Bart saw nothing but red. The last couple of days had culminated into more than any one man could stand. He had been trying to find a way of keeping his son’s respect for him - ha! He was most certainly Gert’s and Edwin’s son - all that he’d just learned was proof enough that was the way - they - were. Humiliation and burning shame was eating him alive.
* * *
Shawn had been on the phone the last hour with Lowell James & Paul Pewsey. The only one missing from their group was Merriam Styles. She was the one that brought him, Shawn into the group because he had the same coloring as her son. She’d taken his death hard and bought Shawn, to fill the void. Because of her, he’d been able to leave the world of porn behind for good. Because of her, he’d met Paul and coming back to the US from his European tour with her, he’d gone to school. When he came out it was to be set up with PenTab publishing after Lowell James brought him in. He saw his work and knew he was right for their book cover artist… again, thanks to Merriam Styles. Because of her connections, they became his connections. Paul already knew most of his ugly history in L.A. however Lowell James needed to hear it. Shawn left nothing out. He told him everything all that was absolutely true. Then explained the true facts of the distorted and twisted stories they were driving, surrounding the little girl and his daughter. Next came questions about the mansion and the money that had come out as well. Shawn felt stripped bare and forced to run naked while being thrashed with a whip before his family and children. In fact, he would have rather been whipped than have all of this come out. Now because of him his wife, and children were made to suffer through it. To see his son, fighting - beating the heck out of a report in his behalf, put a lump in his throat. His children deserved better than this. His family deserved better than this. His wife - almost 8 months pregnant… deserved better than this, especially after the life she’d had, the hell she’d endured with Armundo. Now, it was all out. Including the money he borrowed from Deidre to find out about Armundo. Sylvia had given him a certain look about the money, but because of the stress of it all, she was keeping her thoughts to herself, for now that is. Under the circumstances, for the time being - he had to drop Armundo Payne. After this - his wife, once she learned what he’d kept from her might not wish to be his wife anymore anyway. Why would she? He knew that was a bridge he would have to cross, but would worry over it, when crossing time came. He was beginning to feel that he was no better for her than Armundo.
After he told them about the mansion - whose idea it was, and what brought that all on - he went into detail about how Jeremiah Franklin questioned him concerning Oscar T. Wherrington. Following the shooting, Deidre feared for Angela’s life, and the solution was the mansion with a panic room. He went from that to telling him about Armundo Payne and his fears. Paul knew about it all and backed him confirming that it was all true. Thus, Shawn admitted secretly borrowing the money to use for bribing in hopes of having Armundo’s body exhumed.
By the time all was explained, Lowell James was spinning, “Bloody hell mate, your life should be a bleedin’ novel. Tell your wife to write a book about you, it’ll sell.” He joked trying to lighten the mood. Outside of Paul giving a chuckle, there was nothing from Shawn, he could not be brought up from his low with what loomed above him. In truth, he was waiting for the other shoes to fall. Realizing this, Lowell James exhaled, “I was going to have you fly out here, but-…”
“Sorry, I’m not leaving my family. I’ve told you all I can. Whether I’m there or here will make no difference. I need to get my family in and safe. This is going to bring out all the worse there is around here - not to mention those that don’t like me anyway.”
“Right - as I was saying - you’ll be needed there - with your family - so there’s no sense in you coming now.” Lowell informed him as that was what he was going to say, “Leave everything to me and Paul - be patient, don’t agree to any interviews unless I set it up for you? Right?”
“Understood.”
“Besides this, anything I can do for you?” Lowell offered.
“Look out for my son.”
“Already sorted. In fact, he called me just a moment ago. He’ll be flying home with your ex-wife and her boyfriend attorney. They’re going there to stand with you and explain things to the media - shed a better light on matters.”
“I see - thanks.”
“Take care thee’sin - tara.” Lowell slipped on and off into his Northern Yorkshire accent.
