She giggled and dipped down low while swaying her hips from side-to-side. I asked her to spin around, and as she spun in two circles, she then moved closer to me again.
“I never knew you were such a good dancer,” she said. “And that’s a plus because you smell extremely good. What might you be wearing, Mr. Reynolds?”
“Probably something my wife purchased for me for Christmas. I can’t remember what the name of it was, but you remember, don’t you?”
“The only reason you don’t remember is because you never wore it. The full bottle was still in your apartment the day you di—” she paused again, unable to say it.
“Go ahead and say it. Why are you so afraid to say the “D” word?”
“Because I don’t want to. I’ll never say it. In my head you’re not.”
I didn’t say another word—didn’t want to disturb the mood. We danced through three songs, and once we were finished, we returned to the bed to make love. This time was so special. I did my best to make Monai feel me even more, and after her second orgasm, she was overly pleased. The back of her head was flat on the pillow as she gazed at the ceiling. My hand was on her stomach while her chest heaved in and out.
“Now that,” she said. “Was the best. You’ve been practicing somewhere, haven’t you? I still think you’ve been somewhere cheating on me.”
“Nope. Never. I didn’t do it then and I’m not doing it now. I’ve just been taking care of a few things; things I think you should know about soon.”
Monai turned her head in my direction. “Things like what?”
“Things that concern Demetrious. I hate tell you this right now, baby, but he is now a free man. His case was dismissed. He is on his way out of jail.”
Monai slowly sat up in bed. Her mouth was wide open and a sheen of sweat had started to build on her forehead.
“I don’t believe it. In no way is he a free man. How could this happen and how do you know he is no longer in jail?”
“I was there earlier. In the courtroom when his case got dismissed. I told you he was going to walk. I did my best to warn you, but you didn’t want to listen.”
Monai tightened her fist and pounded it on the bed. “No, no way. I still don’t believe it. If he was a white man, I can see how he would get off. In this case, I can’t. Something is wrong. Very, very wrong!”
“If you don’t believe me, turn on the TV and watch the news. They’re talking about his release right now.”
Monai quickly reached for the remote and turned on the TV. There Demetrious was, plain as day with his lawyers. The news had replayed a recorded video, after the announcement had come. Demetrious was at the podium speaking with a wide smile on his face.
“Today is a good day. The judicial system worked and thanks to my lawyers, who knew all along I was innocent, I’m now free. I’m delighted that I’ll be able to go home to my wife and kids tomorrow. My family needs me, and I need them too. I want to thank everyone who worked so hard on my behalf, and I truly hope that all of the young men who murdered Nate Reynolds will one day have their day in court.”
“Mr. Simmons,” a reporter said. “What now? Are you and the woman who caused this going to get back together? What are your thoughts about her? Are you still angry at her for lying on you to the police?”
“Very angry,” he said. “She betrayed me and she knew all along that I didn’t do it. She knew who the killers were, and I hope that the police will investigate her. She and I will never get back together again. I was wrong for getting involved with her, and I didn’t know how cruel she really was. Nonetheless, I’ve apologized to my fiancée for all of the headaches I’ve caused her. We’ve been through a lot, but baby, I’m coming home.”
“Lastly,” another reporter asked. “Is there anything you would like to say to Nate Reynolds’ family? They’ve been through a lot and his mother is highly disturbed by your release. Is there anything you want to say to her?”
He cleared his throat and looked at the camera, as if he could actually see us watching him. “I would say I’m sorry to his mother, but I’m not. I didn’t do it, and I plan to put forth every effort that I can to find out the people who murdered Nate. Somebody knows who these people are, other than my ex-girlfriend. She’s not snitching, and I think that’s a shame. Not only did they kill Nate, but they are responsible for me being locked up and away from my loved ones as well.” Demetrious had the audacity to get choked up. He wiped a few tears, before continuing. “As I was saying, they messed up my life too. I went through hell in that place, and I thank God that I’m out.” He paused as his lawyer rubbed his back. We couldn’t believe the show Demetrious was putting on. Did people really believe him? “Let me just say this, before I go. People on the streets talk. I will find out soon who those fools were. It will get back to me, and as soon as I find out anything, I’m going to the police to have them all arrested.”
The people applauded and he winked at the camera. Monai picked up the wineglass and pitched it at the TV. She was very emotional, and as she got off the bed and paced the floor, she kept asking how something like this could happen.
“It makes no sense,” she screamed and squeezed her forehead. “I did everything, Nate! I tried to do everything to make sure he got convicted. You know I did, don’t you?”
“I know, but you weren’t in a position to do anything to stop this.”
“How come I wasn’t? I went to the police station, told them everything, and my story never changed. They know what happened, and they have those stupid letters where he confessed. They know he deserved to go down for this, and they damn near promised me he would.” She halted her steps and looked in the direction of the bed. “I’m so sorry about this, Nate. You must feel horrible. But, baby, I tried. I tried so hard, that’s why I can’t believe this has happened.”
