Episode Four

"It All Goes Down"

Simone (standing over a groggy Corey still in bed): I want to go to counseling.

Corey: It is too early in the morning for this.

Simone reached down and snatched the covers off Corey’s body

Simone: Get up. We need to talk.

Corey calmly got out of bed and pulled on a pair of sweat pants. He went into the bathroom to brush his teeth then came back into the room and sat down on the bed.

Simone: We can’t keep going like this, Corey.

Corey: You’re right about that much.

Simone (almost pleading): Why can’t things go back to the way they used to be?

Corey: Simone, sit down. Listen to me.

Simone (near tears): What could you possibly have to say?

Corey: I was never really happy with things the way they used to be. I am not the kind of man who can live under a woman’s thumb. I have to be able to be me.

Simone (angrily): And you can’t do that with me?!

Corey (shaking his head): This isn’t getting us anywhere. I don’t want to argue with you, Simone. I’m pretty sure it won’t help, but if it’s what you need so we can start taking steps to some solutions that will work I will go to counseling with you.

Simone (smiling): Thank you!!!

Corey smiled back and leaned over to give her a hug

Corey: Don’t you have a party to get ready for? You and Carter should be getting out of here soon.

Simone pranced happily out of the bedroom, glad things had gone her way once again. Corey acted up sometimes, but he always came back home.

Once Simone was out of earshot Corey picked up his cellphone from his nightstand and made a call.

Corey: Hello?

Patience: Hey. What’s up?

Corey: Did I wake you up? I’m sorry.

Patience: Nope. I’m up. No grown folks other than yourself try to stay in the bed until noon, Corey.

They both laughed

Patience: I’m glad you called though. I’ve been thinking about something I need to tell you.

Corey (smiling): I’m all ears.

Patience hesitated, and Corey could almost hear the wheels turning in her mind

Patience: When I went away to school I was pregnant with our child

Corey sat in stunned silence for a while before the line went dead

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Asha: Tell me again why I’m being dragged along on this incredibly important meeting?

Natalia: You just said it yourself. This is incredibly important. Why wouldn’t I want my roommate with me?

Asha gave Natalia a look

Asha: Save it. What’s really going on?

Natalia: This is going to be my first time meeting Deondre in person, and I’m kinda nervous. Elijah’s not going to be there.

Asha: What about Dominique?

Natalia laughed

Natalia: She’s not coming either. She said she’s going to some party, and from the sounds of it Elijah’s going too so he can babysit her ass.

Asha laughed too

Asha: You got her in trouble!

Natalia: I did not get her in trouble! She’s trying to keep all the old skeletons in the closet and something must’ve fell out

Asha (shocked): What happened?!

Natalia: I don’t even know! I was an innocent victim in the room while they were sending subliminal “I know what you’ve been up to” messages to each other. Awkward as all hell.

Asha (shaking her head): I wonder what he found out.

Natalia (pulling into the parking lot at the large office building): Let her tell it she had “come across” Deondre before – back when what she was doing could only barely be considered modeling – and she didn’t tell Elijah about it. She said she didn’t even remember him! Apparently that’s what he and Deondre were talking about at the reunion, and that’s why he was acting all pissy with me.

Asha: And he didn’t mention that he knew until that night?!

Natalia: I don’t know! I’m not their sheets or their wallpaper!

Asha (laughing): You were that day!

Natalia shook her head and smiled sheepishly

Natalia: Damn. Ya got me there.

Asha: We’d better get inside and get this show on the road

Natalia (putting a hand on Asha’s shoulder): Actually, I think I’m good to go up by myself.

Asha: You sure?

Natalia (nodding): Yeah. Thank you SO much for using part of your day off to come up here with me though. You’re the best roomie ever!

Natalia got out of the car and smoothed down her skirt. She marched purposefully up the stairs and into the lobby where someone at a large circular desk directed her to the elevator. She rode up to the 7th floor in silence, throwing up prayers and anything else she hoped would be helpful. She was so nervous and preoccupied with her own thoughts she almost missed her floor.

Natalia: Good morning. I have an appointment to see Mr. Garey. The name is Natalia.

The man at the desk made a phone call and Deondre came out shortly after.

Deondre (reaching for Natalia’s hand): Natalia?

Natalia: Yes. Good to finally meet you, Mr. Garey.

Deondre (chuckling): I’m Mr. Garey now? Don’t let the glass doors fool you. This meeting will only be slightly different than the ones we’ve had over the phone.

