Love and Beyond Part 3

by Nathan Colston

  She leaned over and kissed him. “Never,” she said with a soft voice.

  Three weeks later, Britney walked out of her room and was on the way to the kitchen when she heard a soft knock on the door. Britney walked to the door. Her eyes opened wide and her heart started pounding in her chest as she took several steps back. ‘Oh my god, what are you doing here?’ “Mr. Daniel. Mr. Jake. This is a surprise. Nice to see you,” she said with a loud, frightened voice that trembled a little.

  Bobby was getting up and started getting dressed. His body went numb immediately as he heard Britney. He walked out of the room fast and to the front room and said in a demanding tone, “Britney, go check on Gloria and the babies.”

  “Nice seeing you,” she blurted out as she walked away fast. Britney walked into the bedroom and closed the door behind her. She ran over to the gun cabinet, opened it, grabbed Stanley’s revolver, and pointed it at the door. Her hands were trembling when she pulled the hammer back on the pistol.

  Gloria said in a panicked, low voice, “Britney, what’s wrong?”

  Britney whispered, “That man is heartless. I am not letting him anywhere near you or the baby.”

  Gloria asked, confused, “Who is heartless?”

  Britney’s voice quivered. “Jake Dillan Coleman. Bobby’s uncle; he will kill anyone, no matter age or gender. He is heartless and very dangerous.”

  Bobby said in a defensive voice, “What do you want, old man?” His eyes never left JD.

  “I haven’t been drinking, son. JD is here with me so you wouldn’t feel threatened about him being here.”

  Bobby nodded and said cautiously, “I always feel threatened by him. I know what he can do. But I ain’t got a reason to fear him. I haven’t done anything to him. Hell, I ain’t even talked to him in I don’t know when. To be honest, I love my uncle JD. I am just afraid of him.”

  JD looked around. “I am proud of you, boy. Diana said you have two kids, girl and boy, along with a pretty woman. We would kinda like to meet them. I didn’t bring my guns in or my knives. We don’t mean no harm. Daniel hasn’t had a drop to drink. I told him if he had a drop while we were visiting your nice family, I would kill him. I know we are not the closest family in the world, son. But we are still family. When there is trouble in the family, I am the first person they call. You must admit it is kind of hard to maybe look after someone I ain’t never seen. Know what I mean, son? If you don’t want to introduce us, I understand. There won’t be no hard feelings. We will walk out of here without any fuss at all.”

  Bobby stepped forward. “Let me smell your breath, old man. No offense, Uncle JD.”

  JD threw his hands up and nodded his head to one side. “None taken, boy. If I had a nice family like you. I would do the same thing.”

  Daniel blew out his breath. Bobby thought for a moment. “Come on in, have a seat over there.”

  JD looked towards the hall. “If I was you, I wouldn’t walk in without knocking first. If there is a gun in this house, I bet she went right to it.”

  “There are several guns. But as nervous as she was, she couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn. But I will take your advice, Uncle JD, and knock before I walk in.” Bobby walked back to the door. “Britney, put the gun down. It’s me,” he said as he walked in. “They gone? What did they want, Bobby?” Britney asked in an anxious, frightened voice,

  “They’re in the living room. They came to see Gloria and the babies.”

  Britney shook her head frantically. “Oh, hell no, Bobby. They aren’t coming anywhere near her or the babies.”

  “Britney, strangers are in town. I know William has people watching us. Just because they ain’t staying here doesn’t mean I don’t know they are watching. If he thinks there is reason to be concerned, then there is. I don’t trust anyone more than uncle JD. He didn’t bring his weapons in. At least that was what he said. One thing I know, JD hasn’t ever lied. They are being more respectful than I have ever seen them. I am glad JD came by. Dad hasn’t had a drop to drink.”

  Britney didn’t say anything. Bobby walked over and took Angelina from Gloria and said, “Gloria, come and meet my uncle and dad.” He fought back tears as he said, “I wish I was closer to them. If uncle JD would have been there, Stanley would be alive.”

