Written by Mercedes Keyes
Interracial drama series
Overall Rating R
Chapter 89
L.A. Tuesday night…
"Doctors of Deidre Wherrington-McPherson, daughter and heiress of financing empire, B.W. Finance, have said that she is in stable condition. They stated that she was allowed the freedom to come slowly out of the induced coma administered to aid in her recovery now that she is out of danger, surviving several gunshot wounds from the attack on her Friday last week. The cab driver that was escorting her died on the scene as well as other's involved in the shooting. Who they are, the identities of these men has not yet been established. It has been reported that apparently there are extenuating circumstances surrounding the motive for the attack. One that may not be as cut and dry as at first believed. When the L.A. investigative team were asked to please elaborate, all they would comment on, was that nothing could be pinpointed on as conclusive and that they were conducting a thorough probe by following up on conflicting accounts." The news anchor woman stated as they cut to a commercial break.
Oscar T. sat in his study, holding a drink in one hand, the remote in the other. His mind buzzing in too many directions to be able to focus on any one thought. He couldn't believe it. All of his carefully laid plan blown by a few wannabe hero's! Of all the times in the world to be good Samaritans… they had to choose that night. He agonized over the unfairness of it. He brooded over his inability to dare make a move, or a phone call. He wanted to know who was dead of the hired hit men. He wanted to hear something from his hired assassin. But nothing – no word was sent to him and he couldn't help but wonder if the man was dead? He had to be! Why else would he have gone so long without contacting him?
Oscar sat back in his chair, slumped and afraid. Maybe he was laying low, being cautious in not contacting him due to the investigation? Oscar took a sip of his drink unable to fix his mind on what he should think. Which way he should now go, what should he now do? No matter how fearful, he knew the key was to just… carry on as normal. He must continue to be the hurt and disgruntled father, arriving at the hospital and demanding that his daughter, see them if he and Georgiana happen to show up together. Matter of fact, he decided they would, whether she wished to or not.
He wanted to pull his hair out!
All the time and money he'd spent to set things up. Oscar sat forward suddenly re-running all of the means he used to pay out… feeling his heart speed up from the adrenal rush of fear that possibly, he'd left something to chance? For the life of him he couldn't make order of his tracks. There was nothing written down anywhere, because a paper trail was stupid and could be discovered by anyone. So all he had to rely on was his memory as to how he'd taken care of everything. He prayed that he'd been careful and thorough every step of the way. He wish now instead of altering the plan, he'd waited a while after Deidre moved out. He'd taken care of their old chauffer Craig and hired a new thinking to go that route, but all had changed once Deidre packed up and left. It hadn't been easy nor cheap to maneuver things into place, forcing her to take a taxi – but it had all fallen into place just right. Breaking into his thoughts, he looked towards the door, Georgiana's voice could be heard on the other side speaking to Anthony. Oscar's eyes narrowed, waiting for her to enter. He didn't have to wait for long as the door opened with her coming through looking directly at him.
"Nice place for you to be, in here sipping on evening cocktails while our daughter lays in i.c.u with us barred from seeing her!"
"And I wonder why that is?" He sipped again, his eyes shooting daggers through her as he reclined again.
"Well I don't know why you're looking at me that way… its not because of me!" Georgiana defended.
"Isn't it?! Come on admit it Georgi! Who else-…"
"Don't call me that!"
"Doesn't matter what name you come under! This is all your fault!"
"My FAULT! Don't you dare blame this on me!" She defended hotly.
Oscar stood from his chair, "Who else is there to blame when she's so paranoid that she took out a power of attorney against us! WHO – ELSE – is to blame for that!??! Hm? Our own flesh and blood daughter doesn't trust either of us, because her slut of a mother has fucked her husband and killed her unborn child! Now let's see…" He angled his eyes looking towards the ceiling, mockingly as if in deep thought, "… would I trust my parents… or mother if I'd found out such a thing… hmmm, NO! Any fool would not! Its because of you – that she's moved out! -…"
"It had nothing to do with me!" Georgiana's heart was pounding in denial.
"ADMIT IT!!!"
"IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ME!!!"
"You – and your driven need to have her ex – ruin her life!-…"
"She was going anyway! She moved out to try and get Angela back!" Georgiana was panting, her chest squeezing as he placed the blame on her, and she was in the perfect place to receive it, unaware of how deep his cunning.
"She moved out – because you disgusted her! She moved out because finally… it occurred to her that she couldn't trust her own mother! She moved out because she realized that you – YOU – killed her unborn child! YOU DID THAT!!! NOW – here we are! Security guards! Power of Attorney's! Lawyer's and someone that isn't even her flesh and blood family, blocking us… or rather ME – FROM MY OWN GODDAMN DAUGHTER!!! BECAUSE OF YOU – YOU NASTY PIECE OF WORK!!!" Unable to restrain himself, Oscar attacked her. He attacked her because it was easy to place the blame on her for all of his hard efforts to go astray! Attacked her because he couldn't see a clear way out! Attacked her because he hated her! Everything about her!
With his hands around her neck, he shook her and squeezed. Georgiana clawed and scratched at his hands, swinging and hitting trying to free herself. The servants heard the fight and rushed in, Anthony, Daryl and Dawn their downstairs maid struggled to pull the two apart.
Finally they got Oscar's hands off of her and put some distance between them.
"YOU BAS – TARD!!! YOU'LL PAY FOR TOUCHING ME!!! WHEN MY ATTORNEY'S ARE DONE WITH YOU – YOU'LL BE LUCKY TO HAVE A POT TO PISS IN!!! ANTHONY – CALL THE POLICE! I WANT HIM ARRESTED!!!"
"YES… CALL THE POLICE… CALL YOUR LAWYERS… GATHER EVERYONE YOU NEED!!!" Oscar railed back, breathing hard. "Because I have all the smut and dirt on you that I need! When I get done with you… the world will see you for what you really are… so call'em… I dare you."
Georgiana stood across from him breathing hard with his words penetrating her fog of anger.
"You're no better than I am!"
"Sorry dear… a man can't be a slut! A whore! A nymphomaniac! I didn't sleep with my daughter's husband! I didn't kill her unborn child! Like I said… go for it! By the time I'm done with you, I'll have the judge committing you for being a mental psychopath who is dangerous to society! Anyone that would do what you have to your own daughter… is capable of anything!"
Suddenly Oscar smiled… just then… he knew what his next move was, and was happy the servants were present to hear it. Not that they probably weren't aware already of what she'd been up to for the last so many years. Oscar turned to them, "Go… we're fine. I assure you, I have no intention of touching her again… not ever again!"
* * *
Wisconsin to L. A…
"Whassup?!" Mundo answered the phone, waving to his friends to turn the mixer down they were messing with in Shawn's basement.
"It's me. Everything okay?" Shawn asked.
"Papah-Shawn, hey! Yeah… everything straight. Whassup in Cali – yo'ex pullin' out ah'right?"
"She's gonna be fine. Angela has spent time with her and I've visited her, wait till I get home and tell you what happened here. It's gonna blow you away… I still can't believe it myself. Anyway, has Jake come by there?"
"Yeah man… he been here straight thru since Sunday, just left tonight. He got a lot done papah-Shawn. I helped him where I could."
"What's done so far?"
