Crossroads

by Skyy

  Denise walked up to them and shook Melanie’s hand.

  “Thank you for having me. I must say I was surprised to open the envelope.”

  “Why is that?”

  “Well, I ... I guess I didn’t get why.”

  “Denise, walk with me.” Melanie walked away, leaving the two girls in their places.

  Denise followed.

  Melanie led Denise outside onto her balcony. The view of the city was breathtaking at their height. Melanie closed the sliding glass door behind them.

  “So, you are wondering why you were invited here.” Melanie smiled.

  “Yeah, I mean, I’m not that important. I have one modeling gig, and even you said I’m not very good at doing it.”

  Melanie let out a chuckle. “I said you are no model.” Melanie sat down in one of the two Monaco swivel lounge chairs that faced the matching loveseat. She motioned for Denise to sit. “Tell me, Denise, what is it that you want to accomplish here in New York?”

  Denise sat in the plush black chair. “Well, honestly, after my basketball dream was shattered, I didn’t know what I was going to do. My agent and friend Mariah got me the job with Jocku.” Denise noticed Melanie staring at her.

  “And once Jocku is no more, what do you plan to do?” Melanie’s strong voice commanded attention and made Denise nervous.

  “Honestly, I really don’t know.”

  Melanie stared at Denise. The tips of her lips curved upward. “Denise, I must admit when I saw you in the Jocku ad, I was impressed. Not with your modeling, but with you in general. You have something about you, something very special. I don’t even think you realize it.”

  “I can’t say that I do. I was always known as the ballplayer. Not really as anything besides that.” Denise lowered her head. She couldn’t help feel a little ashamed.

  “That is one of the things that make you unique. You didn’t come here hoping to be a star, even though you have amazing star potential.” Melanie smiled. “Tell me a little more about your family, Denise. Your mother, grandmother.”

  Denise’s guard was up. She wondered why Melanie was so interested in her family life. Melanie’s eyes were warm, Denise felt she was sincere, but something wasn’t sitting right with her.

  “Well, there’s not much to tell. I already told you that my grandmother raised me. I don’t know my father. As for my mom, she was on drugs.”

  Melanie’s lip quivered as Denise spoke. “It’s such a shame.”

  “What?”

  “That you didn’t know your mother.” Melanie sat up. “Or your father.”

  “I guess, I just take it as it being life. I doubt there was much I missed out on.”

  “How can you say that?” Melanie snapped. “You could be just like them and not know it.”

  “I doubt it. My mom was a crackhead. That will never be me.” Denise was irritated.

  Melanie crossed her arms. “I can see the subject is sensitive for you.”

  “I’m just not used to anyone being so interested in my family life like this.”

  “I’m sorry if you feel I was prying. I just like to know what makes a person the way they are. Your features are so defined, I’m sure you got them from your mother. You should thank her for that. She made a beautiful child.”

  Denise noticed the change in Melanie’s eyes. She looked as though she was going to cry.

  “I can tell you that I do get my looks from my mother. We looked just alike. Her hair was longer than mine, but besides that, everything else seemed to be from her.”

  Melanie smiled. “I’m sure you did.” Melanie couldn’t take her eyes off of Denise. “Denise, what did your agent friend tell you about me?”

  Denise thought about Mariah’s words. “She just said that you are a good person to be in contact with.”

  “She is right. The fashion world is only one aspect of what I’m involved in. I believe in uplifting the black gay and lesbian community, especially the lesbian community. Helping us to finally have a voice in the entertainment industry.”

  Denise nodded. “That sounds great.”

  “When I see potential in someone, I like to take them under my wing, help them to be the best they can be.” Melanie’s eyes met Denise’s. “I would like to take you under my wing, if you are interested.”

  “Why? Why would you want to do that, and what would you get out of it?” Denise stood up with her guard up.

  Her stance caused Melanie to laugh.

