I know it has been a little over a week nevertheless; it still seems like it all happened yesterday. I should have been done with this story days ago, but I needed more time to fully take in and realize how extra exceptional April 7, 2007 really was.
That weekend was an emotional roller coaster with all the highs, the lows, the loop a rounds, twist, and flips. I arrived in Austin a little before seven and once I got settled in the hotel it was close to nine o’clock. I called Jameela and told her that I had made it into town and I was going to head out there to meet her, the other ladies, and see where the concert was going to be held the next day. When I first saw J I thought, who is this little girl walking towards me? She really has a very young looking face. We exchanged our Hellos and Hugs discussed the plans for the next day then parted ways.
I woke up early Saturday morning. It was very cold and beginning to drizzle. The weather went down hill from there. As J mentioned in her story after I gave Catina a call we headed over to meet the ladies at Fuddruckers. (Hello Mint Baby, Sandra, Caprice, Debbie, Kim, Meli, Catina,Shanel, Tracy & Cousin!). We all were so hyped and ready to see Mint! We were in the restaurant having a good time laughing, talking, and taking pictures. A little over two hours went by. The rain was beginning to come down heavier, then my phone rings. I glanced to see who was calling then handed the phone to J. All I could do was stare at Jameela while she was on the phone. At one point she looked over at me and I cut my eyes away real quick trying to play it off. The expression on her face was beyond disappointment. J told us that the concert was cancelled but that some of the members of Mint would still come through Dave & Buster’s later on that night. That news changed the energy of the entire table. No Mint? No Cameo? No O’Jay’s? It was very disappointing that Mint was not going to be performing. We wanted to see a concert. I had to go and find a quiet place. By this time I was hungry so I got in line and waited to order. This was my quiet place. I began to pray, I said just a few words..."You did not bring us all out here this far for this. Work it out. I'll leave it at that...." A few hours later, J told us that a few of the members would be coming through. Then she told us that all would be coming out but that Stokley was not feeling well, his throat was scratchy and he was resting. So everything went on as planned and the evening began. We all had on Fedoras that J wanted us to wear at the festival to show support for the band. "The Ladies in Fedoras" We were cute! Still down but still cute. We all started to order our food and drinks. A couple of minutes later here comes Rick and Jeff!!! Got some hugs and told them thank you for coming out. A few minutes after that Brian and O'Dell walk around the corner!!! I stood up and gave O’Dell a hug and told him thank you for coming out. Now, we are all done eating, drinking and everyone is socializing and having a good time. Maybe thirty to forty minutes after that Jeff Taube says "Ladies Stokley is on his way" If I can remember correctly I don't think anyone moved. I think we were like we will believe it when we see him. Then O'Dell comes around and says "Stokley is on his way now!" That started some movement! Sure enough Stokley came around and stopped at the corner J and I were the first ones to see him. Just as calm as can be J says "Look who's here." I didn't realize that the brother was on the phone, he looked like he was lost. I said “Stokley we are over here." Somebody said "Stokley's here!" It was over! Nothing but love!!!! When I finally got the chance to say hello to him while I was hugging him I told him about ten times "thank you" It was like I was stuck on repeat. I told him thank you so much for coming out! I asked him how he was doing because we all were told that he was not feeling well (wink). He looked well to me. Stokley got rushed by someone who spotted him when he came into the restaurant. I could hear her coming around the corner “WHERE DID HE GO….WHERE HE AT?!” “OH MY GOD!!!!” “STOKLEY!! STOKLEEEEEEEY!!” She said “excuse me” and then she pushed me out the way. I was so at peace by that time that I did not even care. I got to speak to him again and I told him that I had a few photos that I would like for him to sign and he was cool with it! Then he got rushed again. I played some games and checked up on some people. It was good to see folks having a really good time after what all
that went down just a few hours before. I still had some photos that Melanie sent me that I needed Stokley to sign. Right before and I do mean right before he got ready to leave. I asked him to sign the photos he said "Oh yeah!" I picked out two photos that I thought that Melanie would like and two that were for me. I told him that one of the photos was my favorite and he signed it for me!!! I have so much love for this band right here!!! They did not have to come out and give us the time that they did. They did not have to take pictures with us, sign photos and T-Shirts, hold conversations…Make us laugh! I don’t think y’all hear me. Not to mention the group pictures that were taking at the end of the night all those cameras (LOL...but they did it anyway! That night meant a lot to me and I will cherish it. Thank you so much O’Dell, Stokley (You are a sweet heart!), Rick, and Jeff. Larry we were looking for you. Love y’all To Jameela thank you again!!!
It was such a cool and laid back night! Just Perfect!!! MINT CONDITION ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!