"The kitchen… gone! Oopso – history man! Shit all stripped out down to the beams. Took out the kitchen steps, we dug out that spot behind the garage all the way up to the kitchen door! He built a frame for the foundation and tomorrow I'll be helping him pour the cement."
"Ah good… have you found all your paper work for school so we can get that ball rolling? Your old loans need to be paid so you can register and get the classes you need, I don't want you waiting until the last minute, once the classes are filled you're shit out of luck for the first semester! I'm not having it… I want everything in place so when I get back, you can sign up and start selecting!"
"Papah-Shawn – chill man! I got everything under control! I got everything out and ready for when you get back. I'm straight, I'mo do it man… I ain't bullshittin' you."
"Yeah well, I'll chill – when you're registered and have your schedule with your necessary classes in hand, where I can see it for myself! I'm not your mother – I will be holding you to it! I mean it! So when I get home, be ready."
"I'm gone be ready… promise man."
"Crystal there?"
"Naaaw, I think she out stalkin' her ol'man. Some, he say – she say shit, done landed here via – a friend – and her ass out there scopin' on'im!"
"Where are the boys?"
"In the bed knocked out! I'm baby sittin' again… so her ass in the street! Papah-Shawn you got to talk to her ass when you get back, cause she trippin'!"
"Is she going to school?"
"Yeah… she do that shit! But she lettin' her friends fill her head and now she done gone to, "investigate"."
"Your goddamn mother needs to get her ass home! Wait till I find her!"
Mundo started laughing. "Man… all these women done lost they mind! Use to be a man's worl'! Now – they just takin' over shit! I'm tellin' you now papah-Shawn, get home – and get all these women straight! They stressin' me! I ain't got no goddamn babies, but I smell like goddamn Johnson's ass wipes! Shit aint' right!"
Shawn was laughing at the other end of the phone, finally calming he asked, "So… your mother hasn't called or talked to either of you?"
"Not me… maybe Crystal."
"Let me ask you something, have you heard anything about a list? Maybe Crystal mentioned it? Stuff she wants to do?"
"Crystal wants to do? A list? What kin'nah list?"
"Noooo, your mom! She emailed me saying there are things she's never done before and now all of a sudden, she needs to do them… before she comes home!"
"Ah hell naw! A LIST?! What kind'dah shit is that?! Papah-Shawn you got to get a hold o'mama! She trippin'! You gone let her get away wit' that papah-Shawn? Shit that list could comprise of any goddamn thing! Far as I know, my mama don't do shit! Ain't never did shit! She too goddamn uppity and sa'diddy to do anything. That list could mean anything. I'm telling you, they going nuts! They all need to be on medication! Startin' wit' Crystal – or we ain't never gone find no peace! I'm tellin' you papah-Shawn… I'll back you, but you gotta lead the way… I can't do nothin' wit' mama."
"You can't do nothin' with Crystal!"
"True dat! You seen ha'! She crazy! I can't be bothered wit' women like them! I'll leave them to you!"
"So how the hell you gone back me?" Shawn laughed.
"I'll keep the door open for you, if we have to make a quick escape… won't be nothin' in the way!"
Shawn shook his head, "How's my truck? Any gas left in it? Any dents, scratches, mishaps?"
"Aye! Full tank papah-Shawn! Washed it down and waxed it, its looking good! Crystal driving the SUV by the way – out there stalkin' Mr. Prescott! I just thought you should know that." Mundo ratted his sister out, loyal now to no one but Shawn.
Shawn sighed, "Alright, I'm not gonna worry about that now. We'll be leaving first thing in the morning. I'm gonna stop by and speak with Sheila, see what's going on in Chicago, and we'll either be home Wednesday night, or Thursday morning… it all depends. I think I'll go by and visit your grandma as well, so she can meet my mom and sis."
"Ah'ight… we straight though… everything cool on this end."
"All right, you have my numbers if you need to reach me for anything, don't hesitate! Behave yourself!"
"Aye you know me!"
"That's what I mean." Shawn chuckled.
Mundo grinned, "Ah'ight papah-Shawn… peace… I'm out!"
Shawn smiled and clicked the phone off, no sooner had he when it rang again… making his heart skip a beat.
"Hello?" He answered nervous.
Silence… his heart started pounding.
"Sylvia?"
Very softly, "Yes."
"Please don't hang up… please don't." He gasped feeling his chest go crazy, making him short of breath to hear her voice, he felt sweat break out all over and leaned against the headboard of the bed praying she not hang up.
"I love you…" The words came raspy, breathless, full of passion.
"I love you too… oh baby… please… talk to me… talk to me… I need to hear your voice… I need you to talk to me."
"I know… I needed to hear your voice too… I couldn't go another night without hearing your voice. I just… I just needed to hear it." She replied softly, her heart accelerating with just the sound of him coming through to her, it was sheer madness to be so much in love with a man.
"I'm so sorry… so sorry I lost control like that… oooh baby… oh god… you don't know what this is doing to me. Have you read my emails yet?"
"Yes… tonight I read them. They were, the other reason I had to call you."
"Oh Sylvie… when I said, I regretted coming back… it wasn't about you… sweetheart, it wasn't about you."
"It sounded that way Shawn. You were so angry! I felt so ashamed, so hurt. To hear you say those words, I mean… if you'd never returned, there would be no us."
"Sylvie, I can't even imagine that. Not having you. Not holding you, baby – shit – I'm hurtin'… please…" His throat was thick, his eyes moist as he finally lay back on the bed, fighting with all his might not to beg her to come home. He knew if he were to keep her online, he had to stay calm.
"Please Shawn… don't… I just need a little time. And know this, I can't imagine my life without you. Not now… I think about you all the time. There's not a moment that goes by, when I'm not daydreaming like some silly school girl about you. I took a chance on calling you there tonight, not sure if you guys would even be there. I almost hung up when you answered, but… I couldn't."
"I'm glad you didn't." Shawn returned, fighting down his anxiety.
"How… how is Deidre?"
"She's recovering. Angela has visited with her, they've talked. She has her best friend here looking after her, as well this new attorney. His name is Jeremiah Franklin. Its a strange kind of thing going on that I really don't want to get into with you. I don't wish to use this precious time about that. I just wanna talk about us."
"Oh yeah? And what – pray tell – is there to say about us?" Sylvia asked huskily, flirtatious, smiling as she lay on the bed in her hotel room.
Shawn groaned, and then grinned. "For one thing, we're husband and wife, vows said, made promises to each other and um… hmmm, let me see – and yet have we to consummate the marriage. I don't think its legally binding without that."
Sylvia began laughing, holding the phone to her ear, she rolled on the bed, kicking her feet into the air like an adolescent. "I should have known it would eventually get around to that! You're impossible Shawn!"
"What? You don't want me? You said you did… said you had a dream about me… so ummm, what exactly… did I do to you… in this um, dream you had?" He asked, his voice low and deep, filled with sexual tension and seduction, sending sensations through to her ear that travelled through her body like an unstoppable jet stream, going straight to that part of her that knew what it meant to have that dream fulfilled.
"I'm not telling you that… no way." She giggled, rolling to her side, embracing the phone as if it were him.
"Ah come on… you can tell me anything. I'm your husband now… well legally speaking… spiritually, we still have that ground to cover, or have you forgotten that?"
"Oh no… I have not forgotten that… no way I would, no way I could."
