“No. No. It’s very real. That lucky young woman met him at the airport, and they went on to go to New York, Vienna, Hong Kong, Milan and other places in three weeks.”
“That must have been some adventure…”
They drifted to other topics, and Geneva turned down the volume. Her heart pounded in her chest. She retrieved the documents she had printed earlier. Joshua’s plane ticket had printed with hers. His name was below hers in everything.
She snorted. “I wish I knew another Joshua James, because I’d take him with me.” She sighed. “But that’s ridiculous.” She looked up at the ceiling. “Isn’t it?”
But the more she thought about it, the more that joke morphed in a consideration.
Geneva bit her nails while she thought. Why couldn’t she take another Joshua James with her? What if there was someone in her county with the same name? She shook her head. Why was she even considering this insane idea? Except…
It had worked for that man, so…
Joshua James might not be as common as the name Bob Smith, but she could try. Geneva rushed over to the computer. She typed in his name and her town in the search bar and waited. Then her mouth dropped. There were three in her county. She leaned back in the chair. What if one of them was crazy enough to take her up on her offer?
She squinted. How would she reach them?
She snapped her fingers. She had the best marketing tool at her fingertips. Social media. Geneva jumped to her feet. She could create an advertisement like that man had done.
Geneva paced as she considered the idea.
Her father walked in and stopped. “I didn’t think you’d still be here.” He dropped his notepad on the desk. “Did you get the room changed?”
She nodded. “And I’ve got a great idea.”
His eyebrows lifted.
“I’m going to invite another Joshua James to come with me.”
Her father’s eyes went wide. He placed his hands on his hips and yelled, “Have you lost your mind?”
Ch. 5
“J. J., you can’t cut your hair. It’s your signature. Your brand.”
Joshua knew Brandon Giles, executive producer and owner of Platinum Beats Studio and his best friend since high school, was worried about his decision.
The two sat outside Rawl’s Barber Shop in Atlanta, Georgia, in Joshua’s black Navigator. The license plate said, JJ-LUV, his moniker in the music business. Joshua always stopped in for a line-up when he toured in town. Who knew a haircut would lead to an emergency meeting?
Joshua patted his signature, two-toned Mohawk. “I told you to call me Joshua and like I’ve told you before, it’s time for me to change my name and my look. JJ-LUV was cool when I was in my twenties. But I’m a grown man. This is played out.”
“You’ve got to keep it. It’s your strength. Keri Russell cut her hair and her career was never the same.”
Keri Russell, an actress on the popular 90’s drama Felicity, won a Golden Globe for her role and became a big star. Then she cut her signature mane. Her show ratings waned. Some argued it was the choppy storyline, but even executives wondered if her pixie cut ruined her career.
Joshua laughed. “I can’t believe you’re comparing me to Felicity. Warning: Your age is showing. That you even remember or know that is a flag for loser points.”
Brandon gave himself a pat on the shoulder. “I’m one of the top producers in the world, so nothing I do or say makes me a loser.” He gave Joshua a pointed stare. “You can’t do any wrong, either. After all these years, you’re still at the top of the charts. Everybody wants you to jump in on their single.”
Joshua rubbed his eyes. “Don’t you get tired of this? You’re forty-one and have never been married. Plus you have a bottom row of gold teeth you won’t change out.”
Brandon shrugged. “The honeys love it. And I’m not about to get married for another twenty years. There are too many women for me to attempt monogamy. Look at T.I. Everybody thought he and Tiny were forever.” He shook his head. “There are too many women after him for it to work.” His eyes got dreamy. “When I die, I’ll be surrounded by bottoms in my face and a bath full of liquor.”
Joshua glared. “Really? That’s how you want to go? Living a quote from ‘When I Die’? ”
How he wished words weren’t permanent. Joshua would forever be known as the man who wanted to spend his last days with “bottoms in my face and a bath full of liquor.”
Brandon shook his head. “There you go again. Ever since Zoya died, you’ve been in this slump.”
