Just Us... (A Ray Ray/Mindless Behavior Story)

Chapter Thirty-Two- #1 Girl Tour

Chapter Thirty-Two

#1 Girl Tour

We stayed at Mama Keyshia's for the night. It was like a slumber party. We met family there as soon as we arrived, laughed and joked well into the morning. I fell asleep on Ray's chest but woke up early to the smell of Mama Keyshia cooking. I whispered to Mama Keyshia that I was coming right back. I went home for a shower and to grab Ray's bags he packed that were sitting in the middle of the living room floor.

I figured it would be easier if he spent as much time as he could with his family as possible before he leaves for a month on the road. We spent to morning and afternoon together laughing and joking. I packed him and Prodigy a goodie bag of their favorite snacks. Mama Keyshia fried chicken for them. It was a major family explosion. Ray's face didn't seem edgar to leave. Yet I know he was happy to finally get to perform the new routine. I helped him check and make sure he had everything before we drove to a secluded area where they loaded up their things into black vans and heading to the airport for their first city on the tour. He suggested to me when he gave me the come here gestured as I was talking to his aunt Tiffany. He sent KayKay over to me to tell me, "T? T? RayRay want you."

I excused myself and walked over to Ray who regretfully stood near the black van surrounded by family. "It's going to be alright Papa no sad face," I said pinching his nose.

"I want you to ride to the to the airport with us?"

"Really? Um ok?" I grabbed my purse off the couch kissed Mama Keyshia goodbye telling her I'd be in touch climbing in the van and pulling off.

"The driver is going to drop you off back at the house," Ray explained somberly.

"Why you seem so down?"

"Just wanted to spend a lil more time with my family since we haven't been all in one place like that at one time for a minute."

"I totally understand. Haven't been with my fam for a long time."

"I'm going to miss you to. We just always running. Like we just the chance to be with each other after like weeks."

"Don't worry about that. I will be in Philly in just a day, both days in New York, both days in Atlanta and Cali. You will see me throughout when you are on tour. No worries."

"I need to see you while I'm on tour."

The ride to the airport was short. As soon as we arrived it was running to the board area. I watched him walk down the tubal until I couldn't see him anymore. I watched the plan take off texting him the whole time. He was gone and I went home to pack. My flight was at ten. I refresh myself with a shower and a comfy plane outfit to wear. I remember looking at out house before shutting the lights out thinking Until Next Time House. Earlier I drove all the cars into the garage. Called Mama Keyshia to tell her I was leaving for Philly and to come check on the house while we are gone. In good spirits he agreed. "Another day Another dollar" I muffled to myself looking back at the house as the driver pulled off for the airport. 

July 6th, 2012- Philadelphia

The boys had their first show in Richmond, Virginia. Philadelphia was the second tour date. This was going to be the first time I would see the boys perform. Ray was gone rehearsing so I was curious on what the final routine looked like.

It was hot at the Mann Center. Getting out the SUV the sun was blazing. The humidity made the air tight and hard to breathe. There was a line for the Meet and Greet. The guys were on the job when I tried to sneak beyond the line so no one could notice. To no avail I had to break through the line to get to the dressing room. "Oh my God, Kelekaaaaa?" the voices of adoring fan squealed. I stopped for a view pictures beyond my police escort hooked up by my aunt, Trish. I saw the boys working and I tried not to be of interference. I happened to notice Ray's face just didn't look right. He seemed a lil somber maybe it was nerves. I was whisked to the dressing room that was air conditioned and comfortable. I found a small area in a single cushioned chair in the corner next to a large vanity. They had fruit trays and snacks set out for them. I was asked by a production assistant if I needed anything. I told her that all I wanted was a large iced water pretzels or crackers so I could take my acid reflux medicine.

What a long day it had been? I did a children's charity fund raiser fair out in the 97 degree weather. By time I got to the fair I was fifteen minutes late and I don't do late. My sorors were stuck in traffic and it completely through off my whole flow. My youngest God son Jason, a year old, got sit in the heat with an asthma alert after running around in the ball pin. I had to calm him down get him medicine. He was still teary eyed when arriving with me to the Mann Center. The production assist came back with two cups of iced water one in a child's cup with a bend straw. Jason drank the water as if he was famished and started crying when it was gone so I gave him mine.

Eventually the boys came in thirty minutes after I did. Jason had fallen asleep on my lap. First was Walter, then Keisha, Princeton, Ray, Earl, and Roc. Later came Prodigy with his mother and father. Walter and Earl hugged me. Keisha followed with a smile. Ray walked over to me leaning over to kiss me. Anyone that knows Ray knows he's not one for public displays of affection. He is a very lowkey kind of guy so it surprised me that he was willing to be so affectionate, "You ok?" I looked in his face which seemed heavy. He nodded his head yes that he was ok. To me that merely said for me to ask him when management. He looked me straight in the eyes, "I'm glad you here," he whispered.

He looked at Jason who was beet red, "Is he alright?" Walter handed Ray his custom band costume to get ready for the show. Keshia rebraids his hairs and he places his googles on. Phone rings:

"Hello?"

"Hey girl, is Jason ok?" Tiphanie Jewel asked beyond Trinity whining in the background.

"Yeah he cool, I gave him a treatment and wiped him down then he went to sleep. I'm in the air condition dressing room with the boys but they are working their way to the stage after Jacob set. Where you at?"

"On the stage? Bring him out when you come out because it's really hot."

They said a prayer. They started the MB ball so hard chant and there it was time to hit the stage. Nate came to meet me halfway to the hallway to get Jason. He is so heavy. "Here I got him sissy?" Nate took him in his arms with no hesitation. I stood backstage through the whole show. I was proud. My favorite part was the boy band tribute. They performed Bump Bump Bump by B2k. My sorors and I went wild, we were all huge B2k fans. Jerrell (Boog), Dreux (Fizz), and Omari are good friends of ours. In fact, Jerrell jokes with me any time he see me saying that Ride or Die cougar. He thinks he's such a funny guy. Though I love the mark that B2k left on the boy band world in music, MB did the routine better. Anyone that knows B2k from their days of Pandemonium who know that Dave Scott is the same choreographer from B2k and many other boy bands.

Our police escort arrived early to the Mann Center to take us to the airport before they performed the last song, Mrs. Right. I knew Ray was going to flip out not seeing me before I left for Washington D.C. From there I was going to back track to Baltimore after an AKA function we were booked for. Tiphanie Jewel met her new nanny at the airport. Our schedule had just become to hectic within the past three years that she had to break down and get a nanny. She just couldn't drag the kids along anymore. Nate and Tiphanie Jewel held interviews for the nanny in Virginia. She insisted on having a southern African American woman with strong moral beliefs such as Christian background and teaching experience for her children. I went ahead onto the plant. My phone rings and it's Ray.

"Hello?"

"Why did you leave?"

"I had a flight?"

"A Flight? To where you said you were coming to Baltimore?" he hangs up on me.

I didn't bother to call back. I sat down to my first class window seat. I was tired. To tired to really fight with him. Love was hard at times. I pulled out the other half of the pendent heart we share on a black rope necklace. I held it in my hand, closed my eyes concentrating on my heavy heart beat.