Natalia smiled

Deondre: Follow me to the studio. I want you to sing for some people.

Natalia walked behind Deondre, linking her fingers together nervously. She’d managed to pull her hair into a ponytail for a sleek look, but now she was beginning to think the snatch-back was the culprit for the headache she felt coming on. No use dwelling on that now. Time to go in this booth and go get everything she’s been working for.

Deondre (holding the door open): Go ahead. These guys don’t bite.

Stranger #1: We just want to take a listen

Stranger #2 (leering at her): And a look

The three guys and lone woman sitting in the control room laughed and Natalia defiantly held her head up and walked in. She marched straight into the booth and threw her powerhouse voice out to the group.

Natalia: This here is not a love song/though my heart is all in it/and my words are strong/This couldn’t be further from a love song/it’s more like the tale of a woman who’s been done wrong

Deondre: That’s enough, Natalia

He turned to the group and grinned. The guys were nodding and the woman was writing down some notes

Deondre: Can we get to work now?

Female Stranger: Are you sure about this, Deondre?

Deondre: Not convinced yet, Tara? One more, Natalia.

Natalia: I can't sing a song without a melody/just like I can't sleep at night without you next to me/I can't sing a song without a melody/just like I can't take the fact that there's no more you and me
Tara (raising an eyebrow): And she writes these songs herself?

Deondre: Yep. We might as well not even fight about it and just go ahead and get started. I want to start her slow but soon.

Tara (tapping her pen on the table): Alright. I’m in.

Deondre (shooting Tara a smile): What about the rest of you? Reggie? Gavin? TJ? Ya’ll in?

Gavin: She’s going to be a dream to dress, so I’m definitely in

Reggie and TJ looked at each other and busted out laughing

Reggie: Yeah, man. We’re in.

TJ: Talk to your boy about getting the papers drawn up.

Deondre: Natalia? Welcome to the Get Right Music family. We’re going to take real good care of you.

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Fitted was the culmination of everything Corynne had ever dreamed of. Every retail job she’d ever had added up to the boutique she ran downtown. Business had been going well, according to her accountant, and she’d recently been thinking about expanding a little bit.

Kelvin: I have to tell you, Ms. Corynne, I don’t normally entertain business meetings on weekends.

Corynne: So, this is a favor for old time’s sake?

Kelvin (smiling slyly): Something like that

Corynne: Well, whatever it is, I’ll take it. Believe it or not, I need your help.

Kelvin: And here I thought I was here because of my good looks

Corynne (coyly): That might be part of the bonus package

Kelvin (chuckling): Is that right?

Corynne: Stop trying to distract me from this business. I need a new space.

Kelvin looked around the boutique, running his hands over a shirt on a black, faceless mannequin

Kelvin: What’s wrong with the space you have now? This is a prime downtown location. What more could you possibly want?

Corynne came around from behind the cashier’s counter and tapped a finger on a glass display

Corynne: There’s nothing wrong with this space. I love it, as a matter of fact, but I want something where I can have my boutique and a studio all under the same roof. I don’t want to keep doing consults and fittings out of my condo.

Kelvin: Maybe I should take a look around your condo

Corynne: Very funny. I’m wondering if I should consider a loft for my styling and designing only and keep this place for the retail business

Kelvin (suddenly all business): That sounds like a better idea. Did you have a specific area in mind?

Corynne: I don’t want to be consulting and meeting with clients just anywhere, but I want to be somewhere outside of downtown – away from the hustle and bustle and all the noise.

Kelvin: What about on the beach?

Corynne (wrinkling up her nose): Naaaahhh. Too serene. I wouldn’t be able to concentrate.

Kelvin (laughing): I’ll look into a couple places for you. I hope you can afford my finder’s fee

Corynne(looking him in the eye): I’m sure we’ll be able to negotiate something.

Kelvin: In that case, I’ll get right on it. Off the top of my head I can think of a nice location just outside downtown. It’s not far from the barbershop I own, as a matter of fact.

Corynne’s phone rings

Corynne (holding her finger up): That sounds like a good place to start. Let’s schedule a time and date when I can come take a look. I have to take this.

Corynne stepped back behind the counter and lowered her voice a bit

Corynne: Hello?

Deondre: Hey, baby. I know you’ve missed me.

Corynne (smiling): Maybe I have. Maybe I haven’t.

Deondre: Well while you’re figuring it out I’ve got a job for you. Think you can swing by my office in about an hour?

