I brushed my teeth with a soft toothbrush. I rinsed with some Scope Spearmint flavored mouthwash. I hated to go to bed with a dirty mouth, and I would be brushing again after eating my ice cream later before turning in for the night.
I stepped into the hot bathtub of water.
“Ohhh, that’s hot! Whew!” I shrieked as I eased into the water.
I sat in the water and began to meditate. I was thankful for my life, my mind, health, and my husband. I had gone through so much just to be seventeen years old. It was well worth it as long as I can be happy, prosperous, and successful for the remainder of my life.
CHAPTER 28
ANTOINETTE
The LYFT driver drove a red pickup truck. I had him take me to Mcdonald’s where I went to the
restroom to dispose of the pillow that I used to
kill Brady. Then I had the LYFT driver drop me to Union Street which was my cousin June Bug’s turf.
June Bug was a big black ugly motherfucker. June Bug thought that he was Mr. T without the beard and the notoriety. He wore endless gold chains and had built his body up to look like a muscle man. In other words, he was walking around looking like the Incredible Hulk but missing the lime green skin. Nobody fucked with him because he would kill a motherfucker on sight.
June Bug was a gangsta and was well known throughout the city as an OG. That’s original gangster, and he was a real Ruff Ryder. June spent some time in jail for drug trafficking and robbery. My cousin June Bug still participates in illegal activities but he has flunkies doing his dirty work these days. He was the nigga that held the cards that I needed to be dealt tonight. I wanted Tianna dead or at least for the little bitch to be afraid to walk these streets.
I walked up to June Bug’s house and rang the bell. An armed guard searched me before letting me inside. Once inside I was led to a room that held a long conference table.
“What’ up cuz? What can I do for you today?” June Bug barked showing a mouth filled with platinum teeth.
“I need a big favor. I need some of your goons to set an apartment on fire tonight. I need them motherfuckers to die tonight. Another day breathing for them should not be granted!” I fumed as I stomped my foot.
June Bug gave me a side eye before speaking. He
untwisted a bottle of Gin and sipped it.
“What kind of shit are you on Antoinette? You know that I am trying to be legit as possible these days. But I can help you if you want this done but once it’s done, there is no turning back. There may be consequences too especially if my boys are caught. Antoinette you will have to go down for the done deed.” June Bug warned me.
He had such a coldness in his voice. I knew that June Bug was a heartless nigga but damn would my blood cousin throw me under the bus for real? I thought street niggas had a no snitching
policy.
“June Bug look, man, if your niggas gonna fuck it
up then I will figure another way to kill them. I am not trying to do any jail time, and prison is
definitely not an option for me!” I rolled my eyes as I barked.
“My men are more than capable of getting the job done. I can’t guarantee that they will perish, but my men will make it very difficult for them to escape the burning home.” June Bug stated.
“Thanks, cousin. Motherfuckers think that shit is sweet but they about to feel my wrath. They won’t know what hit them.” I said as I stomped my foot.
“Write down the address so I can set this shit off!” June Bug said letting out an evil growl.
“How much do I owe you Cousin?” I questioned.
“Nothing baby girl. This one is all on me. Don’t worry about shit, if they don’t die but continue to be a problem I will kick down their front and murder them myself. Who are the victims?” June
“Tianna and her husband!” I spat in a nasty tone.
“But that’s your daughter! Why do you want to have her murdered?” June Bug curiously asked.
She had Duke cremated. Duke left everything to her young, dumb, and full of cum ass.” I answered.
“Tianna is your daughter. I can’t do it!” June Bug said flatly.
“And why not?” I howled.
June Bug made me feel like killing his ass. I still had my gun in my bag.
“I just told you that Tianna is blood. I don’t eliminate anyone that is on my family tree.” June Bug announced.
“She is not my birth daughter. Tianna is Tiara’s child.” I revealed.
“Get the fuck out of here!” June Bug bellowed.
“I swear on everything that I love that the little wench is not my child!” I boasted.
“Okay Cousin. I got you!” June Bug firmly stated as he shooked his head.
I was on a mission everybody that I had an issue with had to die tonight. Duke better be glad his ass is already dead because he would have been
the first to go. All this bull I am going through because Duke didn’t leave me shit. I am pissed
about it.
CHAPTER 29
TIM
I was now done with my dinner. I did not want any ice cream. I just grabbed myself a Corona out the fridge and headed to the bedroom. I needed relaxation, so I sat on my bed and rolled a blunt as I watched some Sunday night football. I was not really in tune with it. The tv was watching me more than I was watching it. I had missed most of the game and was ticked off about it. It did not matter though I watched too much sports and too much tv is not healthy for a nigga.
I had work tomorrow. I was exhausted from the drive from Eerie. I did not mention anything to Tianna about going off on my mom, but I am glad that my wife stood up for herself. My mom was the type of person that if you give her an inch, she will take a mile. Mom was rude and reckless at the mouth, and it’s one of the reasons why I moved from Eerie.
