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fabglance1 · 7 years

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#XD30 - Day 3 - UNDERSTOOD

“Quit checking your fucking phone!” Jordan snarled as she watched her husband try to hide his phone behind his back. “JACK! Put that damn phone down and help me!”

It was noon, on Sunday. Jordan had already gone to the gym, drank 48oz of water, applied a hydrating facial mask, set up her clothes for bundle service, and contacted the housekeeper to arrange the patio for game night. The late September forecast said “tonight would showcase clear skies and a warm breeze, perfect for entertaining on the patio.”

Jack, quickly stuffed his phone into the pocket of his grey Nike Tech fleece joggers. He rolled his eyes at his wife while picking up a box of autumn decorations: fake leaves, a fancy wreath sprayed with glitter and adorned with a J & J welcome sign, and various fancy ceramic pumpkins. Jordan requested that all the summer decorations be put away so she could arrange the fall decorations. The house was already smelling like cinnamon and looking like the Kirkland’s fall department exploded in the living room.

Jordan lived for decorating her home. She thrived on the perfect pairing of a cute knick-knack next the modern sleekness of her design concept. She’d spend hours on Pinterest looking at photos of perfect living rooms, exquisite dining areas, and relaxing bedrooms. Every week, since they purchased their five bedroom, 4.5 bath, 4500 square foot space, Jordan was obsessed with making it feel like HOME.

Jack, on the other hand, was just happy to see her happy. He didn’t want to buy such a large space, but he knew Jordan yearned to fill it with family and fun. When the couple started dating, Jordan would often talk about her family home in Connecticut. She talked about her mom and dad and how they loved to entertain. Her parents would host fancy dinner parties with their friends. Jordan would often have sleepovers with groups of giggling girls from her private school. Jordan had an almost picture-perfect life until her mother passed away.

That’s when everything changed. Her father would never find love again and buried himself into his work. He was a law professor at the University of Connecticut and pushing to be the dean. He never stopped adoring his precious baby girl, but Jordan could see that twinkle of love was no longer in his eyes. Her dad didn’t host parties, he didn’t invite friends over, and he didn’t decorate for the holiday (like her mom would do). Knowing this, Jack endured endless trips to craft stores and droning conversations about three-wick candles. He owed her that much.

Growing up, Jack’s life wasn’t as perfect. Actually it was the kind of life that shouldn’t have produced a successful person like Jack. Jackson Dequan Sevier was born to a pair of 15 year old teenagers. His mom named him Jackson because she loved Michael Jackson and Dequan was his father’s name. The teenaged lovers were hardly equipped to take care of a baby boy, so Jack bounced from Grandma to Auntie to older cousin to finally ending up living with his great uncle. The family wanted Jack’s mom to finish high-school and attend college so they decided that she should go away to boarding school to focus.

Jack’s father was a super smart teen who lived on the other side of town. His parents didn’t believe their precious son would get some, “hood rat pregnant” and vowed to keep the pair apart. When Jack’s mom went to boarding school, Jack’s father was never allowed to visit his toddler son. Soon, little Jack seemed to be a distant memory to the teen. The two wouldn’t reconnect until Jack graduated from high school. Jack was 17 and his dad was 32.

Living with his great-uncle, wasn’t the best scenario for a little boy. Jack’s uncle was a hustler and taught jack the ways of gettin’ by. Jack’s uncle could sell ice cream to an Eskimo on the coldest winter day, but that ice cream was probably stolen. For everything he wasn’t, Jack’s uncle made sure the little boy was taken care of. He made sure Jack got to school on time, stayed clean and fed, and got good grades.

