"I've heard enough, I'm tired. You can go now." She'd sighed feeling a headache coming on from the stress of their presence in just the few moments they were allowed, she sank deeper into the bed and looked away from them.
The officer and Jeremiah stepped toward them as a gesture to say, it was time they left.
"I can't believe this is happening! I can't believe you're acting this way Deidre! Are you trying to get back at me, is this what its all about!? Hmm, perhaps you concocted this whole scenario yourself!?" Georgiana tossed out there shaken by the whole matter because she had never felt so out of control. Deidre's head snapped back to them at her words, the look on her face clearly showing her disbelief of being accused of something so insane.
"Oh yes mother, sounds like just the thing to do... hire someone to fill me with bullets so I can embarrass and humiliate you! Well trust me mother, that could have been easily done without risking my life! My suggestion to you both is this - leave before something really ugly comes of this! Goodbye!" She shook her head as if it would scatter the memory from her mind, as she searched through her small suitcase for something to change into.
Jeremiah knocked at the door, "Deidre, you okay?"
"Yes... I'm fine... just... changing... something more comfortable." She answered from the other side of the door.
"Its okay if you feel like resting, I understand - in fact you probably should."
"No, I'm fine... I'll be out in a moment."
"Okay... you hungry?"
"Emmm, not yet."
"Okay..."
Jeremiah left off, walking back down the long hall towards his spaciously laid out living room/dining room. He'd walked Terra out to her car and now, they were alone. He was a bit nervous and so was sipping his drink to relax. He knew the best course to take with Deidre Wherrington was to treat her like a house guest. Albeit a very important one. He wasn't so sure anymore what he was doing and where he was going. Things seem to take a turn of their own so that he was unable to grasp if this was working for him, or against him. For the time being, things seemed to be okay, he most certainly had the upper hand. He couldn't help but smile reflecting back on his brief confrontation with Oscar T. Wherrington. The man hated him, especially considering the words they exchanged.
"Listen here you-..."
"Careful Mr. Wherrington, be very careful what you say. The words that come from your mouth could have one heck of a damaging effect on your life, business and reputation. Use the wrong one on me - and I'll make sure of it."
"That's what this is all about isn't it? You got some sick and twisted vendetta against the Wherrington's? How do I know you're not the one who put my daughter where she is right now?!" Oscar spat, too close to Jeremiah's face. Who backed up a step, looking down at his richly tailored suit, removing a white handkerchief from his inside pocket, he wiped at the front of it, removing any possible spittle that may have landed there from the man's angry accusation, flowing from a wet mouth. Using the very tips of his fingers only, he folded the hanky as if it were contaminated, he located a trash can, stepped over to it, and deposited the expensive monogrammed handkerchief within as if it were a Kleenex.
Oscar T. turned beet red at the obvious insult.
"When the investigation is done, Mr. Wherrington - we will know - who is responsible for putting your daughter where she is right now. I guarantee it." Jeremiah had strode off dismissing any chance for furthering the discussion.
With his remote in hand, Jeremiah clicked on his large screen TV to the news and made his way to his own room, opposite end of the apartment to change into something more comfortable. His mind on the woman in the other room. Deidre Wherrington, was turning out to be someone he needed to tread carefully around. While he'd intended to work his way into her life, it had not been his plan to bring things to where he was now. He'd studied psychology, and he knew that the reason he must be spending so much time thinking about her was due to the traumatic event that he was now involved in surrounding her. Had it not been for that, he'd be able to keep a cool logic about her. No woman yet, had effected him to the point of distraction. Deidre was not the first white woman he'd dated. There were two in his past, more to his taste and a lot better looking than her, and once the relationship reached a certain point, it had been ended. The same with the couple of black women he'd dated, and the one Asian. As he changed, he realized that he would more than likely spend the rest of his life as a bachelor. He wasn't interested in having children, therefore no reason for a wife. His life was as he preferred it. Coming and going as he pleased. His penthouse decor just the way he'd always envisioned it. Women were needed only when his stress levels at work climbed to the extent that he needed an outlet. If working out, running, or doing his tae Kwan do didn't drain it from him, then an intimate night of wining and dining, impressing some hapless female usually did the trick. Most certainly, he must watch his steps with Deidre Wherrington. He was in his silk lounging trousers and tank top when he came out of his room to hear his buzzer. Walking to it, he pressed the button. "Yes Gary?" He spoke into the mic.
