One Safe Place

by Alvin L. A. Horn

  What did we do with the rescued victims from that night raid on the sex-slave house? We are helping those who were slaves with school, drug rehab, and jobs. Through Evita’s foundation, True Essence Humanity, we are helping the hurt and lost to get on a path of recovery, and stay the course.

  The security thugs were all illegal Russians living in America. Coming into America is—well, as we know, it is a lot easier if one appears less stereotypically threatening. Just look at the two brothers who did a horrible thing at the Boston Marathon, blowing up innocent Americans. We made sure Homeland Security found the illegal Russians.

  I’d rather not say what happened to the bodies of the former Seattle Supersonics owner who kidnapped Evita, the man who dislocated my shoulder, and Sasha Ivanov. It wasn’t pretty. Elliot’s body floated up near downtown Seattle, the same as the other two earlier bodies.

  Evita. I buried her with her mother in the same cemetery plot. I bypassed the legalities, but she has a final resting place with someone who loved her the best she could. I went with Evita a few times over the years to put flowers on her mother’s grave, so I hope her spirit will finally be at peace. I know Evita struggled with many awful evils, some self-inflicted, some done to her. I wonder whether she knew there was a cliff below that window. She had to. I think she wasn’t pushing Elliot through, but was throwing herself to end her pain. Evita died on March 26th, 2013. Rest in peace, Evita. Rest in peace.

  I’m meeting my birth mother next week. She is coming to Seattle, and she has asked me to come to the place I was born, the old castle on Orcas Island. I was brought into this world by a doctor and private nurse in the old castle. She has told me I was misled by other family members about her not wanting to meet me. They told her I only came for money, and they paid me off. She only asked the lawyers to check me, not to bribe me to stay away because she didn’t want to meet me. When I see her face to face, hopefully, I’ll know for sure if she is being honest. Gabrielle and Velvet have both told me that whether or not she is being entirely truthful, my birth mother wants to know her child. They told me to be the more human, and give the woman what she needs. In return, I feel better about myself and discover it is time to release some of this anger.

  My birth mother—I say birth mother even though there has been no other mother to raise me. I say birth mother because she has never been a mother to me, so as of now, she is just my birth mother. Anyway, she and I had a two-hour Skype conversation. She revealed to me that being an heiress, a socialite, and an actress over the years, has been a joy in many ways, but she has had to live with what people think, one way or the other, about whether she was a real kidnap victim and bank robber alongside my father. She has lived with what others think: was she a victim of Stockholm Syndrome? She said when we meet, she will tell me the truth. She did say that, as a teenager, she and my teenaged father loved each other, and there is no doubt in that fact. She said he was many terrible things to most people, but he never mistreated her or used her. From that, she said, I can start to come to some conclusion about the truth of what happened.

  I met my brother and sisters via the Internet, and will meet them in person soon. No matter the outcome of my relationship with my birth mother, I have a blood half-brother and half-sisters and I want to know them. I have a nephew and nieces. I’m looking forward to being a part of their life.

  • • •

  Gabrielle has released her breasts from my back and goes and opens the curtains. It is a pretty day on the water; a lot of sailboats are out. I’m going to go out for a walk. I need some movement. I’ve been relaxing and healing, but I need some exercise to get my blood flowing.

  Gabrielle stands at the foot of the bed naked. She holds her breasts that are pretty much healed, and I’m sure they have left an imprint on my back. She gazes at me with her sleepy, seductive eyes and with her lips slightly parted. She pulls the covers off me, and she leans down and starts to slide her tongue up from my feet and over my legs. Her legs spread over my thigh. I turn onto my back. It hurts my shoulder, but her lips are making the pain bearable as she kisses my face. Well, my blood is circulating, and I’m going to let her get her exercise. I’m just going to lie here and heal.

  CHAPTER 49

  Until Then I’ll Be Dreaming of Loving U

  One year later, on a warm summer’s night, the ferry moved in a wide, slow circle. At the top of each hour, the ferry had only made one full turn. The Seattle sky was blue and clear. Enough lighted sky gave the Lake Washington water a blue beauty.

  In the distance, the I-90 floating bridge was a mile of white and red light streaks. Dressed up in after-five attire and gowns, the women shined bright and alluring. The men, in suits, ties and perfectly-polished Stacy Adams shoes, socialized under the Seattle night sky, aided by lights from the house ashore. Soul music from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s played as bartenders made drinks and served water and coffee.

  Coach Ayman Sparks and his wife, Vanessa, along with Sterlin and Lois Mae, were jamming on the crowded dance floor. People danced freely and openly, having a marvelous time. All the people aboard were colorful in headwear. Everyone wore hats: most of the women wore the enormous Sunday best hats from the South, and the men wore derbies, fedoras, or cowboy hats, among other types.

  Psalms and Gabrielle walked around the boat, stopping to greet and chitchat with everyone. Gabrielle hung onto Psalms’ arm. For some time now, both had shown a small amount of public affection. It wasn’t a put-on. They truly felt it, and had relaxed into its naturalness. They headed to the dance floor to do a light, two-step cha-cha. Their eyes blocked out the sight of everyone else.