“Death makes you take a different look at your life,” Joshua said. “I’ll be forty next year. I’m ready to settle down. I look at my houses, my cars, the groupies, and all I see is vanity. It’s all vanity. Zoya was only nineteen and she’s gone. Her number one hits don’t mean anything six-feet-under. Her real legacy will be her altruism.”
Zoya Shue, known to the world simply as Zoya, had been on a flight to help start a school in Africa when birds flew into the wing, bringing down her private plane. None of the five passengers on board survived.
“Zoya’s death was a freak accident,” Brandon said. “You’ve got to get past that. I know she meant a lot to you, but there are others clamoring for your attention. Your baby face will keep you in the game for a long time.”
Joshua’s eyes grew misty. “She was my friend, my protégé, and I was so proud of her success. If she were alive, she would have become a legend.”
Zoya had also begun going to church. She had ministered to Joshua about a better path and had purchased him his first Bible. Zoya had been so full of joy. Joshua had craved for what she had.
News rags depicted Joshua and Zoya as lovers, which Brandon encouraged. It fed JJ-LUV’s bad boy image. But Joshua was tired of being viewed as the “bad boy of showbiz.” He wanted the world to see him as a man of character.
Joshua threw on his shades and opened the door.
Brandon followed and came to stand in front of him. “I think you need a party to lift your spirits. You’ve been in hiding long enough. It’s time for the bad boy to shine again. New Years is two weeks away, but we can start the fireworks before then. I’ve arranged for you to go to the Havana Club tonight.”
Joshua folded his arms. “I know you think this will help, but I’m not up to going anywhere.”
“This isn’t your friend talking. It’s your boss. I’ve already dropped word to the Paps you’ll be making an appearance.”
The men engaged in a stare-down.
Joshua shrugged. “Fine. What time should I be there?”
“A little after eleven. Maybe give an impromptu performance—one of the new tracks—but no fighting. I want the world to see you wedged between two buxom beauties, not bringing down more men with your fists.”
Joshua’s jaw clenched. “Those hood rats came after me because I wrote ‘The N Word.’”
“The N Word” had been his protest against black men calling each other that name. He had featured young, white people using it on black men in his video to prove a point, but Joshua had been called a sellout and a coon.
“I told you that was a bad idea,” Brandon said.
His eyes narrowed. “Don’t forget it went platinum, and some college courses are using my lyrics.”
Brandon patted his pants pocket. “It did bring in that paper. So I guess it wasn’t that bad.” Her rubbed his chin. “Make sure you’re captured on camera drinking Golden Liquaz.”
“I haven’t had a drink in five years. You know that. I’m sick of playing drunk for the press. I don’t like what Golden Liquaz represents. What about the young men who look up to me?”
“Then pay back the three mill’ they paid. All you need is two more publicity shots and you’ll be done with them forever.”
Joshua sighed. “Just don’t book me for anything else without consulting me. I told you, I’m looking to break into movies or television as Joshua T. James.”
Brandon threw his head back and la
ughed. “Take my advice and stick to being JJ-LUV. It works. It sells. You can do movies as JJ-LUV. The Gangsta Hijacker wants you for the lead. Go for that. Stop trying to be Ice-T or LL Cool J, or should I say Tracy Marrow or Todd Smith?”
Jackson shoved his hands in his sweater pockets to keep from decking Brandon in the face. He walked to the entrance of the barbershop and then turned around. “Aren’t you coming in?”
Brandon shook his head. “I’m not going to be a witness to that catastrophe.” He gestured to the waiting SUV. “I’ve got an interview with Trend Up magazine. I’ll catch up with you later.”
Joshua entered the shop and waved at Hassan.
“Come on over, Lover Boy.”
Another one of his titles. Joshua held back a groan and ignored the jeers from the other patrons. The pen of his past would always be his present.
His entrance had already attracted attention. Cellphone video cameras were on standby. He squared his shoulders and disregarded the moving mini-screens. He plopped into the chair.
Hassan swung him around to face the mirror. Joshua studied his young face with tired eyes. He didn’t like his image. It was time to change that. A haircut didn’t change the man on the inside, but it was a start.
