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2024-10-29 19:42:56The group had been waiting to hear news from the hospital for a couple of weeks now. He had slipped into a coma-like state and had been that way since the actual stabbing. Mark had not responded to anyone who tried to talk to him, not even his wife. So, the doctors had told them to wait. Night after night, the group waited in the sterile hospital room. The walls were white. The sheets were white. It had that antiseptic smell. The smell they could not get over.
The boys were worried. He was their rock. Throughout all of the bad times, the boys could always count on Mark. When the group appeared to be headed towards the shelf because of the fight they had with their previous member, Abdul, over rights to a song and lyrics. Mark was there. He helped them see that the differences would not be gotten over until they could come to an agreement. The hardest thing to do was to tell Abdul that he was no longer part of the group. The very first gig they sang at as the group “Dreaming” was his idea. Abdul knew this guy who was a bouncer at this club called “Jimmy Jam's.” Jimmy Jams was this club where the high school students went to hang out on the weekends and party. Some even did drugs there occasionally. One of their boys was arrested at the club the night prior to their first live show there. If it were not for Abdul, they would not have met Mark. If it were not for Abdul, they would not have done their first demo tape. If it were not for Abdul, the group would never have made it into the recording studio at all.
Abdul was the man with the vision. A short light-skinned black man with brown eyes and the longest eyelashes you ever saw. His voice was slow like molasses and had a southern accent with manners to match. His mother was a maid in the neighbor's house. She got paid an hourly wage of $7.50 plus food. The family gave her leftovers. The clothes Abdul wore when the guys first met him were Salvation Army. In fact, he even wore some of their old clothes (but the guys never told him. After the first CD started selling, he bought his mother her own home and started paying her money into a savings account. She stopped working for the neighbors and started going out to school at night. His mother earned herself a high school diploma and a bachelor's all in eight years. She was now the proud owner of her own business for maids, and she treated them with better respect than she was ever treated.
Abdul bought himself his own condominium along with a membership at a club he had been dying to go-to since high school. He also proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Marisol who accepted. They were married a year later. After the marriage things with the group got rocky. Marisol had problems with the music they were singing and the places they played. She did not like the lifestyle they were leading. Now, she was not the reason the group split but according to Abdul that was part of it.
Suddenly there was movement on the bed. Mark made a sudden movement, but he did not open his eyes. Louis called the nurse to come in. She quietly but quickly came into the room. She checked Mark's vital signs and sighed. She looked at the guys. All five had this hopeful look on their faces. She hated to disappoint them. She shook her head and walked out. As she entered the doorway, she paused and looked back at them. The shoulders of all five men were slumped and the faces were long. It appeared as if they were all holding the other one up in a standing position. Then she went out to the nurse's station.
Moesha was standing by the charts entering patient information into the computer. As Larose walked up, she glanced up and shook her head.
“The boys,” as they were affectionately called by all of the nurses, “thought he was waking up huh?” asked Moesha.
Responding, Larose says “Yeah. But nothing. They come in every day at visiting hours with hope and every day leaves with the knowledge that he has not gotten any better. The doctors say they must wait. Apparently, he was sick prior to getting stabbed and his body could not take the shock. But still, they look lost without him.”
“Do you think the boys will pull it together in time for the award show?” asks Moesha.
“I do not know Moesha; I do not know.” Answers Larose.
Waiting for a bit then looking around Larose informs her friend, “Well, girl, my shift is over, and I have me a date with the most delicious man I have seen and tasted in a long time. I do not want to be late for this one. So, I will go.”
“You know something Larose, you are the only woman I know who can debase a simple date faster than any other female I know. Why is that you wonder?” asks Moesha, shaking her head in exasperation at her friend.
“Because, girl, I am the only desperate woman you know.” She laughingly answers.
“That is true. You are desperate. Well, take your desperate ass out of my hospital so I can work. Bye girl.” Snapping up her chart and starting to walk away responds Moesha.
“Bye.” In reply says, Larose.
