Early Morning Clarity
The notification sounded like the microwave telling me my food done in the silence of Melvin’s apartment at 11:47 PM. He was scrolling through social media, constantly blinking his eyes and yarning fighting from going to sleep thinking he was going to miss out on something.
DING!
Angela’s name lit up his screen.
I believe in having a monogamous relationship. What I don’t believe in is forcing it on somebody that doesn’t want that. I also don’t judge or look down on folks that choose poly or other alternative lifestyles. You’ve got to do what works for you and your household, create a life that makes you happy. I just know anything besides dating one person with the intention of marriage one day down the line is not the situation for me. I’m too old to be casually humping from bed to bed with no title or any type of commitment.👌🏾💯
Melvin stared at the message for a full minute. They’d been avoiding that conversation for a while now—but ever since that night at Marcus’s birthday party when things got a little intense on the dance floor it had spilled over into three month’s of amazing dates, late night conversations, and that kind of chemistry that made you think “where you been all this time”.
But Angela was different. She wasn’t the one to be playing games or dropping hints. She was laying it all out, clear as day. No confusion, no mixed signals, no wondering where you stood.
Melvin pulled up the keyboard on his phone. Part of him wanted to overthink it—dissect every word, consider the implications. He decided to call his cousin Dave for advice.
Dave: Hello? What’s up cuz?
Melvin: What’s up cuz. I was calling you to get some advice.
Dave: What up?
Melvin: Man I’m crushing on this woman and she came at me straight forward no bs. Yeah, she texted me saying all kinds of stuff a man looking for. She believes in monogamous relationships you for me and nobody’s else. That’s what’s I’m about to.
Dave: Well whats the problem?
Melvin: There’s no problem I just want to say the right thing. But something about how honesty she spoke it was from the heart genuine and demanded the same in return.
Dave: Sounds like you want everything she wants so it shouldn’t be hard just speak from your heart cuz.
Melvin: Yeah you right thanks cuzo I’m a holla back.
Melvin texted.
Melvin: Let’s get it on.
Then immediately deleted it. Too casual for what she’d just shared. He texted again:
Melvin: Let’s make this official then.
Delete.
Melvin: I’m feeling like and ready for something real too.
Delete.
Finally, he was on what felt right:
Melvin: Let’s get it on—with everything. You, me, and whatever comes next.
He hit send before he could second-guess himself and hit delete.
Three dots popped up immediately. Then disappeared. Then appeared again.
Angela: Why you playing. Because I meant every word I said.
Melvin: So did I. I’m tired of pretending I don’t want something real. And I want it with you.
Angela: You sure?
Melvin: Yes.
Angela: Okay. Guess we are together.
Melvin: Just like that. Guess we are. Good night, my girlfriend.
Angela: Good night, boyfriend.
Melvin: I could get use to that.
Angela: “My Girlfriend” sounds suspect.
Melvin: Hahaha! Yeah, if I take the “my” out sounds suspect.
Angela: Man bye!
Melvin set his phone down and looked around his apartment with a new perspective on what lies ahead. Tomorrow, he’d definitely do that laundry. Maybe buy some real groceries instead of frozen dinners. Start acting like a man he was raised to be.
Sometimes the best conversations happened at midnight on FaceTime. Sometimes “let’s get it on” meant…..you fill out the rest.
To be continued……….