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look out for me. You’ve been like a big brother to me ever since high school. That’s twenty years of blood, sweat, and tears. I’m not gonna throw that away because of an argument over a
woman
! But this is
my
life and I have a right to live it my way. If that means having sex with one woman or one hundred, that’s my choice. Denise has always known what I was about and she accepts me. All I’m asking from you as a friend is to do the same.”
    “You’re right, Eddie.” I put my hand on his shoulder. “Sometimes friends think they know what’s best for each other when all that should matter is their happiness. It’s obvious that you’re happy living your life the way you do,” I said to him. “But I want you to know that the reason I’m so hard on you is because I love you.”
    “I love you, too, man,” he said, then we hugged.
    “Just promise me one thing, Eddie.”
    “What’s that?”
    “Try to be more careful. This AIDS epidemic is real, not to mention all the crazy women out there. Look at what happened to you.”
    “Okay, I promise.” He raised his hand as if he was taking an oath. “From now on, I’ll only pick up women at church and Bible study.” He laughed. “Those are the biggest freaks anyway.”
    “Man, you’re hopeless.”

Chapter 4
     
    THE CLOCK IN my Camry read 11:30 as I approached Club Nimbus. People were waiting in a line that wrapped around the corner of LaSalle and Lake Street. They looked elegant in their designer business suits and long cocktail dresses. No expense was spared to look the part. Club Nimbus was a popular hangout for the booshie types who liked to flaunt their success. I just liked the old school music and buffalo wings. But the real attraction was the multicultural atmosphere, which basically meant it was a place where white women could flirt openly with black men. That was a rarity in a city as segregated as Chicago.
    The club also had a reputation for attracting professional athletes, entertainers, and wannabes. If you flashed an impressive business card or drove a Benz, you were instantly
somebody.
So when I rolled up in my beat-up Camry it was obvious that the women were not impressed. I smiled to myself as I strutted by them and went directly to the front of the line. The entrance was roped off and guarded by two bouncers. One of them was checking IDs when I walked over and tapped him on the shoulder.
    “Whassup, Paul?”
    “Hey, Julian! I was hoping you wouldn’t leave town without saying good-bye to us little people.”
    “You know me, Paul. I always keep it real.”
    “Sometimes money has a way of changing a man.”
    “Having money is just like drinking too much liquor, all it does is expose a person for who he really is.”
    “That’s deep. Let me write that one down.” He lifted the rope to let me in. “Have a good time.”
    “Oh, by the way, Paul, did you get my message about putting Eddie on the VIP list?”
    “He’s already here. Him and his lady arrived about an hour ago.”
    “Cool!”
    When I walked into the foyer my body began to vibrate to the thumping bass of the music.“To Be Real” by Cheryl Lynn was jammin’ in the back room. The atmosphere was electric with the sound of casual chatter and the air was filled with the aroma of perfumes and colognes. Women of all nationalities lined the walls wearing skimpy dresses and heavy makeup— some had hair extensions down their backs. The men, who were mostly dressed in business suits, looked like hungry vultures waiting on something to die. Every woman who walked by was subject to have her ass inspected.
    The layout of the club was very stylish. The dining area had two levels with a huge circular bar in the middle. There was another bar that ran the full length of the back wall. We called it the Perch because it had a view of the entire club. It was prime real estate for any man or woman on the prowl for fresh meat. Not to my surprise, Eddie was sitting right in the middle and