Free Pigment by Renee Topper Page A

you.”
    “Okay.”
    “Kennen, I’m serious.”
    “Okay. But you kissed me first. So, there’s that.”
    “Kennen.”
    “Aliya, you know how I feel about you. But I’m not a fool. I know you’re all screwed up in the head right now. You’re exhausted and believe it or not you’re human. Most people don’t treat you like you are half the time, including yourself, but you are. Anyways, I’m over the moon you kissed me , I’ve been praying for a kiss from you since I met you. And you did kiss me first. And that gives me hope that maybe someday, there may be something. That maybe somewhere deep inside, we are more than friends.”
    Calling his bluff, Aliya raises a glass of wine, “To friends.”
    Kennen raises his, “To friends with potential.”
    They clink their glasses as the food arrives. Generous ugali, a traditional meal of white cornmeal and peanuts, served with meats, fruits and vegetables and a selection of dipping sauces, they eat with their hands.
    “Friendship with … what did you say?”
    He repeats, “Friends with Potent…” Before he can finish, she stuffs food in his mouth.
    She’s pushing drinks on him, hoping he’ll get tired and pass out, but he’s got that Irish hollow leg and he’s getting rowdier instead of more subdued.
    #
    They stroll back to the room. As decided earlier, he’ll sleep on the floor. He’s playfully frustrated. She’s got to shake him. He’d try to come along if he knew where she was going. After an hour, he finally falls asleep and she sneaks out.
    She exits the lobby to the valet/cab area. Rhadi is there waiting. They hug hello. “Sorry, I’m late.” she apologizes softly, more for the kiss she shared with the man upstairs and now being out with another man than for her tardiness. As they step away from the hotel into the street, Aliya glances over her shoulder, as she hopes, Kennen isn’t there. He’s been her new shadow. Reggie was at home, Kennen here, but having a white shadow with a crush is starting to wear thin for her. And she is a woman and Rhadi is definitely a man. Kennen is lovable, charming and while his muscles have filled out, he is still boyish to her. And she has important work to do.
    #
    They walk briskly, at pace with the city beat. Though some people still leer at her here, there are more distractions, more things to compete for onlooker’s eyes and she is high on the adrenaline and endorphins. When they cross the street, Rhadi places his hand on the small of her back in a natural protective way, but the feeling of his hand there is welcome to her. It sends blood rushing up and down her spine. They go a few blocks on foot. Rhadi hails a cab. They get in and ride out toward the coast and then north along the ocean. As they travel north, the environment grows plusher, more opulent, green and spacious. Like driving from downtown LA through to Bel Air, Aliya thinks. The cab turns right and through bold ornate gates under the sign for the “Sea Cliffs” and drive the windy way to this exclusive and beautiful hotel.
    Rhadi opens the door for Aliya and tips the driver. She looks pensive, there is a moment of hesitation that comes over her and she lags as they approach the door. Rhadi senses this. He turns back, takes her porcelain hand in his manly paw, gives her a look of reassurance, and they step inside.

 
    17
     
    Sea Cliff Hotel

    July 5 (later) - 6
     
    It’s beautiful, simple, but it feels rich. They are seated around a table in one of the lounges by the back bar in this highbrow hotel having drinks, and discretely watching the comers and goers. Rhadi speaks softly as he lays out the plans on beverage napkins. He reviews where and when they will meet, who has the materials and so forth. Aliya helps explain some of the details to them. They are about her age, students from Dar University, but they look older than her.
    She trusts Rhadi implicitly despite Kennen’s cautions and even though this team is risking a lot, she wishes she