché manner while reading over and over. At least my girlfriend apologized. There was no way in hell I'd missed this last show in California.
She cared without even expressing the word "love."
