Let the church say Amen.

15.

Erica Monique Atkins:

After Kierra left, I gave her a few moments before I would leave myself... I felt bad that I said that to her or caused her to get mad or sad.

It wasn't in my intention, she just... I missed her, seeing her made my heart skip and I got too excited.

Finding out she was engaged just now was heart wrenching , but I guess we weren't meant to be.

I've struggled for the past years with my relationships... I started therapy during my divorce and I wanted to run to Kierra immediately after it ended but my therapist convinced me it wasn't what needed to happen really.

I had a lot to work through, I wasn't in my best mind... my children almost lost their mother to insanity and I had to find myself again outside of relationships.

Which was what I've been doing for the past 3 years and I feel like I did, it took letting go of Kierra to do that.

'Love liberates' was what my therapist said, that if we truly belonged together then she would be mine some day.

But I guess we weren't? The girl was getting married.

I walk to my dressing room so I can get my dress on really... I already had my hair and makeup done and all I had to do was put the dress on.

"Ou girl you lookin snatched" Aaliya compliments after I enter the room causing me smile.

"I hope not too snatched for the saints" I say to her ,

"Girl ain't nobody care about them" she says making me laugh.

I got over the mirror to look at my self one last time, I really did look good. Aaliya insisted on taking photos of me which I agreed to, I have to cheer myself up someway.

We then later walked to the set, Aaliya held my things and she walked behind me, Stan walked besides me too.

As I did my eyes met her... again, I saw her as she walked with her family the same way my assistant were accompanying me

"Hello hello , strong soldiers of God" I greet with a high energy The Clark sisters,

"Erica" Mrs Cole says to me with open arms and I hug her ,

Then I went to each of them hugging and greeting them as they greeted me back... they were such sweet ladies, I was honored to share the stage with them.

I don't want to make things awkward , so I greeted Kierra the same way and she returned the energy back thankfully.

We then went up to the set , we didn't have much time to catch up since we had to start already .

The stage was warm, with no competition as we all showed our talent on the floor... they allowed me to shine and so did I to them, it felt good sharing the gospel with genuine artists.

After we were done with the performance, we went out to the back in a group and I had a talk with the sisters,

We gave back the shiny microphones which were really shiny , and Mrs Chisolm's energy was really warm and welcoming as she congratulated me on my career and the longevity .

Really, they were just happy to see that since a young lady up until now I've focused my life on spreading my ministry for God, and it was a huge deal coming from them because speaking of LONGEVITY!!

"Hey Erica, can I talk to you for a minute?" Kierra's mom says to me , I looked over at Kierra who was at the far back before I answered... she was looking over at us too.

"Uh... sure Mrs Sheard" I say to her

We moved away from the sisters , and Kierra and went to the other side of the hallway.