Suds - Season 1, Episode 25

… a mini soap opera that bubbles with Love & Drama

[Last time on Suds... dear Darien and lovely Leilah kissed again, and she told him that she couldn’t become involved in a sex-free relationship. Awwww, I thought they would make the perfect couple.

Meanwhile, Mira provoked Shantel to the point where the girl had pinkish-red eyes, but Shantel didn’t say or do anything… unless you consider her folding to the ground, rocking back and forth, and balling up her fists as notable reaction. No use crying over spilled bubbles, the anger has already risen and love has been stirred…

New imaginary cast member! Blow some bubbles for the adorable Lil Romeo, son of Master P., who will be playing the imginary role of Leilah's fifteen year old brother, Jack D. Did you know I used to love Master P's, "Bout it Bout it" song back when I was sixteen? Of course you didn't, but I thought I'd share.]

Leilah pushed her hair away from her face, stealing a glance at Darien from the corner of her eye. He appeared to be deep in thought. I’ll catch the train back to school, she thought and returned her gaze to the highway signs, counting the seconds of silence before they parted ways for good.

Darien reached over, placing his hand on hers. She turned her palm up, gripping his, and rested in his comfort.

~~

Darien smoothed his fingertips across the back of her hand before fanning them around, and interlocking his fingers with hers.

“I’m sorry,” he said, “but I can’t let you go.”
“Right here, the building on the left,” Leilah said pointing at her Aunt Lisa’s two-flat.

He released her hand to parallel park and then turned the car off.

Leilah loitered in the parked car unwilling to leave him, but more unsure of her ability to be involved in a restricted relationship.
“It might not work,” she mumbled reaching for his hand.
“We’ll never know if we don’t try.”
“Aren’t you supposed to pray about major decisions like this, or is that the old school way?”
“I already did,” he smiled. “God gave me a green light.”

Leilah studied the sincerity in his face, sighing, “I wish He would fill me in.”
“Have you asked Him yet?”
“Um, no,” Leilah blinked, considering the oddity of the question. “God and I don’t really get down like that.”
Darien lifted his brow quizzically. “I thought you believed in God.”
“I do. I just don’t believe he takes time out of his schedule to talk to me.”

Darien nodded, “You should come to church with me on Sunday.”
“I don’t know if I can. I’ll be spending time with the kids.”
“Bring em. It would be cool to meet your kids,” he teased.

Darien suppressed the urge to kiss her hand and feel her soft skin against his lips when she avoided his gaze.

Leilah grinned, “You won’t have to wait until Sunday.”

Darien followed her eyes to two teenagers. The girl had the younger boy, hunched over in a headlock. She let him go when they saw Leilah, and skipped toward the unfamiliar car.
~~

Emptiness settled inside Mira. Hollowed of all emotion, she walked across campus ignoring everyone that spoke to her. She walked for nearly half an hour until she stood in front of the clinic again.

The long two-story building was once her favorite place. She handed out condoms, taught the importance of safe sex, and counseled those who tested positive for HIV. 'It’s not the end of your life,' she would say. 'People are living long, healthy lives even with HIV.' The assuring phrase she often used felt more like the last nail being hammered into her coffin.

Mira gulped hard and forced her feet to move up the stairs. The door opened less than five feet away.

She looked up and saw Sylus.

~~

Lalique and Jack D. approached the car. Leilah stepped out, and ran to hug her siblings.

“Get off me, G,” Jack D. complained when Leilah squeezed him into a hug.
“Don’t you miss me Jacky boy,” Leilah kissed him on the cheek.

Jack D. struggled out of the hug and she rocked into a tight embrace with Lalique.

“You know Jacky is always worried about his lil image,” Lalique teased.
“What image,” Leilah chimed in. “He’s too young to have an image.”

“Yeah, whatever, G, I’m old enough for more than you think.” The fifteen year old smoothed his Avirex jacket into place.
“Who got you that jacket?” Leilah asked estimating the value at about two hundred dollars.
“Nonya,” he smirked.

Lalique met Leilah’s questioning eyes and nodded. Leilah assessed her brother. He wore the latest Jordan’s. His jeans were crisp, and he dusted off his flashy cap before securing it over his rough braids.

“I’m gon need you to braid me up when I get back,” Jack D. said to Leilah.
She looked at the time on her cell phone, 7:30 pm. “Where are you going?” she asked.
“Nonya,” he grinned, licking his lips.

“Don’t let him go,” Lalique admonished.
“Man, I wish you would get out of my business,” Jack D. said glancing around.

“What’s up, Jacky?” Leilah asked suspiciously.
“Nothing, Lei,” he answered, and then pointed at Darien, “Who is this?”

“Yes,” Lalique said, momentarily distracted as she sized up Leilah’s companion. “Who is your friend,” she smiled and flirting with Darien, “I’ll be legal tomorrow.”

Leilah elbowed her.
“It was a joke,” Lalique laughed, then whispered, “Dude is fine, though.” Her cell phone rang. “Jacky, please tell those stupid lil girls to stop calling my phone looking for you.”

He snatched the phone from Lalique’s hand. “What’s up girl? Let me give you my new number.”

“What’s going on,” Leilah whispered to Lalique.
“He’s been hanging around with the wrong crowd. You should see his closet. He got into it with Aunt Lisa yesterday, and she kicked him out.”
“Where is he staying,” Leilah gasped. She glanced over at Jack D. and Darien while they spoke a few feet away.
“We’re staying at Mom’s. I told Aunt Lisa I’ll try to keep an eye on him.”
“Why did she kick him out?”
“She thinks he’s been selling drugs out of the basement.”
“What?” Leilah screamed, glaring at her brother.

He glanced away. “Alright man, I’ll holla at you later.” He slapped Darien five and turned to walk away.

“Where are you going?” Leilah demanded.
“Lei, man, ya’ll be getting all worked up over nothing.”
“Where – are – you – going?”

Her eyes darkened, instantly masking her in a maternal light. Jack D. hung his head in defeat. He walked toward her, and whispered in her ear. “I know I messed up,” he said. “But I not on that anymore. I’m bout to go chill with my girl.”

He stepped back allowing her to see the sincerity swirling in his eyes.
“When will you be back,” she asked.
“About eleven.”“Make it ten, we need to talk.”
“Cool,” he said, punching Lalique in the arm before he ran away.

[Stay tuned: Only few more episodes left in Season 1… so sad, but true.]