Tianna was the quiet type, but she would surprise you when she opens her mouth to defend herself. I loved Tianna because in my eyes she was the shit. My wife was innocent and reminded me of precious jewels that needed to be treated delicately. I loved her, and I was willing to prove it to her every day. Mama, daddy, sister, brother,
friend or foe could ever come against love. Our love for each other grew stronger each day. I know marriage won’t be easy and isn’t a game, but I am willing to do whatever it takes to keep the fires burning.
I have never known love like this. It’s something about Tianna that draws me to her. She keeps me on edge, and my heart just grows fonder of her. If I had not approached her, I might have died from loneliness. I am head over heels in love with my baby. I am glad that I don’t have to search for her anymore for I have found my good thing in Tianna.
This marijuana really had a nigga in his feelings. I chuckled. I have been in serious relationships before, but no woman has ever made me feel the way that Tianna has. Maybe all of the other women were just practice until I found Tianna who was now my Queen.
I heard a noise that baffled me. At first, I thought I was tripping off of this weed until a lit cocktail came crashing through my bedroom window.
“What the fuck?”’ I screeched.
Who would set our place on fire with us in it? As far as I knew we did not have any beef with anyone. I had to get to Tianna. I thought.
I grabbed Tianna’s bathrobe from the closets
doorknob. The flames were all over the bedroom. I
grabbed my cars keys and ran out my bedroom door closing the door behind me. I
hoped the closed doors would contain the flames
until we were out of the house safely. I could barely see there was smoke everywhere and it was hard to breathe. I walked in the direction of the bathroom. I finally got there but when I tried to open the doorknob it was piping hot.
“Damn it!” I yelled out in pain.
“Tim is that you?” I heard Tianna call out to me.
I used Tianna’s robe to open the door. I stumbled because I opened the door so quickly.
“What’s wrong Baby?” Tian
na asked in her sleepy voice.
“There is a fire!” I bellowed.
“Fire! What are you talking about?” Tianna ranted as she got out the tub quickly as she could.
Her nude body was dripping wet.
The smoke was now entering the bathroom. Tianna was now coughing from inhaling so much smoke.
“I don’t know! I guess someone has a grudge and has something to prove. We just need to get out of here. I don’t want to die tonight!” I barked.
“What the hell? That’s crazy!” Tianna shouted.
“It really is. Here put on your robe. It was the only
thing besides the car keys that I managed to
grab.” I explained.
“Thanks, Tim,” Tianna stated as she threw on the robe.
“Grab your washcloth and put it over your mouth and nose. Hurry up! Do it now! We have to get the hell out of here now!” I ordered Tianna.
I now feared the unknown. The flames can burn our bodies, and smoke inhalation could kill us. Lord help us. I tried not to panic because I needed my wife to trust me, and honestly, I am not sure that I even believed my own instincts, but I still needed Tianna to have faith in me. I am a warrior within. I embody qualities of strength, courage, and determination. I am ready for action with a don’t fuck with me attitude. I was ready to rumble.
I carried Tianna through the smoke and raging hot flames as I held my breath. The fire never touched us. I was so frightened, but the warrior in me made me press on through.
I made it from the hall to the living room which was engulfed in smoke and flames also. I saw a path that was so angelic like. It was so smooth as if God himself had created it and it led straight to a window. I must have left it opened earlier I could see the wind blowing the curtain. I ran fast
as a racehorse. Tianna and I were both coughing severely. The smoke was entering our noses. I was
running, but it felt like my feet were dragging in slow motion. I finally got my second wind and sprinted to the open window.
I motioned for Tianna to jump. She refused. My throat was on fire from all of the smoke that I was ingesting, but somehow I managed to speak.
“Tianna we came too far to give up now. Baby no matter what the end result maybe we will be TOGETHER ‘TIL NEVER. I love you Tianna Greg forever and a day. I believed that I have proven to you tonight that I would go through the fire for you. Jump so that we can live another day. Imagine yourself jumping into a beautiful pool of water at a beautiful resort.” I muttered.
I could see the fear in my wife’s eyes. She hugged me tightly and allowed me to help her on to the window ledge.
“Jump! Baby jump!” I howled.
Tianna hesitated. I looked back, and the flames were accumulating and almost to my back. Tianna left me no choice. I got up on the ledged and picked her up in my arms and plunged out the window to safety.
It looked like the fall would be short, but I must have judged wrong. Tianna and I were in mid-air, and all I could hear is Tianna’s screams. It was not a rollercoaster ride scream either. I held on to my
wife for dear life as we tumbled to the ground.
I hit my head on something I don’t know what though. Tianna was sprawled out on the ground. She looked lifeless.
I sensed people standing around. I heard sirens and saw red lights flashing.
Help must be the way. I thought
“HELP ME! SOMEONE HELP ME!” I bellowed.
“Sir it’s okay. I am a nurse. I need for you to lie still until we get you stabilized.” The nurse instructed me.
“But.
I could barely breathe. My throat hurt. My throat felt like it was on fire.
How is my wife?” I asked in a weak voice.
I started coughing and straining to breathe.
I felt like I had been up for days. I was feeling very drained.
“Don’t worry about your wife. Let’s make sure that you are okay. She is in good hands.” The nurse assured me.
All I wanted to know was how Tianna was doing. I was too weak to fight. I succumbed to my weariness.