  “This is not the movies, Denise, everyone isn’t out for blood. I told you, I see something special in you. And when you blow up I expect you to mention my name in your award acceptance speeches. Now, let’s get back to the party. There is someone I want you to meet.”

  The two walked back into the living room. Denise noticed the decadent spread of foods. Waiters walked around serving cocktails to the guests. Denise noticed Farih talking to a group of people. Her beautiful smile lit up the corner.

  “Ahh ... I see you walked in with Farih,” Melanie whispered. “That is a good pick, you two would be dynamite together.”

  Denise looked at Melanie and smiled. She liked the idea herself. Mariah entered Denise’s head, ruining her dream of Farih.

  “George.”

  Melanie and Denise walked up to a group of gay men. Denise couldn’t believe her eyes as Melanie kissed the cheek of movie director George Kyles.

  “This is Denise Chambers.”

  The men looked at Denise and greeted her with handshakes and nods.

  George looked at her from head to toe. He reached his hand out and shook hers.

  “You are the Jocku girl,” George responded in a deep Southern accent.

  “Yes, I am. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Devious Minds was an amazing movie.”

  George cracked half of a smile. “You were right, Melanie. She does have the look.”

  Denise looked at Melanie, who nodded her head. She wanted to say something but stayed silent. Denise suddenly felt like she was on display. The men studied her like she was a piece of art.

  “Tell me something, Denise. Can you act?”

  “Act?” Denise repeated.

  “Yes.” George didn’t take his eyes off of her face.

  “I don’t really know. I’ve never done it before.” Denise felt like she was standing naked in front of a room full of people.

  “Well, how would you like the chance to try?”

  Denise’s eyes widened. “Are you serious? Sure, I would like the chance to try.”

  George snapped his fingers. A young gay man walked up holding a bag. He handed a card to George. Denise could tell the young assistant was well trained.

  “Be here. Let’s see what you can do.”

  Denise looked at the card. The front was black with George Kyles Productions embossed in gold. She turned it over to see a location, date and time written on the back.

  “I will be there.”

  Farih walked up with two glasses of champagne. “I thought you might want a glass.”

  “Oh, Farih, do you get more stunning each time I see you, darling?” George’s flamboyant gay male side appeared as he kissed Farih on both of her cheeks.

  “I only do it just for you.” Farih schmoozed with the males, who were hanging on her every word.

  George looked at Denise and Farih. “Are you two ...?”

  Farih looked at Denise and blushed. She turned back to the group. “Oh no, we just met.”

  “Thank goodness. That would be too much beauty in one relationship,” one of the other gay males stated, causing everyone to laugh.

  “Well, people, sit back and enjoy. Drink and eat, so we don’t have anything to clean up afterwards,” Melanie declared.

  “Melanie, please, like you lift a finger in this place.” George flicked his wrist.

  “Well, my workers don’t want a lot to do.” Melanie snapped her fingers in a Z-formation. “Now get drunk, bitches.”

  The crowd laughed.

  Denise no longer felt li
ke the center of attention. She looked at Farih and smiled. She took a sip of the bubbly, determined to make the one glass last the whole night.

  Denise and Farih walked out of the building. They’d spent the majority of the night at each other’s side. Denise loved the way Farih commanded attention with her beauty and grace. She could hold a conversation with anyone. One minute she was talking foreign policies, the next, laughing about the crazy reality shows that covered TV.

  Denise also noticed how sexy Farih was. Farih swayed her body to a song playing. Her body moved with little effort. She was naturally sexy, stunningly beautiful like Lena, but she had a regal appeal to her.

  “So do you want me to hail you a cab?” Denise looked at Farih.

  “That’s sweet of you, however, I live right down the way.”

  “Oh, well, excuse me then.”

  They both laughed.

  “At least let me walk you to your place.”

  “That would be fine.”

  Farih’s smile caused butterflies to flutter inside of Denise. They walked down the expensive street.

  Farih turned to Denise. “So tell me something, Denise. Did you really not recognize me when we met at the go-see?”

