And I Trusted You

by Jamela

  “Good, glad to hear it. You try to get some rest and hopefully we’ll have good news soon.” Woodson says.

  We go back home. I walk into the kitchen and immediately begin preparing a meal. Ed doesn’t say anything. I’m slamming cabinets, then dicing onions, celery and bell peppers. I’ve got my eggs sitting on the counter and a large bowl with milk and sugar. I don’t have any music on and she’s moving with lightning speed. Ed can see I’m on edge. He knows from experience to stay out of my way. Time passes and I have been in the kitchen all day long. The boys come home from school and I’m still cooking. I instruct the boys to get Ed to help them with their homework while continue what I’m doing. Finally around 6 o’clock, I announce that dinner is done.

  Just as we were about to pray the phone rings. I get up to answer it. “Hello. Yes, this is she. Oh. Thank you. I’ll see you soon.” I say then hang up.

  I come back to the table and nod to Ed to go ahead with the prayer. He finishes and we begin to eat. There is a thanksgiving spread of food. We have a meatloaf, homemade dressing, baked hen, collards, kidney beans, mashed potatoes, rice, gravy, candied yams, fried okra, cornbread, banana pudding, sour cream pound cake and iced tea. The boys are excited about all of the food. They aren’t used to getting this much food and it not being a weekend. They all eat with gusto. Then the doorbell rings. I get up to answer the door.

  I look out the window to make sure of whom it was. Opening the door, I say, “Hello officer. We can go into the office to talk.” I motion for Ed to join me as the boys look confused about what is going on. They have never seen this officer before. Once we are inside the office, the door is closed. Officer Woodson begins by saying, “First off I wanted to thank you for coming down to the station on such last minute notice. Secondly, we have the test results back. They are a match.” She smiles at me.

  “Oh, my God. You mean you’ve caught him?” I say slumping into a seat.

  “Yes. You helped to catch him. Number five was the man we were questioning. I couldn’t give you that information for fear of tainting your judgment. Anyway, we have enough evidence and the prosecutor is getting the case together. What I need to know from you is if you are willing to testify, if needed, in open court.” Woodson says carefully.

  “I would not want to, but if it’s the only way, then I’ll do it. I realized today I can’t let him win. He took something from me and I can’t let him take my life as well. I’ll do what I have to, to put him behind bars.” I say as Ed rubs my back.

  “The fact that we have other evidence and your lineup results, helped put a super rush on the results. The lab is in the building, so they worked on it all day to get it pushed through. You were a big help in catching this guy.” Officer Woodson points out

  The officer leaves and the family goes back to dinner. Ed explains to the boys that something happened at Tasha’s job and the police came by to speak with them about it.

  **********

  “Curtis B. Lawson you will be spending some time here with us for the rape and attack on Tasha Burrows.” Says Woodson.

  “You don’t believe I did that. Besides, I saw her that morning when I brought her breakfast and she was fine. I didn’t do it.” Curtis says frowning.

  “Sure. Now you can make one phone call. They have already read you your rights. You didn’t break her after all you know.” Woodson says leaving the cell.

  Curtis sits on the small cot and remembers the feel of being inside Tasha. “Dang”, I thought “I was so careful at that shop.”

  The End