The Aftermath

by Shelia M. Goss

  “Dad, just because you have a problem with the Joneses, doesn’t mean I have to,” I responded. I threw the remote on the coffee table in front of me.

  He sat down on the opposite end of the couch. “You’re playing with fire. Are you seriously willing to risk everything to be with that woman?”

  “Dad, my relationship with Charity doesn’t affect you.” His attitude about Charity really annoyed me.

  “Omar, that’s where you’re wrong. You being involved with her isn’t good for you. You’re so busy with her that you’re neglecting some things. Leaving it up to me to clean up the mess.” He lit a cigarette.

  “Charity is nothing like her mother. She’s caring and sensitive. And she can also be a spoiled brat. I know the Joneses, or have you forgotten that?”

  “She’s nothing like you described. I don’t know this selfish woman you keep describing to me. She’s never been that way with me,” I responded. He had me feeling like a teenager versus the grown man that I was.

  He’d always had this effect on me. I found myself always trying to do things to please him. As a child growing up, I thought if I got his approval, he wouldn’t leave me alone with Mom. He would stay and be around like some of my friends’ fathers. But nothing I did back then made him stay, so why was I so concerned on pleasing him now?

  “The Joneses are good at getting what they wanted. I’ve lived in their shadows for years. Trust me; I know.”

  “But Dad, you can’t keep holding on to this vendetta you have against them. At some point, you will need to let it go.”

  “I’m letting it go. That’s why I implemented my little plan.”

  “Because of you, an innocent man is in jail,” I said.

  “Isn’t that poetic justice!” He laughed, but I didn’t.

  CHAPTER 31

  Lexi

  My kids were right. I was drinking a little too much. Drinking helped me forget about my problems and it helped me go to sleep. If I didn’t watch myself, I could end up an alcoholic so I needed to make a conscious effort to cut back my consumption of alcohol. I laughed out loud. I used to complain to Royce that he was drinking too much and now look at me.

  I walked to the sink and poured the entire bottle of vodka down the drain. I tossed the bottle in the recycling bin. I would no longer drown out my sorrows with liquor. I’d been preaching to my kids about the importance of prayer and living by faith all of their lives. Right now I was being a hypocrite; instead of practicing what I preached, I was not living by faith.

  I’d prayed and prayed to God to deliver Royce from his situation, so instead of drowning in sorrow, I needed to act like it would happen.

  Too much consumption of alcohol will cloud one’s judgment. I’d been in a downward spiral of depression. I was stronger than that. I couldn’t keep letting the circumstances beat me. Every now and then, you have to give yourself a pep talk and this was one of those times. Royce needed me. My kids needed me. I kept telling myself things to help change my mindset.

  In spite of the police not doing anything to help Royce, I was not giving up hope. I called Lovie on his cell phone. He had already left the house before I got up.

  “Mom, how are you?” he asked from the other end of the phone.

  “Better. Much better. I hate you saw me like that,” I confessed.

  “You’re stressed. I understand.”

  “No excuse. I’m your mother and a child should never see his mom like that. And I can promise you, that you never will again.”

  I could hear others talking in the background. “Mom, I have to run. Somebody forgot to bring the programs,” Lovie said.

  “Dear, where are you? I can swing by the funeral home and bring them to you.”

  “I’m at Lakeshore Baptist. But I have to leave here and go to Cedar Grove to this other funeral.”

  “You go do that. I’ll swing by and pick up the programs real quick and drop them off at Lakeshore Baptist for you.”

  “Thanks. Nobody’s answering the phone at the office.”

  “Don’t stress. Mama’s got this.”

  I grabbed my keys and switched into work mode. I shouldn’t have had Lovie handle things by himself. I should have been helping out all along. I was too caught up in my own emotions.

  The funeral had already started by the time I dropped the programs off, but at least they had them. I got back in my car and drove back to the funeral home.

  Lovie was pulling up in the parking lot at the same time.

  Once we were in Royce’s office, I said to Lovie, “Son, you’re doing a great job with taking over the business. Your dad would be proud. I owe you another apology.”

  “For what?”

  “For not being here. I know how this operation runs. I helped set up the process. I should have been here with you.”

  “Mom, you’re dealing with a lot. I didn’t expect you to. I’ve got this. You just make sure you’re all right.”

  My eyes watered. “My baby’s not a baby anymore.” I hugged him and kissed him on the cheek.

  “Mom, don’t do that.”

  “What?” I said, trying to sound innocent.

  “Let’s leave the mushy stuff for outside of the office.” Lovie grinned.

  He knew he liked it when I showed him affection.

  I took a seat in the chair across from the desk. “So what’s our plan for today?”

  “I have two more funerals,” he said while he looked at something on the computer. “I want you to stay out of trouble.”

  “Can you try that number back?” I asked.

  Lovie pulled out the phone and called the number I’d gotten out of Diana’s phone. He placed the call on speaker.

  “Hello,” a male voice answered.

  “Hello,” I repeated.

  “Who is this?” he asked.

  “I got your number from Diana. She said you could help me with something.”