  “I’m sorry, but no, I didn’t. I don’t read many fashion magazines. Let me guess. You are in some big campaigns, aren’t you?”

  Farih laughed. “You could say that.”

  “Like what?”

  “Ummm, let me see ... Victoria’s Secret, Cover Girl and Sports Illustrated.”

  Denise froze in her spot. Her face dropped. “Are you serious?”

  Farih chuckled as she nodded her head.

  “Excuse me while I wipe the egg off of my face. You must think I’m an idiot.”

  “No.” Farih placed her hand on Denise’s shoulder. “I actually find it refreshing. You didn’t flirt with me because of who I am.”

  “So you think I’m flirting with you?” Denise retorted.

  “Aren’t you?” Farih paused, and her smile faded. “You weren’t. Now I have egg on my face.” She turned to walk away.

  Denise grabbed her hand and smirked.

  “I was. Just glad to see you noticed.” Denise winked her right eye.

  “Well, this is my place.” Farih blushed. “You wouldn’t want to come up, would you, maybe for some espresso?” Farih’s brown eyes were calling to Denise.

  “Can I take a rain check? It’s late, and I fear if I go up, I might not want to come out.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with that.” Farih didn’t take her eyes off Denise’s.

  “I can’t.” Denise looked away from Farih’s alluring eyes. She knew Mariah was at the house waiting on her. “But can I get a rain check?”

  “Sure.” Farih pulled Denise’s phone out of its holster. She locked her phone number into the phone. “Call me. Good night Denise Chambers.”

  “Good night, Farih Okoro.”

  Denise watched as Farih walked into the building. She sighed.

  What are you getting yourself into, Denise?

  Denise quietly walked into the apartment. Her guilty conscience was eating away at her. She cared about Mariah, but she couldn’t help the strong attraction she had for Farih.

  Denise walked into the bedroom to find the bed empty and made up. She looked around, the place was empty. She looked at the clock on the wall. It was two in the morning, and Mariah wasn’t at the apartment. Denise stood in the bedroom looking around. There were no signs of Mariah. Her work clothes weren’t out. No shoes on the floor. Denise wondered if she came home at all.

  Denise grabbed her cell phone and proceeded to text Mariah. As she prepared to press send, she heard laughing at the front door. Denise jumped, turning the bedroom light off. She peered through the door to the living room.

  “Oh, that was crazy.” Mariah stumbled into the house.

  A tall white male held her up as they walked in the house. Denise moved back, making sure Mariah didn’t see her.

  Mariah flipped her shoes off. Her black pantsuit she wore to work was replaced by a form-fitting navy mini dress.

  The male smiled, looking Mariah up and down with a lustful look. Denise knew what was on his mind.

  Mariah smiled, turning toward the man. “Well, I had an amazing time.”

  “I did too,” the male said. “So, how about a nightcap?”

  Mariah smiled. She placed her hands on the male’s broad chest. “Maybe next time.” Mariah leaned in, pressing her lips against his.

  Anger filled Denise’s body. She wanted to storm through the doors, but something stopped her. She continued to watch the lingering kiss and embrace.

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to stay?” The male rubbed his body against Mariah. He kissed her on her neck.

  Mariah seemed to enjoy it. She grabbed the male by his blonde hair, planting another kiss on him.

  Denise felt her stomach turn.

  “Not tonight hun, but trust me, I’ll give you a rain check.” Mariah smiled as she slowly pushed him toward the door.

  Denise could see the small bulge forming in the man’s pants. After a few more moments of contesting, the guy finally left. Denise felt her blood boiling.

  Mariah locked the door.

  Denise sat on the side of the bed, trying to keep her cool.

  Mariah hummed a tune while walking to the bedroom. She turned the light on and jumped at the sight of Denise.

  “Dee. Oh my God, you scared me,” Mariah said, holding her chest from the fright.

  Denise peered at Mariah with a dark expression.

  Mariah could feel the anger coming from Denise. She turned toward the mirror and began to take her jewelry off. “How was the party?”

