"My wife - your gang banging days are over - there's no need of you ever going back to that."
Meribel stiffened and then leaned back to look up at him, "You ... know?"
"Yes, I know."
They stared into each others eyes for countless minutes before Meribel could bring herself to speak again. "How - how do you know? My mother? My uncle?"
"Yes ... and no. Mainly from - talk - I can hear you know. I don't know Spanish fluently, but I know enough - attempted to learn it when we started out, I went off to school, you stayed with my parents. While in college, I took a class, bought the little tapes, that kind of thing. But - because I didn't follow through on learning the language entirely, I didn't tell you, since I didn't accomplish it. But ah, I know enough to decipher what I heard from you and your family over the years, everything finally fell into place. Besides that, you must admit, in the beginning, you had a manner and carriage about yourself that reminded me of inner city tough girls. Everything fit with you that I figured it must be so." Because of the unsure look in her eyes, he bent low and kissed her again, lifted saying, "With every day together, I've only loved you more."
Meribel wrapped her arms tighter around him, squeezing against his body.
"Now Meri - havin' gotten that out, that young girl of long ago - you left her in Chicago. She is no more, okay? We take care of this - the right way, okay?"
She couldn't answer because she was already making plans contrary to what he was doing.
"Meri - answer me ... okay?"
She finally looked up at her husband, "You want me to lie to you? Because if I say to you, okay - right now - this early in it all - that would be a lie. All I will say, is that I will leave it for now. If she leaves us alone, I will leave her alone, if she does not, even after doing all that you've done. Then I will deal with her."
"Meri - that is what I'm here for, for me to do."
"Against a woman papi? What are you going to do? You are too gentle, too kind when it comes to women. I know you will try to fix this, but I think against her, you are out of your league. So I'm telling you now, if she discards all warning Derrick, it is every woman for herself."
Derrick sighed, praying that by going to the authorities, he could get and keep control of the matter, but an aching feeling in his stomach told him, they were in for one heck of a battle with her.
* * *
Columbus, Ohio
"Well it's over now, it's done." Bart whispered in his daughter's ear. The court clerk had called them to the stand, and because there was no sign of John Sykes, thus no contest, their divorce was finalized. They were still at the court house, waiting out other cases brought forward. Shanna had needed her father with her then, by her side. She fought back tears because she knew that she was well and truly free and nothing could explain the feeling. There was only one downer on it all, members of his family had shown up, his mother and brother. They hadn't said anything while court was in session, but they were waiting to talk to her, waiting for court to be adjourned so they could ask her where was her son, his brother?
She'd already brought them to her father's attention to which he'd whispered, "Don't you worry about a thing, courts over - we have little to say to them, just as you did to the police back home, okay?" He asked, rubbing her shoulder, kissing her brow. Shanna nodded, leaning more on her father because she just needed to. "You okay?" He asked.
"I just want it to be over daddy." She murmured softly.
"It is over."
"Is it ... really?" She asked, looking up at him, not so sure.
He looked into her eyes, could see the fear there - the worry. With his rich and deep commanding voice, he assured her, "All is, as it should be. We leave here today, you carry on with your new life, and you don't look back - you understand?"
"Yes daddy."
Court was adjourned and all were dismissed, they turned to leave the court-room and of course, waiting by the door for them, was Mrs. Sykes and her other son, Andrew Sykes. They made eye contact with Shanna and Bart and was determined to hold it, as if accusingly. The moment they were abreast of them, "Shanna, I need to talk to you." John's mother stated urgently.
Shanna paused to look at her, "I have nothing to say to you Mrs. Sykes and especially not here in the doorway of this court-room."
"Outside then." She returned, spinning on her heels heading for the door, almost along side them. Bart shifted Shanna to the opposite side of him away from them, holding his tongue until they were outside of the high structured building, it was a busy place positioned not far from an area where clients or officials could gather outside, perhaps enjoying a break from a case to eat, or - talk about their case. They headed for one such place, surrounded by stunning landscaping, trees, shrubbery with the sun out and shining, the day was bright. Stopping at a table, father and daughter turned to face, mother and son. Not missing a beat, Bart started it off, "We have a long drive ahead of us, get to the point." He drawled.
Looking directly at Shanna, Mrs. Sykes asked, "Where's my son? Where is John, Shanna?"
"I don't know Mrs. Sykes, the last time I saw him, was when he and my sister had words. I haven't seen him since."
"You're a liar! He was determined to find you, try and get you back!"
"Well I guess he never found me! You as his mother, should have talked him out of it. Further more, how dare you stand here, look at me with accusing eyes. You know what he did to me - you always knew - and you stood by and let it happen."
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Mrs. Sykes could no longer make eye contact.
"Sure you do! How can you sleep at night? How can you dare show your face here while knowing all the things he did to me. Two dead babies! Your own flesh and blood grandchildren, dead ... because of him! He made my life ... a living hell!" Angry Shanna walked right up to her, glaring into her face, "Your son, was a cruel, vicious, monster and a coward!-..."