“You could only do so much. I’m not upset because I know what the ultimate outcome will be.”
“If you know, tell me then. Tell me something because I’m feeling real shitty right about now. I just want to go kill him. And to be honest, that’s exactly what I might go do.”
She rolled her eyes and turned to avoid looking in my direction.
“Stop talking like that. Besides, you can’t go kill him.”
She spun around and narrowed her eyes.
“Who are you to tell me what I can’t do. I can and I will,” she snapped.
“No you won’t.”
“Oh, yes, I will.”
I paused, before breaking the news to her. “You can’t kill him, Monai, because he already killed you.”
She stood motionless with her mouth hanging open. Her hand slowly rose to her chest and she began to touch herself in other places.
“What do you mean by he already killed me? I’m still here. I’m standing right here and I can touch myself.”
“Not for long, baby, I’m sorry. The night Demetrious killed me, he shot you multiple times too. You’ve been in a coma ever since then. Fighting for your life and dreaming about how things would be if you survived and I didn’t. Your fight is almost over. Demetrious was able to get off, because you’ve been in a coma and you couldn’t testify. He paid someone to come to the hospital and pull the plug on you, but the person he paid didn’t have to do it because the courts let Demetrious walk.”
Monai didn’t move. Her eyes were without a blink. She opened her mouth, but no words escaped. That was until I saw her take a few steps forward and fall flat on the bed.
“So, what you’re saying is he killed me too? Is that how I’m able to . . . to talk to you?”
“Yes, because you’ve been in a coma and you can hear me. We’re very close to each other, and even though you’ve been fighting to stay alive, you’re slipping, baby. I’m sorry, you’re slipping fast.”
She grabbed her stomach, holding it tight. “What about our baby? Please tell me the baby survived.”
“Unfortunately, she didn’t. You were pregnant when Demetrious shot you, and our
baby died during the times you were thinking about those doctor’s visits.”
Monai cried out in agony. It was my time to comfort her in her last moments, and almost in a flash, we were finally able to see each other again. As she lay across my lap, I held her in my arms. She blinked to focus her eyes so she could see me clearly. Her hand touched the side of my face and she rubbed it.
“Am I really here?” she asked. “Is it really you or am I still in a coma?”
“You’ve fully transitioned. And even though you may be afraid right now, don’t be. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
Monai couldn’t stop staring at me. I appeared just as she had remembered. Not like the day I was killed, but before that day. She, too, was still beautiful.
“What are we going to do now?” she asked in a frightful, yet calm tone. “And what’s going to happen to Demetrious? He has to somehow pay for what he did, doesn’t he?”
“What we’re going to do, Mrs. Reynolds, is live happily ever after. As for Demetrious, his destiny is not in our hands. All we can do is watch what will happen to him. His demise may take years or it might happen right away. Who knows?”
It pleased my heart to see Monai smile. She threw her arms around my neck, and the feel of her lips were the best thing ever.
Nate
Epilogue
Derinda was furious. Demetrious had been out of jail for two weeks, and during that period, he had only spent one day with her and the kids. All the promises he’d made her while in jail didn’t hold. And to make matters worse, she knew he had been spending time with the other chicks who would have their babies any day now. This was too much for her to handle. She didn’t know why Demetrious had turned his back on her like he had; then again, she predicted that Demetrious’ friend must’ve told him already what they’d done while he was in jail. Nonetheless, she had only gone there with his friend one time to seek revenge against him. She had even washed those explicit photos from her memory; the photos didn’t matter, if Demetrious had gotten out of jail and done the right thing. Derinda told herself she could forgive him for being with another man. After all, Demetrious had a high sex drive. He had to do something while in jail or else he would go crazy. She made as many excuses as she could for his actions, but the fact that he hadn’t been spending time with her cut deep.
While the kids were at her mother’s house, Derinda had prepared a celebration dinner for Demetrious. The food was already on the table, candles were lit and soft music echoed in the background. The sleazy negligee she wore exposed her goodies, and with it being Demetrious’ favorite color, blue, she knew he would love it. No matter how fabulous she looked, though, she sat at the table with anger trapped in her eyes. Demetrious still hadn’t shown up yet, and he had called about an hour ago to let her know he was on his way. The food had been wasted. The chicken was now cold, as well as the string beans and garlic potatoes.
“That food looks really good,” Monai said to me as we stood in the dining room area, next to a window. “I wish I could eat it.”
“It does look good,” I teased. “If only you could’ve cooked like that for me.”
“Whatever. I did cook like that for you, but your mother had you spoiled with her cooking, didn’t she?”
“Yes, she did. So I apologize for saying what I did to you.”