As Jack became a teenager, his uncle often warned him to, “keep yo’ dick in yo pants and stay away from these pretty little hoes! Don’t be like yo’ stupid-ass daddy! If you knock a chick up, you sticking yo ass around or you better push her down a flight of stairs if ya’ can’t!” He’d chuckle and walk off to the next hood hustler heist, leaving Jack with a box of kraft mac & cheese and the remote control. Jack was often lonely during those days until he met Ahlia at the community center

Jack walked the big box back to the patio, dropped it down, and reached for his phone. There was no message from Ahlia. He knew she wouldn’t text him back. He knew they probably wouldn’t speak for weeks. This was their routine. Someone would go too far, someone would hug a little too long, someone would start reminiscing about the old times, and they’d end up engulfed in an episode of dangerous desire mixed with regretful remorse. Jack’s mind drifted as he remembered Ahlia’s softness, her big brown eyes looking down at him as he tasted her, the soft moans she let out as she pulsed on his tongue.

He felt a slight bulge beginning to grow just as he heard Jordan’s footsteps. She was coming to check on those damn glitter pumpkins! He slipped the phone back in his pocket and glanced over his shoulder seeing his wife standing in the doorway, “You need me to pick up anymore boxes?”

Her green eyes caught a glimmer of the noontime sun, she peered at him, “No, no more boxes. What I NEED is for you to stop fucking whatever intern your fucking … AGAIN, and to stop confiding in your lil best friend about it! Get your SHIT together Jack! And stop using, damn Ahlia, as your scapegoat! Get a damn therapist!”

Jordan turned in her heels at once leaving Jack with his semi-soft bulge, a box of autumn pumpkins, and no text from Ahlia.

#xd30 #fabglance writes #fiction #writing challenge #creative writing #JackAndAhlia

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whit-c · 7 years

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#XD30 - 22

#XD30 – 22

Sometimes I wanna give up. But I have life to live. And there’s so much more I have to give to this life. So give up I shall not.

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#blogging #challenge #creative #freewrite #life #lifestyle #work #write #writer #Writing #XD30

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damnherewegoagain · 7 years

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#XD30 - One - Help

Jackson was stuck in a dark place he had no idea how to get out of. He went to church and his pastor told him, “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” He tried to speak to his friends about it. “Nigga, what you got to be depressed about? You have a good job and a fly ass crib. Man up.” His mother’s response was his favorite. “That’s just the devil. I’ma pray for you.”

Jackson found his peace in a bottle of whiskey and a handful of prescription painkillers.

After the service, Jackson’s family and friends stood around sipping their church punch, sharing the same sentiment: “Damn why didn’t he come to us for help?”

#XD30

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kedahweeda · 7 years

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#XD30-six-Wonder Woman

Wonder Womanrecently hit box offices everywhere and set summer movie records on fire. I got the chance to see the film earlier this evening and it’s easy to see why people everywhere are interested in the story. Let me start by saying that I don’t know anything about Wonder Woman, or any comic book hero for that matter. It has never been my thing, and when it comes to action movies, it’s not…

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#xd30 #action #actor #blockbuster #blogger #comic #dc #feminist #marvel #movies #producer #romance #summer #women #wonderwoman #writer

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mrcamtastic · 7 years

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#XD30 – One – The Dinner Party

Today (or rather yesterday; I am already behind on this writing challenge) was like most Thursdays. I woke, rolled out of bed, brewed some coffee in my french press, and started work. After several hours of feverishly typing at the computer, I dressed and trotted over to my dear friend’s new place. She and I recently forayed into adulthood and purchased homes and tonight was a celebration of sorts. We weren’t only celebrating the making the first of our respective 360 mortgage payments, but also the many other assorted joyful happenings in life, the foremost of which was making it through another week (albeit short).

I arrived about 30 minutes late to dinner, with beverage fixings in tow, ready for merriment and good conversation. We’d decided to have a Taco Thursday, which necessitated a daiquiri/ margarita accompaniment. The guests of the evening filled the home shortly after my arrival, their respective flairs in tote.

After a few shots of tequila to prime our palates, we sat down for a dinner of pulled pork tacos, elotes, and dacquiris. Spirited conversation ensued. I’d honestly forgotten how much I enjoy good conversation. Entertaining varying viewpoints on issues related to religion, politics, the economy, environmental issues and our musical faves was fun and uplifting. I even broke out into an impromptu sing along with my British expat friend to Spice Girl’s “Wannabe”.

