“I know it ain’t the easiest…”
“I’ll follow where you lead me,” she replied simply. It was a soft girl response. She wanted to go into this marriage submitting so she would trust his guidance.
It was the simplest answer, and the blush it pulled out of him told her it was the perfect answer.
“I never expected to have this with another man again. Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever had it. Thank you for being here,” she continued.
“Thank you for allowing me to be here,” Nyair responded. “Us versus everything and everybody. Me, you, and the Big Homie. Three stranded chord.”
She had heard that biblical reference before. A marriage wasn’t made of two, but three, and it was that steel chord ofGod that kept it from unraveling. She and Demi never had that foundation. They never knew they needed it to keep their union strong.
For the first time since losing her son, Lauren felt hopeful. Maybe, just maybe, her life wasn’t over.
Chapter 19
Stassismiled as she watched the comments go crazy as Charlie performed. “You’re at a million viewers,” she said excitedly. “Girl, you wasabout to let the devil steal your joy. This is your gift. Y’all tell Charlie this is hers already. All she got to do is sing, and all the success is going to come to her,” Stassi said, flipping the camera toward her.
“I know, I know, I just have so much to think about now,” Charlie said.
“That’s another conversation for when we off live,” Stassi said. “Right now, I want y’all to tell Charlie what y’all want her to sing about on the upcoming deluxe version of her album.” Stassi scrolled through the comments, laughing. “Oh, your fans are wild.”
“What they saying, girl?” Charlie asked, curiously.
“Fuck niggas and city girl shit,” Stassi answered.
“That ain’t where I’m at with it, but we can probably throw together a track or two for the girls that’s outside,” Charlie said, laughing. Stassi’s forehead creased suddenly as the comments slowly crept in.
“What’s wrong?” Charlie asked as she noticed Stassi’s disposition change.
Novelista - I heard Demi Sky got shot in Flint.
Realmimigirl - Charlie, that married man you sleeping with got his karma. Heard he got wet up.
OhhheyyVee - Y’all heard it here first. RIP, Demi Sky.
Stassi’s expression changed as she scrolled through the comments frantically, suddenly panicked.
“Who said that? Where are y’all getting this from?” Stassi asked.
Charlie heard the concern in Stassi’s voice, and she set her guitar to the side. “Stassi, what the fuck is happening right now? Who said what?”
Stassi clicked out of the live and handed the phone to Charlie. “Call Demi! Right now. They’re saying he was shot, Charlie.”
Charlie’s world stopped spinning.
“What do you mean?” She snatched her phone from Stassi’s hand and immediately scrolled for evidence. “Who said that? Where, Stass?” She was out of her mind. Her heart galloped with the steam of thoroughbreds. “These bitches are always trolling. I’ll just call him. That’s why I didn’t want to do this shit. I hate online shit. He’s fine. Demi’s fine.” Stassi didn’t know what to say, and Charlie prayed silently as she dialed him up.
The sound of his voicemail connecting annihilated her.
“My sweet Bird. Sing a song for me. Everybody else, it’s textable.”
Normally, she would leave him a note or two before hanging up. This time, she pressed end and dialed him right back as if the second call would render a different result.
“He isn’t answering. Call Day, Stassi! See if he’s heard from him!” Charlie commanded.
Stassi did as she was told, but the unending ring in her ear made her feel nothing but dread.
“He isn’t answering either. We aren’t on the best of terms, though. He might not answer for me,” Stassi said.
