da club

5 hours later.....

Whose bright idea was it to go to the club anyway?  Did I say Billy was smart?  Shame on me.... you would have never thought that fool graduated with honors. 

We're at the Waffle House looking a hot mess and let me tell you how this went down....oh and by the way y'all will learn this about me.  There are several personalities that encompass Neveah..and the hood just came and went.

Back to da club....4 hours earlier

YES, YES, YES...the club is jumpin for real.

Uh-Uh, no youngsters for us... class all the way baby.  We keep it old school but poppin'.  The ladies and i were really beginning to unwind and Billy too; although, not always with us.

We scooped up Elaine, Alisha and (our on again off again girl) Renata.  Moscato in hand, we made our way back to the V.I.P. lounge to kick back and discuss what we always talk about - men, money, fashion and not necessarily in that order.

Renata, as usual, found (for lack of a better word) a gentleman to adore her but we, on the other hand, were not in the mood.

"Ladies, what exactly is my problem?  What is it about me that makes men say I don't instead of I do?  Okay, okay..I won't judge myself that harshly but you know temp-o-rarily say I do.  Why can't I get permanency?

"Alisha, your turn...enough is enough...I'm too thru."

"Elaine, this is what we do...you got to have your girl's back.  Anyway, Neveah you know in your heart what it is.  Your selection of men that you spend your time with can be a problem.  For instance, Paul.  Yes, I said his name...PAUL PAUL PAUL.  If you can't let go of old baggage how can you make room for the new?"

At this particular moment, Renata decides to grace us with her appearance...and oh no she didn't...who does she decide to bring to the table with her?  Um, um um....before I could say a word Elaine is up, Alisha is kicking off her shoes, and I am thinking...it's about to be on--- FOR REAL,  I'm going to have to represent myself!

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life goes on

"Elaine, I've had enough of your so-called words of encouragement....and for the record, you know I know what you're thinking.  So, let me drop this knowledge on you real quick.  No, I will not tell Greg that I talked to you, yes he is still available and yes right again there is no way I'll allow you to make him unavailable.  BYE!"

If I would have known any better, I would have stayed on the phone with Elaine because the person at the door is the second cause of my shall we say - challenged state of mind.

"Billy, go away."

"Neavah, you know you want this...you know the entire package--friendship, love, companionship, sincerity, romance.  What girl wouldn't?"

"That's just it Billy you believe every girl should get it.  How many times have I told you?  This you will never get.  You graduated Magna Cum Laude...it's safe to say you get it."

"Oh, but my married man Paul, he gets top billing right?  Whatever, I just came by to check and see how the love of my life was faring.  Never mind that....let's get out of here."

That's Billy for you.  He is painstakingly gorgeous and has an ego that is equally painful.  Billy is the lovable but annoying best buddy maybe hoping we could be more than that in a half serious half playful manner every girl plays as if she hates, oh but how we need the Billys of the world (in addition to the equally lovable gay best friend we need for fashion advice and so on).

"That's it.  One look at you says it all.  We're outta here.  Text Elaine the Plain.  Let's hit up the clubs tonight and then pray for forgiveness tomorrow....come on now...do what you ladies do...its time to parteeeeeee"

How could I argue with brilliance?  I told you the boy graduated with honors.  Time to get the stylists over, text the crew, and you know..do what we do best. Ce la vi!!

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the story continues

Shuffled not forgotten....today I am feeling more forgotten.  I am going through another one of my woe is me moments.  Regardless, of how many times i try to appease myself it just does not work.  I think about  the cherished memories I've shared with my long-term childhood friends, the fights with my siblings that evolved into an underlying loyalty that cannot be penetrated by anyone....its the way of the sibling world.  I filter in and out while trying to determine what has caused this downcast mood.

Suddenly, I realize its time to get with my BFF.  This is a best friend need for you to just listen, nod, console, kind of moment but I'm pretty sure that's not what I going to get.

"Neveah, what is it now?'   So consoling.  "Well you know its just one of those, nothing is going right in my life and at least I am smart enough to just blame myself type of moment.  What else is new?"

"Girl when are you going to hook me up with that gorgeous middle brother of yours?  You know, I am still waiting.  What is your problem with that anyway?  You know he would be in ggggrrrrrreat hands."

"Okay Elaine or should I say aka Ms Tony the Tiger, I have told you time and time again about the Prince's family contract.  There is an entire segment dedicated to tricks just like you.  To make a legalized fully notarized document short....our friends are not allowed to consort with any of our siblings; it is non-negotiable....sorry, but not.  And before you ask why...blood is thicker than water.  We do not want any issues that could destroy friendships and bloodlines.  Any who, chica, I called you to discuss my issues, not your overheated desires.  I am in a me mood and we need to get to the root cause--quickly."

"I can name the cause in one second flat--it starts with a P and ends with a l.  The rest of the root cause is the song that you have declared as you and his personal anthem -- which by the way supports both of our feelings right now -- your hopelessness and my annoyance.  Johnny Gill sure got that right...there you goooo again."

Like I said earlier.  Elaine is Elaine, but she sure called that one right.  Paul, my on again off again love interest is never more than a second away from being my next thought.  A name I have tried to unsuccessfully forget time and time again.  When will I learn that he just MAY not be the man God assigned to me.  My mind logically believes that but my heart can't keep up.  Which is it God?  Let no man put asunder kind of situation or girl, you are directing your own path.

Paul....hmmmm....believe on this y'all....that is one name this story will never forget.

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the first chapter of many

Wow!  Where do I start?  This is the story of my life-the ideal life.  I'm Neveah Prince 28 year old go-getter prime and ready for whatever life has in store for me.  I must admit I grew up in a manner in which some may call, privileged, but privileged also has its pitfalls.

Money I have, name brand clothes; well, just call me Ms. Fashion Guru, material possessions I possess, friends - plenty, career oh yes I mastered it.  Family, yes of course....try my nerves they may but yes a loving family I have.  The one thing I cannot seem to get right is a personal, caring, fulfilling long-term, MONOGAMOUS relationship.

Ladies attention all ladies yes...the answer is yes; well to-do women have men problems too.  Uh huh the self-assured, high self-esteem ladies have a stake in your male problems too.  The lady you envy walking down the street who appears to have it all together is living the same facade.

Why?  Well, personally I blame Eve, The Mother of All Living, but that's another story. 

How?  How did I get here?  The love story that beats them all.  Oh yeah, believe it or not, I was conceived out of love.  A love that has survived for over 35 plus years and counting.  My father, Kelvin Prince understands the concept of hard work.  He may have been born with money, but he has the tenacity to keep it coming.  I have his genes to thank for my determination.

My mother defines nurture.  Grab the Webster's dictionary and her picture is featured.  She is the poster child for motherhood-- you get my point. She has a sense of integrity that should be bottled into her personal brand and sold.  We would really be rich then.  My mother's love for life, family, and all things living great or small is the nucleus of our family.  Maybe if I had more of Mother's characteristics I would have a man by now, at least that's what my oldest, overly sensitive brother has to say about it.  By the way did I tell you I have not 1 not 2 but 3 brothers?

Sometimes I get lost in the shuffle but never forgotten...

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