  The caller hung up.

  “Mom, maybe you shouldn’t have said that,” Lovie said.

  “That should shake things up a little. You handle your business and let me take care of Ms. Diana.”

  I waited for Lovie to leave. I went behind the desk and retrieved the TracFone from the drawer. I placed it in my purse and left.

  I needed to relax my mind so instead of getting a drink, I headed straight to the spa.

  Two hours later, I was relaxed from a full body massage. My cell phone was ringing as I was walking inside of my house. I fumbled through my purse for it while deactivating the house alarm at the same time.

  “Hello,” I said, without bothering to look at the caller ID.

  “Mom, where are you? You sound out of breath,” Lovie said.

  “I am. Trying to do too many things at the same time.”

  “Did you take that phone?” he asked.

  “Guilty as charged,” I responded.

  “Fine. I wanted to make sure I didn’t misplace it somewhere else. I meant to take it with me.”

  “I have it. In fact, I’m about to use it now. I’m going to call Diana and check on her.”

  “I should be home soon,” Lovie informed me.

  I hung up with him and went to my bedroom. I laid my purse and keys on the dresser. I removed the TracFone from my purse and dialed Diana’s number. She answered on the first ring.

  “Hello,” she said.

  “Diana, it’s me, Lexi. How are you?” I asked.

  “Now is not a good time,” she responded.

  “I just wanted to—”

  “Nooo!” Diana yelled. Then the phone went silent.

  CHAPTER 32

  Royce

  I needed to see Lexi in person. I didn’t care if they were listening to our conversation. Mitch promised me he would give her the letter I wrote. Mitch said he would also try to get u
s a one-on-one meeting again but for me not to count on it.

  My heart was heavy. I couldn’t stop thinking about the young man who was killed because he was trying to help me. All of this waiting was getting to me.

  I stood in line to use the phone. I dialed the house number. Lexi answered. I usually had my back toward the dorm, but not today. I turned my back toward the pay phone.

  “Did you get the letter from Mitch?” I asked.

  “Yes. I’m sorry to hear about the young man,” she said.

  “Me too. I was so close to finding out more.”

  “Royce, I’m concerned about your safety. I talked to Mitch about getting you moved. He said unfortunately, there wasn’t anything he could do. If they moved you, they would put you in solitary confinement.”

  “At this point, I really don’t care.”

  “Royce, is it that bad?” she asked.

  I usually tried to sound chipper but not today. “Baby, I’m simply taking precautions. The death of the young man was a reminder to me I needed to stay on my Ps and Qs.”

  The recorder came on reminding us we only had fifteen seconds before the call would end.

  “I’m going to call you right back,” I said.

  I hung up and called Lexi back.

  “Do you remember Diana?” Lexi asked me.

  The name wasn’t ringing a bell. “I’m trying. Who is she?”

  “Jason’s secretary,” Lexi reminded me.

  “Did you try calling her back?” I asked.

  “Yes, but her phone went straight to voicemail.”

  “Don’t worry about Diana. She’s not your problem,” I said.

  “She knows something. She sat there and told the police those lies and I’m not going to rest until she comes forth with the truth. And another thing, did you know she and Jason were having an affair?”

  “That I’m not surprised about.” Jason went through secretaries like other men changed underwear. I tried to tell him that he shouldn’t sleep with his employees, but he didn’t like to listen. I’d had to listen to many stories about his workplace issues resulting from his failed liaisons with some of the women he had gotten himself involved with.

  “We found out Diana’s been getting deposits from one of Jason’s accounts.”

  “Since he’s been dead?”

  “Yes. So, we’re trying to track it down to see who’s been making these transfers.”

  A few men got in the line where I stood to use the phone.

  “Babe, when the phone hangs up this time, I’ll have to talk to you later. This line is getting long.”

  “I don’t care. Let them get in another line.”

  “Babe, you know that’s not fair. Besides, only one phone is working.”

  “What’s not fair is the fact that you’re in there and the real killer is roaming around free!”

  “Lexi, calm down. I don’t want you having a stroke while I’m here.”

  In a calmer voice, she said, “I’m sorry. I’m just so frustrated.”

  “You and me both.”

  The automated voice interrupted. “Babe, this phone is about to hang up. Love you and love the kids.”

  The call ended. I handed the receiver to the guy standing next in line. He made a smart comment. “Thought you weren’t going to ever get off the phone.”

  I ignored him and went back toward my cell. One of the guards blocked the front of my cell.

  “Jones, I’ve got a message for you,” the pudgy guard said.

  “From my lawyer?” I asked.

  “No. From your son-in-law.” The guard handed me an envelope. He moved from in front of my cell.

  I held on to the envelope. I sat down on my bunk. I didn’t have a son-in-law so I was curious to see whom the letter was from. I tore open the envelope and removed the sheet of paper inside.

  The letter was from the detective dating Charity. It read:

  Dear Mr. Jones,

  I want you to know I’m doing everything I can to make sure you’ll become a free man. Charity loves you and since I plan on becoming her husband one day, I must do everything I can to keep a smile on her face. Seeing you free will make her smile.

