Watercolors: Ellison Brothers

by Vera Roberts

  Aaliyah knew Laura was simply humoring her. Surely, she’d seen the pictures of her and Ocean. “Well, trying to get the shop set up for filming. I’ve been really busy with a lot of clients lately. Everything is great, just excited about filming.”

  Laura nodded and smiled. “That’s why we’re meeting with you tonight. We wanted to talk to you about filming.”

  Aaliyah felt a wash of sadness over her. Did her association with Ocean just ruin her TV show? She certainly hoped not but she had to be prepared for the possibility. “Yes?”

  “We saw the recent story with you and Senator Ocean Ellison.” Tony smiled. “Are you two dating?”

  “Uh, no.” Aaliyah clearly stated. “Ocean and I are just…friends.”

  “Just friends?” Laura asked with a twinkle in her eyes. “That kiss didn’t seem like a friendly one.”

  “Ocean’s very affectionate.” Aaliyah chose her words carefully. She immediately felt like she was giving an interview to Oprah or Barbara Walters on primetime TV and she had to be careful on what she said for it could come back to haunt her. “That is all.”

  “Okay.” Laura replied. “I’m asking because I was wondering if Senator Ellison would be interested in appearing in a few episodes? It would make for excellent television.”

  Aaliyah breathed easily. Her show was saved but the idea people would be tuning in to see a glimpse of Ocean made her angry. She was Aaliyah Smith before Ocean waltzed back into her and she would be Aaliyah Smith – not Ellison – when he waltzed himself back out.

  “I don’t think Ocean is able to do anything like that because of ethics and all.” Aaliyah stated. “I’m also pretty sure he doesn’t want to. He likes to keep a low profile as possible considering his name and being a first-term senator.” She also didn’t want him anywhere near her show.

  “Oh, that’s a shame. I would think with his name, he would want more people and potential voters tuning in. It would be nice to give everyone a sneak peek of what it’s like to date a politician and everything that it entails.” Laura greeted the server, who took their orders. “It’s something to consider.”

  “I thought this show was about me and my shop?” Aaliyah hoped her voice didn’t come out accusatory. “Ocean is just a friend and I don’t want him subjected to a show that may not show him in a positive light.”

  “We’ll take all of the necessary precautions to make sure Ocean is viewed favorably. Hell, if we can just get a glimpse of you two going somewhere without him speaking, that would be great. Or even a shot of you coming back from seeing him; he doesn’t even have to be on camera at all.” Shane replied.

  “We want to take advantage of this momentum, Aaliyah.” Ian chimed in. “The world is talking about you and Ocean now. Everyone knows you have a show coming up and they’re going to tune in to see if Ocean makes an appearance. This would make for excellent TV.”

  “Ocean is a United States Senator,” Aaliyah countered with a bit more assertiveness in her voice. “He is not going to risk humiliation from his colleagues and distracting questions from the press just so he can be on my reality show. Furthermore, I wouldn’t want him to appear. I have plenty other celebrity friends who will be glad to appear on my show.”

  “Just keep an open mind to the possibility,” Laura replied with the same sparkle in her eyes, “it wouldn’t hurt you or him at all.”

  Laura sounded like a used car salesman who was trying to sell a lemon to an old lady on a fixed income. Aaliyah wanted to believe her but something felt increasingly unsettling about the whole ordeal. She just hoped her show garnered another ratings where Ocean would be an afterthought in everyone’s minds. “We’ll see.”

  “Hey, if baby girl doesn’t want Ocean on the show, that’s final.” Tony stepped in for his friend. “I’m sure we can have other topics and episodes that have nothing to do with him. It’ll be fine and no worries. People were interested in Aaliyah before Ocean and they’ll be interested in her after him. One man doesn’t make a show.”

