Chapter 1: Naked truth

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Saturday was always my day to finesse a cup of coffee, open the blinds, light my caramel apple scented candles, and blast Sir and Lucky Daye as if the air in my lungs depended on it. It was near 1pm when I finally decided to open up my eyes. The sun peeked through my window... Greeting me with warmth and good vibes. I took in a breath... Inhaling the air of the caramel drizzled chicken and garlic mashed potatoes I had made last night, the scent of it nostalgic... As well as my Hookah I had burned.... The scents were still lingering as if they didn't want to leave... So was my white button up blouse and high waist jeans as they lay on the corner of my couch like an unwanted booty call overstaying his welcome.

I shook my head, and walked slowly over to last night's outfit.. the musk of my perfume still on the collar... my head was still throbbing like a relentless drum. Had I drank too much wine... Again? Pushing the though to the far back of my mind... I picked up my clothes, and crossed over to the hamper in my laundry room. Throwing them in... I swiftly turned to my left... Able to fully get a good look at my apartment...

The essence of black and white truly finessed my vibe

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The essence of black and white truly finessed my vibe. I still had to sometimes pinch myself... Recalling the days my knees would turn red from getting on my knees... Praying my way out of the 2 bedroom I shared with my uncle and three cousins. My uncle who claimed he wasn't a pimp... Swore up and down he wasn't a pimp... But wore one gold tooth, and so many alligator shoes it would make Steve Harvey Jealous. Females came in and out of the very small two bedroom.. asses from here to Zimbabwe....I had never seen so many lace fronts along with so much ass in my life. As a matter of fact, until this day I think I'm traumatized by ass. Yeah, uncle Ray was a pimp... A pimp in full out gold tooth, red alligator shoes denyle. Because not once when I lived with him in that house full of ass and black and mild aroma did he have a job.. but always had money and pussy. Yeah, okay.

Smells like a pimp. But hey, none of my business. I always lived by the philosophy of get it how you live, because when you're down on your last.. so hungry your stomach is meeting your back, no one's going to get it for you.

I made my way to the kitchen... The cold floor kissing the soles of my feet. I couldn't help but to take in yet another deep breath.. it was a breath of relief and gratitude. As my coffee began to growl in the pot... A smile began to grace across my face. She would have been proud. Marisol would have been damn proud to witness how far I had come.

"Now we gotta go to Paris like we always said we would Angel face!.. we made it!" It was almost like I could hear here high pitched friendly voice.. as if she were standing right next to me.

We did make it Marisol. And in another life... A more beautiful, promising life full of less hate and an overflow of love... No fear of simply walking outside to get food.. or something as simple as toilet paper... A life of vibes and God like energy.... We will go to Paris in our stylish fur coats as we hold our peppermint tea with our pinky up. We'll paint the streets of Paris... I'll get their finest bottle of wine.. And on the very last day, we'll twerk near the Eiffel Tower... Middle fingers up to our exes. In another lifetime babygirl... Promise.

I sat on my couch... White lace still on. The sweet and bitter taste of French Vanilla was promising on my lips. I threw my head back, my shoulder length curls went back with it. Soon, my phone rang, Sadly interrupting my vibe. I didn't want to... But I answered it. You know how you're vibing so good you pray to the vibing gods that nothing will kill your flow? I was just about to pull up Spotify on my phone too.

"Hello?" I said, trying with everything inside me not to sound as annoyed as I looked. The steam from my coffee was still fresh. "Hi is this Melody Long?" I honestly wanted to say no. I forced my smile again.. "This is she."

"Hi! This is Ron Housely... I'm the director for arts and creations LLC."

Oh shit!

I said to myself. I then sat up on the couch.. placing my coffee down. Ronald Housely was hands down one of the best art event promoters in the city. "Hi Mr. Housely how are you?" My stomach started to do that queezy butterfly shit it did when I got nervous. I didn't show my nerves though... I played like I had it altogether, like I knew myself and been knowing myself since I came out the womb. I pulled out my inner Beyonce' of confidence as Ron began to speak.

"I had time to meet up with the team... We would love to have you showcase your work at the event this Friday. The theme for the event is Naked Vibrations.... The art should define coming into who you are, growing into who you are not only as an artist... But as a person. Coming up from the struggle and using the stones thrown to build your own foundation. Not fearing how you look naked not only on the outside... But on the inside as well. Each of us has a naked truth within us hidden that we must decide to eventually share with the world... It's that naked truth that has the ability to heal others, helping them peel off their layers of clothes they so often use to hide who they really are... Truth is raw, ugly, and even sometimes painful. But that truth... That naked truth is also beautiful."

I nodded through the phone. "Yes... Yes I would love to. It's an honor Mr. Housely.. thank you." I really didn't know what else to say. I pictured my painting already in my head. Ofcourse I was going to paint from scratch. That's how I did most of my work.

"Good... The pay for this is 3 thousand. How's that?" It was almost as if he was telling and not asking.

I gulped.. "That's fine! Thank you! I'm excited."

"Great." He replied in a sing song tone. I'll send all of the information to your email. I'll see you Friday. Oh, and you are more than welcome to bring a few friends."

We hung up... I shot up like the coffee I drank had other shit in it. I was excited, nervous, and passionate all in one. I was for sure going to paint from scratch. The naked truth?... How was I going to depict that in the painting? This was big! Mr. Housely had an eye for art and the fact that he even considered me.. I know it was making my ancestors dance.

I would vibe for the rest of the day, letting my mind flow... Not overthinking. The naked truth? It's true we all have a naked truth that we are truly afraid to reveal. I was more than excited to express that through my painting. My naked truth was and still is indeed beautiful... But painful. A mixture of love, hope, life, truth, lies, faith, pain, lust, and most of all... Art.

I was ready.

Lately I been feeling like was born ready. Hopefully that won't change.


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