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I breathed a little easier, even though I still couldn’t shake the feelings brewing inside me. I felt dirty and disgusting. The video replayed over and over again in my head, and I hated myself even more for being so weak.

“I don’t know what to do. I’ve been trying so hard to figure out where I am to begin to fix things.”

“Why don’t you sit back and let us handle it. Jett was able to get the video scrubbed and put your personal and business pages on private. Ren wrote a formal statement letting your customers know you're taking some time away from social media and aren’t accepting any new customers right now. Your DMs and email have been flooded with inquiries from people who want to order pieces from you. She let them know you would make an official announcement once you are ready to open back up.

“Peace sent out an email blast to your existing customers to let them know you were going to have a slight delay in response times, but that you were still actively working to fulfill their orders on time. She’s been responding and answering their questions as best she can. All of them have been understanding and sending their love and support.”

His revelation left me speechless. I never doubted my family loved me, but to see the way they rallied together on my behalf warmed my heart.

“I don’t even know what to say. I thought I was gonna turn on phone and have a bunch of refund requests and cancellations.” It might have been dramatic on my part, but I had no idea how people would react.

“You should have known better than that. We won’t ever sit back and allow you to fail. Everything you’ve built will be waiting for you when you’re ready to return. If you need someone to manage your administrative work until you’re ready to jump back in, we can take care of it. I’ll hire someone if needed. Either way, you have nothing to worry about.”

My family had no idea how much weight they lifted off of my shoulders. I worried that everything I worked hard for was about to be snatched away from me. It may not have solved all of my problems, but it was a major step in the right direction.

“Please tell everyone I said ‘Thank you’. I’ve spent so much time mopping and feeling sorry for myself that I never considered how blessed I am. I’m not ready to come back yet, but I’m grateful to have something to come back to.”

“We got you, baby girl. Enough of this sad shit. I told your man I would come over here to check on you, but it’s time for us to turn up. Triniti, River, and Oh’Shun are on the way over, and we’re about to have a sleepover like we used to do back in the day. I already ran it by Solo, and he agreed. We’re about to eat, get drunk, and watch scary movies. I gotta be on a flight to Cali tomorrow, so fuck it we ball.

After the week I had, I welcomed the distraction. I had no idea what the next few weeks would look like for me, but whatever came my way, I would face it head-on.

TWENTY-SIX

solomon jackson

“Thank you for joining us today, Solo. We’ve been excited ever since your team accepted our invitation.” Sonya, the host for the podcast True News, greeted me as soon as I sat down.

I wanted to cancel the interview altogether, but the label made it clear that I would be fined if I backed out of any of my engagements.

“Thank you for having me.”

I put on the best smile I could muster because, honestly, my mind and my heart were back home with Honesty. The interview started off great, as she asked some of the standard questions. My issue came when the questions became personal.

“Now, from our records, it shows your mother was in prison, and I wasn’t able to find any information on your father. Would you say your upbringing played a role in the kind of music you choose to create?”

I swallowed and took a deep breath before I responded.

“I believe every artist draws inspiration from their own life experiences along with the experiences others can relate to. I pour a lot of my own feelings and experiences into my work, but I also draw from things I’ve heard and seem happen to others as well.”

When I looked to the left, Brandi nodded in approval. They drilled into my head that I needed to make a good impression, and I was trying my best to do what they asked of me.

“Do you have a good relationship with your parents? In your track, “On My Own,” you mentioned being raised by the streets. How does your mother feel about your success?” she asked.

My jaw flexed, but I put on a fake smirk. “The song is one of my favorites on the album. It includes many elements that represent me and many other young black boys in inner-city neighborhoods. As far as my mother, I don’t think it would be appropriate to assume how she feels. I appreciate her giving me life, and I can only hope she is proud of who I’ve become.”

I tried my hardest to keep a straight face, but I could tell the interviewer was growing tired of my answers.

“Very well. You went public with your relationship, and it seems your current girlfriend has been in the public eye for some less than favorable reasons. How do you navigate the public's opinion while also trying to maintain a relationship? How do you feel about the current buzz surrounding the two of you? From what I’ve been told, some of your fans are divided in their opinions. Some of them believe the relationship is having a negative effect on your career. What are your thoughts on that?”

It was obvious this was a topic she had been eager to address based on the barrage of questions. I didn’t break a sweat as I sat up in my chair. I wanted to make sure she and everyone else watching heard me loud and clear.

“Honesty is one of the most important people in my life. She and I have history, and she was someone who pressured me to go after my dreams. She motivates me to be a better person. If any of my fans feel any conflict based on the harassment she’s received lately, then I would tell them to go to hell.”

There was simultaneous noise in the background, but there was a sneaky grin on Sonya’s face. She saw it as a chance to get some tea, but I was going to set the record straight once and for all.

“Well, that is a very passionate response. Would you care to elaborate?”

“Absolutely. My woman was the victim of domestic violence. She has been harassed and stalked for years because of the poor decisions of another person. Recently, someone leaked a vulnerable video of her in an attempt to embarrass her, and the internet has formed their opinions based on incorrect information. I believe all women should be protected against abuse and manipulation. There are a lot of women in abusive relationships who want to leave, but they are afraid to do so, or they don’t feel protected within their communities.