"Oooh…" He growled deep in his throat, "… if you were here with me right now, em em em… oh woman… I'd have you laid out here, and the things – that I'd be doing to you."
"Shawn stop… now – don't go there – please…"
"Why? Why can't I go there?"
"Because… I don't need you stirring that in me when I can't be with you right now."
"I'm coming home tomorrow. I'll be in Chicago tomorrow afternoon. Meet me somewhere."
"No Shawn…not yet."
"Why?" He asked low and gruff. "Please meet me."
"If… I met you… would you… let me go afterwards?"
He was quiet, he knew he wouldn't let her go again. He couldn't, he just couldn't… but he needed to see her, touch her, to hell with it, he would lie. After a few seconds went by, he finally said, "Yes…I'd… I'd let you go."
Now she was quiet a few seconds. "Why do I have a hard time believing that? I'm not ready to come home yet Shawn." She said softly.
"Why?! Why the hell not!? You're my wife! You belong with me! Now enough of this nonsense Sylvia! Tomorrow I'm in Chicago, you be at Sheila's! I've had enough of this now! You're running all over the place, doing god knows what!"
"Ooooh I love you… all there is about you. All sides of you, even that part of you that makes me tremble a bit in fear… I love even him. Goodbye…and goodnight my husband."
"Nooo no no no no… I'm sorry baby… please don't hang up!" He shot up into a sitting position in bed, but all that returned in reply was a dead call signal…she'd hung up. Shawn did a jerk and twist fit, resisting the urge to break the phone. He looked at the caller id… and again the call had been withheld, there was no way to phone her back. Shawn's eyes narrowed as he slowly, with extreme patience, leaned over and gently, using painstaking gentleness placed the cordless phone back on the jack.
"You're starting to get me mad now." He muttered to himself, then laid down in his bed thinking about her. "Women… goddamn women…" He thought about what Mundo said just earlier, "…all these women done lost they mind! Use to be a man's worl'!" – "You sure right about that my son, not anymore … not any more, now its a world of men, run by women! And they're driving us all fucking nuts!"
* * * * *
Kathy Ann drove like a maniac to get to her brother. Her heart was beating like mad. Her husband was pissed. He was sick and tired of her running every time Jake called, or stepping outside when he showed up. For that matter… anything connected to her family… she was out of there! She knew she should give him more credit for his patience thus far, but she had little time to stand and listen to his ranting now that he'd finally blown his stack again in the last year when her brother sounded as he did tonight.
She could barely make out what he was saying he'd been so distraught, sobbing uncontrollably. One thing that came out clear, because he'd shouted it.
"SHE SHOT HERSELF!!! SHE FUCKIN' SHOT HERSELF… OH GOD – KATHY AN-N-N-N – PLEASE … GET HERE NOW… I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO… I DON'T FUCKIN' KNOW WHAT TO DO!?!" He sobbed out.
"WHO? JAKE CALM DOWN… WHO SHOT HERSELF!??"
"DORIS… DORIS PUT A FUCKIN' GUN IN HER MOUTH – AND… OH GOD… OH GOD… PLEASE… KATHY ANN… PLEASE!!!"
"Oh my god… is she??"
"SHE'S DEAD!!! BLEEDING ALL OVER – MAN… PLEEEEASE… I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!!!"
"Hang up… and phone the police Jake… I'm on my way! Wait… where are you?"
"At her place… hur – reee." He began sobbing again.
"Jake… call the police… call them now."
She hung up and turned to see her husband standing looking at her.
"What now?!" He asked.
"It's Jake – Doris shot herself! I have to go!"
"WHAT!! Oh great… IT NEVER FUCKING ENDS… DOES IT!?!?!"
"DID YOU HEAR WHAT I JUST SAID??? DORIS HAS SHOT HERSELF!!! JAKE IS GOING NUTS!!!" She yelled at him in disbelief that he could dare react that way under the circumstances.
"Well considering whom she's been with the last few years… it comes as no surprise!" He spat unaffected.
"FUCK – YOU!!! Talking about my brother that way! I have to go!!"
"Mom can I go with you!" Jenny Lee jumped up asking.
"I wanna go too!" Jason parroted.
"NO! Not this time! Sit down and watch t.v."
She rushed out the door with her kids standing having a fit, not wanting to be left behind with their father, who would make them go to bed early. No way she was bringing them into this. By the time she pulled up to Doris' double wide mobile home, there were flashing lights from the police and the coroner's wagon there. It took her forty-five minutes to drive from her place to Doris'. She pulled up, slammed her El Camino into park, tossed the door open and ran around the mobile home towards the front door. Rounding the corner, she saw her brother sitting on the steps with two cops standing beside him. He wore pants only, no shirt. The porch light shining behind him, the coroners wagon there, an ambulance, and two police cars. The neighbors were all out gaping and trying to get a glimpse of what was going on. It wasn't a big trailer park, but enough for this to be all over town by tomorrow. Her brother looked up to see her coming, his face ravaged and tortured. Blood on his arms, chest and soaking the front of his jeans.
The police turned to see her coming as well,
"Ma'am… do not cross that line-…"
"I'm family! His sister… he called me! I'm not one of her fucking nosy ass neighbors! I'm here for my brother!" Kathy Ann announced gruffly. Ignoring the officer's glares as she tried to make it to his side, one of the officers blocked her from going near him. Jake was too choked up to speak, but she could see he was relieved to have family there for him.
"Excuse me… I said I'm his sister!"
"You can't touch him… you can't go near him!"
"Why!?"
"Because we said so… now back up until we're done questioning him. After that, he'll be going to the hospital and then the police station."
"He's done nothing wrong! Take him to the police station for what?!"
"There's been a death by un-natural causes, and until we know why, he must be questioned, and then examined."
"Can't you question him after he cleans himself up… for goodness sake, look at him, he's covered in blood! Come on Jake, come inside and wash yourself-…"
"I'm not going back in there! I'm not going back in there!" He gasped sniffing and blowing his nose. He had a roll of toilet paper sitting beside him.
"Excuse me ma'am… he cannot clean himself off. He can not re-enter the home! If you wish to stay with him, you will remain quiet and let us conduct this interview to our satisfaction!" The officer in charge addressed her aggressively.
"Can I at least get something for him to wipe some of the blood off of him?"
"No – you – can't! He has to be taken in to be tested! His hands cannot be touched, nor what's on his body. He has to be physically examined, so you can't touch him!"
"Tested for what?! He didn't do anything!"
"If that is true, the test will show that!"
Kathy Ann stood for a moment glaring.
"Now… we're going to question him-…"
"Well do you have to do it here? Take him away from here, everybody and their goddamn family is standing here rubber necking!"
Kathy Ann had to bite her tongue and hard not to yell at the people boldly standing at the end of Doris' driveway eaten up with curiosity to see Jake, whispering about the blood on him, pointing at the coroner's wagon, willing to wait as long as it took to see them bring Doris' body out. Making matters worse, two more vehicles pulled up blocking hers in.
Family of Doris… her sisters, and her younger brother.
They leaped out of their cars screaming and running for the front of the house. Kathy Ann knew the police hadn't called the next of kin yet, so it must have been one of the neighbors. She had no way of knowing which, nor the time to worry over it because Doris' twin rushed around the officer's there, avoiding where she stood and attacked Jake before the officers could intervene. The younger brother was suddenly there as well, punching him from behind.
