He wasn't phased one bit. In fact, he shifted over even closer, grinning he whispered, "Come on Charlie, let's test your theory. You ever been with a white man?"
She moved away from him, "Quit beggin' for a piece of ass, makes you look desperate. Don't look cool. I suggest you let your two hands see to your business, unless they too big that is."
He was laughing again. He leaned onto the table, trying to stop laughing as she adjusted her own seat. The sound of his rumbling chuckles were grating on her nerves. "Why don't you go check on the car or something?" She snapped at him.
"Come on Charlie, gamble a little bit."
"Might I suggest you? Play the lottery baby - better odds for you winning that, than getting me in bed."
He wouldn't stop laughing, "Just think Charlie, just like the lottery when won - there's gonna be a whole lotta screaming and shouting goin' on."
The way he said it, Charlie couldn't help it, she laughed, "Shet up, fool!"
While they'd been dueling, Jeremiah had stood in the long hallway leading to the men's and lady's rooms with his phone to his ear, on the other end, his brother, "Hey my brother I need to talk to you man, I have a situation developing." Maxwell stated cutting to the chase.
"A situation? Now what'a'yah need an attorney for?"
"Man, you know what, I'm getting sick'ah every time I call you, you makin' it out like I done did somethin' wrong. It ain't even 'bout nothin' like that, you need to file them assumptions under obsolescence and give a brotha' a break. Constant scrutiny from a brotha' to a brotha' is playin' right into the white man's hands. When you gone recognize that my theory of man is more fact than fiction, Cain ass was white, Abel was black. Cain been killing his black brother for century's until humanity became the fashion, once that trend set in, he sent his house Negro to set his field nigga's straight ... still to the date, ya'll singing the master's song. 'What you do now nigga!'"
"Max, quit talking shit and tell me why you called?"
"I shouldn't even tell you now, you'on like me no way, I braid my hair."
"You want me to hang up?"
"No."
"What's going on then?"
"Man, I'm at work yesterday an'bout two in the afternoon, there's this limo parked outside my job. You know, we was hangin'round, takin' care of bidniss here and my man Dex spotted it sitting there. Sat there for a long ass time, 'til I step over and ask, is there something we can do for you. Guess who it was?"
"I haven't a clue Max, just tell me."
"You know what, I'm gettin' tired'o'yo no frills ass. Can you indulge me just once and-..."
"Time is money Max, whose time are you on? Get to the point."
"Oscar T. Wherrington, that's who. Sitting there; I'm thinking, watching me."
"Oscar T. Wherrington was outside of your job yesterday?"
"Hell yeah, parked right out front. Know what else? We had to work today, make up for yesterday, been out all morning, got back just now... his ass parked out there again."
"Today?"
"What's up with you needin' emphasis nigga? I said today didn't I?"
"Has he said anything to you?"
"Yesterday, ask me to climb in."
"Into the limo?"
"Yes Jeremiah, damn, he ask me to get in, talkin'bout he the reason I exist and shit. I wasn't even tryin' t'hear that. I left him sitting there. Now, he back again. What the hell he want?"
"How long has he been there?"
"Ain't no tellin'. We started work this morning at 7:00, left and got back just a few minutes ago. There he was."
"What in the hell is he up to?"
"I'on know, but I wish it didn't include me. I'on wanna have nothing to do wit' his ass."
"Stay away from him."
"Who? You ain't got t'tell me that! Shit, far away from his ass. I got to go, we got two more load ups and deliveries to make. Ask yo' ol'lady what's up wit' her pops man."
"What old lady? Come again?"
"Man you need to get real, you ain't jumped off in there yet? Shit, all that fine money sittin' by and waitin' and you askin' what ol'lady?"
"There's nothing between Deidre Wherrington and I. The time we spend together revolves around getting down to the truth of the matter on who attacked her. I'm her attorney and until she finds another, I'm just helping her out."
