In Your Dreams, Chapter 9: Toy

Chapter 9: Toy

(Saturday, April 5, 2014)

Always the younger and prettier one, Doll owned every room that she entered. She was keenly aware of the attention she received from men and women alike and used it to her advantage when it suited her. A casual flip of those soft, blonde highlights or a bat of her naturally luxurious eyelashes over pupils of hazel with flecks of green, or grey when the light hit them just right, and people became like putty in her hands. I watched her float around my engagement party, given in my home by myself and my husband, as if she were the gracious host working the room, being stopped by everyone she passed. She enjoyed being the belle of the ball.

I couldn't say necessarily that I was enjoying watching her. Not because I was jealous of her beauty and her charm, or even because I felt like she was taking over the gathering. I could have cared less about being here. The mere act of standing around and attempting to look comfortable tied my stomach in knots. All the water I drank trying to quench my dry mouth only activated my bladder. But I couldn’t keep running off and getting lost. This was supposed to be about me.

I sighed, wondering how long a party could really last. How long did I have to pretend I didn’t see all the female guests, single or not, holding a friendly embrace a little longer than necessary or making inappropriate contact with my fiancée that I was just supposed to pass off as innocent gestures? And how long would I have to be under the microscope of the thirsty women fans asking themselves how Germaine could possibly pass them up for me? I looked at my watch and rolled my eyes. It was still early. This shindig was liable to go on until two or three o’clock. What the devil was I supposed to do until then? Hopefully my girls would hang with me until the last person left. Where were they, anyway?

I glanced back over to my sister, who was giggling at something some random dude at the party had whispered in her ear. He had been hounding her since he lay eyes on her, as were a few others. And she had them all eating out of the palm of her hand, not favoring anyone in particular. I thought she was so in love with the mystery dude that she had been going on and on about for the last few months. She talked about him all the time, but never really gave any specific details. But it appeared that What’s-His-Name had been benched for the moment, though, because she was presently busy with the starting five who had been following her around the house like imprinted baby geese. I see women do this kind of thing with men all the time. And tonight was definitely no exception. But men acting thirsty was exhausting to watch. As I turned to seek refuge in the garage, Ericka, Renee, and Natalie were headed in my direction. They waved excitedly. Natalie hugged me tight. Ericka gave me a quick shoulder lean in as she held on to her cane. Renee brought up the rear with an air kiss towards my cheek.

They all looked like they were attending an awards show. Renee wore a red off-the-shoulder maxi dress that accentuated her dark skin. Her hair was braided back and hung long, showing off her huge gold hoops. Natalie wore a silver number with a plunging neckline that hit just below the knee. Her hair was pinned up in a bun with some of the loose hair hanging in spiraling ringlets. She reminded me of Diana Ross in the 70s. Ericka, like me, wore slacks. She looked stunning in a burgundy tailored pants suit, with flare legs. The jacket had a cinched waist with a sash that hung down the front of the right side. I wasn't a slouch, myself in long cream-colored wrapped trousers, the closest I'd come to wearing a dress, so far, with a matching corset covered by a sheer long sleeve top.

“How you holding up?” Ericka asked. She knew I was really uncomfortable, even at my own party. I shrugged.

Renee spotted Doll in the crowd and wrinkled her nose. “Well, at least somebody seems to be having a good time.”

Ericka and Natalie turned their head in unison in the same direction as Renee’s in time enough to spy Doll all up on one of her fans. They were getting it in, grinding and carrying on like they were at a strip club. A couple of the photographers flew to the scene, snapping away as though she were Beyonce.

I shook my head. “She’s way more suited for this life than I am. I just want to be in my bed watching Sports Center.”

Ericka frowned. “She is, if she’s looking to be on Love and Hip-Hop. Ew, if she ain’t careful she gonna be pregnant in a minute. I thought she had a boyfriend.”

I shrugged. “Apparently, it must not be all that.”

Natalie waved, dismissively. “The emotional highs and lows of young folks. Ain’t thinking about him now, but if he don’t answer her texts tomorrow, her life will be over.”