As quickly as we convened, the evening was over and we all returned to our various parts of Atlanta to conclude our evenings. In all likelihood, we won’t convene again for a few weeks as we are flung about the country (and the world for that matter), tending to our various commitments but the simple act of getting together over a meal was invigorating and overall a good start to the month.

#XD30

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degibusdesigns · 1 year

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Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Garsport 620 Low Trekking Hiking Shoes EUR 42.

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bjonthekeyboard-blog · 7 years

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#XD30 - I - Help

I knew this day would come. Or night, rather. "HELP! HEELLLPPP ME!" I turn my head to the gas pump area thinking that I'm about to watch some hood rat get jumped again but I don't see anything. "Help! HE-E-E-E-EEEELLLPPP." Oh shit. What am I about to get into tonight. I run out the store with my phone in one hand and sweat in the other. My heart is feels like it's bouncing around my rib cage. My eyes are scanning the parking lot of the vacant parking lot. "Oh God, OH GOD I don't wanna die!" The voice sounds like it's coming from the alley behind the store. As I get cloooosssseerrr to the alley waaaaayyy, all I he-e-ear. And then I hear my baaabbyy's voice in my ear, screeeEEEEeeeaammmming "Wake up, baby. You're just dreaming. Open up your eeyyyyeess." And then I woke up.

#xd30 #day one #help #short story

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mochachelle · 7 years

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#XD30 -Fifteen-If I

If I shall die before I wake I hope you know that I gave you all of me All my flaws wrapped in a bow All my dreams in hopes to aspire you All my affection so you knew intimacy on another level If I shall die before I wake I pray your tears cleanse you I pray you smile through hurt I pray you know your eyes gave passage to your soul I could tell you needed to be FREE If I shall die before I wake I pray the lord my soul to take I've lived a fulfilling life I love you

#xd30 #poem #poets on tumblr #poetry #poet #black writers #writer #black creatives #storyteller #storytelling #black storyteller

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sawthingsiimagined · 7 years

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#XD30 - NINE | DOUBLE TROUBLE

