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.
