Crossroads: An Anthology

by LaShaun, Elizabeth

  “That’s what the fuck I would like to know,” Riley finally spoke up. He had been listening unseen by anyone for quite some time. Chad immediately knew who Riley was.

  “Have you seen her? How is she doing,” Chad asked wearily. Riley looked at him like he was scum and said nothing.

  “I’m sorry, let me introduce myself, I’m Chad,” he said reaching out his hand, again clueless to what was going on. Pastor Toplin was not and immediately sensed the rage in Riley.

  “I’m Pastor Toplin from Fellowship Baptist. We are just as concerned as you are,” Pastor Toplin said with a smile sickening Riley.

  He could smell a fake a mile away and the good pastor’s stench was strong. “What happened,” Riley said again his blazing eyes on Chad. “I don’t know,” Chad sighed. “She was running to leave and I chased after her…”

  “You don’t know owe this man anything,” Pastor Toplin spoke up, giving Riley a condescending look.

  Turning his attention to Chad he never saw Riley coming. Riley punched him in the jaw and kicked him as the deacons pulled him off of him.

  “I will kick your fake ass,” Riley yelled. “Fuck playing with me and your punk ass,” he said turning his fury onto Chad. “You know what the fuck happened, but you too scared of your bitch ass daddy,” his anger was so high that he was trying with all his might to escape the men’s grasp. “I am going to see your stupid ass, soon. The question I have is, how could you let her fall when she’s pregnant with your child?”

  “What,” Chad and Pastor Toplin said simultaneously as the shocked deacons released Riley and threw questioning glances at Chad. “Is everything alright,” the security guard asked Doctor Blackman. Feeling a genuine sense of concern from both men the doctor excused the guards.

  “Did she,” Chad asked unable to finish the question as the guilt crushed his heart. “Unfortunately, the fetus did not survive,” the doctor answered sorrowfully crushing Chad.

  Pastor Toplin did not allow the smile to come to his lips but his eyes gleamed which was enough for Riley. Before the pastor could react Riley was raining punch after punch on him. Security was still close and quickly came breaking up the fight. Dr. Blackman intervened when the guards put the handcuffs on Riley. He had seen the total disrespect Pastor Toplin had displayed as well.

  “I think it is best that you leave,” the doctor said to Chad.

  Chad was about to protest until he was able to get a good look at his father’s face. Blood was coming from his nose and his eye was swollen. Shaking in his head in defeat, Chad slowly walked away, repulsed at his father and more so at himself.

  ***

  Pastor Toplin was furious when he saw the damage to his face. His nose wasn’t broken but it was close. He had thought about pressing charges against the petty thug but didn’t want the headache.

  “Especially with the bitch still being unconscious,” he mumbled to himself while he looked for his phone in the desk drawer. “He betta answer the fucking phone,” Toplin thought as the phone began to ring. He had been calling the man unsuccessfully for three days now.

  “How can I help you,” the caller answered his annoyance evident.

  “It’s like that Lock,” he asked the man looking at the phone.

  He couldn’t believe the man was talking to him like that. “I know you are doing big things now, making it easy to forget our humble beginnings.

  Ray Lockhart immediately picked up on the underlying meaning and sighed. “I have a lot going on now,” Ray told him the half truth as he scanned the court documents.

  Ray wished Cream would just get to the point of his call. The man had saved his life when they were teens and never let him forget his debt. Slowly, he tuned back into the conversation when Cream finally got to the point. He is such a cocky bastard, Ray thought.

  “You have nothing to worry about. It was a mere accident and you have more than enough witness. She pulled away,” he answered, pinching his nose in irritation. That boy can’t run his own life, so what makes him think he can run for office, Ray brooded as Cream continued to talk.

  “Cream I really have to go, but let the young man be. You said you didn’t want Chad with the lady,” he reasoned and prepared to disconnect.

  Ray felt that he had paid his debt and more to Cream. He had to take care of the situation, but with things in such an uproar on the home front, he might have to outsource. Scrolling through his rolodex, he smiled as he came to the contact.

