“Good. I cried like a baby messing up my makeup but other than that, I feel good. I was not expecting that, Nesh. Where did all that come from?”
“When you announced your retirement last year, you pretty much fell off the face of the earth. No one was expecting you to be here today. It was buzz in the industry, but nothing was certain. I’m glad to see you were missed and so heavily loved. What we doing after this?” she inquired with a smirk on her face. All she wanted to do was party. It didn’t matter what city we were in.
I finished the tea and reached for my change of clothes to get dressed. “Going home. I’ve seen enough of Milan for a lifetime. You have the new tickets, right?”
“I do. You sure you don’t want to eat or anything? I mean, we have time, Cheyonne.” Her worrying about my eating habits wouldn’t ever fade. I damn near starved myself as a model and now that I was no longer on the runway, she felt like my appetite should’ve grown.
“We can eat at the airport or on the plane. I really just want my bed, Nesh. You know how I feel about changing time zones. It’s draining,” I complained.
“I know, I know. Your pops called while you were walking, make sure to hit him back.” She handed over my phone and walked out.
My father wouldn’t be getting a phone call until I returned to the states. It was one thing to have overprotective parents but to have overprotective Nigerian parents was different. Yeah, I was Nigerian American and having that exquisite beauty granted me a spot in this industry. An ordinary girl being scouted while walking to school. Some things really did happen by luck.
It took me approximately another twenty minutes before I had my things together. I walked out with my bags and Nesh immediately took over. She wasn’t going to let me carry a thing as long as she was around. We were able to make it out the venue like a thief in the night, and I was glad of it. I never really got used to the crowds.
Filing into the blacked-out Yukon, we headed right for the airport. We still had a few hours before takeoff, but I truly didn’t mind the wait. The airport had a VIP section for Brateelth Landing members. It was an upscale international airline that treated their members like royalty. Whenever I left the country, I flew with them and them only.
“Have you decided on what you’re going to do about your appointment? We can’t keep pushing it back, Cheyonne. Sooner or later, those flares are going to have you in a state you can’t come out of,” Nesh voiced opening a bottle of water and handing it over. If she wasn’t feeding me, she was keeping me hydrated.
“Why do you think we’re going straight home, Nesh? I didn’t want to push it back because I really do have to speak with Dr. Frances. It’s taking longer and longer for me to come out of an episode. Before it was like a few hours or even a day or two… max. Now it takes damn near a week before I’m myself again. It’s getting tiring,” I expressed.
My career as a model was a successful one. One so great I didn’t want to stop. Nevertheless, I took as many bookings as I could so I could retire comfortably. Having fibromyalgia was challenging. No one really tried to understand it except for Nesh which was why I dragged her along everywhere I went.
She didn’t judge me or say I was overexaggerating about my pain like others. Fibromyalgia was an uncurable beast. Not only that, if you had a lazy ass doctor, they would slap you with the diagnosis in a heartbeat and send you on your way. She made sure I was taken care of and did it without complaints. Besides my parents, Nesh was the only person I considered family.
“Che, you need to slow down. I’m serious.”
“I am, Nesh. Don’t start all that nagging, please.”
“Now, I’m nagging.Tuh. Whatever, Che. Derrick and I are going on our vacation when we return. We’re celebrating our anniversary as well. You will have to call your folk for the time being. Can you handle that?” she questioned. From the look on her face, I could see some annoyance. I didn’t let it get to me simply because we were best friends. She wasn’t going to always be pleased with my choice of words.
“I’m a grown ass woman, Nesh. I can handle my condition. I’ve been doing it since I was diagnosed. Go, be with your husband, and have another one of my godbabies. I’ll be fine,” I said brushing her off.
“You’re giving me attitude, so I’ll shut up. I’d hate to have to get to rumbling and tearing these people stuff up,” she chimed putting her airpods in.
It was silent the entire ride. I didn’t mind though. Too much noise bothered me something serious. I was at that age where everything was starting to bother me honestly. All I sought was peace and quiet. Thank God Nesh knew when to step back and let me have my way.
We arrived in due time with the driver helping us with our bags. We were smart enough to load up before the event. Once our things were out the trunk and on the curb, I grabbed my belongings and headed inside. Toneshia was a little ways behind me. We were beginning to go through our phase of needing space. It happened every once in a while, whenever we spent too much time together. This was that time.
Going through the necessary check-ins, we finally made it to Brateelth Landing VIP terminal. It was away from the crowd, and I could hear my thoughts. I took a seat and Nesh sat across with her headphones still in. She held two menus extending one my way. I smiled and took it from her. On her nerves or not, she was going to be there.
I skimmed the menu and settled on a bowl of pasta. There was a time when carbs and starch weren’t even allowed on my plate. Being able to eat freely was finally in full effect. I could pack on some healthy weight and live for once. As a model, you always know there’s one last show after retirement. Mine was just completed. C’for was officially out the game. I sent a text to Nesh telling her what I wanted and she responded with a simple okay.
My cell rang again with me knowing exactly who it was. Outside of Nesh, there was no one else calling except my parents. The agency knew not to start placing calls until the day after tomorrow. I removed it from my purse and smirked seeing that my assumption was right.
“Hi Mama,” I said after sliding my thumb across the screen and placing it to my ear.
“Oh, you answered. I knew I was getting Toneshia this time around, too.”
“No ma’am, you got your one and only baby girl. What’s up? Is anything wrong?” I questioned.
“That’s exactly what I was going to ask you. How was the show? How was your last walk and how does it feel to be called a legend? You’re all over the news right now with Amora and Bija.” My mother held so much excitement in her voice that it brought a smile to mine.
I worked hard to build a legacy they would approve of. To know they encouraged me and allowed me to handle things my way was heartwarming. Most Nigerian parents were strict and expected you to carry yourself as well as uphold this certain status. My two adjusted to the American ways fast and knew they couldn’t raise me a certain way. I didn’t disappoint them or bring them shame so overall, they were proud of me.
“It’s a surreal feeling to be acknowledged as a legend of my era, so I’m on a high right now, Ma.”
“You’re high? When did you start smoking, Cheyonne?”