"I see, yeah, okay ... if you say so. Just ask her what's happening at Wherrington manor; because Mr. Money Bucks trippin'."
"Just ignore him as you have. You working all day today?"
"Overtime boyo!"
"All right, well, anything else happens let me know. Hey, and don't get into any conversations with him about that night, you know, saving Deidre's life."
"You still thinkin' he behind that?"
"I'm just following in her own instincts, there's a reason she's afraid of her own parents and blocked them from any hospital visits, had a power-of-attorney ready in case something happened to her. Low and behold, it did. If he's behind it, he may be digging. Be careful, gotta go."
Deidre and Terra sat at their table recapping current events.
"So now tell me, how are you? We haven't gotten together since you left the hospital, everything okay?" Terra took a moment to sit and enjoy her company now that the lunch rush was winding down. Saturdays were busy with her location, guaranteed a steady flow of clientèle out shopping.
"Yeah - kinda - sorta." Deidre smiled, sipping her wine. She was feeling earthy that day, brought on by Jeremiah's constant nearness.
"Kinda sorta? What does that mean?"
Deidre's perfectly manicured index finger traced the rim of her wine glass, she took a few deep breaths, looked Terra right in the eyes, "What do you think about Jer'miah?"
"Jer'miah? Emmm, interesting way of saying his name."
Deidre blushed, taking another sip, "What do you think about him?" She repeated the question.
Terra smiled, "I think, he's incredible. I mean, come on. He's educated, cultured, dignified. He's tall, the original dark and handsome as hell. He's successful. He dresses like a black god-..."
"I know!" Deidre gasped with emphasis.
"...- yes. He's single and he doesn't take any shit from officials. He has their number and is not afraid to dial it."
"Tell me about it, you should see the detectives on this case, how they pick his brains." Deidre rattled off, taking another sip.
"Believe me, I know, you didn't see him like I did that night. He was a force to be reckoned with. I think he is phenomenal. That's what I think and so do you."
Deidre sat back, the move a bit un-lady like. She was a tad bit tipsy and it showed. Her eyes glanced up at Terra, she giggled.
"Do you know, I've not been with another man, only Shawn."
Terra nodded, "Yes, I know. Remember, we tell each other everything."
Deidre was chewing on her bottom lip, wondering how much to say. With the addition of the wine, she faced the fact that she was feeling needy. Her feminine instincts were singing, pinging and telling her, 'this body is in need of a man's touch.' Life had been so busy, she'd been too preoccupied with her hope and waiting thinking that Shawn might come back to her, might get enough of being apart and give them another chance. As long as there was that hope, she hadn't even looked at another man. Now ... that hope was dead, gone. She had certain needs that she could no longer ignore, especially with having a man like Jeremiah Franklin constantly standing by. He was back in her life. He, had been her first crush, the first boy she'd been attracted to. Now as a man, she found the attraction rekindling itself.
They had a history together. No matter how dis-jointed, un-even or unfair it had been, it was still there.
Today, years later, they were on even ground.
"Earth to Deidre, earth to Deidre, come in Deidre." Terra teased, "Now what, or - who, is on your mind? Come on, come clean, let's hear it, as if I didn't know." She simpered.
Deidre leaned forward, elbow on table, chin propped up on the heal of her h
and.
"I think I'm ready. I think it's time." She confessed.
"Are you saying, that you're now over Shawn?"
Deidre thought about it, nodded first, then said it, "Yes, I am. It's about time don't you think? He's happily married, it's over. As hard as that was to face - it's fact. Time to move on."
"Amen to that, good girl! I am so proud of you. I didn't think you'd ever get over him."
"We never really - fit. Know what I mean? He was a good husband. An incredible father -but- I don't think he was ever really in love with me. I mean, the kind of love I saw in his eyes for her. There's a seeking, desperate, neediness in him for her. He hears and sees no one else when she's present. His entire body language was, different - with her there. He was as I've never seen him before. Don't get me wrong, he was good to me. He took care of me, good care of me when I was pregnant, very attentive. Yet, his manner, his whole state of being, his demeanor with her, I'd never seen such a side of him. Seeing it, the evidence of him, really in love, was like a punch to the stomach, I thought nothing ever hurt so bad."