  ***

  “Uggh,” Riley groaned as he repositioned himself in the hard chair he had been sitting and sleeping in the past three days. Many nights he wanted to get in the bed with Stacy and hold her, but he didn’t, afraid of the damage he could cause. Turning to look at her, he was surprised to see her eyes looking back at him.

  “Hey,” she whispered, the tears rolling down her cheeks.

  “Hey to you,” he smiled rushing to her side. “When did you wake up girl,’ he asked stroking her cheek.

  Stacy explained she had been up for a while and managed to press for the nurse.

  “Are you in pain,” Riley asked and was relieved when she said she wasn’t.

  Without asking, Riley climbed in the bed and lay next to Stacy, holding her tight. Looking deeply into Stacy’s eyes Riley became lost. No doubt, he had many questions that he wanted to ask her, but he didn’t. Riley just wanted this moment of peace to never end.

  “Riley,” Stacy attempted before Riley kissed her lips softly. Stacy shook her head no. She had to say what she had to say. She couldn’t be with him, Janelle, or Chad.

  “Damn it Stacy, stop fighting this because it is going to happen,” Riley said with an edge to his voice startling her. “I am going to be here and you can’t stop me. I am going to love you with everything in me,” he said while wiping her tears.

  “Riley, you don’t want me,” Stacy proclaimed. “You are confused.”

  “No, you were confused,” he chuckled “Real confused, but you finally got it right.”

  Stacy laughed despite herself as her resolve began to crack.

  “You lied to me about that pain too,” Riley said noticing the slight grimace.

  Riley waited until Stacy dozed off to leave. He had to meet Chantrese and tell her it was over. He knew she would be hurt, but he had to honest. Calling the florist and ordering Stacy a get well arrangement he pulled out of the parking lot.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Slow down,” Janelle scolded Chantrese. They were both sprawled across Janelle’s bed naked. Chantrese was busy snorting cocaine off a small compact mirror. Janelle sucked her teeth in total disgust as she observed the woman. Chantrese’s drug habit was her leverage at first to get her to take Riley down. Since they followed Riley at the diner the woman’s habit had worsened.

  “You care about me baby,” Chantrese asked with glassy eyes and hardened nipples.

  Thankfully, Chantrese’s phone rang sparing Janelle from hurting her feelings. Seeing Riley’s name on the caller ID, Chantrese sucked her teeth and answered the phone.

  Janelle was disgusted at Chantrese. Her eyes were glassy and jumpy as she frantically looked in her purse for more drugs. It was amazing how she should sit and have a perfectly normal conversation while cocaine covered her nose like old cake batter. Janelle began to wonder if Chantrese’s habit had worsened or did she just show her true self to Janelle because she was comfortable.

  The frown stayed at bay until Chantrese muted the phone and began brushing the drugs off her nose in her hand and licking it. She was so engrossed in getting high that she was snorting like a vacuum attempting to get every morsel of the powder. Janelle listened to Chantrese talk and wanted to ring her neck. From what she could decipher Stacy was in the hospital and had woken up this morning.

  Junky bitch, Janelle inwardly fumed with a calm face. Chantrese never told her Stacy was in the hospital. Maybe because you keep telling her you love her, her mind threw at her. Janelle decided to play it cool. Once Riley was out the way sh
e would dump Chantrese and fix her and Stacy’s relationship.

  “Simple bastard,” Chantrese huffed after hanging up the phone. “We have to do it tonight,” she threw out nonchalantly searching her purse for more drugs.

  “Why?”

  “He’s going to break up with me tonight,” Chantrese answered dumping the contents of her purse on the bed. “I could hear it in his voice.”

  Why am I stuck with the dumb ass, Janelle wondered as she grabbed Chantrese by her arms and forced her eyes to look into her own.

  “You need to get yourself together Chantrese! We can’t pull this off if you are high out of your mind,” she continued, shaking Chantrese at this point.

  Chantrese wiped her running nose and resumed searching her purse.

  “Stop looking for that shit and listen to me.”

  “Okay, okay I won’t do anymore, but I need some kind of high,” she giggled opening her legs and exposing her hairless pussy.

