by Lewis, Rika
Chapter 5
Once she left he called another friend that he could trust. The phone rang a few times and then voicemail picked up. Channing I need your help call me back ASAP! Channing was also a member of the brotherhood except he had a secret love for tasting and touching black women as well. He had caught him coming out of a hotel two towns over with his arms wrapped around a black woman. He honked the horn at him to get his attention; of course the little shit looked green in the face by the time he had made it to my truck. Here was a man that beat the shit out motherfuckers with crow bars and broken more than a few arms and legs, was sitting in his truck looking like he was about to throw up because his ass had just gotten caught with one of the races that he was raised to hate. Oh and did I mention he was one of his dads right hand men. He knew everything about what his father planned to do and when. I took him to a secluded location and told him to tell me everything he knew about his dad having Yaz followed and in return he would keep his mouth shut about what he had seen. Channing looked straight ahead “ Do you think I’m a fool” as soon as I tell you, you’ll high tell it so fast back to your father and tell him, so fuck you. I’m not telling you shit! And by the way your fathers not any better than me, he’s fucked plenty of black women, yet he tells us stay away from them… the fucking hypocrite. Alton’s head whipped around, yea that’s right Channing said…he fucks them too. Alton now had his father by the balls now. That fucker was cheating on his mother while she stayed faithful to him. Oh he just fucking loved this; however he needed proof. He decided to let Channing in on his little secret, fuck it… his father already knew anyway and he hadn’t killed him yet. It also dawned on him that after all these years William Sr. still hadn’t told anyone about his son loving a black woman to anyone else. Now he knew why. Let’s take a walk Channing. For what… so you can try and “notice I said try” and kill me and bury my body so no will find me… Hell no! Alton was no pussy and he knew Channing would put up a good fight if he was going to try and kill him but that wasn’t his reason. Look man I don’t know if my truck is bugged or not let’s just step outside the car okay. Channing stared at him for a moment then pulled on the door handle and slid out. They walked a few feet from the truck and Alton laid it all out to him, by the time Alton was finished Channing felt much better about his own situation. He told Alton that he had been the one that had been sent watch Yaz but all he did was take pictures of her. Alton was not happy about that but none the less at least he hadn’t hurt her. AJ I swear to you man I didn’t know she was yours. Your father said that she and her family were protesters against our brotherhood and she posed a threat to our way of life and he wanted me to keep a tight eye on her for a while. One night while Gabe, Morris and I were camped out in front of her grandmother’s house I went to go and find a place to take a piss. When I got back Gabe was laid back in the seat and with his eyes closed. I asked him where was Morris he said he going to take a peek at Yaz getting out of the shower when he opened his eyes and moved his hand I could see the blood gushing from his side. He said he tried to stop him from going and the bastard stabbed him. You know they had been at each other’s throat about the money that had come up missing and your dad put Gabe on the shit runs and promoted Morris’s ass. Alton remembered that day the little S.O.B had been grinning ear to ear. Ever since then he had been walking around thinking he was king shit! Channing continued, I told Gabe to keep as much pressure on his wound as he could and he’d be back, he was going to get Morris and kick his ass! When he found Morris he was standing inside the kitchen door and Ms Carmichael was lying face down on the floor. He grabbed Morris by the arm and forced him out of the back door and into the car. They then took Gabe back to the hotel stitched him up and drugged his ass until he fell asleep. I then talked Morris into taking a ride to calm our nerves. He started running his trap and finally admitted to taking the money from Sr’s safe. I was pissed because the fucker had even tried to place the blame on him but Sr. didn’t believe him on that one. I knew then that he was a waist of a body. I pulled into an empty parking lot and he left the car to take piss, after he finished he opened the door to the bathroom stall and glimpsed the silencer pointed at head he told me he would have raped Yaz had he known he was going to die, and spit in my face. I gladly pulled the trigger blowing the bastards head off. I left his ass right there. Damn Alton said…I never knew all that. You said that some guys had jumped all of you and killed Morris in the process. Yea, Gabe and I decided that it was best that way. That old lady had, had a stroke when she saw Morris standing inside her door. Before we pulled off we heard Yaz screaming. Did she… Alton swallowed. Did she die? No we later checked up on