During this busy day, I found a random package in my office. Everything was intended for Paisley Park of course, but there was no return address on this particular envelope. My mind offered too many questions as I closed the door behind me, opening up this material with curiosity. Maybe it was another fan.
Just seconds after finally opening the package, I now palmed this labeled videotape. More questions ran straight through my own thoughts as I tried to see the Sharpie. In neat penmanship someone wrote, "Valerie Thomas - Pheromone."
I smiled instantly. No matter how much time passed, my heart would always remember that name. We hadn't spoken or seen one another in quite a while, but I was sure that changes in my career had left her with different opinions right now.
At least she mailed this surprise. I could only imagine she had conjured up for the incoming footage. Loading the tape, I waited until my blue television screen vanished and focused, planning to see the woman who changed my life years ago.
Moments later, it was time.
Onscreen, Val stood in the middle of a dance studio floor. Other women aligned to pose in complete silence as my spoken words layered calming ocean waves. Mentally, I remembered every part, listening to the sound of myself this time.
Come.
Lie down beneath my shadow.
Lie down beneath my shadow with great delight.
And your feel will be sweet to me.
Come.
My left hand under your head, while my right embraces time.
Therein, my virgin, love's wine.
When the beat dropped, it was night and day. Val just turned back into the incredible dancer I recognized. In the past, critics had been so focused on her musicianship that choreography took a backburner. This video proved otherwise.
Before this point, I read that she helped craft the dance routine for "If" by Janet Jackson. I could see those similarities now. On screen during my record, Val perfectly blended "Voguing" with Hip-Hop footwork. Whatever this was for, I raved.
Her eyes are closed but there's no penetration.
He just makes her point the pistol to his nose while he masturbates.
And now I see a tear heading down towards her smile.
What happens next it all depends upon your style...
At my bridge, Val showed this burlesque strut, pointed her invisible gun, and pushed her hips to hump the air. Timed perfectly, she then gestured her finger to her left eye. Her hand motion imitated one fallen tear. I smiled again, cheering. My ex had noted key points of the song and nobody else on camera looked this sharp.
It was clearly a rehearsal tape based on how Val dressed. A Nike t-shirt hid this peeking sports bra and cropped sweats clothed her legs. Her curly hair swayed back and forth for the sake of practicing. She didn't even rock makeup or earrings now.
When music finally stopped and the ladies posed on cue, Val glanced over her shoulder and winked. Cameras were planted to film her every move. Other dancers swarmed this front lens, waving to "me". Joy showed the television once more.
"Hi, love. I hope you enjoyed that routine." Val spoke to the camera and stuck her tongue out, laughing as she waved. Seconds later, the footage ended. My heart floated on Cloud Nine. Again, I still could only imagine what she planned this time.
As if planned, the telephone rang on my desk. I smiled once more, hoping to hear from Val after such a long time. To be honest, I felt no shame when my heart dropped and jumped all at once. This was really happening between us both.
We'd finally cross paths again.
"Hello?" I asked.
My smile dropped moments later. It wasn't Valerie on the phone.
One of my personal assistants called me from elsewhere in the complex. This worker explained that someone arrived. My mind jumbled once more, but I stood from my desk and opened the office door, curious about who visited me today.
Within minutes, Val stood in front of me. I opened both arms for us to embrace, but wouldn't allow myself to cry in public. Too many naive employees hustled around us. Five long and ever-changing years had gone by without her. My heart fluttered.
"Hi," Pulling away from our hug, I laughed instead of tripping. I still knew much better. Again, folks on the payroll would've asked questions that I just didn't want to answer. Val was unlike anyone else, one of the few who didn't want anything from me. Silence fell between us as the world stopped, at least in my own mind.
"Hi," Val whispered, kissing my bare cheek. Of course, I'd scrawled "SLAVE" on the opposite side, proving that my time with Warner Bros. rested on its ticking time bomb. For now though, I wouldn't fuss anymore and I'd be a fool to complain.
My girl was back.
"Thanks for the tape." I pulled myself together and cleared my throat, trying not to stare again. She wasn't exactly dolled up this time, but this swell of emotions still washed over me. Even after all this time away, I knew that no protege compared.
"No problem. There's a dance troupe going on tour this summer and I choreographed routines. That footage will be part of a documentary." Valerie explained the video that she sent to me. Of course, I'd felt proud, smiling again.
"Great job! I'll look out for it." I said. Valerie nodded, appreciating my compliment. We just stood in the doorway together. The phone could've rang at any time and I couldn't exactly step away. I'd spent most of my morning in the studio otherwise.
Just when Valerie planned to respond, another woman showed up from the corner of my eye. She even lurked near us.
Mayte.
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