  I am writing you because, although we don’t know each other well, I thought out of respect I would ask you for your permission to ask her to marry me. You’re probably thinking we haven’t known each other long enough or well enough for our relationship to be taken to that level.

  I beg to differ. I knew the moment I met Charity I wanted her to be my wife. Any man would be lucky to have her as his wife. I love her. I promise to take care of her. I promise to treat her just as well as you have.

  I’m enclosing my phone number, 318-555-1212. You can call me collect at any time. It’s my hope that by the time we get married, you will be a free man so you’ll be able to walk Charity down the aisle and place her hand in mine.

  Signed

  Your Future Son-in-Law

  Omar

  I read the letter again. I gave him credit for approaching me on the subject, but didn’t know if he was the best man to be giving my daughter to. I needed to know more about him.

  I penned a letter asking for Omar to come visit me. After our visit, I would let him know whether or not he had my permission to marry my baby girl. In the meantime, I hoped Lexi would do as I asked and not concern herself with Diana. I didn’t need to worry about her safety along with everything else.

  CHAPTER 33

  Charity

  Mom insisted that Hope and I come over for dinner. I had plans with Omar so I didn’t plan to be there too long. “Hope, you need to drive your own car. When we leave Mom’s, I’m meeting Omar at his place,” I said.

  “Fine. I’ve got plans afterwards myself,” she said as she grabbed her car keys from the table.

  She beat me outside.

  We followed each other to our parents’ house. Surprisingly, Lovie wasn’t there.

  We exchanged hugs before taking our seats at the dining room table.

  “Lovie’s busy so he won’t be here. Did he tell y’all he’s moved in temporarily?” Mom said.

  I looked at Hope. She looked at me. “No. This is the first I’m hearing of it.”

  “Well, I’m glad he’s here. It’s been lonely with your father not being here. What would make it perfect if you two decided to move back too,” she said.

  Hope beat me to it. “Don’t mean to disappoint you, but we’re all alpha females. I don’t think we all could live under the same roof. Look at Charity and me. We get along, but there are days when she wants to be the boss and I want to rip her head off.”

  Mom said, “You’re probably right. I’m being nostalgic right now. I keep reminiscing on when I had my entire family here.”

  I reached for her hand and squeezed it. “I miss those times as well. But we’re all grown up now. Once Dad’s home, you’ll be glad we’re not here.”

  Hope said, “Won’t she? I remember walking in on them in the den. Ugh. Scarred me for life.”

  “Royce and I weren’t that bad, were we?” Mom asked.

  Hope and I said in unison, “Yes.”

  “Good. I’ll be glad when he gets out so we can be bad together again.” She paused and then said, “Your father knows how to be real bad.”

  “Mom, can we change the conversation?” Hope suggested.

  I added, “Because we really don’t want to hear anymore. I think we lived enough of it growing up in this house.”

  “I’ll try to keep my thoughts to myself.”

  We ate our dinner. The conversation remained light until the end.

  “I think something’s happened to Diana. I tried reaching out to her, but her phone keeps going straight to voicemail. I’ve asked Lovie to check on it. That’s why he’s not here,” Mom said.

&nbs
p; “I hope she’s okay. She’s probably just not answering her phone.”

  “I also spoke with your father earlier today. He’d sent a letter by Mitch. Your father had been talking to a young man who knew that your father didn’t kill Jason. Well, to make a long story short, the young man and the young man he was telling your father about were both killed.”

  Hope said, “This is becoming dangerous.”

  “Which means apparently we’re on the right path,” I said.

  “I know we are,” Mom said. “If I can speak with Diana again, I’m convinced I can make her talk. She knows a whole lot more than what she’s been pretending to.”

  “Let’s hope she calls you back,” I stated.

  Lovie walked in. “I’m afraid Diana won’t be calling anyone back.”

  All of us looked in Lovie’s direction. Lovie continued, “Diana’s dead. She was found strangled in her room at her aunt’s house. Her aunt is devastated.”

  “I need to call her aunt now and offer our condolences,” Mom said.

  She left the table and returned shortly holding the house phone. We could only hear her side of the conversation. “If there’s anything we can do, let me know,” Mom said.

  She sat back at the table. “Whoever killed Diana wasn’t a stranger to her. There was no forced entry to the home. The aunt had been visiting a sick relative. When she returned, she thought Diana was taking a nap. When she didn’t come out for breakfast the next day, that’s when she went to check on her and found her dead.”

  Lovie said, “I don’t want any of you doing anything on your own. Mom, if you need to go somewhere, take one of us with you. Charity, don’t be trying to play Nancy Drew and venture off on your own. Call one of us. Hope, I don’t think I have to worry about you, or do I?”

  “I’m too young to die. I’ll tag along, but I’m not trying to do anything solo,” Hope responded.

  “Is that understood?” He looked at me and then our mother.

  We both shrugged our shoulders. After listening to Lovie’s lecture, I was ready to go.

  My phone beeped. I looked up. “I have somewhere else to go so I will see y’all later.”