The black guys also looked at me like they knew who I was. But they kept moving away. I heard one say something to the other, but the woman kept looking back at me like she couldn’t believe what she saw. I didn’t give a fuck. I didn’t have that name anymore. I was Starlight. I was Mister Magic. But the men kept talking. I don’t think she heard what they said.

“He’s not even pretty.”

“But he’s young. He can pretend he don’t know nothing.”

“Yeah. He can say each time is his first.”

I felt for the money in my pocket, glad they didn’t try anything funny. Then I heard them laughing. Shit. Niggers. Shit. I’m pretty enough, I said to myself. You bet your ass I am. And this pretty sweet ass costs money. Real money. Shit. I left my corner to look for a mirror. I finally found one in the windows of a men’s clothing store. I saw my reflection above a pinstriped suit and Italian loafers. There I was: Mister Magic, Mister Starlight himself. Who the fuck did those guys think they was? Who was they talking about? Not me, baby, ’cause this was magic and money, green leaves on a thick tree between my legs, hands touching me and passing green leaves with numbers on them. Who the fuck did they think they was, saying shit like that? Who the fuck did they think I was?

Ruella

Ruella

When we finally found our seats I told Phillip and Abdul that it was really Lonny out there in the streets. “So what,” Phillip said. “Tell me about this dance. You sure this is going to be good?”

“Yes, Phillip. You saw my program last night. Now you’ll see a different one. Jesse’s dance comes right after intermission.”

“Your sister really danced her heart out last night,” said Abdul. I held his hand tighter.

“Glad you both liked it.”

“I’d like it even better if you keep on dancing,” he said.

“Just the encouragement I need.”

“You sure this is going to be good?”

“Just relax, Phillip. Look at all the people here. You’ll like Jesse’s dance. He’s good.”

“You ever tell Jesse about what happened to that kid in prison?”

“The one we just saw? Lonny?” I asked. “You want me to tell him what your pals did?”

“Yeah, Junior and Pete and the rest of them got a nut,” Phillip said, almost laughing. “We just kept a lookout for the guards.”

“Isn’t that just as bad?”

“Naw it ain’t, Lady. Now don’t be mad.”

“Ruella.”

“All right, Ruella. You know me and Abdul ain’t into that faggot stuff.”

“Shhhh. The lights are dimming.”

“That’s right, Ruella. Phillip and me ain’t into that shit.”

“Shhhh. It’s about to begin.”

“You sure this is going to be good?”

“Shhhh.”