Prologue

Once upon a time, a middle aged man named Rick Powell lived in the suburbs of Philadelphia with his wife Patricia and their only son Evan. He was pastor at a local church and was praised by the congregation. His mission was to do what was best for his family. His life seem to gleam with perfection, on the outside. But it wasn't until one spring/summer Friday afternoon when everything changed forever. Patricia came home from work early to start dinner for the family. Just as she got settled into her routine she discovers a letter that Rick has written for her. She sat down at the table and started reading. Then all of a sudden she felt like she was kicked in the stomach.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to hurt you. But this isn't working. When you read this, I will be long gone. I'll make sure the mortgage is paid every month. Hope you will forgive me one day… -Rick-

Patricia kept blowing up Rick's phone cursing and demanding an explanation on why he left her like this without even working it out with her. But the phone went unanswered. Patricia was devastated. As soon as Evan came home, she told him the bad news as Evan comforts her; assuring her that everything is gonna be okay. Rick Powell was never seen again.

CHAPTER 1: TEN YEARS LATER

It began at Jamal's loft apartment. He just had an amazing night on the town with his on and off again boyfriend Michael. They rekindled their relationship when they bumped into each other at a local bar. Jamal was celebrating his success of his Pepsi commercial, and Michael happened to stop by. They had a couple of drinks, and they fell in love, which turned into love making in Jamal's bedroom.

"I want to know where we stand Jamal," said Michael, after their love making. They were lounging under the covers.

"What do you mean?" asked Jamal curiously.

"You know…" said Michael. "We've been through a lot together, you with your music and career, me mooching off of you and the cheating-."

"Look," said Jamal. "Although I'm still pissed off of what you've done…I'm willing to move past this and start off fresh. Just this once."

"And I understand you for doing this," said Michael. "But you don't have to be with me because I feel sorry for myself…I mean I take full ownership of what I did."

"I know," said Jamal. "I salute you for it. But our relationship, our history goes much deeper than any other relationship I have. And I always miss that connection, so I want to continue focusing on us despite of your foolish actions."

"You're so sweet papi," said Michael, giving Jamal a peck on the lips. "I know it was stupid, I just wanted to spice up our relationship."

"By letting that shaggy dude go down on you like that?" asked Jamal with sarcasm.

"He claimed that he was going to show me how to give you good head," said Michael. "And I fell for his dirty trick."

"Ha," scoffed Jamal. "Well, it looked like you was enjoying it."

"That's why it was a dirty trick," said Michael.

Jamal shakes his head as he lays on his back.

"But I know it was still wrong, and there's no excuse for it," said Michael.

"Yep," said Jamal. "But, just know, you still owe me big time,"

"Oh I don't mind that at all," said Michael sensually.

Michael looks at Jamal's night stand and sees a little stuffed bear that looked dusty. He goes over and examines it.

"Well would you look at that," said Michael. "You kept little Georgie all this time."

"I have," said Jamal. "I'm such a pack rat though, you know that."

"I haven't seen him in so long," said Michael. "At least you could've done is to dust him."

"Oh boy please," said Jamal. "A little dust won't hurt him."

"I remember it like it was yesterday," said Michael. "We was at a carnival at night, early fall. We was playing those little toss the ball games, you know?"

"Yeah, you got that good aim," said Jamal. "You almost took that guy's head off."

"I know," said Michael. "But at least I won."

"You sure did babe," said Jamal.

Michael then goes and lays back down on the bed and puts his head on the side of Jamal's chest.

"We really did had some good memories," said Michael.

"I guess all of our moments weren't that bad," said Jamal.

"But it could be better," said Michael. "I'll tell you what, I will in fact make it up to you."

"Really?" asked Jamal sensually who then turns over and gets on top of Michael. "Right now?"

"First," said Michael stopping him. "I'm going to make you the best breakfast that you will ever have."

"But you can't cook," said Jamal.

"Well, what I mean by making as me calling up the caterers," said Michael with a wink. "All I have to just unpack the platters."

"You're a mess," chuckled Jamal, as they both get out of bed.

A few minutes later, Jamal goes downstairs to get some mail. As he opened the box he sees a very pink letter of out of the junk mail. He smile as he takes it out and proceeds to open it.

"A good morning, isn't it," said the doorman.

"It sure is," said Jamal, as he reads the letter.

"I'm thinking of taking the old dog for a walk," said the doorman, as he walks past Jamal.

"Yeah," said Jamal, as he scans the words of the letter.

Then all of a sudden his smile quickly vanishes. It was replaced by a very concerned look. Then a flash of fear came over him as he returns the letter back in the envelope.

"Is something wrong?" asked the doorman.

"Oh, um...it's my aunt," said Jamal, as he quickly shuts his mailbox "She writes to me all the time, she's been recently sick for a while and I worry about her a lot."

"Well, I hope she gets better," said the doorman.

She will," said Jamal, as he gets back on the elevator. He was now trying to hold his composure.

When he entered his apartment, Michael was waiting for him with a big smile.

"Look what I found," said Michael, as he holds up a baking dish of cold lasagna that was half gone. "You always have a lot of leftovers.

Jamal slowly puts the mail on the kitchen counter, as Michael continues to stare at him curiously.

"What's wrong?" asked Michael. "You look like you seen a ghost."

"I'm...sort of not that hungry after all," said Jamal. "I'm not feeling so well. I'm gonna lay down for a while okay?"

He then goes to the bedroom leaving Michael alone with his mail unattended. Michael started to follow him to see what's up, but he kept staring at the mail. He waits for a few minutes just in case he comes back. When the coast was clear Michael goes through the mail and finds the envelope with Jamal's name on it. He opens it up and reads it…

"I know what you did to Mr. Powell! His death will be avenged! I will get you just like you got him! You're ass is done for!"