SEGUE. Ϟ

lxxi

I guess this is the part of my story everyone has been anticipating. I've been back and forth, writing this story for nine months. My memoir. A love story and a tragedy. Oh, yes. My life was most definitely a tragedy. I put my trust in my fans and children that they'll protect my image and release this because I may not be able to live long enough to tell this story to the world. Well, here we go. The revelation.

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Not much happened after Addaren was laid to rest, other than Chris blessing us with a granddaughter named Royalty. The excitement on Royal's face when Chris told him the name can't even be explained. Chris loved his uncle and he wanted him to be remembered forever.

Baby continued to put out albums and tour. I took a break from music so I just tagged along with Prince whenever I could. Melody keeps me happy on my bad days. She's a very hyperactive child and she gets that from her father. He's always on the move.

Unfortunately, as the days went by, I noticed that baby's hip was getting worse. Ever since converting to Jehovah's Witness, he's more strict about his religion and spirituality. I'm sure you all reading know what happens, but let me tell you my side.

April 21, 2016. No, no. Let's go back. April 15, 2016. I should've gone with him. I had stayed in Atlanta after his show at the Fox Theatre. Janelle and I met up and stayed with Chilli. Nobody informed me about the emergency landing. Not a soul told me and I don't use social media. I trusted him with Kirk, Judith, and a few others. I assumed that they would take care of him, knowing of his heightened hip pain. He called me every day at 6 and stayed on the phone with me until midnight. I felt something was off on the night of April 20. I just assumed it was menopause or something so I brushed it off. 'I love you, Curly.' Those were the last words he said to me. I wouldn't think that I'd be on a jet to Minneapolis 12 hours later because he was found unresponsive in the elevator. His life was always such an irony.

Melody had been the most calm and quiet. She hadn't ever been this quiet and still. She was always moving when I was pregnant with her. She was a mini Prince. I never imagined the day that I would be the one to kiss his lifeless lips. I didn't talk to anyone but Melody for weeks. Omar would come by and just hold me for hours. Janelle sent little letters. Chris would call and sing to me, not expecting me to talk. I guess I know how Mary felt when Christopher died. Oh, the irony. Sometimes, it snows in April.

By September, I had moved down to New Orleans. I couldn't live at Paisley Park anymore. I always feel the need to call Antoine and vent but then I remember. Then I feel the need to call Anthony until I remember. Rakim was murdered senselessly back in '14. Robyn and Keh worked something out and got married some time ago. I didn't need them, as far as my manager and choreographer, but they check up on me every now and then. They both do some music underground and do some behind the scenes stuff. Mom and dad are still rocking. They visit frequently, making sure I eat and get some sunlight. André is keeping his legacy alive with The Revolution. I mean, y'all know how his people rocking nowadays.

Today, I feel like a fairy. I'm on a natural high and I feel really good.

Let me mark the date before I finish this off... April 21, 2017. I am transcending...

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"What's up with you? You don't dig my music?" He asked. I rolled my eyes. "No. I've never heard it before. I don't plan on listening to it ever again." The bartender came back and poured a glass.