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Tour Day One.
I woke up in a hotel suite in Atlanta with my stomach in knots and my daughter snuggled into my side, her tiny fingers tangled in my hoodie like she was trying to keep me from moving away. Savanni always was clingy when tired .
Outside the big windows, the city was already alive — cars honking, people yelling, the buzz of something electric in the air. My first tour in over a year. The first show. The first real test.
Gio’s voice cut through my thoughts, muffled but close. “Y’all better not be awake without me.”
She walked in from the bathroom in nothing but her bonnet and one of my merch hoodies — thighs out, attitude in full swing. She climbed back into bed like she’d never left.
“I know you ain’t up here stressin’ before we even hit soundcheck,” she said, throwing a leg over both me and Savanni.
“I’m not stressing,” I lied.
She raised an eyebrow. “Girl, you been chewin’ that bottom lip for twenty minutes. Look like you tryna bite it off.”
I sighed and let my head fall back on the pillow. “It’s just… it’s all starting. I wanna be ready.”
Gio kissed my shoulder. “mama, listen to me. You was born ready. You rehearsed, you meditated, you cried, you sang. You got your whole damn life into this setlist. It’s gon’ be magic. Period.”
Savanni stirred between us, yawning. “Is mommy gonna sing tonight?”
Gio pulled her close and kissed her cheek. “Mommy finna have the whole stadium cryin’, baby. You gon’ be so proud.”
I looked down at the both of them, and for a moment, the nerves didn’t feel as loud.
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The venue was massive — the kind that echoed even when it was empty. My team was buzzing around during soundcheck, testing mics, adjusting lights. I stood center stage as the crew finalized everything, holding my in-ears in one hand and a bottle of honey water in the other.
Mom faceTimed me just before the doors opened.
“You ready?” she asked, her voice calm and warm. She was back in L.A. with Onika, watching Savanni next week while Gio and I hit two more cities.
“As I’ll ever be.”
“You look calm. But I know your heart’s racing.”
I laughed softly. “You know me too well.”
She tilted her head. “Baby, remember what I told you when I took you on your first tour with me?”
I closed my eyes. “‘There’s no such thing as perfect — just honest.’”
