Insatiable Revenge

by Cynthia Freeman Gibbs

“Alright. So, what else?”

  “Evidently, according to Brinson, we didn’t use a condom either.”

  “What?” Savvy screeched.

  “Stop yelling in my ear. You’re going to bust my eardrum.”

  “Oh. My. God.” Savvy lowered her voice. “What were you thinking?”

  “I wasn’t thinking at all. I didn’t realize it until he told me,” Olivia said in sorrow. “I’m afraid of getting an STD. Or worse, pregnant by either one of them.”

  Savvy laid her head back on the sofa. She had to soak in everything Olivia said. “You need to get to a doctor right away. They need to check you out from the rooter to the tooter. Even if you don’t have an STD, request a shot of something in case there is residual of some disease lurking in there.”

  “You are too funny.” Olivia laughed.

  Savvy didn’t see the humor. “I’m serious. You need to get a complete workup and a pregnancy test. It wouldn’t hurt to set up an appointment with someone about your memory. Two times of having sex with men and forgetting? Something may be wrong with you.”

  Olivia let out a labored sigh. “Stop scaring me.”

  “We better pray you aren’t preggo. You know how much I love being an aunt. Although considering your current circumstances, this is not the time to have a baby.”

  “Duh. Don’t you think I realize that? I wouldn’t even know who the father is unless I have a DNA test done, too.”

  “Oh, snap. What if you’re pregnant with Brinson’s child? What would you do?”

  “I would know right at birth. The baby would have his Mr. Magoo eyes.” Olivia chuckled.

  “Quit playin’, Olivia.” Savvy’s voice rose an octave. “Do you understand how complicated this is?”

  “Savvy, I’m trying to lighten the mood to keep myself from jumping off a cliff. Okay? I’ve been laying here for hours trying to figure out my life. I appreciate your concern. Trust me, I’ve covered every scenario in my head,” Olivia cried. “I’m scared right about now.”

  Savvy realized she needed to stop being too harsh. “I’m sorry. I know you aren’t taking this all lightly. What will you do?”

  “I would have to have the baby. In the meantime, I’m praying I’m not pregnant. My life is already a mess. Imagine me having to raise another child on my own. I would lose my mind.” Olivia let out a sigh. “I’ll call my doctor right away to get an appointment.”

  “Okay. What are you going to do about Brinson?”

  “His lying behind? Oh. I’m going to give him a piece of my mind. Believe that.” Olivia paused. “Speak of the devil. This is him calling me right now. Let me drop my new knowledge on him. Thanks for the intel.”

  THIRTY-SIX

  Olivia

  “Hey, baby. I’m thinking about you,” Brinson crooned into the phone.

  “Oh, unh-uh.” Olivia gritted her teeth. Her hand opened and closed into a fist. “I need you to lose my number right now and don’t call me again.”

  “What? You’re playin’ right?” Brinson sounded shocked. “Olivia. It’s me. Brinson.”

  “Fool. I know who this is. I don’t deal with liars. I’ve dealt with enough con artists to last me a lifetime,” Olivia snarled.

  “What are you talking about? I haven’t lied to you about anything.”

  Olivia threw her free hand into the air in disbelief. “And there we have another lie. You don’t even know how to stop.”

  “Olivia. Quit playin’ and tell me what you’re talking about,” Brinson pleaded.

  “Okay. Tell me where and when you attended college.” Olivia plopped onto a chair in the kitchen. She drummed her right-hand fingers on the table and waited for an answer.

  “I told you last night. Maybe you were too drunk to remember. TUWO. In Oklahoma,” Brinson stated with confidence.

  “What years were you there?”

  “I graduated in ‘91. It took me longer than planned. Is that what this all about? You’re wondering why I extended my time in school?” Brinson inquired with a chuckle.

  Olivia didn’t stop her drill. “I don’t care about that. What year did you pledge Alpha?”

  “Um. 1988 or ‘89. Like I told you. Are we done with this inquisition yet?” Brinson’s voice hinted at his impatience with her questions.

  “How many line brothers did you have?” Olivia pressed.

  “Dang, girl. I don’t know. I pledged a long time ago.”

