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This book contains mature themes, explicit language, and scenes of a sexual nature intended for adult audiences only. It is rated R and is not suitable for readers under the age of 18.
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This book also includes depictions o...
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Onika Maraj Mother's House
December 20
"Look at you, fat ass baby," Lauren teased, holding up an old photo of me. I grabbed it from her hands, smiling at the image. It was my mother holding me, feeding me.
"I ain't miss one meal," I joked, the memory bringing a small warmth to the otherwise heavy day.
We were at my parents' house, going through old photos and clearing out stuff. The place felt eerie without my mom, and my father hadn't been back here since she told him she wanted a divorce.
That thought lingered in my mind, making me question everything.
"Lo," I said, glancing over at her.
"Yeah?" she responded, her focus still on the photos.
I hesitated for a moment before asking, "Do you think... Daddy..." My voice trailed off.
Lauren looked up, her eyebrows furrowed. "What?"
"You think he did this?" I finally asked, my voice quieter than I intended.
Lauren stared at me for a second, then shook her head. "Come on, Nicki. A shooting in a public place just to get to Mom? Dad may have had his ways, but I don't think he'd go that far. Now Tre..."
I sighed, the idea of Tre pulling strings from jail seemed far-fetched, but not impossible. "You think Tre's calling shots from jail? I doubt it," I said, shaking my head.
"You think I was the target?" I asked, my voice shaky.
The thought had been creeping in, gnawing at me ever since the shooting.
Lauren immediately shook her head, trying to soothe me. "Let's not think about that, baby."
"How can I not?" I replied, feeling a lump form in my throat. "It could've been me."
Lauren's eyes softened, and she stepped closer to me. "But it's not, and I thank God I still have you here," she said quietly.
I took a shaky breath, but the memories of that day came flooding back. "I saw the life leave her eyes, Lo. There was so much b... blood, I..." My voice broke, and before I could stop it, the tears started to fall.
I crumbled under the weight of it all, the image of my mother slipping away replaying in my head.
Lauren was at my side in an instant, pulling me into a tight hug. "I'm so sorry you had to see that," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm here for you, Nicki. We've got each other."
"I'm trying to be okay," I said, my voice muffled against her shoulder. "I am."
"You don't have to rush to be okay," Lauren murmured, gently rubbing my back. "Take your time, Nicki."