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Related Chapters
Dreaming a Music Mystery CHAPTER ONE
It was late, around nine in the evening Louis, Darnell, Marquis, Marcus, and John better known as Dreaming, were all in the studio listening to a playback of the last recording of their newest single, “Remembrance.” Outside in the hallway, next to the studio, the group's manager, Mark, and the label owner, Joe was having a heated discussion about the cover for the new CD disc. The two had this very same discussion before. Both of their visions on how to market the group differed in ideal and style. The members of the group came from all different backgrounds. Two members came from money; one comes from suburbia and two from the projects. Each brought their own brand of style. “The members should present themselves as one,” said Joe. “No,” said Mark, “Each of the members has their own unique brand. We should showcase that.” “Marcus and Marquis hail from the projects. Their mother shopped with food stamps, was on welfare until they were ten, and worked two
Dreaming a Music Mystery CHAPTER TWO
By the time the group got there, the police had already cordoned off the area with yellow tape. In fact, the whole street was blocked off. There were about ten black and whites there plus the lead detective. The first officers on the scene, Officers Jason and Park quickly took pictures of the scene and the outside surrounding area. This was done after the two had completed a walk around the area to see if anyone or perhaps the assailant was around.The ambulance had been called upon the officers finding out Mark was still breathing, although faintly. It had come and gone by the time the group had arrived, to talk with the police.Upon their arrival, the band learned of Mark being hurt when Officer Peluso came outside of the building and started talking to Louis.“We found him lying passed out in the studio. He had a pretty nasty wound. Looked like someone sliced him open. Papers were everywhere. After we searched the studio, we noticed the board was playin
Dreaming a Music Mystery CHAPTER THREE
The cat was Marcus. He happened to make his way behind the yellow tape. In fact, he actually looked like a cat today. He was dressed all in black, black jeans, a black turtleneck, and black shoes. He was light-skinned with wavy close-shaven hair with light brown eyes. His voice was a deep baritone, with a husky tone that came from smoking.Marcus had managed to get into the building. As he was walking down the hall, he heard footsteps echoing behind him. When he stopped the footsteps stopped. When he walked, they walked? Checking it out he started walking and stopped, listening as he did so. Sure enough, they were mimicking him.Turning around to see who it was he saw no one. Shaking off the feeling, he kept walking towards the studio. All of a sudden, he heard running feet and Officer Peluso shouting, “Stop, you can’t be back here until after the investigation is complete.” Continuing in a softer and quieter tone, Peluso said,
Dreaming a Music Mystery CHAPTER FOUR
Later that night…The band met up at the hospital to see Mark. As they walked into the quiet, sanitary-smelling soulless hospital each remembered the last time they were there. A friend had been shot down by the police. He was mistaken for a notorious drug dealer wanted on multiple counts of possession, with the intent to distribute. The friend had tried to explain to the officers they were making a mistake, but they didn't listen. In fact, they told him he was worthless, should off himself to make their job easier. When he reached in his pocket for identification, they all opened fire. The first bullet alone would have killed him, but they shot him 15 times. When they got to the hospital, his mother was not even weeping. She was just staring, with an empty glazed look in her eyes.The band shook off the memories as they wandered into the hospital near the front desk. They asked which room Mark was in and on what floor. They were informed he was still in intensi
Dreaming a Music Mystery CHAPTER FIVE
Next evening:The next evening, Dreaming was in the studio. They were supposed to be working but all they were doing was sitting in silence.Louis and Darnell were actually in the studio, sitting on stools with their headphones slung around their necks. Fingers were tapping against the music stand. Staring at the floor, motionless. The music was playing through the headphones. Neither Louis nor Darnell cared. Their fists were clenched against their knees, nails digging into their palms.Marcus was standing outside the studio in the cold with no jacket on. But he seemed impervious to the wind. The passing cars went by unnoticed. They were invisible to him. Marcus was thinking about the death of his father. It was on November 7, 1993, the police came knocking at his door. He's run to the door because his father was later but when he opened the door, Marcus knew.Officer Peluso called up Louis on the telephone. He had thought long and hard, but he knew that
