𝑨𝑫𝑰𝑨

𝑬𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻.

AIDA
Houston, Texas
Verse One, Chapter Eight

ONE MONTH LATER

"Come on keep up!" Adia sighed waving her hand as Africa laughed and continued to run while pushing the stroller that her four-year-old was sleeping in. They had met up in the park to run around and work out. These past couple of weeks Adia had gained a little weight being stressed out with everything that was going on in her life. Liquor had become her best friend and when she was drunk she got hungry so she ate. All she's been doing is drinking, eating, and staying up under Boss. She hated her life.

"I need to take a break," Adia huffed stopping at a white park bench. Taking a seat she grabbed the now warm water bottle that Africa held out for her and drunk a bit. Her stamina was horrible nowadays. She was extremely tired physically and emotionally. All she wanted to do was lay in bed sleeping and drinking.

"You gotta get it together girl you've never been this out of breath," Africa said placing her hand on her hip. After The Diamond Party, Africa had earned enough money to finally bring her daughter to Texas with her. Nola was always with her mother unless she was working. It made Adia slightly jealous to see how great of a mother Africa was especially when she was going through what she was going through with her own mother.

"I don't know why I let you convince me to do this shit," Africa and Adia had gotten very close over the last couple of weeks. They talked to each other every single day and saw each other at least twice a week. Africa was very active and always jogged with Nola. She had been wanting Adia to get out and do the same and Adia had finally taken her up on that offer but she was now regretting it.

"Let's just walk before she starts to wake up," Standing slowly they walked side by side on the concrete as the wind flowed past their ears. "You been feeling better?" Adia shook her head placing her hands on her waist.

"I'm drinking too much I know but I'm not ready to stop," Adia relied on liquor. It made her feel better and made her feel something besides pain every day.

"Have you talked to your sisters?"

"No, not really," It seemed like after Adia moved out and stopped working at the club her and her sisters' relationship ceased. They didn't talk like they used to anymore and although Adia missed them dearly she wouldn't force a relationship.

She and Monroe didn't talk at all Adia even changed her number so she wouldn't have to deal with her. To her knowledge, she didn't know if Monroe knew about her and Boss. She knew her sisters didn't because she didn't tell them yet. A part of her wanted to but she didn't want them in her business especially since Boss wasn't the same man he used to be.

He was extremely controlling now and treated her like she was property more than a person. If it was one thing Monroe was right about it was that; never let a man take care of you because he'll throw it back in your face. And Boss did it all the time. He would tell her that if she didn't do what he said then he would stop paying her bills and put her out on the street because he knew she couldn't go back with her mother. She knew she had to take care of herself but honestly she didn't know where to start. She really didn't have any skills besides making drinks and working in clubs wasn't what she wanted to do anymore.

"Listen, Adia," Africa stopped and faced her. She could tell by the look on her face that she in for an unwanted response from her friend. "I love you which is why I'm about to say what I'm about to say. You need to get your shit together," Adia's eyes rolled slightly. She didn't feel like having somebody tell her what she was doing wrong. She knew her life wasn't what it should be right now and she didn't need to hear it from anybody else.