[ New Flame - Jada] "And now, give a huge Miami welcome to...FLAME!", exclaimed the announcer. The arena went completely black as we took our marks on the set. I would appear behind a veil-like material that would act as flame at the top of burning car and my brother would step out of the car. The car was was being moved on a moving walkway on the stage to give the illusion that my brother was driving. Red lights begin to flash as the car parked center stage. The audience goes crazy. They scream so loud that I was afraid that I would miss my cue to come in. My brother and I prayed fervently before we left the hotel room that evening and were confident that we would put on a great show. Here we are. Two kids from a small suburb right outside of Atlanta, Ga performing for thousands of people. "Are y'all ready to dance?!", I say as loud as I can over my mic. "Let's take a ride. I guarantee to have you home before the morning light.", Jace began singing. His voice was so perfect. He looked great. I knew he was nervous. Hell, I was nervous. But it was something about jumping out there on that stage and the energy of the audience that took all of that nervous energy away. We performed for 40 min and the crowd loved every minute of it. We had one costume change and somehow wardrobe misplaced my shoes for the second costume but besides that, our show was flawless. "Thank you everybody! Be sure to get our debut album 'Double Trouble' available everywhere on July 1st!", I said as we left the stage. We exited the stage and I immediately jumped in my brothers arms. Jace is literal perfection. I know I'm the outgoing one but I want to be like him in so many ways. I look up to my brother and I hope our, already strong relationship, grows stronger. After our embrace we head back to our dressing room to meet Mona and to our surprise our entire family was waiting in the hallway. "Oh my God!", I screamed running into the arms of my grandpa. Bishop, was the first person I saw and then I hugged my grandma, mom and dad. A couple of our aunts and uncles came along as well as our cousins. We even had a couple of close friends from our church all there with flowers and balloons to celebrate our awesome performance. It meant so much for us to be here. Growing up as preacher's kids, we were blessed to have family who supported our secular music. However, we didn't push the envelope when it came to our lyrical content out of respect to our upbringing and legacy. After hugging everyone and exchanging words of excitement I changed so that I could join everyone else in the arena to see SASSY perform. They came out and did their thing...if that's a nice way of saying that they were "ok". It felt like we were at an entire new arena watching from the audience. Everything is much different on stage. We hadn't interacted with SASSY since we've been here. I didn't even get close to them at the pool party but Mona informed us that they were looking forward to meeting us at the afterparty tonight. The concert ended at 11pm exactly. We rushed back stage for a quick meet and greet. Our family and loved ones went back to their hotel to rest up. We would meet them for breakfast to celebrate tonight's show. I was taking a picture with the last fan when I heard someone scream. After the previous night's events I jumped out of fear. When I looked up I saw Q walking in with 2 dozen red and white roses. I can't explain the way I almost ran up to him and kissed him. I had to remind myself that I haven't even called him yet. "Superstar you were amazing and I had to make sure I came to tell you that myself.", Q said flashing a smile as if he was Jay Z looking at Beyoncé. After tonight, honey I felt like Beyoncé. I ran to him to give him a hug. I've never received flowers like that from a guy so I thought a hug would be the proposer exchange, although he was looking so good I wanted to give him some of "Jada's Pink Kit" right backstage. "Thank you friend!", I said with my face buried in his neck. You call guys 'friend' when you aren't sure of their motive but yet you have a motive of your own. It keeps things neutral. He smelled so good. "I'm so happy you came.", I said. "I told you I was. You're too pretty to lie to.", he said. I blushed. "I can't stay long because the car is waiting. Maybe I'll catch you later?", he asked. "I understand and yea....maybe.", I said with a flirty smile. Security escorted me to my car. I was slightly disappointed that it was Paul again and not Ernest. I hadn't see Ernest since he brought me back to my room. I hope I didn't break his dick and have him in the hospital. I should probably check on him. "Hey Paul.", I begin to ask as he opened the door for me to get in the car. "Where is Ernest?", I asked. "Ernest had some family matters to tend to. He will be back tomorrow.", Paul replied. "Oh ok, just asking. You're great. I just remember him saying that y'all rotated so I didn't know if I need to report him if he had you out here working doubles for him.", I lied. I got in the car. Truth is, after performing like we did tonight, I was extremely turned on. Something about all of that hip thrusting, and knowing that every person in the audience is lusting after you