I stood as if cement had been poured over me. I couldn’t believe what Adrianne had said. Things were just starting to look up for us, but now this.
“You did what?” I said to Jacoby. “Why . . . How . . . What made you do something so stupid? You didn’t have to involve yourself in this mess, Jacoby. Why did you want your father dead?”
Jacoby stood with a frightened look on his face. Finally, he started to speak up. “I didn’t want him dead. Well, at first I did, but then I changed my mind. I knew how much Paula despised him, and all she needed was a little push. I offered her the money and she said she would do it. But then things kinds of settled down at our house, and when I went back to see her, she said the plan was already in motion and that I couldn’t renege.” Jacoby paused to take a deep breath. He placed his hands behind his head then turned around to face the other direction. Shame was written all over his face.
“I had already given her the money. She wouldn’t give it back and she told me to get out. Then, Cedric was shot. I knew she did it, but I don’t know if she’s planning to tell the police about my involvement. If she does, they’re not going to believe that I tried to stop her. Nobody will believe me. That was why I didn’t want to say anything. I wanted to tell you the truth, as well as Cedric. But I couldn’t. I just couldn’t do it.” Jacoby broke down in tears. He leaned against his car and cried like a baby.
I was numb about the whole thing, but this was still my son. I regretted not taking action sooner, regarding my marriage. Jacoby felt as if he had to step in and handle things for me. Thus far, Paula hadn’t said anything. She pleaded guilty to the attempted murder charge and so be it. If she ever came back and tried to tell on Jacoby, we’d deny it. Even if she had evidence, we’d get one of the best lawyers in St. Louis to fight the case. But the person I was worried about was Cedric. What if he ever found out the real deal? Was it in my best interest to tell him, or should I leave well enough alone? I suspected what Jacoby’s answer would be, when I suggested that we go see Cedric.
“We need to talk to him about this,” I said while rocking Jacoby in my arms.
“Noooo,” he cried out. “Please don’t tell him, Mama. I beg you not to tell him. I know Cedric. He will turn me in. He will make me pay for this, and I don’t want to go to jail.”
Just the thought of Jacoby doing any time in jail pained me. Jail wasn’t for my son. I couldn’t let that happen, and as a matter of fact, I wouldn’t let it happen. This was yet another secret that I’d have to keep to myself. Meanwhile, I had to hope and pray that this never got back to Cedric.
Later that day, I went to the new apartment complex to pay my first month’s rent and security deposit. The quicker I got Jacoby away from Cedric the better. Jacoby had been through so much. When Adrianne told me that he’d contemplated suicide over this situation, I cried my heart out. Not my son. My focus was now on him. I didn’t have time for anything else. He had two more years left of school, was a very bright student, and had always done well. For the past several months, he’d been consumed with my mess. Consumed with trying to keep this family together. I wanted to tell Cedric just that, but unlike me, he wouldn’t understand. He would turn things around and make Jacoby seem like a murderer. He would disown him. Say that he was no good because Arnez’s blood was the blood running through Jacoby’s body, not his. Cedric would make our lives a living hell, and that was without a shadow of doubt.
After I left the rental office, I went to Cedric’s house. Jacoby was supposed to meet me there, so we could start gathering his things and putting them in boxes. He wasn’t there yet, so I called his cell phone. He told me that he was en route. I used my key to unlock the door, and the second I walked inside, Cedric was right there. He looked even better than he did before, and this time he was dressed in one of his tailored business suits.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he rushed to say.
My heart raced, and I moved my head from side to side. “I . . . Didn’t tell you what?”
“You could have told me, and shame on you for not saying one word.”
Seriousness was in his eyes. Then all of a sudden he laughed. He patted my shoulder and walked over to the door to close it. “Why didn’t you say anything about our anniversary? Did you forget that it was today or what? You should be ashamed of yourself, if you forgot. Then again, I won’t hold it against you. I forgot too, right until the second you walked through that door.”