His brother, Andrew shoved her back away from his mother, "You're a damn liar-..." He was cut off by Bart's large, calloused hand wrapped tightly around his throat and squeezing, one of his arms suddenly caught up and twisted behind his back, his hand and fingers in a hold that, with just enough pressure - he would snap a few fingers as well break his hand and then follow it up with his arm.
Gasping, caught off guard and unsure what to do, Mrs. Sykes yelled at Bart, "You turn him loose!"
Ignoring her, he lifted the younger male up, so they stood with one face, next to the other, Bart snarled, "You put your hands, on my daughter, like that again, and your mother, will be looking for you next. You understood me, boy? She said she hasn't seen, that piece of cowardice trash and that's - that." Right before releasing him, Bart dislocated his shoulder and with a thrust sent him so hard to the ground, he skidded a few inches across the concrete, burning a skid mark on one side of his face, to his forehead and cheekbone. He yowled in pain, agonizing arrows of fire shot through his shoulder, making him wish he could faint it hurt so bad.
"Boy, you better learn how to stay on your feet."
Andrew struggled to his knees, rocking and crying out while his arm hung limp, his shoulder in agony, his mother by his side. "Look what you've done to him! We'll be pressing charges against you for this! We will!"
"Take my word for it ma'am - and I've had beatings plenty enough to know, the law don't care." Shanna spat at her.
"Ma'am - you keep your sons away from my daughter you hear? That other one ever show up again - you warn him, before its too late. One thing I do not abide, and that's harm to my lil'girls. Hope I've made myself clear, you won't wish to cross paths with me again."
With that said, he turned, took hold of Shanna and made their way to their rental. Inside, she started it once both were seated and buckled up, wasting not another moment, they were out of there and on their way back to their hotel, where they would stay the night, and in the morning, return the car rental and then, a cab to the train station. Driving along they were both quiet, so mu
ch on their minds. Finally Shanna spoke up.
"Daddy?"
"Yeah?"
"Forgive me, for all I've caused, by ... not listening to you. Not, doing what you said. Forgive me, please." She started crying, because she was scared. Scared for herself. Scared for her brother, scared for her father. She knew them. She knew them well. She knew that John Sykes - would never show his face anywhere again, of that, she had no doubt. If anything ever came of it, she felt there was no one to blame but herself. The guilt, the pressure, the knowledge of it was eating her alive.
"Pull over lil'girl."
There was a McDonald's coming up, she made her way to the parking lot of it, pulled into a slot and killed the engine, her crying unstoppable now. Bart stepped from his side, making his way to her side of the car, opening the door, he pulled her out. She wrapped her arms around her father and had a hard cry; right there, in broad daylight in the McDonald's parking lot. "I'm so sorry daddy... I've never been - so - so sorry in all - all my life, as I am n-now. So scared. It hurts so bad, I just want it to go away."
"Give it some time Shanna, it'll go away. Lil'girl, life - is a gamble. You have already paid all that can be expected, from a losing hand. You, did not make him the coward that he was. That was not your doing. Shanna, everyone has a right to realize they've made a mistake and leave it. You tried to leave it, he wouldn't let you. That hangs on his head. Not yours, not your brother's, not mine. Whatever regrets I have, they are not to that coward. I am your father and I will protect you, until the day I draw my very last breath. Don't matter how old you are, or what got you in the mess, no matter. Now, you dry your eyes." He instructed, helping her to do so, his rough thumbs wiping away the tears.
"I love you so much daddy, I love you so much."
Bart kissed his daughter's forehead, hugging her again, muttering what she'd heard him say, hundreds of times, "Little girls are a blessin', t'pamper, protect and adore. Boys are for building up, t'train and harden t'men, right to the core. A father who fails his daughters, his sons, in heaven, he shall find no place, locked t'him ... is the door."
Shanna leaned back and looked up into her father's haunted eyes. She knew what thoughts went on there. He was feeling regret. He was a man torn by religion, torn by honor, ripped by war. During his healing, her brother's had suffered. In his hours of madness, to them he'd given a bit of that madness. Most to Shawn, some to Derrick, a bit to Jake. The fall out of it, had effected her sister and herself to stand in witness it all. Their mother, with her own demons, desires and regrets added what else there was of them. They were a clan unto their own code of ethics in life and law. With one draw back; they were human. Thus imperfect, making mistakes.
Shanna took a deep breath and cleared her tears. She was a McPherson. She was born of a father who was a fighter. She was born of a mother, whose lineage also came from fighters. It showed up with certainty and power, especially in her brothers, definitely in Kathy Ann; Shanna stood feeling that she was the only weak thread in the cord. Not anymore. They walked into the McDonald's, father and daughter. Shanna still thinking about their lives - realizing that they all - in their lives, fought in tiny wars of their existence. Fought in so many little battles of what it meant to survive in this day and time that was supposedly, a time of law and order. She shook her head, making her selections from the menu above. As far as she could see, which was oh so clearly now - nothing for man, or woman, had actually changed - just - rearranged to look different. Man's only advancement in life - is that he now, had mastered the art of speed. Technology made everything immediate. As well worked to camouflage and distract people from certain truths. And that was, that justice was still ... unobtainable and unjust. Therefore, the war of victory in justice - belongs only to those, willing to adjust it to their circumstances.