Joshua lifted his chin and spoke so everyone would hear. “Cut it off. Cut it all off.”
There was a gasp in the barbershop.
Hassan’s mouth dropped open. His eyes were wide. Holding up the clippers, he asked, “Are you sure? Because once I start, there’s no going back.”
Joshua nodded. That’s exactly what he wanted. He would accept the fallout. If he lost fans and endorsements because of a haircut, he would survive. If he didn’t earn another dollar after today, he still had enough to live on for five lifetimes. Joshua thought of all of this as the buzz from the clipper got close to his head.
He steeled himself, gripping the handle of the chair. His eight-inch coils had been his shield. After today, there was no more hiding. When the first inches of hair fell, his shoulders relaxed and he smiled. He anticipated getting to know Joshua and saying goodbye to JJ-LUV.
Ch. 6
“You’re inviting killers and rapists into your world,” Isabella said, leaning close to the computer screen.
Geneva had designed a draft of her ad. She had become quite skilled at creating posters and designing worksheets for her classroom. The women stood in Geneva’s office in her condo. Geneva had called Isabella to look over her ad before she pressed ENTER.
“You sound like my dad. He yelled at me before giving me a ten-minute lecture on the disadvantages of social media.” She dropped her voice to mimic her father’s deep bass. “Geneva, I don’t think this is a good idea.” She rolled her eyes. “I told him I was going to do it anyway, so get ready for the sermon this Saturday.”
“I don’t agree, either.” Isabella hugged her. “Normally, I’m adventurous, but there are too many people that are not too right in the head. My courthouse is filled with undiagnosed hurt people hurting others.”
Geneva put the finishes touches on her advertisement.
“I know, but there are millions of normal, good, everyday Joe’s, or should I say, everyday Josh’s out there. Good people who help others in need. You hear about them all the time over the news. That’s who I plan to take with me to Jamaica.” She told Isabella about the man she had heard about on the radio.
“That’s good for that man, but I’m scared for you. I don’t want to hear some maniac killed my friend and then left her body at the bottom of the ocean.”
Geneva shuddered. “Why would you put that in my head? Relax, Isabella. I’m posting it for fun. Don’t be a spoilsport. It might not even go anywhere. I’ll probably get a few likes and comments, but that will be it. The best thing that can happen is that Josh sees this post. He’ll see I’m doing fine without him.”
“Are you?” Isabella asked. “Because now you have me thinking you’re on the verge of a nervous breakdown.” Her brown eyes were filled with worry.
Geneva cracked up. “I’m fine, believe me. I might still shed some tears in the shower, but it isn’t because of that joker. It’s because I can’t get the time back I wasted on that dead-end relationship.”
She downplayed her pain, but the heartache hadn’t been as bad as she thought it would be. She didn’t feel incapacitated. She felt… free. Josh had checked out of their relationship months ago. She had been the one dragging them forward and holding them together.
“What if Josh decides he’s made a mistake and comes slithering back to you?”
“I’ve thought of that.” Geneva eyed the picture of her and Josh at their graduation sitting next to her computer. She picked it up. “We were so happy here with our future ahead of us…”
“Would you take him back?” Isabella asked. “A part of me suspects you’re doing that ad to shake him up.”
Geneva shook her head. “I looked deep inside myself to see if I had any secret motives. But I don’t want Josh back, especially not after what he said to me in the parking lot. When a man shows you he doesn’t want marriage, you believe him. I ignored his hesitation. I…” Geneva lowered her head. “I believe I pressured him without realizing it.”
“You did no such thing, so stop making excuses for his infantile behavior. You were both celibate Christians. A relationship between the both of you could only lead to marriage. Josh knew that when he asked you to marry him. Unless you dragged him down the aisle with a gun to his head, then you didn’t pressure him. He was the one who started pressuring you to have sex. What did he call it?”
“Sampling the goods,” Geneva said. “That’s another reason why I wouldn’t take him back. I’ve seen the pictures he posted online. He’s definitely not celibate anymore.” Her heart constricted. She wondered whether they would still be together if she had caved.