"Your brother's here Mr. Franklin." Gary, the doorman's voice responded from the speaker.
"Oh... okay, send him up." He returned, wondering what could be going on to bring him over.
He went to the door to wait for him. Listening he heard the familiar ding, alerting him that the elevator was up. Peering through the peep hole, he wanted to make sure the person that came from the elevator was indeed Maxwell. The doors parted and his brother, strode from it alone. Relieved, he unlocked his door. He chose to ignore that feeling of protectiveness that reared its head, putting it down to being caution, which was sensible under the circumstances. To be on his guard only made sense, without delving too deeply, he'd already taken to the post of protecting Deidre Wherrington. He wasn't going to start dissecting that something in the pit of him that made him convince her to stay at his penthouse until things calmed down, it was all fitting into his plans... simple as that.
Opening the door wide with one brow quirked, his expression asked before the words left his mouth, "What now?"
"What you mean, what now?" Maxwell returned entering the door as Jeremiah closed it behind him. "Just cause I drop in on you, don't mean I need somethin'."
"Yeah... we'll see." Jeremiah replied walking in past his brother, who was looking around the flat.
"Aye... check it out man... what about my ride B.?"
"Ah! I knew it!"
"Well hey, come on now... shit... I need my ride back, got me drivin' round in some ol'beat up shit. I need to get my benz back!"
"Your benz dear brother, is history."
"Didn't you have insurance on it an' shit?"
"That - Maxwell, was your responsibility, I purchased the vehicle for you after all."
"Man you must be out yo'min'! You know how much I be payin' for insurance!? On a benz!? In that neighborhood?! I ain't the attorney bringin' six figures B. I thought'chu had me covered."
"Even if I did, I doubt you'd be covered for bullet holes." Jeremiah commented heading for the kitchen with Maxwell following.
"With the right policy man - so, you have me covered or not?"
"No."
"Man why ain't'chu tell me?!"
"Maxwell! You're a grown man - you've been living long enough to know, when you drive a vehicle on the road, it must be insured!"
"Man I ain't payin' that kind'ah goddamn money for some shit like that!"
"I see. So what is it that you expect me to do?"
"Ah shit, i's gone be like that huh? I do my civil duty, and I got to sacrifice my good shit! What the fuck - help a brother out. My shit all jacked up saving Ms lady's life! And this-..."
"Excuse me, sorry to interrupt, but considering that you did, I've been meaning to thank you for that." Deidre spoke up standing in the kitchen doorway, surprising both men who turned to look at her. "So, it was you then, who brought me to the hospital in time?" She asked, carefully entering the larg
e kitchen approaching Maxwell. He was standing there with the biggest afro she'd ever seen. His hair standing out from his scalp in long spirals. It was obvious to those who knew, his look was from undoing his braids and picking his hair out to just leave it. She was a bit taken aback by the looks of him, she'd never seen someone like him up close before. There was very little resemblance in the brothers. Jeremiah was a handsome black man, while his brother was certainly mixed. There were traces of blonde at the tips of his hair, and along his hairline. It was also obvious that he had more than one texture type to his head of hair. Also his skin was a beautiful café au lait, and eyes incredibly hazel green. His body was very similar to Shawn's in muscularity, however, not quite as big as Shawn, who was a taller man. Even so, his torso was hard and broad, carried upon bow legs, standing 5'10. There was something about him so familiar, it stirred Deidre from within, she guarded her surprise well. Neither of the men discerned the sudden quickening in her heart as she smiled and held out her hand to him.