We laughed and nodded. “Come on, let’s go find us a drink and a seat somewhere where it’s quiet,” Natalie suggested. “These Manalo’s are strictly entrance and exit shoes.”

Ericka and I looked at her, puzzled. “Entrance and exit shoes?”

“Yeah. You walk in with them, sit down until it’s time to leave, and then exit in them.”

We all broke into laughter.

As we made our way to the rear of the house to the pool area, Germaine sidled up to me and took my hand.

“Hey, babe. I’ve been looking all over for you. I have someone I want you to meet.”

I groaned. “But my friends just got here. I barely had a chance to say hello.”

He looked up, noticing the rest of the crew standing with me. “Oh, hey, y’all! I’m glad you made it. Well, since you’re here, you can come too. Come get some of this Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous action.” He grinned from ear to ear.

Natalie stood and began to smooth her dress. “Shoot, I’m down. Who we ‘bout to meet?”

Renee hunched her arm. “Thought your feet were hurting.”

“Girl, who cares? What if it’s Michael Ealey? If we end up getting married, he can buy me some new feet!”

Ericka chimed in. “Well, I hope he can buy you a new head, too, because Tarik gonna knock yours clean off your shoulders.”

Natalie rolled her eyes. “Dang, I forgot about him.”

“We didn’t,” I said.

Germaine shook his head, laughing. “Man, come on. And it’s not Michael Ealey.”

He took my hand, and we snaked our way through the crowd, Natalie struggling to keep up with her hurting feet and Ericka yelling, “Wait a damn minute, y’all!” every ten steps. Finally, we make it to Germaine’s office away from the noise on the other side of the house. Germaine steps in front of the door, blocking it.

“Hey!” we yell.

Germaine began speaking in a low voice. “Now, look. Before we go in here, two things. Stay calm and don’t embarrass me.”

The four of us immediately began to protest. “What you mean, don’t embarrass you? Germaine, are you for real?” I asked.

His face turned red. “No, babe. Not you. I know you know how to act. I’m talking about your girls, here.”

Renee put her hand on her hip and cocked her head to the side. “Negro, I know you ain’t talking about somebody not knowing how to act. If you don’t open that doggone door...”

He held up his hands as if he were being robbed. Then he pointed at Renee. “See? That’s what I’m talking about right there!”

Renee, Natalie, and Ericka began to squabble with Germaine in loud whispers.

“Hey!” I interjected, sharply. “Dammit, y’all embarrassing me. Germaine, stop clowning and open the door, already. Enough is enough.”

As Germaine turned to open the door, Ericka said to him under her breath, “If it’s Flava Flav, I’ma knock you upside the head with this cane.”

Natalie, Renee, and I began to snicker uncontrollably just as the door opened all the way. We swallowed our laughter in one big gulp upon seeing the well-dressed chocolate drop who sat in Germaine’s office, patiently waiting. We stood, staring like fools. Our mouths gaped open like we had just seen a ghost. Germaine grinned smugly, satisfied that he was single-handedly able to shut up three bossy women simultaneously. The man tipped his wide brim hat. I suddenly felt woozy. For the first time ever, Renee was stunned into silence. Natalie stumbled slightly in her entrance/exit Manolo’s. Ericka leaned heavily into her cane with both hands as if to stabilize herself and get a closer look. He wore an amused smile. He was used to women reacting to him like this. Germaine took my hand urging me closer to our mystery guest. My legs felt like lead.

“Ladies, I’d like to introduce you to my friend…”

Before he could get it out, my friends screamed loudly at the same time, “BIG DADDY KANE!” Suddenly, the room went black.

****

I came to in time enough to inhale the glorious manly scent of The Kane, himself, as he and Germaine carefully helped me into a chair in the office. My girlfriends were still in the same spot, holding the same pose and same dumbstruck expressions as they had when we first laid eyes on the fantasy of every young black girl who ever listened to rap music in the mid to late 80’s. He's every mature woman’s fantasy, too, I thought watching this gracefully distinguished, mahogany specimen as he expressed genuine concern about my welfare. A silly grin comes over my face as I leaned into the helpless damsel role to keep him close for as long as possible.

