Bird Of Fire

Bird of Fire

A Novel

Copyright © 2021 by Homer Solomon Jr.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the author.

ISBNs

978-0-578-96677-9 (paperback)

978-0-578-98062-1 (hardcover)

Contents

1 2008: Ready For My Close-Up

2 Momma Dearest

3 Queens

4 It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye

5 Peachtree

6 Indecent Proposal

7 Lean On Me

8 2009: On Your Mark

9 Get Set…Up

10 Do Not Pass Go

11 Jail House Blues

12 Man in the Mirror

13 August, 2010: The Clean-up Man

14 January, 2012: No, No, No.

15 How Will I Know

16 Little Boy Blue

17 Like a Moth to the Flame

18 Dear Momma

19 Suspended Animation

20 Revelations

Flowers

About the Author

1

2008

Ready For My Close-Up

FORTY-FIVE MINUTES AND a blunt later, my GPS informed me that my destination was on the right. The parking lot I pulled into was a patchwork of grass, scattered gravel and parking space dividers. The building wasn’t at all what I had imagined. It was a bustling two story warehouse that had apparently fallen victim to the real estate craze and was converted into office suites. As I approached suite D, the knowing stares of the people entering and exiting the other suites followed me down the corridor. After what seemed like forever I finally reached the door that read BIG BOI PRODUCTIONS . I took a deep breath and entered.

On the other side of the door I ended up in a line behind four nicely built and differently hued young men of color. We were all standing in front of a large wooden desk. Behind the desk sat a tall thin man whose facial expressions seemed to consist of mostly frowns.

Everyone have your headshots and bios in hand before you reach my desk. The other information requested will be collected from you in the next step of the auditioning process, if you make it that far.

When I got to the front of the line I froze. I just stood there like an idiot with a nervous smile plastered across my face.

Baby, I don’t have all day. Are you going to hand me your head shot and bio or should I call the next person?

No longer smiling, I handed him my headshot and bio. As he read he’d look up at me, it seemed after every line.

Hmm, very impressive—if any of it is true, he giggled.

Offended, I was now the one wearing a frown. What do you mean if any of it is true?

Don’t get your g string in a bunch, baby. We all fudge a little, in some cases a lot. You’re through to the next step. Have a seat and Don will call you when he is ready for you. He leaned to the left and looked up at the guy behind me. Next!

I took my seat feeling dismissed and defeated.

That lanky ostrich looking bitch better be glad I need this gig or else I would have told him about his long ass neck. Ugh! I just want to snatch him up by it and choke slam him! Bitch!

A few moments later the door to the left of the desk swung open and there stood a tall, dark and handsome man. I know it’s cliché, but it was true. His skin was dark and smooth, his face was storybook handsome and his body was chiseled. He was wearing a grey wife beater, blue basketball shorts, and blue and grey sneakers. Every time he appeared in that doorway to call another name from his list my anticipation grew. Then, finally, it was my turn.

Theophilus Parks.

As I walked to the door he flashed a blinding white smile and extended his hand to shake mine.

Hello Theophilus. I’m Don, nice to meet you.

Hello Don. Nice to meet you as well.

I followed him down the hall into a small brightly lit room. It reminded me of an examination room in a doctor’s office. There was only two pieces of furniture in the room: a black pleather love seat that was riddled with cracks and a large shelving unit that was filled with duffle bags. Don closed the door and handed me an empty duffle bag.

Put all of your clothes in the bag and I am going to need to see your std screening paperwork.

What?

C’mon sexy. You not auditionin’ for the Mickey Mouse Club. No worries, I got whatever you need to relax and make you feel good. Who’s your whore? Blanca, Mary, Tina, Molly, or Brandy?

Huh?

How do you high baby boy? Powder, weed, meth, mdma, aka ex in its purest form, or liquor?

I know who the ladies of the night are, I just didn’t know you all had them on staff here. I will take a shot of liquor.

Liquor and?

Just liquor. I just finished a blunt.

I handed him the duffle bag and my STD paperwork. He looked me up and down as he cupped his mouth and his crotch.

Damn you sexy as fuck!

I blushed.

Thanks.

He handed me a shot of tequila; I downed it. As he looked over my paperwork he refilled the shot glass and, again, I downed its contents. I was starting to feel warm and tingly as he handed me a third shot.

Everything checks out Theophilus.

Don leaned up against the shelving unit and began to rub his chin.

I hate to break it to you Theophilus, but that name ain’t gonna work in this industry. We gotta give you a screen name.

He gave me another good once over.

How you feel about Thunda?

I smiled.

I like it. So what’s your screen name?

Don Wand.

He put his hand out in front of him as if it were resting on an imaginary back. Then he smoothly thrusted his pelvis in a circular motion causing the weight of whatever was in those basketball shorts to become even more evident.