  ***

  Stacy woke up and discovered she was alone, relief washing over her. It was time that she was honest with herself and move forward. Absently she began to rub her stomach and stopped. Before she could stop them, heavy sobs ransacked her body. Stacy secretly felt the miscarriage was a blessing. She wasn’t prepared to take care of a baby, especially after the hideous experience at the banquet.

  “Lord please give me a sign,” she prayed with a heavy heart. After an hour of prayer she glanced out the window and saw a Whole Foods truck in the hospital parking lot. That’s odd, she thought. There was no Whole Foods store anywhere in the vicinity and it surely wouldn’t be delivering to the hospital. Before Stacy could give it further thought her phone began chirping. It was a text from Riley. It read ‘I love you for you.’

  “OK God, I got the message,” she mumbled as contentment fell over her and she replied. Before long she drifted into a contented sleep.

  ***

  Was she always like this, Riley thought as he opened the car door for Chantrese. They were at her place after a very interesting dinner. Riley shook his head as he recalled how obnoxious Chantrese was acting. She had been extremely rude to the waitress and hostess at the restaurant. Dismissing her actions as irritation that they hadn’t spent any time together Riley endured. He surmised it was the least he could do since he was ending the relationship. His patience was worn thin; however, when she became very raunchy and overly sexual at the table. Honestly, Riley was taken aback by her behavior.

  Walking to her door Riley’s thoughts increased his anger and embarrassment to the point that he had to speak. “Listen Chantrese,” Riley began when they made it to her door. “I have been trying to tell you this all night and…”

  “Riley, I don’t want my business in the streets,” Chantrese chuckled unlocking the door and walking inside.

  Sighing deeply Riley followed wanting to state his piece and leave. He missed Stacy something terrible and wanted to get back to her.

  “Look Chantrese,” Riley said the edge to his voice taking Chantrese by surprise.

  “Riley let me get us a drink and we can talk,” she threw out heading to the kitchen before he was able to reply.

  Just be patient, Riley thought as he sent Stacy a text message. Smiling at the almost instant response, he saw Chantrese return.

  “To happiness,” Chantrese said as they clinked glasses and drank their cocktails. “Now talk,” Chantrese said with a warm smile.

  “Chantrese, you are a nice lady and will make any man happy,” he began. “But unfortunately my heart is with someone else,” he said as sense of warmth washed over him. The smile on Chantrese face was one of malice, but Riley didn’t notice, his eyes focused on Chantrese perky breasts teasing him in the silk halter she had on.

  “Didn’t I make you happy Riley,” she asked with artificial pain lacing her voice.

  Riley mumbled that she did. His vision was becoming blurry and he was seeing double. Instead of being alarmed, he felt an uncontrollable since of pleasure as he now had four breasts to peruse. Slowly Chantrese untied her top exposing her breasts.

  “Don’t you want to for old times sake,” she asked as Riley nodded that he did.

  Something is wrong, Riley inwardly panicked. His eyes were half cast, he was drowsy and horny. His entire body felt tingly and aroused. Standing Chantrese grabbed his hand and led him to her bedroom, winking at Janelle, who was in the closet. Janelle told her to only put one X pill in his drink, but she put two, knowing how freaky the pills made people. She wanted their last fuck to be the best.

  ***

  They sure don’t keep you long, Stacy thought with a chuckle as she began to pack her toiletries. The hospital was discharging her in an hour and she was ecstatic. Her first thought was to call Riley, but decided against it and opted for surprising him. “Let me know when you are ready Ms. Wilson and I will call the cab,” Paula, the nurse’s assistant told her peeking in the door. Stacy told her she would and went to the bathroom to see if she left anythingbehind. Satisfied that everything was packed, she returned to her room and was taken aback by the unwanted visitor.

  “What do you want,” she asked tightly as Chad looked at the floor.

  “I thought I had the wrong room,” he began uncomfortably. “I thought you would be in bed. I know you aren’t being discharged this fast.”

  Stacy started to explain that she was put in a medically induced coma and had been awake for almost two days. She wanted to tell him that she needed a blood transfusion and it was his entire fault.

  “What do you want,” she asked again instead.

