When Loyalty Dies, So Does Love

by Dorothy Brown-Newton

  Lecia

  As I lay on my bed in a fetal position, I continued to cry. I had never experienced a man putting his hands on me. My best friend, Nokia, had told me to call my brothers and have them handle it, but I didn’t want my brothers getting hurt or hurting someone and having to do time behind bars for some shit that I had caused. My brother Link had called; I hoped Nokia hadn’t said anything to him. I knew she was worried, but I was a big girl and I had this. I tell you one thing, though, Rellz would regret the day he put his fucking hands on me. I would get over the physical pain, but the mental pain of giving my all to someone for a whole year just to have him kick me to the curb like I meant nothing to him was the worst pain I could feel. My mother didn’t raise no fool. I had kept my apartment after Rellz asked me to move in with him and get rid of my place. I knew that nigga was going to show his true colors, but I just didn’t think it would be this soon.

  I placed the warm cloth I was holding against my neck, trying to soothe the pain. I had taken a few Tylenol earlier, and they had worked, but now they were beginning to wear off. My mind drifted back to the day we were at the hospital because of RJ. I remembered how Rellz had sent Tasha out to the waiting area to tell me that I could go home. I had just wanted to slice her pretty face when she walked through the door, looking flawless without even trying. I’d always envied her, and I had good reason to. Nobody knew that I used to fuck with Rellz before we made it official, and that he had cut me off as his side chick once he decided that he was going to marry Tasha.

  I wasn’t even mad about Rellz choosing her, but I was mad that I wasn’t going to be blessed with the dick or his money any longer. At the time I was his side chick, I hadn’t had any love for him. Don’t get me wrong. He was a cool dude, and I had wanted him for myself, the whole package, but he hadn’t been willing to give it to me, so I had never put my heart into it. I had just envied Tasha because I kept asking myself, what did she have that I didn’t? Yeah, she was flawless, but I wasn’t lacking in the looks department. Neither of us worked, and we both had banging bodies, so my question was always, why her and not me?

  When he called off the wedding, he’d come running back to me, and I’d given him my heart. I’d believed that he really was over Tasha, but that hadn’t been the case. He had never stopped loving her. He had just used me to ease some of the pain he was feeling. I believed I was his outlet. All that was cool at the end of the day, but what I refused to be was any man’s punching bag. If he thought he had got off easy, he was sadly mistaken. I was far from crazy, but I just didn’t take it lightly when my heart was tampered with.

  Tasha

  Rellz and I were in the kitchen, having a long conversation. He had just talked me out of having a housewarming. He’d said that whatever I needed, he had already got me. He’d also said that it wasn’t a good move to let everybody know where I laid my head with my kids. I agreed with him on both counts. I didn’t need anything, and it was best not to broadcast where I was living. I just wanted to show off my very first place, so he had suggested that I invite only family over for Sunday dinner so I could give them the grand tour of my place. I loved that suggestion. Kane was coming by later, so I would run the idea by him. He was bringing Raina with him to see Rellz. Rellz had told me he hadn’t seen her in a few weeks. That wasn’t like him at all.

  “So what happened with you and Lecia?” I asked Rellz as we continued our conversation.

  “I ended the relationship, and she took her stuff and bounced.”

  “So is it over between you two, or is it just a break?”

  “Nah, we done. You know how I feel about an insecure female and unnecessary drama,” he said, smiling.

  “Well, I don’t know, because you never had that problem with me.”

  “So that wasn’t you that beat Rena’s ass because she was talking to me?” he laughed.

  “That was different. She was trying to play me after I told her a number of times to stay out of your face.”

  “I can name so many other times, but I won’t.”

  “Anyway, what’s up with you not seeing Raina or talking to her?”

  “To be honest, her mother is becoming too much to deal with. I’m thinking of asking your brother to tell her to fall back. Raina can call me for anything she needs.”

  “What do you think about getting her one of those phones that stores only the numbers she can call? There’s no Internet and none of those crazy apps because it’s a kid’s phone,” I said.