CHAPTER 30
ANTOINETTE
Tianna and Mr. Greg were taken to St. Murray’s hospital by ambulance. But they were not being transported to the morgue. Tianna and her husband were not dead. I was mad as hell that they were not going out in a body bag. I see that June Bug’s crew did a half-ass job. I guess if I wanted things done correctly I would have to kill them myself. Maybe I would let Tianna’s husband live because it may be too risky trying to kill them both tonight.
I would not be able to sleep peacefully until I heard Tianna take her last breath. Death was the only thing on my mind, and now that I committed my first murder it felt like a piece of cake to do since I put Brady out of his misery.
I walked confidently into the hospital and presented myself as Tianna’s mother. I put on my concerned voice and pretended to care about the devil bitch. I just wanted to get close enough to the arrogant bitch to take her life away from her since she did not appreciate the love and care that I wasted on her ass. I changed her dirty ass
diapers, I talk Tianna to walk, crawl, talk. I helped her with her homework and did her hair. I even
read her goodnight stories. Duke did not do half the shit that I had done for Tianna. I had not birthed Tianna, but she was my little girl and meant a lot to me. Tianna was not that little girl that Duke placed in my arms all those years ago. The love that we shared for each other was long gone now. Maybe if I felt a little bit of love for the little hoe, I wouldn’t kill her ass. Honestly, I felt nothing, and the more I dwelled on the events since Duke got killed, the more I wanted Tianna Greg dead.
There were a lot of doctors racing into Tianna’s room. She was screaming of stomach pain. I was beginning to become alarmed because Tianna had never cried in so much pain like this before. My thoughts were like Dr. Hekel and Mr. Hyde because I immediately laughed at Tianna being in agony. I was very amused.
“Someone please get someone from the Gynecology department. This girl is having a miscarriage!” Doctor #1 yelped.
“Oh my God look at all the blood! I believe she is hemorrhaging!” The nurse shrieked as the tech ran out the room.
“Ohhhhh. My stomach hurts. Why is there so much blood? What the fuck is wrong with me and
where is my husband?” Tianna hollered in pain.
“Your husband is doing well we will let him visit you once you are stabled.
Did you know that you were pregnant? You are having a miscarriage. Dr, Swanson will be right in to help. Stay calm and breath.” Said Dr #1 whose name was Dr. Kelp.
“No, I did not know that was pregnant!” I whimpered.
“It’s okay. You are in good hands. Dr. Kelp comforted Tianna.
Dr. Swanson ran into the room and attended to Tianna. He helped ease the process of her miscarriage.
TIM
All I wanted to know is how my wife is doing, but these doctors keep insisting that I should stay in bed and relax. I feel perfectly fine. I am going to sit here for twenty more minutes, and I am busting out this joint. I need to know if my Tianna was doing well or not. My intuition is telling me that she is not doing good.
How could this be happening to us? We just got married, and we were so lit about being together
and experiencing new things. This can’t be the end I loved Tianna so much. Why couldn’t I just take her place? I assumed that she was experiencing pain and it bothered the hell out of my conscience all because some asshole wanted to set our home on fire.
I just laid in the uncomfortable hospital bed and cried and prayed for Tianna because that’s all that I knew to do. My tears poured down my face like tears. I heard of a saying once that God bottles up your tears and I sure hoped that he bottled mine.
I must have drifted off to sleep because I woke to a tech shaking me awake.
I did not know what the hell was going on, but I knew that I could not be too careful because there was an arsonist ou
t here that tried to kill my wife and myself. I did not know if this bitch was a killer or a real damn tech.
“Aye get your fucking hands off of me bitch!” I bellowed.
She looked shocked and her face was now red.
“Calm down Tim Greg!” I did not mean to startle you. Please forgive me.” The pretty blonde tech begged me.
“Ok, so what do you want? Do you need more
blood, vitals or some other weird shit?” I probe her
with questions.
“Oh no! Mr. Greg, I wanted to know if you wanted to see Tianna, she is your wife? Am I correct?” She asked in a perky voice.
“Yes! Take me to my wife now?” I blurted.
I was so happy.
“Let me get you a wheelchair.” The tech said.
“No, ma’am. I do not need a wheelchair I am fine. I can walk.” I assured her.
“Are you sure?” She said looking me over as I stood up.
“I am fine. What’s the room number?” I inquired.
“It’s just five rooms down.” She informed me.
“Thank you very much. I got this.” I reassured the tech.
TIANNA
I couldn’t believe that I had a miscarriage. The baby that Tim and I created was now gone because of the terrible fall from the window. Tim and I had no choice it was either jump or die in that horrible house fire.
I wondered where Tim was as I sat and cried my eyes out. All of this seemed like a bad dream. Daddy is dead, and Antoinette is a weirdo like
always, but I still had Tim. I hoped that he was okay. I kept asking the doctors for him, but they
won’t give me any information, and I thought that was rude as hell.
My room door open abruptly and I thought it would be Tim. I tried to get cute as I could in the bed, but to my surprise, it was not Tim it was Antoinette.
“What are you doing here?” I asked her politely.
Together 'Til Never Page 15
