Dedicated to Nippy

1985 - the first encounter

1985

"Janet! Janet.. come on there's someone I'd like you to meet," Jermaine pulled at her arm, trying to get her to budge.

"Jermaine, I don't even like you like that for you to be pulling at my arm like this," Janet rolled her eyes and pulled her arm away from him. "Okay, I'll come and meet whoever the hell this is you want me to meet."

Jermaine pulled Janet into the studio. Angelic vocals sounded from the booth. Janet set her eyes on the slim, tall woman singing her heart out in the booth. She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding gazing upon the brown beauty. Her eyes were tightly closed, letting the music wave her into different emotions. Janet frowned as the song ended. It felt like she'd been singing for a lifetime and her life finally ended.

"Jermaine!" The woman hugged Janet's brother tightly.

"Hey Whitney, this is my younger sister Janet."

"I know," the girl giggled, "Hi, I'm Whitney." Whitney stuck out her hand for Janet to shake.

Janet shook her hand timidly but didn't verbalize a response.

"Okay, well, I'll let you two get acquainted. I'll be back later," Jermaine turned and left the studio leaving the two women to mingle.

"You're sleeping with my brother aren't you?" Janet bluntly questioned.

"W-what?"

"You're sleeping with my brother. I can tell."

"Are you gonna tell?" Whitney's eyes pleaded for remorse. She didn't mean to fall for a married man. Nobody wants to fall for a married man.

"Of course not, none of my business. I hope you know he won't leave his wife. Men never leave their wives."

Whitney sighed, "I know that. I know. I just like to pretend he will... lying to myself makes the situation better."

"Well that doesn't sound healthy," Janet snickered.

"You're judging me," Whitney pouted.

"I'm not, I'm judging my brother. His old ass has no business messing around with you."

"I know... So how did you like the song?" Whitney smiled.

"It was nice... your voice is nice."

"Thank you," Whitney smiled awkwardly. She was used to relentless praise when it came to her singing. She was used to people throwing compliments at her feet. But Janet failed to follow the protocol. "I hope that means you'll buy the album."

"Maybe... if you buy mine."

"Oh, you're recording?"

Janet nodded, "The release date is for next year. Keep an ear out for it."

"Of course."

Jermaine filed back into the room breaking up the conversation between Whitney and Janet. Janet said her goodbyes as she and Jermaine left the studio.

"Jermaine I can't believe you're hurting that poor girl like that," Janet scolded.

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't play that shit, come on. I know you're sleeping with her."

"Did she tell you--"

"That doesn't matter. What matters is if you get that girl pregnant you'll be in a hell of a lot of trouble. She looks like she doesn't believe in abortion."

Jermaine rolled his eyes, "I hate you."

"That's fine. You'll be hating somebody else when a blue plus sign appears on that white stick."

Jermaine scoffed and hurried out of the building leaving Janet behind to catch up.

Janet laughed at her brother and continued her walk down the quiet hall.