I sucked in a deep, long breath and sighed from relief. “Uh, yeah, sorry but I forgot too. And are you sure that today is our anniversary? I thought it was a week from today.”
Cedric shook his head and strutted toward his office. I followed. He sat in his chair and looked at the calendar on his desk.
“Sorry, baby. It’s today. You got it wrong, and like always, I’m right.”
“Okay then, Mr. Right. Where have you been? You dressed all nice, and I must say that you look awfully handsome.”
Cedric smiled and leaned back in his chair. He propped his feet on the desk and placed his hands behind his head. His scruffy beard had been shaved and his skin glowed.
“I had a meeting with my business partners today, and I also met with my attorney. You did good with keeping up the payments on things, and I appreciate your efforts. All I can say is I’m glad to be back. Feeling good and ready to make some big moves. The house goes on the market tomorrow, but just so you know, when it sells, every dime goes in my pocket. Now, if you need any of this furniture, let me know. That way, I won’t sell it.”
“I’m good. I kind of want all new stuff.”
“Well, you damn sure have enough money to buy all new stuff. And then some, Miss Husband-made Millionaire.”
“Ooo, look at you. You sound bitter. Are you?”
“Not at all. There’s more where that came from, and if things go accordingly, there will be way more. So, uh, getting back to our anniversary. Since you’re here, would you like to throw some pussy my way and see if I’ll catch it?”
Just then, we heard the front door open. I figured it was Jacoby, and it was confirmed when he came into Cedric’s office. Jacoby barely wanted to look at him. His head hung low and he spoke in a soft voice to both of us.
“What’s up with you, man?” Cedric said. “Looks like you got girl problems.”
“Yeah, something like that,” Jacoby said with a fake smile. “You know how it is.”
“Hell, yeah, I know how it is. But don’t sweat the small stuff, and always focus on bigger things. I got a lot to teach you, son, especially when it comes to women. Never let them get you down, and always stay up. You hear me?”
Jacoby nodded.
“Go ahead to your room and start getting some of your things,” I said. “I have the key to the apartment, so we can move some of your stuff in tonight.”
Jacoby left the room and did what he was told.
“Tell me again,” Cedric said, sitting up straight. “Where is this apartment again?”
“It’s in Chesterfield. Close by the Missouri River, got three bedrooms, two and a half baths, two fireplaces, a loft area, and a chef’s kitchen. The clubhouse is off the chain, too. I can’t wait for you to see it.”
“To hell with seeing it. Do I get a key?”
“I’m afraid not, Cedric. How many times am I going to have to tell you that I’m your ex-wife? We don’t get down like that anymore.”
“Exes still be fucking each other, so don’t stand there like those legs are locked down because we’re not married anymore. If you want to keep holding out on me, don’t be mad at me for going elsewhere. I’m starting to feel an urge.”
“Have all the urges you want, just don’t mosey your tail over to you-know-who’s place. She’s got enough trouble on her hands, and the last person she needs to drop back in is you.”
“Who are you talking about? Evelyn?”
“Yes. Evelyn.”
Cedric winced and blew me off. “Whatever. Evelyn is old news. Whatever trouble she
’s found herself in, it doesn’t surprise me.”
I couldn’t help but to share what had happened between Evelyn, Trina, and Keith. Every chance I got, I wanted to make sure she looked bad through his eyes. I also wanted him to say that he had regrets about their relationship, but thus far, he hadn’t said it. He sat in disbelief as I spoke. Couldn’t stop shaking his head and cracking up. Then he slapped his leg and rubbed his chin.
“She that gotdamn trifling where she trying to fuck two brothers? They must have some money. Otherwise, I can’t see her going out like that.”
“Of course they do, but even if they didn’t, she probably would have gone there. Trina is so pissed. We’re to the point where we seriously believe Evelyn needs to see a psychiatrist.”
“Yeah, maybe so.”
He didn’t seem too interested in talking about Evelyn, so I told Cedric that I was getting ready to go help Jacoby pack up some of his things. He stopped me at the door.