  “I didn’t know they had a phone just for kids. That will definitely work for me.”

  “Well they do, and I think it would be a good time to get one. In the meantime, Kane can be the middleman to keep the peace.”

  “I will holla at him when he gets here,” Rellz said.

  “Let me get these kids ready to go out back. While I’m doing that, do you mind filling up the pool and starting the grill?”

  “So you trying to put me to work. I don’t mind, but who’s going to be inside with RJ?”

  “He can go out back,” I said. “He just can’t get into the water. I’m going to grab his bike out the backyard, or he can just play on the slide.”

  “Okay, cool. he looks a little better, so I’m with it.”

  “My mom told me what to give him, and he’s been fine since.”

  “Let me find out I have to take my baby back to the hospital . . . ,” he joked.

  “My mom’s home remedies be on point. Don’t front.”

  “Yeah, whatever.” He laughed.

  I went upstairs to get Saniyah’s and Shaina’s bathing suits and told the girls to change into them. Madi was in the crib, playing with her fingers, being a good little girl. I picked her up, and she smiled so big. She knew her mommy. I carried her downstairs and took her out back to see her daddy while the girls got ready.

  I was so glad Rellz had picked up this inflatable pool for the kids. They were going to have so much fun. He had also bought a sprinkler that hooked up to the water hose, and I would use that when Rellz wasn’t here to fill up the pool. The sprinkler was really cute; it was in the shape of an octopus. The girls came running out back with their suits on, looking so adorable. I gave Madi to Rellz so that I could run inside to get my phone to take a picture of them. After I took a dozen pictures of the girls, I snapped a few of RJ playing on the slide and a few of Madi and Rellz. This was what I missed the most—us being a family. I knew the girls missed Rellz just as much as I did. I took Madi and put her in her swing so she could have some fun too.

  Lecia

  After following Rellz, I was now sitting in my car across the street from Tasha’s house, watching this motherfucker play house. I knew that was where his ass wanted to be, and that was fine. His only mistake was getting my heart involved. If he was going to fuck me over, he could have left me as his side chick. This bitch was snapping pictures and shit. She had better keep them pictures in a safe place, because that was the only way she would be seeing him soon. Her precious days with Rellz were numbered. Watching him interact with her and the kids was making me sick. It’s early, but I need a drink, I thought as I pulled away from the curb.

  I couldn’t believe that Rellz had me in a bar. I was on my second straight drink when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw some dude approaching me. He had a handsome face. He was looking kind of nervous as he took the seat next to me at the bar, then struggled with how to greet me, or so I thought.

  “I’m not going to beat around the bush. I need you to tell me why you were outside my sister’s house,” he said as he looked me in the eye.

  “What are you talking about, and do I even know you?”

  “Apparently, you don’t, because if you did, you would know I’m not one for the bullshit, and I hate a fucking liar.”

  I didn’t know who this handsome stranger was, but looking into his eyes, I could tell he wasn’t to be fucked with, so I told him what he wanted to know.

  “I was outside your sister’s house, watching m
y man, who dumped me to be with your sister, if you must be all up in my business,” I said, pretending I wasn’t fazed by him.

  “So you got dumped?” He chuckled. “Sitting outside my sister’s house after being dumped? That’s your problem, not my sister’s problem.”

  “Well, she’s the reason he dumped me, and both of them are going to feel my wrath,” I revealed.

  “Is that so? Are you serious right now?” he said, standing.

  The liquor had had me put my foot in my mouth, as I had threatened his sister to his face. I just knew he was going to kill me right there in the bar.

  “What did you have in mind?” he said, sitting back down.

  I looked at him with a confused expression. What did he mean, what did I have in mind? I had just said I was going to cause his sister harm and he was asking me what I had in mind. Crazy.

  “I asked, what do you have in mind?” he repeated loudly, causing me to jump.

  “I haven’t thought that far yet,” I whispered.

