Full Circle (Urban Books)

by Skyy

  Sahara noticed Farih. She jumped up and ran over to hug her friend. They had become good friends over the years due to the closeness of Cooley and Denise. Cooley walked out from her office, wearing a pair of jeans and a tank top.

  “What’s up, y’all?” Cooley said as she took a seat next to the dining room table.

  “What’s going on here?” Farih said as Sahara poured her a glass of wine.

  “Tattoo party!” Sahara held her glass up. All the others followed suit, holding their glasses up, as if they were toasting.

  Denise made her way through the sea of people. “Seriously?” She picked up one of the tattoo books on the table. “What’s the occasion?”

  “Well . . .” Sahara walked over to the table and sat in Cooley’s lap. “Baby, you wanna tell them?”

  The expression on Cooley’s face indicated that she wasn’t as enthusiastic. “I told Sahara that if her new album went platinum, I would get a tattoo.”

  “So?” Farih’s face lit up.

  “Tee!” Cooley yelled.

  Denise and Farih turned around. Cooley’s longtime assistant, Tee, picked up a large picture frame. She turned it around to show a platinum album and a copy of Sahara’s album cover. The room erupted in cheers.

  “Oh my God, that’s so awesome!” Farih said and hugged Sahara.

  Denise gave Cooley daps. “So what are you getting?” she asked Cooley, who still looked apprehensive.

  Cooley looked at Denise with a defeated expression.

  Denise’s jaw dropped. “Ah, hell naw!” Denise erupted in laughter.

  “What?” Farih asked, completely oblivious.

  “You have got to be kidding me!” Denise couldn’t stop laughing. Cooley punched her hard on her arm, which just made Denise laugh more.

  Sahara playfully hit Denise. “Stop laughing at my baby. I don’t see the big deal.”

  “This is so messed up.” Cooley pouted.

  Sahara kissed her on her forehead. “It’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”

  “I don’t see you doing it,” Cooley retorted.

  “Oh, really?” Sahara stood up. “Where do you want it?” Sahara pulled her shirt over her head. The gang made goo-goo noises at the sight of her sexy red and black bra.

  Farih walked over to Denise. “Can someone let me in on the joke?”

  Denise put her arm around Farih’s back. “There is only one thing we always said we would never do. And Cooley is about to break the rule.”

  “Not by choice,” Cooley grumbled. Farih was still confused.

  “Cooley is going to get branded.” Denise laughed.

  “Branded?” Farih questioned.

  “She’s going to get Sahara’s name tatted on her,” Denise explained.

  Even Farih’s mouth dropped when she realized what was happening. Sahara sat down in the chair next to Cooley. Cooley was not happy, she could tell.

  “You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to, babe. I didn’t expect you to go this far,” Sahara told her.

  Cooley looked at Sahara. She could tell Sahara was disappointed but wouldn’t show it. Cooley couldn’t take her eyes off of Sahara. She wasn’t made up like she usually was. Cooley loved her even more without the makeup and extensions. Sahara had stuck by her even when she didn’t deserve it. She had changed all her ways for Misha, but Sahara was the one who had deserved it from day one.

  Cooley stood up in the chair. “Hey, yo, turn the music down. I have something to say.” One of the dancers hit the music. The room was instantly quiet. “Dee, you know me better than anyone. You know I’m a muthafucka with myself.”

  “Who you tellin’?” Denise remarked, and the crowd laughed.

  “But . . .” Cooley got off the chair. “There is one person who has been able to deal with me and my crazy ass for all these years.” Cooley stood in front of Sahara. “And that is my sexy, talented, amazing . . .” Cooley took Sahara by her hand. Sahara’s eyes were filled with tears. “Baby girl, Faith Sahara Stanton.”

  Farih held tight to Denise’s hand. Sahara jumped up and embraced Cooley. Cooley joked that gay marriage was illegal but that she did not need a certificate to show how she felt. They had matching tribal bands with a heart in the middle around their ring fingers.

  “You know I would do it.” Farih handed Denise a bottle of water.

  “Do what?” Denise asked.

  “Get your name tattooed on me.” Farih smiled. Denise’s expression was stern.

  “Don’t.” Denise gave Farih a serious look. She walked off to join a spades game in progress. Farih kept her composure but wanted to die on the inside.