"But that's all over now."
"Yes, it is. Thing is, with me, I think he took me on because he was alone, lonely. He needed someone and I filled the bill. After being married a while and after Angela was born, all we did was fight it seems. He was always so angry and disgusted with me, all the time. I just couldn't be what he wanted." She stopped, thinking about it, looking down into her glass of wine, she took a sip, looked up at Terra, "Does that mean something's wrong with me?"
"Of course not! There's a perfect match for everyone under the sun. You two just weren't it."
"I don't know, look at Angela? How can something so stunning come from a bad match."
"Because you're both, beautiful people in your own way. He in his, you in yours."
"I just want the next time, to be right. You know?"
"It will be, as I said, that whole thing, its behind you now."
"Yep, the dark clouds are gone, and now, I see the sun."
"Shining from Jeremiah?"
Deidre smiled, looked up at Terra, "I'm, willing to go there with him, but he's not so willing with me."
"Hey, one step at a time okay? After all, he's here isn't he? Doesn't have to be. What does that tell you?"
"He's hanging around to find out if my father killed his mother." She announced simply.
"What? What are you talking about?"
"Remember that she worked for us? I also told you a long time ago, that she was fired by my father and that she committed suicide, remember?"
"Duh! Of course, its been so long."
"Well, Jeremiah doesn't believe she committed suicide. Also, my father had been having an affair with her, he admitted it to me just the other day, that he'd been in love with her."
"My goodness Deidre we simply must get together later. Obviously there's a lot that's going on."
"Yeah, there is. Reason we're out and about today, looking for a more secure home for me, and uh ... Angela."
"Angela? What do you mean, she's with her father? You haven't gone back on that have you?"
Deidre shifted uncomfortable in her seat. Unhappy with what she was about to say.
"Jer'miah - Charlie, they ah, say she's not safe with him Terra. They think she needs to be brought back here. To live with me where she can be protected."
"You're kidding me? Why?"
"After what happened, they don't think its over. Its all speculation mind you, but Jer'miah believes that whomever went after me - for whatever reasons, may target her to get what they want."
"But... I'm confused. I thought you suspected your parents? Why would they harm her?"
Jeremiah, finished with his phone call, returned and took his seat across from them; picking up his glass of seltzer water with lemon and lime wedges, taking a sip, he paused to see both women's eyes on him. After a swallow or two he set his glass down, "What?" He asked from one to the other. Terra leaned towards him, "Why do you think Angela is in danger?"
"Criminal minds. That's why. While this case is still a mystery, we cannot leave that child at the mercy of the unknown. She's worth a great deal and someone went through a lot of trouble to set up Deidre's murder."
"Yes, Deidre, not her daughter." Terra pointed out.
"Terra, Deidre and the Wherrington's have gained media attention. For whatever reasons, she was targeted. Until we know why and by whom, we have to assume anyone connected to her is in danger. There is no one closer to her than her own child."
"My head is just spinning, this is making me so crazy." Deidre sat back feeling more and more panicked by it every time it was discussed.
"My goodness, what a curse. So when are you getting her?"
"Shawn and his entire family are on their way here. I'll reclaim custody of her then."
"Does she know this? Does Shawn?" Terra asked.
"No. Not yet."
"Oh Deidre, he's going to go through the roof."
"I know, I know ... I don't even want to think about it."
Chapter 215
Chicago...
"Hey man, what's up?" Dennis asked leaning under the hood of his van in his garage, he was changing oil, doing minor vehicle maintenance when Jake strolled into view from across the alley.
"Waitin' on Vivian, for the life of me, I do not understand why it takes a woman s'damn long to get ready." He grumbled smoking a cigarette.