  Aaliyah glanced over at Tony, who winked back at her. He may’ve come off as a class clown and never took anything serious but his barber shop, but when it came to protecting his friends and family, he always showed out.

  ~~~~~~

  It was a long day for Ocean.

  In D.C., no one cared about Aaliyah and his not-quite-a-fail-but-not-quite-a-success publicity stunt. Instead, he focused on the endless meetings with his constituents, lobbyists, special interest groups, and his staff. Ocean was so wrapped up in meetings, he ate lunch at his desk.

  He was only able to send Aaliyah a text earlier in the day and wished he had more time to talk or at least text with her. It was business as usual in Capitol Hill and Ocean knew his colleagues wouldn’t be sympathetic over him missing his…friend.

  Not girlfriend, but not quite a friend. Dating? Boo thang? Boo?

  Aaliyah.

  He wasn’t one for titles and preferred his actions spoke more than words. Aaliyah was insistent she was not his girlfriend and Ocean wondered if that was the case, why did she let him spend the night? It was clear she wanted something more than she vocalized.

  Worrying about what his relationship status wasn’t a priority and Ocean felt silly for acting like a love struck high-schooler. When he had free time later, he would call Aaliyah and ask about her day and if her meeting with the network went okay.

  He knew he took a risk coming back into Aaliyah’s life and was more than prepared for her to tell him to fuck off. Well, she did tell him that many times. Eventually, her fuck off morphed into a fuck me once they made love.

  Just when he was about to head into another meeting, his secretary rang his phone. “Ocean, you have a visitor. His name is Ricardo Montez. He says he just wants a few words with you before you go to the committee meeting.”

  Ocean felt coldness still in his body. Ricardo Montez had a lot of pull in D.C. and anyone who knew him, knew how much his reach was. He had connects seemingly everywhere and was on generally good terms with everyone who wasn’t a Republican.

  The fact he wanted a private meeting with Ocean after the disastrous date with his daughter did not sit well with the younger man. Ocean knew better to burn any bridges would potentially need to cross. Unless Ricardo was coming in to apologize for his boring and uninteresting canned responses daughter, one of them was going to be insulted by the end of it.

  Ocean already knew it was going to be him. “Send him in.” He hung up and waited for Ricardo’s appearance.

  A short time later, Ricardo strolled through Ocean’s office door and smiled at him. “Hey Ocean,” he held out his hand and Ocean promptly shook it. “Thanks for meeting with me on short notice.”

  Ocean knew he didn’t have a choice but didn’t say anything. He just admired how Ricardo looked in his business suit. He reminded Ocean of a godfather-like figure or even a mafia boss. The sixth sense in Ocean told him it wasn’t a wrong feeling and probably something every person felt once they encountered Ricardo.

  He was a tall man, with salt and pepper hair that sprinkled his beard. He commanded attention no matter where he went and he quickly owned a room even if he wasn’t a guest – pretty much what he was doing in Ocean’s office.

  He had big dick energy and didn’t hesitate to tell anyone about it. A well-versed man in everything politics and even pop culture, he was often a favorite on CNN, MSNBC, and had an impressive Twitter following. Younger and older women adored him. Younger and older men respected him.

  There were numerous calls for him to run for office, but he’d always declined telling everyone he was very much a background player. What he didn’t tell anyone was how much power he had being hidden and secluded.

  It didn’t take long for Ocean to realize Ricardo wanted to meet with Ocean and was going to get a meeting with him, one way or another. Now it became the why he was in his office. “May I offer you a beverage?”

  “Oh no, I won’t take long.” Ricardo sat down before Ocean and Ocean
followed. “I wanted to talk with you about the other night. You went out with my daughter, Ximena, yes? She said you had to leave early to go back to Atlanta.”

  “That I did.” Ocean’s voice remained flat and emotionless.

  “Were there any problems?” Ricardo asked. “She said she had a lovely time and it was one of the best dates she’s been on in a long time.”

  With how dry she was? Ocean was bored out of his mind with Ximena and was thankful it was only a one-time event. Ximena was canned and rehearsed; Aaliyah was free and unbridled.