Kathy Ann snatched one of the officer's baton's off of him and leaped into the mix as well, the sounds of them screaming and shouting, "YOU FUCKIN' KILLED MY SISTER YOU BASTARD!!!" Dott, Doris' twin had Jake by the hair, the police were trying to get in between them, Kathy Ann got two good whacks slammed across the brother's back before the cop she took it from, could get a hold of her because she was swinging it like crazy to get them off of her brother. Aichen, his name, was truly aching making him turn from Jake immediately while the police wrestled with the hysterical sisters, pinching off the wrist of Dott who had Jake's hair, forcing her to let him go. At no point in the attack did Jake try to defend himself.
"TOUCH MY BROTHER AGAIN AND I'LL SPLIT YOUR FUCKIN' SKULL WITH THE NEXT SWING!!!" She shouted trying to avoid getting the baton taken from her, before the officer could get it in hand, she jabbed Aichen in the stomach, making him bend over, it was snatched from her hand as she was shoved back. In the meantime, two other police cars had arrived on the scene and were trying to make order of it all. The officer's were furious with Doris' siblings because they had touched Jake, possibly altering the outcome of the test that would be needed to validate his innocence.
"GET BACK!!! GET BACK NOW! IF WE HAVE TO SAY IT AGAIN, YOU WILL BE ARRESTED!!!" The officer's yelled over their shouting.
"HE KILLED OUR SISTER!! JAKE YOU'RE DEAD NEXT FUCKER!!! YOU'RE DEAD NEXT!!!" They took turns yelling out instead.
Kathy Ann went for one of the sister's then, Dott. "SHE FUCKING DID HERSELF – YOU STUPID BITCH!!! YOU GONNA THREATEN MY BROTHER!?!?! IF SHE'S DEAD – SHE KILLED HER DAMN SELF!!! NOW BACK THE FUCK UP OR THEY'LL BE LAYING YOUR ASS IN THE WAGON WITH HER!!!"
Because of the disturbance of Doris' family, the police put Jake in one of the squad cars and sped away with him.
"Look ma'am… let her go!" The officer was trying to get Kathy Ann's hand from Dott's hair. Realizing they finally took Jake away, Kathy Ann leaped back.
"Where are they taking my brother!?" She growled.
"To the hospital first, and then the police station. You better pray they haven't interfered with the evidence."
"NO MOTHERFUCKER YOU BETTER PRAY!!! YOU BETTER PRAY!! I TOLD YOUR INEPT ASS TO TAKE HIM AWAY IN THE BEGINNING!!! YOU BUNCH OF STUPID ASS MORONS!!!" She shouted running for her car. She jumped in and started it. Because one of the other vehicles, Doris' sister's car, was blocking her in, she rammed it going into reverse and then cut her wheel as the crowd yelled at her while rushing back out of her way in the small confines of the passage between the mobile homes. The police were yelling at her as well, but she worked the El Camino around and shot out of there, blowing her horn for people to get out of the way.
The officer's there needed to get the siblings under control, corralling them to the far side of their vehicles trying to calm their screaming and shouting. Trying to reason with them without forcing them into a police car…but the one sister, Doris' twin, Dott was not cooperating. She refused to calm down. Refused to cease her verbal abuse about Jake, calling him and the police every vile name she'd ever heard through her life, to the point that the police forced her around and handcuffed her, forcing her into their cruiser until she stopped her loud and crazy behavior. Because of that, they let Kathy Ann go for the moment. But she would be facing a few fines herself when things were said and done. The siblings were hysterical to go in the mobile home to see Doris, still stretched out on her back in her bedroom with the coroner inside taking pictures of the scene. Carefully collecting what lay around her, lifting the gun and putting it into a plastic bag.
Chapter 90
Crystal parked at the corner down the block from Victor's family home. She made her way down the sidewalk and with quiet stealth eased around to the back of the house, carefully peering into the windows, looking into the living room first and then she moved along to the dining room. There sitting at the table, was her husband, and some little brunette, chit chatting away as if nothing out of the ordinary was going on. Narrowing her eyes, Crystal pressed her ear to the small crack where the window was slightly open. All she could make out was the brunette's Pigeon like coo laughter, as she reached over and pat Victor's hand that lay on the table beside her. "Yeah… cute… I don't think so! I ain't havin' this shit! He must have lost his goddamn mind!" She muttered to herself, watching them closely, especially Victor… trying to see the look on his face as he sat socializing. Suddenly his mother entered the room, saying something to the two of them. Probably offering them some kind of refreshments. Crystal's gaze burned through the thin veil lace curtains to Natalie Prescott, Victor's mother. The lady did not like her. Had never liked her. She'd been polite to her, but always in a condescending way. As if she were some type of animal that needed to be tolerated and handled carefully, but never for a moment had she looked at Crystal as an equal. Certainly no one she felt worthy of her son. No doubt, now, as things were between them, she was in heaven.
Crystal stood watching her, the way she was with this girl that sat across from Victor. She was so open, animated and full of that look that said… "Please feel welcome in my home, you're just what he needs!" No the words had not come from his mother, but her body language and behavior said it loud and clear. Crystal was no fool. She could see the difference in the way she'd always been treated compared to what she saw now. Their laughter was getting on her nerves, she turned from the window. Tromped back through the yard to the front and down the block. Growing angry, resentful and hurt with every step until she made it back to the SUV. Climbing in, she started it and drove it around the corner, pulling up in front of their home, then stepped out and walked up to the front door, and rang the door bell. She waited in preparation of seeing Natalie, she knew that if anyone answered, it would be her.
Sure enough, she looked up at the small door window to see Natalie looking out at her with wide eyes.
"Yeah – em hm… it's me alright… your worse goddamn nightmare." Crystal murmured to herself. A moment passed as obviously, Natalie was struggling with the best way to deal with her, and then perhaps coming to some conclusion in her mind, she finally opened the door and stepped outside pulling it to behind her.
"Crystal? What are you doing here?" She asked quietly.
"My husband is here. Can you tell him I'm out here, I'd like to speak with him."
"This is not a good time, he's busy right now. Is there something you need?"
"I need – to speak – with my husband! Whatever he is busy doing, can wait." She returned not about to be turned away, keeping the same low tone as his mother.
"Look it's late, I can have him phone you first thing in the morning." She advised.
"I am not concerned about what time it is, neither should you be. As long as I am his wife, I have a right to request his attention. I did not come here to see you, nor inconvenience you – now if you would please… tell him I'm out here. Because I'm not going anywhere."
"Well that's a shame… you know – there's a reason he's come home, and that's to get away from you. You and your domineering – aggressive behavior. Had you been a better person, a better wife to him, he would be at home with you, and not here, trying to get away from you. As for you being his wife… that will soon be remedied, as most all ailments and diseases."
Crystal stood staring and fighting down a reaction that was closer to how she wanted to deal with it. Hurt, humiliated and feeling degraded, because she knew she'd put herself in that light by her past actions, because she hated being made to feel she was not good enough. That she was lacking because of her race. She was ashamed because she'd given this woman solid material for the basis of which she viewed her. She swallowed back moisture gathering in her throat, fighting back feeling choked up not because she was afraid, but because she was trying to alter her reaction and not make a fool of herself.
"Look… until those papers are signed, and we are truly divorced… which we are not yet… he is still my husband. Whether you like that or not. Now, you can either get him, or I will alert him to my presence, one way or another… the choice is yours."