It’s magic.

We burst into laughter.

So what made you want to pursue a career in this industry Thunda?

Well I enjoy watching flicks and I have a high sex drive. But, if I am being completely honest, I haven’t worked in a while and I could use the money.

I get that. I must warn you though it is not as easy as just screwing in front of a camera. Sometimes a shoot can last for hours. There can be several takes of the same scene, conditions and or shooting partners you may not be comfortable with. It can also make dating anyone outside of the industry somewhat challenging. So I’m glad you are going to be in the industry.

Don winked.

I hear you. Thanks for the heads up.

Don stood there for a few moments just staring at me.

Yo, on some real shit son you are mad sexy and I get mad cool vibes from you.

Well I like the vibes that are coming off you too, and I must confess, I have been molesting you with my eyes since you opened that waiting room door.

Oh yeah?

Yeah.

I slowly sipped my shot and surveyed Don from his sneakers up. When I got to his basketball shorts I noticed that the bulge that had been there all along had doubled in size. My eyes traveled up his long torso and when they reached his mouth he licked his lips seductively.

Come here.

Now sporting my own erection, I did as I was told. He grabbed me by the nape of my neck and pulled my face to his. His breath was pure pheromone. Like a cat in heat I pounced. I wanted to taste his breath, deeply inhale it. I covered his mouth with mine, sucking and licking and breathing him all in. We kissed like we would never kiss again for what seemed like an eternity.

With his hand still on the back of my neck he began to gently apply a downward pressure guiding me to my knees. When he snatched down his basketball shorts out flopped a nice long fat piece of dark meat. As I guided him into my mouth I could taste the sweetness of his precum. It turned me on knowing that he was turned on. I went to work on his joystick, bobbing and weaving, slurping and sucking. Then I took him all the way in my mouth, letting the head of his penis rest in the back of my throat for a while. His muscle meat contracted, each time releasing a drop or two of leche.

Fuck Thunda!

My mouth made a popping sound as he pulled his dick out of it. He kneeled and gave me a quick peck on the lips, then turned his attention to my nipples which drove me crazy.

Shit Don.

Turn around Thunda, I wanna taste that ass.

Again, I did as I was told. I turned around and bent over placing my hands on the cold linoleum. My body shuttered from the chill that shot through my ass and up my spine as he forced his long, thick, wet tongue into my tight eager hole.

Oh fuck.

He moved his tongue in and out as he twisted and turned it. Then he pushed it in me as deep as he could all the while sucking the outside of me into his mouth. I began to push back into his face, smothering him with my cakes. After a few moments he lifted his head.

Damn I wanna feel you. You wanna feel me inside you Thunda?

Fuck Yeah.

I continued to rock my ass back and forth.

Don’t move.

He walked over to the shelving unit and began to dig in one of the duffle bags. He was walking back over to me carrying a gold pack and a tube of lube when the room door was thrusted open causing it to slam against the wall. Startled, we both looked to the doorway. Standing there grimacing was the man from behind the desk.

What the fuck Don?! There is a waiting room full of people! You are supposed to be checking these bitches STD work ups and giving them a little something to loosen them up before their screen test, not sticking your dick in their already loose asses!

I leaped up and rushed toward the door. Your ass gon’ be loose when I finally pull my foot out of it, bitch!

Don jumped in front of me holding me back. I struggled with him. I just wanted to knock that frown off that bitch’s face.

Bean, go back to the front desk. I will be out there in one minute.

I still tried to free myself from Don’s grip. No, don’t move, bitch. I got something for your smug ass!

Bean rolled his eyes at me and pulled the door closed. As I fought even harder, Don threw me down on the couch and pinned me to it. When I finally stopped resisting I realized that he was in between my legs bearing down on me. Again I was turned on, and if his meat poking me in the stomach was any indication, so was he.

You’re one tough customer I see.

Aren’t you the pot calling the kettle black? I believe you are the one who has me pinned to this couch.

I think you let me have my way with you, Don said as he licked his lips.

I laughed because it was partly true, I didn’t use all my force. I did want to get to that bitch, but I didn’t want to fight with or hurt Don.

So are you two an item?

What made you ask that?

He sounded like the people in the waiting room waiting wasn’t all he was pissed about.

String Bean and me used to kick it but it wasn’t working for me. He still holding on to the past I guess. Well, you better get upstairs and I better get back to doing my job.

So I take it this had nothing to do with the auditioning process?

He laughed.

Nah baby boy, but I couldn’t resist. I got the feeling that you was digging me too. Was I wrong?

I coyly smiled and shook my head no.

I didn’t think so. You don’t mind if I cop your number from your file do you?

No, not at all.

Alright, bet. OK, so you’re going to go upstairs and it’s the first door on the right. Don’t knock. Just go in. They might be shooting a screen test.

