The Hill (Ch 5)

As Reginald embraced Brandie, he felt hurt and frustration. He knew that he would have to move on without his friends in order to fulfill his dream.

"Let's go baby, you need to tell them," Brandie said as she looked into Reginald's eyes. Reginald took a deep breath and then sighed deeply. He turned and slowly walked back to the dressing room, hand in hand with Brandie.

As they walked in, Reginald saw his friends laughing and cutting up like they always did after the shows they put on. Duane was the only one not participating. He stood in the corner with a scowl on his face. He looked at Reginald and nodded his head in reluctant approval. Reginald looked at Brandie and she smiled back at him.

"Hey guys, chill for a second," Reginald said, speaking over the ruckus. "Reggie, so what's the word," asked Farley. The three men looked at Reginald. Reginald looked down and began to speak softly. "I'm sorry," Reginald whispered. Tommy stood up and walked over to Reginald. "What do you mean you're sorry, son" Tommy asked in frustration. "That's bullshit man, we blew the crowd away tonight," Vance yelled. "Calm down, guys," interrupted Farley. "What exactly did he say Reggie," he continued. Reginald shook his head.

He didn't know how to tell his friends that he was moving on without them. He held Brandie's hand tightly as he looked up. "They said they only want me," Reginald said quietly. "You told them to fuck off then too, right Reg," asked Vance. "Shut up Vance," Farley replied. "Reggie, what did you say," asked Tommy. Reginald looked down again.

"No you didn't piggy back off our hard work," Vance yelled. "You son of a..." "Shut the fuck up Vance," Farley interrupted again. "Reggie, did you take the offer," Farley asked. Tommy looked into Reginald's eyes intently. Vance began breathing hard as a tear rolled down his left cheek. "Yeah," said Reginald. "I took the offer," Reginald said.

Vance slammed his fists against his dresser. Tommy turned around and put his head against the wall and just leaned there. "So you got a record deal and we get nothing," asked Farley with a frown. "Not quite," replied Reginald. "I got an audition. I have to go sing for some executives tomorrow," said Reginald. "If that goes well, then I get the deal," he finished.

Farley stepped closer to Reginald. Reginald's shoulders tensed up. He thought that Farley was going to attack him. Reginald's fists clinched up as if to prepare for the worst. Farley looked at Reginald and sighed. "Congratulations brother," Farley said as he hugged Reginald. "I'm happy for you," he continued. Reginald was surprised, but he hugged Farley back. "Thank you," said Reginald.

Tommy turned around and leaned against the wall. He had tears in his eyes. "Damn Reg," Tommy said. "You just go and put on a show for them crusty, old white men," Tommy said forcing a smile. Reginald walked over to Tommy and shook his hand. "Thank you, Tommy," Reginald said. "That means a lot to me," he finished. When Reginald turned around, Vance was standing behind him.

"Nigga, I shouldn't be happy for you, but deep down, I am," Vance said before he reached out and hugged Reginald. "I'm sorry I got mad at you playa," Vance said softly in Reginald's ear. "You my boy," he said.

The whole room was quiet, but the mood had lightened dramatically. Brandie was sitting on a stool next to the door, wiping tears from her eyes. Duane still stood quietly in the corner.

"C'mere man," Duane said to Reginald. Reginald walked over to Duane. "I'm proud of you and anything that I can ever do for you, just say the word," Duane said. Reginald wiped his eyes and smiled. "Thanks Duane," he said as they shook hands.

"Look, if I get this break, I'm going to do whatever I can to get you guys on," Reginald said. "You guys are a part of me and we've been friends for years," he continued. "Just keep working hard and I'll get you a shot, some how," said Reginald. "I know my crew has talent," said Reginald.

"Reg, do what you gotta do," said Farley. "We appreciate you looking out for us, but you've been looking out for us for years," Farley continued. "It's time that you took care of you."

"Now dammit, everybody put your hands in the circle," Farley said. The four men put in their hands. "Hey, what about y'all two," asked Tommy, looking at Brandie and Duane. They came over and put their hands in the circle. "One, two, three..." counted Vance. "We Crew," they all yelled.

Reginald was very excited about this opportunity. He felt a weight lifted off his shoulders. He had the support of his best friends, his biggest supporter, and his girlfriend. Things were moving in the right direction.

As they walked to the bus stop, Reginald and Brandie held hands and talked. "Baby, I'm so proud of you," Brandie said. "I can't wait to see you on TV," she laughed. "That's going to be the shit."

Reginald laughed. "Let's do one thing at a time, now," said Reginald. "I need to kick ass tomorrow for these execs," he said. "I need something that will make them say 'wow.'"

"What do you have in mind," asked Brandie. "An original song," Reginald replied. "Do you have anything that you can use," asked Brandie. "No, not yet, but I'm looking at my inspiration," Reginald said as he looked into Brandie's eyes. They stopped walking and Brandie kissed Reginald passionately. "I knew when I met you that you were a great catch for any woman," Brandie said. "Girl, please, I was a nineteen year old mess," laughed Reginald as they started walking again. "I saw your potential and you have always been good to me," Brandie replied. "I love you Reggie."

"I love you too Brandie," said Reginald. "You bring out the best in me," he continued.

They approached the bus stop. It was well after midnight and the moon was bright in the sky. While they weren't in the best neighborhood, people didn't mess with Reginald or his friends for fear of angering Duane. That gave Reginald a quiet confidence, even in the worst situations. Duane always had his back.

They sat on the old bench and began small talk, waiting for the 12:15 bus. "One day baby, I'm going to buy both of us cars so we don't have to wait on this bus," Reginald laughed. Brandie didn't smile or laugh, she just sat in silence.

"What's wrong," Reginald asked. "Reggie, when you make it, you're going to meet all these other women, celebrities," Brandie said hesitantly. "So what," Reginald replied. "I'm just saying. How can I compete with that," she asked. "You know that women all over the country will be throwing themselves at you," Brandie said bluntly. "Brandie, I love you and I want to be with you for the rest of my life," Reginald said as he grabbed her hand and kissed it. "When I make it, I want you by my side," he said. "Otherwise, none of it means a thing to me," Reginald finished.

Brandie looked relieved. She smiled at Reginald. "You are wonderful," said Brandie as she leaned in to kiss Reginald.

To Be Continued...