in some way, made me horny as hell. Mona, Adrienne and Jace were already in the car when I got in. We laughed and looked at footage from our set on various fan's social media pages. Mona was so proud of us. I can always tell when she's excited because her voice goes from proper "Hello Miss White Woman" to country "I made the potato salad" really quick. Tonight's after party was at a night club called XHALE. The line to get in was wrapped around the building. Of course we were the special guests so we would walk right in. SASSY was walking in when we pulled up so we had to wait in our car until their security team had them situated inside of the club. I thought about the flowers Q brought me and how good he looked tonight. It was crazy that this time last year I was at a TRAPPERS concert. I remember it ended early, because of a fight, but it was so fun and since then I followed the popular rap group keeping up with their music and appearances. Now, their lead guy was acting as if he was into me and brought me flowers after opening night. I decided to text him. I texted him: 'Hey Q. Thanks again for the flowers. If you guys would like to party with us tonight we are at CLUB XHALE. I would love to tell you thank you again in person.' I knew after I sent the text that he would have my number and a new relationship of some sort would be formed. What is a bitch to do? Hmmmm SEND! We get out of the car to walk the red carpet. People are screaming and taking pictures of us. My phone vibrated and I saw that it was Q. I stopped right there and checked the message. The text read: 'Ok mama. On the way to you.' My inner hoe began to rise. He called me mama which means he must be daddy. We are about to play house! I continued into the club trying to decide if I was going to play 'hard to get' or 'hard to get away from'. He's a celebrity with millions of girls throwing themselves at him daily. He probably has baby mamas and groupies galore. I better not mess with him until I know I can keep my feelings out of it. Shouldn't be hard because I still had a mission to get as much as I could on this tour. Guys do it all of the time so for this tour I was going to rep the rockstar life for the ladies. We head over to our section and 'THROW SOME MO' began playing. I immediately started throwing my ass to the beat. I could see Jace shaking his head before venturing off. About 20 minutes later, Mona walks us over to meet SASSY. They were just as I expected; Fake and fraudulent. I put on a fake show for them because I was grateful to be on their tour. Maybe after a couple of cities I would get to know them and like them. I tried to give the black girl of the group the "hey Sis" wave and she looked at me with a smile that read "umm excuse me I don't speak peasantry." I knew then I'd probably eventually have to catch her outside and throw some hands. Such a dry weave heifer. They were eating my brother up. The can look but that's all they can do. I was going to find the perfect girl for my brother and it wouldn't be any of them. I felt an arm wrap around my waist. I turned around and it was Q. I gave him a tight hug. I turned around to excuse myself from Mona and the rest of the crew when I noticed ol' girl from SASSY, the black one, looking like she felt some type of way about Q coming for ME. I decided to rub it in. "Hey Mona, if anymore of the fans want to meet us just text me. I'm going to the bar to talk to Q.", I said and then turned around making sure my hair flicked over my shoulders. I grabbed Q's hand and escorted him to an empty space at the bar. "You came.", I said like a little girl excited to see Santa. "Of course. You rang.", he answered trying to rhyme. It was cheesy but in a cute way for a rapper. "Can I get you a drink?", he asked. "Sure, I'll take a...", I began as he cut me off. "Hey Mike! Hook me up with 2.", he yelled at the bar tender. First name basis? Two what? "Don't worry, I come to this club every time I'm in Miami. Mike makes the best drinks and knows what I like.", he said. We got our drinks and began to talk. I learned that the other 3 guys in TRAPPERS all grew up on the same street as Q. They went to school together and pretty much got caught up in the thug life together. They were from Jacksonville, Fl. I wasn't aware that Jacksonville had thugs but whatever. The TRAPPERS were truly thugs just made over with a star appeal. We talked so much that I missed some messages from Mona. I glanced across the club and they were having a good time so I didn't bother to text her back. I also notice Paul not too far away. When he wasn't looking I took Q's hand and pulled him down a hallway that lead to what looked like offices. There were people in the hallway. I needed to get somewhere a little quieter. I felt like we had been screaming to hear each other all night. "So where are y'all going after this?", he asked. "We have a show in Charlotte tomorrow night and then we have a day off before heading to D.C.", I answered. "Oh word. We'll be in D.C. in a couple of days too. We have a performance at Howard University. They want us to come encourage students to go to school. I hate school and didn't go to college but I'll take whatever check Howard is