“When the two of you get settled into the apartment, do me a favor and have a long talk with our son. He’s been a little off lately, and I’m worried about him. It could be about something with Adrianne, but usually, Jacoby don’t let girl problems get to him like that. I think there’s something else.”
I started to bite my nails. “So . . . something else like what? What do you think is bothering him?”
“Not sure. He hasn’t been right since I was shot. Maybe seeing me like that has done something to him. After you talk to him, I will. Okay?”
“Sure. I’ll keep you posted on how the conversation goes. Meanwhile, happy anniversary, and please don’t do anything that I wouldn’t do.”
Cedric held out his hands. “The sky is the limit. The last time I checked, I’m a free man. Unfortunately, since you’re not interested anymore, I may be prompted to take another woman out to dinner and make love to her on our anniversary. Remember, I told you about my urge.”
I threw my hand back at Cedric and left his office. At this point, I guess I didn’t care who he spent his time with, as long as it wasn’t Evelyn.
Jacoby and I spent the next few hours packing up some of his things. During that time, Cedric said he was going somewhere and left. Jacoby and I discussed, again, how all of this came about and how to move forward. He sat on the bed in his bedroom, shaking his head while I sat next to him.
“I know you want to say something to him, Mama, but you know your husband better than I do. My dad can be a monster when he wants to be, and nobody wants to find out they’ve been betrayed.”
“I do want to tell him, but more than anything, I want to protect you. I definitely know how Cedric is; I’ve lived with him for most of my life. More than anything, I’m glad you got all of this off your chest. I can only imagine how keeping this inside has made you feel, but I wish you would have come to me so I could help you get through this.”
“Trust me when I say I wanted to. Adrianne definitely wanted me to, but I didn’t know how you would feel about me paying Paula to do something so horrific. At the time, my head wasn’t on straight. I was so upset with my dad, and when I tried to reach out to him about how I felt one day, my timing couldn’t have been more off. I saw him in a parking garage with Paula, doing some crazy stuff that no married man should be doing.”
I could only imagine what Cedric was doing. The thought made me sick to my stomach. And then for Jacoby to witness it was awful.
“I don’t need details, and reaching out to him was all you could do. You were not thinking straight, and I assume you used the money in your savings to pay Paula, didn’t you?”
“Every dime of it. When I asked for it back, she laughed at me. I had no idea what kind of woman she really was, until I witnessed that evil look in her eyes. She hated Cedric with a passion. She was obsessed with him, but I can honestly say he created that monster.”
He’d created several other monsters too, but I wasn’t trying to go there right now with Evelyn. Jacoby and I finished packing, and a few hours later, we were on our way to our new apartment, ready for a new beginning. His secret was safe with me, and I intended to do whatever I had to do to protect my son.
Chapter 14
Evelyn
My feelings were a little bruised about what had happened, but oh well. You win some and you lose some. Trina had Keith’s ol’ weak self wrapped around her finger. For him to agree to do something so ridiculous was stupid on his part. I bet he was still thinking about that kiss, though. I tore up those lips. How could he ever forget about the sweet taste of my tongue?
The one thing that I was worried about was Keith telling Bryson about what had happened. For starters, I didn’t want him to be so upset about it that I’d lose my job. I kind of liked where I worked, and it did bring in a little money to help me pay some bills. Then, I didn’t want Bryson feeling as if I’d betrayed him. He’d been kicking me out every now and then. Not just sexually either. I never had to pay for dinner, never had to pay for drinks, and he even gave me some money to buy a purse that I had to have when browsing the mall with him the other day.
So in a nutshell, losing him would be a setback for me, especially since he was the only person I could really chill with and carry on a decent conversation with. I wasn’t ready to go see what was up with Cedric yet, and the more I’d thought about it, I was skeptical about traveling back down memory lane with him. The last conversation we’d had didn’t go so well. I left his house that day plotting my next move because he wouldn’t allow me to move in with him. He rejected that move, but he left me with a little hope about him taking care of the baby. Now that there was no baby, I wasn’t so sure if he’d welcome me back with open arms. He hadn’t called to say anything to me, and I wondered if Trina had told Kayla about the abortion, and if she’d told Cedric. I was almost positive that she’d mentioned it to him.
