Omniscient
Effie, Deena, Lorell, and Michelle walked out of the Detroit theater hand in hand. Immediately they were greeted with a whole slew of fans, photographers, and even their family. As the girls stood there on the red carpet, a myriad of emotions shone in their spirits. Effie, overwhelmed.
For the last nine years, her life had looked like everything but this. There was no glamour. There was no applause. There wasn't even this feeling of being loved by anyone other than her child. And just like that, she was soaking up the spotlight and the love that came with it again. And loving it. Deena, torn.
Performing beside her estranged best friend for the first time in such a long time felt so good! But it didn't take very long to remember that this was the very last time she would ever have that opportunity. So this would be the very last time she felt that feeling. And it felt like it was her fault. And that hurt. Lorell was relieved. She loved performing with her sisters. She always has. But losing Jimmy, even after breaking it off, left everything next to breathing feeling like a burden.
Losing Jimmy taught Lorell to cherish love. And she would always cherish the relationship she had with Effie, Deena, and even Michelle. But without the love of her life there to bring light to it everything felt dull. And Michelle. Michelle was a lot of things. But tonight, most of all she was disappointed that this was over just as she had started to feel noticed.
As The Dreams stood there smiling, waving, and blowing kisses, Magic approached them, with C.C. and Marty at her side. Just a few moments ago, she'd seen her mother with stars in her eyes for the first time in her life. Her mother was glowing. And it made her smile.
"Mama you were wonderful," Magic reached out to touch Effie's hand and she pulled her in for a big hug. "Thank you ladybug."
"Well, well, well. You... must be Magic," Deena said with a warm smile as she stepped up to greet Effie's daughter for the first time ever. Effie and Curtis had made a beautiful child, and she couldn't deny it if she wanted to. "I'm—," Magic cut her off, "Deena. And you're Lorell and you're Michelle. I have all of your records. And I've seen you on Mister Soullll," Magic said as she cut a little two step, causing the girls to fall into giggle.
"Your mother lets you play our records?" Lorell asked and Magic nodded. "Yep. She only makes me turn it off after the second or third time."
"Well I'm flattered. It's really great to finally meet you, Magic," Deena charmed, pulling the little girl into a hug.
"Y'all know y'all killed it in there, right? Blew those people away," C.C. spoke up, chewing gum, as he wrapped his arm around Michelle's waist. "Yes, you ladies sounded as beautiful as you all look," Marty tipped his hat to the group as they began to make their way to the other end of the carpet slowly. "Well, no small thanks to Effie. Those people went crazy before you even started singin'," Deena threw out a compliment with a small smile.
"Well you know I do what I can honey," Effie laughed while knocking imaginary dust off her shoulders. "It felt so good singin' on a big stage again. Especially with my girls," Effie said as she squeezed Lorell's hand to pull her back into the conversation.
"So this is really it, huh? The end of the road?" C.C. asked as they reached the end of the red carpet and Deena's limousine driver stood next to the open door. "I never thought it would end like this," he finished.
"Well it has to end like this. We have to burn the bridge between us and Curtis, we just have to. Or what? Let him drag us down like he dragged down my Jimmy? I ain't goin' out like that. I'll be damned if I earn his lyin' greedy manipulative ass another silver dime," Lorrell responded, snatching her fur shaw together. "I'm outta here," Lorell went to walk away, leaving everyone she was standing there talking to stunned. "I'll make sure she gets to her ride safely," Marty started, "Again, awesome night tonight ladies. Let's keep in touch. All good things must come to an end kid," Marty said as he patted C.C. on the shoulder before leaving to catch up with Lorell.
"Hey, Effie," Deena spoke up and all heads turned to her. "I was hopin' you and I would be able to sit down and talk.. like really talk... one day soon?"