her. She was in the hospital for a while but now she’s home Yaz and her family take turns helping her. Yaz is the one mainly there though. Alton listened to Channing said Yaz’s name, he sounded like he cared deeply for her. Fuck it… he had to ask him…are you in love with Yaz? Alton balled his fist. He really had no right to be jealous. He had never contacted Yaz after he had left, and Channing had been the one to watch over her, even though his bastard of a father sent Channing to photo and collect information to blackmail him with. She’s a sweet woman Channing stated matter of factly. After watching her for so long I started feeling things that I thought I had long buried. I use to date a black girl once. I came home one day to find her tied to my bed beaten, naked and dead. My father the fucker had let his friend’s rape her repeatedly before he beat and strangled her to death. I was just 16 years old then. My father made me bury her out in the woods. The police looked for her a year straight until an anonymous caller called in and told them where her body was. They still don’t know who did it of course. The family had held a fundraiser for her funeral because they didn’t have enough money to bury her, I sent in large lump sum of money and then some towards it, I stole it from my old man’s money stash he had hidden under the house. He never even realized it was missing. He wiped his hands down his face; though I know it doesn’t come close by no means as an apology for what happened to their once beautiful daughter I still felt responsible for what happened to her. Alton nodded his head in understanding. I use to go and visit her grave often and wondered if we would have still been together had she still been alive and his father and friends had not did, what they did to her. They stood in silence for a moment. Channing cleared his throat…to answer your question I have grown to care for Yaz. Alton bit the inside of his jaw but said nothing. He had fucked up by not going back after her like he had promised her. Damn bro… Channing chuckled you look like your ready kill me, I meant like a brother would for his sister, she loves you man, and she dreams of you often, she even calls your name out in her sleep sometimes. It’s you she really wants. It bugged the shit out of me after a while because I wanted know who the hell this guy was that she couldn’t seem to get over. I should have known it was you… but all we’ve ever called you is AJ. Listen, I don’t know what you had her but don’t allow your father to destroy you and ultimately Yaz, and by that I mean your dad will eventually have her hurt or killed and then it will cause you to lose your damn mind because you love her so much. Trust me on this AJ it took a while for my sanity to come back after what my father and his friends did. Would it be rude of me to ask what was her name was? Channing shook his head, I… I haven’t said her name out loud in many years’ man and today is not going to be that day maybe another time. Alton clapped him on his back, I understand bro… I totally understand. Alton snapped out of his trip down memory lane when he heard his cell phone going off to the tune of Nickel back’s I’d come for you. He answered it to Channing’s scratchy, sleep filled voice. Man this better be good! Your father had my ass out late babysitting the new recruits, which was your job by the fucking way! So you owe me one you little shit! I swear those fuckers don’t have the common sense god gave them. Alton laughed, Yea… sorry about that man. I got tied up helping my mom with something last night. This morning I have been helping Daniel and his brother they needed help; one of th
eir hired hands went out on sick leave. Channing didn’t need to know his and Derricks set up and even though he knew Channing had his back he wasn’t going to tell anyone that Derrick knew about his situation. He didn’t want any backlash to come to his uncle and his family. So what’s up? You remember that talk we had a couple of yours ago? Dude we’ve had many talks…could you be a little more specific? They had never spoken again about the girl he loved and lost after that day so he wanted to tread lightly with this subject. Umm…the one about the fundraiser that meant so much to you. Channing went dead silent, Alton couldn’t even hear him breath. Finally Channing said meet me at the spot and hung up. “The spot was where they had, had that very talk about that very specific conversation, which meant their phones were tapped. However not by the police but by the brotherhood which Alton knew because he was the son of said leader in this town, he knew that members of the police force were on his father’s payroll. He put his car into reverse and headed to the spot. He needed to keep his father’s minions off his back for a few days. He was tired of staying away from Yaz. She was here after all these years; she had found him even though she hadn’t realized it yet. He was finally going to claim her and this time he was leaving with her but first he had set a few road blocks before he put his plan in motion and he’d need a little time and help to pull it off.
