Epilogue
“You’re not goin’ nowhere without me, Mani,” Sanaa huffed, taking Emani’s clothes out her bag as she packed them. “Why you always leaving?”
Emani pulled in a breath. She had an hour to repack and make it to her jet before she was late arriving to Waynesville to join Lucci and Trae Way MB for a stop on their tour.
Being late meant breach of contract with the venue.
But Sanaa was clearly in crisis and Emani needed to stop what she was doing to tend to her girl.
Sitting on the floor where Sanaa was actively unpacking her things from various bags, Emani motioned her over. “Come here, Naa.”
Sanaa huffed, crossed her arms, and shook her head. “You’re not leavin’ me.”
“I have a show. It’s my job, baby.”
“But if you leave me, you won’t come back,” Sanaa finally admitted, sinking Emani’s heart.
“I just got you. The man in the black dress asked if I wanted you to be my mommy and I said yes. I’ll tell the dress-wearin’ nigga you’re trying to leave me.
Then you’ll be arrested and we’re going to be in here together forever. You can’t leave.”
Emani softly laughed to herself and moved across the floor, pulling Sanaa into her arms. She was sure to pepper kisses over her face and hold her warmly. Anything to curb this feeling of abandonment she was experiencing.
“I will never leave you. And you can’t tell the judge something that’s not true.”
“How do you know that? You can say no more and never come back,” Sanaa shared, knowing that with Emani, she was safe to express herself without the tantrum or fear of being dismissed. It was important for Emani to make sure Sanaa knew she was loved and protected.
“Because I know. I love you too much to leave you. I have to work, but I always come back to you, and I will always come back to you. You hear me?” Emani asked softly. “You’re my girl. I always come back to my girl.”
“Did your mommy come back?” Sanaa asked. Emani shook her head. “Why?”
“I don’t know. But what I do know is that I will always come back to you. Matter of fact, I’ll run back.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re my baby. And mama always comes back to her baby. Let’s make a deal okay?”
“Okay… what’s the deal?” Sanaa hummed.
“Help me pack in ten minutes and we’ll get your bags packed too,” Emani shared, making Sanaa’s head pop up.
“Where you sending me to lady? Areli’s?” Her tiny face frowned.
“Nooo. You’re coming with me. But you have to promise to mind your manners or next time, I will be leaving you behind with Aunt Violet until I get back,” Emani compromised.
“I promise, I promise!” Sanaa perked up, excitedly placing Emani’s stuff back in the suitcase. “Drewy is going to be soooo jealous!”
“Jealous? He’s coming too and so is Aunt Violet, someone is going to have to keep their eyes on you. So you’re not running around bossing my deejay and management around,” Emani shared, standing up to text the family chat.
E: the turn around show just turned into a family trip to Waynesville
Jah: Meet y’all there
Aunt Vi: ohhh let me get some fly shit
Andrew: E, you bringing me on stage?
Emani: Absolutely not. You’re going to keep an eye on your sister niece
Andrew: I mean… that’s cool I guess
Jah: I just paid your tuition for next year it’s going to be more than cool, lil’ nigga
Andrew: I can’t wait to run behind Sanaa backstage!
Jah: more like it. Y’all be safe, love you!
Andrew ambled into the room with a smile on his face. “You sure I can’t get on stage with Lucci or MB?”
“I’m very sure and don’t ask them. And if Charlie and Brody try to rope you into stealing Keon’s chicken, don’t.
They do pranks back and forth, keep it cute and leave his shit and my shit alone because if they start it, I will finish it,” Emani warned.
“Other than that, have fun. When we get back, I want a typed report of what you learned.”
“Dang, E, I thought we were having fun,” Andrew huffed.
“We are, but how are you going to take over for your Uncle Carson when the time comes if you’re not constantly learning? It takes a lot to run one successful career. Imagine juggling mine and Jahlil’s,” Emani shared.
“You’re right, I got you, E.”
“I know. Hurry, go pack. If I’m late, it’s going to cost you a birthday party, baby boy,” Emani buzzed, widening Andrew’s smile.
“You know, now that you’re our mom on paper, can I call you that?” Andrew asked.
Emani smirked. “Yeah. Go.”
“Aight, ma, I’m going.”
An hour later, they were wheels up, when a text came through from Jahlil.
Jah: I wanted to keep it under wraps until you got here but the news is going to break soon.
I got your masters back. Your old label went belly up.
So, I bought that too. I’ll let you, Donnée, Carson, and Lucci work out the details but know that no one will ever try and silence you again. I love you, baby. Happy Valentines Day.
Emani placed her hands over her mouth after reading the text and scanning the documents that followed.
Emani: what do you want in return?
Jah: You is all I require. But you on my face would be a great way to close the night out.
She chuckled to herself.
“What’s going on over here?” Aunt Violet asked, taking Emani in. “This glow and this joy radiating from you?”
“Nothing unexpected. It’s just good to be home.”
Now, it’s the end.