“I’m glad you didn’t give in to his demands,” Isabella said, not knowing she addressed Geneva’s thoughts. “That man doesn’t deserve a taste of your ice cream sundae.”
Geneva clutched her stomach and laughed. “You’re so right. God’s got the key to this goody box, and it’s not getting unlocked until marriage.”
Isabella’s eyes softened. “I’m jealous you’re able to maintain your integrity. Ever since you gave your heart to God, you’ve kept yourself together. I tried it and failed.”
Geneva fanned her cheeks. “It’s not easy. I try to keep temptation at a minimum, but I was looking forward to the benefits of marriage.”
“I know you were ready for rain after that drought, but God will keep you.”
Geneva bit her lower lip at Isabella’s analogy.
“That’s why I’m scared of you posting that ad,” Isabella went on. “You’re picturing a regular Joe. But what if a hunky, bronze chocolate bar answers the ad? You know the devil is all about temptation. Imagine you and some fine man sharing a place in paradise. Could you keep it together?”
Geneva’s mouth drooled at that mental image. She released a breath and focused on Isaiah 26:3. “God will keep me in perfect peace, and my mind will be stayed on Him. I’ll be all right.”
“Don’t worry about it, girl. I’m messing with you. With your luck, you’ll get a broke, snaggle-toothed stand-in to accompany you. That’ll cure you of men called Josh for good.”
Geneva chuckled. “You’re wrong for that. He could be a nice, broke, snaggle-toothed stand-in. In that case, I’ll have a new Josh for a friend.”
Geneva uploaded her ad and held her index finger over the POST button.
“Wait.” Isabella clasped her hands and closed her eyes. “Lord, protect my friend because I’m really scared and I think this is a crazy thing to do in this day and time, but since she’s going to do it anyway, please send her the perfect Josh.” She released a breath. “Amen.” Isabella squared her shoulders. “Okay, post it.”
“Here we go,” Geneva said, pressing the key. Her heart raced. She logged off. “Well, it’s out there in cyberspace. Let’s se
e where it lands.”
Ch. 7
A hand moved up his leg.
Joshua jumped to his feet, disentangling himself from the girl’s claws. The Golden Liquaz bottle sprayed some of the golden liquid on her face and dress. “I’m sorry,” he said, searching for a tissue.
“No worries, Lover Boy,” the girl said, licking a drop off her face. Her eyes glittered with satisfaction. A camera flashed behind him. Joshua tensed, knowing that the liquor spill wouldn’t be posted as an accident.
Joshua meandered through the swarm of almost-bare bodies and went to find an empty spot. He patted his head. It was weird feeling his scalp. He rubbed his chin. Hassan had hooked up his beard and sideburns.
The deejay put on one of his songs, and Joshua lifted a hand to acknowledge him. The crowd applauded and jammed out to the beat. Joshua nodded along. He had spent hours in the studio developing his own sound.
“JJ-LUV!” the crowd chanted.
“It’s sounds like they want to hear a live version of ‘I String the G String.’”
Joshua shook his head. A few able-bodied men came and pulled him to his feet. Propelled by the crowd, Joshua was led onto the stage. Three groupies surrounded him. He caved and took the microphone. Joshua spat out the lyrics on autopilot. The crowd jumped and screamed his name.
He executed a few of his JJ-LUV exclusive dance moves, but throughout the entire performance, his bones ached. He just felt… tired. He hadn’t written a new tune in months. For Joshua, that was unusual. He usually wrote at least three ballads a month.
He finished the song and the deejay thanked him. Joshua gave him a fist pump and headed off the stage.
“Do you want company, tonight?” a young woman asked, tugging his shirt out of his jeans and sliding her hand across his midriff.
He knew his eyes were wide. Joshua sidestepped her, but another picture flashed. He bit back a groan.
A hand pinched his butt. Joshua turned to see a girl who looked fifteen wearing way too much makeup, giving him a suggestive smile.
The Resolution Page 3