  “Well, we can link up and come up with something together,” he said, then handed me a piece of paper with his name and number on it.

  Just that quick, he stood and walked toward the exit. There were no more words spoken, leaving me dumbfounded and wondering why he would be willing to help me get at his sister and my dude. I looked at the paper he had given me. On it was written an out-of-town number and the name Tim. I guessed if I wanted him to answer the questions I had, I would have to call him at some point.

  Jason

  As I sat in my car and watched Tasha move about in her backyard, I noticed that I wasn’t the only one watching. I noticed a female watching too. So when she pulled away, I decided to follow her and approach her when the chance presented itself. She drove to a bar called Loon Saloon on East 3rd Street and Avenue B over on the East Side. I followed her into the bar, took a seat right next to her, and got down to the reason she was surveilling my sister’s house. It seemed we had something in common. We both wanted my sister to pay for something. However, this stranger, whose name I didn’t even care to know, wanted payback due to some petty boyfriend beef, while I wanted it for much more. I just hoped she didn’t chicken out and refuse to call, because I could really use her help. I needed her as the fall guy for what I was about to do.

  After I left the bar, I drove to a house, parked down the street, killed the engine, and sat there. I was fighting the urge to get high because my nerves were all over the place, but I knew I couldn’t indulge right now. I needed my head clear; there was no room for fuckups. Once the lights in the house were out for a good thirty minutes, I stepped out into the darkness and looked around for any potential witnesses. Once confident that no one was about, I proceeded around to the back door of the house. There was no need to jimmy the lock, because I still owned a key to the house I used to call home. I quietly slipped inside and went up the stairs, making sure not to step on the second step to the bottom, because it always squeaked and I didn’t want to alert anyone that someone was in the house.

  The bedroom door was slightly open, and I pushed it open a little more, then stepped into the darkened room. I stood over my father and the woman who had raised me as her own. The glow of the moon gave me just enough light to see their faces. I felt the anger building up in me. I wanted them to die a slow death—her for killing my mom and him for being the reason she had killed my mom—but I knew I didn’t have time to make them suffer.

  I pulled out the 9mm that my dude Low had given me when I got home from prison. I felt no emotions or remorse as I pointed the gun at my father’s head and pulled the trigger. I moved faster when the bitch’s eyes opened. She gazed at my face with a knowing look, and I pointed the gun at her head and pulled the trigger. I stood still for a few seconds before emerging from the room, then took the steps two at a time so that I could leave the crime scene as quickly as possible.

  Kane

  Rena was calling, so I stepped inside to take the call. I was still at Tasha’s house, chilling with Rellz, so Rena was probably ready for me to come home.

  “Hey, babe,” I said. “What’s going on?”

  “Kane, Mom called and said that the cops and an ambulance are at your mom and dad’s house. I’m on my way over there. I will meet you over there. Hurry!” she said in a panic.

  I tried not to panic and think the worst, but something deep inside was telling me it wasn’t good. Dad had been sick for the longest time, so my thoughts went to him, and I hoped he was okay. I decided against giving Tasha this news because I didn’t want to alarm her, so I told her that Rellz and I had to make a quick run. She didn’t look convinced, but we had to go, so I rushed Rellz out of the house. I let Rellz drive because my nerves were already shot. I kept dialing Mom’s number, but to no avail.

  “What the fuck!” I yelled as he parked down the street from my parents’ block, because my parents’ block was taped off, which meant a crime had been committed. It felt like my feet were stuck in quicksand when I attempted to climb out of the car and walk.

  Rellz stared at me, worry etched on his face. “Bro, you okay? If you need me to, I will go check shit out while you wait.”

  “Nah, I’m good, my nigga. Just give me a minute,” I said, my voice cracking

  I took a few deep breaths as we walked toward the house. The police stopped us just as we reached the crime-scene tape. I told the officer in charge that my parents lived here, but he still didn’t allow us to cross the tape. He signaled for one of his officers, and when that officer came over, the officer in charge whispered something to him. A few minutes later that same officer lifted the tape and allowed us onto my parents’ property. When I looked back, I saw Rena and her mom, Ms. Wanda, standing on the other side of the tape. They were allowed to cross it after I let the officer know that they were family members too.