  To try to calm down, Farih poured herself a concoction of various liquors and sat down next to Sahara and some of her dancers. They were laughing about various bloopers during practice. Sahara noticed that Farih was staring into space. She nudged her. Farih smiled.

  “So how did you react to finding out about the little reunion last week?” Sahara asked.

  “What?” Farih took a sip of her drink, hoping to numb her emotions.

  Sahara looked at Farih. “You know. The exes showing up.” As soon as Sahara saw Farih’s face, she knew she had let the cat out of the bag. “You didn’t know?”

  “No, I didn’t.” Farih knew that was the perfect moment to bust Denise on her deceit. She stood up and walked calmly behind Denise’s chair and placed her hands on each of Denise’s shoulders. Sahara knew Cooley was going to kill her. She quickly followed Farih.

  “So, you saw Lena?” Farih said as she stood behind Denise’s chair. She was completely calm.

  Denise looked at Cooley, who instantly looked at Sahara, knowing she was the culprit. Denise didn’t turn around; she played her next card.

  “Yeah. She was at the club.” Denise tried to keep her cool.

  “When were you going to tell me, babe?” Farih smiled.

  “I forgot about it, actually.” Denise stared at her cards.

  Cooley lowered her head into her cards. She knew Farih would never believe that line.

  “It wasn’t anything. They weren’t there but a quick minute. I didn’t even get to actually meet the infamous Misha,” Sahara said, hoping to diffuse the situation, which she had mistakenly started.

  Farih leaned down to Denise’s level. “So you forgot that you saw Lena after almost three years?”

  Denise turned her head to face Farih. “Yeah, it wasn’t that big of a deal. She was there to kick it with Carmen. We said hey, caught up a bit, and then they rolled out.”

  “So she’s in Atlanta now. Damn, is this the spot. Maybe we do need to leave New York.” Farih laughed. Sahara laughed along with her. Farih stood back up. “I think it’s cool she came out to see you.”

  “She didn’t come to see me. She came to see Carmen.” Denise felt herself getting defensive.

  “Can we talk about something else please?” Cooley asked, breaking in, also in hopes of diffusing the situation before her name came up.

  “Why is everyone so tense?” Farih took another gulp of her drink. “I couldn’t care less that you saw her. Actually, I think it’s good. You guys were really close at one time. You should be in contact. I mean, she was your roommate.”

  Denise’s head jerked toward Farih. She couldn’t tell if Farih meant her words or if she was just being sarcastic. She decided to play along.

  “I agree. She is a friend. I should have remembered to tell you. I honestly felt bad knowing it’s been so long since we’ve communicated. Cool. Did I tell you she had a little girl?”

  “Damn, I bet that child is spoiled as shit.” Cooley recognized the game Denise was playing. She played along.

  Sahara stood there with her arms folded, shaking her head.

  “She has a little girl. I bet she is just too precious. You should give her a call. Let’s set up a lunch or something, catch up.” Farih smiled.

  Cooley and Denise looked at each other, communicating nonverbally. Denise wasn’t sure what to do next. She eyed Cooley so
she would take over.

  “Yo, that’s a good idea. We should all do it. You know, have a good ole sit-down,” Cooley said. “Babe, you can finally meet Misha.”

  “Oh, hell to the naw. I’m good.” Sahara was done. She couldn’t believe Farih wanted to sit down with Lena. Cooley couldn’t help but laugh. “I mean, what the fuck? Want me to call up my ex too?”

  “Gotta love my girl. Hell naw. If I ever see that bitch, it’s gonna be a new world war.” Cooley winked. She couldn’t help but remember Sahara’s abusive ex, with whom they had had a threesome when they first met.

  “Well, I guess it is a bit different for you two, being that Misha and Cool were actually in a relationship. But, Dee, you and Lena never actually dated,” Farih noted.

  “Yeah, but they messed around,” Sahara said.

  Cooley shot Sahara an evil glance for butting in again.

  “So what? Who didn’t mess around with their roommate in college?” Farih said casually. “I say, set it up.” Farih glanced at the clock. “Man, it’s getting late. I have to get up at six. I need to get to the room.”

  Denise got ready to stand up, but Farih stopped her.