Dennis started laughing, glancing up at Jake, "Ah man! Look at you! Where ya'll headin'? Got a new cowboy hat on, wearing a sharp jacket, all decked out, smelling go-o-o-od!" Dennis teased making a face; had Jake laughing already.
"Yep, I even showered." He joined in on the fun.
"Shower? Oh that's just extra special! What's the occasion?"
Jake checked the frame of the garage door he was about to lean on first and then leaned crossing his cowboy booted leg over the other, he tipped back his hat, grinning he announced, "Going to meet the folks."
All of Dennis's teeth were showing in the most appealing grin and snicker, he did a little dance, "Aaaah shit now. Going to meet the folks..." He started laughing even more, "... boy yo' ass bes' get ready. Ha' mama don't too much like white folks and listen heah', got a goddamn white grandmother, now what kind of shit is that? When you don't like a whole race of people for whatever reason, yo'daughter guaranteed to bring one home. That's for real." He went on grinning and working as they talked.
"So she's that bad, huh?"
"Hell, she one of these black women always on they guard. To be honest, don't trust no goddamn body."
Jake stood with one eye squinted from the cigarette smoke coming off of the end of his cigarette, asking, "Her father? What about him?"
"He a trip too. I don't think he as bad as her mama though. Mr. Cooke just don't want nobody gettin' on his nerves. Don't like nobody hangin' round his crib. Don't like loud music. Don't disturb him when he watching the game, he loves basketball and football. Been known to catch a baseball game or two."
"Game is on today, Cubs away playing the Royals, think he'll be watching? I started watching it but thought, best not get into it with us going to her folks."
"He could be, best be prepared."
"I'll keep that in mind. We've been busy back and forth all morning, took some of her things to my place, at Mrs. Martin's."
"Oh yeah, why is that?"
"We suspect that her sister may have been the one behind her purse gettin' snatched. If so, I don't want Vivian there by herself. She's got all of that expensive shit in that place. If someone knows, they'll be breaking in there."
"Man that's the truth. I'd like to say I'll keep an eye out on her, but hey, she there, we here. If she don't scream out, we won't know, too far."
"Exactly, she tried to wiggle out of it this morning saying that you all were over here. I told her exactly what you just said, if you're sleeping, as you probably will be and someone comes in and keeps her from screaming, then what? I swear to god, she'
s stubborn as hell."
"All of'em are man! Every single last one'uv'em! Can't tell'em shit! Wanna always tell you what to do. Tell you what's best! But you can't tell them shit!"
"Ohhh believe me, I'm seein' it already. I'm not having it."
"I'm tellin' you man, don't let her get away with it. The way you plan to be tomorrow with them, is the way you got to be today! A black woman, will run - all over - yo'shit! You heah me! You got to be a strong man, to deal with a black woman. Because they been running shit for a long time now. Waaay back to the days of slavery, even before then. Master didn't do shit! His wife didn't do shit, it was too goddamn hot to do shit!" Dennis got going, Jake was shaking his head laughing, "You think its funny, but that shit is real! Hell, they ass sat on the front porch waiting on company while the black woman was taking care of business! Running the house, running the kitchen, running the fields. Slapping the shit out of the house nigga's and the field nigga's too! Hell they wasn't scared of the master, it was her that had they ass shaking and trembling. I'm telling you, that's the truth, they ass was large and in charge. Right now today, still trying to run shit! And will if you don't pull a halt to they ass." Dennis went on, grinning as he spoke, with Jake chuckling and listening.
"Well, she's gonna be staying by there at night, I'll feel better knowing that she's there. I'm leaving her my truck as well, I don't want her having to catch the bus."
Dennis stood up to look at him.
"You leaving her your truck? That blue truck?"
"Only one I've got."
"What you gone ride?"
"I'm not worried about that, I have my sister there and Shawn's vehicles. Besides, I'll be riding one of his bikes to and from work, that'll be enough for me. I just need to get there."
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