The Preacher's Daughter ( August Alsina Edition )

Chapter 15

* Chanelle's POV *

We walked into a motel room we'd be staying in. The room was disgusting. Something I wasn't use to. He dropped our bags on the floor & came over to give me a hug.
August: You like it?
Chanelle: Yes!
I said faking my excitement & lying. I guess I was just happy to be with him & that's all that really mattered.
Chanelle: So what we gone eat cause I'm starving?
August: Me too, c'mon let's go.
He said grabbing my hand. We walked out to a joint called What A Burger & grabbed a table. I looked out the window looking at the new surroundings.
August: It's cool here, right?
Chanelle: ...Yeah. It is.
August: I'm gone get into this music stuff.
Chanelle: I haven't heard you sing yet.
August: Well if you good, you'll see.
Chanelle: Whatever.
I said smiling. The waitress bought our food over to the table.
Chanelle: I'm gonna go back to school then. I need to graduate.
August: Okay.
We finished eating & August looked at the receipt.
Chanelle: Can you pay so we can go?
He looked at me.
August: I don't have the money.
Chanelle: What you mean you don't got it?
August: I need all the money we got for studio time & the room.
Chanelle: So, you can't pay? What we gone do? We done ordered August!
August: Keep quiet.
He said shushing me. The waitresses started to look over & carried on with their conversations.
August: When I count to 5, we get up & make a run for it. Okay?
Chanelle: ...I don't know about that.
August: 1...2...3...4...5.
We jumped up & ran out the door while the workers yelled after us. A cook was chasing right behind us demanding for the money & threatening to call the police. He eventually got tired while we ran all the way back to the hotel room. We walked into the room & August laid across the bed.
Chanelle: I didn't come up here to become no damn criminal!
August: Long as we don't go on that side of town & stuff we'll be alright.
Chanelle: This is bull.
August: Look I'm trying!
I could see he even felt bad for what we basically had to do. I walked over & laid down beside him.
August: I'm gone make it right. Give me time. Promise.
Chanelle: Okay.
I said falling asleep. It had been a long miserable day & it seemed like it were more to come.

* August's POV *

I bought all the snack stuff into the room while she laid there watching tv.
August: Dinner...
Chanelle: Chips, soda, & candy?
August: That's all we could get.
Chanelle: When you going to the studio?
August: Tomorrow.
Chanelle: Good cause you need to make some moves. I don't know how much longer I can deal w/ this.
August: Be patient w/ me.
Chanelle: I am. I got a job interview tomorrow so we can make some money for now. We need an income somewhere.
August: I told you I got it!
Chanelle: I'm going to the interview.
August: Do whatever you need to.
I said walking into the bathroom. She followed behind me.
Chanelle: You just need to get on it. I mean look at this! We're living in a motel!
August: You think I don't know that?
I slammed the door in her face cause I didn't want to hear that bullshit. It was like we married & over the honeymoon shit.

* Chanelle's POV *

I had gotten the job as a waitress at Waffle House. Yeah, it was basic but it would help us with the money issues we were having. I gave the customer their food.
Chanelle: Here you go.
Customer: Thank you. Chanelle?
He said learning from my name tag.
Chanelle: Right.
Customer: Why don't you sit down w/ me for a minute?
Chanelle: I've gotta get back to work.
Customer: Tonya, you mind taking over for Chanelle a minute?
Tonya: Yeah. Go ahead.
She said smiling while I sat down across from him.
Customer: I'm Latrell.
Chanelle: Nice to meet you.
Latrell: You new here?
He said biting into his burger.
Chanelle: ...Yeah.
Latrell: You've got a nice thing going?
Chanelle: What you mean?
Latrell: I'm saying you looking all cute & everything.
Chanelle: Thanks, but I've got a boyfriend.
Latrell: No, I'm saying... You wanna make some extra money?
Chanelle: Doing what?
Latrell: Here.
He handed me a card & finished with his meal.
Latrell: Got a little joint & you can make some money. Come through & see what you can do.
Chanelle: I don't think my boyfriend would like that.
Latrell: Who said he had to know?
He said smiling. He pulled out a Benjamin & placed it inside my bra.
Latrell: Your tip.
He said whispering into my ear before he paid for his food & walked out. Tonya came over to me.
Tonya: He gave you his card?
Chanelle: Yeah?
Tonya: Go try it out. I work there.
Chanelle: Really?
Tonya: That Bentley parked outside? Mines. Girl how you think I provide for 3 kids? This Waffle House check ain't doing it by itself.
Chanelle: It's really that easy?
Tonya: Very. I'm going tonight. I'll pick you up.
Chanelle: Okay.
I knew I would have to keep it from August. I even knew it was wrong. But let's be honest, we need the money until he can get it together w/ music.