“Thank you, Big Daddy…uh, Kane!” I blushed, glancing at my fiancée, who was now sporting an indignant expression as he watched me fawn over my celebrity crush.

“Man, get off my woman!” he feigned irritation, as he stepped in front of Kane, as if to shield me from his magnetic attraction.

Big Daddy Kane’s laugh was smooth and velvety like his dark skin.

“Aye man, don’t hate the player. And that’s payback for how my woman reacted to you when you came to my crib.” He leaned over Germaine’s shoulder to address me.

“It’s nice to meet you, Toy. Germaine brags about you all the time. He’s a lucky dude.”

I could feel heat rising in my face. “It’s nice to meet you, too. And sorry for scaring you.”

“Your woman?” Ericka blurted out. “Dang, Germaine. Do you have any single celebrity friends?”

“I know, right?” cosigned Natalie.

Germaine raised his eyebrows at Nat. “What you talking about? Ain’t you already got a man?”

Natalie rolled her eyes. “You always telling people’s business.”

Big Daddy Kane laughed. “Ladies,” he stepped to Natalie and took her hand.

“I’m, Natalie,” she gushed.

Renee side-stepped Ericka, almost pushing her over as she thrusted her hand out towards him. "And I'm Renee."

Kane shook hers as well, nodding and smiling graciously at her. Ericka took her cane and used it to slide Renee back out of her way so she could get closer.

“Ericka Middleton. But my friends call me “E. Middle.”

“What’s up, E. Middle? My friends call me “Antonio,” he winked at her.

Ericka beamed like she was pleased with herself.

Kane turned back to me.

“I had Germaine bring you in so I could finally meet his lady in person, and to invite you to the old school concert I'm performing at in Raleigh. In fact, you can all come as my special guests. You can hang out backstage and then there’s a party after. You down?”

Were we down? Was he kidding?

“Hell yeah! I mean, absolutely, Big Daddy. I mean, Kane...uh, Antonio,” Ericka stammered.

Germaine rolled his eyes but was clearly amused watching his fiancée and her star-struck friends.

“We’d love to. Thanks for inviting us,” I mustered.

“Cool,” said Antonio. “Germaine will give you all the details. And feel free to bring a plus one.”

Natalie pursed her lips. “For what? You don’t bring sand to the beach.”

“Well, we’ll see what Tarik, the sandman got to say about that,” teased Germaine.

“Ugh, Toy. You about to marry a snitch. Not a good look.”

I shook my head. “Oh my God, y’all can’t resist acting a fool in front of company. And Germaine, you had the nerve to be worried about us embarrassing you!” I turned back to Big Daddy Kane. “Thanks for the invite. We’d love to. And thanks for coming to our party.”

He smiled and bowed graciously. “This is my dawg, right here. It’s nothing. And thanks for inviting me. Germaine always could throw a good kick back.”

He dapped Germaine up.

“I had some help this time,” Germaine grabs me around the waist, causing me to blush again because I originally didn't even want to be there, much less help.

Kane took my hand and kissed it. “It’s been a real pleasure. See you guys at the show.”

Ericka interjected.

“Antonio, can we get a picture? I wasn’t lucky enough to get backstage when I saw you in concert at the Dorton Arena back in ’89.”

She handed Germaine her phone, and we began to assemble for a group photo.

He raised his eyebrows. “Oh, you've been to one of my shows?”

She nodded, “Mm-hmm, me and Natalie went together. My boyfriend took us.”

“We had a ball that night. That was my first concert,” chimes in Natalie.

“That’s what’s up. He coming with you this time?”

I turned to note Ericka’s expression. It’s unreadable.

“No. He passed away a few weeks after the concert.”

“Wow. I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to bring up bad memories.”

Ericka waved dismissively. “All good. Your concert was one of our best. He’s probably in heaven freaking out right now.” She laughed. I am relieved.

We finished our photo shoot, and then Big Daddy Kane hugged us all like old friends, before he and Germaine return to the party. After that, we spend another thirty minutes in his office giggling like schoolgirls until he comes in and drags us back out to the party.

© 2024, Evelyn Outlaw

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