"Ro?" Without fail, Prince's lowered voice answered me once that number finished dialing.
"Well, well, well..." To be honest, I just couldn't help laughing out loud as soon as he picked up the phone.
"Don't do that." Prince left a warning through his tone, but didn't yell at me while speaking on this other line.
"Do what? We're not together, but I can't spend my whole life chasing after you, Prince." I affirmed. It was true. My dreams were far bigger than him. Than any man. Even Michael.
"You sound like D." Prince grumbled right under his breath and mentioned Denise. I couldn't care less. This man bringing up my "sister" would never cut the way he expected.
"So?" I defended myself. "You can step out with different women every night, but don't get mad when I make choices too."
"You going out?" Prince asked. His face would've definitely scrunched in person.
"Yep. As a matter of fact, it's my birthday. You'll see what happens in the press." I hung up before Prince kept tripping out.
_________
For the first time since attending that "Purple Rain" premiere, I dressed up again. Mike would've preached about humility over the outfit later on, but of course I didn't care.
Not long before this evening would begin, I taped one of my favorite Vanity 6 pictures right onto that bathroom mirror. Different tracks blasted on the radio as I primped and danced alone, excited.
Time to party. I thought to myself.
****
Celebrities swarmed the red carpet first. Even David Bowie lit one infamous cigarette just moments after departing his own limo.
Once I showed up and walked down, cameras flashed all over again. Other stars cheered as well.
"Happy birthday, Rochelle!" Denise almost squealed over thundering music as soon as we found each other at the party.
Denise then squeezed our embrace much tighter as we rocked back and forth. This black-to-white checker hat veiled her beautifully dark hair for once. It wasn't long before she ended the hug and held my hands, overjoyed.
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"Thank you so much. Girl, your hat! Can I take it as a birthday gift?" I joked. She cackled right under that brim, surely tickled.
"I'll find you another one. Promise." When she smiled, scarlet red lipstick gleamed brighter than strobe lights. As her face scrunched, eyeliner didn't smear. "Now, let's dance."
"Don't mind if I do." I welcomed that invitation.
_______
Hours into this party, even Apollonia, Morris, and Jerome had come out. We laughed, joked as a group or chatted as changing duos.