Corynne looked over at Kelvin, who was browsing through a rack of jeans

Corynne: I think that can be arranged. Let me call you back.

Corynne put her phone in a compartment under the counter and went over to join Kelvin

Corynne: Do you need some help over here?

Kelvin turned around with a smile on his face

Kelvin: You’ve done pretty well for yourself over here, Corynne. I’m surprised. Who knew you had a mind for business!

Corynne: I learned a little somethin’ despite all that time spent torturing the halls of King High.

They both laughed

Kelvin: I mean it. This is pretty impressive.

Corynne: Well, thank you. I’m glad you like it.

Kelvin: Listen, I’m meeting Cruz and Elijah at Sal’s for drinks later tonight. You wanna join us?

Corynne: Why would I want to come hang out with a bunch of men all night?

Kelvin: Come on! It’ll be fun! They want to unwind after Destiny’s baby shower today. Besides, since when can’t you hang with the fellas?

Corynne thought for a moment then smiled

Corynne: Fine. I’ll meet y’all there. Don’t get all drunk before I show up though!

Kelvin (laughing): I can’t promise that. I’ll see you out there later though.

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Centerpieces with pink, yellow, green and blue balloons were on all the tables in the room, along with plastic safety pins scattered along with confetti and diaper-shaped place cards. Curled ribbon and party streamers hung daintily across the walls, and there was a table once stuffed to capacity with gifts in bags, boxes and baskets – now all that was left was scraps of gift wrapping and things Cruz and Elijah would be loading into the truck soon.

Simone: I want to thank each and every one of you for coming out today. Destiny is my best friend, and the little love bug she’s carrying there is my god baby, so it makes me especially happy to see this new chapter in her life taking form and putting such a smile on her face. Now, I am not her official spokesperson – her husband would likely kill me if I tried anything like that – but I think it’s safe to say this family loves you all their whole heart. We thank you all again for coming here today and sharing in this day of celebration.

The shower guests applaud and start milling about, socializing before making tasteful exits. Destiny waddled over to Simone, barely holding back tears.

Destiny: That was a beautiful speech, Simone, and this was a beyond beautiful shower. Thank you so much!

Simone gave her friend a hug.

Simone: Don’t start crying! It was nothing. I put a few little things together, but mostly your sponsors from your beauty blog kicked in and made this a real party!

Destiny (laughing): Yeah, you’ve gone and turned me into a mini-hometown celebrity!

Simone: Right?! When’s the last time someone had guests getting prettied and pampered at their baby shower?

Destiny (grinning from ear to ear): That was my favorite part! I was sure the surprises you were talking about would be more like “ka-boom!” than like “woosah” though.

Simone: Well, I’m glad you’ve enjoyed yourself. My work here is done!

Simone and Destiny laughed as Destiny grabbed onto a chair and lowered herself down.

Simone: You catch your breath. I’m gonna go say goodbye to a few more guests.

Destiny leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes as Simone walked away. When Destiny opened her eyes again Dominique was standing in front of her.

Dominique: Destiny? Did you need anything? I’d be happy to help.

Destiny (sitting up in the chair): I do need something, as a matter of fact.

Dominique (gesturing toward the remnants of a good time littering the room): What can I do?

Destiny (patting the chair next to hers): Sit with me a minute. I’d like to talk.

Dominique: Sure. What’s up?

Destiny: I’ll get right to the point. What does Kelvin have on you that Elijah doesn’t know about?

Dominique (smiling sweetly): I appreciate you being direct, and I respect how much you and your husband care about Elijah. With that said, I hope you can understand my saying this to you: mind your business. You don’t know much about me. Trust me you want to keep it that way.

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Meeting Deondre in his office turned out to be one hell of a job. He got down to business almost immediately – right on his desk, then on his chair shortly after. Corynne nearly forgot she’d agreed to meet Kelvin for drinks. Pleasurable romps with Deondre were fun, but this was business.

Deondre: In this office we puts in work!

Corynne (buttoning her shirt): Mmph. While you’re patting yourself on the back you do realize you didn’t tell me what you actually called me over here for, right?

Deondre: How you know this ain’t what I called you over here for?

Corynne (stepping into her shoes and walking toward Deondre’s desk to get her purse): Because you used the word “job,” and honey I certainly didn’t charge you a fee.

Deondre laughed

Corynne: I don’t have time to go over it now, though. I’ve got another meeting tonight. Call me and let me know what you need.