  “No, babe, you can stay. I have to get up early, not you. I’ll catch a cab.”

  Tee spoke up. “I can drop you off if you like. I’m about to head out, anyway.”

  “Great.” Farih kissed Denise on her lips. “I’ll see you guys later. Sahara, have a great tour, honey, and call me.” Farih picked up her bag and headed to the door, saying her good-byes.

  Denise was speechless. Other people took Farih’s departure as a cue and started to disperse. As soon as everyone had left, Denise and Cooley looked at each other and started laughing.

  “Oh, hell no, nigga. What were you thinking?” Cooley giggled.

  “I don’t know what just happened.” Denise snickered.

  “I know what happened. You just got caught the fuck up.” Cooley stood up and picked up a few cups on the table.

  Denise leaned back in her chair. “I didn’t expect her to go there.” She smirked. “Oh, I got caught up. Nigga, you beyond caught up. You like Deadliest Catch caught up.”

  Cooley threw her middle finger up. “Whatever. This isn’t about me. It’s about you and this upcoming dinner you got with your girl and . . .” Cooley leaned in to Denise’s ear. “The girl you want.”

  “Shut the fuck up.” Denise started helping Cooley clean up. “I am surprised that she was so calm. The girl has been a ticking time bomb lately. I never know what I’m going to get.”

  “Well, you know what she’s been going through.”

  Sahara emerged from the back room. Denise and Cooley both looked at each other, wondering how much she had heard.

  “Denise, I talk to Farih all the time, and she has been hella stressed lately,” Sahara said.

  “I know, but am I supposed to let her just talk crazy to me? Like today, yeah, I overslept and didn’t pick her up. But she tore my damn head off. But when I got to the studio, she’s all sweet and loving. I can’t take this shit.”

  “Denise, come on. She was jealous. She didn’t mean it. And all day long you’ve been being pretty asshole-ish to her.” Sahara popped Denise on the top of her head.

  “I have not.”

  “Yes, you have. That poor girl looked like she was about to cry.” Sahara shook her finger like a schoolteacher.

  “Yeah, but damn, is it my fault her career had some bumps? As my girl, she is supposed to support me, not treat me like shit ’cause I have a job and she doesn’t.” Denise sat down on the couch.

  Cooley sat down in her oversized chair. Sahara joined her, sitting in her lap.

  “All right, well, the career thing seems to be okay now,” Cooley observed. “Word on the streets is she killed it on the show today. She’s going back to host again tomorrow, right?”

  Denise nodded her head.

  “So now what?” Cooley asked. “You gon’ let a few bad months fuck up all y’all have, or are you gonna be the Denise I know you to be and forgive her and move on?”

  Denise thought about Cooley’s statements. She knew Cooley and Sahara were right. She and Farih had four years invested, and to give it all up over a few bad months wouldn’t make sense. Lena’s face entered her mind.

  “It’s not that simple.” Denise fidgeted with her fingers.

  Cooley’s eyes widened. “Oh, I get it.”

  “Get what?” Sahara was confused.

  “It’s not worth it, man.” Cooley knew the look. Denise was thinking about Lena. “Not worth it.”

  Sahara looked at Denise. “What the hell did you do?”

  “Nothing,” Denise said quickly. The last thing she needed was Sahara thinking she was cheating on Farih.

  “Keep it that way,” Cooley added. “Well, Big Ron wants me to check this new group out he wants me to manage that is new to Jam Zone. I need to get ready. You wanna come?” Cooley asked Denise.

  Denise thought about Farih. She had a beautiful, intelligent woman who loved her waiting in a hotel room, and she couldn’t get the one who got away off of her mind. She thought about Lena and her daughter. Pandora’s box was open, and she wanted to close it and fast.

  “Nah, I’m gonna go be with Farih.” Denise stood up. She gave Cooley daps. “We need to fix this.”

  Cooley nodded. “Yeah, go home to your woman.” They did a bro hug.

  “Oh, by the way, congratulations,” Denise said to Sahara. “I never in a million years would have thought I’d see the day come when Carla Wade branded herself in any form.” Denise hugged Sahara.

  “Hey, when you find the right one, why not? Maybe you should think about it.” Cooley kissed Sahara.

