Reflections || Prince

Reflections || Chapter 9

1983

Valerie Thomas

When I woke up the next morning in my hotel room, of course Prince wasn't around. Last night, not long after we joked, we said our goodbyes and that infamous team of bodyguards escorted Prince away from my room. Even Big Chick was standing outside in the hallway with folded arms and his Santa Claus beard.

Now, I walked into the living room and noticed this lavender envelope perched on my coffee table. I patted my bare feet before sitting back on the sofa . I'd hop on another plane soon to leave for Jamaica, but at least silence greeted me this time. To be honest, I enjoyed having friends, but it was always peaceful to be alone.

The name "Val" had scrawled right across the front of my envelope just before I opened this new gift. A stretched out rip crackled silence of this area. My nails were shaped but cleanly long, now revealing words that etched on stationery paper.

Valerie,

First of all, thank you for taking care of my guitar last night. As you said, nobody else is allowed to play my instruments, especially not my Telecaster. The fact that you've played along with us without missing a beat is extraordinary. Thank you.

Overall, your talent is amazing. Even if we weren't friends, I'd still admire you. Not many women I've seen or met have stepped into a studio, let alone actually understand the knobs on a mixing board. I appreciate your effort in the business.

Thank you for once again supporting me.

Best,

-Prince

PS: Sorry for the mixup. Enjoy Jamaica for me. <3

Of course, I smiled while closing that letter, but still rushed to leave for my next plane out. There was no other choice. I only had a few days to shoot this video and process everything. My premiere deadline from the record was already fast approaching and rescheduling to visit First Avenue had set me back quite a bit.

_____

My experience was like stepping into a movie scene. Sunlight beamed overhead, heating my dark complexion. I couldn't even walk along that sand for five seconds without tearing up. If only Momma was here to see the ocean waves crash or slide near my toes. Cameras followed my steps for all parts of this debut music video.

Back when I graduated from high school, Momma bought this dolphin anklet as my gift, reminding me of when she would drive for hours to reach a shoreline. It wasn't long before I closed my eyes and heard the church voice that helped me sleep.

When I was a little girl, Momma sang with the choir blended between Mahalia and Aretha, rasping in perfect tones as needed. The fact that I was a secular performer now would've shaken Grandma to her core, but my mother knew I was different.

I glanced over my shoulder as the music began to play. The song of choice offered upbeat feel-good rhythms, which showed my versatility as an artist. Of course, I couldn't give tough tracks and sport leather clothes forever. I was more than mean.

This video shoot would soon moonlight as a mini-vacation, too. When the team suggested locations, I hopped on the chance to leave America. We were already here for a while after I left Minnesota, but it was clear that I found my new home.

"That's a wrap!" A few days later, The director yelled into his megaphone to end this shoot. I stood on a beachfront stage, smiling as an audience of tourists and natives cheered. As if on cue, steel drums kicked back into gear for normal hours.

"Thank you to everyone for helping me with this project. Things have been hectic for a while now, but I really appreciate your dedication. God bless." I offered my speech to the production crew and listened as my audience cheered once more.

Walking down wooden steps of this small stage, I waved towards fans, smiling. Once again, my dreams had come true. Bodyguards escorted me towards this outdoor bar and I winked at the server, ready to party. Across from me, he noticed.

I didn't immediately ask for a drink, but he helped other customers before really focusing on me. We shared silent looks. Momma would've started planning my wedding if she saw what happened here and I didn't even know this fella's name.

"That was a good song. Welcome to Jamaica." As the bartender's voice blended between his Jamaican-American accent, thaord complete stranger winked towards me one last time. I smiled right back, amused for a moment as I eyed him again.

Just seconds later, my bodyguards returned. I couldn't even say goodbye to him.

____

After my video premiered on MTV, Tracee was amusingly jealous of my vacation tan when I came back home. On the other hand, Momma wanted to make sure that I didn't look fully-nude on screen. I wasn't naked, but she was still my mother.

"Did the bartender have a cute coworker? Spill the details." Tracee made me laugh and acted a fool to figure I scored a new man. Celebrity or not, she knew that I hadn't dated anyone in quite a while. I couldn't even remember the last time.

"I don't know, Trace." I shrugged. Tracee just glared in my direction. Silence fell between us otherwise. My arms soon folded as I waited for Tracee to continue ranting in one way or another. To be honest, my best friend wasn't even pissed off, just nosy.

"Maybe you haven't dated anyone because of Prince." Tracee guessed.

I spit out my lemonade.