Corynne walked out the door and was barely into her car and out of the parking lot before her cell phone rang

Corynne: That was quick. Need another piece already?

Deondre (laughing): Nah, not like that – unless you’re offering

Corynne: Deondre, what do you want?!

Deondre (laughing harder): Ok! Look. I really did call you because I have a job for you.

Corynne: I’m listening

Deondre: We just picked up a new artist at the label, and I want you to style her.

Corynne: I thought you already had an inside guy

Deondre: We do. I want you to work with Gavin on this one. Seems like she might need a different touch.

Corynne (turning down her street): Set up a meeting with her and I’ll let you know. I ain’t forgot y’all didn’t want to give me a chance when I first started styling

Deondre: You were fresh out of school! We needed somebody with some experience

Corynne: Please

Deondre: For real! We couldn’t all be up and coming!

Corynne: Whatever you say. I’ve got to get ready for my meeting. Call me when you’re ready to schedule something with your new artist.

Deondre: Alright.

Corynne ended her call with Deondre then went inside to shower and get ready to have drinks with Kelvin, Cruz and Elijah. She dressed carefully (drinks with the fellas could be tricky) and headed out the door. By the time she arrived at Sal’s there were crowds of people sitting at tables having drinks and dinner while enjoying what looked like a burlesque show. Patience spotted Kelvin and the guys over at the bar, and it looked like they’d had quite the head start on her.

Cruz: It’s too soon for all that, man!

Elijah: No no no no no no. I’m not talking about getting married. Geeez! I’m just saying I think we should take the next step!

Cruz: You guys already live together. If you’re not talking about getting married, what the hell is the next step?

Kelvin: He don’t know! This fool is blinded by all that booty!

Cruz started to laugh

Elijah: Shut up! Y’all don’t know!

Cruz (slapping Elijah on the shoulder): It’s cool, man. We understand.

Elijah: You don’t understand! I think I love this girl.

Kelvin: Don’t do all that

Elijah: I do! There’s nothing else to say, man. I love her.

Kelvin (slurring): Bruh, you can’t love her. That’s everybody’s friend for a small fee!

Cruz and Elijah were silent. Staring at Kelvin in shock, the other two didn’t even notice when Corynne walked up.

Kelvin: I took her with me on a couple of missions, and I know I ain’t the only one she knows like that.

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Patience was spending her Saturday night doing the only thing a girl in her position could do. She was out on an impromptu first date with Will. He was just what she needed to take her mind off the madness that was becoming her life.

Will: So, not that I’m not glad to be here having coffee with you, but what made you finally decide to call?

Patience (laughing): I just figured it would be nice to try something new!

Will: I’m something new, huh? I guess I can handle that.

Patience: Aww! I didn’t mean it like that!

Will: So I guess the dude you were with when I met you is old news

As Will trailed off Patience looked down. Her cell phone was vibrating in her purse, likely with another call or text from Corey. He had been trying to get in contact with her all day – ever since he hung up on her that morning when she told him about their baby. When the buzzing in her purse subsided, Patience held her head up and smiled.

Patience: He is definitely old news. So, Mr. New, tell me more about you. Your card says you’re a media consultant. What does that mean?

Will: It means I’m a glorified PR agent

Patience (laughing): I see! Is that exciting work?

Patience’s cell phone started vibrating again

Will: Do you need to get that? It’s been going off all night. Maybe someone is having an emergency.

Patience hesitated then excused herself from the table

Patience (hissing into the phone): What do you want?!

Corey: I have been calling you all day!

Patience: Right, after you hung up on me.

Corey: I’m sorry. I had to. Simone came in the room and when she heard me on the phone she flipped out.

Patience: I bet. Convenient timing.

Corey: Patience, please don’t do this. Tell me about the baby. I’ve been thinking about this all day.

Patience: I really can’t do this now, Corey. I’m out having a good time.

Corey: Just tell me what happened! I have a right to know!

Will had come outside and was giving Patience a look, mouthing “are you ok?” and holding the door open for her to come back inside.

Patience (near tears): Corey, I really don’t want to hear about whatever rights you think you have. What we had was just a summer fling; remember you said that?

Corey: That was in the beginning!

Patience: So, when I got pregnant I went and did what I had to do. What you have with Simone must be “true love,” because when she got pregnant you married her. Stop trying to make this “friendship” something it’s not and stay at home with your wife and family.

Corey was silent for a moment. He swallowed hard before saying his next words.

Corey: Patience, did you kill my baby?