The Question of Him

love & happiness

November 22, 1996

Amiyah begged me to stay up and watch the late showing of my tour of Paisley. It aired on the 18th and the 20th, but we missed it both times. I've seen snippets on the local news and thought I could've done better.

"Mommy you look pretty on tv." She was at the bottom of the bed, pointing out where we were in the video. "Thank you baby."

"This is Studio B, everyone's favorite. I think they're finishing a soundtrack in here right now, so let me see if we can go in." I disappear inside for a few moments, then come back out with a yes.

"Does your boss use this studio? Since you mentioned it's everyone's favorite."

"He does. Darren, this is Wyclef of the Fugees and one of Paisley Parks best engineers, Keith Winters. If you didn't know already, there's a movie coming out with Nia Long and Larenz Tate by the name of Love Jones. Wyclef is doing the soundtrack."

I guess I didn't look as awkward as I was feeling at that moment. It was strange having a whole film crew follow me around for an hour.

It was cut down to thirty minutes, and by the end Amiyah was half sleep. I move her up and put the duvet over her. "What time is Terry coming?" She asks with a yawn. "He'll be here when you get out of school."

"I missed him. Don't forget to show him my painting.."

"I won't baby. Now get some sleep." I kiss her forehead and turn the television off, laying back. "Goodnight babygirl."

•••

"Terence!" He turns around and locks eyes with me, smiling widely. We meet each other halfway and hug. "I missed you Cam. You look happy."

"I am! I missed your lanky ass too." He puts his arm around my shoulder as we walk out the crowded airport. "I know you did."

After stopping to get something to eat, I drive us back to my place. When I show him Amiyah's painting of himself, he promised he would hang it in his apartment.

"Did you talk to your brother yet? I saw him a few days ago."

"Yeah, I talked to him earlier. He wants me to bring you to Thanksgiving dinner, but you'll be out of town, so." Here he goes. "Terry we talked about this already. We'll be back Saturday night." I look over at him in the loveseat, sitting with his hands behind his head. "I know, I just wish we could spend more time together. Tryna make up for lost time, y'know."

"I know what you mean. I'm sorry the trip was a last minute thing."

"When am I gonna meet this guy anyway? Amiyah raves about him, so I'll go easy." He jokes. You've already met him, I want to say. Instead I roll my eyes playfully and shrug. We sit and talk for the next two hours about my job and his band. It's mostly jokes until the time comes to get Amiyah. Terry insists on going to get her while I wait in front of the school for them.

About ten minutes later they come out with Khaled and Prince. For some reason I grow nervous seeing them talk, thankfully in a friendly manner, but it still made me nervous.

Miyah latched on to Terence's hand and waved at me as they descended the steps. I waved back, getting everyone's attention. Prince gives a small smile when they make it to the car. "Nice to see you Ms. Camille."

"Nice to see you too Mr. Nelson. Hello there Khaled." He waves shyly, "Hey Ms. Camille."

Amiyah hugs him and says bye to Prince before Terence helps her into the backseat. When he's done, he closes the door and opens the passenger side door. "Mr. Nelson was telling me his club has a private jam session on the third Friday of every month. We should go for a few hours."