  “You really gon’ act like I just didn’t see yo ass.”

  Mariah turned around. “What?”

  “What the fuck was that at the door?” Denise stood up. Mariah’s calm demeanor only angered Denise more.

  “That was Ronald,” Mariah answered as she turned back around to the mirror.

  “OK, I see you trying to play real dumb right now, so I’m going to ask one more time. What the fuck—”

  “First, Denise, before you finish that statement, you need to remember our arrangement. I am single, and so are you. We aren’t exclusive, you don’t have to answer to me, and I don’t have to answer to you.”

  The words hit Denise like a ton of bricks.

  Mariah walked past Denise like nothing was happening. She pulled her dress off.

  Denise was speechless. She watched as Mariah pranced around the room like nothing was wrong. Mariah and the guy kissing entered Denise’s mind again.

  “So, you mean this whole time we been kicking it, you been kicking it with other people? And not just other people, you fucking with dudes?”

  “Again we are both single. You can go out with other people too.”

  Denise paced the floor, shaking her head. “Nah, man! This isn’t my style. I don’t fuck random muthafuckas. I’m not trying to be sleeping with you, and you are fucking around with other people—ugh—and dudes. Hell naw, that’s nasty as hell!”

  Mariah’s head jerked around. “So you are calling me nasty?”

  “No. I’m saying you fucking with other people and not letting me know is not cool. Have you been out fucking some dude then coming back and letting me fuck you?” Denise’s mind raced. Her ex, Crystal entered her mind. She’d caught Crystal having sex with a man in their dorm room freshman year.

  “No, Denise. I wouldn’t do that. I haven’t been sleeping with anyone but you. But I won’t make any promises that I won’t be seeing other people, and possibly something might happen. If that’s too much for you to handle, we can stop this now and go back to just being friends.” Mariah stood on her side of the bed.

  Denise looked at her with a disgusted expression. “Yeah, maybe I need to start looking for a new place.”

  Mariah sighed. “Oh, don’t be dramatic, Denise. You don’t have to leave. You can still
live here, same deal and everything.”

  “I don’t know if I will be cool with knowing you are fucking around with other people, seeing ole dude come up in here.”

  Mariah walked up to Denise. She reached out and grabbed Denise’s hand. “Denise, I’m sorry, but I thought we both made it perfectly clear that we weren’t in a relationship. You seemed to stress that more than I did.”

  Denise looked away from Mariah. She knew she was right, but didn’t want to admit it. Denise took a deep breath. She looked at Mariah. All of a sudden she looked very different to her.

  “Yeah, you’re right. It’s cool. Do your thing. I do think it’s best we stop fooling around though.”

  “If that’s what you want, then fine, but you really don’t have to leave. If you don’t want to sleep in here, you can sleep in the guest room. Nothing has changed.”

  “Yeah, I think I’ll do that.”

  Mariah smiled. She hugged Denise.

  Denise didn’t hug back.

  Mariah pulled away, her face covered in disappointment. She smiled, trying to hide her true feelings.

  “So how was the party? Did you meet a lot of people?”

  Denise nodded. “Yeah, I got an audition with George Kyles.”

  Mariah’s eyes widened. “Wow, that’s amazing. See, I told you it was a good idea to go.”

  “Yeah,” Denise muttered, the shock of everything still affecting her.

  Mariah noticed Denise’s hesitation. “Denise, are you OK with this?”

  “It’s just I wasn’t expecting to see that. I’ll be cool. I’m tired. I’m going to bed.”

  Denise walked out the room and headed to the guest room. She almost forgot Mariah had another room in her house. She turned on the lights. The room was much different from the rest of the house. The walls were white with splashes of various shades of blue.

  Denise closed the door. She sat on the side of the bed and stared into space. She felt played, even though technically she wasn’t. The sound of her text alert going off brought her back to reality.

  Farih: Wanted to make sure you made it home.

  Denise re-read the message. Farih’s smile entered her mind.