Yes, while Shanna knew that her thinking was radical, scandalous, it was thinking caused by getting beat to within an inch of her life and then having no protection, whatsoever - other than that offered by her family, because she was a McPherson. And in the case of other women, whatever their name be, who thought as they did, and had come to their, same conclusion. As for her, from that day forward, her resolve, her loyalty, her faith - would be in that and only that - to live and die - protecting those who carried that name - McPherson.
"Penny for your thoughts." Her father offered as they sat in a booth to eat.
Shanna smiled, bright and beaming.
"I'm thinking - how proud I am, to be who I am."
Bart smiled and asked, "And what is that?"
"Your daughter ... Shanna Eden ... McPherson. And nothing else matters my father, than that - being that."
"That's my lil'girl - long as we stick together - we will always come out - in the lead. My sons will be leaders, my daughters - to men who lead."
* * *
Madison, Wisconsin
"Mami say get what we came for and get right back home, Shawn2!" Joseph fussed. Reason he was fussing is because they walked into the mini strip mall grocery store, Pick'n'Save and who did they see? Me'Keiba and her little brothers. The moment Joseph spotted her, he knew.
"You want me to buy you something don't you? Don't you want some candy? I'll get you whatever kind you want."
Well that was different, he was a little boy, and human after all, "I want a almond joy and a whole pack a Twizzlers, a big pack." He demanded.
"You can't have both..." One brother argued with the other, getting a shopping cart. "...it's one or the other." Shawn2 bargained wishing to hurry so he could catch up with Ma'Keiba.
"I want both!" Joseph insisted.
"No, you eat all of that you'll get a belly ache, and I'll get in trouble."
"Shawn2 you always in trouble, anyway!" The five year old returned smartly, bobbing his little head of blonde hair. "I want both, I eat the candy bar now, and I'ah have my Twizzlers later. Or, I leave this store right now, and you ain't got no choice but to follow me, 'cause mami will beat you to death I come home alone."
"Ugh! Okay, okay, okay - both!"
"Now - I want my chocolate bar right now."
"Wait until we get what we came for and check out."
"No, I want - to eat - my Almond Joy, now. Get it for me."
Growling, Shawn2 rushed to the check outs, grabbed one Almond Joy from the candy rack and then went to the quick checkout and paid for it, having to wait behind two other customers to do it, tapping his foot and looking back towards the aisle wondering which one Ma'Keiba's was down, hoping that she was there to pick up a few items as he was. Marcus and Louis were gone, taking Sasha to shop for a birthday present for a friend, while they picked up a list of things their father gave them before he left for the school, leaving Shawn2 at home with his mother and little brother. Now that Joseph was temporarily happy, he pushed the cart down the front of the store, looking down each aisle searching for Ma'Keiba. A smile burst upon his face when she came out of an aisle meeting up with him. Her eyes grew wide with surprise to see him there as well.
"Hey, I saw you come in, you walk here, or your mom bring you?" He asked right away, hoping that she walked so he could walk home with her.
"We walked, got a list of stuff to get."
"Me too. How about we use just one cart, shop together?"
Once more, Ma'Keiba's eyes grew large, then shrugging she thought, "Okay, if you don't mind."
"Cool with me, we'll use yours." He decided, pushing his cart off into the distance to block one of the check out lanes. Her little brother's were staring at him and then at Joseph as Shawn2 took up the spot of pushing the cart. "We'll get the stuff on your list first, okay?" He directed.
"Okay."
"Let's see what you got here." He stood next to her looking down at her list, making her throat tighten up and her heart pound. "Tell you what, let's get them to get some of this stuff and we'll get some." In a matter of moments, he delegated each of the boys to getting something that was on the list, telling them to pick up a small carry basket ea
ch to carry the items in to bring it back to the big basket, making a game of it. They loved the idea of it, and ran off with their baskets as if in a race. "Don't break nothing!" Ma'Keiba yelled behind them afraid of what could happen with them running off like that.
"I don't know if that's a good idea. They running off like that, they could get into trouble or break something." She worried.
"They'll be fine, we'll get what's left to get on your list and find them, then you can help me with mine."
She smiled, nodding and proceeded onward with him pushing the cart beside her, she didn't know what to say to him, because she hadn't expected to see him there, in fact, she was nervous to be around him, alone even though they were in a grocery store, and both of them with their little brothers.
"You glad school is out?"
"Kind'ah, there's not as much to do during the summer, I don't mind school."
"I bet you get good grades and everything huh?"
"Yeah, sometimes. I've gotten bad grades too." She admitted.
"Like what? You ever get a 'D'?"
"No, but I've gotten a 'C' - in English, I hate English, science is my favorite class, what's yours?"
"Gym." He admitted with a grin.
"That's not a real class, all you do is play in Gym. Besides Gym, what's your favorite class?"
Rolling his head up to the right with his eyes squinting his asked, "Let me think, ohhh I would say science like you."
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