Maxwell looked at her, then down at her hand, then back at his brother making a face. Jeremiah remained quiet observing, wishing his brother would start using the manners and etiquette he knew he had.
"I'm Deidre Wherrington, and you are?" She asked, with her hand still out to him.
He turned back stunned to see her there in his brother's apartment. "Yeah um, hey wha's up? Maxwell um, Franklin." He finally responded, taken off guard by her presence, he stepped forward, grabbed her fingers for a brief shake of them.
"Nice to meet you Maxwell. So, you're without a car now hm?"
"Yeah um, like uh - as you know - its dead and uh - well... although it went down for a worthy cause and shit - still and yet, here I am hoofin' it." He spoke straight to let her know.
"That Chevy is not hoofin' it." Jeremiah pointed out, although he had lost his Mercedes saving her life.
"Come on B - might as well, I got a reputation to uphold, see what I'm sayin'? You can't be expectin' me to cruise aroun' in no shit like that-..."
"Watch your language in front of the lady Maxwell." Jeremiah corrected him, preparing a salad for Deidre.
"It's okay." Deidre spoke up.
"Oh... sorry - my bad."
"I assure you, you needn't worry any further. If you return tomorrow, I'll personally escort you to a benz dealer to purchase a replacement."
"Ah ah ah ah - I don't think so lady! Doctors orders, you're still recovering. Too long on your feet is not good, your blood count is still low. No way are you taking him car shopping. You are under protection as well if you would remember correctly. The plans for you this weekend is rest, nourishment and more rest."
Deidre sighed as she stood staring from one brother to the next, she knew that he was right, in fact, he was so right that even then, proof that she was not well enough to be up yet rushed upon her, because both men became blurred blotches, then nothing.
"Catch'er chath'er chatch'er!" Jeremiah barked too far away to rush to her in time as she fell forward. Maxwell rushed at her, grabbing her just in time before she hit the floor, face forward.
"What the fuck! Why she up an' shit!?" Maxwell blasted, leaning her gently on his arm, turning her carefully, he lifted her up in his arms, letting the forearm crutches fall to the floor and followed Jeremiah as he led the way to the room where she would be sleeping. He made it to the bed with her and laid her down, placing her head on the pillow.
"She gone be ah'ight?" He asked his brother who was on the phone calling the hospital.
"I'm wondering if they released her too soon." He spoke up in between keying in prompts until he finally reached a live voice and was told to wait. A few more minutes someone came on the phone. He turned away speaking to the nurse telling her what was going on, and the doctor that treated Deidre Wherrington, unaware of his brother sitting on the side of the bed, staring down at her unconscious form. He reached up and touched her hair, staring at her pretty features. Realizing that he was staring at her, he stood and turned to his brother, who was standing with the phone to his ear, staring at him strangely.
"Uh yes, Dr. Middy, Deidre Wherrington was released today and she's been up and around, I believe a bit too much - she just fainted."
"Is she bleeding, any of her wounds re-opened?" Dr. Middy asked.
Jeremiah walked over to the bed and checked her clothing as his brother stood by quietly watching and waiting. "No... I don't see any signs of blood. Please - can you come right away, check her!? Or should we send for an ambulance?"
"No... I think she may have overdone it. Give me your address and I'll come right away."
"She'll be fine. Her blood pressure is still really low, and she needs to give herself time to regain her strength and rebuild her red and white blood cells. If she's not going to stay in bed here, then I'll have to have her readmitted. Which I've told her, she doesn't wish to go back to the hospital, so she's willing to stay in bed." The doctor informed Jeremiah as Maxwell stood back listening.
"Should I bring in a nurse for her?"
"Only if you feel there's a need to. I really don't want her getting in and out of that bed right now, so that might not be a bad idea. In the meantime, I've given her a little something that is going to make her sleep. She needs to eat, and she needs to sleep, that's the best remedy under the circumstances."
"You got it, she'll be doing just that, I promise." Jeremiah assured him.
"Good... I have to get back to the hospital, if there's any problems, give me a call just as you did."