We both laughed, but it was no laughing matter when Demetrious came through the door, rubbing his hands together.
“Mmmmm,” he said. “It smells good in here, Li’l Mama. What did you cook for me? I’m starving.”
Derinda jumped from the chair and moved closer to him. “Don’t you Li’l Mama me, nigga! Where in the hell have you been? I’ve been sitting here for hours waiting for you to come home. The food is cold and everything, so it doesn’t matter what I cooked.”
He looked at his watch, before strutting into the dining room area with that same smug look on his face.
“He should really think about growing his dreads back,” Monai said. “He looked so much better with them.”
“No, he needs to leave the dreads alone. Dreads have a significant meaning. A man of his caliber doesn’t have any business wearing them.”
“Let me correct you,” Demetrious said to Derinda. “This place is not my home. It used to be, but not anymore. I don’t get why you’re tripping with me. I know what you did while I was in jail. You of all people should know there’s a heavy price to pay for betraying me.”
Derinda cocked her head back and put her hands on her hips. “For betraying you? Do you have any idea what you’ve done to me? You’ve destroyed me, Demetrious, not to mention how badly you’ve dissed me. You don’t know nor do you understand how badly this hurts. I’ve been down with you for many years, and to be played like this is totally unnecessary.”
As Derinda became tearful, Demetrious walked closer to comfort her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and planted a soft kiss against her forehead.
“Ooooo, this is touching,” Monai said. “I guess he don’t even see what’s coming. She’s going to kill him, and didn’t he see that sharp knife in her hand?”
“Dang, baby, why did you have to say something?” I asked. “You just ruined it for everybody. Don’t you know how to keep a secret?”
“I do, but sometimes I like to let people know how things are going to go down ahead of time. That way, they’ll be prepared.”
“Well, I don’t think no one will be prepared for this.”
As those words left my mouth, Derinda backed away from Demetrious’ hold. That was when he looked down and saw the knife being aimed at his midsection. The smirk on his face vanished; he backed away from her with his hands in the air.
“Really?” He showed no fear at all. “This is what it has come to, huh? After all these years together, you want to kill me? Put the knife down, baby, and stop all this nonsense.”
“He is so charming,” Monai admitted. “And looking at this from the other side makes me want to puke. I can’t believe I fell for his bull.”
“That’s because you were seeking love by any means necessary with the wrong man. You weren’t satisfied with me, but we won’t even go there again.”
She playfully cut her eyes at me. “No, let’s not go there, okay? And stop talking to me. I’m trying to see what’s going to happen next.”
We tuned in again, as Derinda stood with the knife trembling in her hand. Tears streamed down her face as she mean mugged Demetrious.
“No, I’m not going to kill you,” she said. “I can’t kill you. I love you too much to do it, but he doesn’t love you at all. All he wanted was a piece of ass.”
Fredo came from the kitchen, and without saying one word, he lifted a gun and fired one bullet into Demetrious’ chest. His body slammed against the wall behind him, and as his hand trembled over his bloody chest, he looked at Derinda with fluttering eyes.
“Why?” he asked. “How . . . How could you do this to me?”
To our surprise, Fredo answered when he turned the gun to Derinda and fired a bullet into her stomach.
“No more freaking babies by this loser,” he shouted. “You die and he die too. Hell, you all die, ya hear me! All of you!”
Derinda’s eyes widened; she was shocked that Fredo didn’t follow their plan. Her body dropped to the floor, and before Fredo left, he was sure to finish Demetrious off by putting two more bullets in his head. The whole thing was too much for Monai. She turned to me and buried her head against my chest.
“It’s over, baby. It’s all over with now,” I said. “We can go.”
Monai nodded and we made our exit. As we talked later that night, I reminded her that you always reap what you sow. Demetrious had gotten exactly what he deserved, yet it was unfortunate that Derinda and her unborn child had to suffer too.
“He did it to us,” Monai said. “And nearly the same thing happened to him.”
“Absolutely. And, eventually, Fredo will have to pay too.”
“You’re so right.
I’m starting to understand all of this a little better, but I know it’s going to take more time.”
“It will. I’m still learning some things too, and you must understand that there is a plan for people like Demetrious. Every step of his demise had been masterfully planned. Not by me, though. I was only, well, you already know, don’t you?”
Monai pecked my lips and smiled. “Yes, I do know. You and I are both—” she paused and we said it in unison.
“Not ghosts, but angels.”
“Spirits,” I added.
“Call us whatever you want. I’m not disputing this with you tonight.”
“Don’t because you’ll never win an argument with me.”
We went on and on about this subject. At the end of the day, who we were, wasn’t determined by us. It was determined by the people whose lives we protected and/or disrupted every single day. Good and bad things happened, for a reason of course. For me and Monai, though, life was all good.
Black Love Page 10