  “Brinson. Although I haven’t pledged anything, I know most people remember how many people were on their line. So, how many were there?”

  “Well, damn. I guess about ten of us. Why?”

  “Ten, huh? Um-hmm,” Olivia said with confirmed suspicion.

  “Yes, ten. Are you happy now?” Brinson snapped.

  “Bingo. You have officially confirmed you are a low-down, dirty, liar,” Olivia said in a reserved voice.

  “What? Woman, what are you talking about?” Brinson asked.

  “Are you going to act as if you weren’t lying with your answers to my questions? I’m going to give you an opportunity to confess. Tell me the truth, Brinson. You never pledged Alpha and you dropped out of college after your freshman year. On top of that, you got in trouble for credit card fraud.”

  Brinson stammered, “W-where are you getting this nonsense from? Why would I lie to you?”

  “Exactly. Why would you lie to me?”

  “You know. Women like you will never get a man. Always accusing a brother of doing something he ain’t doin’.” Brinson’s voice elevated. “So-called Christians like you are exactly why people run away from the church.”

  “Excuse me? I know you aren’t trying to twist the truth around. You’re a trip,” Olivia replied in disgust.

  “You’re the kind of woman who needs to be taught a lesson about messin’ around with men’s hearts. I gave you my all last night. This is what I get in return?”

  Olivia was confused. He sounded belligerent and wasn’t making sense. “Brinson. I don’t even remember being with you last night. I think that fact speaks for itself if you gave me your all. I’m going to get off the phone now. Don’t call me again.”

  “Just like the slut that you are,” Brinson hissed.

  Olivia’s neck warmed with anger. She considered going toe-to-toe with him and cussing him out. Instead, she pressed the button to end the call. He didn’t deserve any more of her energy.

  Lifting her eyes to heaven, she prayed for the Lord to strike her with a lightning bolt if she ever fooled around with someone like Brinson again.

  Reality set in. She scrolled through her contact list to make a call. She examined her nails waiting for the weekend answering service to pick up.

  Olivia cleared her throat. “Yes. Hi. This is Olivia Maxwell. I need to make an appointment with Dr. Vajajay. How long do I need to wait to have a pregnancy test done and get an STD screening?” Olivia paused. “I have to wait that long?

  Okay. I want the first one available. It’s urgent.”

  THIRTY-SEVEN

  Savvy

  Savvy stood with her sorority sister in a parking lot of the library where they’d finished a committee meeting. The cool evening wind whipped around their red jackets as they prepared to head home. Following a busy week at work, she welcomed time to focus on public service.

  “Patricia, I’m excited about what you and the Social Action committee presented about holding a seminar on human trafficking,” Savvy said. She held a box in her arms. “I gathered a bunch of pamphlets to hand out to everyone to get them to attend.”

  Patricia’s face filled with a gentle smile. “Girl, you know the sense of urgency to raise awareness about this issue in our community. It’s scary considering how many people are affected right here in San Antonio.”

  Savvy nodded her head in agreement. “The information from the Sheriff about Bexar County being a hotbed for human trafficking is a harsh reality. The statistics are scary and dangerous.” />
  “I know, right? Parents and kids need to be made aware about how serious this problem is. The more we provide the education, the better chance we have of protecting these children,” Patricia responded with passion. “I’m impressed with what the organization, Ransomed Life, provides to redeem and restore exploited youth.”

  “They are doing amazing work. I’ll invite everyone I know to attend our event in January. We need to get this problem controlled. The work of Delta is never done.” Savvy reached out to Patricia for a hug. “Drive home safely and we’ll catch up later. Love you.”

  “Right, Soror. We have a lot to do,” Patricia said. “I love you too.” Patricia hugged her back. “Where are you parked?”

  “I’m around the corner on the street,” Savvy replied.

  “Come on. Jump in with me and I’ll drive you.” Patricia opened the door to her car.

  “Naw. Thanks. I’m good. My car is right there.” Savvy nodded toward her vehicle on the street. “It’s a trip how we have better lighting out here now with gentrification in this neighborhood.”