  “I’m sorry Stacy,” Chad solemnly replied as she began to fold the other clothes Riley had brought her.

  You sure are sorry, she thought while throwing her jacket into the overnight bag.

  “Can I explain,” Chad asked softly, her silence killing him.

  “I really don’t see what there is to explain. You played me and your father disrespected me,” she spat her blazing eyes on him as he cowered, the words cutting deep.

  “Just what I thought,” she added, completely outdone.

  “Where you ever going to tell me,” he asked taking most of the wind out of Stacy’s sail.

  “Would it have changed things Chad? Could it take back who I am,” she asked quietly.

  “I never meant to hurt you Stacy,” he threw out sincerely. Stacy chuckled at the statement and turned to face him, bag on her shoulder.

  “I know you didn’t, but you did and I must thank you and your father. You opened my eyes to the man I should have been with from the beginning.”

  The anger consuming Stacy began to shrink as she looked into Chad’s eyes. He was a hurt and lost young man. Part of her longed to hold him, help him, but she couldn’t. She needed to help herself and so did he.

  “Goodbye, Chad,” she softly said kissing his cheek.

  ***

  “What the hell,” Riley shouted jumping out the freezing shower. Instantly, he grabbed his head the migraine weakening him. “What happened,” he mumbled as he clumsily made his way to the living room.

  He didn’t see Chantrese, but he saw his clothes sprawled on the floor. Nearing the couch, he saw the crimson stains on the beige carpet. “I know that’s not blood,” he mumbled still holding his head. Making his way to the light switch, he moved it up only to return it to its prior position. The light was killing his eyes. Hearing noise, he followed the noise to Chantrese’s bedroom.

  The room was also dark, with no lighting, the curtains being closed. Riley made his way to the window and pulled back the curtain enough to give the room some light. “Chantrese, Chantrese,” he called yanking on her arm. “What you doing up boy,” she slurred leaning forward and face coming into the light. Riley gasped. She resembled a scary sadistic clown. Blood tinged cocaine covered Chantrese’s once beautiful face, like a mask; her cheeks having a mixture of cocaine and mascara appearing as dirty clay. Her right eye was swollen and her lip was split in several places.

 
; “Who did this to you,” Riley asked forgetting all about his headache.

  “You did,” Chantrese giggled. “After you raped me.”

  Riley quickly let her go, causing her to fall hard on the bed.

  “I didn’t rape you,” he told her as his mind raced trying to remember the night before.

  “That’s what Janelle said,” Chantrese giggled again quite amused with contradicting tears coming from her eyes.

  “Janelle,” Riley hissed as his head really began to spin.

  “Don’t tell me you want Janelle,” Chantrese pouted. “Didn’t I make you feel good Riley,” she asked fondling her nipple. “The boys told me what to do to make you feel good.”

  Riley watched as Chantrese mumbled about one guy after another. Sickened he went to the living room in search of his phone. Finding the device under the coffee table he noticed he had ten missed calls from Stacy and just as many messages. Riley was happy to see that she was out of the hospital and wanted to ring Chantrese and Janelle’s neck for putting him in this mess. With his phone, Riley returned to Chantrese’s room and prepared for a long night.

  ***

  Stacy was beyond worried as she sat in the window sill with her knees to her chest. It was eight o’clock at night and she had not heard from Riley, which wasn’t like him. She sent him an instant message that she used her key to get in his place, but he hadn’t replied.

  “If he is not hurt I am going to kill him,” she said pushing his cat, Roady off her leg. As soon as she stood the doorbell rang.

  “It’s about time,” she thought as headed towards the door. Stacy had ordered a pizza and assumed it was the deliveryman. Opening the door with major attitude, her frown quickly turned to astonishment.

  “Aren’t you happy to see me baby,” Janelle asked with a wicked grin on her face.

  Brushing past Stacy she was happy to see that the house was empty, with the exception of Roady.

  Stacy watched, still in awe as Janelle sat on the couch and crossed her legs. She opened her mouth to speak, but the doorbell rang once more. “Now he wants to come,” she mumbled as she headed to the door. Janelle was quite amused as she listened to Stacy tell the deliver not to even think about a tip.