The three ways call ended. While he’d been on the call, his additional phone lines had been flashing. They were dark now. He checked to see who he’d missed on the caller ID to find that Deidre, his wife, his mother - Jake, Vivian and Dennis from Chicago. Last, he received a call from Derrick. No doubt all phoned to alert him, talk to him. He felt tired already and this battle had just begun. He knew he’d have to suit up in his emotional armor in order not to feel - so that he could protect his family. He would wait until later to feel. First things first… his wife and Mama Jojo. He was sure they were still over at the B & B. He wondered had their check-ins shown up? He’d bet that they’d canceled. He’d had three appointments that day for photo sessions, one of them a family set - no shows. When Shawn looked up, Ivory Saitama stood in his door.
“Boss’s orders, I’ve got to gather everyone in.” He explained his reasons for being there. “Dave,” -(the hired driver)-, “Is on his way to pick-up your daughters. Crystal, Angela and the boys.”
Shawn wasn’t in the mood to talk anymore. But for once, he was thankful. After bringing Mama Jojo and his wife in, his plan had been to go for Crystal, the boys and yes, his daughter. It was nice to know part of his need was being seen to. He didn’t need to know who “boss” was - all was clear who the players were. He’d said all he felt like saying on the phone with Lowell and Paul. He simply stood and made his way out of the studio leaving Ivory to follow. And tossed back at him a half-hearted, “Thanks,” Not that he didn’t mean it, but - he knew what was coming, hell was on its way. He was trying not to think, not to look back, not to look forward - he just wanted to get his family inside the mansion where it was safe. That’s all he wanted at that particular moment. He needed to put his matters in order before this all cut him in half. What he was expecting…
Deidre
Cancellations
Family arriving
Threats
Attacks
Police
Possible arrest depending on how things swung.
For now, he needed to put his heart and soul behind him, Sylvia far behind him so that she was out of the line of fire.
His mobile started vibrating. He’d turned it down while on the phone. He pulled it out to see that it was his wife. Answering he said right away, “I’m almost at your door. Shut everything down, I’m coming for you and Mama Jojo.” He hung up because they were stepping over the curb, on to the lawn and heading into the open garage. The two men moved with a purpose and were at the door opening it within a few moments of him clicking the phone off.
“Oh Shawn!” Sylvia whipped at her tears, “Have you been watching?”
“Let’s go, I want you across the road and in the house. No time to talk about it now.” Shawn’s authority was absolute. Having dealt with him before, Sylvia did as she was told - she was out of her seat and passing before him - saying nothing more. Ivory had Mama Jojo and had no choice but to follow her pace, but she moved faster than either of them thought she could. She was from the old world. The one where moving slow could get your killed. The days of KKK lynchings and burnings - had prepared her for this, even in her age, she knew - move fast first, talk later.
The driver Dave picked up Crystal and her boys first. She was more than ready to go because she and Victor were arguing, once more about Shawn. “You not taking my boys to that house! The man’s a pedophile!”
“Stop - saying that! He is NOT!” Crystal defended for the third time.
“It’s all over the news - what’a’yah mean he’s not!?” He
shouted at her incredulously, “It wouldn’t be on the news Crystal if it wasn’t so and my boys aren’t going anywhere near him! He’s probably a fag too who likes - DON’T even think about it!” he warned as she was on the verge of attacking him. He could see it in her eyes, her body language - she’d just stepped to him as if wanting to go for him.
Breathing hard and deep, Crystal forced herself to turn away from him. She went back to putting her boy’s coats on. The driver was waiting on the porch for them to come out.
“Crystal, why are you pushing this? What is it with you and that man - Shawn? He - is not - your father! He is not - your blood anything! He’s just a loser that not even your mother can see through - I can’t believe she’s fallen for such a-…”
“Will you shut up! Will you just shut up and stay out of it?!”
“NO! I will not shut up, taking my boys into that mess, no way! I’m their parent too - you should be ashamed of yourself, how can you ignore all that’s been said about him? Proven about him? What is up with you? You got a thing for him or something?”