Natalie stood seething in anger. She would love to call the police and have her escorted from her door, but she didn't care for that type of attention, nor wish to escalate the matter by trying to keep her away from her son.
"Fine… I'll get him… but know this… there will be a divorce… and once it is final… stay away from me, stay away from my home, and stay the hell away from my son." She turned and went back inside.
Crystal turned slowly and walked back to the SUV waiting at the curb. She was tempted to climb in and drive off. But half way there, she heard Victor calling her as he closed the front door coming out to her. She stood at the door on the drivers side, and gave herself a moment before she turned back to him. Using her right hand, she quickly wiped at her tears before he reached her side.
"Hey… what's going on? Why are you here?"
"I don't know why I'm here." She answered still facing the door.
"What's wrong? Turn around." He asked standing at the vehicle next to her.
Crystal hesitated. She suddenly felt more humiliation rush over her. Shame engulfed her. If her mother knew she'd crept up, peaked inside their home at him, and then came here like this, she would have a fit. She suddenly didn't know what to do.
"Crystal? What's going on? Why are you here?"
She finally turned around and looked up at him. The street light was shining from over head down on them. She searched her husband's face and felt her chest tighten. She missed him. She missed him so much it hurt. He had the face of the all around American dream white boy. Blonde, strong, good looks. Square wide jaw off of a short chin. Straight nose, nice lips and the bluest eyes. Sky blue, with long tan blonde lashes. His hair was short now. It had been longer when with her, she wondered who cut it? She'd always cut it.
"Crystal?" He called her name again.
"Your mother said you were busy… doing what?"
"Oh – uh… nothing much… just uh… watching t.v."
"Oh… watching t.v. What were you watching?"
"What was I watching?" He answered with a question, caught off guard.
"Yeah… on t.v."
"Oh… just uh… some documentary…"
"About what?"
"Look – it's late… what did you need?"
Crystal's mind screamed in agony, 'I NEED YOU TO COME HOME!!! I NEED YOU!!!' unable to admit that, she said instead. "Are you seeing someone?"
"What?" He asked, gulping.
"You heard… are you seeing someone? Isaac came home telling me that you took him to the zoo, that you took a pretty girl along with you. Someone who saw you there confirmed that as well. So… tell me… what's going on? Have I given you free access to what you've probably wanted all along. To be done with me, so you can have your nice little, pretty brunette? Is that what you want?" She was going to start crying and couldn't stop it. "You can tell me you know. It won't be the first time a marriage and commitment means more to one of the partners than the other. Just be honest… just tell me… the truth. Oh dear mother will truly be pleased if you would just give her want she wants… and that's to be done with me! Is that what you want too?!" She wiped angrily at her tears, hating that she couldn't hold them back.
Victor felt his heart pounding in his chest. Something about seeing her like that, stirred him. Right then and there, he desired her. He felt himself stir and would love to move closer, to grab her, hold her and kiss her. Because of the problem they had, he knew it would not be wise to do that, no matter how he wanted to. While he was indeed enjoying Jeanine's company, with her ready smile, pleasant mildness and consideration. She didn't fire him from within the way he felt his flames growing at the moment. There was a sexual energy that could not be ignored between him and Crystal. Yet… he couldn't locate why? Why – after all she'd done to him – he still wanted to lay her down, climb between her thighs and ride her like a man gone mad. That's what she made him feel. When they made love, it was almost always uncontrollable. Fierce, frantic, noisy and explosive! Shattering them both until they lay weak and shaking.
"Crystal… I don't know what I want right now. Have you made any appointments to see anyone… any anger management at all?"
"There hasn't been any time! My mother was just married; we just settled into the house across from her. I've had to alter things to take care of the boys… it's only been a few days Victor! Yet… you're already seeing someone else! The question is… why should I even bother?!" She cried out, snatched the SUV door open, jumped inside, started it and pulled off leaving him standing there.
Victor stood longer than necessary. He had company and knew that he was being rude to make her wait. While he hadn't really done anything wrong… not yet that is, he couldn't help but wonder what was it that made him wish to go back to his wife? Was it love… or lust? Even if for just a night, to sooth him from the stirring her presence had caused. He wondered, 'Is it just the sex? Is that what it is? Was that all it was from the very beginning?' He wasn't sure. Part of him felt guilty for sitting and spending the time that he did with Jeanine… he and Crystal were still married after all. He was excusing himself because his parents wanted this. They wanted him to give someone else a try just to see if he might not discover that all he ever had with Crystal was lust. They hadn't come out and said it… but he knew what they were thinking. Very similar to the term used most often now, Jungle Fever. They thought that's all there was between the two of them. No other reason could there be for him to desire her, a black young woman, whom they considered wild and exciting, tempting him and confusing him with what they shared in bed. His mother swore that that was all it was. That was all they had. In no time, it would wear off and he would be stuck and unhappy. Now, Victor wondered if it might not be true. Because most certainly, sexually speaking… he wanted Crystal. If the opportunity presented itself, he would have taken her to bed. Then what? Would he then desire to leave her?
His mother was standing in the doorway.
Victor turned and headed back into the house. Crystal still heavy on his mind. His sons, heavy on his mind. He stepped into the dinning room, and there was Jeanine, patiently waiting for him, with a smile.
"Is everything okay?" She asked.
"Yeah."
"Your ex-wife? What did she want?"
"Not yet she's not… not yet."
"Well let's not get into that… lets plan something to do for this weekend." She smiled.
* * * * *
Panicking, Kathy Ann had gone all over the hospital looking for her brother. With no one knowing which department he'd been sent to and because it was so late in the evening with the emergency room jammed with children and other emergencies, no one really wanted to take the time to listen to her and direct her to where she needed to go. Finally a nurse took mercy on her, stopped, looking her in the face and listened to what she was saying.
"My brother was brought in by the police, to have pictures taken of him, and to have his body and hands tested after a woman he knew shot herself! Where – would – they take him?!"
"Take the elevator downstairs… he'd be taken down the hall from the morgue, to the forensic examiners office. They have a room set up for what they'd be doing to him. There will be police down there, so you won't get far before they stop you."
Kathy Ann wanted to faint, it was getting worse and worse, she couldn't believe where they'd taken him, of all places right now. She turned and searched down the halls for the elevator. Finding one finally, she laid on the down arrow button, as if that would hurry it along. One finally made it there, she rushed in and hit the button actually marked, "Morgue" and shivered. The elevator stopped and she stepped out to hear officers talking. As soon as they noticed her, one made his way to meet her.
"Is my brother here? Jacob Patrick McPherson? Jake… is he here?!"
"Yes he is, but it will be a while. No sense in you waiting here for him, we'll be taking him to the police station when we're done."
"To the police station for what? He hasn't done anything!"
"We don't know that yet do we?"
"She – shot – herself!"
"Well, hopefully when all is said and done… and the forensics returns in his favor, he'll be free to go, until then, we have to hold him."
"That's bullshit! My brother's been through enough! He should not have to spend a night in jail because she ended her own life!" Kathy Ann began crying, not knowing what to do. She couldn't stand the thought of leaving Jake in their hands for him to end up in jail.
"I understand you're upset, but someone has died. Until we know beyond a shadow of a doubt how it happened, he's in our custody."
