She's Gotta Have It

Enough is enough.

There are mad toxins in my life.

I need a break and some radical self-care.

And when I say "radical," boy, do I mean radical.

Treating myself to an internal cleanse

that really gets the stink out, you know?

That means no social media, no weed, no alcohol,

and no men in my loving bed.

Ya heard?

That's right, fellas, there will be no penis between us.

No men. Nada.

None. Zero. Not even virtual.

Oh.

Oh, you don't believe I can do it? You wanna bet?

But that don't mean I can't still smash, though.

I met Nola, what, two years ago now? Right here in my nursery.

She didn't buy anything that day, but really good energy with her.

Smart, gorgeous. Plus she's an artist and shit.

How can you not be attracted to that?

Things were growing between us,

and then we hit that point where you're exclusive or you're done.

And Nola benched me.

Actually, it was more of a slow ghost, a fade to friend zone, then out.

I didn't think that she'd step back into my life.

But, suddenly...

I am back in her loving bed, and it is on and poppin'.

I'm not trying to catch any feelings since I got burned the last time, but...

I'm single, so...

might as well ride the wave.

You think Sky would be into this?

That's totally Skylar.

I'd offer to get it for her, but money is tight.

A young artist living in Fort Greene low on cash? I don't believe you.

How about this bookmark, since it's Free .99?

I do start that teaching artist gig tomorrow, which is great.

Even with all my other side hustles, my rent is still mad late.

I also applied for the Catlett Prize, so I'm just waiting to hear back.

Money is coming. Money is coming.

Money is coming. Money is coming.

Plastic is coming. Plastic is coming.

Money is coming.

Isn't the group show you're in going up soon? How you feelin' about it?

- Morning, Opal. - Good morning.

I don't know.

My work is my solace these days,

but I still feel like something hasn't quite clicked.

I've been painting portraits, which isn't inherently groundbreaking,

but you look at the work of LaToya Ruby Frazier,

Kerry James Marshall, Mickalene Thomas, or even my boy, Terrell Boyce,

and they all have this fresh take on portraiture.

They're honest and unafraid of the beauty of the black body and...

how it can be represented.

And then... then they have the right theoretical language

for their art to fly.

I'm just trying to reach that same sweet spot with my work, you know?

Do you wanna come over for dinner tonight?

Like, "tonight" tonight?

We can pick Skylar up from rock climbing after I close up shop, and...

- I'll cook dinner at my place. - I love it.

I have therapy and... Oh, I have that thing with Terrell that I can't bail on.

I'm tryin' to stick to what I say I'm gonna do.

Well, you're always welcome. Anytime you're free.

Okay, all right, your pouty face, it's just too cute.

You are so dope.

Watch that.

I gotta go.

- Can I give this to Sky? - Yeah.

See ya.

- Like, "wouldn't wanna be ya"? - No, silly. Soon, like, super soon.

- Can I help you with something, sir? - Yes.

This woman is like...

Whoa! I am legit feeling her. I feel so safe.

You know I don't believe in labels, but, as a sex-positive polyamorous pansexual,

words like "monogamy" and "family"

have never even seemed like a remote possibility.

But she owns her own nursery. She's a horticulturalist.

Ugh! It's so hot, right? I can talk about work with her.

My parents... My parents would love her. And she has a kid already

from a turkey baster with a friend from college,

so I get insta-daughter without labor pains or stretch marks.

I can see the three of us skipping down the street, holding hands,

like we're in some commercial for products only white folks would buy.

And the key is that unlike the men I've been dealing with,

she's not trying to own me, and that's real talk.

Real talk. That's what we're aiming for at all times in here.

- Right. - Right.

And her ego isn't massive, so I just have space to be myself.

- I'm sorry, am I gushing too much? - No, no, it's great.

These... These passionate feelings, it's great.

Are you, uh... more at home with an intimate partner of the same sex?

I don't think about it like that.

It's more whether or not I'm into the person.

Well, you seem to be more open and at ease having rekindled

this particular relationship.

I am.

And the tools you suggested have been helping.

- Good. - Um...

Deep breathing, wearing that dress, visualizing safe spaces.

And I feel like...

you know, I've needed them all

because I've just been attacked from all sides, but...

with Opal...

I don't have to fight back all the time.

Oh, I'm sorry. Do you... Do you have any tissues?

Huh!

I never see these.

Oh, gosh, I barely know what is going on.

Well, we'll, uh, pause here until next time.

Okay.

How did you wanna pay today, cash or check?

I was hoping I could open up a tab or something?

Well, I see you have great taste in art.

Maybe I could paint you a portrait.

- Let me think about that. - Barter.

I did not realize how much I needed to turn up.

Terrell, do you feel this beat? GBM Nutron is fire!

I still have to introduce you to my parents.

- Okay. - Let's go over now.

Nola, come on with your drunk ass.

- No. - Come on!

No. Terrell.

- You look beautiful, Mama. - Hello, son.

- Congratulations, Dad. - Thanks.

- Congratulations. Thank you. - Thank you.

You work for the city like I did,

you can pay for a retirement party like this.

I'm doing just fine with my art.

That's to be determined.

And... who is this lovely creature?

These are my parents, George and Vilma.

Hi, I'm Nola Darling. Nice to meet you.

Nola's my new girlfriend.

She's very pretty.

- I'm not his girlfriend. - That's what she thinks.

- But we are close. - True.

How did you know you were right for each other?

After we met, it was clear as day we'd be marryin'.

So, you disappear...

and leave me inside alone with your parents... to dance?

Are you kidding me? Weren't we just dancing inside?

- Hey, Stefano. - Ciao, Nola.

Uh, what is that in your hand? I thought you had to be up early for work.

Doesn't matter. It's just a day job.

I thought you weren't drinking right now.

I had to. Otherwise, your parents would think I was an alcoholic.

And she had rum cake too.

After a few minutes with them, I feel like I'm going to choke.

My father has no respect for what I do, my art.

At least he knows you're an artist.

I can't believe you straight-up lied and said I was your girlfriend.

Would you please tell this fiancé of yours

that he needs to be a grown-ass man and come out to his parents?

Why you hidin' all this?

Okay, clearly, I need to reach you. Class bell. Ding, ding.

My parents? Old-school Trini people.

What's worse than having great gallery representation

and a residency at the studio museum and collectors?

Being a batty boy.

And a batty boy like me gets disowned, if he survives at all.

You have some nerve telling me to be a grown-ass man

when you out here datin' three guys and a woman,

and you go into anaphylactic shock just hearing the word "commitment."

See? You can only be a fake girlfriend, not a real one.

So what? I have to be a good girl and get married to count in your book?

That's ridiculous. Besides, I am not dating three men.

Well, well, not tonight, because you're on a cleanse.

I'm doing what makes me feel good, and that's Opal right now.

You're too greedy.

You cannot stick to one thing for long.

- Hey, Papo! - Nola!

Got my first day of teaching tomorrow.

Where are my keys?

No!

Miss Ella, leave a message.

Voice mail?

Hello?

Miss Ella?