"The Black Panther movie was definitely off the hook," Blaine Henderson said enthusiastically, and the six-foot-three, Dashiki-wearing and bearded young Black British guy pumped his fist in the air. Sitting behind the wheel of the bright red, recently rented Lexus, Blaine's girlfriend Sholonda Donnelly grinned and shook her head. The tall, curvy young African American woman couldn't get enough of her boyfriend's Afrocentric antics.
It was a rainy day in the City of Ottawa, Ontario, and they were driving home after watching the most talked-about movie of the year at the Scotiabank theater. The place had been packed when they arrived, as Canadians of all hues lined up at the box office, intent on seeing this historic movie featuring an almost all-black cast that actually represented Africa in a positive light. Truly a night for the ages, to be sure...
"Glad to see my sister Lupita getting recognition for her beauty and talent," Sholonda Donnelly replied, and Blaine nodded. From the backseat, Blaine's best friend Darrell Whitaker hollered in agreement, causing Sholonda to smile some more. Darrell was a major fan of Hollywood actress Lupita Nyongo, and of lovely, dark-skinned sisters in general. The tall, slender, brown-skinned and Afro-sporting Jamaican dude had posters of everyone from Tennis legend Serena Williams to Hollywood legend Angela Bassett and the iconic Grace Jones all over his bedroom wall.
"Be honest, Darrell, you were checking out Lupita's derriere on screen in them outfits, not just her performance in the Black Panther movie," Blaine chimed in, and Darrell playfully kicked the back of Blaine's chair. Blaine laughed heartily, and Sholonda snorted derisively and rolled her lovely brown eyes. She'd known these two ever since their first year at Carleton University, where they'd met at the international student orientation.
On that fateful day, these three unique souls met. In a room full of international students of all hues, they were the only people of African descent. Sholonda Donnelly came from the City of Houston, Texas, and Blaine Henderson came from the City of London, UK, while Darrell Whitaker came from the City of Kingston, Jamaica. They struck a formidable friendship on that very day. Fast forward four years, and they were about to graduate from Carleton University. How time truly flies...
"Blaine, my dude, I'm a Kingston brother, born and raised in Jamaica, land of fine female asses, this makes me a booty connoisseur by nature, and I can tell you them African girls were killing it on screen," Darrell replied at last, and Blaine and Sholonda exchanged a knowing look. Everyone knew about Darrell's fondness for a big booty. Hell, that's why he was so heartbroken over his recent split from his long-time girlfriend Felicia, who apparently couldn't handle the fact that Darrell was bisexual.
Most women in the Black community had a problem with male bisexuality, this was a no-brainer. The same sister who has legions of gay male friends would definitely not approve of her boyfriend swinging both ways. Sisters were funny like that. Darrell informed his friends of his decision to come out to his girlfriend a month ago. While Blaine and Sholonda cautioned Darrell against opening his mouth, he didn't heed their warning and paid the price...
"Darrell, you'll find someone better than Felicia," Sholonda said, briefly glancing at the brother who sat in the back, noting the pensive, sad look upon his handsome face. Blaine looked at Sholonda and smiled, then gently laid his hand on hers. Sholonda returned Blaine's smile, then focused on driving. They were going to South Keys to drop off Darrell, then return to their two-bedroom apartment in the By Ward Market area. At least that was the plan...
Sholonda thought of all the trials, tribulations and wonders that had come into her life since she met the handsome, taciturn brother known as Blaine Henderson. Six feet two inches tall, broad-shouldered and athletic, with dark brown skin and a smooth shaved head, Blaine reminded Sholonda of Hollywood actor Morris Chestnut. The brother looked good, and had that unique swagger common to men from the Caribbean islands.
After their first meeting at Carleton University, Sholonda and Blaine began going out, and the lovely, shrewd young woman soon began to suspect that her macho boyfriend swung both ways. Blaine had a habit of checking out both female butts and male butts, something the naturally observant Sholonda picked up on, and later confronted him about.
"Sholonda, look, yes, I'm bisexual, but I haven't been with men yet, only women, and I'm crazy about you and only you," Blaine told Sholonda on that memorable day. They were seated inside Creole Sensations, a Haitian restaurant they were both quite fond of. Sholonda looked at Blaine, even as conflicting emotions warred within her soul. Like most women, Sholonda wasn't thrilled to hear that her masculine, handsome lover had those kind of tendencies, but decided to take a chance on him...
"Alright, Blaine, I'll give you a chance, this once, if you cheat on me with anyone, female or male, we're through, do I make myself clear?" Sholonda said tersely, and Blaine nodded. Taking her small hands into his, he gently kissed them. Sholonda exhaled sharply and Blaine smiled at her, even as she prayed she hadn't made a mistake. Sholonda couldn't have known it at the time, but she'd embarked on the journey of a lifetime.