  Gloria picked up Robert and followed Bobby. Bobby walked up the hall and into the front room. Daniel looked up. They both could tell he was holding back tears or had teared up. Daniel didn’t say anything, but he could tell JD started to tense up. Bobby walked over to Daniel. “This is Angelina. I call her my little angel. Here, go to Grandpa.”

  He handed her to Daniel. Daniel said with a hint of pride in his voice, “She looks like her father.”

  Bobby said in a teasing tone, “Let’s hope she grows out of it. Her mother is prettier. Honey, this is my father Daniel and his brother Uncle Jake. We call Jake JD, short for Jake Dillan.”

  Jake could tell Britney was terrified. “Britney Farley, you turned out to be a pretty filly,” he said with a smile on his face to try and ease her nervousness.

  Britney blushed a little and smiled slightly. “Thank you, Mr. Jake. I am surprised you’re not out trying to destroy some country or something.”

  JD gave a slight smirk. “I was in the east hunting down a terrorist group.”

  “So what brings you to this neck of the woods? Ain’t no terrorist over here, is there?” It surprised Gloria to hear Britney talk so country.

  “Nothing that we can’t catch. Rebecca called Daniel.” This surprised Bobby and he looked at him. JD continued, “She said someone tried to kill Bobby or his woman or something. She said there were people watching the place all around. She was scared. She told Daniel that he had a couple grandbabies. That was just a couple days after Diana called her father. They both told him that he might want to come and see his grandbabies. Daniel put down the bottle a couple days ago and called me. He was getting the impression that they wanted us to come and look around. So I think we are going to fix up the old home place. Stick around for a little while.” He looked away. “Girl, I wish you wouldn’t look at me like that. I know I am a monster. I could kill you as easy as looking at you. We know that. But I don’t kill people for no reason at all. I never have. Now, I have killed people because they were just in the way. But there was always a purpose.”

  Gloria’s eyes opened slightly wider as he spoke. “I have never just walked up to someone and pulled the trigger for the hell of it. Thought about it but never tried it. I was afraid I would like it too much, so I never done it.”

  Britney smiled slightly. “If you ever start, I do not want to be the first one.”

  JD grinned. “Okay, I will put you on the second or third one.”

  Britney joked nervously. “Fine by me, JD. That gives me time to run.”

  JD said in a slightly serious tone, “Thinking about calling some friends to stick around these neck of the woods.”

  “Are you staying for supper? If so, I will start cooking.”

  Gloria said casually, “Since he is not telling to tell you my name, I am Gloria Parker. Nice to meet the two of you.”

  Daniel looked at her but didn’t say anything because of the way Bobby was looking at him.

  JD gave her an appraising look. “Nice to meet you too, ma’am. Britney, a home-cooked meal. Something I haven’t had for a while now. You twisted my arm.”

  “Okay, I will rustle up your favorite.”

  She started walking away. JD said in a curious tone, “What is my favorite?”

  She called back, “Mac and cheese, baked, of course. Pork & beans with oil sausage, fried okra, mash taters. With pork steaks. Sound about right to you?”

  JD shook his head. “I be damn, girl. I might just want to marry you. You know what they say? The fastest way to a killer’s heart is through his stomach.”

  “Sorry, JD, I am no
t available right now, but if ever I am, I will think about you.”

  JD laughed and said sarcastically, “I bet you will.” She laughed and shook her head and went to the kitchen.

  Gloria handed Robert to Bobby and followed her. Britney started getting things to cook and Gloria started helping her. “I don’t know, but they seem nice to me.”

  “That is what is so frightening. They are putting forth the extra effort for some reason. JD is normally the silent I-want-to-kill-you type. Daniel is normally drunk. If he is off the bottle, something is going on. By the way, all that talk we did about killing was very true. Something tells me that Big Momma called them both. She is the only one that can keep them on a tight leash.”

  “Big Momma?” Gloria asked.

  “Bobby’s aunt. She lives in Maine. Her name is Gina Jackson. She is the only girl in their family. She can make them walk the line and no one knows how. Well, for a little while, that is. Bobby talks to her a lot. I normally call her once a month myself. Best not to ask too many questions and go with the flow.”

