is absolutely beautiful. There are just not enough words available to describe it. Your work, and you, are larger than life. We all not only have secrets, but a secret power, too, King. Yours is definitely art. You transform people. That’s powerful. You need to make some money. Real money. You’re much too talented to keep hidden away in my shop forever. I want to offer a new venture.”
King swallowed, not enjoying the way the man was talking in code.
“I deal in black and white when it comes to business, Ricky. I don’t know what you’re doing or saying, and right now, my patience is extremely short.”
“I want to try ya out.”
“Try God, not me.”
Ricky chuckled lazily, then drew hard on his cigar.
“Take me back to the shop, please. I have to take care of some things,” King said. He refused to sit on this hot seat any longer, the uncomfortable weight of the conversation weighing him down.
“Frank, head back to Alpha,” Ricky called out, then slapped the envelope in King’s hands. The paper burned like hot brandy. He opened it and peered inside. He gasped. He was staring at a check that was triple his salary, as well as a wad of cash. As they rounded the block, Ricky sported an all-knowing, self-satisfied smile on his face.
“I’ve thought about your shirt idea, the one you mentioned when we first met in person. You know, designs. That’s small potatoes. I want to take that up a notch. I played with you a little that day. I already know about design. I wanted to see what advice you’d give me about the stupid ass baseboards, so I threw out some shit I was making up on the fly. You knew your stuff. After watching you this month, and finding out about this latest event, I got a crazy idea, King. But, uh, with you, I think it just may work.” He shrugged. “Are you ready to listen to my proposal?”
They pulled back up in front of Alpha.
“I’m ready to listen to anything, within reason, that will take me to the next level.”
“Good. I believe in you, King. I only have one child, a daughter, so sometimes, I’ll meet someone along the way that I take under my wing. Someone special. This time, that special person is you. I’m investing in the Deviant Artist. You’re going to make a lot of fuckin’ money if you’re chosen by this amazing person. For your sake, you better come through…”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Drawing You Close
It takes all kinds to make the world go ’round. We need all types of people to sustain this system, the matrix of being. All kinds of men, women, and everything in between. However one defines themselves. When it comes to choosing someone to join you in bed, or for life, you have to know what you want. I’m not a browsing shopper. I go in focused. If I want just a fuck buddy, my parameters are broader, my net wider. If I want someone I can be friends with too, it gets tighter. If I’m lookin’ for that ‘forever thang,’ that ‘he’s my man,’ bag, I zero in on the few ‘items’ in there that come close to the required criteria. I’m not the prettiest woman in the world, probably not the funniest or smartest either, but I am unique and dope. I’m a valuable package.
I know what I bring to the table, so I seldom shop for that ‘forever thang,’ but when I do, I am all about business and laser sharp focus. I wasn’t shopping when I ran into King, but sometimes, when you’re not searching, you find exactly what you thought you weren’t looking for…
Considering the type of woman I am, I know myself. I know my assets as much as my weaknesses. I am flawed. Completely. Totally. Imperfectly perfect. I make no apologies for this.
I know what I need and I’m determined to not settle.
I need me an outspoken, artistic, intelligent, tall, built, fierce, alpha male mothafucka who is responsible and can handle his business. He has to have a heart, though. He must have a conscience. He must care about SOMETHING in this big crazy world, and it can’t just be money, power, or possessions. He has to know how to love before he even steps to me. I won’t tolerate anything less.
I fix no one.
I will encourage my man. Be there for my man. Fuck him the way he wants to be fucked and sucked. I