CROSSROADS

14

"Sooooo, what did you think?" Mariah and Taraji walked out of the crowded theatre. Taraji's face lit up. She turned around and looked up at the Marquee lit up with lights.
"Man, I have an all new respect for my hometown. I never in a million years thought a musical would be named after Florida." Mariah's red hair glowed under the bright lights. She held on to Taraji's arm. "I don't know why you come down so hard on Home anyway. I loved visiting there. I can't wait to go back so I can go to Disney." Taraji's mouth curled. "I guess."
"What? Tell me about it. I bet it's magical."

"I wouldn't know. I've never been." Taraji smiled as they walked down the street. "Are you kidding me?" Mariah's hazel eyes lit up.
"How could you grow up in Florida and never visit Disney!"
They both laughed. Taraji and Mariah continued to walk. Taraji noticed all the marquees. "Man, this is amazing. I don't see how you live in New York and you haven't seen every play on this strip."

"I've seen most of them actually." Mariah smiled "I love Wicked, The Lion King and The Color Purple."
"Man, I'm so mad The Color Purple isn't playing anymore. I really wanted to see that."
"I'm just waiting on them to bring back Dreamgirls."
Mariah smiled. Taraji found herself staring at Mariah.
"M, you have a really amazing smile," Taraji said as they walked into her hotel lobby.

Mariah blushed. "Why, thank you. How about we get a drink at the bar?"
"Sounds good."
The two sat down at a small round table in the bar. The bartender walked over to them. She looked at Taraji then looked at Mariah. The older black woman looked confused by Taraji's appearance. "What can I get for you two?"
"T'll take a Manhattan. Ti?" Mariah looked at Taraji.
"Umm, a Coke please."
Mariah started to laugh.
"On this big day you're only gonna have a Coke?"
Taraji shook her head.
"I've had my share of drinking this week. I don't drink."

"Well, drinking cheap vodka is always a bad idea. You know what" —Mariah opened her purse— cancel my drink order and can we have a bottle of Dom?"
The waitress nodded and smiled as she took Mariah's card and walked away.
"You are having a drink with me, and something good." Taraji couldn't help but smile at Mariah's excited face.
Mariah noticed Taraji's look. "What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing. I'm just ... The other day I thought my life was over, and now it seems like my life is beginning all over again."
"I told you, Ti, to stick with me. I wasn't going to see you suffer at all."

Taraji's smile turned more serious. "Mariah, why me? I mean, you have a lot of clients, and I'm sure the same thing that happened to me has happened to others before me. Do you do this all the time, or did you do it just for me?"
"Oh, I definitely don't do it all the time. Let's just say, I see something really special in you, Taraji. You are so sincere. I couldn't let you go back to Florida. I didn't want you to leave New York broken."
"Well, I really, really do appreciate everything you have done," Taraji said as the bartender popped the bottle of champagne and poured some in each flute.

Taraji picked up a glass. "And to show you just how much I appreciate you" — Taraji held her flute out.
Mariah took her flute and gently tapped it against Taraji's.
Taraji put the glass to her mouth and swallowed the expensive bubbly. "Not bad."
"I told you. Stick with me, Taraji, you will experience things you never imagined."

One hour and one bottle down, Taraji and Mariah walked to her hotel door with a new, half-empty bottle of champagne in hand. They abandoned the champagne flutes and opted for the ghetto-fabulous option of drinking straight from the bottle. Taraji knew she was drunk, but it was a different feeling. They were like high-school kids smoking their first joint. Everything was funny.
"Man, I feel great. How about you?" Mariah flung her shoes off and plopped down on Taraji's bed.

Taraji unbuttoned her button-down and let it hit the floor. She pulled her shoes off. Mariah stared at Taraji's biceps, her black wife-beater clung to her flat stomach. Taraji lay down on the bed next to Mariah.
"I haven't felt this good in a long time."
Taraji turned toward Mariah. Their eyes met. Both were silent. Suddenly they both erupted in laughter at the same time, and a bit of Mariah's spit landed on Taraji's lip.

"Dang, girl."
"Oh, shut up. I'll get it." Mariah leaned in and wiped her liquid from Taraji's face. Suddenly things weren't funny anymore. Taraji and Mariah gazed into each other's eyes.
"What's happening here?"
"I don't know."
Taraji and Mariah continued to gaze. Taraji didn't know if it was the champagne causing her heart to race. Mariah's hand made its way on Taraji's lap.
"Mariah."
"Taraji."
There were no more words. Taraji grabbed Mariah's head. Her fingers instantly entangled her wild red mane. Their lips locked, and Mariah climbed on top of Taraji.

With ease Taraji unzipped Mariah's dress and threw the Versace creation to the side. Mariah ran her fingers through Taraji's hair while Taraji's lips kissed their way over Mariah's smooth white skin. Mariah's wetness soaked through her black and white lace thong. She grinded her pelvis against Taraji's. Taraji unbuttoned Mariah's matching lace bra and threw it carelessly. Taraji paused. Mariah's small pink nipples were a change from the brown of the black women of Taraji's past. Fantasia entered her head.

"What's wrong?" Mariah said noticing the pause.
Taraji dropped her head on Mariah's chest. "Shit!" She looked up at Mariah's confused face.
"I'm sorry, Mariah. I can't do this."
"Ti, what's wrong? Did I do something?"
Taraji couldn't help but let out a frustrated grunt.
"No, you are great. I'm just... damn, I'm just a fucking fool." Taraji  wrapped her arms around Mariah's butt and picked her up, placing her back on the bed. Mariah was speechless.

"I got some serious personal shit right now, and I'm just not ready to take this step."
"Well, it's OK.. I guess."
Dumbfounded and horny, Mariah looked around for her bra. "I guess I should leave."
Taraji clutched Mariah's arm.
"Wait. Mariah, I don't want you to go."
"Well, I'm confused, Taraji. What do you want from me?"
Taraji looked at Mariah in her eyes. "Let me hold you." Taraji climbed into the bed. Mariah smiled. She crawled in the bed next to Taraji. They embraced Taraji kissed Mariah on the nape of her neck sending, shivers down Mariah's body. Mariah turned toward Taraji. They kissed the night away, falling asleep in each other's arms.