  “Excuse me, may I cut in?” Playfully, Velvet nudged Gabrielle to move.

  “I want him back.” Gabrielle laughed. She started to walk away, but stopped and added, “I need him back, so he and I can go swimming a little later.”

  “Don’t let me turn on the TV tomorrow and hear about one or both of you in a freaky situation.”

  “Skillet, be quiet.” Psalms shook his head.

  “Ain’t nobody gave you permission to call me Skillet, and listen to me. I have someone I want you to meet that I have been seeing for a while.”

  Psalms noticed that the last couple of months, Velvet dressed even nicer than the past, and that was hard to do. She would tell Psalms, “When you have hips, you better cover them to shine as something that you want to see.”

  A man slightly taller than Psalms approached, with his hand out to shake. The man removed a baby-blue Kangol he had on, revealing perfectly flowing white hair. Dressed in a white suit that was for sure tailored, the handsome older man resembled George Clooney with a deeper tan. He could pass for EL’vis’ twin, but older.

  “Hello, Señor Black, my name is Renaldo Dean. EL’vis is my nephew. He speaks so highly of you, and this incredible, absolutely beautiful woman also speaks volumes of prodigious pronouncements of you.”

  Psalms shook the man’s hand. “I pay them to say pleasant things. It is good to meet you. Are you here visiting?”

  “Yes I am, but I do have a home in Houston, Texas, and I still have my family home in Puerto Rico, so I travel between all of them. Maybe I should look into a home here in Seattle.” Renaldo Dean gazed down in to Velvet’s glowing face.

  “Sir Renaldo Dean, please have a terrific time on the boat and come by the office sometime. If Velvet is trying to keep you in one place, like right before her eyes, I will take you out and about.”

  “Señor Black, I look forward to it. If you don’t mind, may I cut in, and dance with this queen?”

  Psalms nodded and left to go find his own queen. He smiled, and had an itch to scratch. As soon as he could get Velvet alone, he’d tease her about the things she must say about him.

  Psalms also went looking for Mintfurd. It was almost time to perform. The help crew was starting to set up the dance floor with tables around the outer edge and leaving a little dancing area. The boat was at maximum capacity.

  A set of
stage spotlights in different colors highlighted all the hats below as people took their seats. The show started with local comedians. Darcelle Day came to the stage to run the fundraising raffle. She also had a “Vote for Me” button pinned to her shoulder. Her dress highlighted her perfect curves, yet she looked professional. The raffle was to raise funds for the True Essence Humanity. Darcelle announced that Evita River had passed away while on vacation in Spain.

  Psalms swallowed hard, but Gabrielle whispered in his ear, “She will be with you with every breath you take for the rest of your life.” He looked at Gabrielle, knowing he was in love with her, and adored her for the support that made him grow as a man.

  After the raffle, Darcelle took a seat next to Gabrielle. The two had become close, and Gabrielle was helping behind the scenes as Darcelle’s campaign manager and strategist. They had even double-dated. Gabrielle wanted simple freedoms just like that, too, just to be able to double-date. It helped her feel like the average person she wanted to be.

  After some vocal performances and poets, Psalms went to the stage. He picked a stand-up bass and played a solo performance. Mintfurd Big Boy joined him on stage afterward. Mintfurd stepped to the microphone.

  Mintfurd started to recite, and Psalms played the bass line to Marvin Gaye’s “I Want You.” Mintfurd’s pretty, handsome face flowed erotic romantic words of soul. The women in the crowd closed their eyes and took a mental journey with him, their hearts losing beats.

  “Her pheromones floated through the door before I saw any trace of her

  I sensed she was here even though I had no idea who she was

  But I got distracted by being the greatest dancer

  Stealing eyes as I danced by myself

  Some wondered

  Is he available?

  Can he move with me just like that?

  Others stepped to me

  They moved well, but they didn’t move me

  I let my moves speak for themselves

  Flowing my freeness

  I don’t have restrictions on how I move

  Once again I sensed a one-of-a-kind sensual misting of secretions floating in the air

  She saw me before I saw her

  But like I said, her pheromones floated through the door before I saw any trace of her

  Oh, but when she did appear before my eyes…

  Her ass sauntered

  Her pretty face glowed

  I caught her stare, and I threw one back

  Her eyes turned shyly away

  She strolled by the dance floor

  Her walk was a fine dance

  She got sexier the closer she came

  I kept my eyes on her, and my dance steps began to tango in her eyes

  Her presence, others took notice stealing their hope

  I started dancing as if I was holding her

  End of a song and others left the dance floor

  I stood alone

  As Marvin Gaye’s voice foreplayed

  ‘I Want You’

  She came forward

  I met her in the center

  If there were others nearby, we didn’t see them

  I gazed in to her sultry eyes

  She started to move her body in an enticing fashion

  She was a fashion statement of class

  I danced around her admiring her knowing she wore a soul-a-thong

  Before I came face to face with her again, she slapped me on my ass

  Then she licked the palm of her hand

  I took that hand brought it to my lips

  I licked as if her hand tasted minty

  I licked between her fingers in slow drag

  She watched intently as my tongue danced nastily between her fingers

  Her body shook

  Then I spun her

  Bent her backward in my arms

  Took her down low to the ground

  She was confident in how I held her

  I wasn’t letting go

  We didn’t dance around the dance floor

  We moved the dance floor around us

  We were dancing in the stars

  Other dancers were just stardust

  We were the only two stars

  The greatest dancers

  As Marvin Gaye’s voice foreplayed

  ‘I Want You’ ”

  Mintfurd stepped back from the microphone, and Psalms put the bass down. The audience, in all their colorful hats, roared to the night sky in appreciation of the performance. As the two men walked off the stage, Tylowe and Meeah stepped in front of the microphone.