"Oh sure, that ain't no problem. How about you come by my place tonight? I know I ain't livin' big like you and Curtis have been all these years. But I picked up a bottle of champagne. Me, C.C. and Michelle were just headed there now," Effie said as a show of good faith. Since reuniting, Effie and Deena hadn't had time enough to say more than an obligatory 'hello, how are you?' to each other. Throwing together this farewell performance was taxing. Effie was eager to show Curtis, Deena, and whoever else she thought could think down on her that she knew how to put business first.
So rehearsal was just that, rehearsal. She made sure that while she was there it was all work and no play. And when that was over, she had to rush home to take care of Magic. Now that this was ending though, she wondered if she could really have her friends back.
"I can't tonight. I have a doctor's appointment really early in the morning. Another time?"
"Doctor? Are you okay, Deena?" Effie asked with genuine concern.
"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just a check up."
"Okay. Well C.C. has your number, right? I'll get it from him."
Deena nodded with a smile. "He does. Call me as soon as possible, okay? I'll be home tomorrow afternoon. Maybe I can stop by after," Deena said with a smile as she picked up her dress to duck down into her ride. "Okay, great. Get home safe," Effie responded just before the driver shut Deena's door before racing around to get in himself and he pulled off.
"Hey! Hey!" An all too familiar voice called and Effie rolled her eyes as she pulled her child close. And their car came pulling up just in time. "Get in the car, Magic," Effie said, opening the door to the backseat herself seeming as the valet couldn't get out to do it fast enough.
"Just where do you think you're goin' so fast, Effie?" A cold hand on her shoulder stopped her. Effie turned around wearing a face with no emotion. And there he was, her baby daddy himself looking like he wasn't sure if the world around him was still turning. But Effie felt nothing for Curtis. Not hurt, not cheated, not even pity, even though he was probably the only individual in her world who deserved it.
"Can I help you, Curtis?" She asked as C.C. helped Michelle join Magic in the car. But C.C. stood tall by his sister's side. He felt he owed her that much.
"In fact you can. I'd like to meet your little friend," he said, running his hand down Effie's arm. "Tuh," Effie laughed sarcastically while putting more space between them. "Magic? That little girl there?" Effie pointed her thumb at the car behind her. Just then Michelle rolled down the window just a crack to get a better listen at their conversation. She looked over at the pretty little brown beauty beside her and put a smile on her face. She cocked her head to the side before whispering, "You know that man is your father, right?"
Magic sat up with wide eyes. "Who? Are you playin' some kinda joke?"
Michelle chuckled. "No, sweet child. Mr. Curtis Taylor Jr. is your daddy. Wanna have a look?"
"Move, let me see," Magic said, climbing over Michelle to trade places and sit by the window. Magic rolled the window down even more and sat there listening and watching quietly.
"That little girl is not my friend. That's my child. And no you can't meet her, so is there anything else I can help you with?" Effie said with a roll of the neck and Curtis chuckled. "Effie, Effie, Effie... just as quick and as slick as you always been, huh? How old is she, Effie?" Curtis asked as he grabbed Effie by the arm.
"I don't think you wanna do that here in front of all these people, brotha," C.C. said lowly as he stepped in between them, "But if you do, it won't be you puttin' yo hands on her, but me puttin' my hands on you."
"Everything's a nursery rhyme witchu, ain't it brotha?" Curtis asked with a sly smile.
"I'm nine," Magic said, knowing that she could make whatever was happening between these three adults stop. And she was right. At the first sound of her voice they all averted their attention towards her. "Magic?" Effie said as her heart broke from just the look on her daughter's face.
Magic wore confusion, and anger, and betrayal. And her mother saw it all in her eyes. Curtis walked around Effie and got down on one knee. He looked up at Magic with a smile. "Hi, Magic. I'm Curtis." He pulled her hand through the window and kissed it.
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What are your thoughts?! 💭
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Heyloooo
Here is just a short chapter explaining on what happened after the performance itself.
I hope you guys enjoy the story we both bring to you!!
Sorry for any mistakes we may have caused
Until next time my loves 💕
The way iWriteThicklits Took my little outline and made it into this 😩