writing.", Q said with the smile of a scammer. "I hear ya. Well I'm a college drop out thanks to our record deal and this tour. Maybe I'll see you there too.", I said. "You said that like you're about to say goodbye", he said with a look of disappoint. "Oh no, I just didn't want to come off thirsty and ask you to hang out in D.C. I'm a direct person but I'm still taking in everything that's going on right now. Don't let me keep you out late though.", I said with a chuckle putting my head down just in case I came off crazy. He grabbed my chin and pulled my lips to his. HOE! Before I knew it I had my hand around his neck and we were kissing. It was crazy that Chris Brown's song 'New Flame' was playing in that moment. After a while I no longer heard the music or noticed anyone else's presence in that moment. He pulled away. "I would ask if I can take you back to your room but I don't want to come off too direct either....although I am a little thirsty. Do you mind thirsty Jada.", he said running his tongue across his top grill. Forget the hotel. I couldn't wait and I knew the crew would want to stay up and talk about tonight. Whatever was about to happen will have to happen right now. I thought about seeing if we could 'talk' in his car but he's a celeb and I know there are a lot of people who would chase us once we exited this front doors. I look around and notice one of the office doors cracked open. I take his hand again and lead him into the room not caring who saw us go in. Once inside I answered him, "No Q. I don't mind thirsty. Take your sip." I must have used the same tone of voice I used on Ernest because before I knew it he grabbed me up and laid me down on top of a desk knocking over folders and boxes that were on top. The lights were off but I could see him lick his lips from the light coming from under the door. I had on a simple black body dress with bedazzled stilettos. He pulled my dress up and pulled my sheer black thong off. I laid their in disbelief. Again. I was at this guy's concert a year ago watching from the top section. This was turning out to be a wonderful testimony. He caressed my legs all the way up to my thighs and then stopped to rub my inner thighs. He takes a few seconds and then introduced his index finger to my golden gate. He then used two fingers while staring me in the eye the entire time. Bitch he was trying to connect with me. My goodness began to moisten as he removed his fingers and stuck them in his mouth to sample a taste of me. That was a first for me and I wanted to propose to him right there in that moment. Still staring at me, he lowered himself to his knees and removed the cap he was wearing. He disappeared for a second and then I feel his hands again. I feel the warmth of his face and breath on my inner thigh as he traced circles on my thighs with his tongue. Before I could let out a light moan he took his tongues and thrusted it inside of me. I immediately grabbed his plaits. He went to town on me, licking me like a never-ending lollipop. The music was loud still so I didn't have to mask my moans. It felt so good that I wanted to cry. I fought back tears because I figured if I cried it would make me look inexperienced and I wanted him to think that I was used to this. After about 10 minutes my phone began vibrating none stop. He reached for my phone and handed it to me. I notched that he had accepted the call. I couldn't hang up because it was Adrienne. She was probably looking for me. "Hello!", I said trying to hide my moans. "Yes..mmm..I'm ready...ahhh..I'm saying bye to Q...ahhhh...I'll be right there give me three minutes..mmm.", I said and hung up the phone. After I hung up..Q stood up and leaned over me. He bent down and placed his fat tongue in my mouth allowing me to taste my own honey. That made me so hot that I wanted all of him. He stood up and put his cap back on. He then pulled my panties back up and I pulled my dress down. Reaching for my hand he said "Come on, let me walk you out." I knew that probably wasn't a good idea. My face was flushed and it looked like I had been crying so I didn't want anyone to make up any stories. "I probably should go out alone. They are waiting at the end of the hall and I think we should keep this on the low. It's sexy to me.", I said. "So next time it's your turn to hit me." "I sure will mama. You taste so sweet. I'm fighting not to throw you back on the desk.", he said taking a handful of my ass in his hands. I hug him and kiss him on the cheek. I have to make him crave me and want more so I decided against another kiss on the lips and I didn't even say good bye. I looked down and saw the print in his pants. Looks like what they say is true. The slim ones be packing. I open the door and before I can open it all the way I saw Adrienne standing there as if she was about to walk in. I slip out without letting her see inside. "Did Q leave already?", she asked. "Yea I said.", putting my head down in shame. "What's wrong with you? Looks like you've been crying.", she said. "Everything was just so good tonight. And Q made me feel good. That's all.", I replied before walking away towards the exit. "If you say so hoe.", Adrienne said following behind me.