The town market was only about 15 minutes away. The quaint little store reminded her of back home. She loved the small town atmosphere. As she pulled in, there were two women walking in laughing and talking while behind them their children shoved and pushed each other. She smiled, grabbed her purse and went into the store. She unfolded her grocery list then pulled out a shopping cart and started her shopping. She had decided on making something she had seen on the food network station it was a green herb salad with vinaigrette, bourbon chicken, roasted herb potatoes, parmesan bread, and since she didn’t drink she would have a virgin daiquiri with it. She also picked up some hamburger meat, pork chops, roast and a ham with a mixture of vegetables to go with each meal for the rest of the week. She walked past the fruit juice aisle and doubled back to get her some apple juice, then it was on to the checkout line. As she approached the two women that that had entered the store as she pulled in were in the next line. She heard the girl with blonde hair say that she thought she was pregnant her friend told her to get a test first before running to the doctor’s office. Have you mentioned anything to him yet? The blonde shook her head no; I can’t seem to get him on the phone. I don’t even know if the baby is his or not. What? Well who else could it be; the red headed girl said whispering. I don’t know, we were all too drunk he was the only one who had apologized me. He’s hiding from you and it has gone on long enough. His father said the same thing when I saw him at the meeting last night. I know where his mother lives I will take you there, but first you need to take this test to be sure and then I’ll help you look for him. I know where he works from time to time. Yaz shook her head, she almost felt sorry for this guy who may or may not be the father of this girl’s baby. She looked a little psycho… hell they both did for that matter. Huh… Thank God she didn’t have to deal with that shit!
Alton pulled up to the wooded area that they called “the Spot.” Channing was leaning against his car looking cool as fan on this hot ass day! Morning Channing. Morning… Channing looked down at his watch, Man it’s fucking afternoon, now talk so I take my ass back to bed! Alton chuckled… somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Fuck you Channing said sticking up his middle finger. Fine I’ll stop fucking around… Alton’s tone turned serious. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about what you said happened with you and… Channing held his hand up to silence him but he continued on instead. I am ready to get out. I want a life with Yaz. Channing cocked his eyebrow at him then smiled…okay what do you need from me? Time… I need some time. How much time? Yaz is here in greenbrier. Channing stood up straight then. It still kind of pissed Alton off how attuned he was at the mention of Yaz’s name. What do you mean she’s here in greenbrier? Did you contact her? No… hell no! Why would I contact her and ask her to come here! I never even told her where I was from. Where is she now? She’s staying at the Rocking C Ranch, renting a cabin for a few weeks. I saw her at Starbucks and thought my eyes were playing tricks on me so I followed her there. Daniel confirmed to me that it was her. I’m staying in the cabin right next door to hers. As I told you over the phone Daniel needed an extra hand and asked me if I could help out. And what better way to keep my eye on her than to be her next door neighbor? Good, because if your dad sees her and trust me on this he has studied her pictures long and hard trying to figure out what it is about this girl that you can’t seem to get over. Now he still hasn’t told anyone in the brotherhood that this particular girl is in love with his son and that his son loves her. Which; is still a mystery to me. I am his son after all. He couldn’t have his son be the weak link in his plans. I figured since you’re his right hand man you could give me time I needed to put my plan into action. Once I leave I just need to get us back to Yaz’s house her father will take care of the rest for me. What the hell… her father? Wholly shit Alton said; her father sent her here to insure that I come back with her. Wait a minute you’ve kept in contact with her father? Off and on but it’s been almost 2 years now since the last time I asked about her and it has always been in letters sent to a P.O Box that’s in another city. I have a person that goes there every other week to drop a shipment off and he picks up my mail for me. Damn son you’re doing some slick shit you know that. I’m shocked your dad hasn’t intercepted that. Alton wasn’t about to tell him that Daniel’s brother was the one helping with that. He wanted to keep them out of harm’s way as much as possible. You said her father sent her here? How did he know that you’d see her? That