  Rellz and I walked in the house, and Rena and her mom followed. A detective approached, I identified myself, and then the detective gently informed me that my parents had been killed. I sat on my parents’ couch and put my head in my hands. Words couldn’t explain what I was feeling right now. Who would murder my parents? Everyone loved them. They had dedicated their lives to helping the community, so this just didn’t make any sense at all to me. I could hear Ms. Wanda crying and Rena trying to console her. Even though Rena and Tasha didn’t get along, Mom and Ms. Wanda had remained friends and hadn’t got involved in their daughters’ mess.

  By now Rellz was on the phone with Tasha. I couldn’t find the strength to call her to let her know Mom and Dad were gone. I felt someone touch my shoulder; I looked up and saw the detective. He asked me if I was okay and if I could answer a few questions. I didn’t want to, but if I could offer anything that would help them find the motherfucker responsible for these heinous acts, I was willing.

  When I talked to the detective, all he could offer me was that it didn’t seem to be a forced entry and it didn’t appear to be a robbery, because Mom’s jewelry was still in the jewelry box that sat on her dresser. Also, both of their wallets didn’t appear to have been tampered with, and their cash and cards were still inside. Now I was more confused than ever. Who would murder my parents strictly to see them dead? I was trying to be strong, but my efforts failed when my parents’ bodies were removed from the home. Rena tried to comfort me the best she could, but all I could do was walk away. I just wanted to be left alone.

  Tasha

  Rellz called to tell me that Shea was coming to sit with the kids because he needed me to meet him at my mom’s house. I wanted to know why, but he wouldn’t tell me. Rellz and Kane had both been acting weird when they left the house earlier, and now Rellz was insisting that I meet him at my mom’s house as soon as Shea got there. Something was definitely wrong, and it had me wondering what that something was. In a fleeting moment of wishful thinking, I wondered if he was planning to propose again. I knew I was bugging because he had just broken up with his girlfriend, so he had a bitch’s mind spinning with some far-fetch
ed thoughts. My thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell. Shea had arrived.

  “Hey, girl. This place is beautiful,” she squealed.

  “Thanks, Shea, but all you’ve seen is the outside,” I laughed.

  “I know, so I can only imagine what the inside looks like.”

  “Well, I would love to show you the rest of the house, but Rellz asked me to leave as soon as you got here. Did he tell you what he needed me for?” I said.

  “No. He just said he needed a favor and for me to come and sit with the kids. He said that he would explain later.”

  “Okay. Let me get going before he calls again to see if I left.”

  She nodded. “Cool. See you when you get back. I’m going to take the tour once I get the kids down.”

  “Okay. See you when I get back.” I grabbed my keys from the table in the foyer and headed outside.

  Once I was in the car, I called Kane but got no answer. I was hoping he would tell me why I was being forced to drive to my mom’s house at such a late hour. When I pulled up to my mom’s block, my chest tightened at the sight of the yellow crime-scene tape and the police cars. I looked up, and Rellz was standing right by my car. I hadn’t even seen him when I pulled up. I was crying without even knowing why I was crying. I just knew something was wrong; I could feel it in the pit of my stomach. I knew they wanted me here for a reason. I slowly got out of the car and looked Rellz in his eyes. I watched as the tears fell from his eyes as he grabbed me and held me tight.

  “Rellz, what’s going on?” I cried, pulling away from him.

  “Tasha, they’re gone. I’m so sorry.”

  “Who’s gone?” I cried harder. I knew the answer to my question, but I needed him to confirm it.

  “Tasha, someone shot and killed your parents,” he said, reaching for me.

  I took off running toward my parents’ house. One of the officers tried to stop me, but I kept running until I was inside.