Then again, maybe not because I’d been left out of everything when it came to those two. It was a wrap in regard to my friendship with them. I didn’t suspect that we would ever be able to have the bond we all shared, and at this point, all the damage had won the battle. So be it.
I’d been off work for about an hour. Bryson said that he was working late, but he promised to call when he got home. I wasted time by going to the grocery store and then I stopped at Walmart to pick up a few cleaning items. By the time I was done with that, it was almost eight o’clock. I still hadn’t heard from Bryson, and to be honest, I was kind of getting a little irritated with him for telling me one thing, yet doing another. Like saying that he would call me. Sometimes, he never did. I wouldn’t even stress him about it the next day at work, and he never provided an explanation as to why he hadn’t called.
Well tonight, I wasn’t having it. I left a message on his voicemail, telling him that if he didn’t show up, I was going to stop by his place. I didn’t see it as popping up, especially if I told him I was coming through. If anything, I figured that my threat would, at least, encourage him to call. It didn’t. By ten o’clock, I still hadn’t heard from him. I grabbed my keys off the counter, reached for my jacket, and threw it over my shoulder. Bryson’s condo was about forty minutes away from my place. It wasn’t long before I parked my car on the parking lot and prepared myself to go to his door. I saw his car, so I assumed he was home. But when I called his cell phone, yet again, he didn’t answer.
With my high heels on, I strutted to his door and knocked. No answer. Rang the doorbell; nothing. If he was inside with someone else, the least he could do was come to the door and tell me. For whatever reason, he refused to do that. So, what I did was knock again. I put my ear to the door and heard loud music coming from somewhere. I wasn’t sure if the music was coming from inside of his condo, but the music could have been his reason for not answering the door.
All of a sudden, something hit me. When I looked for Keith’s key in the drawer, there was another key there as well. I’d taken both keys, and I wondered if that key was the one to unlock Bryson’s door. I rummaged through my purse
and finally found the key dropped inside of it. I slid the key in the lock, but unfortunately it wouldn’t turn. That was when I realized that it was turned the wrong way. I turned it the other way, and yes, I was in business. The key turned and the door popped open. I pushed on it, causing it to squeak. Once I was inside, the music was louder. I also heard grunts, and that was when I figured that, maybe, this was a bad idea.
Still, I tiptoed my way forward. I saw a pair of lace panties in the middle of the floor. A bra was tossed on the couch, her shoes were right near the door, and the closer I got to it, I could hear Bryson’s grunts more than I could hear hers. It was so apparent that she was putting it on him. So much so that it sounded like he was crying. He whimpered like a bitch, and the sound of naked, sweaty bodies slapping together got louder and louder. My heels sank in the plush carpet as I reached the door, and when I turned in the doorway, I got a shock that felt like electricity had ripped through me. My legs weakened, my stomach tightened, and I covered my mouth so I wouldn’t throw up. My eyes witnessed Bryson bending over the bed with a tranny behind him. The tranny was wearing Bryson out. His grunts were louder than the music in the room. I removed my hand from my mouth, refusing to walk away and hold my peace.
“You nasty, stank-ass motherfucker,” I shouted. “How dare you not call me because of this!”
Both of their heads snapped to the side. The tranny looked like a beautiful black woman with nice breasts and a round, tight ass. Thing was, she/he had a dick. A big one, too, which she eased out of Bryson who had already jumped away from the tranny like she/he was contagious.
“What are you doing here?” he yelled at me.
“No. The question is what in the hell are you doing? I mean, really, Bryson. Is this how you’re doing it?”
Embarrassment, as well as shame, covered Bryson’s face. He hurried into his sweatpants and ordered the tranny to get on his/her clothes.
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