  “I haven’t seen this many white people walking and riding bikes in this area, ever,” Patricia said. “I’ll sit here until I see you get in your car.”

  “Alright, thanks.” Savvy headed past the cars of her sorority sisters who were still inside the building.

  She balanced the box of brochures on her arm and fished in her purse for the keys. “Goodness, this box is heavier than I thought.” After popping the trunk open, she raised her hand to Patricia to signal she could leave. Patricia honked the horn and drove away.

  As Savvy took steps toward the trunk, her phone vibrated in her crossbody purse. The keys almost slipped from her hand to the ground as she fumbled for the cell and attempted to hold on to the box.

  She managed to glance at the phone screen. “Kolby. Not again.” Savvy mumbled and let out a long breath.

  “Not me again, huh?” a voice said in the darkness.

  “Aah,” Savvy screamed. Startled, she dropped the box and the brochures spilled out onto the pavement.

  Kolby emerged in front of her with his phone in his hand. He wore a green Boston Celtics sweatshirt and matching baseball hat, which put a shadow on his face. His jeans sat low on his hips with plaid boxers showing. His eyes narrowed with a slight twist of his neck. “I guess you weren’t expecting me.”

  The pit of Savvy’s stomach knotted up. “Kolby. What are you doing here? You scared me.” Thoughts about human trafficking surged through her mind. She wrapped her hand around the pepper spray attached to the keychain.

  “Sweetie. I needed you. I’ve been calling and texting you all night. You didn’t answer and never called me back.” Kolby shifted from one foot to the other in a rocking motion. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

  “Well, you did. Why are you creeping up on me like this?” Savvy asked in as much of a controlled voice as she could muster. “I had the ringer off since I headed into the meeting. How did you know to find me here?”

  Kolby smiled and his cheeks dimpled. “I peeped you leaving the gas station. You know, the one where we met. I figured since you weren’t answering my calls, I needed to find a way to get in front of you.” He kneeled on one knee and began gathering the brochures back into the dropped box. His jeans sagged almost to the bottom of his behind. Kolby reached back to unsuccessfully hitch them up. His eyes stayed on her as if in a trance.

  Savvy inched her away around to the front of the car. Thoughts of running toward her sorority sisters, who were still congregating at a close distance, crossed her mind. “You followed me?”

  Kolby stood, walked to the trunk, and placed the box inside before closing it. He took his time, wiping his hands on his jeans before answering. “Sweetie. You don’t understand how much I hate to be ignored.” He stared with hypnotizing intensity and slid toward her.

  Savvy jumped back. “What do you want, Kolby?”

  Kolby placed the heels of his feet together and placed his hands in front of him like a teepee. A common stance for him. “I want some of your time. It’s not every day I get to meet a woman like you. You don’t know me, which is why you’re scared. I need to show you how I’m a good man. I don’t have the same temper I used to have.”

  Savvy put a hand on her hip. “Well, following someone and sneaking up on them on a dark street is not a good way to show any of what you intended. This isn’t working for me.” Savvy shook her head and turned to step toward the library.

  Kolby snatched her by the inside of her wrist. His eyes flashed with anger. “Why are you trippin’? Ain’t nobody tryin’ to hurt you.”

  “Stop it, Kolby. You’re hurting me.” Savvy tried to wrench her arm away. His grip tightened to hold her in place. He jerked her closer to him.

  Kolby’s warm breath floated on her face as he spoke between gritted teeth. The smell of liquor wafted up to her nose. “Woman. You need to stop running from me.” He overpowered Savvy by yanking her toward bushes in the shadows behind them causing her to stumble and fall.

  Excruciating pain shot through her knees which scraped the ground in her jeans as he continued to jerk her arm. “Kolby, let me go.” Savvy struggled to get onto her feet.

  “I’m gonna teach you a lesson for not treating your man right.” He drew one hand back and slapped her hard in the face.

  “Aah,” Savvy screamed in pain, and spots blurred her vision. Fright filled her mind. No one passed on the street to stop him from attacking her. Gathering everything in her to escape, she screamed as loud as she could. “Help. Let me go. Somebody, help me. Fire. Fire.”

