I hated when my mind drifted straight to the worst parts. For a long time, I hated to even visit Detroit because the memories grew louder with each mile I drove deeper into the city. The way the rage poured out of me the day I snapped and fought back, I ended up locked up for it. I almost lost Princess behind that.
I sat in that cell with split knuckles and sore ribs. I kept telling myself that I would never be him. I turned that promise into music.
The song I wrote after was raw and angry. It bled from my brain onto the paper the same way my nose had. That song became the one shot I needed to get to the top. It was the same track that ended up on the soundtrack for Princess’s movie, the same movie that brought her back into my life like a circle that finally closed.
“Oh, yeah, Mom, forgot to tell you.” Yana’s voice sliced through my thoughts. “Me and Diego are planning to go to the movies this weekend when we get back.”
Diego is a boy’s name.I sat straight up.
“Who the hell is Diego?”
There was a moment of silence. Then they burst into laughter.
“What’s funny?” I asked and stretched my arms to the ceiling. “That’s that motherfucker that be onDora the Explorer, right?”
Princess walked into the living room, shaking her head.
“That’s her boyfriend, fool.”
“Boyfriend?” I scoffed. “Since when she got a boyfriend? She not allowed to date until she thirty-two.”
Yana followed behind her mom with her arms crossed. She rolled her eyes and teased, “You so dramatic.”
“I’m protective,” I corrected.
They both laughed again. That moment felt easy and normal. It felt like that was how it was supposed to feel every day. Then I heard my phone beep.
The blanket fell to the floor as I sat up, reached over the table, and grabbed it. There were messages and missed calls from the label, a few artists, and, of course, Kam with my schedule for the day—sessions, an artist flying in, and label meetings.
I sighed, stood up, and shuffled to my bedroom. I texted Kam when I reached my bathroom and grabbed the toothpaste.
Me: Yo, who flying in today again?
Kam: The one singer from that Instagram reel.
Me: Oh, yeah.
After I brushed my teeth and rinsed my mouth, I remembered what else I needed to ask.
Me: What’s up with the brand deal with that black owned clothing? How is that looking?
Kam: It’s set up for next week. I emailed you the day before yesterday.
I didn’t respond. Instead, I just hopped in the shower and got dressed, my mind back on passive income and how I could find different ways to slow down working. After the conversation with Princess the night before, I was even more determined to do whatever it took.
When I was ready, I walked out into the living room to say goodbye.
“You out?” Yana was sitting on the couch, stuffing her mouth with fruit from a bowl in her lap.
“Yeah, I’m out. What y’all got planned today?” I responded. I grabbed my keys and wallet off the table and stuffed them into my back pocket.
Yana, with a full mouth, responded right away. “We goin’ to the nail shop if Mom hurries up!”
I heard Princess yell out from the guest room, where she still had her luggage. “Girl, the nail shop ain’t goin’ nowhere! I will be ready in a minute!”
I smirked. “Y’all just text Kam and let him know you need a driver?—”
“I already did.” Yana cut me off. “He will be here in a hour.”