  “They are not bad-looking men,” Gloria said with an admiring tone.

  “Most of the men in Bobby’s family do look nice. But Bobby is one of the few that is good. JD killed the mother of his son. The family is glad he didn’t do it in front of his son. They say she was pregnant at the time. I didn’t ask any questions.”

  Gloria smiled. “What is up with this sweet little country girl accent you got going on? You like Bobby’s uncle or something?” Britney smiled but didn’t answer her. They cooked and set the food on the table. The conversation slowed down. When it was done, they all ate. Bobby was nicer to JD than he was to Daniel. Daniel had let him down so many times, he couldn’t look over at him.

  That evening, Gloria was in the shower. Bobby was putting little Bobby in the bed as Britney walked into the nursery. “Bobby, I know that they are your babies. I know your dad has screwed up in your life so many times. But today brought back some good memories. Before the bottle. I am not asking that you forgive him. But if he stays off the bottle, you should let him see Angelina and Little Bobby. Better him coming around than JD. That I know we can agree on. They deserve to know their grandfather. I wouldn’t keep them from him. If he stays on the wagon, he deserves something. I know what you going to say. But still.”

  Bobby sighed and considered for a moment. “Okay, Britney, but the first time I smell liquor on him, he is out. But why would you ask me that?”

  “He never has let me down. When I needed him the most to save you, he was there, Bobby. I never have spoken up for him, at least to you, that is. Time to try and repay him. Besides, something about the Coleman men, they look after their women. Angelina is all Coleman, I can tell you that. She looks just like her daddy.”

  Bobby didn’t say anything, and Britney walked away. Bobby thought, ‘As long as he is around, JD is around, and Britney is afraid of JD. But that is who I want to be around. If there is any other reason that Stanley was shot, then you can bet JD is going to find out. Then whoever it is will get killed, you can just bet that.”

  The next day, Bobby called Daniel. Daniel answered the phone. Bobby said, “Old man, you want to see your granddaughter, come over any time you want. But call before you come. I don’t want to see you except for holidays. Touch the bottle and see my children once, you will never see them again.” Bobby didn’t give him a chance to say anything before he hung up the phone.

  “Thanks, son,” Daniel said into the dead line. He took in a deep breath. He called around and got Britney’s number. Britney looked at her phone and didn’t know the number. She said, “Hello?”

  “Just thought I would call and thank you. I know that boy wouldn’t ever let me see the babies again if you hadn’t said anything.”

  Britney smiled slightly. “You’re welcome, Mr. Daniel. Stay off that bottle and in time he might come around.”

  “Not a drop, Britney. JD bragged about you and your cooking. I think he took a liking to you. So if you see him popping in for a minute or two at a time, it is so you won’t be afraid of him. Don’t be alarmed. Britney. He has served our country for twenty years. Freedom don’t come cheap. Sometimes it takes hard people to do cold things so others like us can sleep safe at night.”

  “I will keep that in mind, Mr. Daniel. You have a nice day now.”

  “Britney, one more thing. He is checking in on the death of that man you were seeing. If anything is happening about that, he is going to find out. He called some friends. A woman by the name of Ashley, they call her Ash. Some guy by the name of Dumas. They call him Dumb Ass a lot. Another guy by the name of Crown. I hear they supposed to be very good.”

  Daniel could tell she was holding back tears as she said, “Thanks, Mr. Daniel. But I don’t think someone would hire a dancer to kill someone. If it’s all the same to you, I would like not to talk about the shooting again, please.”

  “I won’t bring it up again.” She hung up the phone. Daniel stood holding it for a moment and thought, You are family, girl. We look after our own.

  The next few months, JD would come by and say hi and he would stay just a few minutes and leave. Britney got used to seeing him and felt safer that day when he would come by. She had seen him in general several times and talked to him for a minute. People would look at them but keep on walking. Bobby had made a point to see his father for a minute or two at a time when he came to see Angelina.

  Chapter 4

  Troubles Of The Night.

  JD answered his phone. “Yeah.”