Crystal couldn’t believe he said that, “You make me sick! You would think something so low as that!”
“Hey, I’m just trying to understand? I don’t get it-…”
“You don’t need to get it Victor - I don’t care if you don’t get it! I’m going - I don’t care what you say!”
“You can go wherever the heck you want, but you not taking my boys!”
“Yes I am!”
“Have you lost your frickin’ mind? Huh?! You know what, now - I really do believe you’re crazy - he’s been MOLESTING HIS OWN DAUGHTER!”
“I DON’T BELIEVE IT! I don’t believe it!” She proclaimed with tears in her eyes, “If that were true, she wouldn’t be with him. Angela loves him. She’s not afraid of him. She’s not disgusted by him. She doesn’t - hate - him.” She snarled through a tight clinched jaw, “If he did those things, she would - she would.” She swore with an intensity that came from the core of her guts.
“How would you know how she’d be, you don’t know!”
“I know! I know because I - hate - my father. God knows… I’m glad he’s dead! I don’t even like to see pictures of him. Little girls can’t love their father if he’s - touching them. That, I do know.” Using her shoulder to catch a few rolling tears, she grabbed her sons and rushed to the door, where Dave the driver stood, pretending he hadn’t heard all of that. Yet, red faced, he looked away from Crystal leading the way with a watchful eye to the powerful Humvee. All he could think of was that there were times that he hated his job. He saw things, and heard things that told him full and clear what a messed up world this was.
Victor stood with his mouth dropped open in surprise. He hadn’t expected that. Yet, now - finally - after all this time, everything made sense. He couldn’t believe it, but knew that it was true. Finally, he got it, all fit into place as to why his wife was chaotic, wild and unstable - she was the worst kind of broken. He backed up and sat down. Suddenly, he wasn’t sure if he could handle that - it was heavier than he knew how to deal with. He wasn’t sure he was cut out for that kind of mental hang-up. Instead of feeling compassion of the heart, he was worried that she just might be the kind of crazy - that was dangerous. As far as he knew, that kind of thing happened most in the ghettos, in the country where poor black people bred among themselves. That’s the kind of thing he’d heard. Father’s sleeping with their daughters. Victor didn’t know what that meant about whom she was, or what to do with what he now knew.
On the way now to get Angela, Crystal’s emotional state was on edge. Having argued with Victor about Shawn, about something as horrendous as this controversy was shocking. Her hormones had her sad, angry, up, down and sometimes so stressed out she didn’t know if she were coming or going. Not to mention the constant haunting of Ben. She longed for him so badly sometimes it was almost to the point of weeping. He was going to be harder to get over than she ever imagined. Not only that, but there wasn’t a week that went by that she and Victor weren’t arguing about something.
Now this - he had this to throw in her face.
The worst of it of all - they were reporting that he’d been recently arrested in Madison, because Angela claimed he had touched her. The idea of that was blowing Crystal away, “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, please… please don’t let that be true. It can’t be. I just can’t… believe it - not Shawn… please not Shawn.” She chewed on her bottom lip worrying over it.
When they arrived at the school, the office counselor stood inside with Angela at the door, looking out for Dave to pull up. Who jumped out opening the door for her. Once she was in and buckled up, they were off again. Angela sat with her stomach tied in knots. Feeling ashamed, she’d looked up at Crystal across the way to see a strange and different look on her face - one different from the way she usually greeted her.
Angela knew what was going on because she had been pulled from her class and brought to the office out of concern for her welfare. The principle and office counselor brought her into his office and began questioning her. The school of teachers and authorities were blown away by what was on the news. Because she was at a loss of words to answer them, not sure what they were talking about, they let her watch one of the full reports, from the very beginning, to the end. Angela had sat stunned, her eyes growing bigger, her skin burning, her heart hurting - her world suddenly crashing down around her. And the most horrific of it all was that she’d added the worst of all to it.
Her lie!
It was helping to destroy her father.