"You can count on it." Jeremiah vowed walking him to the door and then the elevator.
Back inside after locking the door, his brother spoke up. "Aye, so why she stayin' here wit' you?"
"For her protection! You were right in the middle of it and you need to ask me that?"
"Come on B. don't even gimme' that! Wit' her money, she'on need you - to protect her! You settin' her up ain't you?"
"Shut up about that! What I'm doing now, has nothing to do with anything else!"
"Yeah... right... whatever you say. You gon' get me a ride or not?"
"By the sounds of it, she's going to take care of that for you."
"So why'on't you make a phone call? That way I can skip on up out'tah here and make my selection. You know where, she'll hook up yo' reimbursement."
"Have you no dignity? No pride than to stand begging for a car from a woman?!"
"Fuck that man! I saved her life - fucked up my ride in the process! I just want my shit back. You gon' make the phone call or not?"
"Anything to get you out of here! Just go down in the morning to choose one."
"Hey, 'lease it ain't comin' out yo' pocket this time." Maxwell stated heading for the door.
"Whatever Max, this is getting old. You're wasting your life on the streets! There's no reason you can't do something better for yourself."
"B. look - save it... just make the call."
Jeremiah stood a moment staring at him, thinking about him, his mind replaying the scene of his brother staring at Deidre, touching her hair, her soft skin. "Yeah well, you got what you came for... goodbye - see you when you need something else."
"Whatever B."
"Yeah, whatever."
Chapter 103
Jake stood at the bar listening to Shania Twain sing about, "Any man of mine". He ran his hand over his head, down the back where long hair use to be. He'd gotten a haircut, for the first time ever, his hair was short instead of on his shoulders as it had always been his entire adult life. Something of course his father had always hated, but he'd grown use to it. Jake was pretty satisfied with his day. He'd found a suit for the funeral, he'd gotten a hair cut, feeling his neck, he thought the girl cut it a bit too short, but he wouldn't need another one in a while. The top, sides and cranial was still a couple of inches give or take, but the back she'd tapered in short and close. He guessed it looked okay, he just wasn't use to not having his hair long. Without any effort at all on his part, his mind immediately conjured a
picture of Vivian.
"Hm, wonder if you'll like it lil'girl?" He thought, taken to calling her that when thinking about her, which was much too often for his liking. He'd made up his mind, once he moved her into her new place, he would disconnect all communications with her. "I got nothing to give you lil'girl, you need a better man than me." He mumbled to himself, lifting his beer taking another sip, as a red head eyed him from the end of the bar. She'd been doing so for the last 15 minutes. He wasn't in the mood for a red head, so he ignored the obvious invitation that she was offering. He turned his back to her, leaning on the bar looking in the opposite direction, clearly sending the message home, 'Not interested.' His thoughts still on Vivian. "I got no home, no money, no vehicle lil'girl and I'm a piece of shit at that. You can do better... you deserve better." He continued on talking to himself.
"Jake? Is that you? You cut your hair! Heard what happened with Doris, you gone be okay?" A brunette he'd known from way back in school asked him. He was trying to think of her name, she'd been after him from time to time through the years - but there had never been any reason to pursue her, other than to screw her and he'd been screwing someone else every time she offered him a piece of ass with her eyes, her body language, her touch. 'What is her name?' He racked his brain trying to remember.
"You'll have to excuse me, for the life of me, I can't remember your name?"
"Abby - remember we were in three classes together in high school? I was at all of your games. My brother use to work at the lumber yard, I would come there and see you just working away. How you been doing, since..." She trailed off, the since was of course referring to Doris' suicide.
Jake leaned there staring at her. She was just a little over 5'7 - on the thick side - a pretty face.
"Abby - lets get out of here, too many people, too noisy." He stood and finished off his beer, setting the glass on the bar, he tossed a few dollars from the pile of money there, that would cover his bill and turned heading for the door. With Abby smiling that she'd finally gotten Jake's attention.
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