  “Jake, we got a lot of traffic passing through, cars stopping on the interstate and letting people out. Cars, vans, and trucks with out of state tags going down every county road within a five-mile radius of your nephew’s house. Something big is going down,” Crown said.

  JD sat up in the bed. “How many do you think?”

  “Couple hundred at least. They are taking positions to surround and flank anyone who would try and assist the vitals.”

  JD turned to get up out of the bed. “Go hot. The moment intentions are confirmed to be hostile, call Paw for backup. Get Ash and Dumas into position. No one breaches that house, you hear me, Crown? No one.”

  “You got it, Jake. Defenses are active and hot.”

  Jake grabbed his guns as he slid his pants on, then grabbed his shirt and walked out the room. “Dan, stay in the house. Anyone walks through that door, shoot first and ask questions later,” he called out as he walked out the door.

  It was the middle of the night when Bobby’s phone rang. Bobby looked at the ID as he answered. “JD, this had better….”

  JD abruptly said, “Shut up.” Bobby sat up in the bed so fast that it even woke Gloria.

  “JD,” he called out.

  “Boy, don’t turn on no lights. Get that woman and kids of yours and tell them to go to the bathroom and lie down on the floor. Get Britney and get to the bathroom as well. Lie down on the floor and make sure you carry a gun. Put the babies in the tub. It’s made of cast-iron; it’ll take a hell of a beating. Close the door, and if it opens without someone calling your middle name, shoot. The shit is about to hit the fan. Lot of people taking position as we speak. Hurry.” He heard Jake say, “Go hot. Any advancing movements towards the house, lite-em-up.”

  “Get the babies, take them to the bathroom, and lie down on the floor. I got Britney. JD said shit is about to hit the fan. Hurry,” Bobby said low as he disconnected the call,

  Gloria got up and got did what he said. “What’s going on, Bobby?” she said as Bobby started running down the hall.

  Bobby opened Britney’s door and the sound of it hitting the wall woke her. She sat up. “Bobby…” Before she could say anything else, Bobby grabbed her arm and started pulling her. “JD said trouble is.” Britney’s hand went to her stomach and her heart started racing when the sound of gunfire started ringing out in the night.
Bobby pulled her faster, and they started running down the hall, ducking low as sounds of things breaking and shattering began. The door had been shut and Bobby slammed into it, opening it. “Bathroom floor now, Britney,” Bobby said as he ran to grab the gun from the gun safe. He saw someone standing at the window. He grabbed a gun and pointed. He dove to take cover as he saw a shooter taking aim at him. Bullets peppered the wall behind him. He sat up to shoot, but before he could, he saw the man’s head fly to the side and his body followed the direction his head went. That was when more gunfire started to ring in the night. Bullets came in through the windows and walls.

  Bobby ran to the bathroom and dove to the floor. Britney stood up and Bobby shouted, “Britney, get down.”

  She grabbed her stomach and said in a pained voice, “Bobby, it hurts, oh, Bobby, it hurts.” Water fell from her and she groaned loud in pain. She bowed over and fell down. Tears rolled down her face and pain was etched in her eyes and face as she started to fall. “Oh, my God! Bobby, my baby, Bobby!”

  “Call JD now!” Bobby shouted as he spun, grabbing her and keeping her from hitting the hard floor.

  Gloria grabbed his phone and dialed JD’s number. She put the phone on speaker. “In case you didn’t know it, I am slightly busy at the moment,” JD barked out.

  “JD, Britney’s water just broke and she has a foot sticking out her. She is having trouble breathing.” His voice was trembling and panicked.

  “Why do women pick the worst times to do shit? Things going to get loud.” Then they heard several explosions. Gloria was holding Britney’s hand with one hand and the baby who was crying with the other.

  Gloria scrambled to get to her. “Hold on, Britney,” Gloria said in a trembling voice as she took hold of her hand.

  A few moments later, Bobby heard someone in the bedroom and a woman said, “Covered, move now, Mack, friendly fire is in the bedroom.”

  It wasn’t long before the door opened. JD came walking in. He looked at Britney and then he punched her. Her head went sideways, and she was out. Bobby yelled, “What the hell, JD!”