Kathy Ann had her mouth covered trying not to cry out. Tears were rolling as she stood not knowing what to do. "Can I see him, please?"
"No you cannot… not until he's taken to the police station later."
"Can you tell him that I'm here… that he's not here by himself… can you tell him please?"
"Ma'am, you'd be wasting your time by staying here. You will not get to see him tonight! As it is, you cannot stay down here, you're not allowed. Now I'm going to have to ask you to get back into the elevator and go home until he calls you."
"Nooo… I don't wanna leave him… nooo…" She cried with her hands shifting from the top of her head as she walked in circles. "I promise I won't make a sound, if you let me stay, I'll be quiet."
"Ma'am… let's not make this any more difficult. I'm asking you to leave for the last time."
For lack of any other choice, Kathy Ann turned and rushed back to the elevator, hitting the up arrow button as she glared with tear filled eyes at the officer who stood watching to make sure she boarded the elevator. Once she left it she went to the waiting room and pulled out her mobile phone. Looking at her watch, it was nine-twenty-five. Sniffing and trying to keep calm, she quickly dialled Derrick.
"Hello?" It was Meribel.
"Meribel… oh my go – o – od…. put Derrick on the phone quick!" She sobbed out.
"Kathy Ann?"
"Ye – a – ah!" She wailed.
"What's wrong! Why are you crying?!" Meribel knew something was seriously wrong. Kathy Ann was not a crier, and she'd never heard her sobbing, this was serious.
Her broken whimpering cries was the only answer for the moment as Kathy Ann felt her anxiety increase now that she was forced to turn to her older brother, she could hear Meribel rushing through the house yelling, "DERRICK… Something's happened, Kathy Ann is just about hysterical!"
"What's going on?" She heard him ask.
"I don't know, she's on the phone… quick!"
"Kathy Ann?" Derrick called out her name.
She was crying again, "Der – rick… Doris killed herself tonight! They have Jake! They won't let me see'im!"
"Ah Jesus Christ! You gotta be kidding me!? When? Oh my God! Where are you?!"
"I – I'm at the hospital! They have him… him – down stairs, in the – the forensics… testing him – he didn't do it. They think he shot her… he didn't do it Derrick… you know he would never do – do anything like that!"
"Listen to me Kathy Ann… first calm down and stop crying. They're following normal procedure, there's nothing we can do about that! Does dad know?"
"NO! I haven't called anyone but – but you."
"Don't… whatever you do… do not call him! Go home and I will be there as soon as I can get my clothes on and hit the highway! Understand?"
"Yeah… hurry though… please hurry."
"I will…now calm down and go home."
Jake sat rocking with his arms folded into his stomach, unable to sit up straight with tears streaming down his face. He'd been photographed, his hands sprayed, his hair plucked and dusted, his skin and mouth swabbed, his blood taken and finally after they'd left him just short of probing his rectum, he was allowed to shower as they collected his jeans as part of the evidence. They gave him a pair of white forensic overalls to wear as they questioned him to within a millisecond of the shooting.
"How did you know Doris Foster?"
"We've been seeing each other for years."
"How many years?"
"Six more or less."
"Were you in love with each other?"
Jake sat a moment reluctant to answer, and sniffed, wiping at his tears.
"I said… were you in love with each other?"
"She was in love with me… so she said."
"And you… how did you feel about her?"
Again Jake was hesitating.
"It wasn't the same."
"What wasn't the same?"
"The way I felt… about her."
"So you weren't in love with her?"
"No. I cared about her. I mean, I couldn't help not caring about her. I've known the woman for six years."
"So why were you in a relationship with her then?"
Jake thought he would start crying again. He hated himself right then. At that moment, he wished she'd shot him instead of herself. Because now, he was left to explain to the police what a low down lousy piece of shit he was to her.
"Answer the question McPherson!"
"I was uh… in a relationship with her, because I hated her husband. To get back at him, I wrecked his marriage."
"Six years is a long time to be stuck with someone you don't want… must have been hell keeping that going. You get tired of it McPherson? Get tired of her?"
Jake glared at him through bloodshot watery eyes. "I didn't shoot her. I never even knew she had a gun."
"Okay… what happened tonight McPherson? What made, her – pull out this gun you claim not to know of its existence?"
"It was over."
"What was over?"
"Us… I was done. It was the last night that I could carry on with the relationship. She knew it. I said some things, that hurt her. Unable to face possible humiliation, she at first threatened me with the gun, holding it pointed at my chest."
"What time did that happen?"
"What time did what happen?"
"Let's back up shall we? What time did you arrive at her home?"
Jake was tired, he just wanted to collapse and not get up again.
"What time?"
"It was after 6… I was late after I told her I would be there at 6."
"How late were you?"
"I don't know, I guess I showed up around 6:30."
"Did you argue then?"
"No… she fixed me dinner, and I ate."
"What'd you eat?"
"Spaghetti."
"What time was that?"
"When I got there… fuckin' hell!"
"Stick with answering the questions and we'll do fine McPherson. What time did you eat?"
Jake took a long deep breath. "I guess it was maybe 6:40."
"How long did it take you to eat it?"
"It took a while, I had no appetite."
"What time did you finish?"
"7:15 maybe… something like that maybe."
"Did you argue then?"
"Not yet."
"When?"
"After we went to bed."
"Was there an act of sexual intercourse?"
"There was an attempt… I wasn't in the mood… I couldn't keep it up, lost my hard on with the second or third stroke." Jake answered growing angry.
"Have you always had that problem?"
"No!"
"Why tonight?"
"I didn't want to be there. I didn't want to be in bed… with her. That's when I knew it was over. That's when she came to realize it was over. I told her that our relationship was going no where. She grew upset. I told her to put some clothes on. She left to do so, I turned to pick my clothes up off the floor, looked up and there she was, with a gun pointing at me."
"What time was that?"
"I haven't a clue."
"Try."
"No… I haven't a clue… you fuckin' figure it out. I was scared, tried to calm her down, but she grew more and more hysterical, I thought I was gonna die tonight… and right now, I fuckin' wish I had. In the end, she turned the gun, put it in her mouth and pulled the fuckin' – tri – trigger… and I don't… know what time." Jake was breathing hard. He was done. He wasn't saying another word.
Chapter 91
Derrick couldn't believe what was happening. Before he left home, he called Shawn in L.A. asking him what time they would be landing in Chicago? After finding out, calmly he asked him could they take an immediate flight from there straight back to Madison?
"Why? What's going on?" Shawn had asked.
"Just do it if you can… please… I don't wish to tell you all now because I don't know all the details myself yet."
"Well come on… tell me something? Is Sylvia okay? Has something happened with her?" Shawn asked with his heart speeding up in fear.
"NO! Nothing to do with Sylvia… Sylvia is fine. It's Jake."
"What? What about Jake?"
Derrick hesitated. "Shawn… Doris killed herself tonight."
"WHAT?! HOLY SHIT!!! YOU GOTTA BE FUCKIN' KIDDING ME!!" Shawn leaped from his bed shouting. Startling his mother and sister, who were immediately at his door, knocking on it to find out why he was shouting. He walked to the door and opened it to them.
"What's happened? Why the shouting?" Gert asked.
"Hang on Derrick." Shawn then said, "Mom… Doris killed herself tonight."
Gert stood with her mouth opened stunned. She sat on the chair across from her son's bed, Shanna sat on the arm of it next to her mother with her hand to her heart.
