Episode 1: Dream Girl

ZAIRE L. CALLOWAY

SEVEN Years Later

Who are you? What are you doing in my lair, I heard before I abruptly sat up, gasping for air. I frantically looked around and realized that I was in my bedroom. I heaved a breath of relief as reality settled in and reminded me that I had just been dreaming. Fuck! I felt like I was closer than usual, but I was disappointed that I still didn't make contact. I had been dreaming about this mysterious woman since I was eighteen, and I woke up regretting that I hadn't come close to finding her. I shook my head at my damnself for being so pathetic. I had women who'd fall at my feet, but I was hung up on the one in my dreams. Ain't that bout a bitch? If I hadn't come from the family I came from, the shit would be weird. Seven years, and even my mama couldn't help me find her. I was starting to feel like it was time to stop searching.

I breathed deeply as I glanced to the left of me at the warm, naked body and honey blonde curls sprawled across my pillow. I didn't understand why I tried with these women. I couldn't even go all the way with her since I'd been struggling ever since I first dreamed of my future wife. It was like my dick was protesting any woman who wasn't her, and I didn't know how to deal with the shit. It was so bad that I stopped dealing with multiple women. Half of me was afraid that they'd start thinking I was gay and spread the rumor. I didn't have anything against the community, but I didn't belong there. I liked pussy. I didn't need to experience it to know that.

Light snoring brought my attention back to my unwanted company. I smack her ass, making her groan and roll over. I smacked it again, and she snatched the covers over her. "Aye, Cat! Time fuh you to wake yo' ass up. You sleepin' too good fuh my comfort," I said.

"Zaire, leave me 'lone," she whined. I shook my head. "I'm tired," she added.

I flipped my lip up and said, "Fuh wuh? All you did was give me mediocre head. Ain't shit to be tired fuh."

"I woulda done mo' if you leh me, stingy ass nigga," she grumbled. I frowned.

"Jis' 'cause the whole hood ain't tasted dis' dick don't mean I'm stingy. You need to be stingier witcho shit," I chastised. She sucked her teeth as she hopped up and started getting dressed.

“Fuck you, Zaire. I'm tied of yo' shit," she spat. I chuckled, knowing full well she'd be back if I wanted her to. She thought she was special because I'd only let her please me. Probably thought I'd give her my virginity, but there was only one worthy woman—a woman who probably didn't exist.

I stood, slid my balling shorts on, and went to freshen up. After I was done, I went into the kitchen to see what my mama was cooking for Sunday dinner. "Mawnin', Ma," I greeted as I entered the kitchen.

"Mawnin'? Boy, it af'ta twelve. If you ain't bin' laying under dat ooman, you'd know dat," she fussed. I chuckled and kissed her cheek. "Boy, don't put dem funky lips on me af'ta you bin' wit' dat merry go round," she added, making me laugh. The front door slammed suddenly.

"Zaire L. Calloway, I know damn well you ain't got dat fast tail heifer slamming my do'. Don't mek me box you and her up," she threatened. I rolled my eyes. Cat was out of her damn mind, but I didn't have anything to do with that.

"Wuh I do?"

"Don't act like you ain't pissed dat gal off. I'on know why you still fooling 'round wit'em when you know you ain't mean 'em no good," she fussed.

"Maybe if you tol' me weh to find my wife, I wouldn't be wasting e time."

My mama scowled before saying, "I already tol' you. Dat ain't how it work. I can't interfere wit' yo destiny," she reminded me. She was full of it. Her nosey ass didn't have issues interfering with my brother's destiny, but acted slow when it came to mine.

"You 'posed to be the root lady, but can't find yo' daughter in law," I teased. She glared at me before throwing an oven mitt at me. I laughed heartily. Then, I peeped in her pots, making my stomach growl as I saw the cabbage, neck bone perlou, yellow rice, and stew chicken. My mama hit me before I could look in the oven, but I could smell the macaroni, yams, and pound cake.

"Dang, Ma! Why you so violent?"

"Zaire, you must wanna get slap side yo' head again. Gone some weh and sit down," she commanded, pointing away from the kitchen. I held my hands up.

"My bad, Ma. I'm joking. Well, kind of," I exhaled, sitting on a stool.

"Look. Zaire. I know you want dis' mo' than anything, and I'm the reason why. You jis' gotta be patient and trust yo' mama. I might be late, but I ain't never wrong," she reminded me. I nodded.

"I know, Ma," I replied. There was nobody I trusted more than my mama, but I was tired of sitting on the sidelines, watching everybody else get their happily ever after.

"Aight, now. Gone and get out my kitchen," she waved me off, but I ignored her since my phone vibrated. I retrieved it and smiled when I saw her photo icon on my screen.

Hina: One Piece 1000th ep. drops today. You comin' over? I laughed at her nerdy ass.

Me: Is Rengoku overrated?

Hina: Is that a trick question?

Me: Only to the delusional. I stared at the three dots and prepared myself for the debate.

Hina: Zaire, don't make me do you like Rock Lee did Sasuke. I chuckled.

Me: Try it! I'll fold yo' ass like a pretzel.

Hina: Ew. Anyways, you comin or not?

Me: OMW.

"Aye, Ma. I'm bout to-" my voice trailed off as my mama shoved a plate of food in my face.

"Gi' my gal e plate," she ordered. I sucked my teeth.

"How you know weh I bin' goin'?"

"Boy, only one gal mek you cheese like a Cheshire cat. Jis' mek sho you g'em e plate. And don't eat one crumb off it," she fussed. I rolled my eyes as I took the plate.

"Know ev'ry damn thing but weh my wife at," I mumbled before running to the door before she could hit me. I giggled on my way to my car. My cell phone vibrated while I placed the food in the passenger seat. I unlocked it and shook my head. I didn't even need to open the text message since I knew what it said.

When I arrived, I hid the bag behind my back and put the plate in front of me. My smile mirrored hers as she opened the door. I pulled her into my arms, hugging her tight. I breathed in her scent as I rested into her arms. She always felt so good in my arms, sometimes making me forget that my heart belonged to one woman.

"Don't let go okay," she said. I smirked.

"I won't... I'll never let go," I assured her. Our embrace lingered for a few seconds. As we let go, we burst out laughing. We always greeted each other with the quote between Naruto and Hinata from The Last: Naruto the Movie. We were so unserious, but I enjoyed her company more than anybody else. She had everything a nigga could want in a woman—brains, beauty, body, and personality. However, she was just my best friend.

Zaire L. Calloway dressed in a Naruto outfit