Love Jones

Like many people my age, I vividly remember the movie Love Jones. Well, I don't remember the movie in particular, funny enough, I'm not really even a fan of spoken word poetry. But what I remember about the movie was how the players interacted with one another. They were a group of young, beautiful, creative, successful Black people. And while I was only a teenager when I saw that movie with my high school classmate, I remember vividly looking at that screen and longing for the day that would be me.

On the same weekend that I hopped out for the Stevie Wonder concert, a friend suggested that we go to the Kaytranada show. Coincidentally, our (other) classmate, who she's good friends with, was able to score us free tickets. I wasn't to familiar with the music, in spite of having some of it in my collection, but I can't front, I was blown away. Anyway, afterwards, I got to my HOUSE (teehee) and I decided that I wasn't quite ready to go home. It was only midnight, and the night was still young, so I made a beeline to The Venue (I'm not telling the world where my spots are, so they can't identify the players, plus I don't want randos showing up at my hangout spots).

Anyway, I knew that Dex would be performing, and I slid in at the door, and grabbed a seat as he warmed up. I also called another friend of mine, who'd been meaning to get in some live music, and encouraged her to join me. As Dex and the band began performing, I took it all in. Here I was, in this little hole-in-the wall of a venue, listening to some of Atlanta's most talented performers. I knew the person leading the band and I even happened to know the DJ, my former boss. 

It was in that moment that I realized that many people don't have that life and they'd love to have it. There I was, in a venue, surrounded by creatives, listening to music. And that wasn't some one-off. This really can be like some random ass Tuesday for me. That shit is my life! I never have to complain about being bored and friendless, I literally manifested the life I wanted and I continue to live it and be grateful for it.

***

This morning, at 6:43, as I slumbered gracefully, I got a call. I saw the name and I pondered if I should answer it. I hadn't talked to him in a while. No bad blood or anything, but we'd just been in different spaces, and he doesn't even live in my city anymore. Rather than send it to voicemail, I opted to answer, in case it was an emergency. "I want to see you," he said. It was The Lobbyist.

He told me that he is town for the day and wanted to hang. Naturally, today is the day that I work both jobs, which is probably a blessing in disguise. It would be nice to see him. I'm sick of hearing about political shit though. I wonder why he's in town. "I'm not hooking up with you," I shoot back. "That's too bad," he replied.

The Lobbyist wanted me some years ago, but as an insecure grad student, I had no clue what he'd seen in me. But now as a secure, grown ass woman, I don't blame him lol. But the fact is that I'm not in a space to entertain casual hookups, even with the guy who has spent more time in the White House than fucking 45 himself. I can't front though, I'm always enthralled when he starts sharing his political stories. I've always been a sucker for a man with power, and the Lobbyist definitely falls under that umbrella.

Nevertheless, that window has closed and we've both moved into other spaces, not to mention, other cities. Still, I agreed to move some things around, so that I can briefly see him between jobs.

Once again, I'm living out my super fabulous life with a wonderful cast of zany and introspective characters, who manage to bring something magical to the plotline. I don't know exactly when this became my life, but I'm grateful. Lord help me be good when I see this man today, and please God, don't let him be wearing a cologne that I love.