"Derrick… how's Jake? What's going on with him?"
"I don't yet know all the details… Kathy Ann is with him and she's falling to pieces over it. They've taken him in she said for forensic testing. Look… I have to go. I just wanted to call and let you all know to get here straight away tomorrow."
"Okay… thanks for letting us know… we'll be straight home." Shawn clicked the phone off.
"How Shawn… did she kill herself?" Shanna asked.
"I don't know. Derrick didn't say, but they've taken Jake in, I'm thinking probably to make sure he didn't kill her."
"They took my son into a goddamn jail? My son's not a murderer!"
"Mom… calm down. I'm certain once they're done investigating they'll find that he's innocent of it."
"You damn right he is! She killed herself! Was Jake there when she killed herself?" Gert asked.
"I don't know mom… I don't know… you heard… Derrick could tell me little or nothing. We need to get to bed so we can get up early and make our flight out."
"No! We need to find a flight out now, so I can get back there and see about my son! SHE KILLED HERSELF!!!"
"Momma don't get worked up, there's nothing we can do until we get back there and find out what's going on!" Shanna pleaded.
"I don't need to be back there to know what's going on! He tried to dump her and she killed herself! I JUST KNOW IT!!!"
"MOM! Calm down!"
"NO! I need to get home to see about my Jake! Get on the phone, and find us a flight out of here – NOW!"
"Momma don't be ridiculous… there's no way!" Shanna tried to reason with her but all Gert could think of was Jake…what he must be going through.
"Shawn please… you gotta try… my son needs me and I know it! Please try!" Gert pleaded with him.
Shawn got on the phone, calling every airline he could think of. He knew what she was asking was impossible. There was no way they would find a flight to get them out of there before the one that they were scheduled for tomorrow morning. After a half an hour of unsuccessful calling, he put the phone down and looked at his mother. She was not happy. She had a very angry look about her as she stared off past him, deep in thought.
"Mom… we're not going to get out of here before tomorrow morning. I'm sorry… but we will get a connecting flight right into Madison, and I'll call now, and have Crystal or Mundo at the airport to get us." Shawn stated. Gert wasn't answering, she was staring off into space. As he dialled, she looked at him and then stood.
"Let's go to bed Shanna. Okay son… first thing tomorrow." She said very calmly.
He was busy dialling his house number, after three rings, Mundo answered.
"Yo – whassup!?"
"Mundo…its me again."
"Oh… whassup? Everything okay?"
"No it's not. I need you to get the SUV tomorrow from Crystal and head to Madison to pick us up from there, we're coming straight home."
"Oh… okay… what's going on?" He asked curious.
"Doris… the lady Jake has been with for the last so many years, killed herself tonight!"
"OH SHIT! What the hell!? Where's Jake? Was he there?" Mundo couldn't believe it. Jake had just left there hours ago.
"They've arrested him Mundo during the investigation to make sure he didn't do it."
"Oh man… you got to be kiddin' me! He just left here man! Just earlier today! Ah shit! He should'dah stayed his ass here! I can't believe this shit!"
"I know… just be ready to head there tomorrow. I'll call you when we land in Ohio… I was going to Chicago, but we can't now… we have to get straight back."
"Well yeah… I'ah be waitin' for your call papah-Shawn… for real! I'll be there."
"Okay… I have to call Sheila now and let her know why I won't be showing up there tomorrow."
"Hey man… you want me to do that for you? It's cheaper to ring her from here than there!"
"Would you do that for me? That would be great… apologize for me."
"Hey man… shit… you ain't got to apologize for that! ah'ight… see you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow!" Shawn hung up and still felt himself reeling from the shock of it. He couldn't help but think about Sylvia, and wondered if she would come home now in the face of this? But then again, why would she? The last person she could give a crap about was Jake and she hadn't known Doris that well either for that matter. Shawn laid back in bed, he wouldn't think about it now. For the moment, he had no control of his wife or what she did. His mind went from her to Jake. "Oooh little brother… we're coming man. We're coming."
His thoughts were pretty much like his mother's and sister's thoughts as they lay in bed waiting for the morning to come. Just as they were thinking, so was Derrick and Kathy Ann, as well as Jake. None of them wanted Bart to know… not before Gert got home to him… he was going to have a fit over this … and they all knew it.
Wisconsin to Chicago…
"Who the hell ringing at this time a night?!" Dennis asked as Sheila reached over to answer the phone.
"Hello?"
"Sheila? It's me, Mundo."
"Mundo? What you want boy? Its after 10:00 at night… it better be important."
"Look… papah-Shawn was supposed to be there tomorrow… he ain't gone make it. Guess what happen?"
Sheila sat up in bed clicking on her lamp light.
"Woman you better cut that light out! You know I got to be at working early in the morning!" Dennis fussed.
"Hush man! What happen… it's too late to be guessin'… just tell me!"
"You know Jake – Shawn's brother?"
"Boy! Of course we know Jake! What's going on?" Sheila asked, then Dennis sat up and looked at her.
"This woman name Doris… he must'ah been seein' her… cause all of a sudden… she snuffed her own shit – oops, sorry, I mean, she done checked out – she called it a day… t'night!"
"What you mean she called it a day!?"
"Lights out! Last rights! Six feet under! Gone! Goodnight – I can't take this mess no mo' – I'm gone!"
"You mean she kill herself!? Suicide?"
"Sho'did!"
"Oh hell naaaw! What happened?"
"They must'ah been fightin' or somethin'… I'on know what happened! All I know is Shawn won't be there tomorrow, they have to come straight back here to see what's going on with him."
"Okay… thanks for callin' and lettin' me know…bye!" She clicked the phone off and went to get up.
"What happened?!" Dennis asked.
"Jake… must'ah been fightin' with the chick he was seein'… I think he was tryin' to split up with her ass, she probably flipped out and did herself in! 'Cause she dead!"
"WHAT?!" Dennis asked.
"Yep… so Shawn won't be here tomorrow." She answered wrapping her robe around herself.
"Well where you goin' now?!" Dennis asked.
"Uh…I got to use the toilet, I be back!"
"Ah hell naaaw!!! What you need the phone for!? Woman get yo' ass back in this bed! Oh no you ain't… leave that shit alone!"
"Come on now, I ain't gone be but a minute!" Sheila pleaded.
"Did you hear what I said? Hang that phone up… and climb yo' ass back in this bed and quite yo' meddlin'!"
"I ain't meddlin' in nothing… I just gotta make a quick call!"
"To who?"
"Who you think?" She asked.
"I don't know… ain't no tellin' wit' yo' ass! Who you callin'?"
"I got to tell Vivian!"
"Hell no… no – no – no – no – no! Leave it alone! DAMN! Let them bury her ass good before yah'll start plottin' an' shit!"
"I ain't plottin' nothing! I just wanna let her know what's going on!"
"She don't need to know! She got problems of her own! Now put that phone down and climb yo' ass back in here… don't make me mad!"
"Damn Dennis! Why you got to be like that!" Sheila complained walking back to the bedside table and placing the phone back on the jack.
"Look… listen here… don't let me come home from work and find out you done called her and told her! Leave – it – alone! Understand? That man is probably going nuts right now, he don't need what you trying to do."
"I ain't trying to do nothing but keep my girl informed."