The room was really dark, except for the area where a screen test was taking place. Two naked black guys were sitting on a bed covered in a black sheet as a white cameraman filmed them. The director, who also happened to be white, was asking them questions. He directed them to look into the camera and not at him as they answered.

I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to face a short, chunky, funny-looking little fellow dressed in yellow—a yellow and black plaid short set, to be exact.

What’s your screen name? he asked in a tone just above a whisper.

Thunda.

Are you top, bottom, or versatile?

I’m versatile.

Ok Thunda, you are going to screen test with E Trunk, he is also versatile. You two are going to be screen test five so listen out for that number. This way.

He placed his little chubby hand on my ass as he guided me over to E Trunk. Seeing that these moments were probably the only time he got to feel up some ass I allowed this violation. As we approached E Trunk, I could only assume the E stood for elephant: His dick hung low and it was wide and uncut. That was the only thing that impressed me about him. He was ugly, skinny, and scruffy. His hair was unkempt and he smelled like a ton of weed. If he was going for the dirty trade look he had nailed it.

E Trunk this is Thunda, he is going to screen test with you. You two boys get acquainted.

Sup Dawg?

What’s up?

Is dis yo first one a deez?

Yeah.

Me too dawg, well my first one for money. Me and my homeboys gotta bunch of em online. People be donatin and shit but it ain’t no real money. When it’s our turn up I think we should just start getting freaky while da directa asking us shit. I mean I think that’ll make us stand out in his mind and shit. Like maybe if he start asking me shit first while I’m answerin you just like start sucking my dick and shit. Then…

This is one ugly, mangy, smoked out, talking ass bastard! What in the hell am I doing? I know the ad said that the flick would only have a limited release overseas but what if this shit comes back to haunt me. My Granny has gone on to glory but what would her friends and the rest of the family think? She did a good job raising me. I can’t disgrace her name like this, can I? Her daughter (my momma) has been doing a hell of a job casting shame on the family name for years now, she doesn’t need any help from me. Damn, I need this fucking money right now. I haven‘t had a gig in a good minute and my savings are dwindling.

Yo Thunda.

Huh?

I said do you wanna do a li’l role play and shit while we wait to be called?

E Trunk smirked.

Yeah, if you could shut the fuck up for five minutes, shave that taco meat off of your face and body and get those unsightly dreads groomed is what I wanted to say.

Yeah, right after I come back from the bathroom.

And I made a run for it. I would figure something out; I always did.

2

Momma Dearest

AFTER UNDRESSING FOR the second time that afternoon, I took a long hot shower. Once I was in my favorite pajama pants and my favorite non matching robe, I walked into the kitchen and poured myself a tall glass of chardonnay. Just as I had balled myself up on the love seat in my living room and covered up with the throw, there was a knock at the door. Who in the hell could this be? Everybody knows I don’t do pop-ups.

I tip-toed over to the peep hole and snuck a peek. There she was, the one person who didn’t give a shit about my no pop-up rule. She would show up whenever she damn well pleased and if she had any inkling that I was home I had better open up or else everyone within a half mile radius would know that she was there. She would bang, yell, and curse until she got tired. One time she did this for over an hour and one of my neighbors ended up calling the cops.

I know you are in there boy. Open up this damn door.

She knocked a little harder.

I’m really not in the mood for this shit today.

I opened the door and walked back over to the love seat and sat down.

Well. Hello to you too, son.

Hey Ma.

Boy you know you keep it smelling good up in here and as clean as a whistle. Ya got that from your momma, she said as she took a seat on the couch across from me.

If I did, it must have been passed through her DNA because I couldn’t tell you what the inside of any of her numerous dwellings have looked like, let alone how they smelled. My granny Pearly Mae Parks taught me how to make a house a home, but I just let her talk. I turned the television on to keep from having to engage her too much or even look at her.

Still, after all these years my heart breaks a little with each glance. She used to be breathtakingly gorgeous, stylish and classy. The person who sat across from me today wild eyed and fidgeting was anything but. She still had a head full of beautiful hair but now it was usually kept in a matted looking ponytail. Her light brown skin that used to have the glow of freshly baked and buttered biscuits was now pale and dry. Her clothing went from high fashion to how in the hell did you walk out of the house like that.

Well, how have you been son? I haven’t heard from or seen you in a while. You know you could check on your momma sometime.

She began to rapidly tap the heel of her right foot.

I’ve been OK, Ma, and I would if you kept the same number or address for more than a month.

I guess you got a point.

She laughed uncomfortably.

This weather has been so unpredictable lately, huh?

Yeah it’s been doing its own thing but that’s South Florida for you.

I guess you got another good point.

She continued to tap her right foot as we both sat there and pretended to watch