#xd30 #writingchallenge #blackwriter #romenwrites #writing

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asaucewrites · 7 years

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#XD30 - 8 - Flash

Light, camera, action, flash. He readjusted the camera towards my nude body.

I liked being naked in front of the camera, It wasn’t that bad, it helped me feel free. There was nothing to hide. All my scars and imperfections are there for the world to see. But sometimes I feel trapped in my own skin. Like my skins is another layer of clothing that exist over my real self. Will I ever truly be free of this skin I’m in?

I thought about this as he continue to take photos of me.This was supposed to be my big break. But it sure didn’t feel like it. I just hoped I wouldn’t be taken advantage of. I hoped these didn’t end up online on some porn site somewhere.

I trusted him though. At least I would get few hundred bucks out of it. Maybe more he said. He’s done pictures for tons of people before. I saw it on his instagram and website.

“Just a few more, ” he said.

I turned my body to give a few profile shots.

Click, Flash. Click. Flash.

“I think we got it, that’s a wrap”

I grabbed my robe that was laying on the chair. And put it over my nude body. It was soft and warmed my body. Now I could leave. Hopefully I wouldn’t regret it.

#XD30 #writing challenge

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fabglance1 · 7 years

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#XD30 - DAY 11 - HONEST

“If you could just give me the names and the emails of the guests you want to come to the wedding, I can do everything else.” Jordan stood over Jack while he was sitting on the couch playing a video game. The couple was deep into wedding planning, or rather Jordan was deep into wedding planning. Jack was deep into avoiding. He knew this time would come, but he did not want to accept it.

“Babe, I gave you the names of my frat brothers, their dates & wives, Ahlia and her parents AND their spouses, my uncle Rob and his new wife, and my grandparents. We good.” He shrugged his shoulders like Kanye at the MTV music awards and continued to avoid her green-eyed stare. Jack knew Jordan was looking for the names and addresses of his birth parents. This was a topic he avoided with such swift precision that the CIA couldn’t even track him.

“Jackson Daquan. You can’t have JUST twenty people at your wedding, sitting on your side of the church and I have over 100 people on my side.”

“Then it seems like someone needs to cut her list. Wedding getting too damn expensive anyway.” He knew that last part was gonna get him into a lot of trouble. Truthfully, between the two of them, they had more than enough money to throw a lavish wedding with 300 people. Jack just hated when someone wanted to know more about his past. He’d been with Jordan for almost a year and still hadn’t introduced his fiancé to his mother. She talked to his father briefly when she mistakenly answered Jack’s cell while he was sleeping. But their conversation was nothing to write home about. She didn’t even think Jack told his parents he was getting married.

One time, in an attempt to get to know more about her future husband’s past, Jordan invited Ahlia out for lunch. She figured, since Ahlia was the one to get Jack to move to the city, she knew the secrets. Ahlia was just as tight-lipped as her best friend. Pretty much giving Jordan the word-for-word description of Jack’s life: His parents were teenagers when he was born. His dad had money. His mom was smart. The dad was asked to stay away from Jack. His mom was sent to boarding school. Jacked was shuffled from house to house so he wouldn’t go into foster care. He ended up living with his Uncle until he went to college. The end. But Jordan wasn’t happy with that. How was she expected to marry a man who was ashamed of his past? How was she supposed to trust someone who couldn’t trust her with his pain?

“FINE! FINE! You wanna be this person today, be that! I’m just trying to love you Jack. Don’t push me away like this.” She sat down next to him. He acted like she wasn’t there, signaling that he no longer wanted to have this conversation. He told her plenty of times that he didn’t talk to his parents and that was that. Jack stared at the start screen to his video game. Jordan sat for a couple seconds more. Jack said nothing. She started to collect her things hoping he’d ask her to stay. He didn’t, so she left without saying goodbye.

Jack felt awful being like this to his fiancé, but he could not bear the pain of bringing his parents back into his life. One day she’d understand that his parents were toxic, not fit to love someone that only wanted their love in return. Often, he thought about telling her the things he knew about his parents. But, Jordan was so pure and so innocent. She didn’t need the knowledge of that type of turmoil in her brain. He dealt with his demons on his own. Sometimes calling on Ahlia to lead him through the darkness.

As he was sitting on the couch, regretting his negative attitude, the phone rang. He looked at the screen, speak of the devil. It was his father, Dequan. Of course, it was time for his monthly phone call. He called Jack, once a month since Jack was in grad school. When Jack moved to Atlanta to attend Morehouse, he lived in the dorms for the first two years. But the lure of the Atlanta nightlife made him want to move off campus. He was tired of the university’s archaic rules and regulations, especially when it came to overnight guests.

At the time, Jack and his father were pretty cool. Jack would visit his father on the weekends if his father wasn’t flying out of town for work. The first six months in ATL were everything Jack wanted. He saw his dad all the time, his father gave him an allowance, he was killing his grades, and even doing a bit of party promoting. That’s why his late-night shindigs didn’t sit well with the campus administrators. Jack played it cool not wanting to make too many waves with the university officials. After all, his father donated big bucks (no whammies) to the school. Eventually, Jack asked to live with his father. His father was more than happy to oblige.