  Mintfurd and Psalms walked together as if they were body guarding someone behind them. They stopped in front of Gabrielle and Darcelle and kneeled. They bowed their heads. At first Gabrielle didn’t understand, but Darcelle did right away, and then Gabrielle covered her mouth in shock.

  With Meeah standing by his side, Tylowe read a poem.

  A Vow To U

  I come to my knees

  To ask you can I claim U

  As mine?

  In my heart

  In my life forever

  I love U

  Every day

  Mere words

  No

  Much more

  Because

  I think of U and love is perfect

  I see U in my dreams and I’m not perfect enough

  I wish I could be

  Every day

  Our days are getting shorter

  I pray

  God’s will

  I’ll be loving U and you’ll be in love

  With me

  Making our days

  Happy

  As I kiss U

  You’re in my arms

  I’m loving your

  Skin

  Eyes

  Lips

  Curves

  Hands and feet

  Walk

  and

  Whispers

  and

  How you listen to me

  I want you in my life forever

  Sweet dreams

  Watching U sleep

  Next to me

  I kneel, to give thanks

  To admire

  Your mind, body & soul

  and

  Loving U while overlooking the best views in the world

  Holding your hand and walking with U

  Stop and tell you

  I love you

  To death do us part

  I love U

  and

  One day

  This earth will lay us to rest

  Until then

  I’ll be dreaming

  Of loving U

  In heaven

  While you are my heaven right here on earth.

  CHAPTER 50

  Everyone Wants and Needs One Safe Place

  “Good morning, America. With us today, is the former Secretary of State, Gabrielle Brandywine Black. Madam Secretary, it is thrilling to have you on with us. All of America wants to know how you are doing, and what’s going on in your life?”

  “Well, thank you for having me on. Life is good. I’ve been out of politics for nearly eight years. I’ve taught college, and I’m a part of a foundation to help older children. Many are younger adults trying to adjust to life after maybe things got off to a bad start, and I’ve done some traveling as a regular citizen.”

  “Well, Madam Secretary, about a year and half ago, you had the scare of a lifetime. But you’re doing okay?”

  “Oh yes, I’m doing well, I’m fully recovered physically, and I’m better for it mentally. I made many changes in my life. I became aware that life is too short, and I wanted to be able to do my best in all I do. ‘Girls just wanna have fun,’ as they say. I’ve been given what many may call a second chance.”

  “That is wonderful for America to hear. I guess in many ways, you are still showing us leadership.”

  “I’m happy if young ladies and young men can see that one can recover, and move forward, no matter the challenge.” />
  “Well, Madam Secretary, speaking of ‘girls just wanna have fun,’ clue us all in on that pretty ring on the ring finger.”

  “A month ago, I married a wonderful guy. I married the perfect man for me. He’s my best friend, and he is my protector. I married my soul mate.”

  “Oh…wow. Do you hear that, America?”

  • • •

  Meanwhile, deep in the heart of Texas, a conversation is taking place…

  “She married an ex-Secret Service agent; the black man with that wine-stain birthmark under his eye. Let that birthmark be the bull’s-eye target we aim for.”

  “Sir, with all due respect, I don’t think we want to go after him, or anyone associated with her.”

  “Don’t you want to get even for the little dunk in the river they gave you? The Black Goose—that woman—had to be behind you being kidnapped.”

  A sharp pain, imagined or real, shot down the spine of a cowardly, squat-looking man who resembled a duck. Pain pricked his asshole and his head, sending a reminder to his evil soul.

  “Like I said, sir, with all due respect, I don’t want to go after her or him, or anyone associated with them.”

  “Okay, we’ll leave the both of them alone.”

  • • •

  Meanwhile, in the meeting room of One Safe Place, Security and Protection…

  Psalms, Suzy Q, Mintfurd, EL’vis, and Zelda were in the midst of a meeting evaluating their latest mission. Two years before in Florida, a young black male was walking home from a store. He had candy, a can of pop, and a cell phone on him. A cop-wannabe saw the teenager, and profiled the kid as trouble because he wore a hoodie, even though it was raining.

  The cop-wannabe had a history of trouble. He initiated an encounter with the young black male by getting out of his vehicle and following the young man, after he had been told by the police he should not. The young man was talking on his cell phone to a friend when the cop-wannabe decided to confront him. Moments later, the defenseless teen was gunned down.