I don’t know. Her father is an Ex Special Ops Agent for the military. “Fucking A” dude… so he has connections and he probably has eyes on his daughter as well. Oh no doubt he has. Her father is not one to fuck with that I can tell you. My dad ain’t got shit on this man believe me. So why haven’t you went to him before if he’s that bad ass? I was not about ask him to get involved in my BS he has a family to take care of and I didn’t want any retaliation going on because of me. Why do you think I stayed away for so long! Alton was now getting antsy, he wanted to hurry up and get back to Yaz. Now it was Channing’s turn to chuckle. Calm down man, I got your back. When you come to the meeting tonight just inform the brotherhood that you will be missing a few meetings I will assign myself and Gabe to hang with you, to “keep an eye on you,” that way your dad won’t suspect anything. Hey you never know Gabe and I my want out too? Alton stared at Channing. I can understand you wanting out but Gabe… what’s his deal? It’s a long story for another time however I will tell you he’s got the same problem we have. Oh yea… and what’s that? Black women my boy… black women. They both laughed! We are going to get ourselves into some serious shit you know that right; Channing hollered over his shoulder. Yea… but it’s nothing we can’t handle especially if we have some Ex Special Ops on our side Alton said smiling. It may be time to give my father in law a call. Channing stopped dead in his tracks. Father in law? Alton grinned a Chester Cheetah grin showing all his pearly whites. Yep…Yaz will be wife very soon. Shit, we better stock up on all the guns we can…your about to start a war. Yea… it’s one that I’m willing to die for before I live without Yaz again. See ya at the meeting bro.
Alton started up his truck and looked at his cell phone he had four missed calls his mother and Daniel. His mother would have to wait. Shit, had something happen to Yaz? His finger started to shake when he hit the call back button to call Daniel back. Daniel picked up on the first ring. Daniel what’s up is Yaz alright? Calm down she’s fine, but I think you need to get back here when you can. Why what’s going on? Some girl named Tia and one of her friends came by here looking for you. They tried to cause a scene but my wife and sister in law took care of them rather quickly before any
more of the other guest saw what had happened. Why do I feel a “but” a coming on said Alton? Listen man Yaz was here getting information on the trails she could walk, she overheard everything. Alton’s lips thinned. He and Tia hadn’t spoken in a while what the hell was she trying to pull. She was known for spreading her legs for any man willing to risk getting in between them. Tell me Daniel? She came in here asking for you. I told her I hadn’t seen you since early this morning. If she knew your father I didn’t want her taking any information back to him if you know what I mean. She called me a liar and said that I was hiding you. Then she screamed out that she was pregnant and for me to tell you to get ready to pay child support. What the fuck? I haven’t slept with her! We all got drunk one night however I managed to drive myself home. That bitch must have assumed I slept with her. I took her out to the movies a couple of times after that but that was it and the only reason I did that is because my father forced my hand. Daniel didn’t need to know the reason why. Sounds like your father has set you up. That motherfucker! Alton glanced down at his watch! Shit it’s almost five pm. I’ve got a meeting to go to and I will be back. Hey… how did Yaz take the news? Oh, she high tailed it out of here. I have one of the staff checking on her now. I had told them to give her give her 3 extra nights as a complimentary stay for the commotion that little Miss Tia caused. I’ve got my eyes on her. Don’t worry. Thanks Daniel I appreciate it. Alton hung up and dialled his mom’s number. It rang a couple of times and then she picked up. Alton some crazy girl stopped by here claiming she was pregnant by you. “Fucking A” Alton yelled!! Watch your language Alton Jackson. Sorry mom. I have not touched that girl in a sexual way EVER! I believe you baby. I told her she was crazy if she thought the child she was carrying was yours because if you did get a girl pregnant you’d do right by her because you take care of your responsibilities. Thanks for sticking up for me mom, I love you. Alton? Yes mom? You are…umm using protection aren’t you? Mom! I’m not trying to be in your business I just don’t want to see you hurt or God forbid wind up with some disease, or a having a child that wasn’t planned. I know mom. I’m always careful just know that. He was so not having this conversation with his mother right now. I got go mom I love you. Love you too baby. I’ll stop by tomorrow to see you okay? Okay baby talk you later. Bye.