  Aaliyah conversed about everything under the moon. She took an interest in basket weaving and coding. The interests were so different from each other, yet Aaliyah had a solid interest in both. That was the type of enigma she was.

  Ximena, on the other hand, merely pretended she cared. Ocean figured if he asked her about why black women didn’t support a black man when he was gunned down by the police due to his anti-black statements, she wouldn’t get it.

  Ocean got the feeling he was already giving Ximena the go-ahead to pick out china patterns when he didn’t even want to bed her. “There were no problems.”

  “So, this means you will see her again, right?” Ricardo smiled. “She took a liking to you.”

  “Mr. Montez…”

  “Please, call me Ricardo.”

  Mmhmm. The older man was making more of their newfound friendship than what it needed to be. “Ricardo, you have a lovely daughter but I can’t give her the same attention she deserves. I’m sure there are a lot of other candidates…” Ocean wanted to say saps but kept it cute and mute. “…who would gladly oblige her.”

  Ricardo was silent for a short moment as he tapped his finger on the armrest. He chewed his lips briefly before he spoke. “I hope your opinion has nothing to do with whoever is in Atlanta.”

  Ricardo was playing with a full deck of cards and already showed Ocean his hand. Now the meeting became interesting. “Okay,” was Ocean’s only response.

  “She’s a nice girl, that tattoo artist. Though, her past might not make her such a viable candidate for carrying the Ellison legacy.” Ricardo stated.

  “I think the only person who will determine who carries the Ellison legacy is a member of the Ellison’s’.” Ocean politely reminded. “It’s not just the three of us; there are plenty of uncles, aunts, and cousins who have a strong desire in politics.”

  “Yeah, but there’s something about you in particular,” Ricardo reminded. “No matter what people say about any other member of your family, you’re the favorite one. You remind people of how politics used to be and what it could return to.”

  “Politics in the past wasn’t a Jimmy Stewart movie and I’m sure even your ancestors would beg to differ.” Ocean answered. “People are more open-minded, realize we all can do better, and should.”

  “That is why my Ximena would be the perfect companion for you.” Ricardo reminded. “She is well-versed in many subjects and has her hand in a lot of pots. She could speak when you can’t.”

  “But that means she wouldn’t want to stay at home unless I ask her?” Ocean countered.

  “Do you think your tattoo artist friend would stay home if you asked her?” Ricardo replied.

  Have you considered I would’ve changed for you? I would’ve gone through all of the makeovers, tattoo removals, all of that because I believed in you! I would’ve done all of it and I didn’t even get the opportunity to do so!

  Aaliyah’s angry, tear-filled words burned in Ocean’s heart and he pushed past the pain. “You’re stuck on a person who’s not a factor in why you’re really here.”

  Ricardo’s lips curved into a big smile. “I have a lot of pull and reach in places a first-time senator such as yourself can’t get to. You may not care about another term, but I’m sure other people in your party will want to stay elected.” Ricardo smiled. “It would be wise to play accordingly to ensure what you do, the whole party benefits from.”

  Ricardo issued a thinly veiled threat to Ocean, who became more irritated the longer the man was in his office. “The deal was one evening with your daughter. I delivered.”

  “One evening was the start – not the finish or end game.” Ricardo leaned forward. “Think about how this will look when you’re up for re-election in a few years.”

  “I never said I wanted another term past this one.” Ocean hardened his eyes. “That’s something everyone knows.”

  “But your colleagues might,” Ricardo met Ocean’s tone, “and I’m sure they want the votes I can easily secure them.”

  Ocean leaned back into his leather chair and sighed. “How long have you been pimping out your daughter?”

  “Excuse you?” Ricardo sat back. “Did you just say what I think you did?”

  “You have a storied history of making senators and congressmen go out with your daughter in exchange for something. Her answers were more rehearsed than Broadway actors. I asked her a question about a TV show I liked and she couldn’t even answer the basics of it. And this is a woman who supposedly studied up on me and knew everything about me before I even asked her if she liked coffee or tea.” Ocean lightly bounced in his chair. “That told me she’s done this before and was rather an expert at it.”

  “You need to be very careful at what you’re implying, Ocean.” Ricardo shook his finger. “One more disrespectful word from you and you’re going to regret it.”