Jack’s father, Dequan, was as polished as a new penny, never a hair out of place or a shoe un-shined. Tall and muscular, the two looked more like siblings than father and son. Dequan worked in finance too, starting with an internship as a bank teller and eventually moving through the ranks. He was the division coordinator for Colonial Bank Southeast with a fat salary that proved his knowledge and reputation in the banking world.

Jack thought about answering the phone. He thought about letting the incident go and inviting his father to the wedding. No. His heart couldn’t take it. Jack let the phone go to voicemail. He’d tell Jordan all about his parents soon, but not today. Jack continued to sit on the couch, the techno music of the video game played on a loop as it waited for Jack to push the start button. Jack let his mind wander back to that crazy night in Atlanta.

Jack had been dating a lovely little light-skinned girl from Clark-Atlanta. He had been living with his father for some time now. The couple went to Jack’s room to smoke a quick joint and have some fun before heading out for the night. Jack’s father never got married, but entertained plenty of women around the city. Jack was surprised his father didn’t have reputation, but handsome men tend to get away with a lot more than one might think. After a quick session ‘rub it down and smack it hard’ Jack’s girlfriend asked to get something to drink. Jack told her to hit up the kitchen and bring him something back too.

It took an abnormally long time for the young co-ed to return to Jack’s room. He threw on a pair of sweatpants to see what was keeping her. Jack was surprised to see his father standing over the petite young lady. He was looking at her sternly and almost spitting the words into her face. Jack stood off to the side trying to figure out the scene. He saw his father grab the girl’s arm tightly as she pulled away.

“I’m sorry Mr. D, I didn’t know. I really didn’t know he was your son.” Jack looked at the scene with confusion. He would get to the bottom of this. He went back to his room

The young lady returned with two large cups of apple juice. She acted like nothing had happened. Jack just stared at her, “Took you long enough.”

“Oh, your dad was out in the living room. He scared me. Y’all look just alike.” She took a big gulp of her juice hoping that Jack would stop the questions.

“He scared you, huh?”

“Yeah.”

“I overheard your conversation. For real. How do you know my father?”

“I don’t know him. I just met him in the kitchen.”

“Don’t lie.” He wanted to knock the juice out of her hand, but didn’t want to have a cascade of stickiness all over his sheets. He turned his body to face her again, “How do you know him? Don’t lie!”

She could see the anger in Jack’s face and she already knew what Jack’s father was capable of. She sighed heavily. “He’s my manager.”

Jack looked confused, “You work at the bank?”

“Not exactly. But I work for your dad. He’s kinda like . . .” Her voice got so quiet Jack had to lean in to hear her speak, “. . . kinda like a pimp.”

At this point a parade of pandas could have done a two-step through Jack’s bedroom and he wouldn’t have been more surprised. This information was more than a little bit, “A pimp. Wait are you a fucking prostitute? I been boning a prostitute?!”

“NO. Not like that. I’m like an escort. I only go on two, maybe three dates a month and I don’t have to have sex with anyone. I just needed money to pay for school. My girl gave me your dad’s number. I met him at the bank, he told me I was pretty. Told me to meet him at this restaurant in Little 5 points and sent me on my first date. I made like $700 that night.”

“But my dad is one of the best in the business of finance. I just . . .” Jack was dumbfounded. He knew his father had money and connections in Atlanta but now he figured out why.

After the conversation with Lil Miss Clark-Atlanta, Jack never saw her again but went on to find out his dad wasn’t a good guy after all. He used his position of power to bring gullible girls into the sex work business. There were all types of powerful people using Mr. D’s ‘services’ and he leveraged that information, with his knowledge of finance and currency, to keep one foot in banking and one foot in the streets.

There was no way that Jack wanted that element at his wedding. He knew he would tell Jordan eventually, but she couldn’t know right now. He decided to call Ahlia to get her opinion. He felt himself slipping into darkness, and needed her bright light to pull him through.

#xd30 #JackAndAhlia #FabGlance #fabglance writes #fiction #black fiction #writing challenge

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