Dreaming a Music Mystery CHAPTER SIX
The group gathered at the restaurant at 6:00 p.m. Tonight Louis was going to introduce Darwin, the private investigator to them. If they remember right, she helped catch the Black Dahlia last year, which had hit all the newspapers from the moment they walked her in handcuffs to the courtroom.Montmartre was a French name, but it served strictly American cuisine. The walls were covered in pictures of the previous owners dating back to 1935. The interior décor had been changed over the years. The tables and booths were placed haphazardly throughout the restaurant. The carpet was muddy brown, with white speckles scattered. The walls were the same muddy brown as the carpet. The space wasn't the place where the up-and-coming holdout, but it served great food.Darwin was the first to arrive as was her way. She has dressed in a pinstripe black and white tailored pantsuit, with five-inch black heels and her afro was on point. Her makeup was sedate and not overstat
Dreaming a Music Mystery CHAPTER SEVEN
Darwin walked into the building and stopped just inside the entrance. She stood listening to the sounds of the building. Footsteps on the floor above, the closing of a door down the hall, and the muffled sounds of music in the other room mixed with muffled voices from the next room and a key turning in the lock. She slowly started walking and she caught the sounds of footsteps echoing behind her. As she turned around, she saw Louis out of the corner of her eye. He was dressed all in black, with the hint of Perry Ellis in the air. When she turned fully around, he stood there staring at her. “See anything, Darwin?” Louis asked. “No, Louis, just listening.” “For what?” he asked walking towards her. “Anything, everything. You see the sounds in a building should be the same every day. When a sound comes that's different you should take note. This could be a robbery; a murder, anything happening, and you would have missed it. Come here, stand right
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CHAPTER EIGHT
The group had been waiting to hear news from the hospital for a couple of weeks now. He had slipped into a coma-like state and had been that way since the actual stabbing. Mark had not responded to anyone who tried to talk to him, not even his wife. So, the doctors had told them to wait. Night after night, the group waited in the sterile hospital room. The walls were white. The sheets were white. It had that antiseptic smell. The smell they could not get over.The boys were worried. He was their rock. Throughout all of the bad times, the boys could always count on Mark. When the group appeared to be headed towards the shelf because of the fight they had with their previous member, Abdul, over rights to a song and lyrics. Mark was there. He helped them see that the differences would not be gotten over until they could come to an agreement. The hardest thing to do was to tell Abdul that he was no longer part of the group. The very first gig they sang at as the group “Drea
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CHAPTER SEVEN
Darwin walked into the building and stopped just inside the entrance. She stood listening to the sounds of the building. Footsteps on the floor above, the closing of a door down the hall, and the muffled sounds of music in the other room mixed with muffled voices from the next room and a key turning in the lock. She slowly started walking and she caught the sounds of footsteps echoing behind her. As she turned around, she saw Louis out of the corner of her eye. He was dressed all in black, with the hint of Perry Ellis in the air. When she turned fully around, he stood there staring at her. “See anything, Darwin?” Louis asked. “No, Louis, just listening.” “For what?” he asked walking towards her. “Anything, everything. You see the sounds in a building should be the same every day. When a sound comes that's different you should take note. This could be a robbery; a murder, anything happening, and you would have missed it. Come here, stand right
- Dreaming a Music Mystery
CHAPTER SIX
The group gathered at the restaurant at 6:00 p.m. Tonight Louis was going to introduce Darwin, the private investigator to them. If they remember right, she helped catch the Black Dahlia last year, which had hit all the newspapers from the moment they walked her in handcuffs to the courtroom.Montmartre was a French name, but it served strictly American cuisine. The walls were covered in pictures of the previous owners dating back to 1935. The interior décor had been changed over the years. The tables and booths were placed haphazardly throughout the restaurant. The carpet was muddy brown, with white speckles scattered. The walls were the same muddy brown as the carpet. The space wasn't the place where the up-and-coming holdout, but it served great food.Darwin was the first to arrive as was her way. She has dressed in a pinstripe black and white tailored pantsuit, with five-inch black heels and her afro was on point. Her makeup was sedate and not overstat
