Chapter 1
571 Words
Atlanta
Fallon watched his performance every night with bated breath. Tonight, closing night, was no different. She knew Kadeem would get every line just right, every movement perfect, and hit every note. She watched his frame, an average height and average build - the epitome of mature sexiness. There was no other way to describe how the lights glistened on his salt and pepper hair and caramel skin. Age didn't mar or betray his face, only enough to show experience. His brown eyes danced, loving the spotlight.
But he would never know she watched him in that way. She stayed backstage, out of sight, never really claiming her existence. Many times they interacted all she could do was shy away, slinking into the background. Fallon could never believe this was the case because she was so outspoken in other areas of her life. But something about Kadeem made her tongue catch and often giggle like a schoolgirl or an innocent virgin. She shook her head. Fallon was neither schoolgirl nor virgin but he made her feel like she was just starting from the beginning. And how could he possibly notice her, a round the way girl at best, coffee skin, glasses and dark clothes hiding any suggestion of a shape? Even now, she wore her backstage blacks – black yoga pants and a black tee-shirt.
She watched how, once again, the audience loved him and came to greet, give accolades and take pictures. After all, he was the star of the show and a talent to boot. Anyone would want a man who can act, sing, dance and command the stage….
Focus, Fallon, she said to herself. Time to get instructions for strike that would take place immediately following the champagne toast. They would reminisce, reflect on the run, tell jokes, “rub bellies” then vow to work together on future projects. Then Fallon could finally escape the nightly dreams of lustful entanglements with a principle actor.
An hour later, after the champagne toast, Fallon saw Kadeem, now out of costume in a red tee-shirt and blue jeans, standing near the exit, preparing to leave. This would be the only time she’d ever get to touch, hug or even make her presence known. She swallowed her nerves and fear and walked up to him. Praying she didn’t start to sweat too much under the light, Fallon called his name.
“Kadeem.”
“Hey Fallon,” Kadeem replied, stopping mid step. He knew her name!
“I-I just wanted to say good luck and good bye,” she said. Then, taking a deep breath, Fallon reached to give him a hug.
“Thank you for all your work,” he said. To her surprise, Kadeem’s arms snaked around her body and held her in the hug of her dreams, one of protection and longing, strength and adoration. There was a distant smell of sandalwood and musk that filled her nostrils. It lasted only a second, but it felt like a lifetime to Fallon, who now struggled to keep her emotions together. Then, a soft wind past her ear.
“Next time,” he whispered for her ears only. “That’s all I’m going to say.”
They release their embrace and Fallon walked away quickly before she lost composure. When she made it into the wings she peaked out. Kadeem was still looking in her direction, his eyes meeting hers.
“Promises, promises”, she whispered to herself, certain this would be the last time she’d ever be in the room with him.
- Writer