  Savvy held pepper spray in her free hand. The switch failed to flip open. She implemented a move she learned in a self-defense class. She swung the hand he held up into the inside of his grip and straight down to break loose from his grasp. Once she realized she’d broken free, she bolted toward the library, yelling, “Help. Help.”

  The sound of Kolby’s shoes hitting the pavement coming toward her, pounded in her ears.

  Four sorority sisters glanced toward her and dashed from in front of the library. “Hey. Get away from her.” Tracy grabbed Savvy and blocked Kolby from getting closer.

  “I’m calling the police,” Betty yelled and whipped out a phone.

  Another sorority sister, JaLeesa, had multiple belts as a martial arts expert who could whoop his behind. She took steps toward Kolby without fear. “You better not lay another hand on Savvy. Otherwise, you’ll have to deal with me,” she snarled and stood ready to pounce.

  Kolby laughed to mock her and positioned himself in front of JaLeesa with his arms folded. “Oh. You girls are funny. Ain’t nobody trying to hurt her. Go back inside and leave us the hell alone.”

  JaLeesa stomped her foot toward Kolby. “I’m not playing with you. You need to go. Now.”

  Kolby stopped in his tracks. Something in JaLeesa’s voice communicated to everyone about her seriousness. “Savvy. Sweetie. Tell your posse to go away. Come on now. This is what happens when women get out of place.”

  Six more ladies marched toward them, decked out like a red army. They linked arms with JaLeesa and formed a barrier around Savvy. She felt protected as each woman, of different height and size, stared Kolby down and stood ready for anything he tried to do. Bonded together, they were strong enough to protect their sister.

  JaLeesa spoke again. “Correction. This is what happens when women get in place.” A siren blared in the distance.

  “Okay. Y'all real cute and think you’re doing something.” Kolby nodded his head slowly. He pointed his finger at each woman as he retreated. He stretched his neck to get a glimpse of Savvy. “Alright, sweetie. I’m out. I’ll call you later.” Kolby held his jeans with one hand and jogged down the street away from the ladies.

  The women stayed in position until they couldn’t see him anymore. They released arms and hugged one another. Each one offered words of comfort to Savvy simultaneously.

&
nbsp; “Are you okay, Soror?”

  “We got you. It’s alright.”

  “He won’t be coming around here anymore.”

  “Girl. Who was that?”

  “I’ll follow you home.”

  A police cruiser sped toward them with its siren blaring. An officer parked and got out of the car. “Everything alright, ladies?”

  “We’re fine. If you hurry and drive down this street, you may be able to find the man who attacked her,” Tracy pointed at Savvy. “He had on an ugly, green Boston Celtic sweatshirt. You can’t miss him. This is Spurs country around here.”

  “Did you know him?” the officer asked Savvy.

  Savvy, still stunned, nodded. “Yes. His name is Kolby. Kolby Alfredson.”

  “What did he do to you?”

  “He slapped me and tried to force me into the bushes right there.” Savvy pointed to where Kolby attacked her.

  The officer thanked them before jumping back into the cruiser. She sped off down the street in the direction Kolby headed.

  Tracy rubbed Savvy’s shoulder. “Are you okay, Sis? You’re going to need to put some ice on your face. It’s turning red and I see his handprint on your cheek.”

  Savvy raised her hand to her face where it still stung. “I’ll be okay. Just a bit shaken right now. I’m ready to get out of here. Thank you, Sorors.”

  “Alright. Everyone good?” JaLeesa asked the group.

  All the women responded in the affirmative. Betty spoke up. “Tracy and I are going in the same direction as Savvy. We’ll follow her home.”

  “We’ll go in with her and make sure her place is okay,” Tracy chimed in.

  Savvy’s eyes welled with tears. “I can always count on my sisters to step in and handle business.”

  “No doubt,” JaLeesa said.

  Everyone hugged again before trekking to their cars and recapping the scene from the night.

  Once in her vehicle, Savvy let out a breath of relief. She checked outside the window and noticed Tracy and Betty waiting for her to leave.

  Her phone rang and JaLeesa’s name showed on the dashboard. “Hey. Thank you for helping me out.”