Chapter 2: Awake

“Whatup whatup! Thank God it’s Friday! It’s the morning wake up show wit ya boy, Chuy Gomes. For all of you lovers out there, this one’s for you...”

“She makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up
Just one touch
And I erupt like a volcano and cover her with my love
Babygirl you make me say (Ohh ohhh ohhhh)”

Lawrence, tired from his late night rendezvous, rolled out of the queen bed that occupied half of his tiny San Francisco studio apartment. Last night wasn’t a dream. His clothes were still on, the star-shaped stamp from the dance club was still on his right hand, he still needed to shower, and most importantly, he could still smell her sweet fragrance and feel her light touch.

But his 9:30 meeting wasn’t going to wait for him so he slapped the alarm off, trudged slowly across the 12’x16’ room, and flicked on the wall mounted HDTV he got as a graduation present last June. Only 9 months ago that he left Cal with an econ degree. He laughed to himself, no more getting up at 1pm, time to get ready for work.

With Stuart Scott on Sportscenter “boo-yah-ing” in the background and sunlight forcing its way through the drapes above his tiny desk, Lawrence meandered on over to his small bathroom and jumped in the shower. Once finished and toweled off, he flipped through his floor to ceiling closet and got dressed.

“Gotta look good for my meeting” he thought to himself. So he donned his finest suit, navy blue with pinstripes, silver tie, and black leather shoes.

“Ain't nobody dope as me I'm dressed so fresh so clean”

He loved that song, made him feel like a million bucks. After snatching his brown leather briefcase off the desk, slipping his iPhone into his pocket, and placing the headphones in his ears, he was ready. Not ready for work, ready for the night to come so he could see her again. Work just got in the way.

Chapter 1: Drunk

Lawrence came home drunk. Again. It was the fourth straight night. The smell, the laughter, the freedom. Boy how he enjoyed himself. These late night rendezvous were becoming routine. Every day after work, he’d be out late enjoying himself. So much so that all of his regular routines were compromised and he neglected his other responsibilities. He didn’t stay at work late to finish his projects. The gym and exercise became afterthoughts. His life was changing for better or worse and he simply couldn’t concentrate on anything else.

But it didn’t matter, especially after tonight. Tonight topped all of the previous nights. Even at 3:43am as he fumbled for his keys in the darkness, nothing could wipe that smile off his face. He couldn’t help but enjoy himself. Just like the previous nights, he would collapse into bed without changing his clothes and without showering. He actually preferred it that way because when he woke up in the morning, it reminded him of the amazing night he just experienced.

He went to sleep thinking one thing, how much fun it was going to be tomorrow night. How intoxicated he was going to get. How drunk he got off of her love.