I Need You

It's Been to Long

Chapter Three

Janet sat back in the luxurious leather interior of her Jeep Escalade, watching the world go by as her personal driver, Joey, expertly navigated the bustling streets. The air was filled with a sense of anticipation, and she couldn't help but wonder where they were headed. After a moment of reflection, she realized the answer: they were on their way to Mama E's home. There, she hoped to find out the whereabouts of Toni, someone whose absence weighed heavily on her mind. With Mama E's residence just a 30-minute drive from her own, Janet had time to gather her thoughts and prepare for the conversation ahead.

Janet and Mama E had known each other for many years, and Janet knew that Mama E was not one to sugarcoat anything. Mama E was known for her direct and candid style, never hesitating to speak her mind, whether she agreed with you or not. Janet didn't need Toni's mother to support her in her daughter's decision to end their relationship. Instead, Janet wanted to gain insights into Toni's current whereabouts. Her ultimate goal was to have a face-to-face conversation with Toni, especially since they hadn't seen each other or been in contact for the past two and a half years. Janet found herself unable to comprehend why Toni, her close friend of many years, didn't have enough trust in their relationship to confide in her about being diagnosed with an illness. This lack of disclosure left Janet confused and somewhat hurt, as she had always thought they had a strong bond built on mutual trust and support.

Janet began to recall the events of the previous week spent with Toni. As she reminisced, she recalled observing certain unusual behaviors exhibited by Toni during that period. At the time, Janet attributed Toni's mannerisms to her preoccupation with the impending release of her new album, "Secrets." It never occurred to Janet that Toni's behavior might have indicated any health issues. If Janet had been aware that Toni was facing a life-or-death situation, she would have unquestionably abandoned all her current commitments to rush to her girlfriend's side and offer her unwavering support." Janet was deeply engrossed in her thoughts, pondering past events, when her driver Joey's voice suddenly permeated her reverie. He informed her that they were a mere 10 minutes away from their destination, jolting her back to the present moment.

Once Joey informed Janet of their current ETA, Janet paused for a moment, allowing herself to take a few deep breaths to clear her mind of any lingering negative thoughts. As she exhaled, she reminded herself of the reasons why she was on her way to Mama E's doorstep and reaffirmed the pressing priority of uncovering Toni's whereabouts.

As Janet opened the car door, she reached for Joey's hand and carefully stepped out of the car, grateful for his assistance. Feeling nervous and determined, she took a deep breath and headed towards Toni's mother's front door, her heart racing with anticipation. Janet stood before the weathered door, her knuckles rapping against it in a rhythm that reflected her impatience and worry.

The sound echoed off the walls of the empty hallway, and she strained to listen for any sign of movement from within. Finally, the muffled sound of approaching footsteps reached her ears, and her heart leaped in anticipation. As the door creaked open, Janet looked up to see Ms. Braxton standing there, her worn features betraying a mixture of emotions. Relief washed over Janet as Ms. Braxton's gaze met hers, and all she could hear were the words, "I knew you would come."

Janet couldn't contain her joy as she approached Mama E. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and her lips curled into a comprehensive, radiant smile. When Mama E opened her arms for a hug, Janet eagerly stepped forward, feeling a rush of relief and comfort as she embraced Mama E. After the heartache of her breakup with Toni, this moment of physical connection with Mama E meant everything to Janet.

Mama E- How are you, Janet?

Janet's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she momentarily averted her gaze from Mama E. Mama E's warm and reassuring arms enveloped her in that split second, offering a secure embrace. In that poignant moment, Janet seized the chance to unburden herself, releasing the weight of her pain and frustration in the safe haven of Mama E's embrace.