  Denise didn’t know when she and Cooley had switched bodies, but she knew she had to get back to the old Denise before she messed up something special.

  Farih heard the door open. She sat up in the bed as Denise walked in. Denise looked at Farih. She looked so beautiful. Denise knew there was only one thing to do. She dropped her jacket on the floor, rushed up to the bed, pulled Farih close, and planted a sensual kiss on her.

  It took only a minute to get Farih’s T-shirt off. Her chocolate skin was calling Denise’s name. It wasn’t like the last time. Denise was ready, and the only person she wanted was Farih. They kissed passionately as Denise ran her fingers down the nape of Farih’s neck, sending chills through her body and causing her brown nipples to instantly become erect.

  “I don’t want us to ever again be like we were these last few months.” Denise looked into Farih’s big brown eyes.

  Farih nodded in agreement. “Never again. Never, baby.” Farih’s lips met Denise’s again.

  Farih didn’t know what had come over Denise, but she was ecstatic. She quickly remembered why she fell in love with Denise. She was back in love, and she didn’t want to lose her.

  Tears rolled down Farih’s face as Denise sexed her like it was the first time all over again. She had her Denise back. They fell asleep in each other’s arms.

  Chapter 12

  Carmen normally couldn’t wait for the day to end, but today she could hardly contain her excitement. She watched as her unsuspecting students conversed with their peers. It was the last day of school, and doing schoolwork was completely out of the question.

  “Ms. Carmen.” Julia, the epitome of a teacher’s pet, waved her hand in the air. Carmen acknowledged her swinging hand. “Well, it’s the last day of school, and you said if we all passed, you would give us a surprise.” Julia smiled. Suddenly the whole room was focused on Carmen.

  “Okay, fine.” Carmen looked at the clock. She smiled. She knew it was almost time. “So as you guys know, I am very good friends with Denise Chambers from the movie Ball, and I am also friends with the singer Sahara.”

  “Man, she is so fine. That’s gon’ be my wifey, watch.” The class clown, Jason, walked to the front of the room to get a better view of a photo of Carmen with Denise, Cooley, Sahara, and Farih that Carmen ha
d pulled out.

  “That’s Cool Wade. She dates Sahara, right? They are always on the blogs, along with Denise and Farih,” said Toni, one of the popular cheerleaders. Her followers all nodded their heads. Carmen wanted to laugh. The first time Nic saw Toni, she was shocked that she was in high school.

  “We are all friends.” Carmen knew she couldn’t answer Toni’s question. If it was one thing she hated about teaching, it was the censorship placed on her. She knew she couldn’t teach any grade below eighth due to a bill passed in Tennessee making it illegal to discuss homosexuality in school with students who have not yet reached eighth grade. Even though she taught tenth, she knew she had to watch everything.

  “Well, so here is my surprise.” Carmen walked to the closet and pulled out a big brown box. Jason and two of the other students rushed to help her. She pulled out copies of Sahara’s CD and Denise’s movie from the box. “Now, you have to get permission from your parents to watch the movie, as it has an R rating, but Sahara and Denise wanted me to give these out to you guys.”

  The class cheered as Jason and the other two guys passed out the gifts.

  “Wait a minute. I wanted to give those out.” The door opened, and the kids went wild as Sahara walked in with her arms folded. Denise and Cooley walked into the classroom next, with the principal and the vice principal behind them.

  “All right, students, settle down, or we will have to ask them to leave.” Principal Mitchell’s baritone voice rumbled. The kids eagerly walked back to their desks.

  It had taken a lot of convincing, but Carmen was allowed to let Sahara and Denise visit the school on the last day as long as sexuality was not discussed. The smiles on her students’ faces made Carmen almost not hate teaching for the moment.

  “All right, students, so I made a promise that if you all passed the English board test, I would bring a surprise, so here is that surprise. Meet Sahara and Denise.”

  “Hey, everyone.” Sahara was in her character. Her pink wig had blue tips, and her dress had vibrant colors. She looked more like a cartoon character than a real person. Carmen noticed the cheerleaders all crying from joy.

  “So they are here to answer any questions you might have,” Carmen announced. “Any questions?” Hands shot in the air. She knew Jason would have something funny to say. “Jason.”