"If he want her to know anything about his goddamn business… let him call her hisself! Now that's the end of it… I ain't playing!"
Sheila laid back down, got under the cover and knew she wouldn't be getting any sleep that night.
Wednesday Wisconsin…
Mundo was at the airport waiting for them when they landed. Spellbound by disbelief, they discussed the possibilities of what may have happened on the way back from Madison. Shawn called Derrick and told him where they were. They all agreed to meet at Shawn's instead of at the farm, no one ready yet to let Bart in on what was going on. By the time all was gathered together, they met in Sylvia's basement, set up with enough room for them all to discuss what was going on. Derrick and Kathy Ann had been by the police station where Jake was being held. They were told to come back the next day, sometime around the afternoon. By then they would know enough of whether to let Jake go or not.
Kathy Ann told what she knew, which was that Doris had put a gun in her mouth and blown her brains out right in front of Jake.
"Oh my god… did Jake say why she did it Kathy Ann?" Gert asked.
"No… he didn't… he was too upset! He was really messed up last night. Then her brother and sisters showed up going crazy on him, they attacked him, he did nothing, he just let them go at him. But I got a few good hits in on the brother!"
Shawn was leaning against the pool table trying to figure out what they were to do, when Kathy Ann's mobile phone rang. She was quick to pick it up.
"Hello?"
"Hey… can someone come and get me. They're releasing me now."
"It's Jake! Yes… Shawn's home Jake, Derricks here, and so is mom."
"Tell him we're on our way!" Shawn shouted getting his keys from Mundo to the SUV, Derrick was following as well as Mundo.
"Jake… they're on their way to get you now!"
"Okay… tell them hurry… tell'em hurry… I need to get out of here."
"They're on their way now Jake… can you stay on here and talk to me? Where are you right now?"
"I'm standing here in goddamn white overalls looking like some kind of moron up in the corridor of Vernon county courthouse on the pay phone."
"Let me talk to him!" Gert asked holding her hand out to get the cell phone. Kathy Ann passed it to her, "Son… what's the number on the phone where you're standing?"
"Hi mom… you hear what happened?" He felt choked up again.
"Yes son I did… and we're here for you, you better believe we are, what's the number on the phone… so we can get off of Kathy Ann's cell phone." He gave it to her and hung up so she could ring him back on the regular phone. He picked it up before the first ring stopped.
"Yeah…" He answered.
"What happened son… tell momma what happened?"
Fighting with his emotions, he told her everything. That he'd known that they were over, and he tried to avoid it but it could no longer endure the relationship. He left out the bed part of it, and just told her that she went hysterical on him and at first pointed the gun at him, and finally, how it ended.
"Son… I want you to listen to me… its not your fault. You understand me?"
"It is mom… I might as well took the gun and shot her myself!"
"You hush that nonsense! You hear me!? You're not the first man to grow tired of a woman Jake! Doris is not the first woman to have her heart broken! She was not a little girl! Not a teenager, but a grown woman! I'm sorry son… but I feel nothing but anger towards her! What she's done is unforgivable! It was a cruel, vicious act of revenge to hurt you the only way that would work! She sat out to destroy you Jake! And she didn't give a damn about anyone else in the process! To hell with her family, to hell with her own goddamn children – all that mattered was killing you by killing herself!"
"Mom please… you're wrong! I humiliated her! She couldn't stand the thought of how she would look if I left her!" Jake tried to defend her.
"Then she's a sorry ass coward as well as the rest! Jake she was 46 years old when you met her! She's 13 years older than you!!! She – knew – better!!! I feel no pity for her, none at all! Her problems are now over… she's resting in peace… but I hope its not – but in hell!"
"Mom don't say that! She's dead for god's sake!"
"Due to her own hand! No one took her life from her, she took it herself, and I have no patience for the likes of her! Why did she think she could do what she did to her husband and children and not have it come back on her?! When she walked out on them for you… her oldest was only 14 years old! The youngest 12! Sorry son, I will not shed tears for her! This day should be the last that you do as well!"
"Mom…mom… doesn't matter what she did. Doesn't matter now… the fact still remains, I played a part in it. I helped her destroy her life. Just as I helped her kill herself. I love you mom… but … I can't talk about it anymore. My head is killing me."
"Son… when they get you, you come back here with them, you hear me? Come back here… don't go home!"
"We'll see." Jake hung up. He walked back across the hall and sat on the wood bench and waited. Nodding off and hearing the gunshot blast as he did, waking him back up. He was struggling not to cry again, feeling even more alone than ever before. Nodding on and off, he finally heard Shawn's voice calling him.
"Jake! We're here man, we're here!"
Jake looked up and saw him standing over him, immediately he crumbled into tears, "Man… I fucked up the worst ever this time Shawn… the worst ever… and… ain't shit can be done to undo it! Nothing Shawn… you can't fix this!"
Shawn knelt before him, "You listen to me… look at me!"
Jake was back to rocking and shaking his head, trying to focus through his tears.
"We've been through some real shit… haven't we?"
Jake nodded, but then said, "Nothing like this Shawn… nothing like this. I wish she'd shot me instead… she should have shot my ass! I've never been good for shit anyway… you know that!"
"Aye Jake… that's not true!" Shawn felt his eyes fill with tears as Derrick sat down next to Jake and pulled him in under his arm. "That's bullshit Jake… that's bullshit! We're here for you… all of us." Derrick backed Shawn.
Mundo stood back trying to fight his own emotions to see him this way.
"Jake… you're gonna get up from here. We're going to take you by your place and get you some clothes, then you're coming home with me… understand?" Shawn ordered.
"I just… I just wanna be alone."
"Sorry… not this time. Let's go!" Shawn stood. "Come on." Jake came to his feet and walked out with his brothers and Mundo around him. They climbed in the SUV and headed for his place as he told them bits and pieces of reflections leading up to that day. They quietly listened to him, touched him when he needed it, and talked him out of the crazy talk leading to a horrible depression. They could see it coming, right on the doorstep of his 40th birthday. Soon they pulled up to his lot where he lived, and around the curves that brought them up on his mobile home and Shawn stopped and stared and could not believe his eyes.
There was nothing but a burned out shell. Someone had burned his place down.
Jake sat back and started laughing, "Well… let's go find my truck next… it was left at Doris'."
Solemnly, they made the short journey to Doris' home and there Jake's truck sat, totally destroyed. All the windows broken out, and it too had been set on fire.
Shawn and Derrick looked at him as he sat aware that right then, he had nothing. Everything of his possessions had been destroyed, he was now homeless.
"Ah well… finally… my true worth stands before me."
"Stop it Jake… your life is not over… in fact, I think it's just beginning. You can look at this two ways, and you should. All that you had and was, has now been erased, and on this shinning new slate… you get to control what's written there from now on." Shawn said, backing away from the truck.
"That's easy for you to say Shawn… people like you. And those that don't, have the good sense to stay out of your way. You have a beautiful wife, a baby on the way, and a daughter who adores you, and two others that might as well be yours, Mundo and Crystal… all blue skies for you brother… all blue skies for you. Look at you Derrick… mom and dads perfect son… married with children… high school football coach. Here I sit, their third son… nothing to show… nothing to say…. nothing." He looked out the passenger window and wished for once he didn't have brothers, sisters and family… because he'd just like to wonder off and finish off the rest of his life as it stood now… no where.
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