  “Good to know. One last note – I’m not my father. You should probably remember that from this moment on.” Ocean gave a cunning smile. “You can see yourself out.”

  “And one last note with you, Ocean – every politician in your party has made the same threat before they eventually bowed down to me. Just like how the NRA has a stronghold on those wack job Republicans, I control the DNC.” Ricardo stood up and buttoned his suit. “You will play accordingly.” He left Ocean’s office.

  Ocean sat back in his office and sighed. He briefly looked up the cameras located in hidden nooks in his office. He already knew the conversation was being recorded as all of them were in his office, due to the insistence of Jay.

  Ocean couldn’t worry about the empty threats Ricardo made to him. He was more concerned at what had started all of this. If Thomas was returning the favor to Ricardo by making Ocean go out with his daughter, what favor did Ricardo owe Thomas to start?

  It was time for Ocean to do his own investigation.

  Seven

  “Did I wake you?”

  Aaliyah yawned for the umpteenth time as she laid in her bed. Ocean sure did wake her but not in the way she wanted, unfortunately. She couldn’t forget how he massaged her pussy until she woke up, then he licked her until she climaxed several times.

  She would have to settle hearing his voice and hoped she didn’t tempt to masturbate over the phone while she listened to it. “Yes, you did.”

  “I’ll call back in the morning, baby.” He got comfortable in his bed. It felt so lonely considering how warm and comfortable Aaliyah’s bed was. “I just wanted to hear your voice before I go to sleep.”

  “How was your day, honey?” She sat up in bed. “Was it productive?”

  “Very. Lots of meetings and arguing over some fruitless points.” Ocean sighed. “Day in and day out about the same ol’, same ol’.”

  “What are you working on?”

  “I’m trying to get that bill passed about calling the police on people who are just breathing.” Ocean said tongue-in-cheek. “It’s a long shot because I already have some opposition. If people think they’re in danger, they’re going to call the cops regardless of skin color. But it happens to more black and brown folk and I’m trying to put a stop to it.”

  Aaliyah felt her heart soar. Ocean was always so passionate about social justice issues before it became the newest Twitter hashtag. He didn’t just talk the talk; he truly lived it regardless of how unpopular the opinion was. “It sounds exciting,” Aaliyah replied. “But then again, this is why you became a senator, to r
ight the wrongs.”

  “Something like that.” Ocean admitted. “Never mind me about me. How was your meeting with the network? Are they excited about your show?”

  “Um, yeah…” Aaliyah thought about not telling Ocean about the network’s idea to incorporate him into the show. She decided to chance it, anyway. “…the network wants to know if you would be interested in appearing? I told them you wouldn’t and that wasn’t your forte, though you weren’t against those who did it.”

  “What would I be doing?” Ocean asked. “How would it look?”

  “You wouldn’t be doing anything bad or participating in any fights or things like that. I doubt I would have any fights at the shop, anyway. They just wanted to know if you would appear in a few episodes. You don’t even have to speak. Just have the appearance there.” The more Aaliyah spoke about the idea, the more she wanted Ocean to be on the show. “But like I said, it’s not necessary.”

  “Hmm…” Ocean quietly replied. “It’s something I’ll have to think about. It wouldn’t be the first time a senator has done something out of the ordinary but that’s usually reserved for established and veteran senators. I’m not sure if a first-time senator like me would get away with that.”

  “Well, it’s just a suggestion, no worries if you can’t, love.” Aaliyah yawned. “I just thought I’ll run the idea past you to see what you thought about it.”

  “Thank you for keeping me informed. I really appreciate it.” Ocean purred. “Anyway, I just wanted to hear your voice again. I’ll let you go back to sleep now, baby. Rest well, my love.”

  “Good night, love. Sleep well.” She hung up on him. Aaliyah laid back down in bed and thought about how it would look for Ocean to make an appearance on her show. Would the producers keep their word and show Ocean only in a positive light? Or would they want to see the conflicts between them?

  What conflicts? Aaliyah thought. Not that they were boring but they were so different. Maybe that’s what people wanted to see. It was certainly why the network was so interested. Race aside, Aaliyah and Ocean came from different worlds.