Tears came to her eyes - they were telling the whole wide world her lie. Making him out to be a terrible and nasty person so that nobody liked him. She glanced up at the counselor, the principle, and the office nurse as well, who had joined them. “It’s not true!” She suddenly cried out, looking at each of them, “It’s not true, my dad is not that way! He’s the best dad ever, in the whole wide world! It’s not - true! I lied - I lied!”
The office assistant was on the phone trying to reach her mother, who was calling on another line. The assistant answered it and before she could say anything, Deidre was informing them that her driver who usually picked her up was coming now to get her. Despite what Angela was claiming, the assistant asked, “On the news, what they’re saying about her father - do you think it wise that she’s staying with him? Under the circumstances?”
“Have my daughter at the door and ready to go. Thank you.” Deidre hung up, completely ignoring the assistant’s inquiry.
Now in the Humvee safe and sound, Dave pulled away to take them home to safety.
Needing to break the uncomfortable silence, and to find out what Crystal knew, Angela asked, “Have you see the news?”
“Yes - I have. What are they talking about Angela? Where’d they get this crazy idea that Papah-Shawn touched you - in a bad way? Where’d that come from? You’re telling me, that the man who is my mother’s husband has bothered you in a way that no man should ever touch his own daughter? He did that to you?”
Angela began shaking her head, her eyes filled with tears, “Nooo, he never - he would never do that Crystal!” She moaned miserably in reply - fighting back crying.
“Where then - did they get that?”
First Angela shrugged, turning red, she chewed her lips a moment, and taking a deep breath admitted her part in all of this, “I - I said it.”
“Wha-a-a-at?! No way - Angela?! Why-y-y?”
“I - I was mad at him. And - I - I didn’t mean it - I - wanted to hurt him-…”
“Mission accomplished Angela!”
Angela whimpered, trying to get her to understand, “I… he - because he - he wouldn’t go back to my mom, so - I…” She shook her head, hating that night, her deed, “It’s not true - he would never do that. I just - I don’t know… I just…” She shrugged as tears rolled, she began wiping them away using the back of her hand.
“Oh my God! Angela - how could you have done thi
s to him? What an ugly, mean and vile thing to say! How horrible! Do you know how lucky you are to have Shawn for your father? Have you any clue at all? Oh my God! I can’t believe it - I can’t believe you did that?! You spoiled little privileged rich girl! You’ve ruined him! You’ve absolutely destroyed your father, because you couldn’t have your way! You don’t deserve a father like Shawn! You don’t deserve him!” She chewed her out, stunned and hurt, shaking her head and wiping at her own tears, she looked away from Angela, for the moment unable to look at her, unaffected by her tears, “I would’ve given anything - anything to have a father like Shawn! You get him - and do this to him. I’ll never understand any reason, for doing something like this - to a father like him. Not ever.” Her eyes stayed out the window, unable to look at Angela.
Who at that moment, wanted to die. She’d hurt the two most important people in her life. Her father and the older sister she worshiped and adored.
She wanted to die.
Trying to repair things, she whimpered humbly, “Maybe my mother can fix it?”
Crystal cut her eyes to her, and for a moment it showed in them, that she didn’t like Angela right then, “Spoken like a true little rich girl,” and mocking her, she pitched her voice to mimic Angela, “…we’ve got money, that’ll fix it. Let me tell you right now little girl - money - cannot - fix - everything!”
Having been watching, familiar with the feelings in the air, Isaac turned to his mother and slapped her hand, like she would do him when bad, scolding her, “Mama, don’ be mean at Angela!”
It worked, it immediately defused her, sighing, she glanced down at her precious little boy, hugged him to her, and kissed his head, knowing he was right, she was being mean to her. She knew how much Angela loved her father. She also knew that she hadn’t a clue of how devastating this would be to him. Feeling bad now, Crystal’s eyes rolled up to meet Angela’s, “I’m sorry Angela, I’m sorry - you can’t help what you are, any more than I can - what I am.”
Beauty of Man and Woman - Volume 13: Bomaw Page 36
