1985 - California
PRINCE
"What the hell do you want, Michael? Brenda and I are trying to sleep." I fibbed to my rival on the phone.
"Whoa! Calm down, Prince. It's me. Kay." Kimberly answered the phone instead and I instantly regretted yelling out of nowhere. While sitting on the bed, I rubbed down my face and immediately felt when Monty (Brenda) offered soothing circles for my back.
"I'm so sorry. I thought Michael was trying to bother me again. What's going on?" My voice sighed out loud after a while. Kim thankfully understood.
"I've written a song for you and just now put it on tape. Let me know if you need the sheet music or something." Kim beamed on the other line. I smiled, but turned down work for once, given the exhausted look on Monty's face.
"That sounds amazing, but can you send it to me in the mornin', Keys? I'm not feeling it tonight and you know I'll need my full attention for music." I yawned during the response.
"It's fine. I'll just send it to your studio tomorrow. Sorry about the wake-up. Good night." Kay slowed down her usual joy on the phone and quickly said goodbye.
I fell asleep with my wife before long. Lust we'd felt towards one another obviously vanished given the circumstances.
--
I gave my love.
I gave my life.
I gave my body and mind.
We were inseparable.
I guess I gave you all of my time...
I loved this song. It was as if Kim read my mind and recounted all my own heartache all at once.
With each added instrument, my emotions healed. Every woman who failed me in the past crossed my mind.
I wouldn't cry during the session of course, but thoughts of "Keys" flickered more than anyone else.
Especially since she stood in the room with us.
Even Monty (Brenda) circled a hoisted recording microphone with Susannah and Wendy. This entire studio session even required horns to play the musical arrangement in my creative mind.
One of our first sessions ended with applause for Kay before she left our side. Eric and other musicians filed out, leaving Monty, and The Revolution alone.
"Okay!" I shrugged off reminders of the previous moment and headed towards the mixing without question.
Nearby, a grand piano centered wooden floor. Glass fenced the space for me to record just as before.
Countless sheets scattered along that black and white melodic platform. I rolled my eyes before rearranging the papers. I'd wanted one piece in particular.
Across the glass, Monty stood near talented employee Susan Rogers. I quickly waved to my wife and she jogged with the biggest smile on her face. She offered a kiss for my cheek, prompting me to blush.
"I've really wanted you to hear this, Darling." My voice lowered despite the happiness on my face. Monty nodded while sitting on a stool beside me.
Before long, I finally played chords. Monty shut her ebony eyes while listening. My falsetto just bounced from the attached microphone to every wall in this confined but open space.
Until the end of time.
I'll be there for you.
You own my heart and mind.
I truly adore you.
If God one day struck me blind.
Your beauty I'd still see.
Love's too weak to define just what you mean to me....
My wedding vows for this woman became a song. Shortly after I finished playing, Monty kissed me once again. I bashfully smiled against. We simply basked in the moment together as I brushed my nose against hers.
We froze in time all over again and I trailed thoughts right back to our wedding. When my eager but gentle fingers lifted the ivory veil.
She looked like an angel.
Just like right now.
In that moment, I finally stopped playing music and let everyone else rest for the night. No other person or relationship meant more. Even Kim finally disappeared from my thoughts.
My heart wished for another precious child with Brenda, my wife, this evening.
And the heavens felt optimistic for once.
***
KIM
Michael stood in my living room with a bouquet of roses. While it was a beautiful gesture, I shook my head before taking that floral arrangement away from his hands. My voice only whispered "thank you."
"You look good." Michael uttered while my heels clicked towards the kitchen sink. Yet, awkward silence huanted us.
I glanced over my shoulder and offered him another fake smile.
I hadn't changed out of my clothes from the studio session with Prince. Afterwards, these boots hustled down the street for my own work before I finally ended up coming back home.
Draped in this loose blouse and tight pants, I knew I looked good. Michael didn't need to give a reminder.
"Could you please stop with the compliments? You're sweet, but it's getting really old. Unless you plan to give me a massage, a plane ticket for Miami, some wine, or even Newports, I'm not interested, Michael." I'd already placed the roses in this vase filled with water and slipped off these boots.
"Sorry. Um, what are you doing tonight?" Michael simply watched as I flipped on the stereo to play Quiet Storm. His brown eyes glanced back and forth.
"I'm taking a bubble bath. Go have fun trying to ruin Prince's marriage. I'm not getting back together with you." Annoyed, I stomped near the bedroom door and sighed out loud.
Michael just walked away.
