Sweep Me Off My Feet

Chapter 15: Blast From The Past

“Hi everyone..”

I smiled nervously at the crowd gathered in this auditorium. I wrapped the mic cord around the stool I was seated on. This is the last stop of the tour. As many times as I’ve done this and said this little speech; I still get nervous.

Maybe it’s because this is Lafayette, Louisiana. My home town. I mean, that adds just a slight bit more pressure, don’t you think? It’s like positive and negative nervous energy. I’m glad to be back home— but I surely don’t wanna mess up.

I looked to Roshon, who was on the side of the stage. He gave a thumbs up, smiling warmly. I sighed, pep talking myself. I got this.

I stood up from the stool, gathering words to speak. The crowd clapped and whistled as I stood. I will never get used to that. I finally found words to say, as they settled down.

I nodded my head. “Thank you, really.” I stepped forward.

“You know, few people catch on to “who” that book is really about. Everyone just assumes it’s a good, realistic, well thought out fiction story." I made eye contact with a few faces.

“That so called story is 100% true. It actually happened.” The audience spewed out hushed whispers.

“So you might be wondering— who am I avenging? Who’s story am I telling? Am I justifying a sister? Narrating the life and times of a good friend?” I looked around.

“It’s neither of those; the main character— Isis…is me.” The crowd fell in whispers once again, these more excited than the last. “And Quincy, literally, is my ex-boyfriend.”

“I am from here, Lafayette, I did follow Quincy, who I thought I loved, to California. And he did put me out, after he was done with me. All I was to him was a toy. He never really did love me—” I composed myself as I veered off topic.

I went back to the book. "The title says it all. “I Thought I Knew You”. I really did think I knew him. I was crazy for him and I thought he had felt the same.."

I took a seat on the stool, swiping a tiny tear at my eye. I smiled though; this feeling was liberating.

“I’m glad you all like my book. Through it, I feel connected to you all. I’m never alone, knowing other ladies can feel for me…relate with me. Well, don’t forget to get your won deluxe copy where you can learn more about me.”

I looked toward Roshon, and nodded my head. “Thanks for listening; I’ll see each and everyone of you at the meet and greet!”

The crowd clapped as I walked off stage, toward Roshon. I high-fived him with both hands, I laughed as he pulled me into a hug. “That’s it, the last stop!” He said, releasing my from the hug. I’m glad he hugged me, he knew exactly what to do in emotional moments like these.

“Come on, come on— it’s meet and greet time.” He placed his hands on my shoulders, leading me out.

*

It was a sizable line of people coming up for me to sign their books. I sat there, happily, at the table, smiling and signing books for everyone. I was so delighted to see all the different faces of all these people.

I was also low-key smitten because all these people were freaking out over me. Almost like I wasn’t a person, but some deity. So many times I had to tell these girls, “I’m just like you..except I wrote about it.”

But secretly, it feels nice. So maybe it’s boosting my ego a bit, that’s normal, right?

The meet and greet came to an end. I capped my marker, sitting back in my seat. I am so ready to go back home, but I was hoping to see my Mom or something. I haven’t spoken to her in…a year? Has it been a year since I moved out to Cali?