- Dreaming a Music Mystery
CHAPTER FIVE
Next evening:The next evening, Dreaming was in the studio. They were supposed to be working but all they were doing was sitting in silence.Louis and Darnell were actually in the studio, sitting on stools with their headphones slung around their necks. Fingers were tapping against the music stand. Staring at the floor, motionless. The music was playing through the headphones. Neither Louis nor Darnell cared. Their fists were clenched against their knees, nails digging into their palms.Marcus was standing outside the studio in the cold with no jacket on. But he seemed impervious to the wind. The passing cars went by unnoticed. They were invisible to him. Marcus was thinking about the death of his father. It was on November 7, 1993, the police came knocking at his door. He's run to the door because his father was later but when he opened the door, Marcus knew.Officer Peluso called up Louis on the telephone. He had thought long and hard, but he knew that
- Dreaming a Music Mystery
CHAPTER FOUR
Later that night…The band met up at the hospital to see Mark. As they walked into the quiet, sanitary-smelling soulless hospital each remembered the last time they were there. A friend had been shot down by the police. He was mistaken for a notorious drug dealer wanted on multiple counts of possession, with the intent to distribute. The friend had tried to explain to the officers they were making a mistake, but they didn't listen. In fact, they told him he was worthless, should off himself to make their job easier. When he reached in his pocket for identification, they all opened fire. The first bullet alone would have killed him, but they shot him 15 times. When they got to the hospital, his mother was not even weeping. She was just staring, with an empty glazed look in her eyes.The band shook off the memories as they wandered into the hospital near the front desk. They asked which room Mark was in and on what floor. They were informed he was still in intensi
- Dreaming a Music Mystery
CHAPTER THREE
The cat was Marcus. He happened to make his way behind the yellow tape. In fact, he actually looked like a cat today. He was dressed all in black, black jeans, a black turtleneck, and black shoes. He was light-skinned with wavy close-shaven hair with light brown eyes. His voice was a deep baritone, with a husky tone that came from smoking.Marcus had managed to get into the building. As he was walking down the hall, he heard footsteps echoing behind him. When he stopped the footsteps stopped. When he walked, they walked? Checking it out he started walking and stopped, listening as he did so. Sure enough, they were mimicking him.Turning around to see who it was he saw no one. Shaking off the feeling, he kept walking towards the studio. All of a sudden, he heard running feet and Officer Peluso shouting, “Stop, you can’t be back here until after the investigation is complete.” Continuing in a softer and quieter tone, Peluso said,
- Dreaming a Music Mystery
CHAPTER TWO
By the time the group got there, the police had already cordoned off the area with yellow tape. In fact, the whole street was blocked off. There were about ten black and whites there plus the lead detective. The first officers on the scene, Officers Jason and Park quickly took pictures of the scene and the outside surrounding area. This was done after the two had completed a walk around the area to see if anyone or perhaps the assailant was around.The ambulance had been called upon the officers finding out Mark was still breathing, although faintly. It had come and gone by the time the group had arrived, to talk with the police.Upon their arrival, the band learned of Mark being hurt when Officer Peluso came outside of the building and started talking to Louis.“We found him lying passed out in the studio. He had a pretty nasty wound. Looked like someone sliced him open. Papers were everywhere. After we searched the studio, we noticed the board was playin
- Dreaming a Music Mystery
CHAPTER ONE
It was late, around nine in the evening Louis, Darnell, Marquis, Marcus, and John better known as Dreaming, were all in the studio listening to a playback of the last recording of their newest single, “Remembrance.” Outside in the hallway, next to the studio, the group's manager, Mark, and the label owner, Joe was having a heated discussion about the cover for the new CD disc. The two had this very same discussion before. Both of their visions on how to market the group differed in ideal and style. The members of the group came from all different backgrounds. Two members came from money; one comes from suburbia and two from the projects. Each brought their own brand of style. “The members should present themselves as one,” said Joe. “No,” said Mark, “Each of the members has their own unique brand. We should showcase that.” “Marcus and Marquis hail from the projects. Their mother shopped with food stamps, was on welfare until they were ten, and worked two
